Down and Out For the Northsiders

So, this week the Chicago Cubs finally managed to mathematically eliminate themselves from playoff contention this year. And what a disappointing year it was.

What started off as a pretty great season, turned into a nightmare very quickly after the Mid-Summer Classic, the All-Star Game. After the All-Star Game, the Cubs were in first place in their division over the main contender, the St. Louis Cardinals (won the division this year). Then the Cubbies get in a huge slump and start losing a lot of games. At the beginning of August they were in first place, and by the end of August, they were 8 or 9 games back. Then they started playing well the last month of the season, but it proved to be too little too late. That was just the kind of up-and-down year the Cubbies had.

With all the talent they had coming off of their division winning team last year returning, and a new hitter, Milton Bradley, coming to the North side of Chi-town, the Cubs figured to be shoo ins for the division this year. But no, the Cubs go and waste a talented team like they usually do, and now they are once again going to be watching October baseball on their couches at home. I'll give some credit to the Cardinals. They improved their team with the addition of Julio Lugo and Matt Holliday. They both had big impacts for the Cards this year, but the bigger impact was by Matt Holliday who tore up the National League this 2009 season.

I am frustrated, as I am sure all Cubs fans are. Not only because they didn't make the playoffs, but because the Cardinals won the NL Central division by the biggest margin in all of baseball. The race wasn't even close the past few weeks. That is unacceptable for Chicago baseball fans, because this 2009 team was so talented. But I guess talent doesn't win championships, and I guess Cubby fans are learning this the hard way this season.

But all you can do is be optimistic for next year. Go get 'em next year Cubs! Because they sure can't this year, much to the dismay and displeasure of the northsiders in the Windy City and Cubs fans everywhere.

"Above: Cubs fan crying. Image courtesy of http://www.ehow.com"

"Above: Two sad Cubs fans. Image courtesy of http://www.cubssuckclub.com"