Tim is right: 2011 is not the Cubs’ year. (see also: 1909-2010). But not everybody needs to think that way.
There are two approaches to being a fan (probably more, but I’m concerning this argument about these two alone . . . unless I get so inspired to consider others; I doubt it): thinking like a player and thinking like an owner. One approach tends to be more relentlessly optimistic, while the other stirs up storm clouds of doom and gloom not unlike those delaying today’s Cubs vs. Pirates titanic clash.
I’ll take a look at the latter, more pragmatic (and, at this point, pessimistic) approach first. When you think like an owner, you ask the basic question: “What should the Cubs do?” Another way of phrasing it: If I were the owner, GM, manager of the team, what would I do? Well, I think most of us agree that ownership and management can’t afford to be blind optimists. If it’s your money or your job on the line, you don’t make decisions based on what you hope will happen but instead on what you think will happen based on hard facts and well thought-out philosophies.
If you think like an owner, you look at this Cubs team and realize the writing on the wall is all too easy to read. It’s “Cubs Suck” in bright blue graffiti. You start thinking about how to make the team better. You start thinking about 2012 and beyond. You realize that fighting desperately to compete in 2011 probably runs counter to the team’s best long-term interests.
You realize that cheering for success in 2011 is pointless. If you think like an owner. Nothing wrong with that.
But that same owner (and you probably) expects the players to adopt a completely different attitude. If I’m paying guys many millions of dollars to try to compete on a lost cause of a team, I expect them to try their best each and every time to the plate, each and every pitch, each and every defensive play, and every single game. I expect them to expect to win. Always. Even though I know they’ll more likely to lose, I expect the players I’m paying to embrace some rather unrealistic expectations.
That’s one reason we weigh all performance essentially the same. We don’t value stats accumulated in a pennant race any higher or lower than those put up when the team is out of contention. Players on winning teams are expected to compete as fiercely as they can. Players on crappy teams are expected to compete just as tenaciously. Playing for a championship or playing for pride, athletes aren’t extended any grace based on their circumstances. They’re expected to try to win, no matter how ridiculous that might seem.
Players shouldn’t get discouraged. Players shouldn’t concede. Players should never give up hope, even after mathematics declares hope dead.
Some fans, a lot of fans, take that approach. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Is it stupid? Let me say this as plainly as I can: there is nothing intelligent about being a Cubs fan. There’s nothing intelligent about being a sports fan of any kind. We do this for fun. Sometimes being a Cubs fan is fun. It’s rarely, if ever, smart.
So I don’t begrudge anyone who takes the die-hard approach of a player on the team. Go ahead and describe yourself as a member of the team. Invoke the collective we. We need to keep trying. We need to rally. We need to do whatever we can to win and win now. Fine. I like people who think that way. It’s an admirable quality in a fan, a teammate, or a friend.
If you’re a fan who thinks like a player and approaches every game as a new opportunity to try to win, who believes that every year has a chance to be the year, and who cheers as loud as your vocal chords will allow at the slightest sign of positive progress, I applaud you. (I might not want to hear you pontificate on why your approach is superior, but I applaud you nonetheless.)
So go ahead and keep hope alive. Tell all the haters and naysayers to embrace love and say, “Yeah,” and enjoy every minute of it if you can. There’s nothing wrong with thinking like a player when you’re a fan.
Unless, of course, you’re a fan who actually happens to be the owner.
Comments
Wait, they’re gonna play? Cubs lose.
AndCountingQuote Reply
From previous…I’m pretty sure Quade used “Cassie” already for Starlin Castro, so he loses points for lack of originality.
Good post, AC.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Agreed. I’d hate to hear from Zambrano or Dempster, “We’re done and we need to start looking at 2012 and beyond.” I’d probably laugh if I heard it, but I don’t really want players who are going to give up in May.
mb21Quote Reply
True, RC. He has called Castro Cassie. I forgot about that. There were two Cassie’s on the team so one had to go of course. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
This is the part that bothers me. I don’t really care what the fans think and I want the players to think they’re not just still in it, but that they’re going to win it. I also want the owner the GM and owner to be rational about the situation even if they do so privately. I don’t necessarily think Ricketts saying stuff the public is what he actually believes. Same with Hendry. I said going into this season that I just did not believe that either of them really thought this was a contender, but I also expect them to get fans excited and sell tickets. It’s best for the organization.
As long as the team makes the right decisions down the road I don’t really care what they say to us.
mb21Quote Reply
What are the chances that Len and Bob have to pay for their bleacher seats tomorrow?
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]What are the chances that Len and Bob have to pay for their bleacher seats tomorrow?[/quote]It would be unfair to season ticket holders if they got them for free.
mb21Quote Reply
I thought for sure this would start, “Tim, you ignorant slut.”
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]I thought for sure this would start, “Tim, you ignorant slut.”[/quote]I edited it and told Adam to go to bed without dinner. There is no namecalling on this site. We’re human beings.
mb21Quote Reply
Ryan Dempster —> Berg’d
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Dempy can’t find the zoney and Hilly isn’t helping.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]I thought for sure this would start, “Tim, you ignorant slut.”[/quote]I should go back and change it. It’ll have to wait, I gotta run.
AndCountingQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I edited it and told Adam to go to bed without dinner. There is no namecalling on this site. We’re human beings.[/quote](dying laughing)
AndCountingQuote Reply
I guess he’d have been better off to keep missing the zone.
mb21Quote Reply
That could’ve been worse.
Cards are about to have a bullpen fail.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
The Cubs are going to try and let Karstens have a complete game against them throwing fewer pitches then Maholm did yesterday.
mb21Quote Reply
Cards got out of it on a lineout-DP.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Dempster 25
Karstens 8
I wonder who will last longer in the game (TWSS)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
That was unexpected (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Hilly comes through!
ACTQuote Reply
That was close to a TOOTBLAN. Hope Doumit is okay.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
So, it’s pretty much just Ricey and MB21-y watching this game.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]So, it’s pretty much just Ricey and MB21-y watching this game.[/quote]
False. Listening. Watching the Cards-Rockies game instead.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]That was close to a TOOTBLAN. Hope Doumit is okay.[/quote]I’m absolutely in favor of sending the runner with 2 outs, especially with Demp in the on-deck circle.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]I’m absolutely in favor of sending the runner with 2 outs, especially with Demp in the on-deck circle.[/quote]
Correct. It was a really good throw from the OF though.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
To be fair, these nursery school level nicknames have been around since the Dusty era. Or maybe Demp already had that name, but Dusty himself was “Bake” (as is Jeff Baker now), and Matt Murton was “Murt” and there was Font and under Lou there was Fook. I think Dusty coined “Rammy” (my least favorite). I’ve Quade use “Marsh”, but I don’t know if Grabow is Grabby (dying laughing).
Suburban kidQuote Reply
I’m pretty sure Grabow is “Fat Bastard” …
Taking a look at that Doumit play. Very unfortunate that he got hurt. I don’t think Pena was being malicious about it though.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I’m pretty sure I’ve heard Quade call Grabow, “Grabe.”
melissaQuote Reply
That was a Fukudome at-bat I recently enjoyed.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Yay smallball!
ACTQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
Nice DP by Demp. Fortune smiles on the Cubs.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Now even Len is saying “cubs dot com backslash vineline”
I would have thought his nerdy self would know the difference between a slash and a backslash (unlike Bob, who also says it.)
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Peen-ya…I finally paid attention and heard Keith say it (dying laughing)
That’s silly.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Koyie can has CS.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Quite the play by Hilly and Cassie I.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Now even Len is saying “cubs dot com backslash vineline”
I would have thought his nerdy self would know the difference between a slash and a backslash (unlike Bob, who also says it.)[/quote]In the early days of the internet, everybody used backslash. It annoyed the piss out of me.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Quite the play by Hilly and Cassie I.[/quote]Hilly and Cassie. (dying laughing)
Are they sitting in a tree?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]In the early days of the internet, everybody used backslash. It annoyed the piss out of me.[/quote]Nerd.
(dying laughing)
Suburban kidQuote Reply
I just saw the Cubs are winning. This is exciting.
mb21Quote Reply
It’s not every day you beat the Pirates.
mb21Quote Reply
There’s still time, MB.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I just saw the Cubs are winning. This is exciting.[/quote]
It is exciting and it’s not even Friday/Friday.
melissaQuote Reply
Pat Hughes gave Darwin Barney’s dive a 9.8 there.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Pat Hughes gave Darwin Barney’s dive a 9.8 there.[/quote](dying laughing) he didn’t even catch the ball though.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21](dying laughing) he didn’t even catch the ball though.[/quote]
Grit earns style points.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Has anyone heard anything on Whitenack?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Has anyone heard anything on Whitenack?[/quote]
From Miles’ blog
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I just remember reading that he threw a pitch and doubled over in pain immediately after. I might want to have that looked at. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
By now you guys should know that the Cubs will do the opposite of what is logical.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]By now you guys should know that the Cubs will do the opposite of what is logical.[/quote]Yeah, but I’m thinking if I’m Whitenack and have that kind of pain, I want some professional to take a look at the nuts and bolts and make sure all is well.
mb21Quote Reply
The Cubs need to call Brett jackson up as soon as possible because this team is somehow more boring than last year’s team.
mb21Quote Reply
Jesus Christ Koyie (dying laughing) (dying laughing)
Soto coming back lit a fire under his ass.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Koyie is a lot of things, but Jesus Christ isn’t one of them. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
MO’s head exploded just now?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I knew they couldn’t go a full game without a TOOTBLAN.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
two pitches = 3 outs
dylanjQuote Reply
Cubs don’t get swept. Yay!
mb21Quote Reply
I love that the Cubs won despite giving away half their outs.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Starlin saw 7 pitches today. Aramis saw 4.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Starlin saw 7 pitches today. Aramis saw 4.[/quote]
At least he could play defense:
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=15337011
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Yeah, I’m not complaining, especially since Aramis had a homer and Starlin had a sac fly.
ACTQuote Reply
Bruce Levine:
Rice CubeQuote Reply
.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Al:
It’s okay because they won. Otherwise it’s not okay.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Perkins].[/quote]
In a manner of speaking…I’m glad the small ball worked but I was pissed about it anyway (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Al:
It’s okay because they won. Otherwise it’s not okay.[/quote]
Duckspeak! Or doublethink, depending on your perspective.
PerkinsQuote Reply
(dying motherfucking laughing)
Jeff Baker ———> DL
D.J. LeMahieu ———> Cubs
BerseliusQuote Reply
I’m fully expecting for Marshall and Wood to go on the DL tomorrow and be replaced by Todd Van Poppel and Brooks Kieschnick
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]
D.J. LeMahieu ———> Cubs[/quote]
What?!
Bobby Scales must be wondering who he pissed off when he sees the glut of AAAA players that have been added to the club and he gets passed over.
This will be a nice break from playing in actual games for LeMahieu. He can just kind of relax and enjoy being LeMahieu-ey at the end of the bench.
Chris DickersonQuote Reply
[quote name=Chris Dickerson]What?!
Bobby Scales must be wondering who he pissed off when he sees the glut of AAAA players that have been added to the club and he gets passed over.
This will be a nice break from playing in actual games for LeMahieu. He can just kind of relax and enjoy being LeMahieu-ey at the end of the bench.[/quote]
I just don’t know how the Cubs can slight a Young Player like that
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]This is the part that bothers me. I don’t really care what the fans think and I want the players to think they’re not just still in it, but that they’re going to win it. I also want the owner the GM and owner to be rational about the situation even if they do so privately. I don’t necessarily think Ricketts saying stuff the public is what he actually believes. Same with Hendry. I said going into this season that I just did not believe that either of them really thought this was a contender, but I also expect them to get fans excited and sell tickets. It’s best for the organization.
As long as the team makes the right decisions down the road I don’t really care what they say to us.[/quote]I agree that what Ricketts says publicly is intended to build fan confidence rather than portray reality. On the other hand, he hasn’t done much to show he doubts this team can contend. Doesn’t help that his regime kinda sucks at selling tickets too, apparently.
AndCountingQuote Reply
bring up a kid thats hitting and might have potential to let him rot on the bench: lets see what happens…
Anyone else think flaherty might be our 3B next year?
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius](dying motherfucking laughing)
Jeff Baker ———> DL
D.J. LeMahieu ———> Cubs[/quote]I’m excited to see him play.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=AndCounting]I agree that what Ricketts says publicly is intended to build fan confidence rather than portray reality. On the other hand, he hasn’t done much to show he doubts this team can contend. Doesn’t help that his regime kinda sucks at selling tickets too, apparently.[/quote]I still have a hard time believing that either Hendry or Ricketts thought this team was a contender. If some random Cubs fan can pick apart this roster and see that they aren’t as good as the Brewers, Cardinals or Reds, surely those in charge see it too. Right?
mb21Quote Reply
Can someone with some decent photoshop skills make this look like a Cubs ambulance bus:
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Can someone with some decent photoshop skills make this look like a Cubs ambulance bus:
SK unpluggedQuote Reply
[quote name=SK unplugged]No[/quote]Loser.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I’m excited to see him play.[/quote]
Me too, I’m just laughing at the Cubs ambulance bus. You can’t do anything but laugh at this point.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Also, Jim Tressel ———-> resigned
BerseliusQuote Reply
Lineup today
Fukudome
Barney
Castro
Rodrigo Ramirez
Peenya
Adolfo
Campana
Geo
Rdodrigo Lopez
I may even write a preview sometime before the game!
BerseliusQuote Reply
Geo hits lower than Campana. Makes sense.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Also, Jim Tressel ———-> resigned[/quote]
Apparently some damning SI article is going to be posted later today, so this is a preemptive reaction.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Also, Jim Tressel ———-> resigned[/quote](dying laughing) yesterday I wrote this: http://www.thehawkeyestate.net/football/big-ten/a-few-thoughts-on-ohio-state.html
mb21Quote Reply
I still like how the lineups are posted hours before the game. It’s amusing.
mb21Quote Reply
(dying laughing), started the preview. The Astros are as appalingly bad as I predicted going into the season.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius](dying laughing), started the preview. The Astros are as appalingly bad as I predicted going into the season.[/quote]Yeah, they’re horrible. Just a bit more horrible than the Cubs.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius] The Astros are as appalingly bad as I predicted going into the season.[/quote]
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Anyone watching The Borgias on Showtime?
mb21Quote Reply
The images here still make me laugh: http://obstructedview.net/about-us.html
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Anyone watching The Borgias on Showtime?[/quote]
Not I
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Geo hits lower than Campana. Makes sense.[/quote]Hey, Sote only got back yesterday.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Not I[/quote]We started watching that and will watch Game of Thrones later on.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]We started watching that and will watch Game of Thrones later on.[/quote]
I’m interested in hearing your take on that show.
BerseliusQuote Reply
I’m also interested to see DJ LeMahieu play and I see that he doesn’t turn 23 until July. Looking at his minors stats it seems like he’s another middle infielder who probably shouldn’t play short and doesn’t seem to know how to take a walk, but he’s hitting the tar out of the ball (probably has gapper power with those doubles and triples). I’m equal parts excited and cautious (dying laughing)
Which probably means he’ll rot on the bench until Baker gets back, because that’s how Q rolls. The only reason he’s playing Campana is because Byrd and Johnson are broken.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Oh, and happy Memorial Day guys. Hope you enjoy your BBQs.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
That, and he enjoys pretending that he’s watching a little league game when he sees Campana flying around the OF (dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
Hey B! What do YOU think of DJ LeMahieu? I was surprised that he wasn’t in the top ten of Cubs prospects, but I think he’s behind Vitters and somebody else I forgot when you only look at infielders. Scouts say he’s a smart player though.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I’m interested in hearing your take on that show.[/quote]The Borgias or The Game of Thrones? I know you’ve read the book for Thrones. If you know anything about history you know about what the show The Borgias is about.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]The Borgias or The Game of Thrones? I know you’ve read the book for Thrones. If you know anything about history you know about what the show The Borgias is about.[/quote]
Game of Thrones. I actually don’t know very much about the Borgias era of history, other than that it was a big clusterfuck for everyone (dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Hey B! What do YOU think of DJ LeMahieu? I was surprised that he wasn’t in the top ten of Cubs prospects, but I think he’s behind Vitters and somebody else I forgot when you only look at infielders. Scouts say he’s a smart player though.[/quote]
I don’t know much about LeMahieu RC, so I’ll give my stock response for any prospect. He’ll never be a MLB regular.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Hey B! What do YOU think of DJ LeMahieu? I was surprised that he wasn’t in the top ten of Cubs prospects, but I think he’s behind Vitters and somebody else I forgot when you only look at infielders. Scouts say he’s a smart player though.[/quote]Lemahieu was 10th last year and probably in the top 10 after the Garza trade, but here’s what they said about him last year (ranked 10th in Cubs org)
.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Game of Thrones. I actually don’t know very much about the Borgias era of history, other than that it was a big clusterfuck for everyone (dying laughing)[/quote]Rodrigo Borgia became Pope Alexander VI in 1492 and had to be among the most corrupt popes ever. They’ve had 9 episodes so far to their first season and it’s been fantastic. I think Thrones has also had 9 episodes at this point.
I’ve really enjoyed the two newest shows on Showtime (Shameless and The Borgias). Two of the best on TV right now in my opinion.
mb21Quote Reply
From what I could tell DJ LeMahieu has a good approach to the plate as his BAs are so good, but if he’s a player without a position he’s going to be riding the bench a lot anyway…
If they could rotate him in with Barney and Castro as the MIF pairings I’d be happy. I want to see how the hot hitting translates to MLB. But I know it probably won’t happen.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
LeMahieu is interesting because right now he’s so skinny, but he is 6-4 and if he can put on some weight there’s no reason he can’t hit for a lot more power than he has so far. He’s probably not too different from Darwin Barney at this point. A platoon of Barney and LeMahieu would be a pretty good idea in my opinion.
mb21Quote Reply
preview up http://obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/previews/series-preview-houston-astros-19-34-vs-iowa-cubs-23-28.html
BerseliusQuote Reply