Tag: nlcs | WLS-AM 890

Congressman Quigley: Time for Cubs to shed “lovable loser” label.

Oct 21, 2016 | WLS-AM Staff

By John Dempsey, WLS-AM News

(CHICAGO) The Chicago Cubs are one game away from going to their first World Series in 71 years, after the beat the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday night 8-4 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The Cubs lead the series 3-2, which means they will win the National League pennant if they win game 6 Saturday at Wrigley Field.

Wrigleyville Democratic Congressman Mike Quigley told “The Big John and Ray Show” on WLS that he hopes fans descending on the neighborhood Saturday night don’t get out of control.

“It’s not just the 42-thousand people in the field”, Quigley said, “Most of those folks just want to see the Cubs win, have a good time, respect the neighborhood and go home. You’ve got a few idiots that are destructive, but you’ve got thousands of people that just want to be in the neighborhood to be in the neighborhood. And I suppose that’s fine and it helps business , but you know folks, you live someplace. You wouldn’t want someone to go in your neighborhood and be destructive.”

Quigley, who estimates he has been to “thousands” of Cub games in his life, says he disagrees with the notion that the Cubs, who last won the World Series in 1908, will lose their distinctiveness if they shed their label as baseball’s “lovable losers.” “No. No. No” said Quigley, ” I’ve been through this since I was ten years old. I never liked the expression ‘lovable loser’. I’d like to be a hated, dominant winner. Just for awhile.”

If the Cubs win the pennant they will open the World Series Tuesday night in Cleveland against the American League Champion Indians.

@ 2016 WLS-AM News

Cubs bats come alive, tie NLCS with 10-2 win

Oct 19, 2016 | WLS-AM Staff

Chicago Cubs' Anthony Rizzo is congratulated after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of Game 4 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) — Chicago Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo is congratulated after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of Game 4 of the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

(LOS ANGELES) After homering in the 5th, Anthony Rizzo gave the Cubs their largest lead behind a 2-run 1B in a 5-run 6th and helped lead a 13 hit assault that helped Chicago to a 10-2 win, and evened the NLCS at 2-2. The Dodgers contributed to their defeat with 4 errors.

Game 5 is Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. The NLCS will return to Wrigley on Saturday.

Follow this link for more information about this game and the NLCS at mlb.com.

Cubs in must win game vs. Mets

Oct 21, 2015 | WLS-AM Staff

Wrigley Field on Cubs Opening Day (Photo by Emily O'Connor)

By John Dempsey, WLS News

(CHICAGO) The Chicago Cubs are on the brink of elimination tonight as they play game four of the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets at Wrigley Field.

The Mets have a three games to none lead after winning game three Tuesday night. New York second baseman Daniel Murphy tied a major league record by homering in his fifth straight postseason game in leading the Mets past the Cubs 5-2.

New York pitcher Jason deGrom allowed just two runs on four hits, striking out seven Cubs in seven innings.

The lone bright spot for the Cubs was Kyle Schwarber’s home run in the first inning, his fifth homer of the postseason, setting a Cubs franchise record.

Cubs Manager Joe Maddon told reporters he has a simple message for his team. “Win on Wednesday. It’s just about tomorrow. Of course we have to win four in a row absolutely, but I want us just to concentrate on tomorrow’s game, that’s it”

Maddon also says he does not plan on delivering a Knute Rockne-style emotional speech before game 4. “I don’t really have team meetings, I don’t believe in em. For me to stand up and give a speech has nothing to do with tomorrow at all. Our guys know how to come prepared to play. I expect the same thing tomorrow“

Only one team has ever come back from a three games to none deficit to win a playoff series. That team was the 2004 Boston Red Sox, whose general manager was current Cubs Baseball Operations President Theo Epstein. Epstein says the Cubs are still alive. “It’s been done before, rumor has it. We can do it. We’ve done it before. We get hot, we get really hot, we can do it”

Epstein says the Cubs have actually had winning streaks of four or more games on nine different occasions this season.

Jason Hammel pitches for the Cubs tonight against the Mets Steven Matz.