Death of a Season: The 5 steps

[Scott G. F.]

The five stages of grief over the 2006 season are:

 

 

1-Denial-"this can't be happening to the Cubs again", No crying. Not accepting or even acknowledging the losses.

 

 

2-Anger-"why the Cubs again?", feelings of wanting to fight back or get even with the management, blaming the players for being hurt.

 

3-Bargaining-bargaining often takes place before the loss. Attempting to make deals with other teams or attempting to make deals with God to stop or change the losing. Begging, wishing, praying for them to come back.

 

4-Depression-overwhelming feelings of hopelessness, frustration, bitterness, self pity, mourning losses of games as well as the hopes, dreams and plans for the World Series. Feeling lack of control, feeling numb. Perhaps even feeling like rooting for another team.

 

5-Acceptance-there is a difference between resignation and acceptance. You have to accept the losing, not just try to bear it quietly. Realization that it takes more then wishfulthinking to make a season succesful. Realization that the Team is gone (in death of the season) that it is not their fault, they didn't lose on purpose. (even in cases of talentlessness, often the teams were not in the same league as other teams) Finding the good players that can come out of the pain of losing, finding comfort and healing of our hurt players. Our goals turn toward personal growth and next year 2007. Stay with fond memories of the season thus far as rare as that might be.

 

Finding help for next year and healing the hurt players. They will survive. They will get better, even if you cannot believe that now, just know that it is true. To feel pain after a loss is normal. It proves that we are alive, human and Cubs fans. But we can't stop living. We have to become stronger, while not shutting off our feelings for the hope of one day winning the World Series. Helping others through something we have experienced is a wonderful way to fascilitate our healing and bring good out of this tragic season.

[Banedon]

Which step are you in Scott? Somehow I'm experiencing step 2 and 5 at the same time.

[Scott G. F.]

Which step are you in Scott? Somehow I'm experiencing step 2 and 5 at the same time.

 

 

I'm stuck at 1 until the ASG. I cannot believe the season is over until then. So I'm in very much Denial. I find it pathetic and funny when the other teams announcers actually feel bad for the Cubs. They were like "look there swinging at the first pitch again! incredible". The camera flashes on Dusty and he seems to be napping.

[Banedon]

Which step are you in Scott? Somehow I'm experiencing step 2 and 5 at the same time.

 

 

I'm stuck at 1 until the ASG.

 

Even if they get swept by the Florida Marlins? They of the AAA team?

[Scott G. F.]

Which step are you in Scott? Somehow I'm experiencing step 2 and 5 at the same time.

 

I'm stuck at 1 until the ASG.

 

Even if they get swept by the Florida Marlins? They of the AAA team?

 

Yes even then. I will have hope (be in denial) until then. It's just how I am.

 

I actually don't see this season as being such a bad thing. A full season for Murton and Cedano, Marshall, some starts for Hill. Get people healthy and make some moves this team will get back on top. No pressure rehab year for Wood, Prior and D. Lee oh yeah and Wade Miller.

[gerby23]

Which step are you in Scott? Somehow I'm experiencing step 2 and 5 at the same time.

 

I'm stuck at 1 until the ASG.

 

Even if they get swept by the Florida Marlins? They of the AAA team?

 

Yes even then. I will have hope (be in denial) until then. It's just how I am.

 

I actually don't see this season as being such a bad thing. A full season for Murton and Cedano, Marshall, some starts for Hill. Get people healthy and make some moves this team will get back on top. No pressure rehab year for Wood, Prior and D. Lee oh yeah and Wade Miller.

This is the problem in my opinion. We have needed to make some moves every year since 03 and we have made some--albeit the wrong ones taking us in the wrong direction. I am with you Scott, I am still hopeful, but believing in Hendry and MacPhail to make some moves in the off-season? I can no longer be hopeful about that, they have made thewrong ones too many times.

[Sammy Sofa]

Man, I am wallowing in 2-4 simultaneously. I think I need the sweep tonight to finally break on through to 5.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I've blown through all of them already. I'm on #6 right now -- go Tigers or Red Sox (still haven't decided yet).

[TheDude]

I'm the first four steps all at once.

[Scott G. F.]

I've blown through all of them already. I'm on #6 right now -- go Tigers or Red Sox (still haven't decided yet).

 

Ouch. At least not the White Sox.

 

I like to see the D-rays do good since I drive past the Trop. everyday. Free parking and 8 dollar seats is great.

[Master Shake]

At this point this team is SO bad, that one good offseason can't possibly fix this mess.

 

I'm almost to the point of writing off next year as well.

"Wait till the year after next!"

[FergieJ31]

Since misery loves company, thought I'd add this little tidbit:

 

With last night's loss, the Cubs team OBP dipped under 0.300 for the first time all season (now 0.299) ... ouch :(

[Derwood]

6-Fits of Manic Laughter - every time the team invents a new way to suck

[MikeyLikesCubbies]

I was on step one for most of the month, and steps 2-4 lasted just a few days. Step five set in after game 2 against the Sox. This team isn't worth the energy I would have spent on anger and depression...I have a real life to deal with.

[Scott G. F.]

At this point this team is SO bad, that one good offseason can't possibly fix this mess.

 

I'm almost to the point of writing off next year as well.

"Wait till the year after next!"

 

 

I could never get that far ahead of myself. With a healthy team coming out of this year. Prior, Wood, Miller, D Lee, Pagan. I see good things. Hendry makes some move to plug holes he thinks he can address and the Cubs'll be back at it.

[louisvillecub]

At this point this team is SO bad, that one good offseason can't possibly fix this mess.

 

I'm almost to the point of writing off next year as well.

"Wait till the year after next!"

 

 

I could never get that far ahead of myself. With a healthy team coming out of this year. Prior, Wood, Miller, D Lee, Pagan. I see good things. Hendry makes some move to plug holes he thinks he can address and the Cubs'll be back at it.

 

You're counting on Prior and Wood next year?? :shock:

[goonys evil twin]

I fluctuate between all the steps. I'm pissed at all the losing, still bargaining against the fates for something good to happen, depressed when I think of the opportunity they've wasted, and I've pretty much accepted what is happening.

 

 

But I still have moments of denial that they are actually this bad.

[moorecg]

At this point this team is SO bad, that one good offseason can't possibly fix this mess.

 

I'm almost to the point of writing off next year as well.

"Wait till the year after next!"

 

 

I could never get that far ahead of myself. With a healthy team coming out of this year. Prior, Wood, Miller, D Lee, Pagan. I see good things. Hendry makes some move to plug holes he thinks he can address and the Cubs'll be back at it.

 

You're counting on Prior and Wood next year?? :shock:

 

Not to mention the fact that next year's free agent class is far from spectacular...wait till the year after next seems completely reasonable...hell...somebody just posted that our TEAM obp is under .300...has that ever happened for a team to finish with an OBP under .300 for the year?

[hardcorecubfan]

I am on 5, but they are pushing me toward the twelve step AA program

[Ding Dong Johnson]

has that ever happened for a team to finish with an OBP under .300 for the year?

 

The '02 and '03 Tigers each hit 300 for the season.

[Sammy Sofa]

I could never get that far ahead of myself. With a healthy team coming out of this year. Prior, Wood, Miller, D Lee, Pagan.

 

Er...

 

"One of these things is not like the other..."

[FergieJ31]

I could never get that far ahead of myself. With a healthy team coming out of this year. Prior, Wood, Miller, D Lee, Pagan.

 

Er...

 

"One of these things is not like the other..."

 

MojoPin, great sig ... that's how I feel as I look at Nomar's line after 108 AB this year:

 

AVG .370

OBP .430

SLG .657

OPS 1.087

[IWU_CUBS_FAN]

i pretty much skipped steps 3 and 4 and went right to 5 three weeks ago

[Sammy Sofa]

I could never get that far ahead of myself. With a healthy team coming out of this year. Prior, Wood, Miller, D Lee, Pagan.

 

Er...

 

"One of these things is not like the other..."

 

MojoPin, great sig ... that's how I feel as I look at Nomar's line after 108 AB this year:

 

AVG .370

OBP .430

SLG .657

OPS 1.087

 

The sad thing, it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. Dude showed he could hit when he came back last year...

[bobbyd20]

In addition to experiencing all of the feelings over the past month, I've noticed my alcohol consumption has increased by an impressive (or maybe scary) amount.