Wrigley Blues: The Year the Cubs Played Hardball with the Curse (But Lost Anyway) [Paperback]

Will Wagner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 29, 2004

There is a theory that if the Cubs ever win the World Series, it would upset the delicate balance of the cosmos and bring the apocalypse. Following a fiery explosion, the thinking went, the world would be cast into everlasting darkness. Dogs would sleep with cats, Cubs fans would get along with White Sox fans-stuff like that. Evidently the Chicago Cubs are determined to prevent such a calamity. Notwithstanding such off-season acquisitions as Derrek Lee, Todd Walker, Todd Hollandsworth, and Greg Maddux-clearly designed to position the 2004 Cubs for their first World Series appearance in nearly 60 years-the Cubs collapsed in not only predictable but almost poetic fashion. In late September the Cubs were poised to snatch a wild card spot in the playoffs, only to be suddenly reminded of who they were. When famed sportscaster Steve Stone's constructive criticism of the club drew more attention than the team's play on the field, the team's fate was sealed. All it took was a loss to Atlanta on October 1 to take them officially out of the running. With great wit and insight, veteran sports writer and Chicago native Will Wagner chronicles the entire 2004 season from the melting snows of spring through the melting team chemistry of autumn, from soaring hopes to Sulkin' Sammy Sosa. Ever the hopeless Cubs fan himself, Wagner is still philosophical following The Year That Should Have Been: "Better times are ahead for the cubbies. That's what keeps us going. Next year is only four or five years away."

Editorial Reviews

Review

The former truth shines through in this wonderful book, and so, sadly and hilariously, does the latter truth. (Sporting News )

"With great wit and insight, veteran sportswriter Will Wagner chroniclesthe entire 2004 season..." (Herald and Review )

From the Publisher

New Book Looks at the Worst World Series Streak in Baseball and the Same-Old, Same Old for Chicago Fans

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing; 1st Taylor Trade Pub. Ed edition (November 29, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589792122
• ISBN-13: 978-1589792128
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,310,712 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BLUES is excellent, August 27, 2005

By 

Mark F. Braun (Norridge, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wrigley Blues: The Year the Cubs Played Hardball with the Curse (But Lost Anyway) (Paperback)

Hi all; I'm the Executive Director of the Old Timers' Baseball Association of Chicago as well as a board member of our local library and the guy who worked down the hall from BASEBALL DIGEST and INSIDE SPORTS; I kinda see a lot of this stuff. When it rocks, ya gotta share it.

BLUES is Chicago all-over perfection. If we have to keep suffering, you might as well throw it back at us in a great paperback and laugh. Wagner delivers. Well recommended!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Don't expect a Happy ending., February 17, 2005

By 

Gary Tallman "avid reader" (Tarzana, Ca USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wrigley Blues: The Year the Cubs Played Hardball with the Curse (But Lost Anyway) (Paperback)

As a loyal life-long cubs fan who loves reading about his favorite team I have to say I was mildly disappointed in this book. The author did a good job in recreating the games but I felt that he lacked real access to the team. The quotes used in the book were all out of the newspaper or the internet. I wanted more substance. More behind the scenes stuff. There was plenty of drama off the field last year and it just seemed like the author glossed over it all. There were a few well written profiles included in the book. My favorite was about an elderly female fan who really loved the cubbies and went to as many games as she could despite her various maladies. I think Mr. Wagner made a bold choice in writing the book as the season unfolded as opposed to writing the book when the season was over. I just wish there had a been a happier ending.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Comedy of Errors, March 24, 2005

By 

A Baseball Observer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wrigley Blues: The Year the Cubs Played Hardball with the Curse (But Lost Anyway) (Paperback)

I love baseball, but I've never been a huge follower of the Cubs. Still, a friend recommended this book to me, and I found it to be a real page-turner. I knew how it was going to end -- every Cubs season ends the same way -- but it was a fun read. Mr. Wagner did a great job of capturing the comedy and absurdity of the Cubs and their fans. I particularly liked his historical tidbits, such as his description of Wrigley Field. This is everything a sports book should be -- it's light, humorous and entertaining. The Cubs may never win, but at least Mr. Wagner produced a winning book about them.