History of cubs success question.?

Question

I recently heard an interview with a guy that played with the cubs in the late 60's and the white sox and one other team in the early to mid 70's. He said that with the cubs playing so many day games at home, the sunlight and heat got to them, while their competitors were playing night games in cooler temps, and essentially altering average playing temperatures. He said that when he went back there as an opposing player he could feel the daylight sun zap energy out of him. Even though they play alot of games at night still, they play alot of games during the day. what are your thoughts of this and do you think this is a big reason for their struggles since 1908

Answer 1

That's the best one I've heard since the World Champion Pirates lost the first game ever played in the Houston Astrodome to the (then) hapless Houston Astros: "We're not used to hitting indoor pitching".

When they won in 1908 they played at Westside Park. Wrigley wasn't built yet. So, you could also say it was the change in venues which doomed them for the past hundred years.

Until TV started flexing its marketing muscles, most games were played during the day at most parks in the majors. That included most of the World Series games as well. That had been true until only the past two decades.  

Answer 2

I remember '69, in fact I attended the Holtzman no-hitter against the Braves on August 19th. There have been excuses of all kinds. Leo overused his starters, black cat, billy goat. You name the excuse, they are all good.

My take on the story you got, was the guy was out of shape, or end of his career. If an athlete is in shape, and healthy, the daytime for a couple hours a day should be a piece of cake.

Answer 3

Yeah I'd probably use that excuse to if I didn't have any other. That's baloney!

P.S. The advantage would go to the Cubs during day games because they would be more used to it anyway!!!

Answer 4

that could be a reason (who would want to play most of their games in the blistering heat?). I think today their are better trained athletes and are better conditioned to handle hot and humid weather like that, so their shouldn't be any excuses like that from here on out.

Answer 5

I'd say that what he sad is a definite possibility.  Chicago in the summer can be very humid and sticky making playing conditions very bad for players.  There's nothing really that can be done though.  Wrigley Field is in a residential area and there is a deal with the city of Chicago that they can only play a certain number of night games a year.  I think the only thing that can be done is try and give the players more days off then usual and I think Lou has done a pretty good job of managing the players and keeping them healthy.