In late April 2006 I made my inaugural visit to Los Angeles and decided I would enroll in graduate school. On the second night of my visit, I watched on ESPN as Nomar Garciaparra painfully tore his groin — crumbling to the ground in the batter’s box — effectively ending his short tenure as a Cubbie.
I quickly resolved that I wouldn’t be missing the Cubs in October after all by relocating to L.A. in August.
Fast forward one year — to the day — and I’m standing at Dodger Stadium with a contorted look on my face as Derrek Lee wretches in pain at first base. ONLY THE CUBS could possibly lose two guys to injury (pitcher Scott Eyre sprained his knee on the play) defending A BUNT!
Thursday’s x-rays confirm that Lee broke two bones in his wrist – in the absolute freakiest of incidents – being run into at first base by the diminuitive Rafael Furcal.
And D. Lee, the consensus #2 first baseman in the world (if not #2 all-around), is out for two to three months. We can only hope that means before the all-star break.
It may be the worst imaginable news, but as Cubs fans worldwide share a 98th straight championshipless season, there can be only greater room for optimism, right? This STILL could be the year — and besides, it’s pitching that wins championships, right?
