Why Marlon Byrd should be the Cubs next manager
by plunkeveryone on Jul 22, 2010 8:29 AM CDT
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PrintYes, Marlon Byrd. There's a very good reason - let me explain.
- Marlon Byrd has been hit by a pitch 16 times for the Cubs this year.
- The last Cubs batter to get hit by at least 16 pitches was Frank Chance in 1904 (16) and 1905 (17).
- In 1905, the Cubs named Chance player/manager in mid-season.
- In 1907 and 1908 the Cubs won the World Series, with Frank Chance as player/manager.
- From 1909 to 2009, the Cubs never had a player get hit by 16 pitches, and never won a World Series (as you may know).
Now, I know everyone loves Ryne Sandberg - I walked among about 15,000 Ryne Sandberg jerseys in Cooperstown in 2005 for his Hall of Fame induction (and saw a total of 3 Wade Boggs jerseys all weekend). But the fact is, Ryno never got hit by more than 7 pitches in a season. But the Cubs have never won a World Series without being managed by a guy who had taken 16 plunks for the team. Maybe it's just that grit and determination and willingness to sacrifice his body for the team that made Chance a winning manager, and that's just the ingredient that's been missing from every manager since 1908.
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 think this is the most genius idea ever
And clearly supported by fact.
by Arbusto on Jul 22, 2010 8:33 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs
Very sound logic.
I’m on board completely.
Formerly known as BleedsbluinMi.
"You ain't a beauty, but hey you're alright. And that's alright with me" - The Boss
Brilliant.
I would call Byrd in for an interview and ask him one question to satisfy the Ryno supporters who will no doubt be miffed. “Marlon, are you in favor of playing baseball the right way?”
If he says yes, I hire him. If he says no, I hire him.
Erudite and well-researched.
A must-read summer classic!
Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!
Hilarious... thank you!
"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)
I don't think there are any holes in this theory.
We just need to get Marlon on board with the idea.
And if he can be convinced to take on these extra responsibilities for free, the Cubs can free up enough cash to eat Hendry’s deal!
Marlon, I think you need to listen to this man.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
does this mean we have to move Byrd to first base as well?
so that he truly fits the Frank Chance role?
Unofficial Self Appointed President of the Player Formerly Known as Castro Blocker Fan Club
Bleed Castro Blue
I think that he can play all 9 positions.
At the same time.
A-well-a Byrd, Byrd, Byrd, well the Byrd is the word.
My new blog/ebay auction site: http://mikessportscards.weebly.com/
while blind folded
Unofficial Self Appointed President of the Player Formerly Known as Castro Blocker Fan Club
Bleed Castro Blue
blind folded yes.
But even Byrd ain’t gonna keep TRL from pitching. That would be two immoveable forces colliding and could start an apocolypse.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 23, 2010 11:20 PM CDT up reply actions
You may be on to something here, sir!
However, isn’t Don Baylor the career leader in HBPs? That didn’t seem to work out to well…
It would be interesting to see what would happen if Byrd was a player/manager. When was the last time that happend (didn’t Pete Rose do it for a while)? I wonder if it would even be feasible these days.
No, the career leader in HBP is Craig Biggio.
… if you include 19th Century play, it’s Hugh Jennings.
I trust you don’t really want Biggio as manager. Jennings was actually a successful ML manager, winning three pennants with the Tigers. Unfortunately, he died 82 years ago.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
heck, we'll try to get him anyway!!!
Viva la Cubs Révolution!!!
by Chanman25 on Jul 22, 2010 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Wait, I thought Jason Kendall was all-time HBP leader? ::scans internet::
Okay, I was wrong, he is the active leader, and he’ll pass Biggio (285) with another 33 HBPs. And BP says Hughie Jennings is the all-time leader, whoever that is.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/HBP_career.shtml
Dan
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
"another 33 HBPs"...
… not real likely. Kendall has only four this year and isn’t likely to play past 2011.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
My Lord, only 4!
I’ve been to a handful of Royals games this year and seen him get hit twice, I surely thought that number was much greater!
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
So maybe it's you being there that's getting him hit this year.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
so dan needs to take one for Kendalls spleen?
Unofficial Self Appointed President of the Player Formerly Known as Castro Blocker Fan Club
Bleed Castro Blue
Jennings for manager!
Heck we elected a dead governor here in Missouri…GETITDONEJIM!
Shut Up Joe Morgan
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 22, 2010 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Baylor never got plunked for the Cubs though, and I think that’s the key. All of Baylor’s 267 plunks were in the American League. So the keys are having at least 16 plunks (unless it’s 17) for the Cubs, and then managing the Cubs. Step 3, victory.
(You need a little patience though, because Frank Chance lost his first trip to the World Series in 1906)
Also, Biggio is the so called “modern record” holder with 285, but Hughie Jennings is the all time career leader with 287. Jason Kendall leads active players with 252 – he might be available to manage, but I don’t think that would work out as well as Byrd.
by plunkeveryone on Jul 22, 2010 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions
And Jennings is deceased.
So that won’t work.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I’m not opposed to the idea of having a deceased manager, but I don’t think it will help.
It would make a great movie though. “Season at Bernie’s”. The voodoo curse would make him get up and walk toward the treasure when the crowd sings “take me out to the ballgame”.
by plunkeveryone on Jul 22, 2010 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
why not
Jennings manager
Baylor bench coach
Biggio 3b coach
Byrd 1b coach/player
Unofficial Self Appointed President of the Player Formerly Known as Castro Blocker Fan Club
Bleed Castro Blue
The best part of that idea
would be watching Byrd wave himself to second on every extra base hit. Although wih how hard he plays and wants to stretch every hit we could have another waving Wendall on our hands. Still worth trying though.
by portlandcubfan on Jul 22, 2010 11:12 PM CDT up reply actions
i dont know
i would enjoy him rounding third while waving the hitter to second
Unofficial Self Appointed President of the Player Formerly Known as Castro Blocker Fan Club
Bleed Castro Blue
The fact that Biggio didn't hang on for those three extra plunks to break Jennings' record...
…either speaks volumes for his character, or to the fact he may not have known that he was short of the record. Now he surely knows, and we may see him don the pads for Houston and take a few for the team once rosters expand in September.
"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
He knew – though there may have been some confusion around the modern record vs all time record thing, because MLB in particular had already crowned him the hbp record holder, ignoring Hughie Jennings. But he definitely knew because there were a number of articles on the subject, and sports writers asking him about it. And some guy on the internet making as much noise about it as he could. (me) He also had one disallowed on a “you didn’t try to get out of the way” call in 2005, so he should have had 286.
He actually stopped wearing an elbow pad sometime around early June of his final season, while he was closing in on 3000 hits.
Also, the Cubs have the distinction of being the only team to hit Biggio in the face with a pitch. But he stayed in the game, and won.
by plunkeveryone on Jul 22, 2010 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Thanks. BTW, didn't one of those Frank Chance HBP's nearly kill him...
…and contribute to his early death?
"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
I'm not sure.
It sounds that way in this article. According to Al’s bio of him in the top 100 list he died from asthma and tuberculosis although it mentions that he had bleeding episodes in his brain, had multiple surgeries to remove blood clots and had crippling headaches for the rest of his life. Another article I saw said tuberculosis of the brain.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
Thanks for the link, which makes Charlie Murphy sound like the Charles O. Finley of his day.
…Has BCB ever done a series on Cubs owners?
"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
This disjointed logic reminds me my favorite truism:
There is a very high correlation between the number of fire trucks called to a fire and the number of deaths in a fire.
Based upon this truism, if we eliminated all fire stations, no one would die in a fire.
Same difference with your HBP stat and conclusion. But thanks for the info & the giggles.
Carlos Silva lemonade: made from freshly squeezed Milton Bradley lemons. -- the Jim Hendry kook book.
But, if no fire trucks go to the fire, there will be no deaths in the fire. Only unexplained missing persons last seen in the vacinity of the fire. And ashes.
Next you’re going to tell me the Illinois’ historical lack of shark attacks has nothing to do with Abraham Lincoln’s campaign to build shark-proof log cabins.
by plunkeveryone on Jul 22, 2010 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
rec'd
Unofficial Self Appointed President of the Player Formerly Known as Castro Blocker Fan Club
Bleed Castro Blue
I like this too, especially the mention of sharks :)
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Jul 22, 2010 7:59 PM CDT up reply actions
did you look at his link?
awesome!
Unofficial Self Appointed President of the Player Formerly Known as Castro Blocker Fan Club
Bleed Castro Blue
thanks for pointing it out C-T...too funny :)
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Jul 27, 2010 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions
@plunkeveryone - There were a number of plunks during the opening game of the European Championships
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Good idea!
I actually have wondered about how a player manager would deal with another player who wasn’t huslting or couldn’t do basic things like bunt?
Would they be more understanding ar just get pissed off easier?
The thought of what he would do if he didn't think he hustled enough himself is a thought...
Imagine him screaming STFU or Wake up at himself…he could pull a Cleavon Little and hold a gun to his head, demanding his players give more effort or he pulls the trigger! Don’t think I won’t beat the crap out of myself !(Yeah he means it! oh the humanity!)
Shut Up Joe Morgan
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 22, 2010 7:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Somehow I can't see Marlon asking
“Where da white women?”
FYI one of my favorites too.
"Lou Piniella's been a great manager for a long time and I stand by him completely"
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 24, 2010 2:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Would have been...uh awesomer? if Richard Pryor was allowed to star in it like he was signed to.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 27, 2010 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Ha-
just noticed you have a fitting user name to be writing this post.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
and web site!
"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk
Has to hit a couple more mile markers
aka, manage at each level of the Cubs minor league system—then he’ll be entitled to the job.
player manage during a rehab stint
would that count?
Unofficial Self Appointed President of the Player Formerly Known as Castro Blocker Fan Club
Bleed Castro Blue
Excellent idea
He can do something no one on this team currently does (except him of course)- lead by a good example. Hustle, play with passion, perform day-in and day-out, all without complaining nor causing internal strife. He should be on the list of managers!
"In order to have a winner, the team must have a feeling of unity; every player must put the team first- ahead of personal glory" - motivational sign at Halas Hall.
Agreed
I love the idea of a player-manager. Don’t think there’s been one since Pete Rose.
Marlon would be the obvious guy on the Cubs to do it. Although Dempster might also be good.
"They found a delivery in my flaw." - Dan Quisenberry
I think the job is too difficult today...
… for a player to do it. Too many media demands, too many egos to deal with. Rose could do it because of his (then) stature in the game and everyone knew his career was almost over.
A mid-career player-manager hasn’t really been done since the 1940’s (Lou Boudreau). Don Kessinger tried it with the White Sox and the experiment was such a failure that he never managed in the major leagues again.
It just wouldn’t work in modern baseball unless you had an end-of-career guy who was transitioning into managing full-time do it.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I don't see it happening again.
Even with a legend. Not with today’s media. The coverage is relentless. Too much to deal with all at once.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 29, 2010 11:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Probably true
But kind of sad.
Still, not sure the media presence is that much more in your face than 20 years ago with Rose, or even in 1961 when Maris was hounded by the press every day in his race to beat Babe’s homer record. Obviously, the bloggers and Web make a big difference, but are the day-to-day media responsibilities of a manager today much more than 20 years ago?
"They found a delivery in my flaw." - Dan Quisenberry
Absolutely.
Way more. With live news conferences after games? That didn’t exist 20 years ago. Much more intense now.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Ya know, as crazy as it sounds...
its actually not a bad idea!
Rec’d
A-well-a Byrd, Byrd, Byrd, well the Byrd is the word.
Facts make me all confuuzzled
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
This makes more sense than anything in the world.
Ever.
What is a horse shoe? What does a horse shoe do? Are there any horse socks? Is anybody listening to me?
Goes right along with your name.
AMAZING IDEA!
"Get up or GET OUT THE WAY!"
~Stacy King
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 23, 2010 10:07 PM CDT reply actions
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