2009-Just Another Year for Cub Fans

Don't think I'm rubbing it in Cubs fans-I'm one of you. Yes, since 1963-46 years, I have been part of the suffering legions of Cub fans who have waited...and waited...and waited in vain for a pennant. There was the collapse in 1969 to the Miracle Mets. There was 1984, when the Cubs blew a 2-0 series lead in the playoffs against the Padres to lose 3 games to two. There was 2003, when they did the same against the Marlins. Last year, they compiled the best record in the National League-only to go out in the playoffs in three games. This year? Injuries and lack of offense has us hovering around the 500 mark. With the season one-quarter over, I'm ready to pack it in and concede that I will probably never see my beloved, no, cursed Cubbies in a World Series.

What has happened this year? For starters, the Cubs have been hit by injuries. Secondly, the offense is pretty non-existent. Probably only one player will hit more than 20 homers. Derrek Lee, Geovany Soto, Milton (Anger Management) Bradley and whoever they put at second base are not hitting beans. Their best hitter, Aramis Ramirez, is back on the DL.

In addition, the Cubs miss the man who arguably was their best player the last two years, Mark DeRosa, who was traded to Cleveland for three minor league pitchers-who are still in the minor leagues. They miss his bat and versatility. Then there were the trades they didn't make-for Brian Roberts of the Orioles and pitcher Jake Peavy. They could really use them now.

It still remains to be seen where the Cubs will be in the second half of the season. If they are out of contention, then some house cleaning is in order. My top two candidates for trading away are the most-overrated player in baseball, Alfonso Soriano, and the most overrated pitcher, Carlos Zambrano.

Soriano is positively the most undisciplined player I have ever seen wear a major league uniform. He has zero fundamentals and seems to be playing the game for his own benefit. He is lackadaisical and aside from hitting 30 homers (mostly solo shots), he contributes very little to the team. Problem is, he is in the 3rd year of an 8-year contract that vastly overpays him.

As for the now-you-see him-now-you-don't Venezuelan pitcher Zambrano, this guy finds more reasons not to be in the rotation. Either it's an injury or he's suspended. Yesterday, he was thrown out of the game and threw a fit that will definitely result in a suspension. I for one am sick of enduring this man-child's behavior as we wait for him to be that 20-game winner everybody predicts. Instead, what we have is Hugo Chavez in pinstripes and cleats. Get rid of him I say.

In fact, if the Cubs are not in contention by the time the trading deadline arrives, I say get rid of anybody who will bring in some young prospects. It's time to change the tone of the franchise. Maybe they should get rid of that "lovable" image. Change the name of the team to the "Destroyers", tear down Wrigley Field and build a dome like what they have in Minneapolis. Then again, who would love them?

I need to find a good hypnotist who can make me forget the Cubs even exist.