Finally getting an emotional lift.

[CubfaninCA]

All season long the Cubs havr taken major hits in the gut. Nomar's injury. Prior and Wood going down early, and then Wood going down a few more times. Finally, the Cubs are getting nearly everyone back, and they just added a real good leadoff man. Would be nice to see them rattle off 8 out of the next 10 before squaring off with Houston at Minute Maid. Yes, they play 4 against the Cards before going to Houston, but I'm still optimistic.

[ChiblueTNT]

I dont know what happened to this team. There is no heart and/or leadership amongst them. I dont see the Cubs finishing above .500 this year and/or going to the playoffs. Problem is there isnt anyone that can lead this team. DLee has tapered off and I dont think Aram is that type of guy. Prior still has emotional problems that lead to crazy trouble innings.. i mean look at the guy he hasnt pitched a game with an ERA under 3 in a while whereas in 2003 he was damn near unhittable. Wood is a mess and you got to be fooling yourself if you dont think he wont be going back to the DL really soon. Nomar couldnt be a leader because look at the way he left the Sox. Barrett might be that guy, but it seems everytime he gets fired up it lights a fire underneath another team (IE Houston in 2004). Looks like we might be the WS potential team that will never live up to it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p.s. Id gladly eat crow if they get there though.

 

p.p.s. Sorry if I offend anyone Im quite liquored up and feeling like a real Cubs fan again. I got nothing but love for all my fellow Cubs fans.

[CubfaninCA]

I dont know what happened to this team. There is no heart and/or leadership amongst them. I dont see the Cubs finishing above .500 this year and/or going to the playoffs. Problem is there isnt anyone that can lead this team. DLee has tapered off and I dont think Aram is that type of guy. Prior still has emotional problems that lead to crazy trouble innings.. i mean look at the guy he hasnt pitched a game with an ERA under 3 in a while whereas in 2003 he was damn near unhittable. Wood is a mess and you got to be fooling yourself if you dont think he wont be going back to the DL really soon. Nomar couldnt be a leader because look at the way he left the Sox. Barrett might be that guy, but it seems everytime he gets fired up it lights a fire underneath another team (IE Houston in 2004). Looks like we might be the WS potential team that will never live up to it.

 

p.s. Id gladly eat crow if they get there though.

 

p.p.s. Sorry if I offend anyone Im quite liquored up and feeling like a real Cubs fan again. I got nothing but love for all my fellow Cubs fans.

 

Since baseball is a lot more individualized than basketball or football, I don't think having a leader is nearly as important. I mean who lead the team in 2003?? Sammy?? Seems like half the team hated him. Jmo but you don't need a Tom Brady or Tim Duncan to win in baseball.

[Scott G. F.]

I dont know what happened to this team. There is no heart and/or leadership amongst them. I dont see the Cubs finishing above .500 this year and/or going to the playoffs. Problem is there isnt anyone that can lead this team. DLee has tapered off and I dont think Aram is that type of guy. Prior still has emotional problems that lead to crazy trouble innings.. i mean look at the guy he hasnt pitched a game with an ERA under 3 in a while whereas in 2003 he was damn near unhittable. Wood is a mess and you got to be fooling yourself if you dont think he wont be going back to the DL really soon. Nomar couldnt be a leader because look at the way he left the Sox. Barrett might be that guy, but it seems everytime he gets fired up it lights a fire underneath another team (IE Houston in 2004). Looks like we might be the WS potential team that will never live up to it.

 

p.s. Id gladly eat crow if they get there though.

 

p.p.s. Sorry if I offend anyone Im quite liquored up and feeling like a real Cubs fan again. I got nothing but love for all my fellow Cubs fans.

 

Since baseball is a lot more individualized than basketball or football, I don't think having a leader is nearly as important. I mean who lead the team in 2003?? Sammy?? Seems like half the team hated him. Jmo but you don't need a Tom Brady or Tim Duncan to win in baseball.

 

Let me ask you this then. Think of World series teams and tell me leaders didn't emerge and lead the team to victory.

 

Willie Stargel

Darrel Porter

Reggie Jackson

Josh Beckett

Curt Schilling

Jack Morris

Kirk Gibson

 

These teams were sparked by the play of these players and lead the teams to victory. I don't see anyone on the Cubs that you could put on that list.

[wastra]

Baseball is more about clubhouse leadership.

 

Who's getting on players who don't follow the game plan? Who's pulling people aside when guys hack at every first pitch despite the hitting coach sayign they needed to be patient with a particular pitcher? Who's taking the youngsters aside and showing them the ropes? Who's calling players-only meetings (there should have been about 20 this year)? Who's taking emotional players and telling them to get under control?

 

Those type of things are very important to a team. Typically, it's a veteran who is highly respected both as a player and leader, and it's usually a position player.

 

Maddux best fits the bill in terms of respect, but he's a very quiet unassuming guy, so he's probably not it. Lee could be the guy, and I think that Walker TRIES to be the guy. But I don't seen anyone on the team really taking the reins as clubhouse leader as guys like Stairs, Karros, et al have done in the past.

[badger1679666666]

August 5th and we finally have our team intact.

 

:roll:

[khufure]

Clubhouse leadership is overrated. We just seem to have the wrong players. If you ask me clubhouse leadership is about as important as 'calling a good game'. Heck why not make Bako the cluhouse leader since he calls a good game for Prior?

 

Someone else said it best : being a Cubs fan is about enduring eye stabbing horrifying migraine pain over and over again and returning the next day with new hope.