I thought it would be fun to compare the 2 teams.
Line-up
Lofton-CF
Grudz- 2B
Sosa- RF
Alou- LF
Ramirez- 3B
Simon/Karros- 1B
K-Gone- SS
Bako/Miller- C
Soriono- LF
Theriot- SS
Lee- 1B
Floyd- RF
Ramirez- 3B
DeRosa- 2B
Soto/Kendall- C
Jones- CF
I think the 03 line-up was more dangerous in the middle with Sosa/Alou/Ramirez, but top to bottom I think this year is better.
Starters
Prior
Wood
Zambrano
Clement
Zambrano
Lilly
Hill
Marquis
I think rotation wise the 03 squad gets the nod. Prior and Wood were filthy that year.
Bullpen
Borowski
Farnsworth
Alfonseca
Remlinger
Marmol
Wood
Eyre
Howry
Dempster
I gotta give the nod to 07 here, more depth for sure.
What does everyone else think?
03 Cubs vs. 07 Cubs
03 Cubs vs. 07 Cubs
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Angry Jimmy
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Posey H8er
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The '03 staff had a better rotation simply becuase of the dominating duo of Prior and Wood. They also had Z and Clement. A consistent Zambrano of now has the same if not better stuff than Prior did. Lilly is a great number 2 starter for us now, and the rest of our staff has been pretty damn consistent. But the edge would go the '03 Cubs.
Hitting would go to this years Cubs, even though they have only begun to show power lately. Sosa was slowing down and the downfall of his career was beginning with the corked bat incident. Alou's best year with the Cubs would come the following year.
Although Ramirez seemed to find his own with the move to Chicago, he was nowhere as good as he is now. Derrek Lee is an upgrade of Karros and sausage race h8er Randall.
Mark Grudzielanek was great, but his impact wasn't as significant than Derosa's. Alfonso is getting 138 million for a reason; he's an all star and a five tool player. And do not even get me started about a Gonzalez vs. Theriot comparison.
The biggest reason why I say this years club is better, is the coaching staff. Lou is a major upgrade over Dusty. He manages games better, taking pitchers out when needed, making needed lineup changes (even though people here may disagree
) etc.
Lou gave this team a winning attitude, and they have a fighting desire to win. You could see it yesterday with all of the interviews
I am telling you this, we will not get embarrassed this post season by getting out managed like last time.
Hitting would go to this years Cubs, even though they have only begun to show power lately. Sosa was slowing down and the downfall of his career was beginning with the corked bat incident. Alou's best year with the Cubs would come the following year.
Although Ramirez seemed to find his own with the move to Chicago, he was nowhere as good as he is now. Derrek Lee is an upgrade of Karros and sausage race h8er Randall.
Mark Grudzielanek was great, but his impact wasn't as significant than Derosa's. Alfonso is getting 138 million for a reason; he's an all star and a five tool player. And do not even get me started about a Gonzalez vs. Theriot comparison.
The biggest reason why I say this years club is better, is the coaching staff. Lou is a major upgrade over Dusty. He manages games better, taking pitchers out when needed, making needed lineup changes (even though people here may disagree
) etc.
Lou gave this team a winning attitude, and they have a fighting desire to win. You could see it yesterday with all of the interviews
I am telling you this, we will not get embarrassed this post season by getting out managed like last time.
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GYBE
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The 03 rotation doesn't just have an edge, it dominates 07.
First off, Zambrano was much better in 2003. Then you have a prime Prior and Wood against Hill and Lilly, which is simply no contest.
I agree our coaching is better this time around. But I still think the 03 squad was superior. The offenses are comparable, we have an advantage in the pen now but the rotation in 03 was ridiculous. Best in baseball.
However, the NL is definitely weaker now so we have just as good a chance of moving on.
First off, Zambrano was much better in 2003. Then you have a prime Prior and Wood against Hill and Lilly, which is simply no contest.
I agree our coaching is better this time around. But I still think the 03 squad was superior. The offenses are comparable, we have an advantage in the pen now but the rotation in 03 was ridiculous. Best in baseball.
However, the NL is definitely weaker now so we have just as good a chance of moving on.
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Posey H8er
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I was really pissed when we let Clement go after '04. The guy didn't get any run support.
The soap opera story of Prior and Wood may be getting better. Wood is pitching very well in the bullpen, and Prior is taking it slow through rehab.
Hopefully he can come back next year as a 5th starter.
OT- Just looking at the '04 roster, that has to be the greatest team that didn't win.
The soap opera story of Prior and Wood may be getting better. Wood is pitching very well in the bullpen, and Prior is taking it slow through rehab.
Hopefully he can come back next year as a 5th starter.
OT- Just looking at the '04 roster, that has to be the greatest team that didn't win.