And so it goes.

Everyone's talking about 100 years like it is some sort of milestone, and I guess it is - but to me, the significant thing is that the Cubs haven't been to a World Series in MY lifetime. That's my measuring stick. So - 48 years and counting.

I am not a professional athlete, but I am a professional. And I know that sometimes pressure gets the better of you, no matter how good you are at your job. For me, it's often an unpleasant patient, someone with some complaint about how we do things. I dread going in to work on them sometimes. It affects my work. When I'm relaxed, I feel I do much better work.

I would guess that this also applies to professional athletes. They tighten up, they press, they start doubting their own abilities. It shows in bad control (nibbling at the corners, lots of walks, see Dempster, Ryan, in game one), bad strike zone judgement (see Soriano, Alfonso et al), and poor defense (see Derosa, Mark in game 2, and Lee, Derrick, also in game 2). Unforced mental errors.

100 years of expectations (or a lifetime, at least) weigh heavily. Are they not going to continue to weigh heavily, with the national media talking about it, and the local media pounding it to death? With the fans thinking about it, talking about it? No matter how much you tell yourself it doesn't matter, there's nothing to it, there is. If this is the case, the Cubs are doomed to being eternal also-rans in the postseason.

I really think that Zambrano is one of the only Cubs who is immune to this pressure - mostly because he's so self centered. The pressure Zambrano feels is self inflicted, not inflicted by the media and by history. His performances show it. He's somewhat erratic, but he's incredibly talented, and I don't think he cares an iota about whether the Cubs go 100 years between World Series wins, or World Series appearances (that would be 2045, in case anyone's counting). He does, however, care about how the team does in HIS starts, and consequently he can dominate in the regular season and in the postseason. Unfortunately, it takes a team to win, not one single pitcher. But I'll take that pitcher as a good start.

How do they beat this pressure? You got me. Ballplayers, like everyone else, are human, and susceptible to stress just like the rest of us. Maybe a superstar at every position?

Oh well...wait'll next year...