Carlos Zambrano (right) sprays Alfonso Soriano (center) with Chamagne.
Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Zambrano were the Cubs two biggest investments this season, and they paid off in a big way for the Chicaco Cubs. For the first time since 2003, THERE WILL BE OCTOBER BASEBALL AT WRIGLEY FIELD!!! THIS IS THE YEAR! Am I dreaming? Did the Cubs actually win the National League Central? I've pinched myself several times, and this is no dream. This is reality.
Alfonso Soriano has gone on a tear unsurpassed in Cubs history. He has 13 homers in September, matching Ernie Banks' record of 50 years ago.
His six leadoff homers in September are the most by any major leaguer in any month — and that's wasn't the end of it. The left fielder also threw Joey Votto out at the plate in the fourth inning, matching Hank Sauer's team record of 19 assists for the season.
From Soriano's emphatic opening homer, this one had a playoff atmosphere with all those blue-shirted Cubs fans giving the visitors a home-field advantage.
Nothing made Carlos Zambrano sweat. Keeping his emotions in check, the right-hander allowed six hits in seven innings and strengthened his case to start the first game of the playoffs.
In June, Zambrano was the epitome of Chicago's tumultuous start. He got into a fight with former Cubs catcher Michael Barrett in the dugout and again in the clubhouse, the low point of Chicago's slide to 8 1/2 games out.
The Cubs turned themselves around and popped some corks in the city where their volcanic manager is still revered for blowing his cork and leading the Reds to a World Series championship in 1990.
Piniella had a new look on Friday — the customary two-day stubble was gone from his face, shaved clean after that stomach-churning visit to Florida. Piniella kept his eyes on the bigger picture: That four-month comeback to win the majors' weakest division.
Piniella's top starter had a new way about him, too.
The Cubs gave Zambrano a five-year, $91.5 million contract extension on Aug. 17 despite one glaring flaw. The 26-year-old pitcher has tended to let the big games get to him, imploding in his last three opening day starts.
Could he handle the pressure this time?
He stayed as serene as those 30 cases of Korbel California champagne stored in a room off the visitors' clubhouse. Zambrano kept his cool — no arm thrusts after big outs, no muttering to himself between innings — while limiting the Reds' injury-depleted lineup to one infield single over the first three innings.
Congratulations as well to the Boston Red Sox, who have won the American League Eas Divison away from the "Evil Empire" for the first time in Seventeen years. The Red Sox beat Minnesota with the arm of Daisuke Mastuzaka. Alex Rodriguez hit his 54th homerun of the season in a loss. Look at the bright side Yankee fans. You're still going to the playoffs.
The San Diego Padres eliminated the Milwaukee Brewers from the playoffs with a 6-3 win. The Cubs may meet up with San Diego in the playoffs, bringing back eerie memories of Steve Garvey and 1984. Hopefully, we do better this time.
How about the New York Mets losing their lead in the National League East to the Philladelphia Phillies? Willie Randolph is on the hot seat in New York and may be fired if The Mets don't make the playoffs. Meanwhile, what a turnaround for the Phillies. The team that was so bad in the beginning of the year have cleaned up their act and a couple of days away from winning the National League East.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have also clinched a playoff spot, thanks to the clutch hitting of pitcher Micah Owings, who a late substitution as Brandon Webb was supposed to start for them. The D-Backs will play in October. Watch out for the young Diamond Backs. Randy Hohnson will be cjeering for the Diamondbacks as he is still trying to recover from a bad back.
October Baseball is just about set. Get ready baseball fans. It's going to be a fantastic show.
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