While attending the Reds game on Sunday I couldn't help but notice two things. Beyond the obvious annoyance caused by Cubs fans as they visited what they call "Wrigley South", there was an unusual abundance of "W" t-shirts and Ryne Sandberg jerseys being worn by Ryan Dempster lovers.
I understand the concept, but fail to comprehend the delivery of the Cubs' "W" obsession. After experiencing a 14-2 embarrassment at GABP the on Saturday, what would convince a Cub fan to don a t-shirt exclaiming victory the very next day? What does it feel like to optimistically sport your team's victory apparel after a humiliating loss, fail to win once again, and lose the series to the Reds? I wouldn't know..... I don't root for the Cubs.
As for the thriving Sandberg jerseys, I was also puzzled. Ryne Sandberg was a fine player and resides in Cooperstown, but as I watched the Reds on Sunday I failed to notice any other infatuation besides the one involving Ryne. Sandberg batted .285, hit 282 homeruns, and drove in 1061 runs during his sixteen year career. In no way am I underestimating Mr. Sandberg; I am only questioning the knowledge of Cubs fans. It seems that besides "Sandbergs" and "Ws", they recollect nothing but a billy goat. I mean c'mon guys...... Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Dennis Eckersly, Rich Gossage, Lou Brock, Ralph Kiner, Jimmie Fox, Dizzie Dean, etc...
GABP is full of throwbacks. Whether it's a classic Joe Morgan jersey or an exquisite Frank Robinson, Reds fans always represent correctly. I may be spoiled by fellow fans' knowledge of their team, but Cubs fans need some education. Out of all the Cubs fans surrounding me in section 428 at GABP on Sunday, the only non-current jersey I saw (besides about fifty Sandbergs) was a Sammy Sosa. Weak.
Mike "Godzilla" Leake pitched five perfect innings of baseball against the Cubs on Sunday. Rookie Starlin Castro notched the first Cubs' hit leading off the sixth. Brandon Phillips made a slick play behind second base, but pulled Joey Votto inches off the first base bag with a high throw. Behind the Reds 2-0 in the seventh inning with two outs, the Cubs managed to collect a double followed by an infield single. Leake then threw a wild pitch and allowed his first run of the game. Cubs' Tyler Colvin then homered into his own bullpen to put the Cubs ahead 3-2. The lead was short lived. Joey Votto blasted a three-run homer to the Sun/Moon Deck in the bottom of the seventh and after two scoreless inning by Reds' relievers, the Reds won 5-3.
WARNING: The video below is not safe for work, school, young children, your mother, and probably not you. The opinions expressed are not relevant to this article, instead they oppose mainstream politics, but the title of the second song in the video (Stick that f@#king flag, up your g@%dam a$$, you sonofab#%tch) is extremely fitting.
As the ballpark emptied I was expecting mounds of banter. I can only assume that after Friday's 14-7 loss to the Cubs, the visiting Chicagoans were running their mouths profusely. After a two straight victories by the Reds to finalize the series, instead of emphasizing the obvious and returning the trash talk, Reds' fans departed quietly. As hundreds of Ryne Sandbergs vanished from GABP to head back north, the defeat and honor could not have been laid on any thicker than it was with the Reds fans' civil silence. Happy Mother's Day.
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