Forget about all the excuses of the past. These Chicago Cubs are for real and if they just play like the talented baseball team that they are, the championship will come to Wrigley Field. What a statement by Kyle Hendricks Saturday night. With 88 pitches, 57 for strikes, the Dodgers weren’t even close as he mixed 81 to 82 circle changes and 91 to 92 sinkers with deadly accuracy.
Andrew Tole lead off the first inning with a base hit and was erased on a double play, and that was it until the top of the 8th inning. Kendricks gave up a one-out out hit and left the game with a line score of two- hits, 0 runs, 0 walks and six strikeouts. The Cubs pitching of Kendricks, seven and a third innings and Aroldis Chapman in for a rare two thirds innings, faced the minimum of 27 batters as both hits were erased with double plays.
Wow, that is a statement and then some. I was happy to hear the Cubs Owner Joe Ricketts thank his staff and all the fans while accepting the Warren C. Giles trophy as the new National league champs. But I give GM Theo Epstein all the credit for this one. I like that Epstein thanked all the scouts that have worked tirelessly to find the players for him. The city of Chicago will erect a statue of him if the Cubs win the World Series.
But that’s easier said than done. Is it a team of destiny or will they break the hearts of so many once again. For now the sun shines bright on Wrigley Field even at this late hour. The bars will stay open in celebration until tomorrow morning. Thousands will joyfully sing the Cubs song for a few days and new fans like a Brian Livingston JR. or a Joe Schmoe from New Jersey, who have never even been to Chicago will jump on the band wagon putting their Yankee and Mets hats in the closet for a few weeks. So enjoy it tonight and for the next few days.
Cubs fans, when the World Series begins in Cleveland on Tuesday the nail biting will start up again. Also, don’t forget the Dodgers as they gave us some great moments this post season. Too bad they left Brooklyn.
A 108- year old World Series losing streak can not equal what they did to their loyal fans when they left for ‘Tinsel Town’. Glad the Cubs beat them. Gee my therapist told me I was over that Brooklyn thing. Will have to talk to her about that.
Seriously, I am glad the Cubs are in the World Series. Congratulations Chicago.
Editor’s Note: William Coppola just completed his 40th year in the game of baseball. He has been a coach, instructor and last week completed his third season as an associate advanced scout with the Atlanta Braves organization.