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ESPN 1000 - Done Deal

ESPN 1000 is reporting that the Cubs have hired Lou Piniella. There will be a news conference tomorrow to make it official.  The same report says that Rothschild will be brought back, John McLaren will be the bench coach, and Mike Quade will be added to the coaching staff, as the hitting coach, I presume.

The Piniella deal is for three years.

Well, Piniella wasn't my first choice, but I'm not going to crucify him just yet.  For now, he's the Cubs manager so I wish him all the luck in the world.  He's going to need it.

PS - Screw you, Rothschild.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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I think I'm going to be sick
Dusty with a bad temper. That should go over really big with this crew.
"It's hard to put your finger on it. You have to have a dullness of mind and spirit to play here." --Jim Brosnan

by cubbiejulie on Oct 16, 2006 12:56 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Should've hired Mel Gibson...
hhhhiftqdaa

by theprognosticator on Oct 16, 2006 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

No, that's who FOX should hire!
To replace Steve Lyons.
"The main thing is to *win* ..." John McGraw.

by Littlerock Rynofan on Oct 16, 2006 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Post of the Day
I've known Lyons was an idiot ever since they showed video of Maddux pitching to Bonds way back when they first entered the league. Lyons goes "I don't want to start a big controversy, but Maddux looks bigger."

At first I thought he was making a really funny joke, then I realized that he was serious.

"It's hard to put your finger on it. You have to have a dullness of mind and spirit to play here." --Jim Brosnan

by cubbiejulie on Oct 16, 2006 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

grrr
I would have eventually gotten over my nostalgic choice of Giradi not getting the job

but Rothschild!?!?!?!  Piniella is pissing me off before he even steps into the clubhouse

by flyball on Oct 16, 2006 12:59 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Yup, me too.
Quade, I'd think, would wind up as 3B coach, not hitting coach. Hitting coach would be someone else -- maybe Von Joshua? That'd work for me.

Rothschild should not be allowed anywhere NEAR this pitching staff, ever again.

by Al on Oct 16, 2006 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

at least
he should hold his players accountable, which is a clear positive to having him as our manager and separates him from dusty

by kylejo on Oct 16, 2006 12:59 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Great....
Another manager who probably thinks OPS is a shipping company.

by BadGuy on Oct 16, 2006 1:03 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

What?
This is ridiculous.  People bashing Piniella without any evidence.  It's a joke.  Piniella's teams were consistently in the upper third of the league in on-base % and he always showed an improvement over the previous management and throughout his tenure.  Go look it up!

by Maddog on Oct 16, 2006 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's true
but to be fair, Piniella has admitted on national TV that he does not know what OPS and WHIP are.

by VS on Oct 16, 2006 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That was
tongue in cheeck.  A way to say that he values other stuff more than that.  He clearly understands it as it's one of the areas of his teams that are generally very good.

by Maddog on Oct 16, 2006 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I hope you're right
"There's too many stats"
"What's WHIP?"

From his mouth, on Fox.

But anyway, I'm not that worried about him understanding what OPS and WHIP are.  My main concern is that he takes care of Zambrano's arm.  Looking at the numbers you posted on 1060west, it seems he's much better than Dusty at handling a pitching staff.

by VS on Oct 16, 2006 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

As much as managers
are asked about this stat and that stat, I might say the same thing.  

I don't even particularly care if he knows what those stats are.  If he preaches patience, as he implied he did in the OAK/DET series and his team stats as manager back that up then I don't really care if he even knows what OBP is.  He clearly understands the value of not making an out.  That's good enough for me if he preaches the fundamentals offensively and defensively.

by Maddog on Oct 16, 2006 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

exactly
matters not if he doesn't know the acronyms, as long as the results end up the same. OBP and OPS are the end result of being patient, and having good hitters. the OBP and slugging will come with good players.

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Oct 16, 2006 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't disagree
He's a fundamentally sound Manager and that will yield results that will put his teams on the top, that still doesn't mean he knows what it is.

by BadGuy on Oct 16, 2006 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Good luck...
in trying to change hearts and minds.... Too many are into the mob mentality....

Personally, I think Piniella will be alright.  Everything will depend on Hendry.....

he hath no fury like a cubs fan scorned

by timeforachange on Oct 16, 2006 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I was
willing to give Piniella a shot, not my first choice, but whatever

give me one good reason to trust Rothschild, and if that is who Piniella is bringing on board then I think that is strike one against him

by flyball on Oct 16, 2006 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I can not...
and will not give any reason as to why Rothschild is being allowed to comeback....

I am hoping that this is not true. I (we) have suffered too much for this to be allowed to happen.

he hath no fury like a cubs fan scorned

by timeforachange on Oct 16, 2006 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maddog
I fully agree with you, most of the posts choose to deal in fantasy rather than reality.  My God, you'd think Girardi was a HOF manager.  I bet he doesn't get the Washington job either.  What makes these guys think Girardi is a stats type manager? Anybody, please supply some evidence.  Lou knows when pitchers suck, doesn't need a fantasy term of WHIP to tell that.  As far as hitters go, he knows when a hitter sucks, even though he has a good OBP-I even know that former favorites Choi, B. Hill, Ben Grieve,Mark Belhorn all suck as hitters, but hey their OBP was really good.  Big Deal.

Lou is the best choice and Girardi is overrated as to what his philosophy might be.

by cubswin on Oct 16, 2006 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Reply

What makes these guys think Girardi is a stats type manager? Anybody, please supply some evidence.

Has anybody said that Girardi is a stats type manager?


 Lou knows when pitchers suck, doesn't need a fantasy term of WHIP to tell that.

Fanyasy term? Please.  WHIP is as simple as it gets.


 even know that former favorites Choi, B. Hill, Ben Grieve,Mark Belhorn all suck as hitters, but hey their OBP was really good.  Big Deal.

Choi was an above average hitter in 03. Hill did indeed suck, but he was a better option than, say, Neifi.  Bellhorn had a great year for the Cubs in 02, and a bad one in 04.  He didn't suck as a hitter.  Grieve only had 36 ABs for the Cubs, so I think it's pointless to bring him up.  Nonetheless, he was about average in his short time here.


As far as hitters go, he knows when a hitter sucks, even though he has a good OBP

Ok, do you have evidence to back up this claim?

by VS on Oct 16, 2006 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

WHIP is a simple idea
that really came up when fantasy ball started in the early 80's.  You really might want to look that up.  
You jump on Lou because of lack of a love affair for stats, yet Girardi is better?  At what?

As far as Belhorn, Hill, Choi, Grieve-yes they do and did suck as hitters that is why even Billy Beane doesn't want them, yet you think they were decent.  That speaks volumes.

by cubswin on Oct 16, 2006 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Reply

You jump on Lou because of lack of a love affair for stats, yet Girardi is better?  At what?

I "jump on him"? Please, All I'd like is for him to have a better grip on certain stats. That would make him a better manager and help the team in the long run.

And when did I say Girardi was better in that regard? I didn't.  They're pretty much the same.  Both are old school and give up too many outs.  At least Girardi is young and cheaper.


As far as Belhorn, Hill, Choi, Grieve-yes they do and did suck as hitters

For the most part, no they don't.  As I already mentioned, when they were Cubs they were all average/above average.

by VS on Oct 16, 2006 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Let's see
where are they playing?  Boston's minor league team DFA'd Choi, same with the Padres and Hill and Belhorn and Grieve sat in his house all last season.

Yes they do suck as major league hitters.

by cubswin on Oct 16, 2006 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

No
Once again, they were all average/above average when they were Cubs. Grieve has actually had a very good career.  Just because a team has no need for them doesn't mean they suck. How hard is it to understand that?

by VS on Oct 16, 2006 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ridiculous
Your arguments are completely ridiculous.  First off, WHIP is no more a fantasy stat than batting average or ERA.  OPS, WHIP, VORP, EqA, BABIP, RC/27 may be difficult for you to understand, but they're valuable analytical tools that enable one to gain a better understandind of a player's ability.  Anti-sabermeticians continue to argue that these measurements don't mean anything next to a gut feeling or a knack for putting the right team on the field, and that's complete bunk.  Nobody's arguing that experience and situational knowledge of the game aren't important and that the human element of the game isn't as valuable as the statistical one, but a failure to utilize higher level statistical analysis of the game is the equivalent of going through life with one eye shut.  And just so you know, digging a little deeper into the numbers will tell you why all those former players you named really suck, regardless of their 'great OBP's' (which isn't even accurate if you do a perfunctory check of their career statistics).

Also, the rational members of this forum have never proclaimed Joe Girardi to be the 2nd coming of Miller Huggins.  We're angry because of what the Piniella hiring represents, or more accurately, what it doesn't.  This managerial vacancy offered a golden opportunity to move this team back in a positive direction, setting a tone for the next several years that would provide some optimism for a rebound from the running in place doldrums that signified the post-2003 Dusty-era.  Instead, we get a 63 year old retread who seems more burned out than Dusty did in the last few months.  Read the Tampa Bay blogs about 'Sweet Lou''s final days, and we're not getting a recipe for success.  Did anybody want this hiring besides Jim Hendry? This isn't like the Dusty hiring at all.  When he came aboard, most of us felt he was the right man for the job, and his first season seemed to prove us right.  There was so much hope and enthusiasm at the beginning of his tenure, and I just don't see that now.  I hope my dire forecast is wrong, but I just don't see this franchise doing anything right now but running in place and perhaps regressing further.  Forgive me if I'm wrong but hasn't the biggest problem over the last couple of seasons been our pitching? I'm glad to know that Larry Rothschild will be coming back to ensure this doesn't change.  

Finally, please explain to us why Lou is the 'best choice'? Seriously, I'd love to read a detailed analysis of his skills and a well-researched comparison to ten of the other most prominent managerial candidates available.  

by TMOX on Oct 16, 2006 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Steve Stone on ESPN suggesting this trade
that this is a great move.  Thinks Lou is the best talent evaluator as a manager.

Think I'll take his opinion over yours.  BTW, what job in baseball do you have?  I'd think someone with your vast knowledge would be in high demand.

by cubswin on Oct 16, 2006 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Still Waiting
Just because I didn't spend the last 20 years in the energy business doesn't mean I can't tell you that Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling ran Enron into the ground.  I've spent a long time analyzing organizations and managerial efficiencies, but to be honest, I don't really care whose word you trust as the end-all-be-all of baseball wisdom.

Oh, and I'm still waiting for your detailed analysis of why Piniella's the best available manager for the job (maybe you're working on Ken Macha's entry or something).  

by TMOX on Oct 16, 2006 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Kind of waiting on your profound analysis of
managerial candidates.  You sure seem to have all the analysis of a message board genius.
Please expound on your vast knowledge that no one other than you thinks is important.

Your knowledge of anything seems to be nothing more than amateur second-guessing.  
Let me just say that in the world of baseball knowledge, you seem to be running in last place.
Please explain why anyone should respect your amateur opinion?  You are a joke.

by cubswin on Oct 16, 2006 7:37 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That
is the appeal to authority fallacy  My position is right because a more respected person thinks it is.

Steve Stone also said very nice things about Dusty Baker when he was first hired.  And Don Baylor.  And if we had hired Joe Girardi, what would he say about him?  

Piniella is the sympton, not the disease

by Josh77 on Oct 16, 2006 6:43 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

see above
message board genius.  Gee, whose opinion has more background?  Yours or Stone?  
You seem to be part of the clown time message boards are known for, anonymous genius's with no background.  Congrats.

by cubswin on Oct 16, 2006 7:39 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Stop the name-calling.
Further, at least the above posters backed up their positions with details or facts. All you said was that if it was good enough for Steve Stone, that it was good enough for you.

That's fine, but you surely do NOT have the right to call other posters names because you don't agree with them.

by Al on Oct 16, 2006 8:15 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

WGN is saying
the official announcement could come down this afternoon.
"The main thing is to *win* ..." John McGraw.

by Littlerock Rynofan on Oct 16, 2006 1:08 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

News conference...
... apparently tomorrow.

by Al on Oct 16, 2006 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

ESPN.Com
Link

3 mil per season (though that figure is not official).

by VS on Oct 16, 2006 1:08 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

We even made the Yahoo front page...
Something you couldn't guarantee if it had been Joe Girardi!
hhhhiftqdaa

by theprognosticator on Oct 16, 2006 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Rothschild?
Well, at least the Bears will look good over the next three years.
AC036198

by gjdow on Oct 16, 2006 1:08 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

rothschild
im more upset about him being left around then Piniella being brought in.
AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike on Oct 16, 2006 1:35 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

100% agreed...
Here come the towel drills and simulated games all over again... I honestly thought that Cubs pitchers would have done better last year on their own than with Rothschild advice.

Luis

by Luis on Oct 16, 2006 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

not that I'm a LR fan at all...
...but I seem to recall simulated games as being a tool that every pitching coach uses for pitchers returning from injury.

Hell, even Oakland uses them.

However, I'm pretty sure most other pitching coaches shun the pullover.

hhhhiftqdaa

by theprognosticator on Oct 16, 2006 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I wouldn't hate getting Piniella...
Except that he's bringing back Rothschild. This was his choice. Even if Hendry said, "No, Lou, I don't care what you say, I'm bringing back Larry." Which we all know didn't happen. Lou could have turned down the offer.

Piniella wanted Rothschild back. That, all by itself, should be reason enough to be mad that Piniella was hired, regardless of OBP, WHIP, winning percentages or whatever.

Mark my words (not that anyone will and who cares), but if Rothschild is on for the duration, the Cubs will have one of the worst pitching staffs around. That is worse than Piniella being hired. But since it was his call, I'm pissed Piniella is the Cubs manager.

Seriously, I don't need to win in '07 or '08. I can take two more 90-loss seasons if we have some talent to build with. Let's start over and do this right.

by tyger1147 on Oct 16, 2006 1:37 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

He will. He will.
Mark my words (not that anyone will and who cares), but if Rothschild is on for the duration, the Cubs will have one of the worst pitching staffs around. That is worse than Piniella being hired. But since it was his call, I'm pissed Piniella is the Cubs manager.

Al has a very long memory!!!

"Al put a year-old quote of mine about Scott Spezio in a quote box, and all I got was this lousy T-shirt."

by drone1047 on Oct 16, 2006 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Welcome Sweet Lou
Good luck Lou.  Here's hoping Jim Hendry gains religion on how to properly construct a farm system, make smart free agent signings and properly structure trades.  But be prepared.  Cub fans NOTORIOUSLY overrate the value of manager.  Somehow I imagine you don't give a flying f*%^ what some fans will have to say, to include the sabermetrician geeks who have already despise you.  

by BlueMike on Oct 16, 2006 1:39 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Larry Rothschild
Groan.  That's all I can say.  Several more years of a "pitching coach" who can't diagnose mechanical faults and who has yet to "coach up" a single damned Cub pitching prospect.

by BlueMike on Oct 16, 2006 1:41 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm OK with this
 Wasn't originally, but the more I read about Lou, the more I like him. I think we'll find that he's much more than just a hothead. I see something very unique about him.

 I dont get the hate for Rothschild. I thought he did fine with less than nothing last year. the Cubs lost a lot of games because they didn't score any runs. Which was partly because they were managed by one of biggest buffoons in MLB history.

by Matt Allison on Oct 16, 2006 1:48 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I think...
... it's because he is perceived as the "anti-Baker" because of Baker's laid-back style and Piniella's aggressive, argumentative style.

The problem is, that he is, IMO, the same guy, only angrier. Nothing will change unless better players are acquired, and with Rothschild apparently returning, I don't foresee any change in the handling of pitchers, something that's been complained about loudly, and correctly, here and elsewhere for several years.

by Al on Oct 16, 2006 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

History is going to
look a lot more favorably on Dusty Baker than people care to admit around here.  Dusty proved 100% accurate in his "assessment" of much of the young talent on this roster (Choi, Hill, Dubois and Harris in the negative sense, Murton in the positive sense).

Dusty didn't have the horses the past several seasons.  If Sweet Lou has to deal with the crappy roster Dusty had to deal with, plus injuries like Mark Prior's recurring vaginitis, then the results won't be much different.  

The ONUS is on Jim Hendry.  

by BlueMike on Oct 16, 2006 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

History....
will not look favorably on Dusty.

His teams lacked discipline (calling the booth, ect...), focus and failed to play sound, fundemental baseball. Bottom line: They under performed when they had talent.  

Plain and simple, Dusty failed this team.

he hath no fury like a cubs fan scorned

by timeforachange on Oct 16, 2006 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

holy crap
I agree with you.
Go Hawkeyes...Beat Michigan!!!

by sue369 on Oct 16, 2006 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

See....
dogs and cats can live peacefully.....
he hath no fury like a cubs fan scorned

by timeforachange on Oct 16, 2006 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

lol
Go Hawkeyes...Beat Michigan!!!

by sue369 on Oct 16, 2006 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Why scapegoat Rothchild?
Agree getting most out of pitchers and development after Prior-Z didn't seem to be his forte, but why villify the guy?

By time these pitchers get to majors they should be ready and have the right mechanics and some semblance of control--something Cub pitchers of late have lacked.

What is the Pinella-Rothchild connection anyway that makes everyone assume LR will be retained?

Don't think it matters a great deal at least he knows our guys and is highly regarded throughout baseball...must know something.

Admit I was intrigued by the Girardi connection bringing in his guy Kranitz (splg?) formely of Cub system. But the main thing is improving the lineup and fortifying the rotation; bullpen isn't a disaster.

Listening to Sweet Lou on playoffs, his insights are of an obvious nature--hope he's got more inside baseball knowledge than he's shown as an analyst. I believe Brenley did or does, but the booth may not showcase everyone's true talent on the field...Dusty is OK on ESPN by the way, maybe that's his next (holdover) gig until the right managerial opening comes along, but I bet he'd like a crack at A;s in his beloved Bay Area.

by writerinwrigley on Oct 16, 2006 2:05 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Rothschild...
... worked for Piniella in Cincinnati.

Who was Piniella's pitching coach in Seattle? Who did he have in Tampa?

by Al on Oct 16, 2006 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Does...
Rothschild have any years left on his contract?
he hath no fury like a cubs fan scorned

by timeforachange on Oct 16, 2006 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nope
All coaches have (had) one year contracts.

by JFCubFan on Oct 16, 2006 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Answer
Bryan Price was Piniella's pitching coach in Seattle.  He was retained when Bob Melvin took over and became Melvin's pitching coach in Arizona when Mike Hargrove took over in Seattle.

Price was in the Mariners organization for a long time and is very highly respected.  He is under contract for 2007 with the D'Backs.

Chuck Hernandez was Piniella's pitching coach in Tampa Bay...he is currently pitching coach for the (drum roll, please) Detroit Tigers and Chuck would probably get 2006 MLN pitching coach of the year, if there were such an award.

by jazzman56 on Oct 16, 2006 6:29 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Food for thought
A.  It took until March 2006 for paid "pitching guru" Larry Rothschild to diagnosis that Kerry Wood and Mark Vaginitis Prior had serious flaw with their mechanics dating ALL THE WAY BACK TO 2003.  Good old Larry only took 36 months to figure it out!!!!  

B.  Name one young Cub pitcher where Larry has served as a positive mentor and managed to "coach up" the young man.  

by BlueMike on Oct 16, 2006 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Big Z
has done pretty well under Larry's watch.

by Oscarson1 on Oct 16, 2006 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He's gotten older...
and any player with great ability SHOULD get better as they enter their fourth/fifth/sixth year. Especially when they have Greg Maddux sitting next them.

That being said, his ERA and walks have both increased the last two years. Something I do NOT want to see.

At best, the guy has gotten no better other than what age/maturity has given him. He may have even gotten worse overall.

Seriously, I don't need to win in '07 or '08. I can take two more 90-loss seasons if we have some talent to build with. Let's start over and do this right.

by tyger1147 on Oct 16, 2006 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Actually
Z has regressed every year since 04.

by VS on Oct 16, 2006 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I just
don't get the Rothschild love those people have for him.
Go Hawkeyes...Beat Indiana!!!

by sue369 on Oct 16, 2006 2:06 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I agree with this move...

...if we plan on promptly trading him away for CF Randy Winn!  

by Ghost of Fred Merkle on Oct 16, 2006 2:13 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

PERFECT!!!
n/t
Seriously, I don't need to win in '07 or '08. I can take two more 90-loss seasons if we have some talent to build with. Let's start over and do this right.

by tyger1147 on Oct 16, 2006 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's official.
See www.cubs.com for details.

God, grant me the patience ...

"The main thing is to *win* ..." John McGraw.

by Littlerock Rynofan on Oct 16, 2006 2:31 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

No, He will not...
...no rest for the weary.

So sayeth God to Cub fans.

hhhhiftqdaa

by theprognosticator on Oct 16, 2006 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe the Serenity Prayer?
n/t
"The main thing is to *win* ..." John McGraw.

by Littlerock Rynofan on Oct 16, 2006 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

By the way...
for anyone who (ridiculously-like me) follows Cubs.com, get ready for Carrie Muskat to finally start acknowledging everything that went wrong this past year.

By doing that, any signing that even remotely addresses a need (say, signing someone with a .340 OBP) can be lauded ad nauseum. Plus, whenever Piniella or whomever else says, "We need guys to be more patient..." she can say how smart and insightful he is.

Just saying (not that anyone cares) don't start thinking she turned a corner of insight here.

Seriously, I don't need to win in '07 or '08. I can take two more 90-loss seasons if we have some talent to build with. Let's start over and do this right.

by tyger1147 on Oct 16, 2006 2:47 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

pinella
probably isn't any better or worse as a game tactician than giardi. i would've preferred giardi, but the pinella hiring, if nothing else, says that the cubs are likely to make some impact moves this year. i doubt pinella signs with the worst team in the nl if he isn't made some assurances that hendry will make the requisite moves to improve the team dramatically.

the worst news is that rothschild is returning. he has done NOTHING positive since he's been here. He has done NOTHING to improve the mechanics of any of the pitcher who's mechanics are flawed. Towel drills notwithstanding, you can see that the way he has his pitchers approach hitters is flawed. All our pitchers focus on getting strikeouts at the expense of high pitch counts early in games and lots of walks. his pitching philosophy is terrible and it is a crime that he is being brought back.

I wonder if bringing in rothschild was a condition of the job, and if that affected whether giardi was brought in.

And are you kidding me, did that loser Mike63/Blueboohoo/bluemike come back under ANOTHER name after being banned AGAIN? I'm not sure if i've encountered a more pathetic jerk anywhere on the internet. Who comes to give their opinions incessantly where they aren'y wanted, where you are universally disliked, and where you are banned by an extrordinarily tolerant moderator not once but twice. what a sad life you must lead to keep coming back here.

by tomas21 on Oct 16, 2006 3:15 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

He emailed
Al and Al asked him to apologize to us and he did.
Go Hawkeyes...Beat Michigan!!!

by sue369 on Oct 16, 2006 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Your personal apology
has been sent overnight courier.  

by BlueMike on Oct 16, 2006 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'd like mine by candygram please...
eat me catuli!

by theprognosticator on Oct 16, 2006 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

ARam
I can't wait to see how Aramis Ramirez performs with Pinella barking over his shoulder to hustle.  Let's hope he earns every penny this year if he re-signs.
So I jump ship in Hong Kong...

by Ryetronics on Oct 16, 2006 3:31 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm pretty sure........
Aramis will be fine playing for Pinella.
"Some advice: Stop worrying about being a good corporate citizen."-Phil Rodgers to Jim Hendry 10/6/06

by PriorandAramisfan23 on Oct 16, 2006 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I semi-wonder if A-Ram
will seek greener pastures now that Sweet Lou Piniella is sheriff in town.  A-Ram plays like a dog way, way, way more than Piniella will ever tolerate.  If A-Ram does come back, then he'd better plan on turning over a new leaf.  Or purchasing a kevlar lined pair of underwear because Sweet Lou is going to shove his size 12 up his ass.  

by BlueMike on Oct 16, 2006 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe
he won't get bonked in the noggin again by an infield popup with Piniella on his ass there on the third base side.

by JFCubFan on Oct 16, 2006 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If he does...
...Piniella will throw a base at him.
eat me catuli!

by theprognosticator on Oct 16, 2006 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

then dye his hair
n/t
"I respect the mind's power over the body, it's why I do what I do" - Dr. Jonathan Crane

by Faith plus 1 on Oct 16, 2006 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

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