2003 Division Champs

Its been about a day since we clinched our first division title since 1989. To me its very special because the last time we won the division i was a freshman in highschool at the young age of 13.

Still one of my most cherished memories is Mitch Williams falling off the mound as he struck out the last batter to win it for us. And i can still see myself sitting on the floor watching the playoffs hanging on every play hoping for us to win.

I was just getting into baseball then and 1989 made me a Cubs fan for life. I guess you could of called it being a bandwagon fan then. But then again i havent left the bandwagon since. I have rode that wagon from the highest of highs thru the lowest of lows and it never diminished my love for the Cubs.

So now we head to Hot-lanta. It seems fitting. Bobby Cox in his 1st full season as manager of the Braves in 1991 took a 65 win team to a Division title. Dusty Baker took over a 67 win team to a division title. Atlanta rose to dominance on building a stellar rotation. The Cubs seem to be rising up based on the same model of dominate starting pitching.

In game three the future meets the past. Maddux vs. Prior. Its like its too good to be true huh? The last pitcher from the 1989 Division winning team still pitching. Its also the last time Maddux pitched a playoff game in Wrigley field. And it was also the place where he had his 1st ever post season start.

I mean are we getting the picture yet? Its like Yarbage says in the chatroom. Cats and Dogs living together, mass Hysteria!

Estes pitches a CG shutout - Sign #1
Houston loses 2 straight to Milwaukee - Sign #2
Cubs sweep double header - Sign #3
Cox and Dusty - Sign #4
Prior vs Maddux - Sign #5

Its like god has given the Cubs a green light to steal home. Lets just hope he isnt pulling a Charlie Brown on us again.