Serious reality check for the Cubs this past weekend.

Being swept at home vs. the White Sox was about the worst thing that could happen to a team struggling to draw spectators.

The cross town series has always meant more to the fans than the players. But losing in such pathetic fashion won’t sit well with a fan base whose patience is already being stretched thin.

Cubs fans have fairly assumed there wouldn’t be much to root for in the standings this season, but winning the cross-town series was a reasonable goal that would leave Cubs fans with something to hang their hats on in 2012.

Now the best we can hope for is a Cubs sweep one month from now on the South Side. But even then, that won’t erase the displeasure of the Sox taking all three games at Wrigley Field for the first time since 1999.

Kerry Wood’s retirement unquestionably reeved up the Cubs energy for Friday’s game, but that clearly didn’t carry over through the rest of the weekend.

No sane Cubs fan was expecting the North Siders to sweep the series, but the perceived lack of energy from the club was especially frustrating.

Granted Dale Sveum was losing players to injuries at a stunning pace, but even his rag-tag lineup failed to display the type of urgency to win a series so important to the fans.

On top of all that, the Cubs losing streak has reached six games and drops the club 11-games below .500 (15-26). That’s good for the worst record in the National League, and second worst in the majors (Twins (14-27).

You’d like to think the Cubs have three very winnable series coming up against Houston (18-23) & Pittsburgh (19-22) on the road before a brief home series against San Diego (16-26).

But if the Cubs don’t make hay they’re in serious trouble heading in to the month of June.

The Cubs spend the better part of June on the road playing 16 away games vs. 11 home games, six of which come against Detroit & Boston. This also includes the three ‘away’ games at the Cell.

That’s no easy month, and fan interest in the team could severely wane if the Cubs slip further below .500 before the All Star break.

This means there’s a good chance the final two weeks in May will go a long ways towards shaping the rest of the season.

We still have the excitement of looking forward to the arrival of some of the Cubs better prospects in June, but many fans will hardly take notice, or care, if the Cubs sink to the worst record in all of baseball.

As if Sveum’s task wasn’t hard enough, now he’s left fitting the pieces together of a banged up club coming off a disastrous weekend.

How the the manager and his team responds will be very interesting, at least in the short-term.

Last Saturday I addressed a worse case scenario regarding Kerry Wood’s final days with the Cubs:

Wood continues to struggle and the Cubs are forced to issue an ultimatum to ‘retire’ or accept his unconditional release from the club.

It would be a rather sad ending for a much beloved Cub, but the more Wood struggles, the more likely it becomes Kerry finalizes his Cubs career standing with family members behind home plate at Wrigley Field during a small ceremony held in early September.

No doubt that day is near. But I remain hopeful it’s one that comes next season rather than this one.

I obviously didn’t expect this day would come so soon and somewhat unexpectedly. But give Wood credit for taking a tough decision off the hands of Dale Sveum and the front office.

Wood, more than any one, understood the Cubs were in a precarious situation. His inability to get batters out and pitch on back-to-back days was ultimately forcing the team to make a move it didn’t want to.

Wood wisely chose to end his career on his own terms opting to walk away under the bright lights and heightened awareness of the cross-town series.

It was the right decision, made with perfect timing and concluded with a perfect ending, all things considered.

In another excerpt from the same article I also forecast Kerry would withhold retirement mid-season due to his competitiveness.

Retiring now, on his own will, is no different than quitting. We know Wood’s not that kind of guy or competitor, and is the very reason why he’s so respected by his fans and his peers.

However, Wood’s admission that he can no longer physically uphold to the level expected of him as a major league reliever squashes any notion that the guy’s quitting on himself, the team or the Cubs organization.

If Wood can’t pitch there was simply no better option for him but to walk away.

That’s exactly what Cubs fans suspected following Wood’s glove toss into the Wrigley stands—his bum shoulder was growing worse by the week.

Now we know with certainty our speculation has turned out to be truth. Kerry Wood’s shoulder is shot, his career over, even if he didn’t want it to be.

***

Wood’s retirement made the kind of lasting impression that will have Cubs fans remembering where the were on May 18, 2012.

A lucky few had the privilege of being at Wrigley Field, others listened to Pat & Keith on radio, I watched from home on WGN while the less fortunate were at work keeping tabs on Twitter.

Whatever the case, Cubs fans will forever remember where they were when Wood struck out Dayan Viciedo.

My last ‘where were you?’ Cubs memory is of Carlos Zambrano’s no-hitter in Milwaukee against the Astros in September of 2008.

I also watched that game on WGN. Only then it was from my Wrigleyville apartment by Toons bar on Southport Avenue. Still an awesome memory!

***

Dayan Viciedo, the White Sox young 23-year-old outfielder, will have a hard time shedding the memory of becoming Wood’s final strikeout victim.

The good news is Dayan appears to have a very bright and long future ahead of him in baseball.

But what I’m really saying is the kid still has an opportunity to make his lasting mark in the big leagues other than being remembered as the final batter ever to face Wood.

Erasing that memory, even for White Sox fans, will take something big from Viciedo like a three homer game, or a clutch hit in the postseason.

Then again, there’s always the possibility of Viciedo making a worse play to be remembered by other than a magnified strikeout in a 3-2 win.

But I wouldn’t wish that kind of misfortune on any player, even one playing for the White Sox.

#Cubs Kerry Wood strikes out 20 atmlb.com/AsznNi via @MLB—
Bullpen Brian (@bullpenbrian) May 18, 2012

Before Kerry comes out today, I want to announce my retirement. I've enjoyed my 9 days in the big leagues. #Cubs—
Kerry Wood's Glove (@KerryWoodsGlove) May 18, 2012

woody was one of my favorite #cubs players ever—
Adam Nilles (@AdamNilles) May 18, 2012

Not gonna lie. I'll probably lose it.—
Harry Elliott (@SipBlueKoolAid) May 18, 2012

Kerry Wood coming into the game for the last time. Me = sad. #Cubs—
Stan Olson (@stanswx) May 18, 2012

I'm tearing up here at my desk at work. Love you @KerryWood thanks for everything. Always a #Cub, and in our hearts forever!!—
Cubs Win or Lose (@CubsWinOrLose) May 18, 2012

Goosebumps. #KidK #Wood #Cubs—
Bullpen Brian (@bullpenbrian) May 18, 2012

Hard to not be emotional. #cubs—
George Darkow (@SportsByGeorge) May 18, 2012

Totally did not just stand and clap and cry.—
John Guminski (@johnguminski) May 18, 2012

not gunna lie, was a bit teary eyed there for Kerry… first class man, glad he was a #Cub… #classact @KerryWood—
Mighty Chewbacca (@Spoda17) May 18, 2012

That was one the most spectacular moments of my life… For every cub fan. Kerry Wood is forever a Chicago Cub. We are so proud of 34 #cubs—
The Baseball Life (@TurnTwo34) May 18, 2012

Kerry Wood. An A++ human being.—
Kim Wrona (@HawksNCanes7) May 18, 2012

“@damngoats: I watched the 20 K game and now this. It's like having a friend move away…”—
Thé Real McCoy (@BenMcCoy13) May 18, 2012

Kerry should have never come back but that was awesome. #cubs—
Jeff Aronson (@jamfan41) May 18, 2012

Very touching standing ovation farewell for Kerry Wood to an organ rendition of I Did it My Way. So long #34. #fb—
Diane Saucier (@ChicagoDiane) May 18, 2012

Strikeout for Kerry Wood is only batter he faces in last app. ever. Nice gesture, nice result.—
Mike Valenti (@MikeValenti971) May 18, 2012

It's weird watching Wood walk off wrigley field for the last time, it's been a hell of a run for him #LetsGetAWin #GoCubs—
Kyle Brown (@Smile_Frown) May 18, 2012

Great to witness Kerry Wood's final appearance. Glad it was with the Cubs and glad it was a strike out … He'll be missed. #cubs—
Brent Levy (@levydb) May 18, 2012

Man I'm glad Kerry got the out. Son comes out for long embrace. Awesome!—
Angry Cubs Fan (@CubNationAngry) May 18, 2012

Can't end a career any better way for Wood. Strikes out the batter & walks off field with son in arms to a standing ovation #Cubs—
Kyle Tulley (@KPTulley) May 18, 2012

Good for you, Kerry. That's how it should have ended.—
Dustin McComas (@DMcComasOB) May 18, 2012

I watched the 20 K game pitched by Kerry Wood on WGN as a kid… Always a #Cubs fan! Finish strong KWood—
Jeffrey Faust (@jeffreymfaust) May 18, 2012

Good Luck to Kerry Wood in retirement. I'll never forget the 20 K game in '98. #cubs—
Chris Hayden (@chrishayden2) May 18, 2012

Will never forget Kerry Wood's HR in Game 7 of '03 NLCS, followed by adrenaline-induced warm-up toss 10 ft. over Damian Miller's head. #Cubs—
Bryan Goettel (@bryangoettel) May 18, 2012

So long Kerry Wood. Thanks for all the memories not just as a player but as an all around good guy. #Cubs—
Greg (@teamduder) May 18, 2012

Thanks for the memories Kerry Wood. #cubs—
Elizabeth Thorson (@bettyboop1007) May 18, 2012

@KerryWood thanks for the memories! Go #cubs!—
Ian Toney (@4deadinohio) May 18, 2012

Thanks for the memories Kerry Wood #Cubs—
Adam Marantz (@adamstar83) May 18, 2012

Thank you, Kerry Wood. #Cubs—
Stuart Blackstock (@realstustu) May 18, 2012

I believe he'll be an asset to this team for years to come…But man, he looked good in pinstripes.—
Daniel Schell (@thedanielschell) May 18, 2012

Love you Kerry Wood!!—
Taylor Van Fleet (@TayVanFleet23) May 18, 2012

Thanks you Kid K….forever a Cub—
Jay Sonnon (@chicago1734) May 18, 2012

What a classy guy @KerryWood is…one of my favorite Cubs!!! He may not be pitching anymore but he will always be a Chicago Cub!!! #GoCubsGo—
Michelle Hurst (@lmhurst92) May 18, 2012

Sorry, guys. The loss can't erase that Kerry Wood moment. #Cubs—
Christin Haws (@KikiWrites) May 18, 2012

Classiest exit I've ever seen for a ballplayer. Really gonna miss Kerry Wood.—
Roger Hoover (@Roger_Hoover) May 18, 2012

I think I'm gonna roll up into a ball a cry for a while.—
Zeke Newton (@ZekeNewton) May 18, 2012

And with that, another chapter of my childhood comes to an end. #KidK—
Luis M. (@lcm1986) May 18, 2012

Kerry Wood this is not a goodbye, it is a See You Later. #cubs—
Jazmin Espinoza (@jaz1925) May 18, 2012

Click pictures to enlarge

In his 12th major league season with the Cubs, including his second year
in his second stint with the team. Originally selected by the Cubs in the first
round of the 1995 draft.

 Has pitched exclusively in relief since the 2007 campaign, and is 15-19 with
63 saves in 86 chances and a 3.66 ERA (102 ER/251.0 IP) in 256 outings in
that stretch.

 His 1,469 strikeouts with the Cubs rank third in franchise history behind Fergie Jenkins (2,038) and Carlos Zambrano (1,542).

Just met @bullpenbrian in the flesh. This #CubsSocial is turning out great.—
jdot (@fiveoutstogo) May 17, 2012

Ken Griffey Jr for sure RT @DannikaNash: @IAN_STEWART_9 Who's your favorite player in history?—
Ian Stewart (@IAN_STEWART_9) May 17, 2012

Okay guys. *WAKE UP BATS!* #Jobu—
Chris Schackmann (@lastcartridge) May 12, 2012

I like big bunts and I cannot lie. #cubs—
Fake Dale Sveum (@CubsSkipper) May 15, 2012

Love the silence at Busch! Just love it! #cubs—
Between the Vines (@CubsStories) May 15, 2012

To be honest, it angers me when the Cardinals beat *anybody*.—
Daniel Schell (@thedanielschell) May 15, 2012

Rafael Dolis' nickname is Raffle Ticket.. please be a winner please be a winner.—
Angela Cusumano (@angielovescubs) May 12, 2012

My prediction? Soriano hits the DL very soon and LaHair moves to the OF, and Rizzo comes up… the rest is history. #FreeRizzo #cubs—
Born on 3rd CubsBlog (@BornOnThirdCubs) May 15, 2012

“@bullpenbrian: Braves sign Felix Pie. Royals sign Doug Davis. Dodgers sign Aaron Miles. Former #Cubs unite!” Sign A Cubs Reject Day!—
Stan Croussett (@MindofStan) May 14, 2012

How it feels to be a #Chicago sports fan lately: http://t.co/6Z9Im54a—
Ron Santo's Ghost ™ (@RonSantosGhost) May 11, 2012

Some call it the ‘yips’. Golfers call it the ‘shanks’. Baseball players refer to it simply as ‘The Thing’.

Whatever you call it, Matt Garza is suffering from it—his inability to make the simplest of fielding throws.

Another pitcher, Rick Ankiel, famously suffered from the yips with the Cardinals. He eventually coped by converting to an outfielder.

Yankees second baseman Chuck Knoblauch was so riddled by the shanks he too switched to the outfield, and eventually had to become a DH.

Roy McAvoy…that’s another story.

Garza’s case, thankfully, hasn’t reached such extremes. But his two throwing mishaps during Wednesday’s game left me wondering…how much worse will Garza get?

No question Garza’s mental block developed when he threw the ball well wide of first base on Thursday, April 12 against the Brewers.

More specifically, the play was a comebacker from pinch hitter Norichika Aoki that Garza whipped 20-some rows into the Wrigley Field stands behind Bryan LaHair. Not. Even. Close.

The most troubling part of Garza’s error was that it cost him a complete game shutout–literally. Aoki, batting with two down in the ninth, should have been the final batter.

Instead, it turns out Aoki was Garza’s final batter with Dale Sveum electing to go with Shawn Camp to finish off the Cubs 8-0 win. Garza, it seems, has been haunted by the event ever since.

Milwaukee smartly exploited Garza’s fielding weakness with bunt attempts during last Friday’s 8-7 loss in 13-innings. It worked, and thus the word spread through all of baseball on Garza’s condition.

The Phillies didn’t take long to press the issue last night. Juan Pierre, the second batter of the game, challenged Garza with a bunt. Matt’s throw dribbled well short of LaHair. E-1.

In the third inning Pierre bunting again and Garza’s toss barley reached first base. Official scoring ruled it a base hit. Common sense rules it another error.

Regardless, the mental block has only grown worse for the Cubs right-hander.

The Astros will unquestionable force Garza to field the ball in his next start at Houston Monday night. That’s four days for Garza to right the wrongs of his fielding woes.

Maybe it means extra PFP, a visit with the team’s shrink or perhaps, Garza skipping his habitual pre-game meal of Popeye’s Chicken?

Seriously though, I feel bad for Matt. He’s been an exceptional pitcher with the Cubs, a solid complement to Ryan Dempster, and it only gets tougher watching the guy suffer through the embarrassment of the yips.

It can’t be easy on Garza, not with thousands of moaning, groaning or chuckling fans raining down on him with each errant throw.

Grarza’s too good a pitcher not to be right mentally, and too much a competitor not to overcome ‘The Thing’.

Good thing, too, because Matt Garza isn’t converting to an outfielder or retiring any time soon.

I’ve had few frustrations with Dale Sveum through the first 36 games.

For the most part he’s pressing the right buttons, has the team hustling and seems to be getting the most from a team struggling to be relevant in the standings (15-21).

However, Sveums insistence on pitching to Yadier Molina, instead of around him, continues to pain me.

Molina, the noted Cubs killer, nearly cost Sveum and his club a victory Monday night. Less than 24 hours later Sveum wasn’t as lucky when Yadier delivered a walkoff single to RF in the bottom of the ninth Tuesday afternoon.

In both games Sveum had the option to pitch around Molina, recognized league- wide as a tremendous clutch hitter, with first base open and the game in the balance.

Twice Sveum decided to pitch to Molina. Neither time made any sense.

I’m all in favor of Sveum’s heavy use of scouting charts, sabermetrics and defensive shifts. But pitching to Molina appears the result of the skipper being bogged down with too much information for his own good.

Statistics tell us a lot, but not everything. And they certainly don’t account for the feel of a crucial game situation, as was the case with Molina the past two games.

There’s still a place in baseball for a manager’s gut feeling, despite what the numbers say, and facing Yadier Molina in a clutch situation isn’t the time to play the odds (which Molina’s numbers in Late/Close situations suggest the same).

If Sveum’s guilty of anything it’s trying too hard. That’s hardly a fault, but over-thinking no-brainer decisions can be.

I’m certain Sveum knows better than to pitch to Molina in the clutch. Only next time it would serve him well not to over-think the obvious–don’t pitch to Molina.

In this installment of ‘Name that Molina’ I’m talking about Bengie, Jose, Yadier Molina, the Cubs killer who’s a lifetime .281 hitter with 9 HR and 48 RBI through 101 games vs. Chicago.

This year alone he’s batting .346 with 1 HR & 9 RBI against the Cubs. Certainly numbers the Chicago coaching staff are aware of.

But with all due respect to Sveum and his staff, I don’t understand why the Cubs keep pitching to Molina, especially in clutch hitting situations?

In the latest example, Yadier was the centerpiece of the Cardinals sixth inning rally against Dempster driving in two runs with the bases loaded Monday night.

And had it not been for a spectacular relay from Campana to Castro to Soto, it would’ve been a bases clearing hit to tie the score 4-4.

The following batter, Skip Schumaker, made sure of it driving home Molina from third with a sac fly to tie the score 4-4. Molina striking again.

But that wasn’t the last of Yadier who stepped to the plate in the eighth with another chance to tie the game.

With a runner on second and two outs Sveum, inexplicitly, allowed Shawn Camp to pitch to Molina.

To Camp’s credit, he got Molina on a routine flyout to CF ending the threat and the inning. But why on earth was Sveum giving Molina another chance to deliver a clutch hit?

Why not take your chances on Schumaker, the No.8 hitter, with first base open and the pitcher’s spot due up next?

No question the Cubs got away with one last night. But this isn’t the last of they’ll see of Molina–a Cubs killer at his best.

Ryan Dempster staked to a 4-0 lead through five innings felt like money in the bank. Who wouldn’t bet he’d get that elusive first win?

Demps was cruising along needing just 27 pitches to retire 10 of 11 Cardinal batters from the second through fifth innings.

It was all the makings of a streak buster, a winless drought spanning 14 starts (now 15) without Dempster (0-1) earning a victory.

Go figure he’d allow four runs an inning later and leave his 300th career start with a no-decision.

All things considered, it was another strong start from the right-hander whose ERA jumped from 1.02 to 1.74. I mean, seriously. 1.74!

More importantly, the Cubs actually gave Dempster some run support and won a game behind him for the first time in his six outings.

That’s got to be a huge relief for the lineup and for Dempster, who arguably should be undefeated, and the Cubs five wins better than its (15-20) record.

Len & Bob interestingly referenced Kevin Appier’s 1992 campaign with Kansas City when he began the season similar to Dempster going winless through his first five starts with a sparkling 1.27 ERA.

Appier, however, won his next three games including 12 of his next 13 decision to finish the year (15-8) with a 2.46 ERA–and did so on a 90-loss Royals team.

I suppose there’s still hope for Dempster’s record to better reflect his pitching come season’s end. Maybe not 15 wins, but more importantly, if the Cubs keep winning behind him they’ll certainly avoid 90-losses.

Getting that first ‘W’ for Demps would be a good start.