This isn't about people with or without major league experience (The fact that the Cubs are considering interviewing Dale Sveum proves that.). This is about Ryne Sandberg. Not Ryne Sandberg the person, but Ryne Sandberg the concept. This is about dragging Cubs history and tradition out in front of women and children and putting a bullet through its conceptual head. Done. Enough. No more celebrating 113 plus years of championship free baseball.
I understand that there are feel good stories in sports beyond championship glory, but even the Cubs feel good stories make you feel bad. The '45 Cubs? Got cursed by a goat. The '69 Cubs? Blew a nine and a half game lead in the final month and a half of the season. The '84 Cubs? Blew a 2 games to none lead in the best of five NLCS. The '89 Cubs? Lost the NLCS four games to one. The '98 Cubs? See Sammy Sosa's congressional testimony and Kerry Woods career arc. The '03 Cubs? Blew a three games to one lead in the NLCS vs Florida. The 07-08 Cubs? A combined 0-6 in the playoffs.
If I were Epstein I'd tear down the ivy and do away with the pinstripes too. It's time to bury the past Cubs fans. Sunshine and Old Style are your enemy. For now and forever until the Cubs win the title. Then you can go back and play with all your old toys.
