All Coaches Let Go!

by andysilv on Oct 4, 2006 4:55 AM CDT

Here:

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/82450,CST-SPT-csep04.article

Rothschild, Clines every one of them gone. As I'm sure you will agree, this is great news.

"The clean sweep included pitching coach Larry Rothschild, the only member of the staff who preceded the Baker era."

"Also let go were bench coach Dick Pole, hitting coach Gene Clines, first-base coach Gary Matthews, third-base coach Chris Speier, bullpen coach Juan Lopez and bullpen catcher Benny Cadahia."

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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How can anyone make a case

for any of these guys staying? This is good news.

"We're only 37 games into it. I have a lot of faith in Dusty that he'll be able to pull us out."--- Jim Hendry 5/16/06 Chgo Tribune

by SonnyJ9 on Oct 4, 2006 6:24 AM CDT reply actions

Glory, hallelujah...

Let it be.

by ontheuptick on Oct 4, 2006 6:41 AM CDT reply actions

Amen!

Git 'er done!

by KChiCubs on Oct 4, 2006 6:51 AM CDT reply actions

Oh my god

I think I'm happier now than when Baker was fired. No more Clines, no more Rothschild!

by VS on Oct 4, 2006 6:57 AM CDT reply actions

This is a move as I see as REAL action...

letting Baker go was obvious.

This move finally backs up all the talk.

While it is only in a small way, this is some of the ACTION I've been waiting on.

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 4, 2006 7:08 AM CDT reply actions

Yes, it does provide hope

i wonder if orel enjoys his espn job too much, to be pitching coach again?

by Santos Sorrow @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Oct 4, 2006 7:26 AM CDT up reply actions

That'd be a good hire.

The CLEAREST sign so far that change is coming, is the dismissal of Rothschild, who predated the Baker era.

by Al Yellon on Oct 4, 2006 8:08 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree

Orel would be a great hire. I believe he would work well with Girardi or Brenly. Orel was a pitcher, not a thrower. He could really help some of our young guys coming up.
GREAT IDEA! Let's hope it comes true.

"The only way to prove that you're a good sport is to lose." - Ernie Banks

by madog93 on Oct 4, 2006 8:14 AM CDT up reply actions

Yes that was the ONE for me too

I don't know anything about Rothchild but from what I did know of him I was never impressed. The story about Greg Maddux laughing at his advice sealed the deal for me, true or not.

Acosta (R.I.P) was the best pitching coach the Cubs had. He motovated Wood and Prior and they have never been the same since.

I couldn't defend any of these coaches. All of them had to go.

Hendry, so far, has made all the right moves.

You're never a loser untill you quit trying - FortuneCookie

by Scott G F on Oct 4, 2006 8:17 AM CDT up reply actions

Please expand

about Maddux laughing at Larry's advice. I did not hear that one.

by JohnM on Oct 4, 2006 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Neither did I

And I sort of follow Maddux a little
As we know GM would NEVER do anything like
that in public so at best there may be an unsourced
rumor around.

I HATE NED COLLETTI

by jessica on Oct 5, 2006 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Acosta...

... best pitching coach? There is a reason why he was fired by the Cubs, then fired less than a season later by Texas. He was a hot head with an attitude problem. Zambrano did not do well under him. As for Wood and Prior, well, Prior never pitched under him. Wood's best years? Rothschild's first few years in Chicago.

DmL

by dmlichte on Oct 4, 2006 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions

The late Oscar Acosta

battled alcoholism. But what got him fired was referring to Don Baylor with the "n" word in conversation with another member of the team.

by BlueBooHoo on Oct 4, 2006 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions

and...

... he also got fired in Texas after less than half a season on the job, IIRC. I'm not trying to bash Acosta, and to me, not getting along with Don Baylor isn't necessarily a negative. But lauding him is totally failing to recognize what happened.

I didn't recall Acosta battling alcoholism. I do know that Marty DeMerritt, who was pitching coach before Acosta (not sure if he was immediately before Acosta) battled alcoholism.

DmL

by dmlichte on Oct 4, 2006 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions

The current GM

has been rumored in MANY spots to struggle with the bottle, too.

by Santos Sorrow @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Oct 4, 2006 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions

I've always been interested in finding out...

...if that's true or just conjecture.

If so then it explains a lot. Especially Neifi and Gascan Glendon.

Do you have any links or articles or anything talking about that?

hhhhiftqdaa

by theprognosticator on Oct 4, 2006 7:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Let's hope not...

...Listening to Orel is like nails on a chalkboard.

hhhhiftqdaa

by theprognosticator on Oct 4, 2006 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions

the ear's of our pitcher's is your concern?

by Santos Sorrow @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Oct 4, 2006 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah

As long as I don't have to listen to him, who cares?

"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 4, 2006 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions

That's what I thought he meant, too...

But I think what he meant is,

"Let's hope he doesn't --enjoy his job too much-- so that --he coaches for the Cubs-- so that --I won't have to listen to him on ESPN anymore-- because --listening to him --on ESPN-- is like nails on a chalkboard--."

At least, that's how I tried to make sense of it.

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 4, 2006 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions

This really isn't that tough to figure out...

...how you guys managed to turn this into a clue to the Da Vinci Code is beyond me.

hhhhiftqdaa

by theprognosticator on Oct 4, 2006 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions

settle down over there

"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 4, 2006 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Try and make me Freckles...

hhhhiftqdaa

by theprognosticator on Oct 4, 2006 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Fine

(gets up and pushes up sleeves)

"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 4, 2006 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions

10 on jules

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 4, 2006 8:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Could Zimmer be back as bench coach for the Cubs?

Wow, if Oral H. and Don Zimmmer could return whom else would you want?

What about Sutcliffe for pitching coach?
Sandberg for 3rd base, Grace for first base?

Hitting coach? Wade Boggs? Mike Schmitt? George Brett?

You're never a loser untill you quit trying - FortuneCookie

by Scott G F on Oct 4, 2006 8:22 AM CDT reply actions

Zimmer?

Please. Zimmer will be 76 in January. He's retired.

As for the others, I'd rather see people with actual good experience, or knowledge, in those positions, than popular former Cubs, or those other great hitters, who may not be great coaches.

Hitting coach: I'd like to see Von Joshua, who's been the Cubs' Triple-A hitting coach, get a shot.

by Al Yellon on Oct 4, 2006 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm with you

on Von Joshua. He should be at the major league level next season, no matter who the manager is.

by Josh Timmers on Oct 4, 2006 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions

should have been here

in july

by mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Oct 4, 2006 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Absolutely.

n/t

by Al Yellon on Oct 4, 2006 3:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Coaches

Girardi may bring some coaches...but one he won't be bringing is Perry Hill, who was a Beinfest guy. Hill was the 1st base coach, so perhaps Ryne Sandberg, who has wanted more of a coaching role could take that spot. Rick Kranitz, who was the Marlins pitching coach got his experience in the Cubs system.

DmL

by dmlichte on Oct 4, 2006 4:04 PM CDT up reply actions

I cannot see...

... Girardi, if hired, retaining ANYONE on Baker's staff.

One other guy who has to go is the bullpen catcher, Benny Cadahia. He is awful. I cannot even count the number of balls that got away from him in the bullpen this year.

by Al Yellon on Oct 4, 2006 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Benny

I was going to make a joke earlier about being glad Benny Cadahia was being fired, because I didn't think anyone had anything against him (mostly because this was the first time I had heard his name). I guess I was wrong.

When trouble arises there is always one individual who perceives a solution and is willing to take command. Very often, that individual is crazy. - Dave Barry

by Jesse Guam on Oct 4, 2006 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Al,

Chris Speier? You must admit he is better than Wendal Kimm!

by mrcubsfan on Oct 4, 2006 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions

I thought Zimmer

was currently the bench coach for his friend Joe Maddon in Tampa?

"Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!" -Homer J. Simpson

by Whitebacon on Oct 4, 2006 11:34 PM CDT up reply actions

"And

now we do the dance of joy!"

by flyball on Oct 4, 2006 8:23 AM CDT reply actions

Now

Is the time on Sprockets when we dance?

Forget about '07. Let's wait until 2008!

by secdelahc on Oct 4, 2006 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Scary how that foreshadowed

another talk show called "Ellen"

by cubzfan on Oct 4, 2006 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions

The Coaches.

Coaches may be back if the new manager wants them. Supposedly each one can return.

The only coach that I really had a problem with was Wendal Kim, he didn't understand game situations and when to run, which is incredible considering how easy it is and it's his profession, but this was more a reflection of Dusty's weaknesses in managing, i.e., "be aggressive", "Be liked by the inmates", "hire your best and most incompetent friends"...

A new manager could do the same thing given how inbred is the culture of managing/coaching in MLB.

I would like a manager who looks at his coaches as assets that contribute and not just pals on the payroll, but I don't know who would be that guy.

by DudeVf1 on Oct 4, 2006 8:48 AM CDT reply actions

Maddux

I wonder what the chances of Maddux coming back as a player/coach or just a coach are.

by BadGuy on Oct 4, 2006 8:48 AM CDT reply actions

zero for at least 3 years

Maddux will be in LA till he retires in 2 or 3 more years
He has said he wants to take a year off so he (and his
VERY patient wife) can go places they never had time to
see ( providing they don't have snow according to GM)
After that I would say the strong odds are he stays west
very likely in the Dodger orginization who just happen
to have their AAA team in VEGAS. After that probably
be one of the best managers ( NOT pitching coaches )
in the game.
Now his big brother Mike who is a damn good pitching
coach would be a great pick up for the Cubs but
I don't see him leaving Brewers & Ned Yost

I HATE NED COLLETTI

by jessica on Oct 4, 2006 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Thank Goodness!!!

Larry Rothschild was the one that had to go the most.

by BlueBooHoo on Oct 4, 2006 8:51 AM CDT reply actions

Totally agree

How he wasn't fired midseason is beyond me.

by wicubfan on Oct 4, 2006 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Things

...are looking up.

McPhail
Baker
The Coaching staff

Brenly may be leaving....

...things are good today.

by drone1047 @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Oct 4, 2006 9:07 AM CDT reply actions

i actually like

brenly in the booth, i laugh my ass off at some of the things he says...if stoney could come back though i think id wet myself

by kylejo on Oct 4, 2006 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions

and the peasants rejoiced

Maybe this was a stipulation for our new about to be announced manager.

by mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Oct 4, 2006 9:18 AM CDT reply actions

If I never hear the words "Towell Drill"

...again, I'll be a happy man. Adios Larry, don't let the door hit you on the way out!

"I don't see where plate discipline becomes a tool" - Cubs Assistant GM Gary Hughes

by Jobu on Oct 4, 2006 9:23 AM CDT reply actions

Well until Tom House/Mark Prior

are gone, you'll hear it.

by Santos Sorrow @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Oct 4, 2006 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Huzzah!

This calls for another victory cigar. I've been having a lot of those, what with MacPhail and Baker leaving, and Girardi getting fired (hint, hint, Hendry).

by Perkins on Oct 4, 2006 11:39 AM CDT reply actions

Yay

but it still doesn't bring Woody back, one of the many casualties of Rundown Rothschild.

she

by Sarah Hope on Oct 4, 2006 11:47 AM CDT reply actions

A possible name

if Girardi comes, he could bring some of his Florida coaches if they are let go. In looking at the Florida names, an ex-Cub served as bullpen coach, Mike Harkey. Another hot prospect that never panned out thanks to injuries.

by rlpete on Oct 4, 2006 11:50 AM CDT reply actions

Mike Harkey? You mean Mark Prior v.1?

by Santos Sorrow @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Oct 4, 2006 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions

In all fairness...

...Prior did have the one mindblowing season.

Unfortunately all the rest of his seasons since then have been blowing something else.

hhhhiftqdaa

by theprognosticator on Oct 4, 2006 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions

And

Mark Prior didn't hit the first batter he ever faced in the head.

by cubzfan on Oct 4, 2006 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions

LOL

I forgot all about that...

hhhhiftqdaa

by theprognosticator on Oct 4, 2006 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions

What does

everyone knows about the AAA pitching coach? I noticed after the AA season was over, Hill kept going to him in the dugout rather than Mr. Nibbles. Is he any good? Is he a potential for next season?

Forget about '07. Let's wait until 2008!

by secdelahc on Oct 4, 2006 3:47 PM CDT reply actions

AAA season

was over... Darn non-sensitive keyboard!

Forget about '07. Let's wait until 2008!

by secdelahc on Oct 4, 2006 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions

From Cubs.com

Is there any chance any of them could be brought back under the new manager?

Each coach was contacted by Cubs general manager Jim Hendry. All were told they would be considered for spots on the new coaching staff but were also free to pursue other opportunities.

"Booze, broads, and bullshit. If you got all that, what else do you need?" - Harry Caray

by 10 14 23 26 on Oct 4, 2006 9:39 PM CDT reply actions

I think we all read that.

Is there any chance? I'd say zero. Hendry made it clear that the new manager would be permitted to choose his own coaching staff. I cannot imagine ANY new manager choosing ANY of the coaches just let go.

by Al Yellon on Oct 5, 2006 8:10 AM CDT up reply actions

Comments...

Bob Brenly-good in booth. Stone? Better! But I have enjoyed listening to both sets of broadcasters this year. Crappiness of the team had them sounding a bit off in the last month, but that's to be expected, even from Pat Hughes.

Ryne Sandberg as a bench or hitting coach for Joe Girardi? Aside from nostalgia factor, I think that's a pretty keen idea. I don't see Ryno as a manager, but put in a teacher role might have a good effect.

Orel Hershiser as pitching coach? I've heard worse ideas.

by Floyd on Oct 5, 2006 10:13 AM CDT reply actions

Try to hire Ron Washington

As much as I like the A's and would hate to lose him, Ron Washington is an amazing coach. I think he has managerial asperations, and I'm not sure he'd make a good manager. But as a bench coach (he's the 3rd base coach for the A's, and basically the infielders coach), I doubt there are any better.

The guys on the team love him. He really works the infielders to learn defensive fundamentals. Several years ago he took career catcher Scott Hatteberg and turned him into a very good defensive first baseman. They needed his bat in the lineup and already had a catcher, so Washington worked with him on all kinds of drills to teach him how to play.

Eric Chavez even gave one of his Gold Glove awards to Washington, crediting him with teaching him how to excel at playing 3rd.

He'd be a fantastic hire.

by SiValleyCubFan on Oct 5, 2006 3:51 PM CDT reply actions

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