Why the Cubs losing is good for baseball...

Here we are in 2015, once again we all bought into the hype that this was the Cubs team that was going to win the World Series! Once again, unless the Cubbies get a miracle (which they never get), they will have to simply wait until next year...


And this will now read.
AC 07/70/107
Year of the Cub (Years since): Division title/World series appearance/World Series titles.

I do not believe in curses and superstitions, but the Curse of the Billy Goat is real.

This goat in 1945 was not allowed to enter Wrigley Field to watch the World Series, because he smelled horribly. The owner of the goat cursed the team and said they will never win the world series or appear there again! He even wrote a letter to the Cubs telling them that they stink after they got swept by the Tigers....

Silly right? Until....
1969...Cubs were running away with the pennant that year


But they did catch you....
1984...cubs up 2-0 in a best of 5 series. Win one game in San Diego and you go to the World Series!!

WHOOPS!

2003 NLCS: 5 outs from the World Series against the Marlins

The Marlins also scored 8 in the inning breaking the hearts of Cubs fans.

Present: The Cubs beat the two teams with better records than them in the first two rounds! So this must be it... Except some guy named Daniel MURPHY (Wasn't that the Goat's name?) is crushing them, hitting home runs in all three games so far. The Cubs are down and must win 4 games in a row to break the curse...

Not even Back to the Future can help them now!! 

So why is this good for the game of baseball?

In my years of following the sport, three teams have broken their curses.

Boston Red Sox in 2004 broke their curse of the Bambino

Chicago White Sox in 2005 broke their black Sox curse (And torturing Cubs fans in the process)

San Francisco Giants in 2010 broke their leaving New York Curse.

Whats left?

The Cubs and their 107 year drought

The City of Cleveland and losing in every sport... so does that count?

Baseball is a crazy sport and seems to evolve on a yearly basis, but there is always one thing you can count on. The Lovable losers and the ability for their fans to party and party but get their hearts broken on a yearly basis. It makes the game what it is. So Cubs fans, raise that L flag and say your favorite phrase.. "There is always next year!" Go Cubs Go...

Stadium 6: Petco Park and the cycle watch.

The Marlins defeated the Atlanta Braves 12-11 last night on Back to the Future night!


Jose Fernandez got the win and became the first pitcher since 1900 to win his first 17 home decisions! That is a pretty incredible stat....

What is also incredible is how the Marlins have not hit for the cycle!! The Marlins were hitting the cover off the ball and it all started when Justin Bour decided to hit a home run. double and then a single. He was a triple away from the cycle....but lets be real.


Instead of running, he eats donuts and works on his one-pack.

Christian Yelich later decides that he wants to double, triple, and then single needing just a home run to hit for the cycle! The Marlins had not one but two players on cycle watch last night!!! The problem was it was either fatty going for a triple or scrawny hitting a long ball....


It did not happen...3650 games and no cycle.... But at least they won and are back on a three game winning streak

Stadium 6: Petco Park

Located in downtown San Diego and home of the Padres, Petco Park was opened in 2004.


Also it seems like a place to give birth as on Thursday a women actually gave birth at the stadium!!
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Jaime-Stiles-Petco-Park-Baby-Birth-San-Diego-329595291.html

But honestly if the first thing you see when you come out is the San Diego Padres or worst him...

I would go right back in and hide!

The stadium is in a perfect location in downtown with an awesome view of the city in the backdrop!


Fish tacos....Do I have to say anything else but fish tacos!


I also really enjoyed the fact that there is a beach in right center where you can play in the sand!



You also have a hill in the back of right center where you can simply chill and watch the game and have a picnic if you desire. With all the craft beers available in the city, it just makes sense to sit back and enjoy one of them while watching the Padres play...

San Diego is a great city with a great stadium and I am really hopeful that I can head back there sometime soon!

Next up: Sweet Caroline!

Stadium 7: Dodger stadium and the Marlins are winning??

Ladies and gentlemen, the Marlins are HOT! Winners of 5 of the last 6 and two of them in walk-off fashion. Martin Prado has become a great presence with two walk-off at-bats and having 5 hits on Friday!

His at-bat on Sunday with the bases loaded was of epic proportions. A 12 pitch at-bat and five straight foul balls once the count reached 3-2. Quite amazing.

Lets hope they keep the good times rolling into this week. We deserve a week or two of good, exciting fun baseball!

Stadium 7: Dodger Stadium


Dodger stadium located close to downtown Los Angeles is the third oldest stadium in baseball as it was opened in 1962. Surprisingly, I expected a stadium in a part of town without scenic views and lo and behold look at the hills.

Dodger stadium has an open historic feel in a city that really cares for its Dodgers. The team right now is trying to be the Yankees of the 90s spending a lot of money which is qualifying them for the postseason which does make their fans excited.

The historic Dodger Dog is the staple of the ballpark, and even though I don't eat them.... You have to eat them at the ballpark! Tradition is tradition. I also happened to be there the day I witnessed my first triple play!

Not only was it a triple play... It was a triple play with two challenges on the play! Yes that was also a first in MLB History.... Kind of makes for a cool experience in my eyes. 

The Dodger stadium experience was definitely a fun one and worth the trip to Chavez Ravine in Los Angeles to see a game in the 3rd oldest stadium in MLB

Next up: Short bus ride south close to the border.

Stadium 8: Great American Ballpark and WTF Nationals?

The Washington Nationals were supposed to be really really good...


So good that articles were written about how they would go to the World Series this year....

Here are all the links.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/preview15/story/_/id/12592129/five-indisputable-reasons-washington-nationals-win-world-series

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/the-nationals-are-the-odds-on-favorite-to-win-the-world-series-%E2%80%94-again-193010589.html

http://www.sbnation.com/odds/2015/4/4/8338265/world-series-betting-odds-nationals-enter-season-as-futures-favorites

They even entered the season as 6/1 favorites to win it all in Vegas which was higher than anyone else... What happened?

Don't blame pretty boy Bryce Harper


He is leading the league in batting by two points over Dee Gordon, home runs over Giancarlo Stanton who has missed 60 games, and on base percentage. He is getting on base 46 percent of the time....that number is ridiculous. His wins above replacement is 8.1 meaning  he has accounted for 8.1 wins more than some scrub from the minors playing his spot. That is what they expected and hoped out of Harper.

The rest of the team...
They are all batting career lows. They were once even relying on Dan Uggla (the strikeout king) to save them. Their studs on the mound just aren't following through on their big contracts. Max Scherzer who is being paid almost 30 million dollars a year could not even beat the Marlins last night!!I love my Marlins but when you are fighting for the playoffs and you have your best pitcher on the mound against the lowly Marlins....you should dominate.

You have to give credit to the Mets who have seized the opportunity in the weak NL East and are now running away with the division and then remember that in baseball money doesn't seem to buy championships anymore...

Stadium 8: Great American Ballpark

The Great American Ballpark is located on the southern most area of Cincinnati, Ohio and opened in 2003


Located on the banks of the Ohio River, you get a scenic view into the state of Kentucky which makes it the only stadium in which another state is visible from it. You do get the river which has actually had home run balls fall into it!

The Reds tap into their extreme history with a Reds Hall of Fame on the outside of the stadium

 which makes for a great and fun experience before entering the ballpark. They will not only indulge you with Reds history, but with baseball activities including doing your own play by play!

Skyline Chili....


Cincinnati is known for its chili and yes it is all over the ballpark. The ridiculous amount of cheese and chili makes for a nice night of indigestion, but it goes down so sweetly!



The river boats going down the river are cool and the smoke stacks in right center are dedicated to them. Going off after strikeouts, runs scored, and home runs by the Reds.  Just don't run into the mascot of the Reds...he means business.

Don't look into his eyes.....

The Great American Ballpark is sincerely that....a true American past time that's fun for baseball and falls 8th on this list.

Next up: Third oldest stadium in baseball and oldest west of the mississippi.

Stadium 9: Kauffman Stadium and the case of Stanton and Fernandez

September and the last month of baseball is mercifully here for the Marlins. People will care even less about the fish and October 4th, the Marlins will once again pack their bags and head home for the winter finishing at the bottom of the standings. I have documented the injuries but now apparently Stanton and Fernandez are coming back.... but why? It doesn't matter does it?


Stanton: He broke his wrist swinging and missing and has spent over 2 months now on the recovery of his wrist. He is taking swings and expects to be back next weekend against the Mets. People are asking what is the point? Let him rest and come back stronger next season. There is a point. If Stanton is part of the roster and future plans, they want to know that he is healthy and ready to go. He is still young and the more at-bats he gets, the better he will become at hopefully striking out less and hitting more monster dongs. I mean who doesn't love this!!

Fernandez: He came back just to get hurt again, this time with a forearm strain. He has sat out a month but once again is ready to go next weekend. His case is different as pitchers are delicate. Arm injuries are scary and if he is the face of the franchise, I do not want him playing in meaningless games in September especially since you know what he can offer you... Sit him out and let March be his next time out there. That and opening day. 

Lets see what the Marlins decide. 

Stadium 9: Kauffman Stadium

Kauffman Stadium was opened in 1973 and is located in rural Kansas City, Missouri next to Arrowhead Stadium. 

Based in the City of Fountains, Kauffman Stadium has a ton of them. 

And is built kindly into the ballpark. The Ballpark made recent renovations which improved its standing. That and the recent excitement of baseball in the town. Kansas City has become a baseball town and people are excited to go to the games. This makes baseball fun.... That and delicious Gates BBQ

BBQ in the Midwest is simply amazing. 

I feel like some will bash me and say, well what about the sightlines? Well so what? We are in the Great Plains of the Midwest... What should you see in the back??

Plains duh!! 

Top 10 stadium definitely especially after the recent renovations!

Next up: The Great American Hitters paradise. 

Stadium 10: Citizen's Bank Park and the Marlins injury woes

First of all I've been slacking: 3621 games since the Marlins have hit for the cycle and counting!

If you have looked at the Marlins these days, you may see a pitcher out there and wonder who the fuck is that guy on the mound now? Well it might have to do with the horrendous injury luck this Marlins team has had this year!


Let us look at the opening day roster which includes the best 25 the Marlins went into the season with:
C: Jarred Saltalamacchia: Long name but was banished from the team not even a month into the season
1B: Michael Morse: Besides spending a month out with a broken finger, he was exiled on July 31st because he just was horrendous
2B: Dee Gordon: The one bright spot of the year broke his thumb before the all-star break. He missed a few weeks and the all-star game leaving the Marlins with no representative
SS: Adeiny Hechavarria: HAS STAYED HEALTHY! Well done!
3B: Martin Prado: Missed a month in June with a bum shoulder.
LF: Christian Yelich: Is on his second DL stint, first with his back, and now with a hamstring.
CF: Marcell Ozuna: Was bad enough that he got sent down to the minors for a month
RF: Giancarlo Stanton: Swung so hard he broke his wrist and has been out 2 months.


Pitchers:
Jose Fernandez: Started on the DL, came back. and went back to the DL
Henderson Alvarez: Pitched about 4 games, has not been back since.
Mat Latos: Was up and down and then banished to LA
Dan Haren: Did well but had to be traded to the Cubs
Tom Koehler: Still Around! Yay?!
Jared Cosart: Still has intense vertigo and has been out for a while now
Steve Cishek: Disastrous season, sent to the minors and back and then banished to St Louis
David Phelps: Out for Season with shoulder issues
Carter Capps: Started on DL and fell right back on it recently.

The Miami Marlins sponsored by Jackson Hospital


It is no wonder why the Marlins are battling it out for last place against the Philadelphia Phillies who play in

Stadium 10: Citizens Bank Park.



Citizens bank park is located in the Sports District of South Philadelphia and opened its doors in 2004.

Behind CF you have Ashburn Alley which commerates baseball in Philadelphia including the Negro Leagues


You also have the quarky bullpen situation as they are the only stadium to have the bullpens right on top of each other as such.


The visiting team is on top which makes it easier for hecklers that are simply walking by Ashburn Alley to say their opinions about the opposition. Originally the home team was on top.

More importantly behind CF is the FOOD! Nothing screams Philadelphia without a solid Philly Cheesesteak from Tony Lukes. Yeah it is not Pat or Geno's that you can get in the city but look at this!

And you can get it inside of the stadium!
Also you can not leave Citizens Bank park without having Crab Fries from Chickies and Petes.

Best French Fries and seasoning you will EVER! Taste.

The Views and sight lines are pretty solid at the ballpark but you could get more city in the back. Also the location even though is easy to get to, it is not ideal. A short train ride south from downtown will get you exactly where you want to go.

The Fans....are brutal. Philadelphia will boo Santa Claus and they were not too keen on me wearing a Marlins jersey at their ballpark, even if they were playing the SF Giants... Most of them mellowed out once they heard about my ballpark tour. They are passionate and I will give them credit for that!

Philadelphia is a cool city and a trip to Citizens bank is a must on the list especially when they are playing good baseball... I'll ring their bell for that.


Next up: The City of Fountains