Anthony, I'm pretty sure I jumped on your case about not going to the games, buying merchandise, etc. last year. While I still do not think its the best thing to do, I will be the first to admit that it is indisputable that management responded to attendance rates from last year. So you very well may have been right about that.

DMac, not trying to "one up" anything here just wanting to give my 2 cents. I don't mind the critiquing, criticism, call it what you will when it is used with positive intentions. I do not like, however, straight out negativity borne out of pure frustration. The Cubs have vastly underacheived this season, but for anyone to say the season is over, is not thinking logically. Last season I said it was over in April bc the team stunk. This years team does not stink. It is not playing well, and has stunk at times, but we do have a good team at least IMO.

At the same time, I think the Cubs need fans to be negative. Last year I begged fans to stop going to the games, purchasing apparel, what have to in an effort to send a message and I was berated on this very site, saying it wouldn't work. Well you know what? Most media pundits will tell you that one of the main reasons the Cubs did so much over the offseason was the empty seats during the end of the year. This is a new era for the Cubs, an era where losing will not be tolerated. When I was growing up I didnt' see a winning season until 1984 and until then I accepted it. But once I got a taste of winning, I wanted more. I would give up all future titles for the Bears, Bulls and Hawks for ONE title for the Cubs.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, it is okay to be negative, and it's okay to see the reality that this team is in trouble, but it's still WAY too early to say our season is over, if only because of the division we play in.

Thanks for listening and reading all.

Aaron

you tell us you are giving up and done watching the Cubs. the problem is, I honestly do not think you can. Otherwise, you woulnd't justify your reasonings in multiple posts that are about 5 pages each.

I am not knacking on you at all. But you seem to be a pretty big fan, and at times, with all due respect, one whose opinions I whole heartedly disagree with, but a fan nonetheless. Regardless, if you aren't even going to watch the Cubs, why do you have to justify your reasons for not watching them on a message board?

I am all for offering critques of the Cubs and their management, but I do not think fans stand in a position to place judgments. Critiques and passing judgments and second guessing moves are completely different concepts. The manager and GM's of these teams are under more stress than you can imagine. And to sit back, at a computer desk and second guess every move they make is extremely frustrating to me, and other fans.

I have come to this site for a while now. When I started coming, there was about little or no negative judgments. Rather the postings were observations, what we like from the Cubs, and what we would like to see in the future. Now, this site seems to be one where every move they make is second guessed and questioned and where posters pride takes over in an attempt to "prove wrong" or "one up" everyone elses posts.

The Cubs are losing, everyone is frustrating, but it is even more frustrating to read these negative posts and make the Cubs sound like they are worse off than they truly are. I use to love this site. Unfortunately, due to much of the negative posting, Unfortunately I refrain fromn reading most of the posts. I say unfortunately because I used to enjoy listening and commenting on positive feedback from other Cubs fans, but this seems to be a lesser reality day in day out.

O.K., I know I am going to catch a lot of heat because of this...but oh well. I know everyone is upset and everyone is frustrated because this team is not winning ballgames...me included. But we all have to remember we are on the same side here, we all want one thing and one thing only and that is for the Cubs to win ballgames and hopefully make it to the playoffs and by some chance to win a World Series during our lifetime.

Everyone needs to think back to how and why they became a fan of this organization...I cannot say team because the guys I rooted for when I started watching the Cubs are long gone and a couple are in the Hall of Fame. You did not start following them because they were a major powerhouse that won trophy after trophy...well unless you are approaching your 100th birthday. So why did you start watching the Cubs? Was it because of your father or grandfather, maybe your older brother or sister, or maybe it was because of Harry Caray, whatever the case it was not because this team won a lot of ballgames.

In 1984 when that wonderful team made it to the playoffs it was the first time since 1945...39 years, that is longer than I have been alive.

So while it is great to be passionate about your opinion, remember one thing: Everyone that comes to this site, and ones like it, are more than casual fans, they are lifelong dedicated fans that will follow this organization to the day they are no longer able to take another breath. And as Brian reminds us all at least once a week...Stay Classy Cubs Fans!!!

All I'm saying Aaron is that the negativity gets old. We are all frustrated with what has happened so far but everyday the Cubs play a new game, and can start a new trend. Negativity breeds negativity. I don't need things "sugar coated" but I also prefer to read a lot more about the good things happening with the Cubs, such as Hill's major league leading .era, lily and marquis, derosa and theriot, pie's amazing defense. There are a LOT of players on the Cubs to be excited about. There are always going to be weak spots. Some of our players aren't playing up to their level yet. You are a numbers guy. Tell me that Soriano is going to not start jacking some homeruns soon? Or D-Lee for that matter. Yes, I am proud of the lineup for the most part. Soriano, Lee, Ramirez, Murton, DeRosa, Theriot, Barrett all in one lineup...I like that a lot of the course of a full season.

I understand your frustration. But its equally frustrating sometimes to read your posts constantly ripping the Cubs. Make sense?

Jeff,

Calling me out? I guess that's something that gives you great joy...Maybe because our team is losing, you try to find something you're good at----which is once in a blue moon, when you do post something on here, it's to say I'm negative---nice...

This is a site to talk about the Cubs...to vent...to agree...to disagree....or whatever....and actually, if you read my comment---as I see most of you point out incorrectly that I'm a fairweather fan by my statement----Though I could see how you might perceive it wrong, it was NOT at all a fairweather statement....but since you look for something in everything I post to "call me out" Jeff, I'll take the time to point out that with my comment, I was referring to the fact that I will not watch every single game on tv like I have, nor order the game package that, up until last week, I was about to order, because I don't think we have the best product on the field...I cheer them on everyday, in case you didn't notice by my post---and my enthusiasm for the team is equally noted by what I say, and the amount of things I read up on and the like....I said if they make the playoffs, I'd cheer them on....Nothing has changed, but I see how you took the liberty to twist it around, and disregard everything else that I said that I'd follow the scores on ESPN...If I wasn't a fan, would I even care to do that? Or does a true fan have to attend every game in person? Does a true fan have to watch every damn game on tv?

It's a shame you call me a fairweather fan, given all the research and effort I put into the Cubs, or the amount of memorabilia I have, and how many countless hours I spend in front of the tv or online, following the Cubs games.

So yes, Ryan R., I am a fan...a huge fan, and I love everything about baseball. I love history, looking at historical facts, and the like, and using that data to predict how something might turn out. Baseball is a game of numbers, and always has been. What people don't understand, is that it's a game of numbers up until the playoffs, and then anything can happen. Players perform differently under pressure at times, so you can NEVER predict what will happen in the playoffs. If we could use numbers, then I'm sure that outside of the Yankees in 2000, none of us would've predicted the champions correctly. And if we'd use regular season numbers to predict postseason performance, AROD would have like 20 post season home runs by now, right?

For some reason, these teams all found ways to gel together, and pick each other up. 3/5 of our starting rotation has been phenomenal at doing that, but our lineup is embarrassing. Is anyone proud of our lineup? Are you happy with what's happened?

And in case you hadn't noticed, being a fan also allows you to be critical of management moves, because you truly want the best product on the field--you want the best bang for you buck that you spent on tickets, beers at the game, souvenirs, and game packages on tv. You buy tickets and hope that you're a part of a great thing going on, and that you're there for that 9th inning blast by ARAM to lift the Cubs over the Cardinals. When other teams scoff at you, and you can see them laughing in the dugout at your team, you know there's a problem that needs to be fixed. You might say I'm negative Ryan R., Trevor, and others....But I just say what I see.

Do you want me to sugarcoat it. Do you want me to say in August, when the Cubs are 20 games down that it's still early, and there's a lot of games left? Or do you want someone that's realistic.

Look, I know I need to tone it down a bit...I was just upset, and I'm frustrated that management isn't doing anything outside of putting Miller on the DL and bringing up Cherry...that's all....If you want me to stop writing, then fine

Glad to see the posts today. I called Aaron out for his negativity last week, and all he did was respond with a negative post towards me. Anyone who makes the statement that they will root for the Cubs "IF" they make the playoffs is not a faithful fan. That my friend is called fair weather. For all of those who bleed cubby blue, I commend you and appreciate the posts made on this site. As for Aaron, at least you give us something to talk about, so keep posting I enjoy the laughs.

Trevor,

I admitted a few weeks back that I COULD....COULD be wrong about Marquis and Lilly. But as you continue to state---it's a long season, it's not over...well, actually, you were saying that the second week after we'd dug ourselves a hole, and I was saying I was concerned about it.

And cheering the team on? Of course I cheered them on, which is why I was so upset when they'd lose...But tell me this Trevor, and I'll shut up about this forever.....name the last time the Cubs had a losing month to start the season, and still made the playoffs? What's that? They never have had a losing record in the first month of the season, and made the playoffs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In fact, in their entire history, including the olden days of baseball---1885 was the ONLY season in their entire history where they had a losing record in April, and still made the playoffs. Wanna know the record? 0-1...that's right, back then, the most they ever played in April in the 1800's was 1876 when they were 3-0.

It's just unbelievable to me that you get made at someone just pointing the facts out to you. Lay off the kool-aid man, seriously. Or at least take off the Fan Goggles.

In fact, I correctly predicted that Cedeno and Izzy would be horrendous, and that Miller would struggle badly. Sure, I incorrectly predicted that DeRosa would get off to a hot start, but if you call it a hot start with a .310 OBP and .250 avg, with the most K's on the team at 18 in only 59 AB's, then I think you're sorely misguided.

So, hope springs eternal, I guess.....maybe you want to take a look at our last playoff teams '84, '89, '98, and '03. In '84, we didn't have any losing months, in '89 and '98 only one each, and '03, we had a 12-15 June and a 12-14 July.

How about the World Series Champs from 2000 to now (I got tired of backing myself up, so I stopped there) In order, you had the Yankees, D-Backs, Angels, Marlins, Red Sox, White Sox, and Cardinals. Want to know how many had a losing record to start the year? Only one---the Angels in '02 at 11-13 in April...Dare I mention that the rest of the way, they didn't have one single, damn losing month!!!

But, hey, I guess I'm wrong to think that this season is over....being that we have never, in the modern era, made the playoffs with a losing first month, and only one team this century has won a World Series with a losing first month!!!

But hey, it's early....come May, when we're 10 behind, I guess you'll be saying the same thing---just as now----at 5 games behind. We can only hope for a turnaround like the Angels have, but I'm sorry to break the bad news to you---history doesn't bode well...and we all know how that historical stats predict player production pretty accurately---I think the same can be said for an entire team's history.

Just think about it guys...If you have a losing first month---does it set a winning tone for the rest of the year? If you already have to have team meetings for lack of fundamentals, and poorly played baseball, do you honestly think this is a team in any way shape or form that can make the playoffs!?!?

Your trying to convince me with a link to Rosenblooms' blog? The guy admitted to being a Sox fan on Best Damn Sports Show! Not to mention the fact that on the same page you told everyone to look at, 80% of the responses say the guy is an idiot.

And, yes, I do go to the games to watch the game. Not the park. Not the beer. Not the babes in biknis. I go to watch the Cubs win. Period. I know this is close to treason but if God told me the Cubs would win the World Series only if Wrigley burned to the ground, I would be there with a gas can, lighting the first match.

Yeah, just what I want to do is read Rosenbloom!!!! Has he ever said anything positive about anything? Geez!!!!!!!

Aaron,

Since you've finally given up on the season, will you please stop posting. If you've given up then I see no reason to post your opinion on the blog. It's a free country so do what you will. You'll root for the Cubs IF they make the playoffs? Please don't make a statement like that and then pretend to be a real fan, because your not. I see a stadium full of fake fans every time I go to the ballpark in Cincinnati.

I'm sure I'll get ripped for this, but let me explain. It ruins my day too when the Cubs lose. Ask my wife. However, just because the team is losing, which it has been most of my life, because I am a true fan I will NEVER give up. If it takes the next 50 years, I NEVER give up. NEVER. Any true fan NEVER gives up. Why? Because when the win, and the will soon, it will be the greatest day in all true Cubs fans lives. It may even surpass my wedding day and the day my son was born.

When they get good again the legions of fake fans will try to jump on the bandwagon. Just like in '03. I hope that all the true Cubs fans will kick them under the bus and as the tires are rolling over them, say "Where were you in '06?". And what will the answer be? "Oh, I was following them on ESPN." And of course, Aaron and the rest of the hangers on, will really believe they are real Cubs fan. They'll believe all the BS coming from ESPN about signings and the lot. And they'll look in hindsight at who we should have picked up and who we should have traded. Of course they probably won't actually be saying anything because we'll be winning and the bandwagon will be full won't it.

Aaron, this is not meant as a personal attack so don't take it like that. But honestly, I do question your loyallty. I have to. As somebody who will root for the Cubs despite their record, when somebody says, "I'll chose to do other things with my time. Yes, I'll check on ESPN to see how they did---I always will, but watching them anymore is just a waste of my time," or "Yeah, I'll cheer them on IF-----biggest if you could ever have---IF they make the playoffs, but let's be real, Nick, do you honestly think this is a playoff-caliber team?" or in my summation, gives up, then I cannot consider you a true fan. I find it sad, because you seem to be a smart person and a baseball fanatic, and its always good to have somebody like that on the bus. However, if your giving up, then when the Cubs start winning again, please don't ask me for a hand up on the bandwagon, because I don't forget people who give up on their team.

it's just being observant....I was just like you guys before...until I started realizing how management has ripped off the fans so badly---raising ticket prices and concessions nearly every year for abysmal teams. Remember after '03, how everything seemed to skyrocket in price----they priced a lot of fans out of the ball park. And for what? It's a travesty that we have had such awful teams. It's a beautiful ball park, rich in history, in a wonderful neighborhood, rooftops, etc...it's the stuff you dream about as a kid.

But as you age, you get wiser, and you start questioning:

"Am I a fan of the ball park?" Check.

"Am I a fan of Chicago in general?" Check.

"Do I like the neighborhoodm and coziness of the atmosphere?" Check.

"Do I enjoy the history---names like Hartnett, Anson, Ticker, Evers, Chance, Boudreau, Brock, Banks, Williams, Santo, Sandberg, Grace, Dawson, Maddux, Sosa (gulp), Lee, ARAM, Soriano...team names like the White Stockings, Orphans, and cool uniforms of the 50's and 60's?" Of Course!

"Do I like the product on the field?" Nope.

...............hmmmmmmmmmm, seems to be a big problem there, huh? If you don't like what's going on the field, how can you say you like a team? No, what you really enjoy is Hill, Lilly, Marquis, Z, ARAM, Lee, Soriano, and Barrett. Do they make up the whole team? Not by a long shot. So what you're really a fan of is a few players, the stadium, the atmosphere, etc. And that's cool, and most fans are in the same boat with other teams even...But you have to ask yourself a question: "Do you really like the team? and....Do you come to the park to watch the Cubs win or lose?"

I guarantee you that Hendry could've done better, and the best product is not on the field. How can you be a fan of such garbage? Yes, I'm a fan of the Cubs history, the park, and everything, but I don't like how the team is put together, and I think they're doing the whole city a disservice by putting the same crap out there year after year, and refusing to switch their focus....

For further commentary that seems to back up what I say, consider Steve Rosenbloom's article (you must scroll past the Bulls stuff)

http://blogs.chicagosports.

chicagotribune.com/rosenblog/2...

bulls_win_but_h.html

I only cheer my team on if they dominate the early part of the season. I only cheer my team on if I think the GM is smarter than I am, which is near impossible because lets face it, I pretty much know everything about how to be a GM and manage the entire Cubs organization from single A to the Bigs, including more than the current manager. His world series rings were a fluke.

I don't care that the Cubs were in last place to finish the year and this year may take a little more time. 5 games under .500 is insurmountable, I mean thats 1/4 of all the games the Cubs have already played.

The season is over. I have no reason to watch anymore unless some miracle happens and they start to do well again and then I will tell everyone exactly how I predicted what would happen. Much like I predicted every weak spot on the roster to this point, ignoring the people like DeRosa,Lily, and Marquis who I also ripped but are actually doing well.

On the other hand since I think the season is over and the Cubs suck so much maybe I will stop posting negative novels on a site for the Cubs FAITHFUL.

You never know Aaron, it is a long season, don't lose hope yet man.

Nick,

Way to go! Sometimes I get so disgusted reading some of these comments. To give up on this season so early is silly.

I was interested to hear that Piniella had a staff meeting after the game last night. I really think he has a plan to see what all his players can do and then implement the plan by playing the players that have produced. I think this is the reason he has played so many lineups. I also have been a fan for many years and believe me I have seen teams that had no chance to win but I still am a Cubs fan. I could never switch allegiance and be a fan of another team. I AM A CUBS FAN! PERIOD. Some may say that is having the wrong attitude, but I know how I feel and win or lose I will stay a fan. I think of all the good times I have had following the Cubs over the years and I am hoping that I see them win a Series soon. I also enjoy this forum but hate seeing all the negativity.

Go Cubs!

Yeah, I will, I'll just have less heartache when they consistently lose 1-2 run games of which they are 0-8, already!!! I'll chose to do other things with my time. Yes, I'll check on ESPN to see how they did---I always will, but watching them anymore is just a waste of my time, especially when it drags down the rest of my day---call me a huge fan, call me lame---but it really brings me down when they lose. I was jumping up and down when DeRosa tied it in the 9th, and crushed when Dumpster gave up the long ball to Poop-Holes. Yeah, I'll cheer them on IF-----biggest if you could ever have---IF they make the playoffs, but let's be real, Nick, do you honestly think this is a playoff-caliber team? C'mon, man...it's getting ridiculous at this point. Cedeno and Izzy couldn't hit the ball if it were on a tee...Floyd is well past making any sort of impact, Murton is rarely played and has struggled early, Lee and Soriano have yet to hit a long ball, and 75% of the lineup has a woeful OBP. The key lefty setup man, Eyre, hasn't gotten much of anyone out from last August til now---including spring training, Howry, our righty setup specialist has been hit hard, and lacking control.

There's too many holes in the lineup to put together any sort of winning streak. We go up against other teams #5 starters, and they act like Cy Young, we throw out our ace, and he looks like a #5....You can't make the playoffs, much less be above .500 if your ace isn't pitching to his capability, and your batters waste every damn quality start a pitcher has for you

Wow! So if the Cubs win the next ten games, are you going to jump back to the Cubs or are you staying with the Yanks- who I might add are second to last and lost their last four games. Oh, but wait, there are still 144 more games for the Yankees to turn it around.

Sorry if I seem a little pissy, but i hate it when people give up on there team. I have been a Cubs fan all my life to, but I am not throwing in the towel, i'm not calling it quits, Why you ask, I will tell you! When the Cubs do win it all, and they WILL, At least I can say I stuck with my team through thick and thin and NEVER gave up on them. Are you going to be able to do that?

Thomas,

Thanks for the updates...this is about the only good news we get from the team. I like hearing about our prospects, because the whole "hope springs eternal" thing starts with them----predicting how good they might be, what they can contribute, etc.

I played "Taps" last night, because our season is over. Sad that I'm giving up so early, right? Wrong, we're nearly 20 games into the season, and are already 5 games under .500 and 5 games behind. Yeah, it's over. I feel pretty confident saying that. We've dug ourselves a significant hole. And even if we continue to win 2 out of 3 from most teams the rest of the way, I just don't see us sweeping the necessary series'. If you think about it logically, most teams in our division have won series----we have only won one damn series. That's not a good trend, and as I've stated before, I think Hendry is a crappy GM, misidentifying key free agents left and right.

Floyd and Ward were particularly puzzling to me. Having both Cedeno AND Izzy on the roster is even more puzzling to me, but Thomas, you probably know this well from all your research---we have no freaking SS prospects outside of Dylan Johnston, who's struggling in A ball.

I knew signing Floyd was a big mistake, and look what it's done to our OF---created a logjam of one position guys (Murton and Floyd), and now Soriano for LF, with a little league arm (Jones) in RF, and an inexperienced Pie in CF.

I'm so tired of everyone saying, "well, Drew and Lugo might not have even signed with us in the first place, so you can't speculate on that." Actually, at the time, all indications were the Cubs would make a play for Drew AND Lugo, as insurance for Pie and Soriano in CF in case they couldn't play, and they'd trade Jones to sign Drew. Once again, you're talking .340 OBP (Lugo) vs .290's OBP (Cedeno and Izzy) and .380's OBP (Drew) vs .330's OBP (Jones). To me, if you were willing to spend whatever it took to win, which the Cubs' brass stated in the off-season, then you do whatever is necessary to complete the task, and to me, those signings were no brainers. True, Drew signed for a 5 yr $70 million deal and Lugo signed for 4 and $36 million...Yes, those deals combined would've added 14 million to the payroll, but I think it would've been well spent.

And just FYI, Lugo was excited about being reunited with Piniella, but wanted to play SS, and we couldn't guarantee him that. LOL...how short-sighted was that move? Drew was even interested in joining the Cubs. In fact, ESPN had a preliminary report that he had signed with the Cubs. For what? Injury-prone? The Red Sox were protected in an injury clause to void the final 2 years of the deal.

It's just unbelievable to me that we can't seem to sign patient hitters....EVER....That's how the Cardinals won against us. Their batters took pitches they couldn't do anything with, and hoped they were called balls, where we have Jones swinging at things on his shoe tops, out of the zone, high in the zone, and players like Cedeno, who are 2 seconds late on a fastball away, and look foolish up there. It's embarrassing to watch the team right now, and I am truly ashamed to be a fan of such garbage.

I don't know what to say. Some may question my loyalty, but after watching the last 2 years of Dusty's regime, and hearing things from his staff like, "we've found a way to lose in every possible way imaginable"---just when you think those days are bygones, we go and find even more ways to lose---oversliding bags, 2 guys in a row looking at strike 3 to end the game, runners on first and 3rd, no outs--strike 3 looking to the last 2 guys to end the frame, inability of your ace pitcher to hold a 5 run lead, inability of your lefty set-up guy to get anyone out this year, inability of management to get rid of such players that can't perform like Izzy, Cedeno, Jones, and Eyre.

In fact, I'm starting to believe that it wasn't all Dusty's fault that we were so bad---he had what he was given, and what he was given was delivered to him by Hendry...Same for Lou. Lou has to be beside himself with the team Hendry has fielded for him.

And now, to think we're going to lose Zambrano to FA next year without a deal thus far, is just ridiculous. I'm tired of losing, and I'm tired of this team being the joke of the country. It's getting a little old...

I guess I'll root for the Yankees, as I know their GM and owner play to win every single year, and a World Series win is expected every year, not just a playoff appearance