You know it's bad when...

It's been a rough year for the Cubs: a losing season, the loss of Lou Piniella, new ownership, various issues with Carlos Zambrano.

I thought this photo from the Chicago Tribune said it all!

In the last 25 years, all of Chicago's other Major League teams have won championships: the Bears (.500 in Super Bowls), Bulls (6x), White Sox, Blackhawks (hence the sign), and Fire.

That leaves the Cubs minus a championship. Not even a pennant.

Today I did some reading on the 2003 season, the first in which the Cubs won a post-season series since 1908. I remember watching game 6 of the LCS with a friend who is not familiar with Cubs history. When the Cubs made it to the top of the 8th inning with a lead and one out, my friend said, "Only 5 more outs to the World Series! Aren't you excited?"

"Just wait," I replied, "this is the Cubs," after which Steve Bartman promptly interfered with Aramis Rodriguez' attempt at fielding a foul ball. When the implosion was complete, my friend was beside himself. How can it be? How did this happen?

"Easy," I said. "It's the Cubs!"

That year I overcame my profound disappointment in the team that I'd cheered for most of my life. I became more like a Sox fan, I suppose, in not being completely unrealistic in my hopes for the team. I became more like a Missourian, too: "Show me."

It would be nice to have at least a .500 season this year, but I'm not holding my breath (I don't know if it's possible for them to go .500). Bully for Mike Quade and the team's performance under his tenure!

But in the words of the late Jack Brickhouse, they've closed the barn door after the horses got out; they're a dime late and a dollar short; whew, brother.

Back up the truck! Bring on the new manager!