Chicago Cubs Baseball

Another Chicago Cubs baseball season and another year without a World Series title. That’s 99 years and counting for those of you thinking this New Year’s Day, and a very, very long time for those who aren’t.

While 2007 didn’t produce that World Series crown Cubdom has been yearning for, it wasn’t a year without its memorable moments.

From a dugout brawl to a Central Division title, Chicago Cubs baseball proved once again it can be anything but dull. Frustrating, exhilirating and often debilitating, but never dull.

And as a New Year begins with renewed hopes for Chicago Cubs success and a Fukudome in the outfield, it’s only fitting I compile a Top 10 list of the most compelling Cub moments of 2007:

1. Cubs Win Central Division Crown/NLDS Playoff Appearance: Okay, it wasn’t the World Series, but when you’re a Chicago Cubs baseball fan even the slightest of successes should be savored to enjoy later. The Cubs 2007 division title was only their second all-time, while the post-season appearance was just the fifth since 1984. There’s nothing like success to whet the pallet and demand more.
2. Chicago Cubs For Sale: The Cubs went on the market last April, with the Chicago Tribune’s decision get out of baseball. Rumors and speculation about new ownership immediately arose. But among the many suitors, none garnered more attention than Mark Cuban when he threw his wallet into the ring. While Cuban’s chances appear slim, it’s still cool to dream.
3. General Manager Jim Hendry Goes Wild: Can money buy a World Series championship? Evidently not when it comes to the Chicago Cubs. But Hendry did his best to test that theory when he went on his off-season bender and spent $325 million in signings and acquisitions. Honorable Mention: The Cubs payroll, which totaled $100 million in 2007. It was more than double that of the Arizona D’Backs, who rolled Chicago in the NLDS.
4. Lou-Sing It: On June 2, Cub manager Lou Piniella had finally seen enough. After watching his under-achieving team play like the ‘06 version, Piniella went into meltdown mode and incurred his one and only ejection as Cubs manager. Many commentators point to that date as the moment the Cubs began to live up to expectations as they finished 17-11 for the month and began their trek to capturing the Central Division title.
5. Dugout Follies: Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano and former catcher Michael Barrett gave a whole new meaning to the phrase “battery mate” when the two exchanged punches in the Chicago dugout. The battle boiled over into the locker room and subsequently led to Barrett’s ride into the sunset to the San Diego Padres. The altercation demonstrated the Cubs dysfunction at its finest. Or its worst.
6. Lou’s First Season: Hendry might have provided the players with his $300 million spending spree, but it was Piniella that molded the Cubs into division champions. Now, about that changing of the Cubs culture…
7. Sammy’s Whammy, Glavine’s 300th: When it comes to being part of major league baseball history, the Chicago Cubs are among the elite. While the elusive World Series title still awaits, the Cubs managed in 2007 to become part of some players’ individual milestones. Former Cub Sammy Sosa collected his 600th career home run, while former New York Met pitcher Tom Glavine earned his 300th win - both accomplishments came against none other than the Cubs. The good news is that it didn’t happen in the same game.
8. Alfonso Soriano, Act I: Other than hiring Piniella as manager, there was no bigger name to join the Cubs in ‘07 than Alfonso Soriano. In his first year wearing a Cubbie uniform Soriano was as exciting as he was erratic. Although he fell far short statistically of his outstanding 2006 season, Soriano undoubtedly was one of the main reasons behind the Chicago’s rise to Central Division top. Whether he’s worth $136 million, Cub fans still have seven more years to find out.
9. The Return of Wood/Prior Departure: The 2007 season saw the continuation of one Chicago Cub tradition and the ending of another. Pitcher Kerry Wood battled back from arm injuries to return to the Cub lineup in August and made a significant contribution in Chicago’s stretch run. Mark Prior, once-wunderkind turned disgruntled employee, finally cut his ties with the Cubs last month when he signed as a free agent with San Diego. While Wood and Prior were similar in so many ways, in the end the difference was clear - one has heart and the other…
10. One Fukudome Please: Piniella got his Christmas wish when Hendry signed Japanese star and free agent Kosuke Fukudome to a four-year, $48 million contract. Fukudome will likely man right field for the Cubs and should provide some much needed pop from the left side of the plate. If nothing else, the Cubs now possess the player with the best name in baseball. Bar none.

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