Jake's Take: Getting Overlooked

by Jacob Larsen on Jun 14, 2008 10:14 PM EDT

If you didn't already know this, I am a resident of IL. Not by choice, but that is where I've spent my entire 25 years of existence. When you're from IL, you're either a Cubs fan or a Sox fan. I was never a fan of either. I really don't sway towards either, to appease either fandom...both, to me, are run by idiots(Hendry, Williams, Guillen and LOU).

The Cubs/Rays series is a match-up of perennial losers, of sorts, who have become 2 of baseball's "hottest" teams. The Cubs haven't won a World Series in 99 years, longer than they've played in Wrigley Field. The Rays haven't reached the playoffs, let alone 71 wins, EVER in their 11 year existence.

Like every Cub fan that I run into daily, "THIS COULD BE THE YEAR!!!" which usually turns into "WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR" by September/October for most Cubs fans.

The Cubs fans are so confident with their team nowadays, I see most looking at schedules and starting to guarantee wins against teams to almost a sickening extent.

So, you'd think that Cubs fans would be kinda conservative in regards to playing the Rays?? Nah, I've heard just about every Cub fan guarantee a 3-game sweep on our home turf.

Why, I ask, why would one perennial losing teams' fan do that?

Well, it's simple....overconfidence, lack of intelligence and not knowing this team. White Sox fans that I know have correctly tried to try to walk these overconfident fans off the edge, stating that there's something to this Rays team that isn't like the old teams of the past.

Let them think what they think, like the teams that have come in Tropicana thinking they're going to sweep us....let them fall and get their necks stepped on by a team that plays the same "NL Style" of run-manufacturing, but know how to make it work in the AL.

Let them think that Lou is a good manager, when we already know that he's horrible with youngsters and a horrible strategist.

Let them overlook us, so we can knock the winds out of their sails....

Tweet Comment 4 comments | 1 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

i really like this underdog thing

i like than other teams fans think that we are a fluke and they are going to stomp our asses and then they gasp and go we just got swept by who?? the rays thats who! when teams come into the trop they better be prepared to settle for 1 win because 22 out of 25 is just video game #’s that have come true and our pitching and defense is so top notch that when are hitting stays on a consistent basis no one will be able to touch us at home or on the road! pena comes back in a week also right? and btw cubs you may be the best team in the NL but honestly over the last month you have been beating below average teams while we just barily survived that road trip and are only 1 1/2 games back still!

by RaysOfHope on Jun 14, 2008 10:35 PM EDT reply actions

perhaps...

...it’s the fanbase talking, not the players. Sweet Lou is actually an excellent manager (look at the rosters he had to work with here and tell me who else wrings a 70-win season out of that pile of junk) and will have his team ready to play. It outta be a fun series.

by zeng8r on Jun 14, 2008 11:02 PM EDT reply actions

"tried to try"????? what does that even mean?

“tried to try”...is that english?

listen. nobody thinks the cubs are going to sweep and if they do, so what? they are Cubs fans. but to bash Lou Piniella? are you serious? this guy is 1647-1522 as a manager. that is 125 games OVER .500. and that is only 4 seasons with a big market club. the rest were 16 seasons with the likes of the D-Rays, Reds and Mariners. To bash Piniella is no better than thinking the Cubs will sweep just bc you said so.

and btw, the Red over the A’s in 1990 is one of, if not THE BIGGEST upset in world series history.

btw…was this comment OK? you guys seem to be pissy about what are comments worthy of your approval.

The Revolution has begun...

by Devil Ray Guevara on Jun 15, 2008 3:50 AM EDT reply actions

btw…was this comment OK? you guys seem to be pissy about what are comments worthy of your approval.

You’re completely misinterpreting my comment. I simply told you that the condescension in the other thread was annoying to me. That was just my suggestion. I wasn’t threatening you as a moderator at all. You are free to post your opinion within the bounds of acceptable discourse, and while I may not agree with your take or your style, you have every right to express your view.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jun 15, 2008 4:07 AM EDT up reply actions