August 12, 2021: Jake Out

Well, so much for rekindling that old flame… The Cubs released Jake Arrieta, after another horrendous start. Jake out!

When the Cubs first brought him back, I was excited. I wasn’t stupid… I wasn’t expecting 2015-2016 Jake, who by the way, was one of the best pitchers in the majors in that timeframe. He did win 2 World Series games for us also… no big deal. Jake was the man; he couldn’t be F’d with. I didn’t expect that Jake. I expected a guy that had some solid starts left in him; he did. Some may have only been a couple, or a few, and those few may have happened in the first 2 months, but he did have a little left in the tank. But… that tank is on empty right now; his fall fits in perfectly with the Cubs 2021 season.

It’s sad… all of it. Even though the Cubs season is up in flames, I still wanted to get back to Wrigley. One of the main reasons was to see Jake pitch one more time in the cathedral. I wanted to go, sort of as a Thank You, for everything Jake did while in his prime dealing for my Cubbies. After all, I remember that night back in 2015, against the Brewers, when Jake recorded his 20th win; I was there that night… it was awesome:

Not sure if you read that, or if you will read it, but I did. Just reading this, brings back all the emotions from that time… those emotions that are completely opposite right now. I’ve went from a happy as hell Cubs fan to a bitter, hating everything right now related to baseball, Cubs fan. This Cubs team has went from perennial playoff contenders to looking to improve their draft position. Jake has went from untouchable to unconditionally released. My how the mighty have fallen…

People asking him questions the night after another tough loss, an especially embarrassing one… maybe Jake himself was seeing the writing on the wall… that’s got to be tough… so he snaps off about a mask on a zoom call… and out come people to crucify this guy whose career is about to be over. Get a life folks. Nah, I don’t care about that shit; it wasn’t cool, but how did you expect Jake to act like that in possibly one of the lowest moments of his career? It’s not an excuse, it’s just reality. Nah, I’m not going to remember this last shit game either, and all the runs he gave up in the 1st inning. F that. I’m going to try not to remember this season either, although that may be a little tougher. Nah, I’m going to remember Jake for those days when he was kicking ass and taking names. He brought such confidence, such swagger to that Cubs team. He was, at times, absolutely unhittable. He pitched big in big moments. He was another one of those 2016 Cubs that you couldn’t imagine the Cubs winning it all without.

Nah, I will always love Jake. Right now, I’m just pissed that I didn’t get to see him pitch that one more time. But that’s OK… it kind of fits into this entire year that has turned completely to shit. I’m still planning on going back to Wrigley, at least one more time, before my son goes back to school. But there will be no Jake… Jake Jewell maybe, but Arrieta… I wish him nothing but the best. Just know 49, you will never be forgotten… Cubs legend forever. Good luck…