Fate, it seems, may have other ideas, as the injury bug has hit the team hard. Right now, #1 starter Carlos Zambrano and #1 RBI man Aramis Ramirez are on the Disabled List. Zambrano should return soon, but Ramirez is out at least six more weeks.
This reminds me of the 1985 season, when the Cubs had the same expectations. After a momumental collapse in the 1984 NLCS, fans were looking forward to the '85 season with the hopes of getting back to the playoffs and finishing what they couldn't in 1984.
The team got off to a good start in 1985 and in mid-June they were in first place. And then the injury bug hit and it hit hard. At one point, four of the starting pitchers were on the DL at the same time!
The backs of these 1986 Donruss cards mentions the injury of each pitcher.
Rick Sutcliffe was the first to go down, placed on the DL on May 20. He returned to the DL on July 8 and then went back a third time in late July.
The next to fall was Steve Trout, who was place on the DL on July 23 and then transferred to the 21 day DL on August 11.
The third starter to go down was Dennis Eckersley who went on the DL on August 11 (which is why Trout was moved to the 21 day list).
And finally, Scott Sanderson was hurt and out for the season as he was placed on the 60 day list three days later, on August 14.
After the All Star break, these four starters pitched in only 27 of 72 games. I don't know of any team that could handle the loss that many games from their starters. The 1985 Cubs sure couldn't. They ended the season in fourth place, 77-84.
I sure hope that 2009 is not a repeat of 1985!
I'm glad you showed the backs. I hate the fronts of those cards.
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