Levine: Cubs Stay Accountable In Facing Season's Greatest Adversity

By Bruce Levine--

LOS ANGELES (CBS) -- Despite struggles that have caused them to face their season's greatest adversity, the Cubs are standing up and being accountable. This has been after tough losses all season and notably so now, with Chicago trailing 2-1 in the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Talking about failure in the biggest games of the year isn't easy for anyone, veteran or youngster.

"It's just part of the job," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "That is the way I see it. We stand up there when things are always good. You have to stand up there when things are not so good. I think that is the lesson to be learned here. I am really proud of my guys, the way they handled things all season long. All year we have kind of been that group that everyone has been chasing, and I think our guys have handled it exceptionally well."

The veteran corp of the team, led by 39-year-old catcher David Ross, has always been in communication with teammates about standing up and being accountable on good, bad and indifferent days on the field.

And everyone seems to understand the drill. They have embraced the media target in a respectful and professional way even in these most stressful times, such at the ones they face now, just two losses from elimination.

"Look, sometimes you'd rather than not talk than get up and tell you what is really on their minds," left-hander Jon Lester said. "I would not blame some guys from sometimes taking a break.

Under the microscope of some tough losses, the Cubs have stayed the course.

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.