Previously i wrote a post on why the Cubs could never win the World Series ever again. ever. ever. and never again.
Now, i will write on why the Cubs will win the World Series. This year. In October. oh boy...
1. They are due for a World Series. Come on, its been over 100 years. Its about time.
2. They are severely underachieving so far this year. And they are only 5.5 games out.
Pitching has been mediocre, bullpen has been terrible and no one outside of Ryan Theriot and Alfonso Soriano have hit with any consistency. With signs of life out of Aramis Ramirez, the Cubs could very well put a streak together and take over 1st in the Central.
3. The Reds are in 1st place right now. That wont last.
4. The Cardinals have been over-achieving (both pitching and hitting) and they are only 6 games over .500
5. Their roster boasts Playoff experience with a valuable mix of veterans and young guys.
6. Pity from other teams. If the Cubs make the playoffs, every team will just quit.
7. No single team in the NL looks like a run-away World Series contender. (although you could argue for Philly or San Fran.)
8. Umpires will conspire together to rig every Cubs game. Not for money, but for the sole reason to disprove any notion of the super-natural (i.e. Curses).
9. New Owners are willing to spend the cash on a large market team to see it win.
10. Because if they do not win, there is no justice in the world.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Why the Chicago Cubs Will Never Win the World Series Again.
The Chicago Cubs will never win the World Series again. Ever. Ever. For eternity.
First, let me preface this comment by noting that i am a Chicago Cubs fan (to say the least).
And let me qualify the statement with the notion that i would be ecstatic if the Cubs do in fact win the World Series again.
(But they wont).
And finally let me contextualize with the fact that i haven't even given up on the Cubs this season.
So, why won't the Cubs ever win in the post season?
Let's start with baseball reasons:
1. Bad contracts to old, under-producing hitters (i.e. Soriano and Fukudome). Bad contracts not only keep players around for a stupid amount of time, but it also hampers the team from grabbing quality bullpen arms that have already cost the Cubs 6 games this year.
2. Old Facilities. Don't get me wrong, the atmosphere around Wrigley is indispensable, however, we must face the facts that the facilities as Wrigley are near the bottom in the majors.
3. A depleted farm system (although it is on the rise) from years of poor trades, mainly with the Marlins, Orioles, and Red Sox. And the Cubs always get the worst end of trades.
4. An under-critical fan base. The Cubs haven't won the World Series in 103 years. But their fan base has only grown every year. Why? Because the Cubs are the "Lovable Losers." The fans don't expect a World Series banner, they just expect a sunny day in the bleachers with a beer and a ballgame.
5. They are in the same division as Albert Pujols. No, not the Cardinals, but Albert Pujols.
Which transitions me into the philosophical reasons why the Cubs will never win the World Series again.
1. The familiar is comfortable. Because we live in a culture of comfort, the Cubs would only annoy people if they won the World Series because people are so used to them losing. For example in 2003, changing the familiar was too uncomfortable for Steve Bartman and Alex Gonzalez, so they combined to ruin the best chance the cubs have had since 1945.
2. There has to be a loser. Not everyone can win. So, the Cubs have volunteered to be that loser every year for all of eternity.
3. Americans live in routine. And so do the Cubs. Every year, Cubs fans expect the club to win around 85 games, and be competitive till September. And if this changed, so would every American's foundational understanding of the way the world works.
4. Curses are real. And so are goats.
5. The Cubs represent the helplessness of the American Dream. Every person dreams of being the one to rise to the top (i.e. the Tampa Bay Rays of life); however, they associate in reality with the Cubs, recognizing that all they can actually do is dream and hope for a few more good days than bad days.
First, let me preface this comment by noting that i am a Chicago Cubs fan (to say the least).
And let me qualify the statement with the notion that i would be ecstatic if the Cubs do in fact win the World Series again.
(But they wont).
And finally let me contextualize with the fact that i haven't even given up on the Cubs this season.
So, why won't the Cubs ever win in the post season?
Let's start with baseball reasons:
1. Bad contracts to old, under-producing hitters (i.e. Soriano and Fukudome). Bad contracts not only keep players around for a stupid amount of time, but it also hampers the team from grabbing quality bullpen arms that have already cost the Cubs 6 games this year.
2. Old Facilities. Don't get me wrong, the atmosphere around Wrigley is indispensable, however, we must face the facts that the facilities as Wrigley are near the bottom in the majors.
3. A depleted farm system (although it is on the rise) from years of poor trades, mainly with the Marlins, Orioles, and Red Sox. And the Cubs always get the worst end of trades.
4. An under-critical fan base. The Cubs haven't won the World Series in 103 years. But their fan base has only grown every year. Why? Because the Cubs are the "Lovable Losers." The fans don't expect a World Series banner, they just expect a sunny day in the bleachers with a beer and a ballgame.
5. They are in the same division as Albert Pujols. No, not the Cardinals, but Albert Pujols.
Which transitions me into the philosophical reasons why the Cubs will never win the World Series again.
1. The familiar is comfortable. Because we live in a culture of comfort, the Cubs would only annoy people if they won the World Series because people are so used to them losing. For example in 2003, changing the familiar was too uncomfortable for Steve Bartman and Alex Gonzalez, so they combined to ruin the best chance the cubs have had since 1945.
2. There has to be a loser. Not everyone can win. So, the Cubs have volunteered to be that loser every year for all of eternity.
3. Americans live in routine. And so do the Cubs. Every year, Cubs fans expect the club to win around 85 games, and be competitive till September. And if this changed, so would every American's foundational understanding of the way the world works.
4. Curses are real. And so are goats.
5. The Cubs represent the helplessness of the American Dream. Every person dreams of being the one to rise to the top (i.e. the Tampa Bay Rays of life); however, they associate in reality with the Cubs, recognizing that all they can actually do is dream and hope for a few more good days than bad days.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Theology of "Lost"
I'm not talking about sinners being Lost.
I'm talking about pop culture.
I am addicted (which is a common result).
So, to couple my addiction, here is my ignorant (i am only on Season 2) understanding of the Emmy award winning drama.
Overarching Theme: Negative life circumstances shed light on hope.
Example: every character on the show.
Before getting to the Island (an isolated state which could also represent the emotional feeling coinciding with the negative life circumstance) every character experiences a life altering situation (ie. winning the Lottery, giving up a son for adoption, becoming pregnant, being arrested, killing a guy, family death, new job, addiction, etc.). After enduring said life circumstance, each character engages in a feeling of despair. Thus, the passengers of flight 815 find they have crash landed on an island where they have emotionally lived for some time. Despite the difficulty of the island, each character engages in some sort of Dharma, seeking to find hope beyond their blinding depression. While on the island, each character faces a testing situation, encouraged by the sage-like character John Locke (John Locke is famous for establishing the identity of the self and consciousness). Although characters try to escape the island, they are simply redirected back to the island in order to find their identity. Once each character finds his/her personal identity, they are depicted by hope.
Theory for Future Episodes: Characters who develop after experiencing a negative or challenging circumstance on the island will get off the island (either by dying, disappearing, or escaping).
This is the mild version of my theories. I also have thoughts about the numbers (4 8 15 16 23 42) and I'm developing a theory about character names (Locke, Rousseau, Shepherd, etc.)
Anyway, don't ruin lost for me. If you do, you will end up like Goodwin.
I'm talking about pop culture.
I am addicted (which is a common result).
So, to couple my addiction, here is my ignorant (i am only on Season 2) understanding of the Emmy award winning drama.
Overarching Theme: Negative life circumstances shed light on hope.
Example: every character on the show.
Before getting to the Island (an isolated state which could also represent the emotional feeling coinciding with the negative life circumstance) every character experiences a life altering situation (ie. winning the Lottery, giving up a son for adoption, becoming pregnant, being arrested, killing a guy, family death, new job, addiction, etc.). After enduring said life circumstance, each character engages in a feeling of despair. Thus, the passengers of flight 815 find they have crash landed on an island where they have emotionally lived for some time. Despite the difficulty of the island, each character engages in some sort of Dharma, seeking to find hope beyond their blinding depression. While on the island, each character faces a testing situation, encouraged by the sage-like character John Locke (John Locke is famous for establishing the identity of the self and consciousness). Although characters try to escape the island, they are simply redirected back to the island in order to find their identity. Once each character finds his/her personal identity, they are depicted by hope.
Theory for Future Episodes: Characters who develop after experiencing a negative or challenging circumstance on the island will get off the island (either by dying, disappearing, or escaping).
This is the mild version of my theories. I also have thoughts about the numbers (4 8 15 16 23 42) and I'm developing a theory about character names (Locke, Rousseau, Shepherd, etc.)
Anyway, don't ruin lost for me. If you do, you will end up like Goodwin.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Spring Break To-Do List
Here is what my Spring Break looks like since Keenan Donahue bailed on Spring Training:
1. Watch Lost
I always thought this show was really dumb. Then i started watching it. And now, I'm captivated by it. All of the symbolism, character development, and suspenseful music make it difficult to turn off. So, i will finish Season 1 over the break.
2. Read a book
So i don't completely waste my spring break time, i will read a book. But not for fun. For class. Bummer. At least i sound smart.
3. Eat good food.
Both home-cooked, and restaurant. Restaurant list: Taco Bueno, Chipotle, Panda Express, Red Robin, anything else we do not have in Joplin.
4. Go golfing.
I went with my Dad on Friday (sorry for skipping classes Andrew Kirschner and Doug Welch). And i will go again this Friday. Unfortunately, i shot my worst round in like 2 years. Hopefully this Friday will be better.
5. Watch Basketball.
I took in the first four days of the NCAA Tournament as my bracket was destroyed by the likes of Northern Iowa and Saint Mary's. Boooooooooo. I guess i owe Sonja dinner and a movie.
So there you have it. I will quit updating you on my daily agenda on Facebook because it most likely consists of these 5 things + church on Wednesday. Now to accomplish something off my list (time to eat).
1. Watch Lost
I always thought this show was really dumb. Then i started watching it. And now, I'm captivated by it. All of the symbolism, character development, and suspenseful music make it difficult to turn off. So, i will finish Season 1 over the break.
2. Read a book
So i don't completely waste my spring break time, i will read a book. But not for fun. For class. Bummer. At least i sound smart.
3. Eat good food.
Both home-cooked, and restaurant. Restaurant list: Taco Bueno, Chipotle, Panda Express, Red Robin, anything else we do not have in Joplin.
4. Go golfing.
I went with my Dad on Friday (sorry for skipping classes Andrew Kirschner and Doug Welch). And i will go again this Friday. Unfortunately, i shot my worst round in like 2 years. Hopefully this Friday will be better.
5. Watch Basketball.
I took in the first four days of the NCAA Tournament as my bracket was destroyed by the likes of Northern Iowa and Saint Mary's. Boooooooooo. I guess i owe Sonja dinner and a movie.
So there you have it. I will quit updating you on my daily agenda on Facebook because it most likely consists of these 5 things + church on Wednesday. Now to accomplish something off my list (time to eat).
Thursday, March 4, 2010
March Madness
March is crazy.
Caesar was killed, birds return, and pollen invades.
Clocks speed up, and so do schedules.
The Irish have a holiday, and bracketology becomes a real word.
Can anything crazier happen than that stuff?
Anyway, here's why March is crazy for me (i love postmodernism):
I'm giving up soda for March.
And i love soda. namely, Coke.
But i was drinking way too much soda and spending too much money on it.
And i made a resolution to give up soda for an entire month.
So the beginning of spring says see ya to soda. (--really good alliteration).
Also, March is crazy because of spring break.
I plan on doing something spontaneous for spring break (enjoy the irony in that statement).
Thoughts have been on going to Arizona for Spring Training.
Or maybe i will golf everyday.
Or at least eat out everyday (without soda).
Or at least watch basketball everyday (while drinking lemonade).
March is crazy, but aren't the beginnings of all good things?
One last word, i have been considering a statement lately:
It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.
-Mark Twain
Caesar was killed, birds return, and pollen invades.
Clocks speed up, and so do schedules.
The Irish have a holiday, and bracketology becomes a real word.
Can anything crazier happen than that stuff?
Anyway, here's why March is crazy for me (i love postmodernism):
I'm giving up soda for March.
And i love soda. namely, Coke.
But i was drinking way too much soda and spending too much money on it.
And i made a resolution to give up soda for an entire month.
So the beginning of spring says see ya to soda. (--really good alliteration).
Also, March is crazy because of spring break.
I plan on doing something spontaneous for spring break (enjoy the irony in that statement).
Thoughts have been on going to Arizona for Spring Training.
Or maybe i will golf everyday.
Or at least eat out everyday (without soda).
Or at least watch basketball everyday (while drinking lemonade).
March is crazy, but aren't the beginnings of all good things?
One last word, i have been considering a statement lately:
It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.
-Mark Twain
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