The season of bold hopes and the pinnacle of optimism is over. Eliminated and finished by John Smoltz in yet another stunning display of collapse. Perhaps it was just a game that went awry, with the players under the realization that the season was essentially over and there was no more joy to come to Wrigley. But more accurately, this game was a microcosm of the past month. A month of great highs and devastating lows. A relief collapse, started by a usual suspect and finished by another. No timely hitting in the late innings, and questionable moves by a manager under a well-deserved microscope by not only the fans, but the broadcasters as well.
I'm not sure when I felt this team was not a playoff caliber team, but Im pretty sure it wasomewhere on the way back from Montana, when the news came that they had not had any seperation from the other wild card contenders and had been playing their typical big ball, low intelligence baseball. The pitching this year was fine. I have seen teams make it further on much less. The offense was fine really, perhaps a bit streaky, but nonetheless worthy of the payroll afforded it. The managing wasn't overtly terrible. But perhaps this season, more than any other, shows the value of fundamentals, a team mentality, and strong, determined mindsets. I have never seen such a group of men who could find more excuses for the problems with their results. Im sorry Mr. Mercker, was Steve Stone throwing those pitches? Moises, did Chip really hurt your feelings? I'm so sorry. Go pee on your hands and cry a river. When a team is so distracted and hurt by the negative, yet realistic and honest, comments by its fans, announcers, and journalists, I don't think there is much room for success.
Tomorrow or Monday you'll get my ideas for improving this team, player by player, for next year. But for now we must relish a season ruined by lacked focus on the basepaths, the homerun mentality, and the inability to throw strikes in the late innings. I remember a game back in May when LaTroy blew a late lead in St. Louis to those hated Cardinals and thinking, "Man, this could be a long year." But i still had faith...until I heard the calls for Stoney to be fired for speaking the very thoughts of the fans. I sit here and don't feel bad for myself as a fan, I feel bad for a team so supremely talented they should have walked to the playoffs and only hit minor bumps to the pennant. I feel bad that a great oppurtunity was wasted. The players that remain should feel grateful that next year, the fans will forgive and start their yearly push for baseball immortality. They should feel grateful that Wrigley still stands and there are more games to be played. But for the players that are on their way out, they should feel bloody grateful they don't play in Philadelphia.
Connemara's Rising is solely a division of David Brunner's Intellectual gifts.
© 2004 David Brunner
