Chicago Cubs 2026

#1,676      
Curbelo Fanboy
Gary J said:
Arm chair managers. He was the right leader. You under estimate leadership.

Leadership builds World Series winners. It takes a lot of money to overcome a team with effective leadership.
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Did Joe make perfect strategy moves? No. Was his use of Chapman a little curious in the last few games? Absolutely Was Joe the best "leader of men" that organization has had in the modern era? Absolutely 100%.

He was a great clubhouse leader. He NEVER EVER threw one of his guys under the bus in the media. He also knew how to play the mental side of the game. That was of critical importance with a team of mostly young guys trying to break a 108 year old curse. The pressure was palpable. He perhaps made it harder than it needed to be at the very end but Joe's approach with that team absolutely was a key factor in putting them in position to win. I'll never be convinced otherwise. He was the right guy at the right moment in time & at the end of the day despite weird moves he DELIVERED THE GOODS.
 
#1,677      
KBLEE
Juju said:
And he could actually hit too!
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I had some good seats to a game back in 2010 and Piniella brought him in to pinch hit late in the game.

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#1,678      
AssemblyHallForever
oldman said:
I could be heard in the next county when he took Hendricks out.
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He was asked this specific question about when he would want to bring Lester in. The question was will you bring him in with runners on. Maddon said No. But he was so amped about bringing him in, that’s exactly what he did. Cardinal sin. Starters are not used to not only coming into the game but with runners on? They start the game with a clean frame. If he would have until the next inning, start him with a clean slate, I believe we would not have given up the lead. Lester would have been more relaxed and his head would have been better focused. Maddon completely mismanaged game 7.
 
#1,679      
Gary J
Curbelo Fanboy said:
Did Joe make perfect strategy moves? No. Was his use of Chapman a little curious in the last few games? Absolutely Was Joe the best "leader of men" that organization has had in the modern era? Absolutely 100%.

He was a great clubhouse leader. He NEVER EVER threw one of his guys under the bus in the media. He also knew how to play the mental side of the game. That was of critical importance with a team of mostly young guys trying to break a 108 year old curse. The pressure was palpable. He perhaps made it harder than it needed to be at the very end but Joe's approach with that team absolutely was a key factor in putting them in position to win. I'll never be convinced otherwise. He was the right guy at the right moment in time & at the end of the day despite weird moves he DELIVERED THE GOODS.
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Perfectly said! End of story. The pressure was masssive on a young team!
 
#1,680      
Curbelo Fanboy
Gary J said:
Perfectly said! End of story. The pressure was masssive on a young team!
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It didn't fully register until I went to the Grant Park victory rally & several players talked about how on the days when they would walk from their house to the park they'd have little old ladies coming up to them asking "are you gonna win it this year" & stuff like that. Of course everyone has pressure when they get close but that team had the kind of pressure that a high school team has when trying to win a state tournament for the hometown. Next level stuff.
 
#1,683      
Grandpa
They didn't score and had 2 hits Mr Brightside. What was so great about it? I know s. Guess I'm not in the mood. After they win the WS we can look back and laugh about it. Maybe.
 
#1,684      
Warren Carter Fanclub
Grandpa said:
They didn't score and had 2 hits Mr Brightside. What was so great about it? I know s. Guess I'm not in the mood. After they win the WS we can look back and laugh about it. Maybe.
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I'd rather lose 2-0 than get walked off 3 times (leading with 2 outs and blowing 3 and 4 run leads) Grandfather. At least we went into the 9th knowing they would lose.😞
 
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#1,685      
Illiniaaron
The Cubs Incredible Disappearing Offense strikes again. Their performances in get-away afternoon games this season are usually terrible.
 
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