The 2000-2009 Chicago Cubs: A Decade of Summer Memories

I've heard people say that they remember specific moments in their lives through music. Upon hearing a certain song, one can be transplanted back to where they were at the time of the song's release and open up old memories. I won't dispute this and in fact I especially support it when it comes to summer memories. The scant and bizarre chance of hearing Primitive Radio God's "Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money in My Hand" reminds me of hot concrete at Northside Pool. During the summer of 1996, when this semi-obnoxious, melodramatic song was a favorite on the pool intercom, I specifically remember running, rather than walking, to the concession stand (to buy a plate of nachos or ice cream bar) so the bottoms of my feet wouldn't melt into the hot ground. Likewise, any Boards of Canada song works in a similar fashion by sending me back to the summer of 2006. I know I spent my time in Bloomington that summer doing something besides driving home from landscaping work listening to The Campfire Headphase, but according to the Boards of Canada that's all I did.

For me, a different medium brings back even stronger memories than music; the Chicago Cubs. Being a Cubs fan (a real one, not the kind you find hanging out at John Barleycorn at 2 a.m. wearing khaki shorts and a polo shirt) the past ten years has certainly had it's ups and mainly downs. But regardless of the emotion, the memories will always be alive. For instance, twenty years from now I might have no clue what year I was a part-time bagger at Kroger if it wasn't for the Cubs. The only thing I really remember about that job, or care to remember I suppose, is that I quit sometime in October of 2003 so that I could watch the NLCS between the Cubs and Marlins. Similarly, just hearing the name Jon Lieber oddly evokes memories of my dentist's parking lot. A routine check-up in 2001 came at in opportune time as I had to leave the "Pat and Ron Show" in my car for the dentist in the middle of a Jon Lieber no-hitter. (Lieber would later give up a hit and finish with a one-hit shutout and Dr. Brennan told me I had my first cavity.) As I grow older, and my memories become fewer, I can only imagine what will bring me back to the 2008 playoffs. For now, I'm fine with the image of myself losing my shit over James Loney's grand slam in Game 1 of the 2008 NLCS.

While there were some somber moments, like the Loney slam, the 00's decade (2000-2009) is without much debate the most successful decade in Cubs history since the 1940's. The 1990's featured two winning seasons, for example, but the 00's featured six. (Remember this the Cubs' history, so winning seasons are an achievement.) The Cubs made the playoffs three times in the decade, which is the same number of playoff births from 1945- 1999. A record eight players made the All-Star team in 2008 alone. Needless to say, it was a decade that produced fantastic players and vivid memories. The following All-Decade team I created consists of a different player from a specific season at each position. This list does not take in consideration career achievements, rather the greatest single season of the decade at each respective position. Hopefully this list of Cubs from 2000-2009 brings back to life a few recent Cub memories for you as it did for me. It seems part of remembering what you love is remembering how you got here.


Catcher: Geovany Soto, 2008 (.285 avg 23 hr 86 rbi)

• An easy, no-brainer selection. Geo not only won Rookie of the Year during this impressive year but was also an All-Star starter.
  
• Honorable mention: Joe Girardi, 2000 (.278 avg 6 hr 40 rbi and his only All-Star selection) and Michael Barrett, 2006 (.307 avg 16 hr 53 rbi).

First Base: Derrek Lee, 2005 (.335 avg 46 hr 107 rbi 120 runs)

• A stunning and near triple crown season from the Cubs masher Derrek Lee. Lee not only led the league in batting average, hits and doubles but also won a Gold Glove.
• Honorable mention: Fred McGriff, 2002 (.273 avg 30 hr 103 rbi) and Mark Grace, 2000 (.280 avg 11 hr 82 rbi).

Second Base: Mark DeRosa, 2008 (.285 avg 21 hr 87 rbi 103 runs)

• A very strong year out of the fan favorite DeRosa. Although he only played 95 games at second base in 2008, his power numbers are reason enough to give him the All-Decade selection. This was a very close race as Eric Young and Mark Bellhorn both quietly put up strong seasons in the decade.
• Honorable mention: Eric Young, 2000 (.297 avg 47 rbi 98 runs 54 sb) and Mark Bellhorn, 2002 (.258 avg 27 hr 56 rbi 86 runs).

Shortstop: Ryan Theriot, 2008 (.307 avg 38 rbi 85 runs 22 sb)

• Since this crop arguably had the weakest offensive seasons to chose from, The Riot gets the nod based off his great average and steals. Yet another selection from the 97 win team in 2008.
• Honorable mention: Ricky Gutierrez, 2001 (.290 avg 10 hr 66 rbi 76 runs) and Alex Gonzalez, 2003 (20 hr 59 rbi 71 runs).

Third Base: Aramis Ramirez, 2006 (.291 avg 38 hr 119 rbi 93 runs)

• 2006 was a fabulous season from one of the better hitters in all of baseball this decade. At the plate Ramirez did it all that year including setting career highs in home runs and runs batted in.
• Honorable mention: Ramirez, 2004 (.318 avg 36 hr 103 rbi 99 runs). Almost all the other Cubs that played this position in the decade (and 80's and 90's for that matter) were a bunch of fuckos and might find themselves on the All-Decade Blooper Team.

Left Field: Moises Alou, 2004 (.293 avg 39 hr 106 rbi 106 runs)

• Besides peeing on his hands to toughen the skin, Alou displayed some gaudy power numbers in 2004 along with an average near .300. Alfonso Soriano's first year with the club was a very close second.
  
• Honorable mention: Alfonso Soriano, 2007 (.299 avg 33 hr 97 runs 19 sb) and Jacque Jones, 2006 (.285 avg 27 hr 81 rbi 73 runs).

Center Field: Corey Patterson, 2004 (.266 avg 24 hr 72 rbi 91 runs 32 sb)

• In 2004, Patterson played the most games in his career with the Cubs and showed why he was such a valuable prospect. The "could have been" Patterson narrowly beat out Juan Pierre and his 200 hit season.
  
• Honorable mention: Pierre, 2006 (.292 avg 87 runs 58 steals 87 runs) and Jim Edmonds, 2008 (19 hr 49 rbi 47 runs in 85 games played).

Right Field: Sammy Sosa, 2001 (.328 avg 64 hr 160 rbi 146 runs)

• What, you were expecting Milton Bradley or Jeromy Burnitz? In 2001, Sosa put up numbers so rich in one year that a good player would struggle to match in two full seasons. 306 combined runs and rbi in one year is no easy feat. This is not the proper forum to debate the "s" word, so all I can offer is this right now: Amongst his peers in that era he crushed the competition. Judge him by that.
• Honorable mention: Sosa, 2000 (.320 avg 50 hr 138 rbi 106 runs)

Starting Pitcher: Jon Lieber, 2001 (20-6 3.80 era 232 ip)
Starting Pitcher: Mark Prior, 2003 (18-6 2.43 era 245 k)
Starting Pitcher: Kerry Wood, 2003 (14-11 3.20 era 266 k)
Starting Pitcher: Carlos Zambrano, 2004 (16-8 2.75 era 188 k)
Starting Pitcher: Ryan Dempster, 2008 (17-6 2.96 era 187 k)

• This fearsome-fivesome, in no particular ranking, all brought something a little different to the plate this decade. Lieber was the only 20 game winner this decade, finished fourth in Cy Young voting and ate up innings. Prior and Wood in 2003 were the most dominant 1-2 punch in the majors and maybe should have done what Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling did for the Diamondbacks; win a World Series in their primes. Carlos had a number of good years this decade, I took the one with his lowest earned run average. Dempster was an All-Star in 2008 and had an all around fantastic season.
• Honorable mention: Matt Clement, 2002 (12-11 3.60 era 215 k)
  
• Honorable mention: Greg Maddux, 2004 (16-11 4.02 era 212 ip)
• Honorable mention: Ted Lilly, 2008 (17-9 4.09 era 184 k)

Relief Pitcher: Carlos Marmol, 2007 (1.43 era 96 k)

• One of the better years for a reliever this decade throughout all of baseball. This was an easy choice as Carlos was filthy all year and recorded 96 strike outs in only 69 innings pitched.
• Honorable mention: Kyle Farnsworth, 2001 (2.74 era 1o7 k) and Bob Howry, 2006 (3.17 era 71 k).

Closer: Joe Borowski, 2003 (33-37 saves 2.63 era)

• Let the debate begin. Picking a Cubs closer of the decade was not easy. Joe Bo gets the nod because of blowing only 4 saves and having a nifty era. Kerry Wood could have earned this in 2008 as he was an All-Star, but he deserved a starting spot in the rotation.
• Honorable mention: Tom "Flash" Gordon, 2001 (27-31 saves 3.38 era), Ryan Dempster, 2005 (33-35 saves 3.13 era) and Wood, 2008 (34-40 saves 3.26 era).

Manager: Lou Piniella, 2008 (97-64 record and Central Division Title)

• I suppose this could go to Dusty in 2003 for making it longer in the playoffs (hell, winning a game) but having 8 All-Stars and the most wins in the majors is far enough for me, Sweet Lou.
• Honorable mention: Dusty Baker, 2003 (88-74 record and Central Division Title).

There you have it folks, the brightest and best seasons from the Cubs this decade. Please comment if you feel I left someone out or email me at: thechicagosportscritics@gmail.com. Go Cubs.