What an incredibly, fun season that we all just witnessed. The Cubs won 97 games in the regular season, four more in the playoffs and made it all the way to the National League Championship Series. I think any one of us would have more than signed up for that when pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training back in February.
The Cubs played deeper into October than ever before and developed a young nucleus that should be competing well into the fall for several years.
It was truly a great season for the Chicago Cubs.
There will be more time to reflect on the season that was, it just doesn’t seem right to do so today. Instead of looking back at what could have been it feels more appropriate to celebrate what was a fun year of Cubs baseball.
I would like to thank all of our readers and commenters for a tremendous season. A tip of the cap to Tom, Brian, Chris and Tony for all of their hard work, you guys are the best. And to my wife and family, thank you for putting up with me living in my office for another season and the patience you guys show on a daily basis.
The day after a Cubs season comes to an end has always been rather rough on me, especially ones like this year in which the team played well and exceeded expectations. But not this year, this one is different.
To use a Joe Maddon-esque reference, the magic carpet ride may be over, but this is just the beginning.
Reports from Game 4
The players, Joe Maddon and the coaching staff returned to the field Wednesday night and saluted the Cubs fans still at Wrigley. Everyone associated with the organization believes the 2015 season was the start of a Cubs’ run. The window is now open.
Joe Maddon said Wednesday, “I think the lesson to be learned here now is that they learned how to win this season. They learned how to win on a Major League level. They’re participating in the playoffs as one of the four teams left, which is pretty impressive at their point of development. It’s been just one big positive.”
Jon Lester told the beat writers after the game, “You can fool people through the season and win games. This is where you get exposed and figure out how to truly win. We did it twice, came up a little short here, but it’s only going to make us better. Guys will come into Spring Training more hungry. They know how to win now. They know how to compete day in and day out. Guys will come in and expect to be in this position.”
Here are the various reports from Game 4:
- ESPN Chicago: Despite rough ending, the Chicago Cubs are now built to expect success
- The Tribune: After ugly ending fades, Cubs’ beautiful season will be recalled warmly
- Comcast SportsNet: Cubs’ magical season comes to a close
- Comcast SportsNet: A season comes crashing down for Cubs in NLCS
- The Sun-Times: Back to the future for the Cubs after getting swept by the Mets
- The Tribune: NLCS was a major downer, but things are still looking up for Cubs
- Comcast SportsNet: Kyle Schwarber said ‘There’s a pit in the stomach’ after Cubs eliminated
- Barry Rozner: This end only beginning for Cubs
News and Notes
• Joe Maddon talked about how much the Cubs missed Addison Russell during the NLCS prior to Game 4. Maddon made sure to point out how well Javier Baez played. Anyone that watched the Cubs throughout the season knows how special a player Russell is and how much he means to the Cubs both defensively and offensively. Baez is a very good player. Russell is special.
• Hector Rondon beat the (blank) out of the water fountain in the Cubs dugout to fire up his teammates. Rondon admitted that’s why he took a bat to the inanimate object.
• Jason Hammel talked to ESPN Chicago after Game 4 and said he feels like he “sucked for about three months.” Hammel explained, “The first half was amazing. The injury and then I was a different guy.”
• Rick Sutcliffe threw out the first pitch to Game 4. Like Ryne Sandberg, Kerry Wood and Ferguson Jenkins before him, Sutcliffe wore an Ernie Banks jersey.
This Day In Cubstory
1988 – Cubs granted free agency to Jeff Schwarz
1986 – Chris Rusin, born
1985 – Cubs granted free agency to Dave Hostetler
1981 – Lee Elia was named manager of the Cubs. Elia replaced Joey Amalfitano.
1979 – Eli Whiteside, born
1976 – Michael Barrett, born
1956 – Frank DiPino, born
1954 – Jamie Quirk, born
1910 – The Cubs won their only game of the World Series against Philadelphia behind Mordecai Brown at West Side Grounds. The Cubs tied the game in the ninth and won it 4-3 in the 10th after a Jimmy Archer double and a Jimmy Sheckard single.
1907 – Jimmie Foxx, born
1886 – The Browns took a 3-2 lead in the Championship Series with a 10-3 victory over the Chicago National League Ball Club.
1885 – After a five day delay to allow the Browns to play the City Series against the Maroons, St. Louis’ NL team at the time, the fifth game of the Championship Series was played in Pittsburgh with Chicago winning 9-2 behind three hits each by Jack McCormick, Abner Dalrymple and Cap Anson.