Nomar Or Bust!

Well, it’s hard to be more annoyed with the Cubs than we are right now. They’re right back at .500: 54 wins with 54 games to go. They keep conjuring new ways to lose close ballgames.



Best case, I’ll estimate that 87 wins will win the Wild Card. That means 33-21. More likely, with Houston streaking, it will take 88 to 90 wins. 90 wins means 36-18 -- .667. Two thirds down and two thirds to win with one third to go. If nothing else, at least the math is symmetrical. Probably impossible, but symmetrical nonetheless.

Call in the reinforcements. There’s no way the bullpen can get worse. Wood and Williamson can’t be worse than the guys they replace. In that respect we’re excited: nowhere to go but up.

A good bullpen needs a lead to protect, however, and therein lies the problem. When Nomar went down, we feared that prospects for run creation dwindled. Other than homerun flourishes, our fears were justified. Dusty tried about sixty different leaky lineups, and while I’m extremely upset at Dusty (as of when he pulled Jerome Williams in the top of the fifth two games ago), it’s not all his fault.

To top it off, Hairston is out with a torn ligament in his elbow. What now? Patterson? Macias? Burnitz in center? Does it really matter?

The way I figure, it’s Nomar hitting well or it’s over 36 games with multiple homeruns. That’s the situation broken down to its simplest elements. Those are the two ways the Cubs can generate enough runs. In other words, it’s Nomar or bust.

Should we be hopeful? Can Nomar save this season from ending at 81-81? Can anyone?

A lot of me wants to believe he can. He’s a hell of a hitter. I haven’t given up on him yet.

Yet, we shouldn’t set our expectations too high, I suppose. We’ll set ourselves up for disappointment. This team chases its tail and we’re all dizzy and sick. Fool me twice…shame on me.

On the other hand, even if we’re justifiably annoyed, we’ll be disappointed anyway. There’s no point in dwelling on all that negativity. I won’t feel any worse if I’m cynical and they finish at .500 than if I’m hopeful and they finish at .500. There is no joy in being right that way.

Why not hope for the best here: Redemption. For Nomar and for the team. It’s the Cub fan way. Put on the rose colored glasses and get ready for Nomar to start lacing doubles.

I can’t believe I’m saying this. I’m still annoyed, but I’m ready to drop it in an instant. I just need a reason, and I figure that reason will be Nomar.