CHICAGO -- The fans here sat quietly through Game 1, as if posing for a painting in Wrigley Field, while the Cubs played dead.
When the faithful arrived Thursday night for what might be the last home game of the season, the die-hards began to show some life. Or maybe they just had more time to drink before the late start.
They were cheering long before Jeff Ray finished the national anthem, then chanting, "Let's Go Cubs," and on their feet demanding Carlos Zambrano strike out Manny Ramirez.
Everyone connected with Triumph Books and the Chicago Tribune undoubtedly on their feet as well, knowing how tough it will be to continue selling the 128-page book, "This is the Year!" if it really isn't.
There was tremendous energy in the old place. It was as if someone had dusted off a copy of the 1984 Cubs' playoff classic, "You Gotta Have Heart," the author here in the stadium, in fact, 24 years after writing the loving ode to the Cubs.
"Come on, I was just trying to survive -- making only $14,000 a year," said Ned Colletti, the author and former Cubs PR guy, who is now working as Dodgers' GM, and hoping his team rips the collective heart out of long-suffering Cubs fans.
The Cubs could've passed out copies of "You Gotta Have Heart" like noisemakers to everyone entering the park since they remain readily available on amazon.com for 30 cents each. No telling what an autographed copy might bring.
But as it turns out, You Gotta Have Nerve to play these postseason games, Manny in the lineup not hurting, and by the time this one was over, the Dodgers had won something like 100 to nothing.
The Cubs became unglued as usual with the heat turned up in this icebox, while our heroes continued to play with a carefree air about them, which also traces directly back to Manny's arrival.
The Cubs were so tight, their catcher couldn't get the ball back to the pitcher without bouncing it at his feet. And their first, second, and third baseman took turns making errors. The bad news Cubbie bears. Later, the shortstop made an error, the Cubs going inept around the horn.
The Dodgers had the bases loaded in the second, meanwhile, because the Cubs were rattled. Catcher Russell Martin, who came here saying, "I wanted to play the Cubs because I just love this atmosphere," then cleared them with a double.
It was so quiet in Wrigley Field, you could hear Dodgers fans back home cheering.
