A cool damp afternoon greeted the sparse crowd at Wrigley Field yesterday to see the last Cubs game of the season. And yet, as what should have been a melancholy end to an unsuccessful season was instead filled with a giddy enthusiasm. The pre-game stared off on a cheery note with the players out on the field tossing balls to the fans. Santa Claus (or a remarkable facsimile) was in attendance, of course wearing Cubs gear. The camera also caught a young boy in the stands (skipping school?) in a full Cubs uniform wearing a mitt, ready and hoping to be called into the game.
The Cubs players seemed to be having a good time in the dugout. Several of the regulars didn't start, explaining why Tony Campana was in the leadoff spot. When he got on in his second at bat, he was mesmerizing. Campana was nearly picked off twice. The first time, he just beat the tag. The second time, the pitcher threw the ball away. Campana almost tried taking third then as well, but instead waited until the next batter to do so.
I unfortunately wasn't able to watch the whole game, but whatever it lacked in importance, it made up for in entertainment. The players may have been loose, but they were playing to win. The Cubs opponent, the Astros, were playing their last game as a National League squad and were one win away from their 4,000th franchise victory. (Regrettably, both teams had already secured 100 losses for this season.) However, Bryan LaHair's hitting gave the crowd a final opportunity to sing along after the game with a win.
I can only contrast this with the Dodgers radio broadcast I had heard the night before. While the Cubs game wasn't even as important as the Teddy mascot finally winning the President's race in Washington DC, this game with the Giants actually had playoff implications. In the bottom of the ninth, Charlie Steiner started a steady countdown of outs and strikes to the end of any post season hopes. After the game, there was this sad scene being described around the stadium of stunned players sitting in dugout and inconsolable fans sitting in the stands waiting for playoff games that would not be coming this season.
Though I'd been rooting against the team since the big trade with the Red Sox, I do like the Dodgers and instead of being elated at the team being punished for its fiscal irresponsibility, I was sitting right there with the players and fans, saddened with disappointment. I couldn't help it.
I have no such empathy for the Angels, however, SoCal's other partner in a half billion dollar financial malfeasance this season. Yeah, it's personal. Pujols' haughty, mercenarial attitude has made me a permanent non-fan of his. Hey, I really like the Giants, but when Barry Bonds was playing for them, I was rooting against them, even cheering on the Rally Monkey Angels in the World Series. My fan support does depend on who's on the team. Meanwhile, various sports writers are demanding that Mike Trout get the MVP award, as if this will somehow placate LA baseball fans.
Dear Dodgers, Angels, Phillies, Red Sox, and to a lesser extent, Marlins, stop trying to buy championships. You're wrecking the sport, because you're inflating the costs of the game and profoundly disappointing your fan bases, who think they're entitled to championships if the team pays enough, regardless of the actual talent on field. Surely your failed examples and the successes of much smaller payroll teams over you will change the thinking of GM's around the league and lead to better baseball economics. Great. Now watch the Yankees win the World Series and everybody will double down on spending to be just like them.
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