Easiest Cubs Team to Hate in Recent Memory?

[Outshined_One]

Is it me or does this team really come off poorly when it comes to trying to like them?

 

In the past three years, there was a sense of hope that came along with these guys. There was plenty of talent, but the team just fell apart due to a variety of factors which don't need to be gone over at length. However, I gleefully bought tickets. I'd skip class to watch games whenever possible. I'd wear my Cubs hat around. The ends of those seasons were painful, but I still kept coming back for more with plenty of hope and optimism. I was dedicated, ya know?

 

In the years I can remember well prior to 2003, there were some bright lights among the garbage. 1998 was really exciting. 2001 was unreal, considering the fact that Sosa nearly dragged all of that deadweight with him into the playoffs. The teams sucked, but I never really expected much out of them. I barely remember 1989. The Cubs were pretty terrible up until I went to HS in 1998. Maybe my memory is failing me, but I still liked the Cubs despite their losing.

 

But now? Man...I really can't stand this team. I've become so disgusted with them. Whether it's Jim Hendry making up excuse after excuse for a team that simply isn't good, Dusty Baker's stubbornness with lineups, the pitiful hitting, the fact that this team likely won't be getting much better in the near future, or anything else...I just have so much trouble rooting for them. Today's incident with AJP and Bare was no exception.

 

I was happy to see some one sock AJ in the face...but the way Barrett did it was Bush. Dusty didn't even defend his own guy for cripe's sake! I don't care how justified Baker was for throwing Bare under the bus; that was the first time all season I've seen Baker hold anyone accountable for their stupidity! If he's going to defend his guys to the media, why not do it then?

 

I already threw in the towel for any hope this season had when San Diego swept the Cubs. I was hoping that I could sit back, relax, and watch them like I did back when I was younger. Instead...I have trouble simply sitting through a game on TV. I have no desire to catch any games at Wrigley when I go home. Heck, I haven't even worn my Cubs hat in awhile. I know there are bright spots (Zambrano), but that's not even enough.

 

I'm not alone in feeling this way, am I?

[Drew Doughty]

the management is very easy to hate, i still have a tough time hating the players outside of Rusch, Bynum, and Perez.

[soccer10k]

I can't hate the Cubs. I don't know why, I just can't. They would be the last of my favorite temas that I would ever give up on. I may not go out of my way to watch as many games as I can, but if a game is on, I'm going to watch. Of course, there are exceptions like Woody's first start (which I skipped class for) and I will probably do the same for Prior when he comes back. The difference from year to year is how much of an effort I make to watch the games. I may not agree with their moves, but players, managers, and management come and go but the Cubs as an organization don't go anywhere.

[UMFan83]

Id much rather have this team be an entertaining 65 win team then a dull and dumb 75 win team[/url]

[SouthSideRyan]

'04 did a pretty great job of being a damn good team and hard to like.

[Laura]

I've grown to hate the front office. This team I don't hate at all. I kinda pity them, if anything.

 

Maddux and Marshall and Z I like. I still like Barrett, even given his propensity to throw a punch. Walker I like and I root for Ronny but always suspected he might not hit .330 this year. Aramis is a disappointment. Derrek Lee is hurt. Murton is decent, but you can't expect .300/30 out of basically a first-full-year player.

 

I don't dislike this team, but I'm not enthusiastic about it. I don't bother to try to tune in the games when I'm traveling for work anymore. I just check the box score later, already figuring in the loss.

 

I don't dislike the players because they lose. I dislike the front office because they lose.

[sunnydoo]

In my 30+ years of following Cubbie baseball, the only time i have been embarrassed to be a Cub fan was 2004. That team was an absolute disgrace to the game itself. They set new lows in just about every human category for a baseball team. These guys are inept, but at least they are trying.

 

The Bob Kennedy years from 1976-1981 were really bad. So bad that Wrigley finally gave up ownership to the Tribune. Had good young players, a decent pen, and some entertaining vets like King Kong, but never could find starting pitching, OBP, or OF power besides the Big Ape. Also did some pretty stupid trading too.

 

99-00 were truly awful years too. Riggleman, Baylor, and Lynch were awful (though each is very nice off the field). I blame most of that mess though on Himes and Hendry, who were special assistant and pd director. That was about the time that Jim felt the need to permanently destroy CPatts career. Too many people had too much input and too many poor decisions were made on and off the field.

 

Hopefully we will shake out of this next year. If we fall back towards the late 70s, hopefully the Tribune will get out like Wrigley did and get new decent corporate ownership in the Chicago area.

[Sosa21MVP]

Easiest to hate? Not really. I never have hated the Cubs. Sometimes they suck, sometimes they are good. This team didn't have a chance to begin with. You start the season with Wood & Prior disabled, then DLee gets seriously injured. The Cubs were pretty much right in the race until Lee got hurt, and maintained for a few games before collapsing.

 

Assign blame as you will, this team isn't very good right now and it lacks the personnel to be much better.

 

Blame Hendry, blame Baker, blame players. They all can share the blame. But I don't see this team being much more despicable than the disasters of the past. I guess perhaps not having Sosa around to hit 60 home runs makes it less interesting. :wink:

[BigbadB]

Yep! Only took a month and a half of the 2006 season to make this team the easiest team to hate. Actually, I never did like this team as it was assembled from October of 2005. Completely the wrong direction.

 

I'd trade anyone. Derrek Lee? Yep. I'm embarrassed for him. He should play for a better team. He should play for a team that he doesn't have to dig for excuses day in and day out. He's a class individual and it's horrible that he is stuck here for the next 5 years.

 

Unless they do something NOW! Start firing anyone who believes catching the ball and speed wins games. Pujols is about a half dozen wind blowing in games in Wrigley from passing the entire Cubs team in HR's.

 

But, the only way to truly fix this mess is to go all Florida Marlins on this team. Sell off everyone. Trade them for young talent that haven't achieved their millions yet. Quit bringing in the lazy and uncaring. Quit offering up the big contracts to the talentless guys who don't deserve big contracts. But, if they do this, they need to start with management first.

[E.J.]

I'd have to say 2004 team was the easiest to hate. That team drove me insane. I don't blame this team. It's not their fault they suck. They're just not good.

[srbin84]

I'd have to say 2004 team was the easiest to hate. That team drove me insane. I don't blame this team. It's not their fault they suck. They're just not good.

 

Agreed. 2004 had Kent "Motorola" Mercker, Sammy, etc.

[Shavo]

I personally loved the 2003, 2004, and 2005 teams. Say what you will about 2004, but it was fun.

 

This team? Pathetic. The flash of brilliance at the first week just makes you sick right now to even think about it.

[larhur]

I can't hate this Cub team, But when they really suck, I yell I can't stand this team, But even though we get our pitchers back and D.Lee comes back I can't see how this club of just average players caan turn it around, i see a top 5 draft choice next year

[RynoRules]

I've grown to hate the front office. This team I don't hate at all. I kinda pity them, if anything.

 

Maddux and Marshall and Z I like. I still like Barrett, even given his propensity to throw a punch. Walker I like and I root for Ronny but always suspected he might not hit .330 this year. Aramis is a disappointment. Derrek Lee is hurt. Murton is decent, but you can't expect .300/30 out of basically a first-full-year player.

 

I don't dislike this team, but I'm not enthusiastic about it. I don't bother to try to tune in the games when I'm traveling for work anymore. I just check the box score later, already figuring in the loss.

 

I don't dislike the players because they lose. I dislike the front office because they lose.

 

You and Southside have identified it: I disliked the 04' team b/c they had greatness by the throat and lost their grip, largely b/c they were busy distracting themselves with the guys in the booth, which has to be the dumbest thing ever.

 

This team is pathetic - its like a sad-eyed dog with one leg. I pity the team, and dislike the people who created it. Their arrogance and lack of foresight has caught up with them in a major way.

[Sammy Sofa]

The management and most of the coaches are very easy to loathe...but as a whole, I find it very difficult to hate or even dislike players unless they're out and out a-holes, a la AJP or Bonds. Sure, guys like Neifi and Rusch stink 99.9% of the time, and I may hate their performance, but to actually hate THEM? Naaaaah...

 

Well, except for maybe Bynum. The blatant laziness he's showing on the field is driving me nuts.

[Careless]

I'd have to say 2004 team was the easiest to hate. That team drove me insane. I don't blame this team. It's not their fault they suck. They're just not good.

In hate relative to wins, 2004 is the leader. This team is easier to hate because it's so bad.

[Soul]

That '04 team has got to take the cake.

 

I'll throw '85 out there too, just for the sheer letdown of realizing '84 was a one-year affair.

[Illini Iceman]

That '04 team has got to take the cake.

 

I'll throw '85 out there too, just for the sheer letdown of realizing '84 was a one-year affair.

 

They were actually good for a while in '85, but if I recall correctly wasn't at one point the entire starting rotation injured?

[WindyCity]

2004 and its not even close. The potential for the talent on that team stilll makes me sad/mad. Yet they squandered their energy with off-field BS. They deserved that end to the season -- unfortunately, we the fans didn't, but we were taken on that ride down to ruin with them.

 

I can't hate these bums this year -- its not their fault that a bunch of role players were assembled and called a team.

[Soul]

That '04 team has got to take the cake.

 

I'll throw '85 out there too, just for the sheer letdown of realizing '84 was a one-year affair.

 

They were actually good for a while in '85, but if I recall correctly wasn't at one point the entire starting rotation injured?

 

Yeah. They were good for a bit, then they went on a huge 14 game bender and it was just terrible after that. I was still a kid, but I remember the bitching and moaning pretty well :)

[Irrelevant Dude]

This team is much more likeable than the 2004 version... although also much worse.

[otis89]

I never paid much attention to the Cubs up until 2003. (Keep in mind I'm only 17.) So last year was the first losing Cubs team I've ever put up with. This year's pathetic excuse for a team has got me really fed up.

[AR-Baseball-Fan]

This team is much more likeable than the 2004 version... although also much worse.

 

Agreed.

[SouthSideRyan]

I never paid much attention to the Cubs up until 2003. (Keep in mind I'm only 17.) So last year was the first losing Cubs team I've ever put up with. This year's pathetic excuse for a team has got me really fed up.

 

Get used to it.

[srbin84]

I never paid much attention to the Cubs up until 2003. (Keep in mind I'm only 17.) So last year was the first losing Cubs team I've ever put up with. This year's pathetic excuse for a team has got me really fed up.

 

Last year was an amazing success compared to 99, 00 and 02. Be very thankful you didn't have to watch Micah Bowie start.