Stands empty as Cubs return to cellar

By Paul Sullivan
Tribune staff reporter
Published September 7, 2006, 6:08 PM CDT

The smallest crowd at Wrigley Field in four years watched the Cubs plummet to the depths of the Tampa Bay Devils Rays on an otherwise perfect afternoon on the North Side.

Pittsburgh centerfielder Chris Duffy hit the first two home runs of his major league career to lead the Pirates to a 7-5 win over the Cubs, including the go-ahead shot off Scott Eyre leading off the ninth.

"Anybody can hit a home run in the big leagues," Eyre said. "Geez, throw the ball down the middle of the plate, and they're supposed to hit it. That's what they're paid to do."

The loss sent the Cubs back into the Central Division cellar, ½-game behind the Pirates, and they're now tied with Tampa Bay for the worst record in baseball at 56-84.

The announced attendance of 27,105 was the smallest home crowd since 20,032 turned out to watch a Cubs-Reds game on Sept. 26, 2002, the final days of Bruce Kimm's brief stint as interim manager. There were several thousand no-shows again on Thursday, as Cubs fans continue to eat their high-priced tickets.

The Wrigley Field malaise can be directly traced to the Cubs' dismal season, and their recent effort. They've lost 15 of their last 18 games, and their 29-41 home record is by far the worst in baseball. So why can't the Cubs win at home?

Ex-Cub Jeromy Burnitz has a theory, and it has nothing to do with curses or day baseball.

"It's the same as everybody else's," said the Pirates outfielder. "It usually starts with starting pitching. Let's not make it like it's bigger than that. There's history here, and that's why (losing) becomes a story. But the facts say that at every level it's pitching first, then defense and then timely hitting. The Cubs woes are no different than the Pirates' woes. It's that simple. It's no different for the Cubbies or us or any other team that's not good."

The Cubs have still drawn over 2.7 million fans, but the majority of the tickets were sold before April 19, the turning point of the season, when Derrek Lee went down with a broken wrist. The half-empty bleachers and upper deck are stark symbols of an increasingly skeptical fan base that doesn't like what it's seen.

Baker is taking most of the heat for the Cubs' downfall. Burnitz said it's just something that comes with the territory.

"Managers always take more heat than they deserve," Burnitz said. "It's a fact of our game. They're the guys who have to answer to the people asking 'What's the story?' That's their job. That's a huge part of their job. As a result, if you're not handed the horses, you're partly responsible. That's the gig. It's never going to change. That's how it works.

"On bad teams, the manager is in trouble. Simple. No question about it. This is the highest level of the game. In any sport, in any real word thing, everything at the highest level involves pressure and certain positions of accountability. Managers are accountable, and they get fired when they don't do good. Fortunately, they all get paid well, so it's OK."

The Cubs flew to Atlanta afterwards, and Eyre said no one was thinking about the fact they have the worst record in baseball.

"I think everyone here is worrying about finishing healthy," Eyre said. "And what's going to happen with Michael (Barrett) and (Carlos) Zambrano for next season."

psullivan@tribune.com