Before we start, think about 2006

[UMFan83]

Instead of actually working, I decided to spend my day sitting in my cube and thinking nonstop about this game today. One thought kept creeping into my mind. How far have we come from 2006? I am not talking about ONLY in terms of wins and losses, but in overall feeling for the team.

 

For me, the Cubs have had many down seasons in my lifetime, but 2006 was by far the rock bottom point. I was delusional at the time. My mind was programmed to think only about losing and failure. I literally thought that this team was 3-4 years away from even contending for a playoff spot. I was convinced that the Tribune company truly built each years' team to generate a lot of fan excitement but not to win. I assumed that Dusty Baker would re-signed (until September when it was clear it wouldn't happen), I was sure that Lou was another Dusty Baker. I thought that it didn't matter how many Soriano's we signed, we would fail to be an adequate offense. I imagined every Cubs pitcher we signed would go down with an injury. I was in a very pessimistic spiral.

 

And then 2007 happened.

 

I am probably known as extreme example. But I am sure all of you were pretty down in dumps about the state of our franchise. It's not like we blew the world away in 2007 with our 85 wins, but to me the thought of us in the playoffs in 2007 was inconceivable a year ago today. So before we begin our 2007 playoff run, lets appreciate how we got here and how things turned around in just one amazing year.

 

Some 'memories' to ponder from 2006:

 

-Ball bouncing off Ramirez's head for the goahead run

-Neifi in general

-Neifi bunting with 2 outs in the 9th, down by 2 with a runner on base

-Two runs managing to score on one sacrifice fly (Fly ball to right field that Neifi screwed up on the relay)

-Two runs managing to score on one wild pitch (thrown by Mark Prior)

-All of Dempsters blown saves

-AJ Eyechart's 3 run homer to beat the Cubs

-The Cardinals winning the World Series

-Eckstein winning the WS MVP

[CuseCubFan69]

Those were the days my friend, I thought they'd never end.

[Banedon]

-Two runs managing to score on one sacrifice fly (Fly ball to right field that Neifi screwed up on the relay)

 

I was at that game so that one is forever in my memory.

[Soul]

Instead of actually working, I decided to spend my day sitting in my cube and thinking nonstop about this game today.

 

Haha, that's great. Good times.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I will never ever ever thin about 2006.

 

 

NEVER.

 

 

 

or that WS that was skipped in 2005.

 

 

didnt happen.

[beersoakedivy]

Lets not forget how Neifi saved us in '05

[jyoung55]

-Neifi bunting with 2 outs in the 9th, down by 2 with a runner on base

 

I was in the bleachers for this game. It was the most dumbfounded I'd ever seen a Wrigley crowd before. And I never want to see that again.

[third eye]

-Two runs managing to score on one sacrifice fly (Fly ball to right field that Neifi screwed up on the relay)

 

I was at that game so that one is forever in my memory.

 

I was at the Neifi-bunting-with-2-out-in-the-9th game. Just terrible. And equally embedded into my memory.

[jyoung55]

Lets not forget how Neifi saved us in '05

 

Let's.

 

Here's to some beautiful RED IVY killing those memories.

[CuseCubFan69]

-Neifi bunting with 2 outs in the 9th, down by 2 with a runner on base

 

I was in the bleachers for this game. It was the most dumbfounded I'd ever seen a Wrigley crowd before. And I never want to see that again.

 

I had that same look when Dusty started him time and time again.

[David]

-Two runs managing to score on one sacrifice fly (Fly ball to right field that Neifi screwed up on the relay)

 

I was at that game so that one is forever in my memory.

 

I was at the Neifi-bunting-with-2-out-in-the-9th game. Just terrible. And equally embedded into my memory.

 

I was on a rooftop for that game. Wasn't that Woody's first start back?

[beersoakedivy]

Lets not forget how Neifi saved us in '05

 

Let's.

 

Here's to some beautiful RED IVY killing those memories.

 

 

That was sarcasm

[Brian]

-Two runs managing to score on one sacrifice fly (Fly ball to right field that Neifi screwed up on the relay)

 

I was at that game so that one is forever in my memory.

 

I was at the Neifi-bunting-with-2-out-in-the-9th game. Just terrible. And equally embedded into my memory.

 

I was on a rooftop for that game. Wasn't that Woody's first start back?

 

 

yep, I was sitting with Mark R and Sethuel and Fred for that awesome game

 

 

There was also that 5-6 year old girl with the "We Got Wood" sign for that game.

[jyoung55]

Lets not forget how Neifi saved us in '05

 

Let's.

 

Here's to some beautiful RED IVY killing those memories.

 

 

That was sarcasm

 

I know... I was wanting you to focus on the Red Ivy that you can soak with beer till your hearts content.

[jersey cubs fan]

The only part of 2006 I care to think about is Dusty Baker finally left.

 

Oh, and Rich Hill was finally given some sort of shot late in the season.

[SouthSideRyan]

I will never ever ever thin about 2006.

 

 

NEVER.

 

 

 

or that WS that was skipped in 2005.

 

 

didnt happen.

 

It's weird how they've only held one postseason since '02.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I will never ever ever thin about 2006.

 

 

NEVER.

 

 

 

or that WS that was skipped in 2005.

 

 

didnt happen.

 

It's weird how they've only held one postseason since '02.

 

exactly.

[nilodnayr]

-Two runs managing to score on one sacrifice fly (Fly ball to right field that Neifi screwed up on the relay)

 

I was at that game so that one is forever in my memory.

 

I was at the Neifi-bunting-with-2-out-in-the-9th game. Just terrible. And equally embedded into my memory.

 

I was on a rooftop for that game. Wasn't that Woody's first start back?

 

 

yep, I was sitting with Mark R and Sethuel and Fred for that awesome game

 

 

There was also that 5-6 year old girl with the "We Got Wood" sign for that game.

 

Was I at that game? Are you leaving me out, Brian!!!!

[beersoakedivy]

Lets not forget how Neifi saved us in '05

 

Let's.

 

Here's to some beautiful RED IVY killing those memories.

 

 

That was sarcasm

 

I know... I was wanting you to focus on the Red Ivy that you can soak with beer till your hearts content.

 

Let's hope there is plenty of beer soaking the ivy well into October.

[CubmanPi]

Thinking of 2006 isn't helping anymore.