It is amazing how bad a good baseball team can be. I know that sounds as if it came from Yogi Berra, but if you think it’s a crazy statement just look at the Chicago Cubs and the New York Mets.
Both the Cubs and Mets had very good season last year. Unfortunately for both of them however, their seasons ended prematurely with a early playoff exit and a late regular season meltdown. However both teams have some of the game’s premier talent, and were expected to be right in the mix for a division crown this year
But that is why division crowns are not handed out at the beginning of the season. And guess what? Both the Cubs and Mets, barring a miracle that is beyond miraculous, are not going to even come close to making the playoffs this year.
Some say it was injuries, while others say that it is big name, big money players not playing to their potential. Others might call it bad luck. But no matter what the reason is thought to be, the bottom line is that both teams failed this year.
Let me say it this way. No matter what team it is, whether it be the Washington Nationals or the New York Yankees, the goal during the regular season is to make the playoffs. And once the playoffs roll around, the goal is to win the World Series. Winning the World Series is the goal of every team that takes the field on opening day. And anything short of that, in most minds, is a failure. And it would be fairly safe to say that the Cubs or Mets will not win the World Series this season.
Let’s face the facts; both teams have flat out stunk this season. The Cubs and Mets have not played consistent baseball this season. I take that back, both teams have been consistent this season. Consistently bad.
But in fairness, we have to look at the injuries. There are some baseball people who say injuries are no excuse. Just a few days ago, Dusty Baker called those people lairs. I agree with Dusty. His Reds team could have been a lot better than what their record is this season, but some critical injuries to some of the team’s best players knocked them out of contention. The Mets have lost Johan Santana for the year, and now David Wright might be done for the year. Losing two of the best players in the game will hurt any team’s chances to make the postseason. In fact of the entire opening day lineup for the Mets, only two players have not had stints on the disabled list this season. Look at the Cubs opening day lineup:
LF Alfonso Soriano
SS Ryan Theriot
1B Derek Lee
3B Aramis Ramirez
RF Milton Bradley
C Geovany Soto
2B Mike Fontenot
CF Kosuke Fukudome
Of these eight position players the Cubs sent out on opening day, only three players have not spent time either on the disabled list or were out of the lineup due to an injury for a considerable amount of time. Those three players are Ryan Theriot, Mike Fontenot, and Kouske Fukudome. The Cubs pitching staff has also been hit hard with the injury bug. Starters Ted Lilly, Ryan Dempster, and Carlos Zambrano have had their seasons shortened with stints on the disabled list. The result of these injuries for the Cubs and Mets? Less of a chance to make the postseason. Teams can’t expect to do well when only 2 or 3 guys out of their regular lineup stay healthily.
I know, I know, I know. Bad things happen in life and in baseball. Players get hurt; it is part of the game. And injuries are certainly not the one factor that has lead to the disappointing season of the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs. A few of their key players have underachieved this season, most notably the Cubs Milton Bradley. You have to be able to win with the team you put on the field. The Mets and Cubs have not done that this season. And all those injuries have not helped their causes.
