Ken Williams (above) says this would be his most disappointing season if the Sox don't get in the playoffs and ''do well,'' while Jim Hendry acknowledges he'll be "very disappointed" if the Cubs don't make it to the postseason.
I'll be away from the blog next week doing back-to-school stuff with my offspring (Ricky O'Donnell once again will fill in ably here), and I can't help but wonder where the Sox and Cubs will stand when I return. Three weeks ago, I posed this question: Cubs and Sox both in the playoffs, just one ... or neither? I liked both teams chances back then, but while the Sox still have high hopes, time rapidly is running out on the Cubs.
The Sox should have moved to within a game-and-a-half of the first-place Tigers, but former teammate David Aardsma couldn't hold a ninth-inning lead Thursday and Detroit rallied to stun Seattle 7-6. Still, the Sox have a golden chance to gain ground during a three-game home series vs. Baltimore this weekend while the Tigers hit the road to face the A's and then the Angels. The Sox face a rugged road trip next week to Boston, New York and Minnesota, but if they can pass that test, the September schedule sets up favorably.
As Sox GM told Sun-Times beat writer Joe Cowley in this story, he would consider this his most disappointing season if the Sox fail to make the playoffs (and do well once they get there, he added). Like a steely-nerved poker player, Williams is all in with this team after making bold deals to acquire Jake Peavy and Alex Rios, and the hunch here is that the GM's gambles will pay off with a playoff jackpot.
But what has become of the Cubs? It wasn't that long ago (July 26, to be exact) that they were moving into sole possession of first place after sweeping three from Cincinnati; suddenly, they find themselves a whopping seven games behind surging St. Louis and six games behind Colorado in the wild-card race. The wheels started to come off when disgraced former closer Kevin Gregg gave away a game in Florida; the Cubs then went 1-6 against the Rockies and Phillies and haven't been able to keep pace with a St. Louis team that has gone 18-7 since acquiring slugger Matt Holliday.
The Cubs' faithful are pinning their hopes on a soft remaining schedule loaded with games against sub-.500 teams, but after a 7-2 loss Thursday at Los Angeles, the Cubs (61-58) are sliding dangerously close to the .500 mark themselves. Most troubling is the fact they are playing listless, sloppy, uninspiring baseball, leading to speculation that manager Lou Piniella is counting the days until he can go back to blissful retirement in Florida.
Are the Cubs done (and if so, where did it all go wrong)? And will the Sox have staying power in their division race? Hopefully, both are still in the playoff picture when I return. Until then, I pose the question again: Both in the playoffs, just one -- or neither?
The Cubs are indeed done so it looks like Hendry will be very disappointed. The reasons? Here are just a few: A hot headed, immature, lazy, out of shape pitching ace who is unable to take care of himself; a baffled, should keep his dumb thoughts to himself, non hitting, non stealing, left fielder known for his scenic routes to fly balls and famed hop when a pop fly is hit right to him (no guarantee of a catch though); an overweight, injury riddled, underachieving catcher; a hot headed, head not in the game (where was Bradley exactly when Fukodome was chasing that inside the park fly? he wasn't on my TV screen), suddenly inept hitting and fielding right fielder; a closer who failed in Florida but was supposed to do great with the Cubs but of course didn't (I suppose he wasn't used to playing in front of more than a few hundred fans); an overrated starter, ex reliever with one good year and a multi year giant contract who is at best mediocre; and a befuddled over the hill manager. And Hendry has to take credit for stupid moves, wiping out a 97 win team, and ridiculous contracts. The chemistry of this team stinks. No passion or energy, laziness, and lackadaisical play on the field and at bat. Just keep collecting those big fat pay checks guys. Most of you are set for years to come. Thanks for a lousy season.
Love Kenny! However, I can't understand how this season would be more disappointing than either 2006 or, especially, 2007?
I just read Joe Cowley's article after my initial post. Now, I think I understand what Kenny meant. I profoundly agree that this team would be better suited to do damage in the playoffs than they would have been at least over the last couple of years. Last year, we were just happy to be there. The most notable evidence to that prediction is how well the Sox have played the better teams.
Also, Kenny explains the economic times, revenue projections, and player contracts. He goes on to reveal that making the playoffs in itself is a huge booster for future revenues. {In other words, this team is one that draws when it succeeds. What an economic concept?} I think he's inferring that creating the team of his dreams next year--and beyond--would be predicated on making the playoffs this year. Keeping two of the three middle-of-the-order guys (Dye, Thome, Konerko) along with perhaps going after Figgins might be in his head. I believe such a team, with Peavy, could compete exceptionally with anyone in baseball. With a little tweaking with the bullpen and a fifth starter, it could be an awesome team that not only is good at all positions, but also has a decent brand of chemistry hopefully experienced enough to get past this horrific year defensively.
O.K., I think I get what he's saying now.
Its CHICAGO! Of course it has to get done the HARD WAY. Seems we just love the dramatics. Nothing was more dramatic than last years Bulls and Sox! Even the Bears made it interesting. Cubs and Hawks cruised into the post season.
I stand by my assessment. Cubs will win the Central and catch St. Louis. That schedule is crying for a 10 game winning streak and its to the no-pressure style the Cubs are built for. They have the horses and I expect them to pull through. All of this recent disappointment is just what the doctor ordered for the Cubs because "being out of it" will take the pressure off them.
Sox will also win the Central because they play to their competition and will be up for Boston, New York and Minnesota. Its BALTIMORE that we need to worry about. Sox are built FOR the post-season. This is what Kenny Williams is alluding to with his comments. They have fall heroes up and down that line up. They have the pitching, coaching and enough speed to get them past the first round for sure. Sox have lofty goals. But thats just how we roll on the Southside.
I blame the Cubs post season woes on their coach: LOU-ser Pinnella.
At this point of the season, just one Chicago baseball team will likely make the playoffs and it's certainly not the Cubs. For me, the biggest sign that their season was done was back around the MLB trade deadline when they couldn't do anything to improve their roster to match the Cardinals acquisition of Matt Holliday. Even then, I was clamoring on the FCP boards all the way back to last Winter that Hendry NEVER addressed a left handed bullpen ace and I was strongly critical of the Kevin Gregg and Aaron Miles acquisitions. I'll admit though, I didn't think Milton Bradley would be this worthless and I didn't think that Aaron Heilman would be this terrible, but I also did say that I preferred Adam Dunn (a career Wrigley Field killer) or Raul Ibanez over Bradley if I had a choice. When DeRosa was traded, I even suggested to move Theriot back to 2nd base and grab Orlando Cabrera for SS when he was still available. If not O. Cabrera, then try Orlando Hudson at 2nd then and leave Theriot at SS, but nope, Hendry opted for Miles and gave the nod to Mike Fontenot. Big mistake. Oh well, the new owners will certainly have their hands full when they take over this team next season. Go White Sox!!
To the Cubs, Dandy Don Meredith would most likely be singing, "Turn out the lights, the party's over...."
However, I do have a mea culpa to share about the Cubs. Earlier this week, I predicted they would go 0 for 7 on this West Coast swing. Instead, they look like they will return home with a single triumphant victory. Congrats to Lou and the boys.
Sox still look good.
Cards are hot. Plus with LaRussa and Pujols, they will not lift their foot off the collective necks of the other NL Central Division teams until Oct.
I really have liked what the Sox have done. The only concern i have is with Ozzie falling in love with some of his players. Linebrink and Contreras are two along with Fields/Anderson. They have been instrumental in losing at least 20 games(maybe 25?) in just losing games outright or giving up big leads for some of our other pitchers(think Buehrle with the 7-4 lead). The other is to keep playing players who are not major leaguers and not hitting. Give us half of those games and we end up with 12 more wins and a solid first place. No other reason for us to be in second place. I would recommend us bringing up Hudson rather than a damaged Garcia or Colon(Ozzie's decision?).
You know, Kenny 'Ol Boy' seems to me, a little egomaniacal. This constant lighting a fire by undermining is also getting old. I wouldn't be happy with our giving away so many games this year, but I also wouldn't be pleased with these feeble public lashings either.
You have three very young infielders, no 4th or 5th starters (to talk of, at least), a mixed bag of relievers, a few notable injuries, some slow footed key hitters, and you'll be as disappointed as you've ever been if we don't make the play-offs? Puleeeeeaz!!!
More and more, with the passing of every news conference, do I tell myself Jerry, Kenny and Ozzie were all made for each other.
I'll honestly be disappointed if we don't make the play-offs, but not to degree Kenny's taking it to. We hurt ourselves way too many times with missed double plays, guys stranded at third with less than two outs, and some killer walks, but we're not a team of seasoned stars either. N.Y., L.A. (both), Boston, Cubs; those are teams that should feel a bigger brunt.
Way off base Mr. Williams. I'm disappointed in you, a little.
Get rid of Soriano, Bradley, Gregg, Heilman and Rosenthal. I hope the new owner will spend his money more wisely than the Trib. This season is over, and as Lippy Leo used to say, "back up the truck".
I hate LOU!!!!!!!
All CUBS fans If the CUBS are OUT of the playoffs using the NUMBERS, PLEASE BOO LOU if you go to a game..
ON second thought IF THE CUBS are mathematically OUT --DONT GO TO THEIR GAMES.. Show all of us FANS its NOT just a nice gathering place to meet people and that you really care about the CUBS .. DONT GO
I still have not heard the fat lady sing,but she does seem to be warming up in the dressing room. that grand slam last night was a killer. What happened to the Guzman a few games back? How could a guy who looked that good lose it so fast? Tough on Gorz., and of course Miles did his usual pinch-hit disaster. I agree with the people who second-guessed Lou on that move.Gorz. still had good stuff and is batting better than Miles. Were there other pinch-hitters available? Maybe tonight we will see what Marmol can do as a closer. The way the Cub bats have been missing the ball,the game is bound to be a close one.
You have that backwards, cubs are set for a run, sox are done. Continue talking to yourselves.
The Cubs most likely are done.
They can beat the easy teams, but are having major problems with the good teams.
I think Lou has given up too. The angry post-loss tirades are being replaced with a man who looks like he has no answer. So he just stares with a doe-eyed look on his face as reporters ask him questions that he's probably been asking himself a million times:
"What's wrong with this team?"
"Who's gonna be the closer?"
"How can you get Soriano back on track?"
"What happened to the clutch hitting?"
You can't solely blame the manager for when the team decides to under-perform. Soriano, Zambrano, Soto, Ramirez, Fontenot, Bradley, what the heck happened to these guys?? Did they all of a sudden decide to get old? Did the Dodgers-playoff series take that much steam from their momentum?
Not to mention this story of big Z being too lazy to work out properly. How does that not make the organization angry? They need to tell this guy that just because you're a major salary, doesn't mean you can do whatever the heck you want.
Realistically speaking, unless the Cubs get to play the Pirates for each game of the remaining season, it's time to look towards the future because this season is a wash. Yes, rebuild! This is probably for another topic, but I see the young talent and we're not going anywhere as currently constructed anyways. But more on that later.
Stu responds: RPK, it was stunning to see today that St. Louis had a bigger lead (seven games) than any of the other division leaders (Yankees' lead was 6 1/2 games). Even if the Cardinals go only 20-19 the rest of the way (unlikely, given how well they are playing, plus their easy schedule), the Cubs would have to go 30-13 to beat them. And in the wild-card race, they trail the Rockies by six games and have three other teams in front of them. Cubs have to get on a major hot streak, and although they have some soft opponents coming up, they need to start playing solid baseball before we can assume that they are just going to roll over all the bad teams on their schedule.
Ozzie waited one batter too long to pull Gavin Floyd. I knew it at the time. He should not have faced Brian Roberts who, at his size, has no business getting two home runs in a ballgame. Matt Thornton would have gotten him and the score would have been tied going into the bottom of the eighth. This is one of Ozzie's weaknesses. I like his fearlessness, but it often goes to the point of inviting a loss.
The Cubs
The Cubs are done and there is not just one person to blame but Hendry in the main culprit here.
He made some really bad moves during the off season and then no moves at all to help right this sinking ship.
Lou has not been that great himself but he cannot make the players that he has perform.
I think that too many people forgot how bad the Cub were just a couple of year ago (96 loses in 2006) and the team that was swept by Arizona in the playoffs only won 85 games while winning a weak division.
The fact that they were swept again last year shows that maybe last year was more of a fluke than a glimpse of things to come and people were expecting more than what they can produce.
There was way too much talk about the regular season being just a formality and the players start to believe that kind of talk.
I remember the Orioles loading their team with high priced players a few years ago and they went no where and are still struggling to get out of that hole.
This team is poorly put together and they were pinning their hopes on head cases and players repeating career years.
They are not a young team, their farm system is barren and they have some really bad contracts hanging around their neck so this stench can continue into next year and beyond.
The White Sox
The White Sox are inconsistent but they have played very well against the top teams in baseball and that shows that they can win the division and then do some real damage in the playoffs.
If they get there that is.
Their problem has been just the opposite of the Cubs season.
They beat up on the good teams and then fall asleep against the teams that should be easy wins.
Rios and Peavy playing for the Sox down the stretch should make a big difference but the bull pen worries me.
Linebrink will give you acid reflux and even Jenks has been unreliable far too often.
I am not sure how the pitching staff will be arranged once Peavy comes in but Freddie Garcia should not be part of it. Not based on what he showed the other day anyway. The same goes for Colon.
Contreras looks great one day and then washed up the next but he knows how to pitch in a pennant race and will not wilt in the post season (not mentally that is) so they should be ok there.
They could be leading this division by 5 games right now but they boot the ball around way too much and that has killed them in games that could have or should have been won.
I believe that this is the biggest issue that might keep them from winning the division.
Looking at the predictions made for these two team before the season started you have to admit that it is Kenny and Ozzie who are the better baseball men in this town.
Cubs will still make the playoffs. Should have baseball in october in Wrigley! Sox will still be waiting for Peavy to come back in a couple more starts. Too bad the sox tried to rush him back, now his back is bothering him, might be his shoulder, his velocity is down too. That is usually a shoulder. He can probably still pitch with a bad shoulder, but if his elbow goes again, then he might be off next season too.
Sorry Wally but I can't think of one single reason why you believe that the Cubs will still make the playoffs.
It is late August and they are fading fast in both the division and the wild card.
They look bad and there are too many teams to overcome to get to the post season.
It is not imposable but it is more and more unlikely with each passing day.
Wow… I am getting all misty over the thought of the Cubs not even making the post season after all that boasting and crap talking that went on back in April.
It’s a travesty I tell you.
A travesty.
Last chance for the Cubs before nepotism swoops down and 'Reinsdorfs'
them. I can see it now. The whole family gathering around the only milking cow in Chicago. Diluting our faith with each tug on 'ol Bessie's nipple. This family was not excited enough at the privilege
of owning one of the most prestigious franchises in MLB, to the point
that they waited and waited to see what the Cubs would do this year.
To see how much they would be worth. They left them-they left us-
dangling without hope, while St. Louis went and bought the division.
What else will happen on 'nobody's watch'? Look out Gary,Ind. Here
comes something stinkier than you. Wrigley, on it's last legs, will
not be rebuilt, only left to finish it's decay...among the dreams
of it's fans.The Cubs are about to become as meaningless as the
White Sox.
Wait...... I take it back...the Cubs still spent more
than the Brewers have throughout the course of the year. GO CUBS!!
............................................................................second thought, they spent it on Aaron Miles, Milton Bradley, and a new urinal for the loer level restroom. Dumb Cubs................oh...wait....that urinal seems to 'catch' everything, and it has seen plenty of b☺lls and hasn't swung
at a single one......a natural all-star that urinal.
The Cubs have a slight chance looking at how bad the National league is but what bothers me is that nobody talks about Lou. If this was Dusty there would be town hall protests by now. Cub fans have given this guy a free pass. He is the most over-rated manager I have ever seen. What has he really done? Got lucky with the Reds and get drunk and curse at reporters after games so we can see he is a so called tough manager? He is a joke and besides Dusty didnt have the payroll that Lou has the last two years. When the players didnt hit and field blame dusty but with Lou its the players fault all of a sudden...MMMM makes me wonder. As for the Sox I hope they can catch the Tigers but I think the pitching staff is getting tired. This next two weeks will tell the story. I hope now that the Sox can get some media attention that the Cubs seem to get for always losing. I wish that the Sox would have signed that WGN contract back in the day instead of the Cubs because if they had it would be none of this foolish Cub nation crap you see.
For whatever reason, the Sox are playing without any urgency. Perhaps it's the malaise that follows making a few acquisitions and ultimately, they will pick up the pace, but the 6 games against KC and Baltimore were pathetic.
The Cubs? Stick a fork in them. They left 8 runners in scoring position yesterday. After taking 3 in a row from the Cubs, the Dodgers gift-wrapped a victory for the Cubbies and they almost blew it anyway. If the Nationals take the first game of the series in Wrigley, watch out, it could get ugly... especialy if noted Cubs killer Adam Dunn gets hot.
Contreras
Up 4-1
2 out
Ortiz dribbler
A play my 92-year-old grandmother could have made--just pick up the stationary ball!
So predictable the outcome
Down 7-4
Just like that
I have no more words.
I agree with Seedy about the Sox playing without any urgency.
This team just can't get it together.
You see the talent there and they look impressive against tough competition and then.... they go into these mini comas.
Just one blown opportunity after another all year.
Boot the ball… Boot the ball… Bullpen blows a lead…
It has killed them all year.
If this was a bad team going nowhere then so be it but they should be winning this division and that is the part that drives you mad.
How can you have so many guys on one team gagging on the basic fundamentals like this?
Pick up the damn ball!
Stick a fork in the sox also - we're finally paying for having only 3 starters, and 1 of them (Buehrle) looks like he forgot how to pitch.
Contreras is pitching his age (got to be at least 45 rather than 37), and Dye is DONE.
Phil - Jose dropping that ball was one of the saddest things I have seen this year. Tore me up all on the inside! Then I started laughing because I cannot believe he let Big Poppy beat him out. Hawk said it right in the booth....BAD NEWS BEARS!!! Let hope this season has the same kind of ending as the movie.
That's what I meant by underachieving.
You pay a guy $10 mil per, you expect him to be able to catch a ball. The 05 championship rotation re-tread idea is not working.
I think Big Kenny knew this team was done last month- he just couldn't say it.
Jose is old enough to be MY father, and I'm 45.
I'll be 52 in October, and I swear, if you put Contreras and I next to each other, 99 out of 100 people would say Jose is older. That one nay; well his seeing eye dog was of no help! Un-ba-lievable! Ozzie sticks to his guns WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too long. As for Linebrink; my 7 yr.old grandson, and this ain't no bull, hits his spots better than this knucklehead.
I'm not giving up on my team just yet, because I can't believe Dye and a few others aren't going to have a streak, but the little things that are killing us are 'hair pulling' experiences. Gee wilakers Oz, you have to bunt every time the first two men get on; MANDATORY. Then cross your fingers and pray!
I remember '05 had it's share of timely hitting and pitching, but it was the unsung heroes that made the difference; Jenks, Marte, Politte, Cotts, even Vizcaino, from the mound. Then you had Blum, Gload, Perez and Everett come up with those key two out hits every now and then. This year; well, snakebitten is an understatement. Nothing, and I mean (Hogans' Heroes Schultz) 'NU-ZING', is going right this year.
Frustrating, but not 9 games back of a strong team, either. One good run fellas, just one. Stop the muffs, quit swingin' for the stands with men on third and less than 2 outs, close your eyes and 'eenie, meenie, miny, moe' when picking a reliever, put Rios back on the bench for a while, and shelve Contreras and Linebrink while throwing away the key!
Otherwise, we're all gonna run. That is, if we don't trip and fall. thatis
Bubba's mom - we are almost the same age. Jose is about 75, so we have to respect our elder. LOL!!!
Freddy looked good last year. I still believe is all going to come together. And if not - hey we were going to blow it all up. Our problem this entire year has been the middle of the lineup. They are too old and slow - to NOT be hitting. Its time for them to put up or say goodbye. I like everybody else. Even Colon. Next year looks really good. But I still stand by this year. We are good enough, just have to find the all-spark.
I am 47 and I believe that Jose is older than I am every time I see his face.
I am getting the feeling that it is not going to happen with the Sox this year. They are not playing like a team that is going to get it together and the last week or so has been brutal.
Even if the Tigers gag on the division the Twins are tied with the Sox and they have 3 games coming up in that hell hole Metrodome.
That series could be the nail in the coffin right there.
If they do pull it out I am not excited about the Sox squeaking into the playoffs and getting sent home after one series.
That's what the Bulls are for.
The age of players from latin America can be better compared to mice in your house. If you see one then there is liable to be 6 or 7 more. If a guy from Cuba says he's 20 chances are he's 27. It looks worse to be an up-and-coming 27 year old than an up and coming 20 year old. Nu-zing is worse than a player who has reached his expiration date.
This is Granville Waiters, here. Some of you may remember me from my years at Ohio State.
By comparison, Contreras makes even me look young.