Justice Lookig For Justice

Richard Justice, a sports columnist for the Houston Chronicle, wrote an article today stating that the "...baseball gods decided to have their fun with the little Cubbies?"

Richard points to it (the Cubs not catching a break) as being tradition. That is why, in his opinion, the Cubs have lost five straight, Zambrano is suffering from rotator cuff tendinitis and Harden is "resting" his dead arm. Here we go again; this is the exact kind of talk and writing that has poisoned the minds of Cubs and Cub fans for 100 years. Once somebody says it or writes it the poison spreads and it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.

The fastest spreading example of this was the Bartman incident. As soon as Bartman touched the ball you could see panic spread through the players and the fans. Guess what, stuff happens and winners overcome, loser point fingers and make excuses.

Were the baseball gods having fun with Kirk Gibson in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series? Gibson had severely injured both his legs in the NLCS and was suffering from a stomach virus. What did he do about it? When called up to pitch hit with a man on, two outs and his team trailing 4-3 in the ninth, Gibson hit one of the most memorable home runs in the history of baseball. He hobbled around the bases pumping his fist. He had put his team up 5-4; they would go on to win the game and the World Series.

Were the baseball gods having fun with Curt Shilling in 2004 during both Game 6 of the ALCS and Game 2 of the World Series? Shilling's tendon sheath was torn in his right ankle during his Game 1 ALDS appearance. Consequently, in future games, he required sutures to stabilize the tendon. As the games progressed the sutures would tear open and bloody his sock. With this injury Curt would go on to win Game 6 of the ALCS which forced a Game 7 that the Red Sox also won. Shilling would then win Game 2 of the World Series suffering from this same condition. The sock that Shilling wore during his victorious Game 2 appearance was placed in the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Red Sox would go on to become the World Champions for the first time in 86 years.

So Cubs players and fans, when the poison from the likes of Richard Justice start to seep from the cracks of the woodwork, do me a favor, don't listen. Instead, realize that Next Century Is Here, and the true championship nature of this team will overcome the adversity it faces. Remember, a champion is not made without challenges. If it was everyone would be a champion. A true champion is won because of its challenges. The place is Chicago, the time is now, and history will be made. To quote a fellow die hard Cub fan, "It's Gonna Happen"!