CHICAGO _ Any resemblance between the 1997 Cubs and the 2019 version is purely coincidental, even though they're linked by two of the worst starts the team has endured in the last 22 years.
The current Cubs, who take a 3-7 record into Wednesday's game against the Pirates, have scored plenty of runs but have been done in by bullpen implosions and defensive mishaps. The '97 team could neither hit nor catch the ball, dropping their first 14 games to set a National League record for consecutive losses to start a season.
The '97 season started with broadcaster Harry Cary, who had reduced his schedule, filling in for Josh Lewin on the Opening-Day telecast after Lewin contracted chickenpox from one of his children.
"They were afraid he might contaminate the team," Caray said with a laugh.
The Cubs didn't have to worry about chickenpox, but they did have to deal with the Billy Goat curse. They finished in last place in the National League Central at 68-94.
Here's a comparison of the '97 Cubs and the '19 Cubs:
