Life After Lou: What Does It Look Like?
by Zeke on Jul 23, 2009 11:42 AM CDT
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PrintLou Pinella will likely retire as an active manager in the next few years.
Several names as his potential successor have been mentioned in the MSM and by some here on BCB. These include Bob Brenly, Alan Trammel, Ryne Sandberg and Joe Girardi just to name a few.
So, I'm curious to know what YOU, the avid BCBer thinks. When Lou retires at the end of THIS year, next year or beyond (or is ASKED to leave), WHO is the BEST candidate to lead the Cubs in the coming years?
Also, consider whether this current lineup of players is retained or if with new ownership, the team is taken apart and rebuilt (recognizing that long-term player contracts severely limit a GM's maneuverability). How does each scenario influence your choice and why?
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 daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 23, 2009 11:46 AM CDT reply actions
C'mon now, answer the question...;)
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
I was
It said: Life after Lou : What does it look like ?
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 23, 2009 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions
you voted other
and wrote in Maddux, right?
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
both?
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Greg
can manage, Mike can be the bench coach.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 23, 2009 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Isn't there another brother?
He could be like the hitting instructor or something?
The sun will shine in '69
Just buy out
Fuld’s contract, have him do it.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 23, 2009 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Well if you are talking current players...
to be hitting instructor, my order of merit list would be:
1) Gameboard: Can teach players to suck on both sides of the plate
2) Miles: Teach players that soft line drives will eventually fall in, and if you have one good year, then you can get a multi-year deal from somewhere
3) Blanco: If you can be a “slicking fielding, scrappy player” then you don’t need to hit
4) Fukudome: You only need to hit for half a season
5) Soto: Ho-Ho’s will help your swing
6) Theriot: Just be scrappy, do your job, be half decent at it, and the fans will want to replace you with anyone else.
7) Lee/A-Ram: Will teach players how to do it right
8) Zambrano: When hitting the Gatorade Machine ensure you keep the bat level and follow through
The sun will shine in '69
by gaclaudy on Jul 23, 2009 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Zeppo
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Jul 23, 2009 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Only a sister
but dad Dave is pretty smart. He taught them what they know but is older than Lou.
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 23, 2009 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Other way round
Greg prefers if possible to stay out of the limelight but I think he would do if he had too. He has said he wanted to be bench coach. However as I said before I kind of see them like the Coen brothers. You never know for sure who does what.
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 23, 2009 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions
I did vote for other
Did not see I could write in a name but works for me.
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 23, 2009 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Me thinks thoust has a tongue in thine cheek...
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
no
i most certainly do not. Acta understands advanced stats and was saddled with the worst organization on sports. give him a good team and he will do well.
by CalCalender on Jul 23, 2009 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions
OK! Noted.
…and he IS available at the moment…
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
He would have to be a bench coach
I’d think he would have a hard time getting a managerial job right away.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Lou won't leave
till he wants to leave. I think he sticks it out another year.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
I don't know about that
I think Ricketts will give them this year and next but if they (Lou and Hendry) don’t show any signs of life, I can envision him firing both of them and bringing new blood.
The sun will shine in '69
Depends on when Lou retires, I think.
If he finishes his contract, I’d look for Sandberg to take over.
If Lou were to leave after this year, then I think the Cubs might promote Trammell for a year or two, letting Sandberg serve as bench coach to acclimate himself with the Major League personnel.
And, if Trammell were to find a managerial job this offseason, I think Sandberg may become Lou’s bench coach for the same reason.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
Good points, though elevating a popular ex-player to manager of his old team DIDN'T work out so well for Trammell and the Tigers.
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
True.
But I think some of that may have been because of the personnel Trammell had to work with, as well.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Bill Potter on Jul 23, 2009 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh, yeah... I think Inge and Bonderman are the only holdovers...
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
I think as long as the Cubs have an organizational philosophy
dedicated to winning, whomever manages this team (unless they’re completely incompetent) should do alright.
With that in mind, I’d like to see Sandberg get a shot – I applaud him for paying his dues thus far.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
Sandberg
Needs to put in more time as a bench coach before he gets a shot at a real gig. Might need to work on his anger management skills a bit also.
by VillanuevaExperience on Jul 23, 2009 11:57 AM CDT reply actions
What about Quade?
with Ryno at 3B coach
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Gardy?!?
Dude, c’mon. Comparable analogy: Joe Mauer for Aaron Miles and Aaron Heilman.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
Think we can GET him?
(as Chris Farley): That ’ud be AWSOME…
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
Why?
Without knowing much about Gardenhire the person or his contract, is there something specific that would lead you to believe there’s no way he’d leave Minny?
"Pounding sand since 1982...."
Actually, I was goofin' on the Mauer for Miles/Heilman trade. Think it could HAPPEN?
“That’d be AWESOME”.
“…(pause)…RIGHT.
…and monkeys may fly out of my butt!"
(SWL, please DON’T!)
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
He's signed through 2011
But he’s been there since 2002. Currently living in Minnesota, I know how beloved and admired Gardenhire by Twins fans and the community. He has a very comfortable and safe job position with the Twins. Plus, with the new stadium coming, I don’t think Gardenhire is going anywhere in the foreseeable future.
Think Bobby Cox.
"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko
His son is in the system, he has roots there, he likes it there, he's the guru to their current franchise players
He works for “cheap,” he’s very close to the Pohlads and Kelly, he is part of the reason the Twins draft so well and their minor league system is so polished, the Twins are opening a new stadium next season and he will be an integral part of their on- and off-field strategy. I guess I could go on, but you see the point.
However, I would cry happy tears if he’s somehow lured here.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
i don't care....
just get me an organizational philosophy and pick a manager that is willing to follow it
by DartmouthCubsFan on Jul 23, 2009 12:10 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
like Ozzie Guillen?
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Sandberg would definitely be the sentimental choice..
…and as my all-time favorite player, I can’t say that it wouldn’t be kind of cool to see him at the helm. At the same time though, sentimental choices don’t alwyays work out so well (ex. Denis Savard and the Blackhawks) and I would really hate to see Ryno struggle and get fired.
Bottom line; I’d love to see what Brenly could do right now. He’s been watching this team on a daily basis for several years now and I’d like to think he at least has a good idea of what he’s getting in to.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Ryno as his bench coach though.
Would like to see Ryno be a bench coach
at the major league level before he gets the manager’s position.
"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko
Ugh
Job one is for the Ricketts family to take control and install a new strategy for building a winning baseball strategy. It starts with the right strategy, followed by the best possible people in the front office. Manager? I could care less. Lou Piniella isn’t the source of our woes. Not by a longshot.
Cubs will win 79 to 83 games. Season has been over for weeks. St. Louis will eventually run away with this division. And you can print it. BLou (7/21/09)
(Not even for requesting the lefthandedness of the current roster?)
:: hiding for cover ::
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
Lefthandedness
There was nothing wrong with requesting the lefthandedness of the current roster. With Edmonds and Ward not being brought back and Fukudome having the problems he had, why wouldn’t you think there has to be a lefty added to the roster? Turns out Ibanez wasn’t considered a good candidate to play RF or CF. And you know who plays LF. Now, if Lou hand picked Bradley or Miles, then I would hold him responsible for that. I doubt that he hand-picked those players.
The biggest problem I have with Lou was tardiness in getting Soriano out of the lead-off spot.
Lou’s postseason results aren’t that great either. There have been plenty of postseasons since that 90’ WS in Cincy.
I still think Piniella is one of the best managers in the game. But, I also think he will retire after this season or next. So, his time to make the most important mark anybody can make on this franchise is running out.
Wouldn’t mind Girardi or Gardenhire as next manager, but not realistic to think they would be. Have some concerns about Brenly and Trammel; not out of the question though. I would only want Sandberg if he was really ready. I think he will some day manage the Cubs, but he won’t necessarily follow Piniella.
by AboutTheCubs on Jul 23, 2009 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
i agree.
"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie
by buckmulligan on Jul 23, 2009 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions
The Cubs should look into my list once Lou retires
1) Dusty Baker
2) Eric Wedge
3) Manny Acta
4) John Gibbons (for Ted)
5) Dave Trembley
6) Ned Yost
Milton ...... see the ball hit the ball
Why did you bother typing #2-6?
Dusty should take over. What a man. What a manager. I lust for his wisdom.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
Why in God's name would they hire Dusty back?
Been there, done that! Let’s bring back Prior, Woods, Neifi, & the rest of the crew. Dusty can restart his expirement to see if you can have a pitch actually pitch his arm off while continue the tradition of “not clogging up the basepath”
The sun will shine in '69
i was joking.
Milton ...... see the ball hit the ball
by lexmarklover on Jul 23, 2009 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions
You can tell it is an off day
when you take that seriously. How bout we bring Neffi back ?
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 23, 2009 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions
can he pitch
lefty out of the pen?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 23, 2009 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions
I imagine that
Lou will probably hang out for another year before potentially heading to NY as an advisor to the Steinbrenners. Using that timeline of either 2011 or 2012, I think Joe Girardi is rather unrealistic unless they just bomb. Gardenhire is probably unrealistic as well.
Come 2011 or 2012, there’s going to be hopefully the start of a youth movement. That means a guy that works well with young players is probably going to be a focus. To that extent, both guys like Ryno, Alan Trammell, Manny Acta and others make sense. Ryno’s probably in the driver’s seat to get a look – the reports on him in the minors have largely been positive and he knows the system having worked his way up. He wants the job as well. Problem is, I think Ryno’s going to have to make it to the bigs, so I’d look for him to possibly be brought up to the bigs in some sort of role in the next year or two. I wouldn’t mind Trammell, but gut feeling says, if Lou moves on, Alan likely will move on as well.
In saying all this, we have to see who is leading the baseball organization. If it’s Hendry, Ryno will get a strong look. If It’s someone else, you never know, and other guys may spring up. One darkhorse I’d ponder is Pat Listach, who Manny Acta hired away from us this past year. There’s a long way to go … it’s really hard forecasting anything past a year.
Thus, in saying that I’ll end with this – if Lou walks away after this season, I think Trammell gets the job and that Ryno becomes the bench coach to essentially be groomed.
Well reasoned and seasoned. And I agree with your assessment.
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
Voted for Joe Girardi
He’s good, knows what he’s doing, and is young. The type of manager that could be around a long time, ala Bobby Cox.
That being said, I wouldn’t mind seeing BB either. The last couple of games with some of the godawful errors I’ve liked his commentary and don’t think he would stand for it.
"Dad gum right this games gonna be played under protest. . . I guarantee this is gonna be one protest that's upheld." --Hawk Harrelson, 6/24/07
I voted for Brenley
I think Sandberg will need some ripening and seasoning. Lou is leaving after this year or next, so we’ll need someone a bit more ready.
Dark Horse — Does LaRussa say, “Screw it” after getting nickel-and-dimed in St. Louis and leave?
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
LaRussa couldn't handle the current Chicago media
The guy is fighting AGAIN with fans and media in little St. Louis. He would be trying to fight Paul Sullivan after every single game if he managed the Cubs.
LaRussa on the field, great manager. Everywhere else bad.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
Oh snap! Bring him to town ASAP! If he punches Sullivan, he'll be worth every penny!!
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
by chilango2 on Jul 23, 2009 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Really Darkhorse...
Think DeRo could do manager while playing 2B/3B/LF/RF/1B/SS/SP for the Cubs?
Doesn’t DeRo fix everything for the Cubs?
The sun will shine in '69
He is a fantastic broadcaster.
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
I didn't vote because
It’s ambiguous. Do you mean who should be manager in 2010? If so, Lou is a logical choice to have in the poll. If you mean next after Lou, he shouldn’t be on the list. He will retire after 2010, if not 2009, I would guess.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Jul 23, 2009 1:31 PM CDT reply actions
What a mess ...
Because of the forced commitments to Soriano, Bradley, Fuk, Ram, and even Lee — rebuilding is not an option. So, to me, that also commits them to an established, been there before, manager like Lou. Unfortunately, that will leave Sandberg on the outside looking in.
I suppose Trammel or Brenley could be brought in but I doubt they would be able to wake the dinosaurs any better than Lou.
I disagree.
IMO, Sandberg should NOT be given the reins before being a bench coach on the ML club. I think he could be brought up for that position if Trammel or BB gets the job.
This season IS over. -BLou 6/30/09
I think Ryno agrees
he wants to earn his stripes as manager and work his way up. That is why he went to the minors.
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
why did Eric Hanna not make the list?
he should be the Manager AND GM
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Everyone wants to talk...
…about the manager, but I really think your missing the big picture here.
The most important question about the Cubs will be who will be running the baseball operations going forward, not who the manager is going to be. That person will be responsible for hiring the next manager, see to it that the Cubs can develop their own talent and be the number one factor (by far) as to whether this club has long term success.
You can win championships with an average manager at the helm, but your odds go down drastically if you are average or below upstairs.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
I agree with this.
I’m not ready to get worked up about managers so long as they aren’t allowed to destroy valuable talent through mismanaged playing time allotment.
Last year I was annoyed at Lou for two reasons – it seemed to me that he was over-working Marmol, while not giving Wuertz and Eyre enough work to stay sharp and effective. I also thought it was basically ensuring failure to bring Pie north and then proceed to try to remake his entire swing and approach during what was supposedly going to be his first regular playing time gig in the majors. This year, I’d quibble with his use of Marshall, but I don’t think he’s doing anything extraordinarily debilitating.
Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.
You can find something...
…wrong with what any manager does over a season, even if that team wins 97 games.
The fact is this, players win championships (I should say the right mix of players), the vast majority of the time. There are many guys capable of managing a winner, if they have the right mix of players. We have also seen what happens to what most consider the best managers in the game, when they don’t have the right mix of players.
Managers are romanticized and always have been, but the guts of where success gets driven from (especially over time) is the baseball operations.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
by MPH73 on Jul 23, 2009 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed.
Would you go so far as to say that there’s really no reason to pay any manager over 1 M? In other words, that there’s just not enough that even the best managers do, to pay them that much more than a “replacement level” manager?
Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.
In a perfect world...
…I would say yes, but that is not the way things work. Most managers have built their positive reputation from being fortuanate to have had good players. On the other hand, a lot of guys who most think to be crappy managers, haven’t had decent players to put on the lineup card.
With that said, there are good managers and their are bad managers, just like any other profession. No matter what though, not even the best managers are going to pull off miracles if the right players are not on the roster.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
I was remiss in not including a voting button for Ted Lilly
as an active “player/manager” – but then it would have COMPLETELY skewed the voting results!
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
I'm glad...
you realized you forgot to include Ted Lilly :) However, at this point I’d settle for re-signing him to continue pitching.
"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"--The Brain
He wouldn't smell too good at this point...
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
The Lou Lefthandedness Falsehood Myth
2008….Edmonds (gone), Ward (gone), Fukudome, Fontenot,
2009….Bradley (new…and terrible from left-hand side of plate), Miles (switch), Hoffpauir, Fukudome, Fontenot
I rest my case. Donuts Hendry was the idiot who dumped Mark DeRosa for the privilege of handing the $5 million saved to Aaron Miles (who makes $ 5 million over two years !!!!!) and to pay for Milton Bradley.
Cubs will win 79 to 83 games. Season has been over for weeks. St. Louis will eventually run away with this division. And you can print it. BLou (7/21/09)
by BLou on Jul 23, 2009 3:07 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
This is fun.
Cubs manager Lou Piniella was asked about Ibanez’s numbers being what he was thinking about when he begged for a left-handed bat last winter.
“The only thing I talked about last season was a need for a left- hand bat in a predominantly right-handed lineup who could hit the ball for power and drive in some runs,” he said.
…
Piniella paused for some time before finishing his thoughts and finally said:
“Look, we still need a left-hand bat who can hit for some power and drive in runs.”
And he laughed.
Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.
Cubs lack from the left-hand side
Lou has a valid point and Hendry failed. Again.
Cubs will win 79 to 83 games. Season has been over for weeks. St. Louis will eventually run away with this division. And you can print it. BLou (7/21/09)
Yup
Lou wanted a lefty. He got it in Bradley, who, unfortunately, has failed miserably from the left side. Thus, we still need a lefty. Again, those who label it an “obsession” are terribly misguided.
Found this on Yahoo
The Cubs are reportedly working with Bradley on his left-handed swing. He’s never really hit right-handers well (.266 career); this is perhaps something they could have discovered before signing him.
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.
Good find
Naturally Hendry would ignore stats. I wish Milton would consider hitting righty full time.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
I was wondering that as well
But that could make Jimbo look really bad, and perhaps milton as well, but if he can hit righties better as a righty, why not?
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.
Do you have any evidence
Bradley would hit RHs better as a RH batter?
A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
--Winston Churchill
by lookingdeadred on Jul 24, 2009 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions
No, just a general curiosity
If youre a switch hitter, you automatically have some new value attached to you, but if your weaker side of the plate isnt benefiting the team, whats the point?
I bet part of it is a pride thing associated with being a switcher hitter, I gotta imagine he could do better than .266 as a RHB against a RHP
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.
You should stop imaging
If Bradley could hit RH pitchers well as a RH hitter there would have been no need to take up switch hitting in the first place.
A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
--Winston Churchill
by lookingdeadred on Jul 24, 2009 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Thats partially my point
A lot of guys take up switch hitting to boost their values and to help them get to the majors, when it might not necessarily be beneficial to them, as we see w/ Bradleys splits. Again the question would be how does he do against RHP as a RHB, which is hard to quantify depending on how long he’s been a switch hitter
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.
If Hendry didn't know that...
…he should be put out to pasture and quickly. You would hope he knew or at least someone in the organization pointed it out to him. Bradley only has a .429 career slugging as a lefty, which is not going to equal a big RBI guy from that side of the plate.
Bradley is a good hitter overall, but that is mostly from what he has done hitting right handed. I was hoping for Abreau, but the logic here doesn’t make a lot of sense.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Come on.
Bradley is still a good hitter as a lefty; last year he hit .523 (SLG) v. RHP from the left side. In 2007 his SLG from the left side was .521.
To say
Bradley is a good hitter overall, but that is mostly from what he has done hitting right handed.
is a complete fallacy, especially since he has 2.5xs more career PAs from the left side than the right side.
And this idea that Jim Hendry never happened to look at Bradley’s splits is unbelievable.
Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.
Upon further review...
…you are more correct than I if you look at his recent years. I was looking at his career numbers, so he must have had some real poor LH numbers early in his career.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Furthermore
Abreu has a .438 SLG this year, so clearly he wasn’t what Lou was looking for. If I was a betting man, I’d have no trouble betting Bradley ends the season with a higher SLG than Abreu.
Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.
Joe Girardi is an assclown who I never want
In 2006 he proceeded to burn through the Marlin starters while being a juvenile who could not handle ownership authority. In New York he is rapidly wearing out his welcome and has already alienated a number of key veterans.
Girardi is terribly overrated and a jerk.
Cubs will win 79 to 83 games. Season has been over for weeks. St. Louis will eventually run away with this division. And you can print it. BLou (7/21/09)
I wouldn't want Girardi either
but I have no idea why he’s a jerk — perhaps this is a reference to Joe G’s backtalk to the lame Marlins ownership.
That, essentially cost him the gig.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jul 23, 2009 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions
wait a sec - I thought Crane Kenney was the assclown. Are you being fickle with your affections?
Remember… there can only be one… assclown!
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I'd like to see Sandberg come up...
and play 2nd base.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 23, 2009 3:28 PM CDT reply actions
Or shortstop . . . .
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Jul 23, 2009 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm torn between Ryne and Brenley...
I think it would be the right move to hire Brenley if he agrees to hire Ryno as an assistant. Ultimately, my Ryno love runs deeper though, so if it was a fight between the 2, I’d go with Sandberg.
Tough decision
I say BB with Ryno as his right hand man. Then when BB leaves in a few years because his son Michael makes it to the Majors, Ryno will be ready to take over.
Note: BB stated, in a special done my Luke Stuckmeyer (CSN) when BB and his wife went to see Michael play in Peoria which was the reason Keith Moreland was broadcasting with Len, he will have to leave the booth if/when his son Michael is called up. I assume the same would be if he was to manage the team. .
Come on, Bill Walton still called Lakers games when he was still working for espn
He even referred to him as “Walton”
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.
What on earth for?
Cal Ripken, Sr. managed Jr. Felipe Alou managed Moises. I’m sure there are other examples.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Jul 24, 2009 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions
BB stated
he would not continue calling games for the Cubs once his son was called up to the Majors. He stated it would be unfair to Michael and himself to be put in a situation where BB had to criticize his son for any reason on the baseball field.
Well, I guess I can see that . . . if that's how he feels
Still, I’d think being a manager is different.
I wonder if Ken Brett had an issue with that. Of course, he announced for the Angels, not the Royals.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Jul 24, 2009 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Theres gotta be a reason why a WS winning manager has never been given another job
Id be pretty wary of hiring Brenly, as nice of a guy as he seems to be.
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.
Gardy'd be a good choice.
Only problem is, it isn’t going to happen. People above have explained the whys of it in enough detail that I really only need to agree.
Trammell, maybe, Sandberg in a few years, who knows who else?
Wait and see – isn’t that sort of a mantra?
Sandberg needs more experience
and, as others noted — he needs time as a MLB bench coach. To throw him into the big chair right now would be an utter failure.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jul 23, 2009 6:38 PM CDT reply actions
Methinks giving Sandberg a managerial job in the system smacked of charity.
He never was well-known as a leader, a strategist or – dare I say it? – someone with a top-notch intellect. Great second baseman, yes. The best fundamental player I’ve ever seen on the Cubs. But all through his career, I never had the feeling he had a future as a manager. Plus, if he was on the fast track or any other kind of a track, would he still be riding buses in the lowest minors for a second straight year?
Joe, you coulda made us proud!
by copingwiththecubs on Jul 23, 2009 8:24 PM CDT reply actions
I don't think "charity"
is the right word to use for a HOFer who stuck with the Cubs his entire career. I would have been upset had Ryne Sandberg asked the Cubs for an opportunity at managing and they told him no. It’s not like they handed him the ML job, but they have been moving him up, and I’m sure he’s being scouted to see if he’s able to do the job. Everything here seems appropriate so far.
Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.
Further...
… he’s not “in the lowest minors”. He got jumped a level, Double-A is where a team’s best prospects usually reside.
I think Sandberg will be on the major league coaching staff next year, possibly as an audition for 2011.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Yabbut........
while I like Ryno and he is paying his dues in the minors, Jody Davis seemed to be the hot alumni prospect and was well thought of by all until Ryno showed up- then Davis immediately got shuttled to the side. Ticket sales immediately come to mind………………
"I still don't know what happened"- Fergie Jenkins on '69
by tommy veryzer on Jul 24, 2009 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions
There's more to it than ticket sales.
Trust me on this one.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Girardi
I was all for Girardi in the first place, I thought he did a great job with the Marlins.
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 23, 2009 9:05 PM CDT reply actions
Yellon....
Honesty compels me to say, I think this Yellon guy is the best candidate to lead the Cubs.
Hey Lou, we're long overdue.
can you do that from the bleachers?
(I guess many thousands do, or at least think they do!)
"I still don't know what happened"- Fergie Jenkins on '69
by tommy veryzer on Jul 24, 2009 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions
I dunno Al, can you AFFORD the pay cut to take the job?
Network O&O money is just HUGE, right?
Yeah, it wasn’t when I worked there either.
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
we'll get two cans
and some string.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 24, 2009 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions
How about flash cards or semaphore flags?
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
how is he going to hold onto
the giant umbrella AND semaphore flags?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 24, 2009 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Now THAT would be difficult.
Maybe I could turn the umbrella INTO a semaphore flag.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
It depends
If it was to replace Lou now, midseason, I go with Trammell. If it was to start a new season, Sandberg would warrant consideration.
A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
--Winston Churchill
If the Cubs did want to make a splash right now, Sandberg might be the right choice.
Hiring Trammell as an interim manager would be like the Nats hiring Jim Riggleman — a meaningless move to play out the string.
I’m not saying Lou should be fired, but if he were, Sandberg would be an inspired choice.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
It is just as likely it would be a disasterous choice.
Just because he was a beloved former star player does not mean he will be a quality manager.
A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
--Winston Churchill
by lookingdeadred on Jul 24, 2009 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions
When the White Sox hired Ozzie Guillen...
… it could have either been the smartest move they made or the dumbest. Now, Ozzie’s playing career wasn’t nearly what Sandberg’s was, but he was a beloved former player.
He’s had his problems, but he’s also got a ring.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
How good a guy's playing career was
appears to have very little to do with what kind of manager he will make. In fact, it seems guys who were marginal to poor players make the better managers.
A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
--Winston Churchill
by lookingdeadred on Jul 24, 2009 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Pretty much true...
…in all sports. The vast majority of your best managers/coaches were marginal players at best. Most of those guys had to work harder because they didn’t have the natural ability and also think there way around the game more. Makes sense that those two experiences would lead to someone being able to coach a little bit.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Nobody has a clue who will be next manager
For all we know it could be an obscure minor league manager from the Seattle Mariners or something like that.
Bob Brenly can’t find another major league gig for a reason. You don’t go from winning a World Series to being out of the dugout for 5 seasons without the baseball fraternity having serious misgivings about your managerial ability.
Organizations that hire former star players to serve as manager are often greatly disappointed in the results. If Ryne Sandberg is one day objectively qualified and ready to be a major league manager, then fine. Let him go thru the interview and vetting process on equal footing with other candidates.
Alan Trammell? He had a bad ending in Detroit and has a little too much Buck Showalter sourpuss in him to be an effective manager of modern ballplayers. Today’s breed of players turn off managers like Trammell. Right or wrong.
Cubs will win 79 to 83 games. Season has been over for weeks. St. Louis will eventually run away with this division. And you can print it. BLou (7/21/09)
"Buck Showalter sourpuss"?
Wow. I’ve never found that to be the case and I’ve followed Alan’s career since he and Lou Whitaker were brought up to the Tigers from their AA affilliate in Birmingham in the late 1970s.
He’s a guy that is the utmost MLB professional and respects the game – and expects players to do the same. He demonstrated it during his playing days, coaching days and managing days. I suppose you can call that “old school”, but those qualities are what posters here on BCB refer to over and over as “missing” from many of today’s players.
And his bad ending in Detroit was no worse than Lou’s in Tampa. Alan had very few quality players in Motown. I believe that Inge and Bonderman are the only holdovers, but I could be wrong about that.
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
OR LOU GOES
to the Beach Bums to help coach their young players ….And B.B. takes over the helm….
I really think Ryno
will be the choice. I cant help but think new ownerships nostalgia/fandom will force the decission. Also earlier in the thread, someone mentioned Ryno as wanting the training..Picked this off Wiki. Acurate or not I do not know?
Sandberg also lobbied to be the Cubs’ new manager after the 2006 season. General Manager Jim Hendry thought Sandberg wanted to just have dinner when Sandberg called him; unbeknownst to Hendry, it was an interview for the job. Sandberg was a long shot, and the Cubs ended up hiring Lou Piniella, but Hendry hinted at perhaps hiring Sandberg for one of the Cubs’ minor league affiliates.
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
Ryno would be a the best choice from a marketing point of view
as he is a fan favorite. But whether he would be the best choice from a pure baseball point of view is highly debatable.
A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
--Winston Churchill
by lookingdeadred on Jul 24, 2009 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions
If Gardenhire is on the list...
Might as well put Scioscia on there too.
Randy Wells. A product of the Roy Halladay School of Pitching, located in Toronto, Canada. Possible relocation.
Gardsy all the way
He knows how to manage with what he’s been given from the GM.
I love Ryno but I fear the same thing will happen to him that happened to Savvy. Sooooo much pressure on a HoF player coming back to manage/coach the team he starred with for so many years.
I’d just like to keep BB in the booth. He’s the first mgr I can remember that was p/o a WS team that really didn’t need a mgr…
Just win the next game...!
Not Ryno
Would any of you really have wanted Billy Williams to have been elevated from bench coach to manager? Remember what happened when guys like Fergie and Bob Gibson tried being pitching coaches??
Ozzie Guillen is a good fit with the White Sox because his owner doesn’t give out many insane 5+ year back-loaded no-trade contracts, and because his GM has shown that he’ll admit his trade mistakes (Todd Richie, David Wells) and get rid of guys who are not performing. Ryno’s personality with what would eventually be a 37-yo Alfonzo Soriano? My lord, no… that team will make the 2004 team seem lovable.
Personally, I was disappointed that the Cubs did not find a place for Pat Listach on the major league coaching staff, which is why he went to the Nationals even though he had to realize it was only a one-year gig.
If Lou leaves this year, he’ll take his buddy Matt Sinatro with him. Promote Trammell for 2010 and 2011, get rid of Quade, and develop a cadre of coaches to draw from for 2012 if Trammell can’t get the job done.
It's a simple question, Doctor: would you eat the moon if it were made of ribs??
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