Cubs' Epstein wants to avoid century mark
The Chicago Cubs are going all-out in their quest not to lose 100 games this season.
Well, almost all-out. Team president Theo Epstein met with reporters on the field before Friday's 7-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. It was the Cubs' first game after a long, 10-game road trip.
Epstein said he sees the symbolic value in not losing 100, something the Cubs have not done since the 1966 club lost 103.
"No one wants to be associated with a 100-loss team," Epstein said. "It would be really nice to avoid. We're going to try to win every game. If we can win enough to avoid 100, that would be a small victory, but it's certainly better than losing 100. The guys feel that. No one wants to be a part of that."
While trying to win every game, Epstein said the Cubs will not do anything to hinder a young player's development or compromise a players' health just to win.
In other words, right-hander Jeff Samardzija won't go back into the rotation just to secure a victory that means nothing substantively.
"It will be interesting to see if he talks his way into a pinch-hitting appearance," Epstein joked. "But the rotation, definitely not."
Epstein also said he was happy the club has not "quit," despite the overwhelmingly losing record.
"For a team that's where we are in the standings, this has been one of the best clubhouses I've been around," he said. "They show up to play every day. They're prepared. They work hard. With very rare exceptions, we've played really hard for nine innings every game and left it all on the field.
"Usually, when you have a losing environment, when you're losing on the field, it starts to seep into the clubhouse a little bit and you see some things that shouldn't happen. Really, I haven't seen much of that this year. I've been proud of the way we've conducted ourselves."
