Thursday, October 20, 2005

The Cardinals-Cubs Rivalry

This was originally posted at Cardsclubhouse.com by mikemangiore. While I can't say it's time to let go, I will say that the Astros are looking more and more like a rivalry between the two teams but I still dislike the Cubs with a passion. I used to be a Nomar fan, and then he was traded to Chicago. A Cubs fan replies to the letter and that reply will be below.

Dear Cubs: Perhaps it's time we moved on...
Dear Cubs and Cubs fans,

This is going to sound a little bit awkward, after being together for so long, but there are some things we need to talk about. Now, before you try to interrupt me, please, hear me out. When this relationship first began it was great, i mean how many times did you drive down I-55 just to see the game and revel in Busch Stadium's great atmosphere? It wasn't just one sided though, we did the same for many years. We loved going to Wrigley, and taunting you, and reciving back the not-so-quick-witted responses of the adorable, lovable crowd that supported their loser team. Those were great days, wonderful days even. But things have changed.

There was apoint in my life where i would flip on WGN if the cubs were playing just to see what was going on in chicago these days, to watch the cubs play, to try to identify with you guys, and i enjoyed doing it, but over the last few years well, the reasons we were together just dont make sense anymore. To wit, in the last ten years you've won only one division championship in a year the division was down. And you barely won at that. I need someone to push me to do great things, and you no longer do that. I had hopes that things would change with the arrival of Dusty, Prior, Wood, Nomar, Derek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and PAtterson, but you just never seemed to turn the corner.

In a way it's not you, its me. I've changed and you havent changed with me. I'm not content anymore to win and win and win, and its become boring. Like i said before, i need someone with a little ambition. The thrill between us is gone, the spark is out, the flame is gone. We've become boring and predictable. I dont like that, i need some adventure, i need a rush.

This letter is really a way for me to say goodbye, for now. Ive found what im looking for in the Houston Astros. They're dangerous, they're exciting, they give me the rush and thrill i'm seeking. Theres something to play for all the time, their fans arent drunk all the time, the rarely cause trouble when they come to visit, but we always have a good time. This isnt something that has just happened, but i havent been cheating on you per se. I just have been talking with Houston, flirting a little bit, it started last October really.

It continued into this year, when i realized i was much more excited about seeing the Astros than i was you. It was then that i realized what was going on. So until further notice, I will now Consider Houston my "official rival", please don't be too upset. We can still be civil and friendly to each other when we see each other, and every now and then fall back on our memeories of the old magic and spark. (Maybe even a drunken hookup every now and then in a brief but regrettable relapse - that wouldn't be so bad). but the relationship is we know it now is on hold, and i would suggest you take this time to go find yourself and your place in this world.

By the time you read this I will be gone, but rest assured we will see each other soon, and i hope you will be better off for my decision. I'm hoping you find someone that makes YOU happy. I hear the brewers are looking for someone to get into a very long term relationship with. Please don't be angry, soon you will see that this is for the best.

Sincerely,
St. Louis and Cardinal Fans

Now comes the Cubs fan rebuttal from ChicagoChris23, and was posted by Etheridge2.

Dear Cardinals and Cardinals fans,

We are truly sorry to see you go. I believe Jack Buck, one of the most beloved announcers ever, once called the Cubs/Cardinals rivalry the best in sports, better even in his mind than Yankees/Red Sox. So maybe he was biased, but I always sort of liked that statement. It's too bad that "Cardinal Nation" doesn't seem to agree anymore. I wonder how Mr. Buck would take this news.

So go ahead and start your new relationship with the Astros. Make sure to inhabit downtown Houston on the day of games. It's a bit of a further drive, but I'm sure you'll all find a way. Even though they are an expansion team that plays in the "friendly confines" of an orange juice carton, and even though they play in an embarrassingly contrived park with a 200 ft. leftfield line and a mountain in CF, I am sure none of that will matter to Cardinals fans, to whom tradition means everything. Not only that, but George W. Bush won't seem so out of place when throwing out the first pitch at the new Busch Stadium in 2006.

And when the Cards come to Chicago, stay out of the Loop. Stay off of Michigan Avenue. Stay out of the Wrigleyville bars. You're no longer wanted here. To be honest, we're a little tired of your cornpone, jean-shorts, NASCAR hat, aw-shucks, Southern-wanna-be attitude. It'll be nice to walk to lunch and not bump into you yokels standing in the middle of the sidewalk, trying to pick out the Sears Tower. This is the big city. Go back to that little pasture by the river otherwise known as St. Louis.

You know, it's funny. Of course, we all know the Cubs' frustration in the postseason. They will go 100+ years between titles. It is pathetic. But while you're trading us in for the Astros, Cubs fans and baseball fans in general are trading in the Atlanta Braves for you.

The Braves are getting a little cliche, so it's nice that the Cardinals are around to spice things up a little. 1982 is getting awfully small in the rearview mirror, and while it's no comparison to 1908, don't you think it's getting a little embarrassing to brag about it at this point? Really, you're just making youselves look foolish. Let's count off the failures:


1985: Blame DD all you want, but he wasn't the one that was slaughtered in Game 7.
1987: Up 3-2, lost.
1996: Up 3-1, lost. Combined scores of Games 5 & 7: 29-0.
2000: Another division title. Another playoff bust.
2001: Two words: Curt Schilling.
2002: Cub fans know what it's like to lose to the Giants.
2004: Swept.
2005: ???

This year is the Cardinals' 8th postseason appearance, and time will tell if they'll have something to show for it. We won't be seeing you in St. Louis.

Signed,
Cubs Fans Everywhere

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