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Cubs win! The curse of the goat is over!

October 23, 2016 by AZ BlueMeanie

I have waited my entire life for this moment. So close, so many times, only to have the “lovable losers” break their fans hearts. But last night the Chicago Cubs finally broke the curse of the goat and won the National League Pennant. On to the World Series! This one’s for you, Harry. Cubs win! … Read more

Talking Baseball: Will the Cubs finally end the ‘curse of the Billy Goat’?

October 17, 2015 by AZ BlueMeanie

I was hesitant to post about this, so as not to curse the Chicago Cubs, but then it occurred to me that there is nothing I could do that the cursed Billy Goat has not already done to the Cubs.

There are some similarities between this year’s Chicago Cubs and the 2004 Boston Red Sox, who ended their World Series “curse of the Bambino.”

The Red Sox were a wild card team that year, and had to face their longtime rivals and nemesis, the New York Yankees. The Red Sox went down 3 games to one in the ALCS, and were trailing in the ninth inning of game 4, before they rallied for the win. The Sox went on to win three straight and go to the World Series. In the World Series, the Red Sox swept the St. Louis Cardinals to win the World Series in one of the most improbable post season runs in baseball history.

Since then, the Boston Red Sox have won two more World Series, in 2007 and 2013. The “curse of the Bambino” is no more.

This year’s Chicago Cubs are also a wild card team, and had to face their longtime rivals and nemesis, the St. Louis Cardinals, winners of 11 World Series titles, in the NLDS. After dropping game one, the Cubs went on to win three straight and move on to the NLCS. They will face another New York team, the Mets. Longtime Cubs fans would like nothing better than to avenge the collapse of the Cubs in 1969 — who were in 1st place in late August — that led to the “Miracle Mets” winning the World Series.

Talking Baseball: Memorial Day standings and the post-season playoffs

May 25, 2015 by AZ BlueMeanie

Baseball statisticians have for years asserted that the standings of baseball teams on Memorial Day are a good predictor of whether your favorite baseball team will make the post-season playoffs or not. But is it true? Well, yes and no in the wildcard era.

Which is good news for my surprising Minnesota Twins this year!

Doug Miller writes at MLB.com, What’s Next: History favors division leaders:

Memorial Day is full of somber remembrance but also seasonal celebration. We honor those who gave their lives protecting the United States and its freedoms while serving in the military, but we find time to cut loose at backyard barbecues and fete the coming of June and summer proper.

* * *

It’s natural to view Memorial Day, then, as a significant baseball benchmark. Some might wonder if it’s already curtains for the hometown nine that hasn’t gotten it going by now. Some might continue to look at the Major League season as not even a third complete and maintain the optimism of Opening Day.

The big question, as always, is this: Can the clubs that would be postseason-bound entering Memorial Day 2015 last and make it into October?

Opening Day: For Love of the Game

April 5, 2015 by AZ BlueMeanie

The St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs will play the first game of the 2015 Major League Baseball season tonight at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs are currently in the middle of the first of four offseason phases of construction to Wrigley Field. The Cubs for the first time in their history will have a Jumbotron screen, after a legal battle with the Waveland Avenue rooftops property owners. The left field bleachers won’t be completed until May, according to the Chicago Sun Times. The right field bleachers likely won’t be finished until June. Holy moly: Wrigley Field has a Jumbotron now.

The “14” on the field is a tribute to “Mr. Cub,” Ernie Banks, who passed away in the offseason. The bleacher seats will also be covered tonight with a tribute to the Cubs’ Hall of Famer. “It’s a great day for a ball game; let’s play two!”

Monday is Opening Day, otherwise known as the most beautiful phrase in the English language, with a full slate of games scheduled. Opening Day Schedule.

Last season my Minnesota Twins were eliminated by Memorial Day with the worst pitching rotation in the American League. Sports Illustrated projects the Twins as 28th out of 30 teams this year. 2015 MLB season previews – Sports Illustrated.

Don’t laugh. Sports illustrated projects your Arizona Diamondbacks as 29th out 30 teams this year. So there. The once mighty Philadelphia Phillies earn the dubious distinction of being No. 30.