by Mark Rhoads
I admit this is a non-political post that does comment on the importance of hope. As of this afternoon, Sept 18, the political, financial, and social worlds are in turmoil but one American institution chugs along. The magic number for the Cubs is now two.
Light years went by in the last sixty years when one would chuckle hysterically if you heard the phrase "magic number" and "Cubs" in the same breath but this year's team has our attention. Today's Cubs with 92 wins and 59 loses is a confident team atop the league and marching to the playoffs through the front door, not by the wild card route.
If they win the NL playoffs, the resulting league pennant would be the first in my lifetime and I am really old. If they won the series, it would be the first in a century, since before my parents were born and before Wrigley Field was built. Whatever happens, Lou Piniella and GM Jim Hendry have made the north side a happier place this year.
I am not greedy beyond this, NL Central and top of the league stats under the old rules is a great achievement. And, we could still have an L series.
In 2005, The White Sox were a confident team that finished the regular season with 99 wins and 63 loses and who would have thought their Big Mo would take them to a four-game sweep over the Astros for their first World Series championship since 1917 and third in team history. Miracles can happen.
