Et tu, Atlanta?

Back on June 8, I mocked the Chicago Cubs in my post Still the Team I Remember I mentioned how sick and tired I was of their losing ways. What I didn't mention was that I've put my support behind the Atlanta Braves. Few people know that I actually began rooting for them even before rooting for the Cubs. It was probably 1982 or 1983 when I first started watching the Atlanta Braves on TBS; Dale Murphy, Bob Horner, Rafael Ramirez, Chris Chambliss, etc.

So how is my first year as a reclaimed Braves fan? It started off quite well actually. The Braves were the popular pick in the preseason to win the National League wild-card with a few people even picking them to win the East. Through most of the year the Braves had the second-best record in the National League behind their East rivals Phillies. In fact, on the morning of September 1, although the Braves were well behind the Phillies for the East lead, they had an 8 1/2 game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals for the National League wild card! Smooth sailing with only one month to go! I mean, it's not like these are the Chicago Cubs...

Here I sit on the afternoon of September 26, after watching my Braves go 9-15 in September while those St. Louis Cardinals are 16-7 in September, just hoping against all hope that the Braves can hang on to their one-game lead with three games left to play! I'm pretty sure I jumped off the Cubs bandwagon because of situations just like these. The only difference at the moment is that I KNOW the Cubs would not be able to hang on to this one-game lead whereas I'm not really sure if the Braves will hang on. All of my Cubs training tells me it's a lost cause already but I sure hope the Braves won't let me down. I would hate to have to call them "the stupid Braves" after just one full year of fandom.

Just Joe


NEXT WEEK:  LFL (... finally!)

Bottom of the Pile; Top of the World

I was wanting to save this for closer to World Series time but I've decided to open my old journal and share this now. I wrote this about 14 years ago so I was still a Cubs fan. I hope you like it.

Bottom of the Pile; Top of the World

Two are out, bases loaded and 1-nothing is the score.

I’ve thrown a hundred and forty pitches or more.

The pressure has built in inning number nine.

One out to go and glory can be mine.

This isn’t an ordinary game, it’s game 7.

To win this one would feel like heaven.

Since I was five I’ve yearned for this chance.

I turn to the stands and take a quick glance.

These 65,000 people have become a maniacal mob.

Back in the third inning my elbow began to throb.

Lucky for me my arm has long since been numb.

They love me now but one mistake and I’m “a bum.”

For 23 years this game has had my devotion.

Now millions of people hang on my every motion.

But my body is weak and my mind is tired.

I wish this hadn’t come down to the wire.

Okay, gather your strength, your thoughts and your mind.

The great ones look a bit deeper and have extra to find.

I know this guy wants to see my very best fastball.

Let’s look in to see what my catcher will call.

My mate thinks we should challenge him.

If I miss my spot, the result will be grim.

One inch off the outside corner?  No problem.

Just grab two seams with two fingers and a thumb.

Come on, Ump!  You gotta give me some of the black.

Can’t put it down the middle or it won’t come back.

Same pitch but this time let’s try the inside.

This is dangerous but it is a matter of pride.

Five hundred feet down the line!  Whew!  It’s foul.

What does the batter think?  Whoa!  What a scowl.

Definitely time to throw the ol’ slider.

I’m oh so tired but damnit, I’m a fighter.

Umph!  The batter sure was fooled by the spin.

Give him the number one way up and way in.

Didn’t plan for it to be that close to his chin.

He’s alright.  He dusted off and gave me a grin.

Catch your breath... take a stroll around the mound,

Fix the hat, play with the rosin bag that’s on the ground.

I’ll give him a slider ‘cause it’s nothing to pull.

Damn!  It missed low and now the count is full.

Oh, Lord, I’m exhausted.  Hows about a little relief?

How can such a great game cause me such grief?

Let’s end it now.  Fastball down Broadway with all I can muster.

It’s either Alexander The Great or General Custer.

Uh oh!  The hitter is taking a stride and a mighty swing!

He’s right on the ball.  Don’t think I’ll win a ring.

I can’t believe it went straight back!  God was smilin’.

Now I have another chance to send my team pilin’.

But I used my everything on that last pitch.

Now I know this effort will be last ditch.

I’ve no more ability to throw the ball hard,

so I’ll try to fool him though he’s on guard.

I’ll give him my pitch called the “circle change.”

Hopefully Lewis out in center will have the range.

I grip the ball in my hand just right

and make sure not to squeeze it too tight.

I release the ball at the perfect point.

Everyone is standing, I mean the entire joint.

After the swing, the ball gently enters the catcher’s mitt!

Then the batter goes off to have a fit.

After nearly a century filled with flubs,

the championship finally belongs to the Cubs.

Now my face can barely contain this ear to ear smile.

It sure is tough to breathe at the bottom of this pile!


Just Joe

Still the Team I Remember

Last year, after over 26 years of loyal Cubs worship, I gave up. It was just a few weeks into the 2010 season and I just couldn't take the frustration of watching a WAY overpaid -- even by baseball standards -- WAY underachieving team any longer.

This past weekend the Cubs played two extra inning games against the St. Louis Cardinals. With 2 outs and bases empty in the bottom of the 12th inning of the first game, Cardinals all-world first baseman Albert Pujols (who'd already homered once in the game) came to bat. In previous years it would be a "no-brainer" decision: walk Pujols and face whomever may be next. With Pujols' numbers down a bit this year and with .329 hitting Lance Berkman on deck, the Cubs decided to pitch to Pujols. Jeff Samardzija did well to only nibble at the plate and it was no surprise when his 2-1 slider looked like it was heading for the dirt. Knowing Pujols' talent -- and knowing Cubs history moreso -- it was even less of a surprise when Pujols dropped his bathead on the low slider and drove it out of the park to win the game, 5-4.

The very next day, Cubs pitcher Carlos Marmol was on for the one-run save in the bottom of the 9th. Back when I used to watch, Marmol was notorious for refusing to establish his fastball and instead, throwing slider after slider after slider. So with a runner on 1st and a full count to former Cub Ryan Theriot, I had giggle fits watching Theriot loop a hanging slider down the left field line for an RBI double. Then with the score still tied, guess who led off the bottom of the 10th for the Cardinals. Did you guess "Albert Pujols?" See, you're already thinking like a Cubs fan! As a Cubs fan, you're happy to know Marmol was no longer pitching but the bad news is the Cubs are still the Cubs. With Pujols leading off this time, the intentional walk strategy takes different factors into consideration, mainly "do you want to put the game winning run on base with no outs?" The Cubs again decided to pitch to Albert. This time instead of Pujols hitting a good pitcher's pitch out of the park, he took a hanging fastball from Rodrigo Lopez and deposited it in the center field bleachers to beat the Cubs again!

Oh, Chicago Cubs, you are incorrigible.

But gone were the days of wanting to punch a wall. Instead I took great pleasure in knowing I'm no longer emotionally invested in this mockery. Furthermore, I've found that not only do I not root for the Cubs but I actually root against them! And upon further reflection, I'm lucky it was only 26+ years of fandom when their World Series drought will be 103 years in October.

Just Joe