Pirates 4, Cubs 2: Don’t dream, it’s over

Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images Write your own captionAll season long, I’ve written articles here on the 50th anniversary of the star-crossed 1969 Cubs, likely the most famed team that never won anything. (There’s one more such article coming next week.)

I never thought the 2019 Cubs would take that commemoration literally and do nearly the same thing that ballclub did.

Seemingly in control of the N.L. East early in September, the 1969 Cubs lost eight in a row and fell out of first place, never to return.

Seemingly in control of at least a spot in the wild-card game this year, and with a shot at the division title, the 2019 Cubs lost eight in a row and were mathematically eliminated Thursday…