North: Will Epstein become the greatest of all time?
Will the Chicago Cubs get to the World Series and win it this year? We just don't know yet.
While there's no need for a history lesson, here are a few names that never made it there: Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, Fergie Jenkins, Andre Dawson, Mark Grace, Ryne Sandberg, Rick Sutcliffe, Kerry Wood, Mark Prior … you get the picture.
The Cubs' archives are filled with great and very good players, but this 2015 team is truly different and we can say that with real conviction. This rookie-laden team hasn't played long enough yet to be considered great, but where do we place them if the winning continues?
Those other guys will always be admired and revered, but if this team gets it done their place in Cubs history is cemented as the No. 1 team in Cubs history.
In his first year as Cubs manager, Joe Maddon is way ahead of schedule. How secure is he about his future when he can tick off a roster with most of these guys back for awhile?
I want to eat and drink what he's been having, because Maddon believed he would win from the start and told us that in his first news conference. He might have been the only one who really believed what he was selling, along with Theo Epstein.
Who says one guy can't make a difference? Now Epstein is in a position to be heralded as the greatest front office guy of all time. First he ended the Boston Red Sox drought of 86 years without a World Series, and he even managed to win a second one there.
If he can banish the curse of the Cubs, halting a 106-year-old losing streak and actually complete the mission, what kinds of superlatives will we use to describe the seemingly impossible feat?
In November of 2013, after the Cubs finished 66-96, 30 games under .500, I wrote a column saying that Epstein was clueless.
Well, it's his turn to gloat because he turned it around even quicker than I think he expected.
Back then, Cubs fan were sick of hearing about the rebuilding process and those tired words fell on deaf ears for awhile. But guess what? He was right.
I know there are plenty of people who claim they saw it coming, but I don't really believe you.
I am hearing from tweeters about the greatness of Epstein and this team, so bragging rights are in order and I say go for it.
However, I didn't hear anyone defending him or the club back then. There were lots of disgusted and disappointed fans.
But who cares about that now? Cubs baseball is finally great and fun to watch. As quickly as things can go wrong, it can all be reversed with the right leader.
Congrats to the Ricketts family, Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer and the organization from top to bottom. This whole city should be behind you.
Good luck in the next round, boys!
Program notes:
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