Misunderstood
In 1998, the Cubs were having the best season they had in quite some time. Between Kerry Wood's 20 strikeout game, Sammy Sosa's 66 home run season, the 3 game sweep of the White Sox, Brant Brown's streak of Friday walk off home runs, and other exciting games, it was becoming fun to be a Cub fan again. Unfortunately, their pitching faded a bit, and they ended up in a dogfight with the Mets and Giants for the wildcard spot. It came down to the final day of the season. The Mets lost to Atlanta early and were eliminated. The Cubs were locked in an extra inning duel with the Astros who long before had clinched the Central, but were trying their hardest to keep the Cubs out, for the integrity of the game. Finally, in the 12th or 14th inning, something like that, Houston scored the winning run. About 1 minute later, the Giants- Rockies game ended with a walk off homerun. So, if you had the sense to immediately turn on ESPN (or like me, check the AOL scoreboard online), you saw/knew that Neifi Perez was the hero of the moment in Chicago, since his walkoff homer would force a 1 game playoff in Chicago the next night. In what can only be described as a surreal atmosphere, the Cubs won 5-3 and clinched the wildcard spot. A lot of people have disparaged the Cubs '98 season, attributing it to luck, multiple players having career years, etc., but it was still fun. And truthfully, Neify can be credited with "saving the season", while in a Rockies uniform. In 2004, when the Cubs traded for Nomar, after being with the team, he reinjured some leg part. In late August/early September, the Cubs signed Neifi, and he played spectacularly for a week or 2 to cover the gap until Nomar came back. Had they not choked in the last week of the season, the Cubs would have made the playoffs, and Neifi would have "saved" 2004. The Cubs signed him for 2005, and he subbed for Nomar when he tore his groin in April. He started out good, but fell into his career pattern of not walking and too often having 2 or 3 pitch at bats. Hendry re-signed him for 2006, for way too much money for a part time player,and gave him credit for "saving" 2005, which is just plain stupid. Neifi played 2006 the same as 2005 - decent glove, no patience at the plate, lousy OBP/OPS. Dusty compounded the mistakes in 2005 and 06 by overusing Neifi. Today, Hendry rectified the mistake by trading him to Detroit, who needs a backup infielder in the worst way - and they are getting exactly that. Still, give Neifi credit for 1998 and (almost) 2004. He should have been a hero in Chicago, but Dusty favored and overused him to the point where Cub fans reviled him. All I can say now is good luck in Detroit, Neifi. Help the Tigers win the AL Central title.
In 1998, the Cubs were having the best season they had in quite some time. Between Kerry Wood's 20 strikeout game, Sammy Sosa's 66 home run season, the 3 game sweep of the White Sox, Brant Brown's streak of Friday walk off home runs, and other exciting games, it was becoming fun to be a Cub fan again. Unfortunately, their pitching faded a bit, and they ended up in a dogfight with the Mets and Giants for the wildcard spot. It came down to the final day of the season. The Mets lost to Atlanta early and were eliminated. The Cubs were locked in an extra inning duel with the Astros who long before had clinched the Central, but were trying their hardest to keep the Cubs out, for the integrity of the game. Finally, in the 12th or 14th inning, something like that, Houston scored the winning run. About 1 minute later, the Giants- Rockies game ended with a walk off homerun. So, if you had the sense to immediately turn on ESPN (or like me, check the AOL scoreboard online), you saw/knew that Neifi Perez was the hero of the moment in Chicago, since his walkoff homer would force a 1 game playoff in Chicago the next night. In what can only be described as a surreal atmosphere, the Cubs won 5-3 and clinched the wildcard spot. A lot of people have disparaged the Cubs '98 season, attributing it to luck, multiple players having career years, etc., but it was still fun. And truthfully, Neify can be credited with "saving the season", while in a Rockies uniform. In 2004, when the Cubs traded for Nomar, after being with the team, he reinjured some leg part. In late August/early September, the Cubs signed Neifi, and he played spectacularly for a week or 2 to cover the gap until Nomar came back. Had they not choked in the last week of the season, the Cubs would have made the playoffs, and Neifi would have "saved" 2004. The Cubs signed him for 2005, and he subbed for Nomar when he tore his groin in April. He started out good, but fell into his career pattern of not walking and too often having 2 or 3 pitch at bats. Hendry re-signed him for 2006, for way too much money for a part time player,and gave him credit for "saving" 2005, which is just plain stupid. Neifi played 2006 the same as 2005 - decent glove, no patience at the plate, lousy OBP/OPS. Dusty compounded the mistakes in 2005 and 06 by overusing Neifi. Today, Hendry rectified the mistake by trading him to Detroit, who needs a backup infielder in the worst way - and they are getting exactly that. Still, give Neifi credit for 1998 and (almost) 2004. He should have been a hero in Chicago, but Dusty favored and overused him to the point where Cub fans reviled him. All I can say now is good luck in Detroit, Neifi. Help the Tigers win the AL Central title.
posted by buck at 9:22 PM
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