But that was Game 6. What was the excuse for Game 7? I blame Dusty Baker for the Cubs' current state, as well as for last year -- he has encouraged these players to whine and moan and blame everything else but themselves when they mess up. The Cubs players seemed more concerned about an announcer criticizing them than they did about making the playoffs.
Remember the Red Sox in 1986? Same principle of a team flattened by a combination of its hubris and ill omens.
Don't get me started on Dusty. On another thread I wrote he strives for mediocrity, therefore failure is a certitude. Winning just enough to look capable, but shows no real leadership and when he does, it's Valentine-like.
The only time Dusty came alive was the time the Giants took the Dodgers out of the division several years ago in a final series in LA. Other than that, he's taken teams with bona fide stars and future Hall of Famers to either debacle-like finishes or disappointing losses.
Reminds me Gene Mauch without the genius tag.