It seems Cubs fans have developed some sort of self-medicating technique to ease the pain of the past by simply blaming Baker for everything from his 96-loss season in 2005, to the brutal NLCS loss against Florida, to the demise of Mark Prior & Kerry Wood, to just about every other countless Cubs failure during his tenure in Chicago.

Don’t get me wrong, Dusty is responsible for some of that blame. But all of it? Hardly.

The fact of the matter is, nothing will wipe away the heartbreak of coming within five outs of a World Series appearance, or the what-could-have-been careers of Prior & Wood.

What happened, happened. It’s over. Done. History, whether it’s Baker’s cross to bear or not.

But to think of this guy as a bum manager is ridiculous. Baker won 3 NL Manager of the Year Awards before he ever stepped foot into the Cubs’ dugout in 2003…and should’ve won a fourth with the Reds in 2010 (he lost by one vote).

Since taking over the down trodden Reds in 2008, Dusty’s resurrected the franchise to its highest success in 30 years, having won 2 division titles in the past 3 season.

He’s now just one of 6 manager in major league history to have won 3 division titles with 3 different teams (Billy Martin, Tony La Russa, Lou Piniella & Davey Johnson).

No, the playoff success hasn’t been there. And no, Dusty will never be considered a great tactical game manager. But you can’t ignore Baker’s boys love playing for him, or that more often than not, his teams are competing near the top of the league.

Who knows if Baker will ever find enough postseason success to win a world championship. But I hope he does, even if it comes with the division rival Reds while the Cubs are rebuilding (after all, anything is better than another Cardinals championship).

And I understand rooting against Baker may relieve some of your Cubs pain. But isn’t it about time we let the dead bury the dead, move on from Baker’s disappointments, Bartman, Billy Goat Curses, Black Cats and various other hexes as the crux of the Cubs’ postseason futility?

Even if Baker was once the root of all Cubs evil, he no longer is, and hasn’t been for some time. So why keep hating on the man?

Like countless other Cubs managers before him, it didn’t work out, for whatever reasons doesn’t matter. Dusty’s moved on, and as Cubs fans, we should, too.

Of course, it can’t be ignored the Cardinals’ postseason opponents have crapped down their legs in the process, easing the way for St. Louis to win its last 6 elimination games.

The Nationals are just the latest team to soil its drawers vs. the Cards, joining the Phillies, Brewers and Rangers as recently as last year…and the Braves this postseason.

Oct. 6 Post: Heaven help me if the Nationals fall in line with the rest of the NL when it comes to finishing off the Cardinals. But quite honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if they do…everyone else seemingly has.

No team had overcome a 6-run deficit in a winner-take-all game until last night when the Nats unleashed a Cubs-like brain fart allowing 6-runs to score from the seventh-inning on, including 4-runs in the top of the ninth.

I couldn’t be more disgusted with the Nationals’ collapse. Davey Johnson was out-managed, his team out-played and out-willed. Where was Stephen Strasburg, by the way?

And as expected, there were the Cardinals, in ho-hum fashion continuing to do their thing…taking advantage of yet another team’s inability to close out the never-say-die boys from St. Lou.

So I wonder, will another National League team ever stand up to St. Louis, or is this how it plays out for eternity–choke jobs and gift wrapping championships for the Cubs’ most hated rival?

I know, I know…the Cardinals deserve some credit, too. But for heaven’s sake, enough is enough. For the love of baseball, San Francisco, do us all a favor and play an NLCS series that at least makes the Cardinals earn it.

Is that really too much to ask?

-Many pleasantries.
-You’re important to us as fans.
-Our No.1 goal is to win a World Series.
-We’re spending a ton of money to achieve it.
-This won’t happen overnight.
-We’re trying to be honest about this message.
-Be excited about our unproven minor leaguers.
-We’ve grown the front office with smart people who are good with computers.
-Our new facilities in the Dominican Rep. & Arizona are pretty cool.
-We donated millions of dollars to various charities this past calendar year.
-Thanks for being supportive while we clean up this 101-loss mess.

As part of the Cubs’ ongoing efforts to engage and communicate with their fans, Chairman Tom Ricketts wrote the following letter to Cubs Season Ticket Holders:

Dear Season Ticket Holder -

With the 2012 season having drawn to a close, it’s time for all of us at the Chicago Cubs to thank you for your support and provide an update on the progress we’ve made toward building a championship-caliber organization. You are a vital stakeholder to this franchise and an important partner in our transformation.

Despite this year’s results in the standings, we are confident the Chicago Cubs are heading in the right direction. Our players, coaches, management and front office have approached their jobs with professionalism, effort and unity, which has created a winning atmosphere inside the organization. It’s our responsibility to turn that effort into additional wins on the field. Our number one goal is to reward loyal generations of Cubs fans with a World Series and we’re reinvesting every dollar spent by our fans into the franchise to achieve that goal.

To achieve our goal, it was clear the team needed a long-term strategy. Over the past year, we recruited new baseball leadership to create and execute a plan for building a consistently-competitive ballclub. We now have a long-term strategy in place and a baseball organization focused on delivering a championship to Wrigley Field. That team is communicating openly and honestly about implementing a proven model for sustained success.

As part of that strategy, we are developing a core of young players at the major league level. This season provided an opportunity for homegrown and acquired players to gain valuable experience and establish themselves as potential long-term contributors to the club.

Our minor league system improved in 2012, as the Cubs acquired, drafted or signed a significant wave of new talent into the organization. We welcomed a strong 2012 first-year player draft class into the system, building on a franchise-record investment in draft signings in 2011. Many of these players made immediate positive contributions. In fact, five Cubs prospects were included in MLB’s recently-released Top 100 Prospects list; a total topped by only three other teams in the league. A number of our newly-acquired players excelled in both the minor and major leagues and look to contribute further in 2013 and beyond.

We’ve welcomed new talent in the front office as well. Perhaps no operation bears more responsibility for advancing our organizational plan than scouting and player development. After a season of evaluation, our scouting and development teams have been reorganized to procure and develop the best amateur, professional and international talent available. Our scouts and coaches have been equipped with state-of-the-art analysis tools and equipment to enhance the club’s analytical capabilities.

In addition to personnel investments, we’ve made significant upgrades to our facilities. We are currently building a new baseball academy to serve our Latin American players in the Dominican Republic. The facility, open year-round, will span 50 acres with baseball fields, training facilities, player housing and an education center, making it the largest academy in the country. Additionally, we broke ground this season on a new Spring Training facility in Mesa, Ariz., that will be one of the premier training facilities in baseball, as well as a more enjoyable venue for watching a Spring Training game. We continue to make improvements to Wrigley Field’s facilities for our players and fans, with larger scale investments coming down the road. All of these improvements will enhance your fan experience and bolster the club’s ability to attract and develop elite players throughout the world.

Lastly, we continue to invest in the Chicago community to help deserving children and families. The Cubs and Chicago Cubs Charities will support a team-record $4.5 million of donations to worthwhile nonprofits and programs across Chicagoland this year. We’re honored to support the people and organizations that make our city a great place to work, live and play baseball.

In the end, we are fans and our goal is to win. We’re committed to building an organization you can be proud of and we’re committed to building a champion the right way. This franchise has embarked on a path that will present challenges along the way, but the destination is promising.

We deeply and sincerely appreciate your ongoing support.

Tom Ricketts
Chairman, Chicago Cubs

Say what you will about Sori, but this was his best all-around season with Chicago. Despite a nagging knee injury, Soriano played in 151-games, hit 32 HR and drove in a career-high 108 RBI, leading the club in both categories, with little protection in the lineup.

He may not win the Gold Glove, but his fielding was the best it’s ever been and the guy earned every penny of his contract setting a positive example for the youthful Cubs both on and off the field.

Now it’s a matter of whether or not the Cubs should trade him this offseason? If so, how do the Cubs replace Soriano’s offensive production, or is it best to keep him for another season?

Honorable mentions: Darwin Barney (clutch fielding, leadership), David DeJesus (gamer, leadership), Anthony Rizzo (sparked lineup, solid defense), Shawn Camp (because Sveum says so!).

Had it not been for the club’s decision to cut Samardzija’s season short in September it’s likely he would’ve finished the 2012 campaign with 30-starts, close to 200.0 innings pitched and double-digit wins.

In his first full season starting, however, the soon-to-be 28-year-old proved he can be a reliable top-of-the-rotation arm entering his sixth season with Chicago.

Honorable mentions: Matt Garza (5-7, 3.91) and the departed…Ryan Dempster (5-5, 2.25) in 16-starts, Paul Maholm (9-6, 3.74) in 20-starts.

He set career-highs in appearances (77), innings pitched (69.1), strikeouts (55), home runs allowed (5) and hit batters (1). His ERA+ was a solid 21-points above the league average.

Russell is one of the few, if only, bright spots for the Cubs’ bullpen heading into 2013. It took Sean Marshall a few seasons to become one of the best left-handed relievers in the National League, and Russell appears to be headed down the same path entering his fourth season.

Honorable mentions: Shawn Camp (3-6, 3.59) league-leading 80-appearances, led Cubs relievers in innings pitched (77.2), third in strikeouts (54) and WHIP (1.29). Michael Bowden (0-0, 2.95) fourth in strikeouts (29) second in WHIP (1.25).

And despite the consecutive-games errorless streak, Barney continued to show solid range, dive after balls and make difficult throws from his position.

He started the second most games (146), turned the second most double plays (96) and his two miscues were the fewest of any regular starting second baseman in the National League.

It’s a crime if Barney doesn’t win the Gold Glove. And no, I don’t think the Cubs should trade Darwin this offseason…see above. Honorable mentions: Alfonso Soriano (12 assists, 1 error, .996), David DeJesus (8 assists, 2 errors, .993), Reed Johnson (3 assists, 1 error, .987).

All-around professional, quality at-bats, terrific defense, durable, team leader.

He’s been the Cubs’ best leadoff man since Juan Pierre in 2006 while leading the team in OBP (.350), finished second in triples (8), third in doubles (28) and fourth in hits (133).

There’s not a better player for the youthful Cubs players to look up to than DeJesus. He plays the game the right way–every day. It’s a blessing the 33-year-old returns for a second season on the North Side, even if he only lasts to the July 31 trade deadline next year.

Honorable mention: Shawn Camp (3-6, 3.59), 77.2 IP, 1.29 WHIP and tied for league lead with 80 appearances.

After an underwhelming debut with San Diego in 2011 (.141, 1 HR, 9 RBI) Rizzo revamped his swing at Triple-A Iowa to become a legit hitting threat for the Cubs upon his arrival in late June.

In just over half a season (87-games) Rizzo hit 15 HR and drove in 48 RBI. In addition to his power, he also hit for average, against left-handers (4 HR, 17 RBI) and in the clutch with a sparkling .338 average with RISP. He finished second only to Soriano in game-winning RBI and held down the No.3 spot in the order from day one.

All signs indicate Rizzo will be a fixture at first base for years to come, a perennial All Star and a key figure in the Cubs’ rebuilding plans.

Perhaps the only thing more exciting than Rizzo’s improvement from Year 1 to Year 2 is how much better he could become next season.

Honorable mention: Alfonso Soriano 32 HR, career-high 108 RBI, best defensive season of his career.

If we didn’t have high hopes for LaHair when he broke spring camp as the starting first baseman, we certainly did after he hit .308/.396/.582, .979 OPS after the first two months of the season.

Despite his hot start, most fans, including myself, remained curious if LaHair could consistently hit for an entire season. Ultimately, he proved he could not.

Although LaHair earned a somewhat surprising selection to the Mid-Summer Classic, it quickly became a tale of two season afterwards.

LaHair hit–.286, 14 HR, 30 RBI before the All Star break…and .202, 2 HR, 10 RBI thereafter. He went from starter to role player…and eventually to bench warmer come August.

Whether or not the arrival of Anthony Rizzo negatively effected LaHair offensively, I don’t know. But I still suspect it did as LaHair’s transition from first base to right field coincided with his decline at the plate.

What’s certain is the league’s pitching adjusted quicker to LaHair than he could counter back. Additionally, his inability to hit left-handers (.063) and overall sharp decline offensively leaves LaHair hanging in the balance of the Cubs’ plans this offseason.

Can LaHair retool his plate approach again this winter? Is it worth keeping his left-handed swing as a pinch-hitting threat…or is it time to move on from LaHair?

If the Cubs can trade LaHair I suspect they will. Otherwise, due to the lack of overall talent on the roster, he may get one more shot next spring…with better results, I hope.

Honorable mention: Ian Stewart .201, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 55-games.

Remember, this Cubs team could’ve mailed it in on several occasions…a 12-game losing streak, the trade of veterans at the deadline or the horrific beating by the Nationals in Washington, just to name a few. They never did, and that’s about the most encouraging sign for this team, and its manager, moving forward.

That’s not to say Sveum isn’t without fault, he certainly made his share of mistakes, too. But given the youth, inexperience, and at times, inexplicable bone-headed plays from his players, Sveum handled it all with poise and professionalism. There couldn’t be a better quality for a manager skippering a team on the rebuild.

-Dave McKay (A+): He proved to be one of the best acquisitions last offseason. His instruction responsible for Soriano’s improved defense was invaluable on its own, as was his coaching of base runners at first. The Cubs are very lucky to have this guy.

-Chris Bosio (B): His arrival was a first step in the right direction for the pitching staff. The starters thrived before the All Star break and the deadline departures of Ryan Dempster and Paul Maholm. More importantly, Bosio finely tuned Jeff Samardzija into a quality starter, oversaw the redevelopment of Manny Corpas, straightened out Carlos Marmol and survived the task of coaching a bullpen largely void of major league talent. Next season will test Bosio’s mettle even more, but it’s promising to think what he could actually do with an entire staff of major league quality talent.

-James Rowson (incomplete): Will he stay, will he go? We do know Rowson buys into the new regime’s patient plate philosophy, and it seemed the Cubs took kindly to Rowson after he replaced Rudy Jaramillo mid-season. You obviously can’t fault Rowson for the Cubs’ lackluster offensive production, but there’s a ton of work to be done between now and the end of spring training…and not much to work with. I imagine he won’t have the long leash Jaramillo did either.

"You guys [press] have a job to do & I respect that, but I don't read the papers, I don't twit and I don't Facebook." -Dale Sveum #Cubs—
Bullpen Brian (@bullpenbrian) October 03, 2012

That's 23rd time #Cubs have walked a pitcher this season, most in MLB—
Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) October 03, 2012

The #Cubs got a hit in every one of their 100 losses. #silverlinings—
Cubs No-Hit Streak (@CubsNoHitStreak) October 02, 2012

#Cubs Win!! And, mercifully, it's over. #Amen—
Julie DiCaro (@JulieDiCaro) October 03, 2012

LaHair with one last fond Chicago memory for those cold nights in Japan.—
John Carruthers (@UTChicago) October 03, 2012

Since the #Cubs were out of town, someone had to keep the losing tradition alive. #rydercup—
Ken Crost (@KenCrost) October 01, 2012

NO WAVES AT WRIGLEY, MORANS!!!!—
Harry Elliott (@SipBlueKoolAid) October 02, 2012

The fact that the regular season is coming to an end always makes me melancholy, no matter how disastrous and putrid the #Cubs have been.—
Mike Santore (@cubbyblue1888) October 02, 2012

The Orioles and A's are officially both in the playoffs. Which means, because of science, the #Cubs are never going to the playoffs again—
Broseph Jivas (@JoeyRivas23) October 02, 2012

Both of these MLB play-in games should be held in Dayton's basketball gym.—
SportsPickle (@sportspickle) October 05, 2012

I've never been a fan of the #Dodgers or #Reds… until now. #DownwithSTL—
Josh Helms (@helms83) October 02, 2012

The Braves have totally Cub'd this game.—
Stan Croussett (@MindofStan) October 05, 2012

Nice blackout policy @MLB @mlbonfox.—
waxpaperbeercup (@wpbc) September 29, 2012

This is my i missed my flight face #smmfh #Miami ✈✈✈🚖🚕🔕✈✈ @DanielleCast #Bitter http://t.co/j3bzLvSL—
Dave Sappelt (@SappySappelt6) October 04, 2012

And even though the Cubs finished the season with 101-losses, I was fortunate enough to see them go (16-14) at home in the games I attended.

Below I’ve listed a quick note about each of those 30-games…the good, the bad and all else I witnessed this season at Wrigley Field.

• Opening Day: Steven Strasburg. Phenom.
• April 9 – MIL: Aramis’ return to Wrigley, Bryan LaHair’s HR onto Sheffield Avenue.
• April 12 – MIL: Garza loses his chance at a complete-game when he throws a comebacker over LaHair’s head and into the stands with 2-outs in the top of the ninth.
• April 21 -CIN: Paul Maholm’s first win as a Cub, Marlon Byrd traded to Boston for Michael Bowden.
• May 6 – LAD: 2hr 41min rain delay, Travis Wood’s first start as a Cub, DeJesus’ walkoff hit in the bottom of the 11th.
• May 7 – ATL: Samardzija 7.0, 1-ER, 7-K, LaHair and Ian Stewart hit back-to-back home runs. A heavy fog blankets the field in the late innings.
• May 9 – ATL: Maholm, James Russell and Rafael Dolis shutout the Braves 1-0.
• May 16 – PHI: Matt Garza struggles to field Juan Pierre’s two bunts.
• May 28 – SD: Cubs snap its 12-game losing streak, eight combined HRs (4 each), Alex Hinshaw takes the loss for Padres.
• May 29 – SD: Jeff Samardzija picks up his 5th win on his bobble head day, Sveum calls Shawn Camp the team’s MVP.
• May 30 – SD: Darwin Barney hits a 2-R, walkoff home run in the bottom of the ninth. Cubs sweep the series.
• June 25 – NYM: I see one of my favorite players in the flesh for the first time: Johan Santana. Travis Wood outduels the former Cy Young Award winner.
• June 27 – NYM: With the wind blowing out the Mets score 17-runs, including hitting for the cycle in HRs. The Cubs plate one run. My first look in the flesh at Anthony Rizzo.
• July 1 – HOU: It’s announced before the game Starlin Castro and Bryan LaHair have been selected a NL All Stars.
• July 17 – MIA: Ozzie and Big Z’s return to Wrigley Field.
• July 27 – STL: I watch from a rooftop. Cardinals become the first team in eight years to hit a HR in each of the first five innings.
• July 30 – PIT: Cubs win scoring a season-high 14-runs.
• July 31 – PIT: Adrian Cardenas breaks up AJ Burnett’s no-hitter with 2 outs in the bottom of the 8th continuing the Cubs’ major league record of not being no-hit since Sept. of 1965 when Sandy Koufax turned the trick.
• Aug 9 – CIN: Soriano cracks an eventual game-winning 2-R HR in the bottom of the 8th.
• Aug 11 – CIN: It’s my first look in the flesh at the Cuban Missile Aroldis Chapman. He strikes out the side for his 27th consecutive save while reaching 102mph on the radar gun.
• Aug 13 – HOU: Samardzija strikes out a career-high 11 batters in 7.0 innings.
• Aug 29 – MIL: A throwing error charged to Darwin Barney is reversed enabling him to extend his record of consecutive games at 2B without an error. Barney’s streak reaches 114-games.
• Aug 30 – MIL: Ryan Braun hits a HR off the camera housing in CF, the Cubs rally to score three-runs in the bottom of the ninth in a wild 12-11 win.
• Aug 31 – SF: Chris Volstad outduels Madison Bumgarner, wha?
• Sept 14 – PIT: Starlin hits a 3-R HR, Chris Rusin earns his first big league victory.
• Sept 17 – PIT: My personal highlight of the season. I throw out the ceremonial first pitch after a 3hr 30min rain delay. It’s the latest first pitch ever in Wrigley Field’s history. AT 10:42pm Travis Wood tosses the game’s first pitch.
• Sept 18 – CIN: Darwin Barney stretches his errorless streak at 2B to an NL record 133-straight games.
• Sept 23 – STL: Kerry Wood Appreciation Day, Soriano hits his 31st HR of the season giving him a career-high 105 RBI.
• Oct 1 – HOU: The Cubs lose its 100th game of the season.
• Oct 2 – HOU: Chicago is shutout against the major’s worst team for a second consecutive ballgame. Ugh.

It’s been frustrating watching Sandberg get passed over time and time again for a big league coaching position.

However, his latest promotion from Triple-A Lehigh Valley appears to have positioned Ryno to take over the reins for incumbent manager Charlie Manuel, whose contract expires after next season.

I’m probably getting ahead of myself, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Sandberg replaces Manuel even earlier if the Phillies struggle out of the gate in 2013.

Here’s wishing Ryno all the best, except when the Phillies face the Cubs, of course!

The Brewers, however, entered its final regular season game just 9 strikeouts away from eclipsing the Cubs’ mark of 1,404 K’s.

Six Brewers pitchers combined for 6 strikeouts against the Padres Wednesday night, leaving the staff 3 punchouts shy of setting the new mark.

The biggest break for Chicago was the decision of Brewers’ manager Ron Roenicke’s to sit his ace pitcher, and strikeout master, Yovani Gallardo. The right-hander finished the season with 204 K’s, 6th most in the National League.

Despite an early 5-1 lead, Dempster couldn’t get out of the fourth inning. He departed with no outs, runners on first and second and the Rangers clinging to a 5-3 lead.

Derek Holland came on in relief but allowed both of Dempster’s base runners to score. The Athletics finished the inning having plated six-runs and never looked back winning 12-5 while capturing the AL West crown.

BBTIA.com “Ryan Dempster was bad, lasting just three innings in a must-win game (and, in the process, failing to generate much excitement about any additional post-season starts he may end up making).”

All totaled, Dempster was charged with 5-ER in 3.0 innings…a big-time disappointment in a big-time start.

I hardly had mix feelings about Dempster before he snubbed the Cubs on what appeared to be a lucrative trade with Atlanta this past July. Until then he was, unquestionably, one of my favorite players.

However, Dempster’s decision to veto the trade made it seem he had reneged on his word to help the Cubs out in the best way possible at the non-waiver trade deadline.

Ultimately, Dempster got what he wanted, the chance to play for a contender and pitch in meaningful games. But what was best for Dempster left Team Theo scrambling just minutes before the trade deadline with virtually zero leverage and fortunate they were even able to land two mid-level prospects in return from Texas.

If the way Dempster played matters at the trade deadline makes me bitter, so be it. A man’s only as good as his word…and from my perspective, Dempster sidestepped his promise to the Cubs.

Now, I wouldn’t go as far to say I was rooting against Dempster yesterday, but I didn’t feel badly for him, either. If anything, it feels as if I can close the door on the late July trade-drama and move on.

The Dempster trade will certainly have a longer lasting effect on the Cubs than Demps’ recovery from failing in the clutch with Texas, but while Dempster got what he wanted on July 31st…I felt like he got what he deserved on October 3rd.

How’s that for some trade karma.

That’s not an image Cubs fans have been privy too since LaHair’s decline from feel-good story of the spring and his All Star appearance…to a prolonged second half slump and a reserve role on Dale Sveum’s bench.

Even his solo HR and game-winning single with two-outs in the bottom of the ninth on Wednesday does little to repair the loss of confidence in LaHair’s ability as an everyday player, or increase the odds he’ll be wearing a Cubs uniform in 2013.

There’s already speculation the 30-year-old could be headed to the Japanese League, and even LaHair himself is on the record as saying he believes there’s only a 50/50 chance he’ll remain in Chicago.

I’m still of the opinion LaHair’s regression may be attributed to the arrival of Anthony Rizzo, which forced LaHair into a position change from first base to right field.

Whether or not that’s true is beside the point. We know Rizzo isn’t going anywhere for the foreseeable future, and if LaHair can’t cut it offensively playing the outfield, well, what purpose does he serve on a team rebuilding with younger players also in need of more major league playing time?

Of course, it’s in LaHair’s favor he’s a left-handed hitter with power, which is always in need, especially in the National League. But such a specialized a role is typically reserved for contenders, not teams rebuilding from 101-losses.

That means LaHair’s game-winning knock yesterday could be his final at-bat with the Cubs. If so, I couldn’t think of a better ending for a guy we all wanted to succeed, but just couldn’t deliver.

Starters Kerry Wood (266), Mark Prior (245), Matt Clement (171), Carlos Zambrano (168) & Shawn Estes (103) combined for 953 strikeouts.

Relievers Kyle Farnsworth (92), Mike Remlinger (83) & Juan Cruz (65) accounted for another 240….closer Joe Borowski added (66) strikeouts pushing the season total to 1,259…and various other hurlers for Chicago managed a combined 145 strikeouts helping achieve the new mark.

But as we’ve reached the final regular season game of 2012, the Milwaukee Brewers’ pitching staff has come within 9 strikeouts of breaking the Cubs’ 2003 record.

Our Cubs of yesteryear, however, have caught a huge break with Milwaukee choosing to sit its regularly scheduled starter, and staff ace, Yovani Gallardo (16-9, 3.66), in the final regular season game against San Diego.

Gallardo’s 204 punchouts are 5th best in the National League. Twice this season he’s struck out 10 or more batters in a game…and 7 times he’s recorded 8 or more strikeouts in a single outing.

In place of Gallardo the Brewers send right-hander Josh Stinson to the mound–to make his first major league start. In five relief appearances this season Stinson has struck out a grand total of 3 batters…a pretty good swing of fortune in the ’03 Cubs’ favor.

Meanwhile, the Padres have the 12th most strikeouts in the majors this year, two ahead of the Cubs’ (1,230) K’s. And given the Padres have accounted for 8 & 10 strikeouts over its past 2 games in Milwaukee…the Cubs’ high-water mark in K’s might just be the latest record ready to be broken.

As many of you remember, Dempster didn’t fare too well. He appeared riddled with early-game jitters and his overall performance actually felt worse than his pitching line: 4.2 innings, 4-ER, 4-H, 2-K…7 walks.

James Loney’s fifth-inning grand slam off Dempster erased an early 2-0 Cubs lead and sent Chicago spiraling towards a 7-2 loss–and eventual series sweep at the hands of Los Angeles.

Now four years later, Dempster has his chance at redeeming his big-game poise when starting at Oakland later this afternoon (2:35pm CST). He has not faced the A’s this season.

Meanwhile, having dropped two-straight against the Athletics, Texas is on the brink of wasting what was once a 13-game lead over Oakland. The two clubs enter Game 162 tied atop the AL West division.

Officially, it’s not a playoff game, but it might as well be given the circumstances. And now, more than ever, the Rangers need Dempster to deliver a gem or risk facing a one-game playoff in the wild card round to advance in October.

Dempster’s been as good as advertised since joining the Rangers at the trade deadline (7-3, 4.64), but he’ll have his hands full against a red-hot A’s club that’s won 5-straight and sends AJ Griffin to the mound who’s (7-1, 2.71) over his last 14-starts.

For Cubs fans there’s plenty to root for, and against, depending on how bitter you are from Dempster’s fallout with Chicago after he surprisingly turned down what would have been a lucrative trade with Atlanta this past July.

However, this is exactly what Dempster was holding out for…a chance to play meaningful baseball in October…and a chance to right his playoff misfortunes with the Cubs in 2007-08. Batter up…

As quickly as I acknowledge on Monday that the Astros would be the one team we could expect the Cubs to sweep to finish the season, I failed to mention the Cubs are equally the one club Houston could sweep to end the year–and it could very well happen with the Astros having won the first 2 games.

And over those last 2 games the Cubs have collected all of 6 hits, struck out 19-times and committed more errors (2) than runs scored (0).

• Starlin’s 27th miscue of the season are two fewer than he had last season (29).
• Not a good night for Alberto Cabrera (1-1, 5.48): 0.1 inning, 2 walks, 1 error, a wild pitch and 1 run allowed.
• This was easily Chris Volstad’s (3-12, 6.31) best start of the season: 7.0 innings, 1 ER, 5 H, 6 K and no walks on 92-pitches. It’s too little, too late if you ask me. And I’d be disappointed if he’s back next spring, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he is, either. This club has zero starting pitching depth.
• I made my final appearance of the season at Wrigley last night. Obviously, I’m pretty bummed the Cubs couldn’t come up with a better effort than what they showed. It’s going to be another long winter waiting for Opening Day with mixed emotions about the relief of this dreadful season coming to a close and the void of not having baseball on a regular basis. So here’s to Year 2 of the Rebuild.

And for all the talk coming from the Cubs’ clubhouse about avoiding 100, Chicago hardly put up a fight on Monday night. No runs, no walks, two hits and…11 K’s. Yeesh.

With the big One-Hundred now official, here’s a quick study of the last time teams within the NL Central have also crossed the century mark in the loss column.

• Pittsburgh: The Pirates eclipsed 100 or more losses 7 times since 1917, including 3 straight seasons ’52, ’53, ’54. The most recent occurrence was a (57-105) record in 2010.
• St. Louis: The Cardinals’ organization has four 100-loss campaigns, none of which have come recently. The Browns twice slumped to 100-losses in 1897 (102) & 1898 (111), and the Cardinals also hit triple-digit losses in back-to-back seasons: 1907 (101) & 1908 (105)–the last time the Cubs won the World Series.
• Houston: The Astros avoided 100-losses during its first 49-years of existence. But in 2011 the club succumbed to a (56-106) mark, which is in jeopardy of being outdone if they lose 1 of its final 2-games against the Cubs this week.
• Milwaukee: The Brewers have spent 44-years in Milwaukee. They’ve dropped 100-games on one occasion–2002 (56-106). Who knew?
• Cincinnati: The Reds, remarkably, have but one 100-loss season in 131-years of play–(61-101) in 1982.
• Chicago: This season marks the third-time in franchise history the Cubs have dropped 100 or more games. It was first done with 103-losses in 1962 and then repeated with the exact same mark in 1966. Even if the Cubs were to drop its final two-games this year they would only reach 102-losses. Now, there’s something to hang your hat on this offseason.

Went 7-for-15 on the recent road trip.
Batting .339 over last 18-games.
Hitting .458 vs. left-handers.
Leads Cubs in OBP .382.
Selected 9th Rd 2008 Draft, Cubs acquired via trade.
Name that Cub! (Answer after the jump)

-Dave Sappelt

By avoiding its 100-loss of the season at Arizona the Cubs (60-99) return home to wrap up the final series of the year against Houston–a three-game set the Cubs could sweep to end the season with 99-losses instead of the dreaded triple digits in the loss column.

Only the Astros (53-106) have a worse record in the majors than the Cubs, and only the Astros can be thought of as possible sweep-meat for Chicago.

It doesn’t hurt Houston’s an embarrassing (18-60) on the road and playing for a dead duck manager in Tony DeFrancesco now that Nationals’ third base coach Bo Porter has been named the new skipper for 2013.

This season the Cubs are (7-5) against Houston head-to-head having outscored them by only seven runs total in the 12-games. However, Chicago is (5-1) against Houston at Wrigley Field.

The lone home loss came courtesy of Chris Volstad (3-11, 6.64) who allowed 4 ER in 5.0 innings of an eventual 10-1 final score back in August, and it’s Volstad who pitches Game 2 Tuesday night.

Jason Berken (0-2, 5.14) opens the series on Monday and Travis Wood (6-13, 4.39) closes the lid on Wednesday afternoon.

Come to think of it, the Cubs may have just delayed the inevitable this weekend…99-losses and counting?

This is a guest post by John Dooley who’s easily one of the most knowledgeable sports fans I have ever met. He’s a walking, talking encyclopedia of Cubs minutia, which explains his appearance on Comcast Sports Net’s ‘Batter’s Box’ trivia show. John’s true specialty, however, is crafting the lighter side of sports. See for yourself by visiting his blog Chicago Tough. Hilarious! @chicagotough

The Cubs are inching closer towards their first 100 loss season since 1966.

46 years.

That doesn’t seem right, does it?  For most Cubs fans, it’s hard to believe that after all of the managerial flops, prospect flare-outs, and ill-fated trades that this magical number has evaded us for so long.

We all know that numerous teams (see: 1980, 1981, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, and 2010 Cubs) have had more than enough inept play to reach the mark.  However, only this Cubs team has had the gumption to stick it to number 100!

If any hope exists for Cubs fans, maybe a comparison of the two teams could bring some light to a depressing season. There are some big similarities…

Both seasons were ‘culture shock’ years for the Cubs.  In 1966, Wrigley had brought in Leo Durocher to bring in a winning attitude to the north side.  Durocher was highly respected in baseball circles for his winning ways as a player in St. Louis, and in Brooklyn/New York as a manager.

In 2012, the Cubs’ move towards a ‘culture shock’ came through the hiring of Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer.  Both were forced to make tough moves on the field and off the field to bring a new attitude into the organization.

Under Durocher’s notorious tongue lashings, the Cubs limped through the ’66 schedule going 59-103.  Durocher believed in ‘tough love’, and wasn’t one for sitting players for a day of rest.  Durocher used 1966 as a training camp; a camp to find out who he could stand by in the years to come.

Durocher found out quickly that he had a team filled with potential.  However, if the Cubs were ever to contend, some dead weight would have to go.  It was obvious that Dick Ellsworth (who would lead the NL in losses) was past his prime.  It was easily seen that Byron Browne (who led the NL in K’s) was never going to fulfill his duties in the outfield.  It was also painfully obvious that the Cubs lacked depth on the bench, and even more severely in the bullpen.

Durocher’s Cubs had four future Hall of Fame players: Ernie Banks, Fergie Jenkins, Ron Santo, and Billy Williams (Well, five if you count the elder version of Robin Roberts in the pen).  The foundation had been set prior to his arrival in ’66…but that didn’t stop the growing pains.

The Cubs were coming off the bizarre year of Bob Kennedy and Lou Klein.  They were only years removed from the memorable gaffe that was the ‘College of Coaches’.  Nobody in the Cubs organization knew anything about…well…organization.  Durocher’s arrival would provide that organization…but at a price.

The Cubs would start 31-69 after 110 games…but as the players got used to Leo’s ways, they’d finish at a semi-respectable 38-44 to round out the season.  Durocher had found ample arms in the rotation with Bill Hands and Ken Holtzman; plus, he made a big switch by moving Jenkins from the pen into the rotation. Talk about accomplishing a lot in one season.

For the 2012 Cubs, it’s hard to project four possible Hall of Fame players in this group.  Nor can you compare the career accomplishments of Leo Durocher to Dale Sveum.

What you can compare is the level of change that was needed at both times in the franchise’s history.

The Cubs were a carnival act for the 1950’s and early 60’s and an over-priced act with little results during the 2000s, prior to Epstein’s arrival.  1966 and 2012 both stand as years to turn the tide.

While Durocher had to change the Cubs’ attitude in ’66, Epstein has had to change the Cubs’ way of doing business.

Epstein has started by being willing to deal players for prospects.  In just one season, the Cubs have parted ways with Ryan Dempster, Paul Maholm, and Geo Soto.  In return, they’ve upgraded for their future.  He also finally laid down the law in refusing to negotiate contracts that feature the dreaded ‘no-trade clauses’.

However, in today’s baseball, the future you buy doesn’t come to fruition for another 2-3 years.  Cubs fans in ’66 who were frustrated by the team’s consistent failure were quickly rewarded with a strong first half in 1967 that put the Cubs in first place by early July.  While the Cubs faded down the stretch, it was obvious for many that the team would be a consistent contender for the next five years.

What Durocher was able to gain quickly, will take Theo & Co. much longer.  As much as we might love Castro/Rizzo/Samardzija, it’s tough to compare them to Banks/Jenkins/Santo/Williams.

1966 had hope around the corner. 2012 has hope around the corner, too…just be prepared to also go left, through some trees, and maybe under a tunnel before reaching your destination.