Coaching Staff

by cubstoseriesby100 on Sep 15, 2008 4:28 PM CDT

As we bask in the glow of almost back to back no hitters and talking about Ned Yost being sent away from the Brewers.

How much in danger do you think we might be of losing some of our coaches?

I can't help but think a GM of a team who fires their man would look at this coaching staff and see some gems.

Alan Trammel seems to be the one most likely to see his phone ring. He got a raw deal in Detroit but seemingly would have rebuild his reputation these last 2 years working with Lou. But on the flip side is the rumor that he is Lou's replacement after 09.

And what do you think the chances are of seeing Jody or Ryno in Wrigley as coaches in 09?

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I think Trammels next in-line

As much as we’d all love to see Ryno or Jody Davis, Trammel knows the players and they seem to like him, making for an easy transition. So it all depends on how long Lou wishes to stay.

Personally, Id love to see Ryno b/c he’s the reason I followed the Cubs in the first place, but star player returning to his team to coach seldomly works out in any sport, so Im not gonna hold my breath.

Youre right Trammel did get a raw deal in Detroit, he was let go about a year or so too early before Granderson and Verlander came up and before Bonderman stepped up (though he may have stepped back down).

But I doubt anyone is gonna clamor to hire Sinatro or Quade. If I had to bet, I would put my money on Trammel sticking around as a number 2 and taking over after Lou rides off into the sunset.

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Sep 15, 2008 6:41 PM CDT 0 recs

would love to see Ryno get the job,,,,in fact my son's middle name is Ryne,,however

never hire someone you can’t fire….

imagine if it didn’t work out and they had to fire him…that would be lose lose..

I'm a reader not a poster, but I'm also a poster so don't get any ideas.

by cozmotaylor123 on Sep 15, 2008 8:59 PM CDT 0 recs

If Cubs get it done this year...

I figure Lou will pack it in, and make room for Tram. Just a guess.

Demp and Rich: proof that people that live in igloos and say "eh" can contibute!

by Canadian Cubs Fan on Sep 15, 2008 9:22 PM CDT 0 recs

Lou has a year left on his deal...

… and seems to really like it here. I think he’ll finish out the deal, at the very least.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Sep 16, 2008 4:06 AM CDT up 0 recs

If the Cubs win the WS this year

next year would be a fun year for Lou to take a curtain call around the league and allow the out of town Cubs fans to cheer him and thank him for helping bring a Championship to the North Side. That is, if they are competitive. If they suck next year, it will be tempered by a losing team.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Sep 16, 2008 12:54 PM CDT up 0 recs

For the most part...

…Managers tend to be recycled, as few teams give new guys opportunties to show what they can do (especially if they have a team that can contend).

Trammel may get a look, and his experience with Piniella could help people forget about how poorly his teams did in Detroit. I do think Brenley would be on anyone’s short list, as the guy won a world series and had some success.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Sep 15, 2008 10:04 PM CDT 0 recs

i don't know how likely that is

given that brenly has just received an extension on his broadcasting contract up until 2012. can he get out of that to accept a managing job? i’d be all for it if we can get grace as our color man.

by nathew on Sep 15, 2008 10:57 PM CDT up 0 recs

Brenly

I imagine he has an out in the contract if he gets a managerial offer.

As for Grace… if he ever lands the Cubs color commentator job, that’s the last time I listen to a TV broadcast. He is perhaps one of the worst color commentators this side of Joe Carter.

DmL

by dmlichte on Sep 15, 2008 11:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

Have to disagree

His commentary is tailored to the team, their fan base, and Daren Sutton. I think the content would change if he came back to Chicago. IMHO.

by StevenABQ on Sep 16, 2008 9:30 AM CDT up 0 recs

It's not the content, it's his style.

He’s all over the place. He doesn’t have a sense of broadcast pacing. He’s really full of himself. He’s horrendous.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Sep 16, 2008 9:38 AM CDT up 0 recs

I see your point

But I think his “style” has alot to do with the venue and his partner. Sutton is not exactly a talior-made play by play guy. It seems like there is minimal preparation for each broadcast, but that seems to be the atmosphere among all of the sports reporting team there. I think your right, hes not that great…but my argument is that he probably would be a little more on point in Chicago…simply by nature of the atmosphere in and out of the booth.

by StevenABQ on Sep 16, 2008 10:00 AM CDT up 0 recs

Before Sutton...

… he was with Brennaman and he sucked then too. And I’ve got to tell you, his nature in the booth is the same nature he had as a Cub, that of a beer guzzling, 2 pack a day smoking playboy who was out on the town until all hours of the night. Mark Grace simply is not a good color commentator. There are plenty of better options out there, from guys like Eric Karros to Rick Sutcliffe (both of whom would likely consider an offer) and beyond.

Like Grace for the player he was as a Cub. But he is not a good broadcaster.

DmL

by dmlichte on Sep 16, 2008 10:35 AM CDT up 0 recs

All right

I’m not going to defend the indefensible. All I would add is that I’m not suggesting that Grace ought to be getting a job with the Cubs. The point I was trying to make, is that his style fits with the team and co-workers he currently works with. They are as unprepared and “all over the place” as he is. And Brennaman is not a stellar example by any means.

by StevenABQ on Sep 16, 2008 11:32 AM CDT up 0 recs

I have always liked Gracie

and I like him here as a color man. He’s not the best, but I like his passion and enthusiasm. He is the D Backs’ version of Ron Santo. I know I am in the minority, but actually, if he wasn’t on the broadcast, I wouldn’t watch the games at all. Sutton reminds me too much of the Hawkeroo.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Sep 16, 2008 12:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

And really

Thats the point…I think he works well for the D-Backs and the fans seem to like him alot. It is a newer franchise, and many fans (at least some that I know) root for other teams but still follow the D-Backs. Therefore, I think his casual approach to broadcasting is welcome out there.

by StevenABQ on Sep 16, 2008 6:02 PM CDT up 0 recs

I'm not sure how...

you explain his showings on Fox then, which seem like more of the same. He’s bad, not getting better, and just doesn’t do well enough with the nuances of the game to make him appealing in a larger, more baseball-oriented media market.

Not to mention I’ve listened to a few too many broadcasts on MLB.tv when the mics have been left on between innings by acident. I’m convinced that he’s either pulling a Harry in the booth, or just a very abrasive man.

by Damen Jackson on Sep 19, 2008 11:36 AM CDT up 0 recs

I'm sure...

…Brenley loves his Cubs job, but I would have to think he still has his competitive juices flowing and would jump at a good opportunity to manage again.

Also, I would bet the ranch that he has a clause that allows him to leave for a managers job.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Sep 16, 2008 1:48 AM CDT up 0 recs

I'm sure he does, but...

… as he once told a packed crowd in Mesa at a FanFest, right after being hired back to broadcast:

“I have the best job in baseball. I come to the park every day, have a great seat for the game, and I go home after and it’s not my fault.”

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Sep 16, 2008 4:07 AM CDT up 0 recs

which is why I think Grace will jump at the chance to replace Brenly should BB ever leave.

Then Gracie’s quote would be…

"I have the best job in baseball. I come to the park every day, have a great seat for the game, and I go to Harry Caray’s after and it’s not my fault."

;-)

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Sep 16, 2008 6:35 AM CDT up 0 recs

I really like Brenly...

…and much more than the guy he replaced, but once a manager who has achieved what he has, its difficult to get that out of your blood.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Sep 16, 2008 5:58 PM CDT up 0 recs

Listach

Deserves a chance to be on a MLB coaching staff as well.

by walsh2317 on Sep 16, 2008 8:57 AM CDT 0 recs

Absolutely.

I’d hate to see the Cubs let him go before giving him a shot at the major league staff. He just turned 41 years old and could be a good manager for years to come.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Sep 16, 2008 9:16 AM CDT up 0 recs