Doug Glanville book excerpt - being eliminated from playoffs

[David]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs/2011/story/_/id/7077713/2011-mlb-playoffs-teams-experience-bitter-end

 

During my one journey into the postseason, I was on a Cubs team that made it as far as possible without reaching the World Series. We lost Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, a place few teams ever reach. On paper, that would be a successful season. The previous March, the Cubs were not picked to finish first. Dusty Baker was getting his feet wet, and like the 2010 San Francisco Giants, we made moves at the trade deadline that resembled an auto parts shop more than a team destined for championship glory.

 

On one level, we were not supposed to be there, but that was not what we thought as players. Our rotation was flirting with what the Phillies had in 2011. Mark Prior, Kerry Wood, Carlos Zambrano and Matt Clement were no joke, and we seemed to have a platoon for every situation. Grudzielanek-Womack, Simon-Karros, Lofton-sometimes Glanville.

 

Since the glass was half-full, we had high expectations that were crystallized when Baker motivated us for the Braves before the National League Division Series by quoting 50 Cent and telling us to not read into his "we are just lucky to be here" comments in the paper. Behind closed doors, we were not the underdog. We were a good team that had caged the Cardinals and shot down the Astros' rocket ship to see October.

 

One would think that you would have some level of satisfaction by making it so far in the playoffs, that somehow it would feel better to knock on the door of the World Series than to be on a team that was out of it by the All-Star break. But being out of it at the break was much easier to stomach, even with an NL Central banner coming Chicago's way.

 

So on that couch I lied for about half a day. Nothing mattered much other than how tired I felt. I finally dragged myself out to eat dinner a few blocks away in hopes of finding some charge. I couldn't recall feeling that way at the end of a regular season when we finished eight or 10 games back. Maybe it was because in those years the writing was on the wall for a while. You saw it coming, and you had warning of your disappointment.

 

Not true for the playoffs. It is a rush, an all-out blitz of disappointment that hits you. There is no writing on the wall. The wall just comes out of the shadows and stops you cold without passion or prejudice.

 

Then it is a long walk home. Even being at home in Wrigley, the walk took an eternity. In some ways, everyone involved with that 2003 team is still walking.

[minnesotacubsfan]

:(

[Named After Maddux]

The more and more I listen to or read material Doug Glanville writes, the more impressed with him I become. I knew he was well educated of course, but I really feel like he is just so underrated, as far as analysts go. That will be an interesting read.

[Derwood]

I don't even remember him being on that 2003 team

[Guest]

I don't even remember him being on that 2003 team

 

He was added part of the way through the season, after Ramirez/Lofton but before Simon. The only thing I remember from him is that he hit a big triple that helped us win a game.

[radarluv1]

I don't even remember him being on that 2003 team

[Guest]

I don't even remember him being on that 2003 team

 

He hit a game winning triple in game 3 of the NLCS in extra innings. That was the game that ended on the weird run down. How does someone not remember that?

[El Duderino]

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/FLO/FLO200310100.shtml

 

Mike Remlinger with the save... I have no memory of that.

[Derwood]

I don't even remember him being on that 2003 team

 

He hit a game winning triple in game 3 of the NLCS in extra innings. That was the game that ended on the weird run down. How does someone not remember that?

 

Probably because I only saw one NLCS game out of the seven

[SouthSideRyan]

I don't even remember him being on that 2003 team

 

He was added part of the way through the season, after Ramirez/Lofton but before Simon. The only thing I remember from him is that he hit a big triple that helped us win a game.

 

IN GAME 3 OF THE NLCS ON A HIT AND RUN THAT TURNED A GROUNDER TO THE SS INTO A TRIPLE POSSIBLY IN EXTRA INNINGS AND THEN RAMIREZ DROPPED THE GROUNDER TO END THE GAME BUT CASTILLO RAN RIGHT INTO THE OUT TO END IT ANYWAY

 

What is wrong with you people?

[Guest]

I don't even remember him being on that 2003 team

 

He hit a game winning triple in game 3 of the NLCS in extra innings. That was the game that ended on the weird run down. How does someone not remember that?

 

Probably because I only saw one NLCS game out of the seven

 

 

WTF

[SouthSideRyan]

HE CAME UP WITH THE TERM RED IVY DAYS!!

[Guest]

I don't even remember him being on that 2003 team

 

He was added part of the way through the season, after Ramirez/Lofton but before Simon. The only thing I remember from him is that he hit a big triple that helped us win a game.

 

IN GAME 3 OF THE NLCS ON A HIT AND RUN THAT TURNED A GROUNDER TO THE SS INTO A TRIPLE POSSIBLY IN EXTRA INNINGS AND THEN RAMIREZ DROPPED THE GROUNDER TO END THE GAME BUT CASTILLO RAN RIGHT INTO THE OUT TO END IT ANYWAY

 

What is wrong with you people?

 

Seriously... of all the [expletive] to forget

[El Duderino]

I can pretty much only remember 3 things form the nlcs... guthrie blowing game 1, josh beckett shutting the cubs out in the day game, bartman

[Guest]

I was drunk and enjoying a huge giordanos pepperoni deep dish pizza at my buddy's apartment (he had a plasma which was [expletive] awesome despite only being EDTV).

[Guest]

I can pretty much only remember 3 things form the nlcs... guthrie blowing game 1, josh beckett shutting the cubs out in the day game, bartman

 

 

THE SOSA HOME RUN OFF THE CAMERA SHACK???

 

THE AWESOME BLOWOUT IN GAME TWO SPOILED ONLY BY DUSTY LEAVING IN PRIOR FOR LIKE 200 PITCHES?

 

ARAMIS'S INSANELY HIGH ALMOST FOUL GRAND SLAM

 

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?

[Guest]

you guys realize that before that became our worst baseball memory, that series was the most awesome time to be a cubs fan, right?

[SABR Gamer]

I don't even remember him being on that 2003 team

 

He was added part of the way through the season, after Ramirez/Lofton but before Simon. The only thing I remember from him is that he hit a big triple that helped us win a game.

 

A game?

 

"In game 3 of the 2003 NL Championship series, Glanville hit the game-winning triple in the 11th inning for the Chicago Cubs." - Wikipedia (do I actually even have to cite Wikipedia)

 

Right in the middle of some of the highest points in my history of being a Cubs fan. (Followed by easily the lowest)

 

Honestly though, what hurt you guys more though? 2003 or 2008? 2003 was just so surreal at times that it was almost like "when is this going to end" because you couldn't believe they could keep it up. Although I will say that getting that close and the way we just fell apart (nothing to do with Bartman, obviously), stung pretty badly and left me crushed.

 

2008 really sucked for me just because everything felt right. Edmonds, Theriot actually getting on base, SOTO!, Demp as a starter, best record in the NL, every move worked. Then it was like mid sprint running into a brick wall and getting the wind knocked out of you. 2003 is more memorable, but 2008 might have hurt just as much for me.

Edited October 10, 2011 by New York Cubs Fan

[jersey cubs fan]

you guys realize that before that became our worst baseball memory, that series was the most awesome time to be a cubs fan, right?

 

The minute they clinched the series in Atlanta was the most awesome time. That was something we had never seen before, it was huge, and it was a hell of a lot of fun.

[Guest]

you guys realize that before that became our worst baseball memory, that series was the most awesome time to be a cubs fan, right?

 

The minute they clinched the series in Atlanta was the most awesome time. That was something we had never seen before, it was huge, and it was a hell of a lot of fun.

 

I was there... just taking it in afterwards and watching the celebration with all the out of town fans is probably my favorite Cubs related memory ever.

[Little Slide Rooter]

you guys realize that before that became our worst baseball memory, that series was the most awesome time to be a cubs fan, right?

 

The minute they clinched the series in Atlanta was the most awesome time. That was something we had never seen before, it was huge, and it was a hell of a lot of fun.

 

The folks aboard the Titanic had themselves a grand old time, but I doubt that the survivors ended up with fond memories.

[jersey cubs fan]

you guys realize that before that became our worst baseball memory, that series was the most awesome time to be a cubs fan, right?

 

The minute they clinched the series in Atlanta was the most awesome time. That was something we had never seen before, it was huge, and it was a hell of a lot of fun.

[jersey cubs fan]

you guys realize that before that became our worst baseball memory, that series was the most awesome time to be a cubs fan, right?

 

The minute they clinched the series in Atlanta was the most awesome time. That was something we had never seen before, it was huge, and it was a hell of a lot of fun.

[El Duderino]

The thing I remember most from the atlanta series was the 50,000 camera pans they to kerry's wife in games 1 and 5.

 

oh, and that guy karate chopping eric karros

[Butterscup1679666578]

My god, that Sammy home run was incredible.

 

Also I still contest that Wood's home run was one of the greatest sports memories I have. For a brief second, even though e was pitching like [expletive] on the mound, I really thought that was going to win it for us.