These guys act like they belong
Call Saturday's celebration subuded hysteria.
Oh, sure, the Cubs, their fans and their entire so-called nation partied like it was 1984, '89, '98, '03 and '07.
"There's no higher league than the big leagues," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said. "Being division champs is a great accomplishment."
Yes, it certainly is, and the Cubs just beat St. Louis to win the National League Central for the second straight year.
Fans in the stands staged a serious party, complete with those "W" placards that had "It's gonna happen" on the flip side.
There also were signs with "Cubs can" and "The Hunt for Blue October." There were, of course, choruses of the "Go, Cubs, Go" song. There was a vendor ripping open a box of caps with "Central Division Champs 2008" on them.
Outside the ballpark, police blocked off the intersection of Clark and Addison so fans could gather, sing, chant and mug for the TV cameras.
"It's great," Cubs closer Kerry Wood said of clinching the division at home. "I'm glad it worked out that way."
Meanwhile, the celebration spilled into and out of the Cubs' clubhouse, where wall-to-wall champagne showers were sprayed.
Even the struggling Kosuke Fukudome was drenched, his smile widening when Geovany Soto sprayed him again.
"It's a big step," a dripping Hendry said. "Don't minimize winning a division over 162 games."
Yet the feel was different from the other years the Cubs qualified for the playoffs.
This time the players celebrated like, well, like it's 2008.
The Cubs have been the NL's best team all this season. Every victory, even this one, was viewed as a step rather than a destination.
Still peering down from a building across Sheffield Avenue is that sign, that nagging, aggravating, miserable reminder: 006299.
The 0's (years since a division title) will remain. Now the Cubs' assignment is to turn the 62 (seasons since the last league pennant) and 99 (seasons since the last world title) into four more 0's.
Work is to be done and this Cubs team seems to understand that like none before it has.
Seven postseason victories will get them to the franchise's first World Series since 1945. Eleven will win them its first since 1908.
"We're proud of ourselves," Hendry said, "but (the players) have their eyes on a bigger prize."
Manager Lou Piniella cautioned all along to not get too giddy too early, but now it was time for at least a controlled giddiness.
Nearly an hour after the clincher was clinched, fans roared "Loooooou" as Piniella was interviewed just outside the dugout with champagne running down his face.
But Piniella managed the Reds to the 1990 world championship and knows how difficult and unpredictable October can be.
The Cubs have 10 days to prepare for their first playoff game, probably against the Mets or the Phillies.
The champagne will dry by then. Giddiness will evolve into anxiety. Fulfillment will become expectation.
Maybe pitcher Jason Marquis said it best: "We feel we accomplished a goal and are ready to roll."
If the roll continues long enough, the hysteria in Wrigleyville next month will be anything but subdued.
mimrem@dailyherald.com
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