Reality Check

24 thoughts on “Reality Check”

1. Dear Drew

   I’ve always felt that to be a Chicago Cubs fan (or until recently a Boston Red Sox fan) you had to first and foremost be either a total cock-eyed optimist or a total masochist.

   Every year we’d hear “This is the year the Cubs will win it all.” Then at the end of the year it didn’t happen. Oh they’ve teased a few times. I think of 1969 where it took a “miracle” (forgive the pun) to eliminate them. Or the time they were one game away from the World Series and choked against the Padre’s, or that kid who caugh the foul ball which led to the Cubs collapse most recently, but in the end they found a new way to lose. New managers, new players, didn’t matter. Sometimes I think they could have a lineup of Babe Ruth, Willie May, Hank Aaron, Lou Gehrig, Ernie Banks, Ozzie Smith, Brooks Robinson, Johnny Bench and Nolan Ryan and they’d still find a way not to win.

   Of course that lack of ultimate success is part of the team’s charm. They are like Charlie Brown who keeps trying to kick that football only to have it pulled away at the last second by the Lucy’s of the world. You can’t even really feel angry at them because to do so is sort of like trying to beat up your favorite childhood teddy bear.

   All the best,

   Louis

2. Louis your comments are so awesome. I could see the cartoon now…A whole lineup of Charlie Browns in Cubs uniforms. That’s hysterical!

3. Good Morning from Omaha,

   Baseball was one sport that my mother in law understood. they used to sit for hours watching cubs and braves games. she got a lot of enjoyment out of it. We took her to see the SlayoR as they played the Yankee’s, another team she loved, and she had a ball.

   basesball is a family game, its easy to understand and if you are out there at the ballpark, well there is nothing like it,especially out there i denver and coors field. what a view! and alan roach loves to infuse himself in the atmosphere. I remember hearing him when the ROX were playing the dodgers…he almost sounded like he had to be awakened to announce who was batting next for the dodgers, but really came to life for the Rox!! It was subtle and I had to point it out to my wife and son, but it was fun!

   Strive for excellence, nothing but your best.

   Gene

4. Dear Drew,

   If you ever do draw that cartoon of a bunch of Charlie Browns in Cubs uniforms please post it. I’m sure your loyal fans would love to see it.

   All the best

   Louis

5. Hey Drew,

   I love this cartoon even though I was (and maybe still am) a Die Hard Cubs Fan for years when I lived in Denver, then the Rockies came to town and I had to put the Rox #1 on my hit parade, but in my heart I still loved the Cubs. Before there was baseball in Denver, there was WGN on cable so I could watch the Cubs. When 4 of us got season Tickets for the inaugural season (and for 9 seasons thereafter) of the Rockies we were diverse; 1 cubs fan, 1 cardinals fan, 1 mets fan and 1 dodgers fan. I (& my Cubs) was the butt of many jokes over the 10 years we had tickets together, but through it all, I still watch the Cubs when I can get them here where I now live in Northern Wisconsin. Alas, I think your cartoon predicts this year’s season, but there is always hope if you are a Die Hard fan. (BTW, The Rockies are still #1 on my hit parade, thankfully I can follow them through the internet.)

   Well done Drew.

6. I almost feel sorry for Cubs fans, and then I remember that before I was a Rockies fan I grew up in Milwaukee, cheering for those 1982 Brewers. I was only seven then, but can name the starting nine today like it was yesterday.

   The Cubs have some high hopes today, and every interview I’ve seen with Quade makes him seem like a really nice guy, but they’re in for a rough ride in a really tough division. That might be the best division in baseball.

7. Wanda,

   Two of my best friends from my days at the Rocky were (are) die-hard Cubs fans. Cubs fans are a special bunch. They have a high tolerance for, or rather great patience for, losing. But they are a loveable lot, ever optimistic that THIS could be THE season. Someday it will be. I think its in the book of Revelation somewhere.

   By the way, are there any other types of Cubs fans besides the die-hard kind? I would imagine it’s either yes you’re a Cubs fan, or “are you kidding me, the Cubs?”

   I actually think Cubs fans are the greatest fans on earth. Because they continue to support their team through thick and thin.

   So, Wanda, I’ll add you to my list of friends who are die hard Cubs fans and wish you the best come opening day.

8. Louis, It’s such a great idea, one never knows.

9. Gene,

   Alan Roach is really amazing and Colorado is so lucky to have him. He now does the P.A. announcing for the Super Bowl as well as many other tasks. I asked him once if he would be open to do some voice over work in our animations. He was game. Someday I’m going to take him up on it.

   Baseball is the perfect game of summer. Slow, relaxing, yet filled with a thousand stories on every pitch. It is, what you make it. I didn’t grow up around baseball even though we were distant relatives of the great Mickey Mantle. But this time of year I start to really look forward to it. I went to almost every spring training the Rockies had in Tucson and miss the annual trek to Arizona. I highly recommend it. It’s good therapy for the long winter blues.

10. John,

    I kind of think the Cubs are a bit like the Saints. When, or rather, if they ever win a World Series, everyone in America will be a Cubs fan. Because that day will be the day when we realize all things are possible!

11. Drew,

    I think the Saints are more like the Red Sox. When the Saints won the Super Bowl it was this reminder that anything was possible, like the Red Sox winning. Now, it’s just an overplayed cliche.

    In the idealistic years of my youth I looked upon Robin Young, Wayne Gretzky, Larry Bird, and their ilk, as heroes. In 1993 the Minnesota North Stars left, and even though I’d lived in Colorado for a few years at that point, it was a painful move for me. It was then that I realized sports are a business.

    Follow that up with the 1994 NHL Lockout, the 1994 MLB Strike, then the 2004 NHL Lockout, and you end up with jaded and cynical, rather than idealistic.

    I think that’s why I come here. These cartoons are a reminder of what seems like a better time, even if there’s that little part of me that knows it wasn’t a better time, at least I can trick myself for a few minutes.

12. John,

    I’m glad you come here for that reason. I hope it brings some laughs about the games we used to love so much but have changed, not for the better, during our lifetimes. I try to not get cynical about sports today, but I must admit it is hard sometimes. With the recent treatment of fans at the Super Bowl and the upcoming NFL lockout I long for those days in 60’s when baseball was still great and the NFL and AFL and The NBA and the ABA were still providing a great product simply because the players involved loved the games they played.

    It’s better to laugh now at the fools and their folly and try to enjoy what’s left that hasn’t been tainted with greed. Laughter is always the best medicine.

13. Drew–

    I come here every day to check out what your latest cartoon is. It’s a bit of home for a once-and-hopefully-future Coloradoan living on the East Coast.

    I also marvel at the posts of the “regulars”. There are a large number of very articulate, informed, POLITE, and intelligent people discussing this fancy of ours, this crazy world of sports. Sometimes, what I have in mind has already been expressed far better by someone else. And a “Me, too” post just seems inadequate.

    Still, even if I don’t say much, I enjoy hanging around.

14. Felicia,

    We love having you around too. We do have terrific people who leave comments here. It’s really nice to have well informed people who don’t insult each other and turn the discussions into rants and ramblings. Just a bunch of fantastic sports fans who love to hang around, laugh and add some great thoughts. Not a bad little Irish Pub and no cover charge either.

15. Awesome Drew! Nothing like piling on the Cubs on the day Pitchers and Catchers Report! Just Awesome.

16. Drew,

    As wonderful as your cartoon is, I won’t show this cartoon to my mom, who is a life-long Cubs fan. lol Back in the day, before television, her family would gather around the radio to listen to Cubs games when they lived in Sterling and Winfield, Illinois. I think cheering for the Cubs is a lot like it was cheering for the Broncos (before their Super Bowl wins). My mom has always cheered on the underdog – and to this day believes that if the Broncos won Super Bowls, the Cubs will win the World Series.

    I, myself, have never been able to wrap my head and heart around “America’s favorite past-time.” I’ve never been to a game, and it moves to slowly on television. Give me some hard-hitting football and hockey, any day.

    Peg

17. Wow, what a great day this was. Lots of good, interesting comments. Nothing of note to add, but Happy Valentine’s Day to you all!

18. That Cubbie is cute, love the bunny slippers. Hopefully “Reality” will not crash too hard on the immortal Cubs.

19. Drew,

    Although I moved away from Denver over 20 years ago to return to Baton Rouge I still follow what happens up there. You continue to provide me with great insight with your drawings and your commentary. While I was disappointed with the demise of the Rocky, that event has opened up a huge door for you. Luckily you opened it and took on the hard work that also came with the it.

    Now if we can just get my LSU Tigers back on top to stand a chance for one of your drawings. (Of course you could always try and come up with something for the Mad Hatter. Gotta love a coach that is caught nibbling on grass on national tv and does not dodge the issue.)

    Thank you again for all you give us. I wish you continued professional and personal success.

20. Scot,

    Never too early I say.

21. Peg,

    Your comments are awesome, as always. I didn’t really grasp the nuances of baseball until I was able to go to spring training and enjoy the atmosphere and the depth of the game. There are a million stories on every pitch. I look at it this way. In football you have one quarterback. In baseball you have 5 starters and a multitude of backups who play almost every game. In football you have Three WR’s, Two RB’s, A TE, and a QB and a FB that can score offensively. In baseball you have 9 guys every inning.

    In football, you have one team, maybe a few guys on the practice squad. In baseball you have usually, 4 teams and young talent at every level. The majors, are followed by the Triple A team where guys who are almost ready to start (ie; Tim Tebow) play everyday. Then you have a double A team whith younger talent (ie; Tim Tebow as a junior in college)

    and a single A team with even younger prospects (ie; Tim Tebow as a freshman) And they are all on your team, so to speak.

    As for the slowness, that’s why you have hot dogs, cold beer and cracker jack. It helps to pass the time.

22. Sherri,

    Happy Cupids Day to you too!

23. WM,

    Bunny slippers are always fun to add to any cartoon. I used to draw Dan Reeves in them all the time.

24. Michael,

    Thanks for the great comments and compliments! I really appreciate them. I have quite the affection for the people of Louisiana and the sports they play and enjoy. Here’s just a few reasons I love it. 1. My brother, Allan, live in Baton Rouge as well. 2. I’m a Saints fan 3. LSU is my third favorite team (CU and UTEP are 1 and 2). 4. Pete Maravich, one of my heroes played at LSU and 5. I’m working on a webcomic based in the Swamps and land of Louisiana.

    And now I have another one. My pal Michael lives there too.