CHICAGO (AP) Asked to describe the season in one word, Chicago Cubs manager Dusty Baker thought for several seconds and came up with this: "Anguish."
"It was filled with ups and downs and a constant struggle," Baker said later. "There was never a point where you felt you were in control for a long extended period of time."
So, two years after coming within five outs of their first World Series since 1945, the Cubs are back in restructuring mode.
For the second straight season, there were numerous injuries to key players. This time the Cubs could not compensate for the absences, overcome their own lapses in fundamentals or deal with the excellence of St. Louis. The Cubs finished fourth at 79-83, 21 games back of the Cardinals, ending their modest run of two straight winning seasons.
Twice they had to watch their top rivals in the division - the Cardinals and the Astros - celebrate in front of them after clinching postseason berths.
"It's been tough. We didn't fulfill our expectations, so it will make for a long winter," said Derrek Lee, who had a breakout season, winning the NL batting title with a .335 average to go with 46 homers and 107 RBIs.
Lee didn't get a lot of help.
Nomar Garciaparra, who'd been re-signed to provide offensive spark after the departures of Sammy Sosa and Moises Alou, missed 3½ months after tearing his groin while leaving the batter's box on April 20. Now the Cubs must decide again whether to bring back Garciaparra.
He even made the switch to third base late in the season after Aramis Ramirez (.302, 31 homers, 92 RBIs) hurt his quadriceps. Garciaparra finished with a .283 average in 230 at-bats.
The most damaging and telling injuries once again hit pitching staff, especially Kerry Wood and Mark Prior, who were slowed by arm problems once again. They combined for 14 victories, matching their total in 2004.
Wood had two stints on the disabled list, switched to relief in an attempt to reduce stress on his sore shoulder but then opted for season-ending surgery Aug. 31. He wants to rejoin the rotation and hopes to be ready for spring training. He made only 10 starts, finishing 3-4.
Prior started the season on the DL with a sore elbow and then got hit in the elbow with a line drive in late May. He wound up 11-7.
Center fielder Corey Patterson, once projected as a five-tool star, was sent back to Triple-A for a stint to shorten his batting stroke but he struggled just as much after returning and hit .215 as fans at Wrigley Field booed.
wink91wink 
