You might recall that I wrote about the 1973 Cubs in my article reflecting on the upcoming 2021 season the day before Opening Day.
That team was very much like the one we are watching in freefall this summer: A club that was in its seventh consecutive season of contending in the National League, with a core of beloved ballplayers.
The 1973 Cubs raced out to a 48-33 first half and after splitting a doubleheader with the Mets July 1, led the NL East by eight games. It felt as if the Cubs would finally, at last, bring home a division title, perhaps a NL pennant or even a World Series.