It seems like just yesterday that the Cubs won the World Series. What’s that you say? It has been a hundred years since the last championship? Time flies when you’re losing. I guess.
Well, here are five reasons the drought will end this year at year 100.
Carlos Zambrano
Carlos Zambrano is a horse. Plain and simple, this guy can carry a team. And at 26, he is just approaching his prime. Last year began with contract worries that will not be a distraction this year. Not to mention that Zambrano is one of the best hitting pitchers around.
Sock it to me, Fukodome
The Cubs signed one of the top free agents this year in Kosuke Fukodome. Fukodome, 30, was a .305 hitter in his nine year career in Japan., including .351 in his MVP year of 2006. The Cubs will probably start Fukodome in right field but I don't think it will be too long before he will fill the center field position and lead off spot, pushing Alfonso Soriano down the lineup where he belongs. So far in spring training, Fukodome's teammates have gone out of their way to make him feel at home. In fact, Soriano is brushing up on his Japanese (he played in Japan) and the two are becoming fast friends. This is good as long as Fukodome's professionalism rubs off on Soriano, rather than the other way around.
Sweet Lou
Arguably the best manager in baseball, Lou Piniella is in prime position to take this team to the next level. The Cubs improved by 19 games from their 2006 win total in Lou's first year. Now that Lou is acclimated to being back in the National League and has a full year with the core of this team, another improvement is in store.
No Slow Start This Year
Lou juggled his lineup for the first half of the year while trying to figure out exactly what he had. This resulted in a very slow start for the Cubs. Once Lou learned his players, removed some bad apples and played the players who deserved the playing time, the Cubs went on a roll. There will be no such breaking in period this year.
The National League Central is Just Plain Bad
Last year the National League Central was arguably the worst division in baseball. This year it has become even worse. The main competition will probably come from Houston or Milwaukee although both will be hard pressed to keep up with the Cubs. The Cubs should have no problem making the playoffs and then anything can happen.
Of course, a team doesn't go 100 years without a World Series for no reason. Maybe this team is jinxed. Here are five reasons why the Cubs will not win the World Series. My apologies to Harry Caray and Ronnie Woo Woo.
Carlos Zambrano
I know, I just mentioned how he was a reason for the Cubs winning it all. Well, he can also be the reason they won't. Carlos has shown a tendency to lose it when things don't go his way. He consistently gets thrown off his game by umpire calls, fielding misplay or fights with his catcher (see Michael Barrett last year). If Carlos hasn't matured and has an ill timed meltdown, say during a playoff game, it could be on to year 101.
Rotation has Quantity, not Necessarily Quality
After Zambrano, the starting rotation, while solid, is not spectacular. Ted Lilly had a nice year last year. However, I would feel better with him as a #3 or 4 instead of a #2. And talk about meltdowns, what was with Lilly throwing his mitt on the ground like a petulant little leaguer in that playoff game last year. Makes we wonder about his intestinal fortitude. Rich Hill looks like a player to watch. After that, Jason Marquis, Rich Dempster, Jon Lieber, and others are competing for the final two spots. None of those names instill confidence.
No Set Closer
Who will be closing games for the Cubs this year? It could be between Bob Howry, Kerry Wood, Carlos Marmol and Ryan Dempster. If you have four closers you have none. Marmol looks like a dynamic player who might someday but a fantastic closer. Will this year be the year?
The Goliaths
So far in this article, I have not mentioned the Red Sox, Yankees or Mets. These three teams stand to have a lot to say about who will be this years champions. There are other teams that have made improvements (Angels, Tigers, Dodgers) but those three teams cast a big shadow.
100 Years?
It is very difficult to win the World Series in any given year. But can you imagine the pressure on the Cubs if they do actually make it to the World Series this year? One hundred years of futility will weigh very heavy on these players. How will they react? I hope we get to find out.
