MLB.com's Barry M. Bloom reported that Cubs skipper Lou Piniella had this to say following the team's win over Arizona is the final game of the preseason on Saturday:
"I think the Cubs, their time is coming to win the World Series. Hopefully, it's very, very, very soon."
As someone who's been waiting for 40 years, I sure hope it's soon, too, Lou.
I actually like Lou's World Series chatter. For too long, the club has been careful to avoid that talk, saying instead that the goal is to "win the division" or "have a winning season."
When Mike Ditka took over as Bears coach, he said the team was going to win the Super Bowl. And damn it, he was right.
Not that simply talking about it automatically makes it so, of course. But avoiding the subject often makes a team appear scared and unwilling to reach for the brass ring.
As recently as 2008, following the Cubs 97 win season, I recall Lou being very careful to temper enthusiasm down the stretch.
As it turns out, Lou said the huge expectations ended up affecting that team.
And look, before you say they should "man up," there is a lot of pressure on the Cubs to win. When you haven't won a title in more than 100 years, the "goat" talk and the negative stuff begins to take its toll.
This is not to make excuses for any club. I've been more critical of the Cubs than perhaps any writer on the face of the earth, yet even I recognize that it's not easy to win when it's always such a roller coaster ride.
Every win means we're going to the World Series. Every loss is the end of the world.
Such is life in Cubs nation. And really, who can blame Cubs fans for thinking that way?
We're starving for a winner and we're being fed ground chuck when what we hunger for is filet mignon.
So it's refreshing to hear Lou talk in terms of the World Series. I know he didn't make any predictions for the season, but to even broach the subject is a positive step.
Maybe Lou is experiencing a sort of revival in his old age. He certainly is sounding more like someone who wants to continue managing beyond this season.
Regardless of the motive, it's good to hear. Maybe that fire that once raged in Sweet Lou's belly has started burning again and the team will feel his sense of urgency to win.
The time is coming all right. And it couldn't be soon enough if you ask me.
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