North: No false hope for Cubs in 2015
Forget the dirty snow mounds and the subzero temperatures because baseball talk is here, and it's time to resurrect the familiar cliché of "hope springs eternal" for the Chicago Cubs.
Let's also bypass the tiresome rooftop talk and the concern over the uncompleted field and concentrate on the team.
The hiring of the very competent Joe Maddon and the addition of star pitcher Jon Lester has sent a positive vibe through the Cubs community, but I will remain a bit cautious and suggest that everyone slow down a little.
While I believe the Cubs will be much improved, I recommend not booking reservations for the World Series just yet.
I love the fact the players are shooting for a championship, but my job is to observe and give my opinions. I have been through some disastrous times with this franchise.
Try the 1969 Cubs, the '84 Cubs and the 2003 boys with none of those seasons ending well.
Most Cubs fans are hopeful for this season, and I believe it's finally a legitimate hope and not false hope as it so often has been the case in the past with the Cubbie faithful.
In the meantime, let's see what has to go right for the North Siders to bring home the bacon for real this year. The St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates have to underperform, either because of injury or because their personnel can't get it done on the field. The Atlanta Braves are always lurking, but they are as much a question mark as the Cubs.
I've been hearing a lot about minor leaguer Kris Bryant and how he's the real deal. Now excuse me if I just wait and see. The Cubs are notorious for predicting their prospects will be superstars - and several were washed up sooner than later.
Dare I mention Hee Seop Choi, Corey Patterson, Ty Griffin and even Danny Murphy, their 1960s "superstar for sure"? None of them came close to the hype.
I am hoping Bryant is for real and I think he might be be, but it's still a maybe!
Some other things have to go right for the Cubs. First baseman Anthony Rizzo has to hit .280 with 30+ home runs and 90 RBI. Then shortstop Starlin Castro has to pick up the routine grounders, and Madden will have to adjust to the National league.
Some of the players are making lofty predictions for the season based on a strong starting rotation of Lester, Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks and Jason Hammel. If Edwin Jackson can consistently pitch six innings, and the rest of the pitchers can build on last year, then the pendulum swings in their favor.
Theo Epstein and the Cubs look like serious contenders in 2015, with 2016 looking even better. I think it's safe to say this time, it's not false hope!
Congratulations:
Congratulations to basketball head coach Tom Les and the Notre Dame College Prep Dons for winning the East Suburban Catholic League Title. Go Dons!
Program notes:
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• North's column appears each Tuesday and Friday in the Daily Herald, and his video commentary can be found Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at dailyherald.com. For more, visit northtonorth.com.