Cubs vs. Giants Tickets
In 2004, misfortune struck the Cubs again. Having the Wild Card lead by a game and a half on September 24, the Cubs proceeded to drop 7 of their last 9 games, mostly to teams with sub .500 records, and Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants tikets relinquished the Wild Card to the then red-hot Houston Astros. This time, the fallout was decidedly unlovable, as the Cubs traded superstar Sammy Sosa in the off-season, after he had left the final game early and then attempted to lie about it publicly. Sosa, already a controversial figure in the clubhouse, Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants tikets alienated much of his fan base (and the few team members who still were on good terms with him) with this incident, leaving his place in Cubs' lore possibly tarnished for years to come. The disappointing season also led to the departure of popular commentator Steve Stone, who became increasingly critical of Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants tikets management toward season's end.
Inconsistency struck the Cubs for their 2005 season, as the team finished in fourth place in the NL Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants tikets Central and, at 79-83, under .500 for the first time since 2002. Injuries to pitchers Mark Prior and Kerry Wood, as well as to starting shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, robbed the team of players expected before the Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants tikets season started to make major contributions. Despite the mediocre overall team performance, the team Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants tikets witnessed a career year from first baseman Derrek Lee (.335 batting average, 46 home runs, 107 RBIs) and the rise of closer Ryan Dempster (33 saves in 35 save opportunities).
After posting a below-.500 record for the first time since 2002, the Cubs retooled for the 2006 campaign. Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants tikets During the 2005 offseason, the Cubs revamped their outfield, acquiring speedy center fielder Juan Pierre from the Florida Marlins for three young pitchers (including Sergio Mitre and Ricky Nolasco). The Cubs Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants tikets also signed free agent outfielder Jacque Jones to a 3-year deal to fill a hole in right field. Veterans Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants tikets Bob Howry and Scott Eyre were both brought in to shore up the bullpen - each received a 3-year contract. Former blue-chip prospect Corey Patterson, who despite short flashes of brilliance never showed the ability to play well consistently at the big league level, was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for two Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants tikets minor leaguers. The Cubs also saw shortstop Nomar Garciaparra depart via free agency to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Starting pitcher Wade Miller, formerly of the Red Sox and Astros, was also signed, getting a 1 Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants tikets year, $1 million contract, and he made his Cubs debut in September.
The Cubs came out of the gate hot in 2006, but an injury to All-Star first baseman Derrek Lee sent the team into a tailspin of historic proportions. In early May, the team set a franchise record for offensive futility by scoring only 13 runs in 11 games. On two separate occasions within a month, the Cubs tied a Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants tikets team record by allowing 8 home runs in a single game. On July 16, the Cubs had a 5-2 lead over the Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants tikets National League record leading New York Mets before giving up an 11 run rally to them in the sixth inning, 8 of which were scored on grand slams by Cliff Floyd and Carlos Beltran, the first time the Cubs have ever Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants tikets given up two grand slams in a single inning. The 11 runs were the largest amount of runs ever scored in a Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants tikets single inning by a Mets team. The Cubs finished the season 66-96; they have now decreased their win total each year by at least 10 each year beginning in 2004.