CubsSuckCafe.com - Cubs Close Calls

In 1920, Weeghman Park becomes known as Cubs Park, after chewing gum magnet William Wrigley buys out the remainder of Charles Weeghman's share of the club. The park would undergo yet another name change in 1926 when it becomes Wrigley Field. That same year, plans are revealed to add a second tier to The Friendly Confines, which increases capacity to 40,000.

1929 CLOSE CALL! - Cubs lose World Series to the Philadelphia Athletics 4 - 1.

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/yr1929ws.shtml

1932 CLOSE CALL! - Cubs lose World Series to the New York Yankees 4 - 0.

< Babe Ruth calls a home run shot at Wrigley.

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/yr1932ws.shtml

1935 CLOSE CALL! - Cubs lose World Series to the Detroit Tigers 4 - 2.

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/yr1935ws.shtml

1938 CLOSE CALL! - Cubs lose World Series to the New York Yankees 4 - 0.

Babe Ruth's 3rd World Series Championship vs. the Cubs!

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/yr1938ws.shtml

During the 1945 World Series is when THE CURSE OF THE GOAT legend began.

1945 CLOSE CALL! - Cubs lose World Series to the Detroit Tigers 4 - 3.

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/yr1945ws.shtml

1945 is the Cubs LAST World Series appearance. EVER!?!

June 15, 1964 - WORST TRADE EVER! - Lou Brock was signed by the Cubs as a free agent in 1960 and started in 1962. Billy Williams said of Lou Brock, "The best player I ever saw. I'm so glad he's on our team!" HOWEVER, the Cubs organization wasn't happy with Lou and traded him to the St. Louis Cardinals for pitchers Ernie Broglio and Bobby Shantz, and outfielder Doug Clemens. Lou Brock hits .348, steals 38 bases AND the St. Louis Cardinals go on and WIN the 1964 World Series!

Bobby is traded by the Cubs during the 1964 season. Ernie is out of baseball after the 1966 season. Doug is out of baseball after the 1968 season.

Lou Brock plays his way to the HALL OF FAME (1985) with THREE National League Pennants and TWO World Series Championships. SIX All-Star Games. 19 seasons 1961 - 1979.

Referred by MOST sports gurus as the WORST TRADE EVER! Here's Sweet Lou's stats...

http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/brocklo01.shtml

1969 CLOSE CALL! - THE BLACK CAT! The Cubs led the National League East by 5 games over the New York Mets on September 01, 1969. After going 3-11 the next two weeks, the Cubs TRAILED the New York Mets by 4 1/2 games whom had gone 13-4.

< Cubs legend Ron Santo encounters a black cat at Shea Stadium in a September series against the Mets. It's a sign. A BAD SIGN.

The Mets went 24-8 from September 1st to the end of the season. The Cubs went 10-18 and went home. The "Miracle Mets" went 100-62 for the season and would go on and win the 1969 World Series 4 - 1 over the favored Baltimore Orioles.

Compare the '69 Cubs and '69 Mets seasons here...

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/teams/1969cubs.stm

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/teams/1969mets.stm

1984 CLOSE CALL! - NEXT YEAR IS HERE! The Cubs had a National League best 96-65 record and were heavy favorites over the 92-70 San Diego Padres. In the short five game series, the Cubs jumped out to a 2 - 0 lead. The Cubs needed to win just ONE GAME in the next THREE GAMES to win the NLCS and go to their first World Series in 39 years. They blow ALL THREE. The Detroit Tigers defeat the San Diego Padres 4 - 1 in the 1984 World Series.

1989 CLOSE CALL! - BACK TO 1984! The Cubs had a National League best 93-69 record and faced the 92-70 San Francisco Giants. The Giants cruised 4-1 and win the NLCS. The Oakland Athletics sweep the San Francisco Giants 4-0 in the 1989 "Earthquake" World Series.

1998 CLOSE CALL! - WILD CARD! The Cubs edge the San Francisco Giants in a one game playoff for the NL wild card 5-3 at Wrigley Field. The late - great Rod Beck saved 51 games for the Cubs that year. Kerry Wood was the sensational rookie and the Cubs were in the PLAYOFFS!

They are immediately swept by the Atlanta Braves 3 - 0.

2003 CLOSE CALL! - BARTMAN! Game 6 NLCS. With only FIVE (5) outs away from their first National League Championship in 58 years, a pop foul is interfered with by fan STEVE BARTMAN. Left outfielder Moises Alou snaps and the Cubs implode. The Florida Marlins rally and win the game. The Florida Marlins win Game 7, 9-6 at Wrigley the next night and win the NLCS. The Florida Marlins defeat the New York Yankees 4 - 2 in the 2003 World Series.

Steve Bartman's NNDB page.

http://www.nndb.com/people/979/000026901/

2005 - CHICAGO WHITE SOX WIN WORLD SERIES 4 - 0 over the Houston Astros.

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/yr2005ws.shtml

2007 CLOSE CALL! - SNAKEBITE! The 85-77 Cubs edge the National League Central from the 83-79 Milwaukee Brewers and are immediately swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks 3 - 0. The PATHETIC Cubs in the THREE games led for HALF an INNING!

It also inspires the creation of...

CUBS SUCK CAFE. com

2008 CLOSE CALL! - THAT'S JUST THE CUBS BEING THE CUBS! The Cubs earn a National League best 97-64 record, their best record since 1945, and are immediately swept by the heavy underdog 84-78 Los Angeles Dodgers. In the three games, the Cubs are out-scored 20-6 and commit 6 errors to the Dodgers 1! It's the Cubs ninth consecutive playoff loss dating back to 2003!

Are Cubs fans ready to give themselves a break from this?

CUBS SUCK CAFE. com