After the 1969 season, the Chicago Cubs had a winning record but never made the playoffs, and many of their core players had moved on to other teams. They became known as the “Loveable Losers,” but they found new life in 1977. Their greatest collapse came in 1977, when they went from an 8-1/2-game lead in the NL East to a 47-22 record. Rick Reuschel was the team’s manager that year.
Steve Goodman’s 1984 song “Go, Cubs, Go!”
The lyrics to Steve Goodman’s 1984 song “Go-Cubs-Go” have made a comeback in recent years, thanks to its popularity among fans of the Chicago Cubs baseball team. The song, which became a Chicago Cubs staple following a series of home wins, has not yet received mainstream recognition outside of Chicago. However, it has logged a strong amount of on-demand streams over the last week, rising 412 percent from the week before. In addition, the song is on track to have a major gain in the week ending Nov. 3 because of the Chicago Cubs’ playoff success.
When the Chicago Cubs were a team, Steve Goodman was a huge fan. He and his wife Nancy lived a short distance from Wrigley Field and attended games at the ballpark every day. They would bring their daughter with them, although they rarely bought tickets. In fact, they tended to get free tickets, and sometimes he would even get in by being friends with the usher. Goodman also had an uncanny knack for remembering players’ names, which gave him the chance to use his voice to write a memorable ballgame line.
After the first World Series victory in Chicago, Steve Goodman’s song “Go, Cubs, Go!” became the unofficial team’s victory song. As a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, Goodman was a central figure in Chicago’s Old Town folk scene. He played at the Earl of Old Town and later moved to Los Angeles with his family. However, he remained obsessed with his beloved team. His song “Go, Cubs, Go!” became a hit in 2007, and it has been sung by 40,000 fans each home game.
Sammy Sosa
The controversy surrounding Sammy Sosa, the Chicago Cubs’ outfielder, isn’t new. The Cubs’ former All-Star homered in the first inning of their first game back after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. As Sosa rounded the bases, Billy Williams presented him with an American flag. The Chicago Tribune’s Rick Morrisey writes that Sosa’s gesture was a show of solidarity with the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Although Sosa never tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, he was suspected of doing so in late 2004. The Cubs’ desire to trade him was complicated by his contract. The Chicago outfielder owed the team $17 million for 2005, with an option for a second year. Sosa was guaranteed $18 million in 2006 and $17 million in 2007. Because of the controversy over Sosa’s steroid use, he was an unreliable trade candidate. The Cubs’ decision to trade Sosa isn’t going to improve the relationship with Sosa.
The Chicago Cubs have a long and storied history of winning World Series championships, but the team’s recent decline has led to a change in attitude. Although Sammy Sosa was a beloved player for a decade, he was often viewed as a villain by fans, which isn’t entirely fair. Even so, winning the World Series would make fans a little more lenient towards Sosa.
The death of Harry Caray in 1998
One of the most beloved Chicago Cubs announcers died on February 14, 1998, at the age of 79. Although speculations about his age varied, he was usually just a few years older. The death ends his 53-year career as a play-by-play man. Caray was known for his gravelly voice and glasses made of window panes, and his trademark “Holy cow.”
After his death, the Chicago Cubs began to invite famous guests to lead the singing at the game. Today, the team still employs guest conductors. Caray’s career had a long and distinguished legacy, and he has a special place in Cubs fans’ hearts. Whether it was his legendary radio voice, or his iconic image, Caray left his mark on baseball. His death impacted baseball forever.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Caray was survived by five children, five stepchildren, fourteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. A short biography of Caray’s life was written by Michael Hirsley in the Chicago Tribune. This article highlights the many aspects of his life and family. Caray had many fans, including the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears. Caray’s legacy will live on in the lives of fans across the country.
The death of Harry Caray in 1998 is a tragic loss for Cubs fans. Caray, a Chicago native, had a remarkable career in baseball and was known for his critical style of broadcasting from the bleachers. He worked with Bob Waller, Bill Mercer, and J.C. Martin, and occasionally even Jimmy Piersall. It was a heart attack that killed Caray. In fact, Caray died of brain damage from a heart attack.
The renaissance in the ’60s
In the mid to late-sixties, the Chicago Cubs won 103 games, and many of their core players moved to other teams. This was the era of the “lovable losers.” The renaissance began in 1977, when the team hit its high water mark. On June 28, they were 47-22 and held an 8-1/2 game lead over the New York Mets. Rick Reuschel led the team at the time.
After a dismal season in 1980, the Cubs hired Dallas Green, a manager who had managed the Phillies to the World Series in 1980. Then, he hired Theo Epstein, who was a champion of sabremetrics. Epstein restructured the team’s front office, roster, and coaching staff. The team signed pitchers Ryan Dempster and Jed Hoyer, as well as former Cubs third base coach Billy Connors.
After Sandberg’s retirement, the team had a couple of holes to fill. The team signed a rookie hitter named Henry Rodriguez to bat cleanup. Rodriguez hit 31 roundtrippers in his first season in Chicago. Rod Beck anchored a strong bullpen. In addition, Mark Grace turned in his best season. In this era, the Chicago Cubs were overwhelmed by media attention. They featured Sammy Sosa and rookie flamethrower Kerry Wood.
The 1960s brought the team to the world series for the first time since 1908. In 1969, the NL was split into east and west divisions. The Cubs finished second three times, and in 1908, they won the first-ever National League pennant. With their improved team, fans could watch their beloved team grow into a dominant force. But there were a few pitfalls.
The trade of Sammy Sosa
The trade of Sammy Sosa by a team to a rival may be surprising to some fans. In the early 2000s, a series of scandals involving the Cubs and steroids led to Sosa’s release from the team. Although he has not admitted to using steroids, Sosa was part of the investigation and was caught with a corked bat. He later left the team and ended up in Baltimore, where he played through 2005.
The trade was announced Monday afternoon, and is subject to Sosa’s approval. Sosa told associates last week that he was expecting to be traded to the Orioles. However, a clause in Sosa’s contract, which carries a guaranteed $18 million option in 2006, prevents the trade from being finalized. However, Sosa’s union has already agreed to waive the clause if the trade is finalized.
Many fans of the White Sox have stated their dismay about the trade. Despite the obvious loss, Sosa’s trade has brought the Cubs two major assets in return for Sosa. In addition to George Bell and Ken Patterson, the Cubs acquired former teammates Bobby Hill and Ferguson Jenkins. This trade made the Cubs more competitive, and ultimately improved their chances of reaching the World Series.
The trade of manager Rube Renteria
If the Chicago Cubs want to win the World Series this year, they must trade manager Rube Renteria. Renteria, 59, has managed four teams in his career, including the expansion Florida Marlins and the San Diego Padres. While he may have plenty of experience, he is not a good fit for the team. His track record as a player and manager was not impressive.
The Chicago Cubs were in the market for a new manager after losing the World Series last year. After evaluating several candidates, they decided to go with Renteria. A native of Peoria, he played for Northwestern University and was linked to Chicago. The Cubs also offered Renteria another job, but Epstein decided to go after Maddon. Despite the risk, Chicago still hopes Renteria will help the team improve on their 127-197 record during the two-year tenure of Dale Sveum.
Before joining the Cubs, Renteria played baseball for three teams, including the Pirates and the White Sox. He was a first-round pick of the Pirates in the 1980s and spent five seasons in the majors. He was later named bench coach for the White Sox, and in 2008, he was promoted to major league management. He was also the manager of the Mexico national team in the World Baseball Classic.
