Let's Look Ahead, Shall We?

by Al Yellon on May 7, 2006 5:55 PM CDT in Chicago Cubs Recaps

Rather than post yet another depressing story about the Cubs' 6-3 loss to the Padres, their sixth loss in a row, let's at least pretend that help is on the way.

Tonight, Kerry Wood takes the mound for the Peoria Chiefs in his first "official" rehab start (after some game action in the AZ Rookie League that didn't "count"). Ironically, the opponent will be the club that was a Cubs affiliate for several recent years, the Lansing Lugnuts, who are now a Blue Jays affiliate.

You can follow the action on this game log page.

Or, if you really have nothing else to do this evening, minor league baseball online audio is free. You can find both home and road broadcasts of tonight's game here. Scroll down to the bottom of the page, as the Chiefs/Lugnuts game is third from the bottom, ahead of two Mexican League games, Vaqueros Laguna at Acereros de Monclova and Rieleros de Aguascalientes at Potros de Tijuana. Say, those might be good for a few grins.

About the only thing I have to say about today's game is that it was lost when Dusty Baker decided to put Roberto Novoa in the game when it was still controllable, tied 3-3 with runners on first and second. The next two batters untied the game with a double and a single, and almost as quickly as you can say "Roberto Novoa ought to be optioned back to Iowa or even DFA'd" -- or maybe even MORE quickly than you could say that -- it was 6-3.

Look, I'm no big stats maven and I know Dusty Baker pays very little attention to them. But look at these numbers, career totals for Novoa:

ERA WHIP BAA Bases Empty 0.46 1.40 .258 Runners On 8.69 1.62 .281 w/RISP 11.57 1.76 .286

OK, you're saying, those are career numbers. Maybe they're skewed by his time with the Tigers, and Dusty and Larry saw something different last year? Nope; here are his 2005 numbers as a Cub:

ERA WHIP BAA Bases Empty 0.42 1.52 .286 Runners On 8.22 1.70 .241 w/RISP 9.64 2.07 .268

Now if you knew that, why would you EVER put Novoa in a game except to start an inning? He can clearly pitch well when there's no one on base, but loses focus with baserunners -- and that likely cost the Cubs the game. Glendon Rusch, whose purpose in life is now to come into games early -- and that was exactly the situation today -- finally DID come in and ended the offending inning with ONE pitch.

Seriously. If all of US can see this, why can't the guys who are paid big money to see this, see it?

I'm not sure we really want to know the answer to that question.

Hey, the Cubs scored three runs today, which equals the total they had scored in the last three games combined. That's about all the good I can find from this game. Oh, and the Cubs' record with Jerry Hairston starting is now 2-10. Yes, I'm aware he had two hits and an RBI today. Big whoop. Sit him down. I posted this morning that Neifi had a .349 lifetime average vs. Woody Williams. Of course, that anchored Neifi to the bench today. Frustrating, when Dusty actually had a good reason to start Perez, he didn't.

Later in the evening, I am sure the Smooth Jazz Man will post a diary about his experience at Petco this afternoon. When it's posted, I'll post a link to it. In fact, here is the link to his diary. And, here is a link to another diary, by BeerCub, on his visit to Petco this past weekend. Till then, think good thoughts about Wood's start tonight, and the fact that with Greg Maddux throwing tomorrow and the team he's facing is NOT the Diamondbacks, there is at least a chance the Cubs can salvage one game in this series.

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Hey!

Al, did you have this up before the last out? If not, pretty quick!

by 08Cubs on May 7, 2006 5:57 PM CDT reply actions

Well...

... in about the 7th I realized the game was pretty much over, so I started typing the post then, while still watching the Cub hitters hopelessly flail away.

I finished just before the last out, and as soon as it was registered I posted it.

by Al Yellon on May 7, 2006 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions

yo,

Jerry Hairston needs to be dumped sometime soon. His gaffes in clutch situations at the plate, and in the field have been brutal. I'm ready to make Nay-iffy start every day in place of him. It's a shame that Jones' has been the victim of pulls during the season, but you don't see Jerry getting pulled after his gaffes.
Seems some favoritism is going on in the clubhouse.

Plus, Freddy Bynum has done NOTHING to warrant any playing time on the major league level. Just a joke of an acquisition.

It's unfortunate but it's not necessarily Lee being out that is the killer, it's the fact that we HAVE to start a Hairston or Perez every day that hurts. It also magnifies the efforts of other hitters in the lineup.

I'm hoping this season can come to a quick swift end. i've got important things to do.

p.s. God hates us.

by jdoolsiu on May 7, 2006 6:06 PM CDT reply actions

Al

I don't know why it still hurts so much to see the team play so badly. God knows this isn't the first year it's happened. Perhaps it's because the whole season is in front of us and I honestly can't see things improving much.

It appears the team of the future from 2003 is now just a pile of rust with wasted opportunities at almost every turn.

I find it impossible not to indict those in charge with dereliction of duty. As much as I watch today's game and say "What's new?", it still pains me to see the same bad players and terrible decisions time and again.

But perhaps what hurts most is listening to those in charge failure to accept blame and change their ways. In the next few days I expect them to trade for some has been or never was and expect us to smile and just wait for the next spiral down until finally we officially begin a youth movement. Damn them all for their lies and deceptions but most of all damn them for taking away my dreams.

Players win awards but teams win championships.

by tharr on May 7, 2006 6:08 PM CDT reply actions

I'll hazard a guess...

...that the hurt is due to the fact that the poor play follows so closely on the heels of the typical optimism and hope for a magical season that occupanies the start of the season. That plus the fact that this bad stretch has come on to the Cubs so quickly after an encouraging start to the season.

But, I feel like a broken record...it's early and all teams have a stretch like this during the season. There actually is quite a bit of precedent to indicate that it is actually a good sign to have this bad stretch in May, when there are still opportunities to make adjustments. If you go into a swoon in August or September, it is a killer.

Throwing in the towel before the All Star Break whan the team is just a couple of games below .500 not only ignores recent history, but is contrary to the whole concept of supoorting the team of your choice.

by jazzman56 on May 7, 2006 6:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Is it possible

to support the troops and disagree with the commander in chief? I take a backseat to no one in my loyalty to the Cubs the past 40 years. But I refuse to give blind allegiance to the the group that reaps the harvest and yet mismanages the heritage known as the Chicago Cubs.

If you chose to believe we're headed in the right direction I would suggest you take a long look at history the way it has unfolded not the way you wish it would happen.

Players win awards but teams win championships.

by tharr on May 8, 2006 12:46 AM CDT up reply actions

I don't think the question is about the direction

because how can a team be moving in a positive direction with its best hitter and its two best pitchers on the DL? We can point to Hendry (whom I personally think is...well, I won't slander a man I've never met; I'll just say he has disapointed me in almost every dealing he's been involved in, especially not bringing Nomar back, among a hundred other gaffs) for being in this situation, but you can't make something from nothing. To put it another way, not even the genius that is Theo Epstein, whom I call "The Anti-Hendry", could make something happen from nothing. We can't trade Jones for Thome, nor Hairston for Ortiz now that Lee is gone. There are no rabbits to pull from the hat to address the unfortunate occurance that is injury to a star. Clark or Millar aren't going to right this ship, and I don't think either are worth depleting the youngsters for.

That said, I think Maddux has pitched well, and Marshall has shown promise. Dempster hasn't done much to complain about. Ronny Cedeno and Murton have looked good, and Walker has been batting the best since Lee went down. Barrett is a solid catcher and I'm proud to have him on my team. Ramirez will inevitably start playing better soon, as will Pierre. Wood, Prior and Lee could all come back at times that might be pivotal, and they could perform well. Zambrano could break out and be the best pitcher in the league at any moment - he is capable of being that guy. In my mind, questions remain about the others. Would I like to see some of them go? Yes. Can we win with them? I don't think the answer "perhaps" is such a radical one.

Is this where I want us to be? Hell no. Am I ready to concede that the season is a bust because of this? That too is a resounding no. Do I disagree with aspects of the way Dusty has managed, and almost everything Hendry has done? Absolutly. Would I compare the poor leadership situation my team is in to the disgusting quagmire that we are faced with in Iraq, and the manipulative deception that caused us to be there? No way. I could tell you that I support or don't support either our real troops or the metaphoric troops in this example and it doesn't matter unless there is action behind it. Passion is blind and the creation of allegiance is arbitrary, despite that the practice is anything but. Germany supported their troops in WWII. Unless you are a conscientious tax objector, or refuse to watch the games or wear the jerseys etc., you are "supporting the troops" in our extended metaphor. To put it another way, by virtue of being here, you are, in a sense, "supporting the troops".

I don't think anyone here would be crass enough to confuse criticism with enemity. I'm not here to wave the flag or suggest mindless optimism, merely that May 8th is too early to quit on a season. Does anyone else feel the way I do, or does that just sound like a bad song lyric?

"There's no success like failure, and failure's no success at all." -B. Dylan

by Wood20K on May 8, 2006 5:30 AM CDT up reply actions

Yes, it is too early to quit..

I agree with the main point of your post, i.e., May 8 is too early to quit on the season. With the wild card, that's especially true. I am a die hard Cubs fan for 37 years and I am also baseball fan and an extremely harsh critic of Dusty baker (who I think only made his name due to Roizdilla and his ever expanding skull) and becoming a much harsher critic of hendry.

I think it's too early to quit, but the Cubs must move to their strength quickly to stay afloat. The strength is the bullpen. Kudos to hendry for the Eyre signing. Howry has worked out great but I predict a big fall fro him by mid-July. The way to play to the strengtth is not to keep using the bullpen in the 3rd and 4th innings for every freaking pathetic 4th and 5th starter. There aren't any great starters available so I don't balme Hendry for not getting one now. What I do blame him and Dusty for is not going to a 4 man rotation. Quit running that 5th clown starter out there--forget it! Pick between Guzman/Hill/Williams and whoever else and and go with a 4 man rotation. Then when all of our wunder-arms return in Wood/Prior/Miller, we can go to a 6 man rotation to offset the abuse, just kidding. But if Hendry actually believes the B.S. that he has built this team upon, then he should have confidence that starting itching will soon be strong for the Cubs and a switch to a 4 man rotation now saves us bullpen abuse and gives us a better chance to win games. Please try this, it only worked for mega-decades prior to early 80s when the Dodgers used a 5 man roation and all Baseball's Lemmings of GMs followed it...

That's just a good response but it's not a guaranty, but at least it shows you will try to work with what you have...

The offense is bad and Hendry and Baker are totally to blame because they both keep living in denial abotu the importance of not making outs and how it helps one score runs. So we get speedy guys who still can't overcome that section of the rule book that allows for force outs at first base on groundballs. Despite what Wnedall Kim may have suggested, there is not tag play required at first on a ground ball...The offense should not be this awful when the best player goes down. But it is because it was only a medicore offense with Lee. The Cubs had guiys playing way over their head with the bats in April, when they come back to themselves (regress to the mean) it isn't a slump, it is them, it's who they are as players and this team was again made up of guys with questionable OBP. Hendry the ex-Scout, and Baker the ex-Tough Guy, continue to dismiss the importance of getting on base in scoring runs. It's really maddening with Baker when he simultaneously bemoans the walks that his own pithcers issue--they are the same freakin' thing!! Anyway, my point in al this is to respond that yes it is too early to quit and with Lee back a mediocre offense can win with fantastic pitching. The Cubs have a fantastic bullpen and could still have one in August and September if they still have their arms attached. The starting pitching will be the key the rest of the way, as it was when Hendry built this mess. Unfortunately we are toied to Priro/Wood saga and the wild card of Miller. Go to a 4 man rotation to minimize bullpen abuse and hope that one of the three injured starters is useful when he returns...Oh, and Hendry desrves nothing but criticsm for bench guys or at least letting Dusty play clowns like Bynum, but Hendry sends him his clowns...Get a freakin' bench and quit relying on guys who have no major league skills but can run fast, this isn't a track meet. Baseball skills are necessary for one to play major league baseball well, at least if the goal is to win. Hendry the ex-Scout, can take that bit of advice and start forcing it upon Baker...Our bench has been woeful under Hendry/Baker--stop doing this.

I am going to tonight's game to watch Maddux pitch, hopefully that will put me in a better mood...

by DudeVf1 on May 8, 2006 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree with you on the bullpen...

and I think you hit the nail on the head with Howry, since he had an ERA of .99 before the all-star break last year, but wound up with 2. something, meaning production fell off considerably. I'm sure overworked arms in Clevland had something to do with that.

I think Dusty's apprehension about going to a 4 man rotation is the fact that he's historically been hard on his pitchers, asking them often to go longer than they should have, and I think that bears some relation to the injuries Wood and Prior have had. Thank whatever-it-is-that-an-agnostic-thanks that Z. has stayed clear of that. As a result, I'm a bit scared to advocate a 4 man rotation, because either we risk injury to a starter from overuse, or else we kill the bullpen needlessly. Perhaps it is better to make a move now and regret it later, than to have had the option and failed to use it. The guy whose brain I'd really like to pick on that is Maddux: if he thinks it's a good idea, I'd go for it. If he is hesitant, then I'd pass. What I'd really like to see would be Maddux appointed player/pitching coach, and perhaps relegate Rothchild to some sort of advisory capacity if they still feel they need his imput, because I feel Maddux has the best grasp of what is required, yet decorum might prevent him from making any authoritative game related assesments, since that is the manager's/coach's job.

I agree about the small ball analysis. I'm no sabermetrician, and I think both Bill James and Billy Beane are fallible, but there is something to those ideas popularized in moneyball. Even though you could make the argument that the South Siders got to the series by playing small ball and winning all those one-run games, I think different teams and different circumstances call for different measures, and that the Beane scheme can be more often correct. I think Dusty applies a one-size-fits all methodology, and that is perhaps what is most frustrating to us as fans. Things like the M.O. where he is going to play vets over kids at every opportunity regardless of matchup or bunt the runner over rather than letting your best hitter swing with no one out, really drive me nuts.

That said, I can live with Dusty, although I'd rather we had someone else. I personally think Dusty became obsolete the moment Wood smashed Sosa's stereo for crapping out on the team. I can't live with Hendry, though I'm offered no other choice.

"There's no success like failure, and failure's no success at all." -B. Dylan

by Wood20K on May 8, 2006 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions

this is dementia

There actually is quite a bit of precedent to indicate that it is actually a good sign to have this bad stretch in May, when there are still opportunities to make adjustments. If you go into a swoon in August or September, it is a killer.

folks, there isn't an allotment of swoons. having one doesn't mean you used yours and you're now free and clear.

the hard truth is that having a swoon shows you are more likely to have swoons and should expect them at a greater rate than teams that don't get them.

by gaius marius on May 8, 2006 8:25 AM CDT up reply actions

it's akin to

a heart attack or cancer victim saying, "whew! got that out of the way! should be good for 100 now."

please. retain what measure of hope you wish, but try to retain an iota of rationality.

by gaius marius on May 8, 2006 8:26 AM CDT up reply actions

I think the better analogy would be...

after experiencing chest pain (similar to how watching the cubs lately has made me feel), a man goes in to see his doctor and they discover he has hypertension and high cholesterol. What you are suggesting is that he is dead and they should just bury him now. I think what we are suggesting is that after these palpitations of lousy ballgames, perhaps we can alter the diet, work out and take medication to correct the problem. No one would suggest losing is a good thing, but perhaps if we discover a symptom earlier rather than later, we might get Hendry off his ass and get trading, or cause Dusty to make some better decisions or whatever necessary steps can be taken.

What I'm suggesting is that the season is far from over. I think that if you really did believe things were beyond repair, and that this sputtering was in fact a death knell, you wouldn't be watching, nor would you care enough to read and comment on a site about a team you weren't watching.

As for the iota of rationality you asked the hopeful to retain, please inform me where you see fault in my thinking, and I'll be glad to correct it accordingly. I think it is as with the Cubs as it is for myself: Quod non mortiferum, fortiorem me facit (What does not kill me makes me stronger)

"There's no success like failure, and failure's no success at all." -B. Dylan

by Wood20K on May 8, 2006 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions

6 losses in a row is akin to a heart attack?

Boy.. we're in trouble

by cubsfan2883 on May 8, 2006 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree

I would just call that a "murmor". Especially since it's friggin' May.

she

by Sarah Hope on May 8, 2006 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions

I would call it

a gas attack.. Come on now.. its only the BEGINNING OF May..

The Cubs should sell if they are not competitive by the END of JUNE not the BEGINNING of MAY

by cubsfan2883 on May 8, 2006 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions

yes, i agree

just a gas bubble.

burp it out, guys.

she

by Sarah Hope on May 8, 2006 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Struck a Nerve

Gotta nominate this for BCB Post of the Day. I'm feelin ya bro.

Chicks dig the long ball

by Will23 on May 7, 2006 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions

I second the nomination...

No one has ever accused me of being an optimist, despite my occasional (rare, more like it) fumblings in that direction, but despite my very palpable frustration, I refuse to become chicken little and say the sky is falling at the begining of May. Kudos to putting it better than I could.

"There's no success like failure, and failure's no success at all." -B. Dylan

by Wood20K on May 8, 2006 12:08 AM CDT up reply actions

I've never understood

why some of the guys in the pen are on this team. Novoa, of course, being the chief culprit. I've never been a fan of him, Weurtz, or Ohman. I wish we could dump all three of them. Each one seems to be this year's equivalent of Dave Veres.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico!"--Harry Caray

by cubbiejulie on May 7, 2006 6:30 PM CDT reply actions

The bullpen always seems...

to have some bad apples. The mere mention of the names "Heridia" or "Fassero" are enough to make my stomach crawl.

"There's no success like failure, and failure's no success at all." -B. Dylan

by Wood20K on May 8, 2006 12:09 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm listening to the game...

and Kerry threw 12 pitches to strike out 3 batters in the first.

Maybe he can make me happier while I do my homework.

Cubbie Blue always sPaRkLes in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on May 7, 2006 6:38 PM CDT reply actions

good start

i would hope he could destroy these guys to start. god save my emotions if wood is finally back.

by mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on May 7, 2006 6:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Wood

I'm also listening to the game. Through two innings he has 6 K's and has given up one hit. It's A ball, but I'll take a positive anything right now.

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on May 7, 2006 6:52 PM CDT reply actions

oops

forgot to mention 1 walk. so through 2 innings its 0 Runs on 1 hit, 6 k's and 1 BB

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on May 7, 2006 6:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Pretty impressive!

n/t

by Al Yellon on May 7, 2006 6:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Go Woody!

9 K's on 48 pitches!

Cubbie Blue always sPaRkLes in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on May 7, 2006 7:05 PM CDT reply actions

after 4...

10 k's , 1 hit, 1 BB, and 1 hit batter, and 0 runs.

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on May 7, 2006 7:18 PM CDT reply actions

sounds like wood is done

12 K's, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 1 H, 0 R over 5 innings

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on May 7, 2006 7:33 PM CDT reply actions

excellent

by gaius marius on May 7, 2006 7:40 PM CDT up reply actions

The five innings...

... is the best part, because it shows he can be stretched out without any trouble.

I believe they said that if tonight went well, he'd start Friday for Iowa, which is scheduled to be a road game at Fresno.

And if that goes well, he'll start against the Nationals on Wednesday the 17th at home.

by Al Yellon on May 7, 2006 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions

sounded good

they didn't say anything about velocity, I guess we'll have to ge that from someone else, and hoepfully the ball was where Wood wanted it. Can't ask for anything more than that, I want my Cy Young pitcher to destroy A batters.

by mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on May 7, 2006 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions

I read elsewhere...

that the radio play-by-play was reporting Wood reached 92 on the gun, but that the gun has been slow all season and he really threw harder than that. The announcer also said the one walk was on a 3-2 pitch that coulda been a strike.

This all comes from poster "crunch" in this thread over at The Cub Reporter.

All in all, this is excellent news that should be tempered by the fact that this start took place in Peoria, where Rich Hill struck out 12 in 8 IP with 0 BB.

The Cubs better shine 'fore twenty-oh-nine!

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on May 7, 2006 8:52 PM CDT up reply actions

In the press conference

they said Wood worked between 92-94 and hit 97 a few times.

What does not kill you makes you stronger.

by Pa on May 7, 2006 9:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh!

It warms my heart to see you saying something positive about Woody.

That just made my day worthwhile. :)

she

by Sarah Hope on May 8, 2006 8:09 AM CDT up reply actions

is that "positive"?

i have to admit that what "positive" means around here i such a cartoonish, childlike caricature of the actual complex notion that i have no idea if it is or not for many people here.

it's simply better that he threw well than that he didn't.

by gaius marius on May 8, 2006 8:32 AM CDT up reply actions

Wonder

have to admit that what "positive" means around here i such a cartoonish, childlike caricature of the actual complex notion that i have no idea if it is or not for many people here.

Wow I wonder what he thinks about me then. You know why cannot you just leave well enough alone Gaius. His start was very impressive.. the 12 k's were nice and all .. but the more impressive stat to me were the 1 BB and 1 Hit allowed and the fact that he threw 70 pitches while reporting no problems. Also nice was that he was hitting the low 90's with no pain.

If he can come back and throw 92-93.. with no pain and hit 94-95 occasionally. Wood will return to being Wood. well the 2003 Wood maybe. The real question is.. If or when this injury will creep up again.

by cubsfan2883 on May 8, 2006 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions

yep, he threw well

i hope it didn't hurt and i hope he stays healthy finally.

by gaius marius on May 8, 2006 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions

I have heard...

... that he actually HAS, after being beaten over the head with it for two years, changed some of his mechanics.

If his body is healthy, this ought to help KEEP it that way.

We will see on Friday at Fresno (for Iowa), and then on the 17th at Wrigley Field.

by Al Yellon on May 8, 2006 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Oh jeez.

And there I go back spiralling down again back to reality.

Oh my dear Gaius.

she

by Sarah Hope on May 8, 2006 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions

I totally agree

Bob Novoa should not be pitching in clutch, or tight situations. His mental makeup sucks.

by CosmicCharlie911 on May 7, 2006 9:11 PM CDT reply actions

Novoa...

...shouldn't be on the freaking major league roster. Trade him to anyone for a left-handed BP pitcher.

by Chadnudj on May 7, 2006 11:34 PM CDT up reply actions

has anyone

seen video from wood's start? i'd be curious to see if his mechanics have changed much at all.

Rooney: "What's the score?" Cook: "Nothin'-nothin'" Rooney: "Who's winning?" Cook: "The Bears"

by CubMU on May 7, 2006 11:28 PM CDT reply actions

Baker on Novoa

From Chicagosports.com
-----
The game was tied 3-3 in the sixth when Baker called on Roberto Novoa to replace Guzman after the rookie walked two straight with one out.

"Novoa has been the best for us at getting out of trouble," Baker reasoned.
-----

Please, someone who has any faith in Dusty Baker tell me why this comment should not be reason enough to want to see this guy put on the next airplane to Yemen?

by dmlichte on May 7, 2006 11:48 PM CDT reply actions

Does he even pay attention to stats?

Or did he use a magic 8 ball to determine he should use Novoa? The heck with sending him to Yemen, send him to Iraq and use him as bait. Every coal mine needs a canary.

by Perkins on May 8, 2006 2:03 AM CDT up reply actions

Woody!

I was at the game tonight and Kerry was very impressive. He threw the ball real well and made those A boys looked like little leaguers. I watched the news conference afterwards and he said he felt great. Said that his fast ball was right were he wanted it all night and the off speed stuff wasnt far behind. He also mentioned wanting to go a little longer than he did but he was right around 70 so they decided to put him down. Needless to say i was very impressed and so was everyone else at the game. I snapped some pictures and hopefully will get to post them later on tonight..anyways just wanted to mention that he looked healthy and showed little signs of fatigue. Here comes wood.

by ogsbucog on May 7, 2006 11:52 PM CDT reply actions

On a completely unrelated note

Happy V-E Day, everyone.

by Perkins on May 8, 2006 5:52 AM CDT reply actions

Last year

I felt firing Dusty could turn the team around. His decisions were bizarre to say the least. This year however the team is just playing so bad I do not see how getting rid of him will make a difference. The good news is the cubbies history tells us they only turn it around when nobody expects anything.

by jimhickman on May 8, 2006 7:01 AM CDT reply actions

he'd be a place to start, anyway

dusty sure as hell isn't helping.

by gaius marius on May 8, 2006 8:33 AM CDT up reply actions

Dusty will probably get an extension

since DLee's extension was (probably) based on the the Cubs trying to resign Dusty, we're probably in for 4 more years of this crap.

by CubFaninNY on May 8, 2006 8:55 AM CDT up reply actions

it's hard for me to hope

that the cubs go in the tank right now -- but if they do, the silver lining might be that a truly awful collapse may oust dusty. this is still a $95mm team, and hendry is (theoretically) accountable. don't know if he can be seen to do nothing and carry on as though nothing was wrong in the face of disaster. he hasn't extended dusty already, so the option clearly isn't off the table.

we'll see, i guess.

by gaius marius on May 8, 2006 9:15 AM CDT up reply actions