Bob Brenly talks with Danny Mac on 670 about Cubs Job
Great interview... Brenly chooses his words carefully to not campaign for the job in the media, but you can tell that he wants the job.
almost 2 years ago
SackMan
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A lot of guys will want the job...
…what I am concerned about, is how strong will the decision making be above the manager to allow whoever they pick to win.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
That's about all we'd need to know
and its not good.
Excellent point you bring up…
Just win the next game...!
Most likely...
… regarding money, if it comes to having a big-dollar deal offered.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
If Kenney is involved...
…in any form or fashion in this critical baseball decision, you would have to wonder what Ricketts is thinking.
Even the money part is easy, Ricketts knows what he wants to pay and he just gives a yes or no.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
This is a baseball decision...
…first and foremost. Who do you want managing your team for hopefully a long time.
The business part of this decision is simple; how much are you willing to pay the guy and for how many years? From a business standpoint, this will be one of the easier ones Ricketts will ever make.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
In business negotiations you don't walk in with a set number and if they ask for more you simply walk away.
It’s negotiations for a reason, and it will certainly not be a quick process to determine the number of years or the amounts of dollars per year for a contract.
No kidding...
…and I’m not saying you walk away. But, this will be one of the easier business decisions (the contract terms) Ricketts will ever have to make.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
I honestly don't know enough of the Cubs business to make any kind of comment on that.
But it is not at all unusual to get the president involved in any such negotiations.
Agreed.
Remember, Ricketts is the chairman of this team, and Kenney is team president. Whether anyone agrees with whether Kenney should remain, the fact is, he’s in the job and thus this decision will involve him in some way.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
But to MPH's point
the “business” side of this decision is pretty straightforward and one of the more easier ones on the table. The “business” side of Zambrano, Fukudome, and Soriano is many, many times more complex than this.
Sure, Kenney probably wil get involved and provide at least some form of approval, but I’m sure neither Hendry, Kenney, nor Ricketts are sweating the business side of all of this.
Z, Fukukome, and Soriano … Well, they better be sweating those out.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 22, 2010 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions
I didn't hear the Pinella comments
“…thought the job would be easier…”
But, in hindsight it was a long time since he managed in NYC. He’s worked in smaller markets, that are not as serious about their baseball team. (Cincinnati, the obvious exception — but he excelled there with a good team)
Chicago and the Cub mystique ate up Sweet Lou and spit him out, as it did Dusty Baker.
He must have gained 30 pounds and every hair he had turned grey.
Brenly, Girardi, and Sandberg — understand the unique, strange, mysterious culture that surrounds this team. I doubt the Yankees will let Joe G go.
It’s hard to believe he’d really want to leave one of the best jobs in baseball broadcasting, but it’s obvious that — Brenly has a very strong ego.
My only fear is if Brenly somehow gets the gig, Mark Grace will be banging on the door and will do anything humanly possible to get into that Cubs TV booth.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jul 21, 2010 10:59 PM CDT reply actions
I really enjoyed listening to it earlier today...
Was a great interview.
1. Brenly’s take on what went wrong with the Cubs this year: ARam (the key run producer) missing the final 2 weeks or so of spring training was his main indicator.
2. Talking about Lilly: and how he and Lilly often chill out in the laundry room and BS together.
3. Talking about the job, how he interviewed for it the last time, and how attractive it is to be the guy who finally wins it for the Cubs
4. Talking about Sandberg, and not trying to discredit him at all, while Danny Mac set him up.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
On your last point....
I’d say get Keith Moreland in here ASAP on the TV side with Len. I think he’d be great on TV too. He can then sometime down the road replace Ronnie on the radio side.
Just win the next game...!
I'd be willing to listen to more as an evaluation
but I was very underwhelmed by Moreland the other day.
Perhaps that is just being spoiled by Brenly, who I think is an excellent (of course not perfect) color guy.
Shut up Joe Morgan.
Keith would be my
choice to replace BB if he did leave for a manangers job.
A lovely story:
One day, long, long ago, there lived a woman who didn't whine, nag or bitch. That would be me....
But that was a long time ago and it was just that one day.
The end
I don't know
if even Brenly knows how exhausting the media and fan pressure are here. Sure, Brenly is around the team a lot, but it’s a lot easier to sit in the booth and point out the problems with the team than it is to stand in front of the media every day and answer the same questions, get booed by your own fans, and see/hear people calling for you to be fired on a daily basis.
I don’t envy anyone who takes this job. They are inheriting a mess of a roster, a GM who is in job save mode and has no discernable ability to plan for the long term, a fan base who will start booing him at the first sign of trouble, and an owner who quite possibly might cut payroll significantly.
And I think Mark Grace might still have enough enemies to not get the job. Plus he is a horrendous broadcaster.
DEJESUS!!!
Quick question...
How long can “save job mode” possibly last for? Isn’t there an off switch on this damn thing?
I wholeheartedly agree with your comments about Cub mystique
It is unique and even guys like Piniella and Baker were surprised by it. I truly hope that the next Cub manager has that understanding. The three guys you mentioned all do have it and, in the end, I hope it’s one of those three guys. However, I could also see how having Sandberg serve as a bench coach to the next manager could make sense as well, perhaps a guy like Torre. Obviously, Torre is probably not managing for more than 2, 3 or 4 years more.
Francona figured it out in Boston, which I’m sure had uniqueness to that situaton as well. It can be done from the outside, but I’d rather not take that risk all over again.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 22, 2010 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions
I wonder if Sandberg even realizes it at this point
I truly believe that Cub fandom changed after the near-miss with Baker. There’s definitely more of an edge now. When Ryno played it was as though the fans were happy for any winning season, and thrilled with a trip to the playoffs. I definitely think it’s more intense now. Angrier, even.
"Enough foreplay- let's get crackin'"- Fred Garvin
But I think Sandberg would have gone through those emotions too
He didn’t disappear off the radar after retiring as a Cub. He’s been here the whole time.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 22, 2010 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed.
Plus, he’s been in the organization for the last four years. I’m sure he knows exactly what’s going on.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
To be fair
he’s been in the organization, but he’s been in the minors. The mentality of Des Moines fans is closer to what the Chicago fans were like pre-2003.
DEJESUS!!!
Sure
But most minor league managers aren’t as connected to the major league club as Sandberg is the Cubs. Most hadn’t grown up in the organization that they are coaching and played with the big league club. I’m sure there are some though.
My guess is that Sandberg was eagerly in front of the TV, if not actually at, each of the Cub playoff games in ‘03, ’07, and ’08. He’s been involved with every season since 1984, either as a player, manager, or as a fan. He knows what a fan is feeling and he knows what a player is feeling in this unique environment. Don’t discount the pressure that he and the rest of the team must have gone through in 1984. That was a curse that they themselves overcame.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 23, 2010 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions
I would love for Brenly to get a shot.
He and Sandberg are my only picks for the position — at least the two that are reasonable.
Maybe next year is finally our year.
I mentioned B.B. in another post
But really now, I think a seasoned MLB manager is better to take over this mess. I’d hate to see all-time-great player Ryno get run over in this asylum in his first MLB gig.
I get the willies when a former great player for a team in this town ends up being the manager/coach. When the decision is made more because he was a great player here. When in reality he may not really be 100% ready for it and it ends up in disaster for him (e.g. Denis Savard with the Blackhawks getting fired 4 games into the 08-09 season).
Just win the next game...!
You can't compare the situations...
… because they are different teams and different individuals. The only things the same about Savard and Sandberg is that they are both popular Hall of Famers.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
It could be argued that Savy
actually brought that team along quicker because of his ability to coach up the young talent. While it may have been a disaster for him, I think overall Savard as a coach was beneficial to the Hawks.
On the other hand, Ditka did pretty well. Same with Ozzie.
"Elder White! Look at the talent on those Cubs!" Harry Caray, KMOX Radio, 4/22/62
"And you have to wonder – What's the matter with Broglio?" Harry, KMOX, 5/24/64
Sandberg getting th ejob
I think is different…he has spent the time in the minors getting to know the prospects, getting his feet wet and getting experience…its not like he is trading his spikes for sneakers the day after he retires…
Sipping the Kool-Aid since 1982 - Kinda
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
by hansman1982 on Jul 22, 2010 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions
I'd like to see
Crane Kenny replaced with John McDonough, Hendry replaced by John Daniels (he has an out clause), and then they could pick whoever they want to manage and I’d be happy.
DEJESUS!!!
Hell, I'd replace Hendry with Jack Daniels.
Might make the rest of the season and trade deadline more bearable!
The homer in me
want’s to see Sandberg get the job. But the dreamer in me wants to see Torre take the gig after the season. Should be an interesting process nonetheless.
You will never move forward by looking back....
by By Santo's Grace on Jul 22, 2010 8:51 AM CDT reply actions
Torre at 71 may not be all that different from someone like Lou after a year or two.
I’d rather get some young(er) blood in there to stir things up.
I would like to see Sandberg get the job.
Anyone else would be a slap in the face to Ryno. He’s done his time and feels he is ready to manage in the Majors. I just hope we retain Quade and Trammell in some capacity. Bob Brenly would be a nice addition to the coaching staff also. I wonder if he would take that type of role if asked by the next manager?
It'd be manager or bust for BB.
He wouldn’t leave a cushy job in the booth in order to be someones right hand man. At the same time, not hiring Ryno would NOT be a slap in the face at all.
Listen, I know he is a fan favorite to become manager, and I personally wouldn’t mind seeing him there next year. However, the Cubs owe him nothing – he wanted a shot at the job, and we told him to have a chance he had to prove himself in the minors. He’s doing that, yes, but we never said, “If you work our minors and do well, the next job is yours.” At the end of the day, Sandberg now has the opportunity to interview for any head coaching position because the Cubs gave him an in and a good farm to work with.
I like Sandberg for the job, but I also think BB might be the best man for the job at this point. Either way, if they give Ryno an honest chance and strong consideration, there is nothing more they can do. He is not an heir to the perverbial throne.
Fredi Garcia rumored to be interested according to ESPN. Just sayin',
they may come out of the woodwork to interview.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
A cross between Fredi Gonzalez and Freddy Garcia?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
DONOTWANT
Freddy Garcia to be the next manager.
But hopefully that really goes without saying.
Shut up Joe Morgan.
What about
Freddy Prinze or Andy Garcia?
by jerry morales rules on Jul 22, 2010 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions
Yes! Sweaty Freddy for Cubs manager in 2011!
Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!
Brenly probably knows this team better than anyone
He’s seen them play in the broadcast booth for years. With his past managerial experience he probably plays “armchair manager” very often in the booth.
My first pick is Sandberg but Brenly would make a fine pick in my opinion.
Sandberg knows the organization and life as a Cub player
I think it is important that whoever comes into the situation fully understands what life is like playing as a Cub. What the schedule is like, the conditions, the attention, the pressure, etc. Sandberg, Brenley, Girardi I think top that list. LaRussa, Torre, Cox, Gonzalez may have had success with other teams, but this is a different animal.
As far as knowing the team, Brenley knows the MLB team. Sandberg knows that players in the organization. One conern for Sandberg is there is rarely an occassion where a manager leaves a team on good terms. I would hate to see Cub fans boo a guy whose number is hanging on the foul pole.
by ClarkWaveland on Jul 22, 2010 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions
Your last paragragh...
…is not a legit reason not to hire him. Also, the fact that he is a Cub favorite is not the right reason either.
This is the time for objectivity in the decision making and let’s hope that is what prevails.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Who says Sandberg would be short term
He’s still young…perhaps he could become the Bobby Cox of the Cubs?
I meant...
…the fact that he is a Cub favorite is not a good reason to give him the job.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
I'm not arguing that with you...
"One of the things I like about baseball is that between innings you can go to the restroom.'' ~Manny Acta.
I would love for Bob to get the job
I think Sandberg would be a good fit just not right now get him up there a bench coach stuff like that. He just started few yrs ago everybody wanted him as soon as they seen him get fired up and kicked out of games in the minors. Bob has lots of experience he wont a world series in 01 beat the mighty Yankees he has been watching this team for yrs and knows the strengths and weaknesses of this team. I LOVE Bob in the booth as well to bad he cant call the game from the dugout as well.
"Women...you can't live without them, and they can't pee standing up." Rube Baker
any chance BB and Ryno can coexist in the dugout
with one or the other as part of the staff while the other manages? I think that would be fantastic for the Cubs iMHO
Unofficial Self Appointed President of the Player Formerly Known as Castro Blocker Fan Club
Bleed Castro Blue
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