Who Should Be The Cubs' Next Manager?
by Al Yellon on Sep 2, 2010 8:00 AM CDT
in Chicago Cubs News
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On today's off day, I thought I'd start out with a quick post which is mostly a poll. I asked you this question in July, after Lou Piniella announced his retirement, but it deserves asking again. Some circumstances have changed since then, with Mike Quade in the mix since he's serving as manager now.
This poll assumes that Joe Girardi will NOT be available. My guess is that if I put Girardi in this poll, he would win it by an overwhelming margin. He'd be my first choice; assuming he's unavailable, my choice, as most of you know, is Ryne Sandberg.
So, vote in the poll, which is in alphabetical order and now includes Quade -- and doesn't include Alan Trammell, who was in the original poll but has been ruled out as a possible Cubs manager next year.
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If they hire LaRussa I will quit
being a Cub fan. Just want that on the record somewhere! ;-)
I trust you're joking.
I’m not in favor of LaRussa for the Cubs job, but he is one of the most successful managers in MLB history.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I don't think I could take Tony as our manager, either.
I’d have a very tough time being a Cubs fan. I know he’s very good, he’s also (IMO) a despicable human being. I can put up with a lot from the Cubs, but I don’t know if I could take Tony.
I hope LaRussa gets thrown in a Dumpster
and then someone lights a match and uses it to light up a cigar as they watch LaRussa get all stinky
"It's all in the game, yo"
How many times do I have to tell you to KNOCK THIS OFF?
Wishing for death or injury to another person is NOT ACCEPTABLE HERE. Ever.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Doesn't matter.
I don’t want this kind of personal attack here. Keep it to baseball.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I'd take Mark McGwire (yuk) if he took us all the way...
…and I’d love him for it too!
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
If LaRussa is hired, I'd sue him
Just so he could use his law degree again.
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
by RiskyBusiness on Sep 2, 2010 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions
brick wall most of the time, mixed in with some sunshine and clouds when I look up
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Even Though You're Being Facetious...
it’s still not acceptable.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
TLR wouldn't ever consider coming to the Cubs.
He wouldn’t be coddled and he hates the media to begin with, not to mention a healthy dislike for the Cubs. When he was supposed to be looking around before his last contract signing, his short list had the Yanks on it besides the Cards and not much else. It would take the Yanks or the Red Sox to dislodge him, perhaps the White Sox though I doubt it. He’d want a team with a lot of bucks and a good prospect for winning …even then hard to see him leaving his cocoon at this point in his career. He likes being able to tear apart anyone foolish enough to question his methods or his team. Yes he’s a HOF manager but I wouldn’t want any part of him on the Cubs for so many reasons…he wouldn’t be compatible.
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 Sep 2, 2010 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions
Having spent the last 50 years as a Cub fan in Missouri
there are two people who are WAY overrated: Harry Carry and Tony LaRussa
Did you know his name spelled backwards is wapwap?
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 Sep 2, 2010 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Pete Rose has the most hits in MLB history...
Bonds has the most career HR’s in MLB history.
SO WHAT?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Sep 2, 2010 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions
A leadoff hitter and a left-handed power bat
GITTERDONEJIM!
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Have to admit, paul
that was my first thought too… then I boggled that 69 people (at this count) actually voted for him. Most successful or no, he’s a scumbag. Would hate to go through years of holding my nose (reminds me too much of my 4 years in college with an equally despicable president at the helm)…
Love the Dave Martinez choice
I suppose that is for the van-in-the-parking-lot and corn cob dress crowd, eh?
LaRussa is a dupe for Glenn Beck 8.28.10
No, it's because he has been a respected bench coach.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
But we both know
There is ZERO chance he is hired (especially over Sandberg).
LaRussa is a dupe for Glenn Beck 8.28.10
by Dan Serafini on Sep 2, 2010 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions
Thanks for Including Martinez
I don’t think he’s got a real chance for the job, which is unfortunate. I do like Martinez’s credentials, and he hung around the major leagues for a long time as a player.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
Right now my first choice would be Sandberg
with Quade as a close second. And that is even if Girardi was in the mix. After yesterday’s brawl, I’d take a pass on Listach.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
With Ryno leading this poll so greatly...
I’m almost interested how he’d do against Girandi now… Might be closer than you think.
Check out the Video Blog I host: WebSmart TV
by digitalbenjamin on Sep 2, 2010 8:28 AM CDT up reply actions
I might run another poll with Girardi included.
But let’s see how this one ends up.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
You should run a daily tourney
Pit two potential managers against each other in a pole. Give them fake super powers based on their experiences and have them battle it out until the finals.
I think you, and the comments, could have a lot of fun with it.
Hmmm.
Interesting concept. Lemme think about that.
I think I’d do a poll instead of a pole, though.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Yes, poles are only good for tongue sticking in cold weather.
Polls are much more useful around here.
And dancing
"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella
by El Borto on Sep 2, 2010 9:37 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
There are very nice Polish dances.
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Used to see rather a lot of them:
When I lived in Chicago, long ago.
Polish weddings – always a good party.
The Cardinal Club – a 4 AM joint, I think it was on Belmont and Laramie?
A Christmas Story
Yeah, I learned a valuable lesson about that from watching “A Christmas Story”.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
How about a Pole?
What’s Greg Luzinski doing these days?
by Not Bruce Froemming on Sep 2, 2010 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions
He's got a barbecue place in Philly's new stadium
and lives in Florida.
So says Wikipedia.
"It's all in the game, yo"
Luzinski, Manny Sanguillen, Randy Jones, Boog Powell
Never realized so many ex-players are now ballpark barbecue masters.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Sep 2, 2010 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Interestingly...
Alan Trammel is Polish. At least, he was inducted into the National Polish Sports Hall of Fame
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Polish-American_Sports_Hall_of_Fame#Baseball
"It's all in the game, yo"
I really don't think Girardi would win
if he were included.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Sep 2, 2010 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions
I may do another poll including Girardi...
… so we could see.
FWIW, in such a poll, I would vote for Girardi. If he’s available, he’s clearly a better choice. I just don’t expect him to be available.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Why are you surprised Al? BB gets daily TV exposure to Cubs fans
and has said on the air what many Cubs fans feel.
Despite there being a lot of names in the poll, before I even clicked on the results I knew it would be Sandberg #1, Brenly #2 and Quade #3. Darn if I wasn’t right.
It will be interesting now to see if it STAYS that way.
Skip: You guys. You lollygag the ball around the infield. You lollygag your way down to first. You lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes you? ... Larry?
Larry: Lollygaggers!
Skip: Lollygaggers.
Experience as a MLB manager
I read somewhere Hendry wanted MLB managing experience. I think that is a slap in the face of Sandberg who was told to go get experience in the minors. Of course Sandberg is my choice too.
If Ricketts has a say, I would think he goes Sandberg after the last two ceremonies at Wrigley. Dawson probably should have been introduced on field by Pat Hughes or Len Kasper. Instead the “Cubs Fan” Ricketts (well within his rights as owner) wanted the chance to introduce one of his heroes. The rededication of Harry’s statue also had a distinct Ricketts flare, holding up a Budweiser singing along with Dutchie.
Ricketts is a fan too. I’m sure like the rest of us he adores Ryno and would want him over some of the non-Cubs in the mix. I can’t believe Hendry has the final say, only his recommendation.
After I’ve said all this, Quade has shown a personable side to reporters in the post game interview and a smile to his players. I wonder if the players would band together and say Quade is their man?
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
I'm with Ryno too
But Quade, LaRussa and Girardi would all be fine choices too. I’m not a big personal fan of LaRussa, but all he does is win.
"I won't be like A-Rod" - Z, 3/17/09
by Ihatethecards on Sep 2, 2010 9:15 AM CDT up reply actions
except for the last 2 weeks
I Love Larry - Brick are you looking at random things around the room and saying that you love them - I Love Larry
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
you are right there
The Colby Rasmas feud but be bigger than anyone is letting on.
"I won't be like A-Rod" - Z, 3/17/09
by Ihatethecards on Sep 2, 2010 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Being a fan is fine...
…but at the end of the day, if Ricketts doesn’t base his decisions on sound objectivity, the team he is a fan of, will continue to lose.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Sorry, but no.
He signed my kid’s baseball “Avoid the clap.” Not a nice man.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
Wait.
Tom Hanks signed your kid’s baseball that way?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
"Hey, that's good advice!"
Skip: You guys. You lollygag the ball around the infield. You lollygag your way down to first. You lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes you? ... Larry?
Larry: Lollygaggers!
Skip: Lollygaggers.
After what he called the umpire,
And you not liking Listach it was assured you wouldn’t like him. There’s still no crying in baseball.
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 Sep 2, 2010 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions
He sure knows how to pee though.
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 Sep 2, 2010 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Projecting who will be successful is always a guessing game but...
Sandberg possesses all the qualities and resume successes in the management realm to be something quite special. Talented as a player but not exceedingly he would not have been a top prospect in today’s vernacular, I suspect a B- since he did not display power.
He started out 1 for 30 something but knuckled down and established himself as a MLB player at 3B, out of position. He then moved to 2B, conceivable in that he was a SS.
He became a leader on a team as a young player by example and performance (see Whitey Herzog)
Then he remade himself after gaining the accolades of HOF status, toiled at the minor league level and earned (earned…can I say that again earned) the respect of the players and system. His teams in the minor league win, see Iowa now in 1st place….
He would bring a fresh air to the team and system. He would lead by example and demand. His HOF status would naturally stand up to any $18M a year player….
He would have to establish a support staff where pitching be delegated…why I would like Jody Davis on his staff somewhere or better Maddux as his bench coach now that would be ideal. Let a pitching coach be the mechanics guy and Maddux be the strategy guy….I would love to see Dernier at 3B. It would be a Bleed Cubbie Blue staff….
It would be the beginning of the renaissance of the program.
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
Wow
I don’t know what to say.
Just one question, how does Sandberg’s playing history relate to Whitey Herzog? Whitey played in over 100 games twice in his career. In 8 seasons, he played with 4 different teams. How does this relate to becoming a leader on a team as a young player? Whitey never played enough or had enough success to ever be a leader as a player.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
I think
our friend is referring to comments Herzog had made after the famous Sandberg vs Sutter game. I am not 100% sure but I think Herzog labeled Sandberg the greatest hitter of all time, or something along those lines.
Go Cubs!
The postgame comments were along the line of Herzog
talking about “Baby Ruth over there beating us” (or words to that effect). It added that bit of color to the game that vaulted Ryno onto the national stage.
by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on Sep 2, 2010 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions
good lord
Someone has found stronger kool-aid than the stuff that I’ve been drinking.
"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
The Ryno Renaissance.
Keep dreaming. Sandberg might be a good manager, he might be the best fit of the available candidates.
But I think YOU need to go take a cold shower.
I have a few questions
When he turns water to wine, can I have some?
I don’t like fish. Can he make it loaves and brats?
If we have to fire him and we need a player to betray him, what is 30 pieces of silver in today’s market?
When he is fired, do we have to build a cross, or will the Toyota sign suffice?
"It's all in the game, yo"
After the firing
I’ll be waiting for him to climb the foul pole and rip down his number as you discussed yesterday. That will be great.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
I agree with your overall concept.
Sandberg is my first choice too but someone who has the potential to hang around for a long time is essential. We’ve spoken about managerial continuity on this site before. It seems that of the consistently successful teams of the past the single common denominator is managerial continuity. When Lou was hired I was excited but I knew his tenure would be limited by his age. At least Ryno is young enough that, if successful, he could be around for a long time. Of course, baseball is a fickle master. How often have we seen managers fired because of one or two bad season. Bobby Cox is the exception. After 14 consecutive division titles he hit a rough patch the past couple of years. Most managers, especially those as old as Bobby, would have been fired. Now he’s on top again in his final season. TLR is another example although he’s too old to seriously consider for the Cubs. I’ve often wondered if the Cubs have been too quick on the trigger over the years.
And so it goes.
Wait ...
How does his career as a player apply to or influence his abilities as a manager?
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Mount Washington conquered July 5, 2010! State high point count: 3/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Sep 2, 2010 5:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Honestly? I really don't know who to pick.
Sandberg was my favorite player growing up (he’s behind only Wood and Maddux all-time). But I don’t know if he’s my top choice to be Cubs manager, even if Girardi is not an option.
Sandberg did pay his dues, he road the buses and he’s been a good minor-league manager by all accounts. I don’t think he would be a bad manager. But Quade has basically done the same things for a lot longer AND he’s been a big-league coach, including four years with the Cubs.
From my perspective, the only plus Sandberg has over Quade is name recognition, and I don’t think that should be a plus — or anything more than an added bonus — in making a final decision. That’s not saying that Sandberg would be a bad pick, or that his celebrity should work against him. But from my perspective, I really don’t know which one of them would be better. I’m also kinda intrigued by Fredi Gonzalez.
This is one where I don’t think that fans, who won’t interview these guys or even really know them, can really make the call. That’s not a criticism of anyone who does have a pick. But from where I’m sitting, I don’t think there is a clear choice.
How
Could you not pick LaRussa if he’s available? He’s the best on the list by a mile. Plus you get Duncan.
For years ... no, decades ... I've been asking the rhetorical question
why don’t the Cubs get Tony LaRussa? So today I have to clear my head of all sentimentality and ask the same question. I vote for TLR.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
i would think they
Want a manager that will be there for at least the next 10 years. Assuming a level of success
by cozmotaylor123 on Sep 2, 2010 8:42 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
LaRussa heard a rumor
that steroids increase your career length.
[...]when Giants coach Steve Owen, a certified defensive genius, was asked how he planned to stop Nagurski, he said: "With a shotgun, as he’s leaving the dressing room."
by NobodySpecial on Sep 2, 2010 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions
Because
Tony LaRussa is 65 years old. Turns 66 next month.
I’d like a manager who might stick around a while if possible. LaRussa would be another four years and I’m retired guy.
How does he keep his hair so black?
Must be the toasted ravioli….
LaRussa is a dupe for Glenn Beck 8.28.10
by Dan Serafini on Sep 2, 2010 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions
NO PLAY FOR MISTER GRAY!
Ask Keith Hernandez and Walt “Clyde” Frazier.
by Josh Timmers on Sep 2, 2010 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions
LaRussa has a drinking problem
He has quite a number of DUI’s in StLouis
"Quite a number"
… appears to be once. And it was in Florida during spring training, not in St. Louis.
I’m sick of the TLR attacks on this site. He did something wrong and paid the price for it. He happens to be a very good and successful manager.
Do I want him as Cubs manager? No.
The personal attacks on him here will stop. Now.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Here's why I don't want him
LaRussa bears a lot of responsibility for the steroids problem. He had two of the biggest users in this sport and turned a blind eye to it and STILL doesn’t think McGwire did anything wrong.
He is smug, hypocritical, backbiting and has personally desecrated the game of baseball with his “six pitchers; six outs” style of managing.
I don’t want him. I don’t like him.
"It's all in the game, yo"
by Worf on Sep 2, 2010 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
And I hope the garbage bag breaks the next time he takes out the trash
and he has trash in his yard.
"It's all in the game, yo"
....and on his uniform.
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Sep 2, 2010 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions
He also allowed a culture of ignoring drinking that led to
Spezio going bonkers without redressing it as well as Hancock being given a free pass drinking and driving until he slammed into a car stopped on the interstate, killing himself. It is very fair to say LaRussa ignored alcohol and steriod drug use on his teams a lot more than one DUI would indicate.
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 Sep 2, 2010 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Concur
and if you were confused or angered by Lou’s constant lineup changes and changing pitchers for no appearant reason….just wait for TLRs. He wrote the book….
"All I want is food and creative love" - Rusted Root
by TheRiot Police on Sep 2, 2010 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions
Doggie Stalker would have a cerebral hemmorhage
"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
Actually, I don't think many of us were angered by Lou changing the lineup.
But the switches and non-switches he made were ridiculous this season.
+1
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Mount Washington conquered July 5, 2010! State high point count: 3/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Sep 2, 2010 5:10 PM CDT up reply actions
if you were Jim Hendry
What type of questions would you ask in the interview process?
Some of these interviews take a couple days. What is being asked?
by cozmotaylor123 on Sep 2, 2010 8:40 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
"Who's the Greatest GM in baseball?"
“Do you like my office?”
“Wasn’t that fabulous how I landed Soriano?”
[...]when Giants coach Steve Owen, a certified defensive genius, was asked how he planned to stop Nagurski, he said: "With a shotgun, as he’s leaving the dressing room."
by NobodySpecial on Sep 2, 2010 8:52 AM CDT up reply actions
Did you see the contract I gave Grabow
How about the MB deal? God, I rule, dont I?
I Love Larry - Brick are you looking at random things around the room and saying that you love them - I Love Larry
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
What is your favorite kind of donut?
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
I prefer
a FULL rack of lamb
I Love Larry - Brick are you looking at random things around the room and saying that you love them - I Love Larry
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
If the moon were made of ribs, would ya eat it?!
Sorry… I must’ve gotten confused there.
Hey-What about this?
If you had a choice between being the top scientist in your field and or getting mad cow disease, what would it be?
My son does the best impression of Will Ferrell doing Harry Caray. Yes, it’s an impression of an impression. It’s hysterical.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
well typically
in a several day interview you spend some time just hanging out – trying to get the real person to come out, also you do some of the things that you would normally do in a day so that they can see what they are getting themselves into. Basically, the multi-day interview is to get to know the real people and the real business so everyone can make an informed decision
I Love Larry - Brick are you looking at random things around the room and saying that you love them - I Love Larry
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
should it be a full NTC
or a double-secret NTC
I Love Larry - Brick are you looking at random things around the room and saying that you love them - I Love Larry
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
Probably something like
“What I’m looking for is someone who can best utilize the talent I give him (If the talent fails, I have some friends at BCB that will blame you for telling me to get certain players, and I won’t have to bear the brunt of my mistakes. I’m going to be honest, I have a pretty cushy gig here).
First off, the only time this club has had a bonafide leadoff hitter was for a few months in 2003, and that’s not going to change next year. How is it that you’ll overcome this deficiency, including my disregard for team speed?
Secondly, due to my inability to build a top farm system the past, oh, 16 years, the team you’ll be inheriting is filled with many highly paid superstars, minus the superstar. Will you be holding them responsible when they loaf or make silly mental errors, or will you continue running them out there?
The bullpen’s a mess. Good luck with that.
And lastly, I’m wondering how important fundamental baseball is to you. Some of my friends at BCB continue to blame the past two managers I hired (Luckily I never catch any grief for hiring such dopes. Thanks, guys!), instead of considering that it’s an organizational problem and the blame begins at the top. Fact is, I don’t have an organizational philosophy other than just patching up holes with whatever random players I think could fit (er, I mean, you think could fit). While you may think it’s absurd that I’m even getting a chance to interview my third manager, I’ve done a fantastic job of blaming everyone (McDonough, Tribune, Dusty, Lou) but myself for this 150 million dollar disaster I put on the field in 2010. Like I said, I have a cushy gig.
On the bright side, none other than Jerry Crasnick recently called me ‘the most well-connected GM in the game’, which means I can get you seated immediately at any steakhouse in America. Yeah, I’m that connected.
So, are you interested in the job?"
by shoemile on Sep 2, 2010 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Well done!!!
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
A few examples:
What type of team do you feel you manage best?
What type of team do you think is important to have at Wrigley?
What do you think of our current club, and what needs to be improved?
How involved do you like to be in roster assembly?
What are your philosophies on using young talent?
Tell me your philosphy on pitch counts etc.
Larry Rothschild has a lifetime contract, can you live with him?
What about Rudy?
Just a few of the basics.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
I like Sandberg
But would be almost equally happy with Quade, Brenly, or Fredi Gonzalez. Heck, I could even live with Bobby Valentine.
At any rate, it’s not the manager that’s going to make this team not contend in 2011, I put that solely on the GM, who needs to be gone as of yesterday. In a ceremony involving roofing material, pillow stuff, and a rail.
[...]when Giants coach Steve Owen, a certified defensive genius, was asked how he planned to stop Nagurski, he said: "With a shotgun, as he’s leaving the dressing room."
I'm a peaceful sort
[...]when Giants coach Steve Owen, a certified defensive genius, was asked how he planned to stop Nagurski, he said: "With a shotgun, as he’s leaving the dressing room."
by NobodySpecial on Sep 2, 2010 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions
There's too much reason in your argument here.
Doubt it will be noticed. This is how I feel about it though, the manager isn’t going to be that important until they turn this stinker around.
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 Sep 2, 2010 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions
an engaged manager
could have had us as buyers at the deadline this year…
I Love Larry - Brick are you looking at random things around the room and saying that you love them - I Love Larry
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
hoo boy.
Don’t agree at all that would have been a good thing. It’s possible we could have been close to .500 perhaps and that would have led us to be a buyer. I don’t see how that would have helped us in the long run though. No manager was going to lead this stinker of a team into the playoffs.
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 Sep 2, 2010 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions
correct
I agree that without Lou leading us to the basement we wouldnt have been able to get something for nothing with Lilly, Theriot and Lee…similar to there would be no Tea Party if McCain was elected…
I Love Larry - Brick are you looking at random things around the room and saying that you love them - I Love Larry
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
ding ding ding
Muskat had an article that stated that Hendry is open to that possibility (SAndberg being bench coach) and that it is possibly one of the things that Jim is selling to Sandberg right now.
I Love Larry - Brick are you looking at random things around the room and saying that you love them - I Love Larry
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
Look at it this way
The players seem to respond to Quade. Let him run with the ’11 team. Have Sandberg continue his growth at the ML level. If Quade fails as time goes on, at that point you can insert Sandberg.
Go Cubs!
But then you cast Sandberg in the vulture role ...
circling over Quade. Bad dynamic, if you ask me.
Further...
… Sandberg won’t do it. If Quade gets the job, Sandberg would be interviewed by — and likely hired as manager by — one of the 10 other teams that will have openings this winter.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
depends on his desire to be with the Cubs
if he likes the organization enough he might say I will stay on, but the next opening is mine and if not then I will steal your donut money
I Love Larry - Brick are you looking at random things around the room and saying that you love them - I Love Larry
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
Frankly ...
I think too many BCBers assume loyalty to the Cubs from players and ex-players. Even Ted Lilly, who many thought could come back next year at a discount, likely will work out a deal to stay in LA.
We shouldn’t assume that Sandberg, Wood, et. al will give up millions of dollars — even if they’re already millionaires — or reduced roles to come back to Chicago.
I suspect Wood might.
He’s made $70 million in his career and his wife’s family is from Chicago.
As far as Sandberg is concerned, I think he wants to be a major league manager. If it’s not in Chicago, it will likely be somewhere else next year.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
We've had this discussion before, Al.
I really think (respectfully) that you overestimate ex-Cubs’ loyalty to the organization. I could see Wood coming back, but I don’t presume he’ll give a discount.
If there's an organization that Wood is loyal to ...
it’s the Cubs. And he probably would be more loyal to the organization than, say, Jerry Hairston or even somebody like Aramis Ramirez.
But I don’t think loyalty counts for much.
I think it counts for something.
And I think Wood would help the 2011 bullpen, at the right price.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Plus, the Yankees are the Cadillac of organizations
He might LIKE playing in a brand-new stadium for a team that considers 85 wins a down year.
"It's all in the game, yo"
This isn't necessarily about loyalty to the organization.
It’s about wanting to play in his adopted hometown, where he has extended family.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Yeah, but he hasn't lived here in almost three years.
And when you have that much money, traveling back to Chicago is kinda easy.
During the baseball season when you're playing for another team?
Not so much.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
True.
But the question is whether Wood would pass up more money and (maybe?) a multiyear deal elsewhere to come back.
I think market conditions and the demands for his service will FAR outweigh any of the return-to-Chicago factors.
Maybe.
You really see him getting more $ and a multiyear deal? I don’t.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
More money than the Cubs are willing to spend?
Sure. It’s possible. We don’t know what the offseason will bring — Adam Dunn, another starter.
Here’s one for you Al: What if the Cubs can trade Kosuke and save $5 million, most of which could be used to sign Wood. Do you pull the trigger?
As for a multiyear deal, I’m not sure. That’s why I couched it.
Answer to your question
Yes, probably — depending on what the return was other than the $5m in savings.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That's a reason I see it possible.
He’s declining as he ages and not going to be in the long term plans of anyone, plus he’s already made a lot of money. I agree with elgato that odds are he will pick the most money offered but it is possible for any aging vet to pick a city they feel comfortable with at the end of their career and take less money to be there.
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 Sep 2, 2010 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions
Is it really the end of his career?
Wood’s 33, not 36. He might think he can pitch for a long time yet.
He's been really, really good for NYY.
A little lucky and walk-happy, but striking out the stadium and not allowing any runs.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
Small sample size.
He’s at least injury prone. I’d see if we could sign him nevertheless, but only for a reasonable salary. I don’t think anyone has him in mind pitching long term for them, you never know when he will break down. He’s an asset as long as you aren’t depending on a lot of innings from him. The Yankees sure aren’t wanting him to be a closer and taking the right approach.
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 Sep 2, 2010 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions
how about this
figure he has 4 years left at an average of $2.5 mil a year – offer him a 10 year $10 million deal – this way it wont drastically affect the budget and we could get him no prob.
I Love Larry - Brick are you looking at random things around the room and saying that you love them - I Love Larry
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
absolutely
the dollar – especially millions of them – is King…I am not saying that he will because of this, but saying that him being a bench coach here vs. a manager elsewhere is highly dependant on his desire to remain with the organization
I Love Larry - Brick are you looking at random things around the room and saying that you love them - I Love Larry
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
Don't bet on that
The Dodgers as a financial entity are in the toilet.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
Al
put the bug in Tom’s ear that I will be the puppet manager of the Cubs and Sandberg can be the Bench Coach…this way when I fail miserably on purpose they can me and Sandberg rides in and becomes the Savior
I Love Larry - Brick are you looking at random things around the room and saying that you love them - I Love Larry
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
I like the way you think...
Al, put a bug in Tom’s other ear that I will be the puppet first baseman (hey – I played it in HS and I’m left-handed). This way when I fail miserably (won’t even have to be on purpose), they can me, and trade for Gonzalez and I’ll go back out to the streets…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
ok so now we need
a puppet 3b, lf, cf, 3 sp’s, 2relief and a GM – whose taking
I Love Larry - Brick are you looking at random things around the room and saying that you love them - I Love Larry
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
Put me down for puppet GM....
I have lousy eye to hand coordination and no athletic ability. But I bet I could hand out outrageous contracts. I’m re-signing Ted Lilly as my first task.
"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"--The Brain
When the chairs are left
Sandberg will have his pick of Toronto or Florida. He’d be better off waiting here, being a good soldier and hoping Quade flops
"It's all in the game, yo"
Why would he be better off?
The Marlins are constantly bringing up good young players (despite a crappy owner). I understand that the Blue Jays are in the toughest division in baseball, so going there might be a losing bet.
It would not surprise me...
… to see Sandberg in the running for the Arizona job, if the Cubs hire someone else.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Makes sense.
It sounds like you think that one of the reasons to hire Sandberg is that you think there’s no chance he won’t get a big-league managing job next year. Am I correct in my thinking, Al?
Note that I’m not disagreeing with you. I just hadn’t given it that much thought.
That's one of the reasons, yes.
If the Cubs think they can hire someone else and Sandberg would just jump at the chance to be a coach under that guy, I believe they are mistaken.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I agree with you.
Unless the guy is Joe Torre — which is highly unlikely — Sandberg won’t want to be the heir apparent.
Obviously, that shouldn't be the only reason.
But look at the choices in the poll so far. 60% choose Sandberg — a clear majority.
There will be a significant portion of the fanbase pissed off if Sandberg is NOT chosen and winds up as the manager of, say, the Diamondbacks.
I am NOT saying that this kind of thing needs to be the overriding factor. However, despite Tom Ricketts’ statement yesterday about marketing not driving this bus, they do run the risk of alienating a significant portion of their fanbase if this happens.
The days of opening the doors to Wrigley and having people lined up to get in are over.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Hmmm.
I don’t know, Al. Would that many people come to Wrigley to watch Sandberg sit in the dugout?
The Cubs thwarted the attendance drop of late 2006 by spending on a LOT of talent going into 2007. That created buzz and brought the fans back. I don’t think Sandberg has that kind of drawing power. Not after the first few games.
Obviously, the Cubs need a better team.
But they’d clearly get a sales boost by hiring Sandberg.
Note again, I am NOT suggesting they hire him for this reason.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
It kind of seems like you are though, Al
"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
Just saying, that may be a factor...
… even though they say it isn’t.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Just saying, that may be a factor...
… even though they say it isn’t.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Well, I'd bet a lot of money that it will be Sandberg.
Gonzalez will end up with the Braves. Brenly isn’t a real choice, Girardi isn’t leaving the Bronx and Torre is too old. I don’t consider any of the other candidates mentioned more than million-to-one shots.
So, it’s really about Sandberg and Quade. And I think Sandberg gets the nod because he’s an up-and-comer/because he was a star for the Cubs.
I just hope that reasoning pays off.
I just don't think
that’s enough for this particular franchise, eg.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Sep 2, 2010 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions
You think the Cubs need a bigger ...
more experienced name?
Note that I’m not saying Sandberg is the best choice. I’m really not sure who that is. But I think he’s the most likely choice.
I think they need someone
who has more than four years of minor-league managerial experience and also has had experience under a successful system.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Sep 2, 2010 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions
This does not mean
Someone like Bobby Valentine. He is a true retread.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Sep 2, 2010 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions
I think a lot depends on the interviews.
And we’ll never really know who did well in those.
Good organizations...
…don’t make baseball decisions based on fan polls.
The most important thing Ricketts can do is conjur up as much objectivity (and help from others) to help identify the guy that gives them the best chance to win.
If you win, it solves all your problems.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
it's too bad Ryno hadn't started his minor league sojourn a few years earlier than he did
then he could have been bench coach under Lou. Given Lou’s age and pedigree, I don’t think it would have been a vulture situation and Ryno would be getting valuable ML experience.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Seattle and Spokane (where he's from, IIRC) ...
are about five hours apart. It would be like saying someone from Cairo, Ill., would draw interest from the Cubs. It’s possible, but I don’t see much of a hometown factor.
Or that someone from Peoria
would want to leave the Yankees to manage the Cubs?
by Josh Timmers on Sep 2, 2010 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions
Sandberg's wife isn't from Chicago.
And Sandberg’s dad isn’t currently living in Chicago.
Err -- Sandberg's wife isn't from Seattle.
And his dad isn’t living there. And Sandberg didn’t go to college in the Seattle area.
Doesn't really matter
If the Mariners offer Sandberg the job, he’s taking it. No one in their right mind agrees to be Mike Quade’s caddy rather than taking a big league managerial job, as some around here are suggesting.
Here’s the Seattle Times article listing Sandberg as a candidate. He’s not listed very high because it’s assumed that he’s in line for the Cubs job. That would change if someone else got the Cubs job.
by Josh Timmers on Sep 2, 2010 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions
Well, if we're talking about hometown loyalty ...
it does matter. And that seemed to be your initial point.
The Mariners could hire Sandberg. So could the D-Backs, the Marlins, the Blue Jays or the Cubs. But I don’t think the Mariners are interested in Sandberg (or vice versa) because he grew up in western Washington.
And that’s what I was responding to.
My response to this...
… Sandberg may be from Spokane, but he has not lived there for many years. He has had a fulltime home in the Phoenix area for at least 20 years, maybe more.
If there’s a “hometown” team other than the Cubs for him, it’d be the Diamondbacks, not the Mariners.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Girardi Did Go to Northwestern
Girardi does have Chicagoland ties outside of being a former player for the Cubs. I still don’t think Girardi’s going to be Cubs manager in 2011. The Bronx are too accommodating right now.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
Point taken
But I would hope that Sandberg would be able to coexist and continue to learn. Furthermore I would hope that Quade would rely on Sandberg often with all facets of the game.
Personally I am not yet sold on Sandberg. Yes I understand he has “paid his dues” in the minors. But I do not see nothing wrong with him continuing his growth as a bench coach.
Go Cubs!
You may not see anything wrong
with him continuing his growth as a bench coach but I bet he does.
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
Maybe so
maybe not. If it is sold to him as continued education, he might very well accept this role. It might even give him more exposure to other teams.
Go Cubs!
He wanted the job when Lou
was hired. My guess is he doesn’t get the Cubs job he finds one elsewhere. He won’t stay with the organization.
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 am really riding
the fence with Sandberg. I can see by the poll he is the far majority favorite. There is just something that I can’t put my finger on. I like the thought of him being a younger manager with the chance of sticking around for a long time. But history tells us HOF players do not end up being very good managers. Let me say this, by no means am I saying Sandberg can not be a good manager. If hired I sure hope he is one!
Go Cubs!
If he wanted the job when Lou was hired,
he either was very naive or very arrogant.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Sep 2, 2010 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Naive, I think.
And the fact that he has gone to the lowest level of the minor leagues, learned the craft of managing, excelled at it and had rave reviews from both players and management speaks highly of him and his abilities.
Most Hall of Famers who would have gone in like that and been told they didn’t have enough experience would likely have just gone home.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I was in the Brenly
camp at the beginning but after I read Josh’s post on Sandberg I moved into Rynes camp. It will be interesting and somewhat entertaining to see how this all plays out.
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
Interesting.
But would Sandberg really play second banana to anyone other than Girardi or Torre? I doubt it.
Right now I rather like this idea.
I do however wonder how well Mike and Ryno would harmonize with each other personally and professionally.
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
I think it would basically be
Hendry telling Quade…youre a part-timer, unless you somehow get us a WS ring this year….really to any manager other than Girardi thats what it would be to the manager, and it could be that is what they are doing and Quade would be ok with it. He would get a years worth of managerial experience with virtually no pressure so he could go elsewhere in 2012.
I Love Larry - Brick are you looking at random things around the room and saying that you love them - I Love Larry
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
That's a great idea
You want another great idea? Let’s keep Conan AND Leno at NBC!
by Josh Timmers on Sep 2, 2010 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Quality list
There are some quality names on this list. I’d like to see a couple of them on Ryno’s coaching staff next season. Pat Listach and Freddie Gonzalez. If the other names don’t retire, they will stay put. ie Cora, Martinez
I'm betting that Listach
doesn’t have a chance of getting a major league job after last night. Whether he was in the right or wrong, no on is going to want to hire him with that video of him jumping on Chris Volsted. He’s going to have to wait a few years now until memories of that fade.
You might be right...
but I never would have thought Pinella or Billy Martin would have gotten jobs
"It's all in the game, yo"
Different era
And their fights were from their playing days. Third base coaches are expected to restore order, not plunge into the fight.
by Josh Timmers on Sep 2, 2010 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions
After last night's melee,
I think I’ll skip on Listach.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Mount Washington conquered July 5, 2010! State high point count: 3/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Sep 2, 2010 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions
I watched that video a couple of times.
Completely unacceptable behavior from a coach. I suspect he may have ruined his future with that.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I suspect their fanbase would be ok with that
For the next week, anyway.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
No Multiple Choices on the Poll!?!
What! I want to College of Coaches and I want it now! NOW! NOW!! NOW!!!
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
LMAO
Which coaches would you put in that College?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Charlie Metro
At 91, he’s tanned, rested and ready!
by Josh Timmers on Sep 2, 2010 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions
sweet jersey, btw
Check out the Video Blog I host: WebSmart TV
by digitalbenjamin on Sep 2, 2010 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions
my personal favorite!
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Sep 2, 2010 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Me too.
I’d vote for that one right now.
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 Sep 2, 2010 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions
My Facetious Faculty
All Coaches will manage for 1 month of the season, either for 1 straight month, or in 2 week increments. When not the Manager, each coach will rotate through the various coaching positions – Bench Coach, First Base Coach, Third Base Coach, Hititng Coach, and Pitching Coach.
Each Coach has been selected for their specificskills and previous knowledge of the Chicago Cubs organization.
Ryne Sandberg – Somebody who at least looks good standing on the dugout steps.
Mike Quade – Can he be Starlin Castro’s Don Zimmer, ala Derek Jeter?
Rudy Jaramillo – Well, we are paying him already
Lee Elia – Expert at Media Relations
Tom Treblehorn – Expert at Fan Relations
Steve Trachsel – “The reliever needs extra time to warm up. Send Steve out to talk to the pitcher…”
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
by RiskyBusiness on Sep 2, 2010 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Torre, with Sandberg as bench coach
I’ll keep saying it until it happens. It makes no sense for Quade to accept the manager’s job if offered knowing Sandberg is there hoping he fails. If Quade gets the job, then he should pick his own bench coach. If he picks Sandberg, well, then it’s on him. However, Torre is secure within himself, would take a two to three year deal, and wouldn’t mind Jesus Christ Sandberg as his bench coach. And saying Torre is too old isn’t a valid argument when we’re only talking a 2-3 year deal.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
Enough of old-school, big-name managers who are gone in 2-3 years.
Enough. Enough. Enough. No more. Do. Not. Want.
Torre’s going to retire, I believe.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al Yellon on Sep 2, 2010 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions 5 recs
just because I have nothing more than this to contribute, I'm going to rec it.
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Sep 2, 2010 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions
So no real substantive reason then?
Because that’s just weak generalizing. Always has been.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
by BeerCub on Sep 2, 2010 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well, we tried getting a big-name manager,
And he flopped very badly, beginning in the playoffs a few years ago. Many of his decisions were questionable, and his press conferences over the past few years consisted of him asking questions instead of answering them.
Who am I speaking of? Lou Piniella.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Mount Washington conquered July 5, 2010! State high point count: 3/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Sep 2, 2010 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Again....
….. what does any of this have to do with Torre?
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
Because like Piniella,
Torre is an older, big-name manager, who may indeed be past his prime.
Just like Lou was in 2007.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Mount Washington conquered July 5, 2010! State high point count: 3/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Sep 2, 2010 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions
So?
Lou is Lou and Torre is Torre. Just because they’re both older and big names in baseball doesn’t mean they’ll produce similar results.
I can almost guarantee you that whoever the Cubs do end up hiring, you could probably find a manager in Cubs franchise history comparable in age and/or managerial experience. And chances are pretty good that that manager failed. So does that mean the new manager is automatically doomed as well?
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
It's just that I remember seeing Lou saying something like
“Chicago will be a good place to finish up my coaching career” or something similar when he got the job.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Mount Washington conquered July 5, 2010! State high point count: 3/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Sep 2, 2010 8:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Fair enough - but you should pin that one on Lou, not Torre.
If you don’t want Torre because you don’t think he’ll do a good job, that’s fine. Just make sure you hang him based on his own (de)merits, not Lou’s.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Good point.
My bad. Lou Piniella is Lou Piniella and Joe Torre is Joe Torre.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Mount Washington conquered July 5, 2010! State high point count: 3/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Sep 2, 2010 8:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Good - then I won't have to start calling you New Hampshire Cubs Fan... ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
LOL!!!!
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Mount Washington conquered July 5, 2010! State high point count: 3/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Sep 2, 2010 9:09 PM CDT up reply actions
weak argument
And stinking of ageism. The commentators widely expect Sandberg to be an “old school” type manager, so how is his age relevant?
"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
Generalizing?
No, I was very specific. I don’t want another old-school, big-name manager. The Cubs have tried that road and failed. Let’s do something else.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al Yellon on Sep 2, 2010 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Which says nothing about Torre's qualities
He’s a big name manager. Big deal. He’s also successful. If he’s the best guy for the situation the Cubs have, then skipping him because he’s a “name” is incredibly ridiculous. All I get from your objection to Torre is that because Baylor, Baker and Piniella didn’t win a pennant, you’re going to hold that against Torre. Makes no sense whatsoever.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
I don't want an old-school manager.
Torre is old school. Been there, done that. I want someone younger, with new ideas. I don’t want to have to replace the guy after two or three years — again.
No thanks. Plus, I can’t see him wanting the job.
And Sandberg won’t bench-coach — anywhere. If he’s not offered the Cubs job, I expect several other teams will offer him theirs.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I agree with you
Although it’s not like Sandberg is exactly a sabermetric manager. He’s reasonably old-school.
However, I think people have to look at last night in Albuquerque as an example of why Sandberg would be such a good manager for the Cubs. Down seven runs in the top of the ninth, Iowa did not quit. In fact, they scored nine and won. I can’t say there was anything that Sandberg specifically did to win the game (we can debate the double steal before the Marquez Smith home run) but I saw (well, listened to on the radio) a team that was prepared to come back and not going to quit.
That’s a big plus on Sandberg’s record that he had a team that would do that. And apparently Jim Hendry was in the stands as well.
Sounds like
The Cubs circa 2008, when the old, tired fossil named Lou Piniella was managing.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Sep 2, 2010 6:43 PM CDT up reply actions
LOL
Good point. Small sample size?
"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
The Ryno-holics love to grasp at straws
Again: Most of them are thinking with their hearts, not their heads.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Sep 3, 2010 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions
But Torre
has also been very unsuccessful as a manager as well. How much of Torre’s success is because of his players and how much has been because of him.
But personally, at 70 years old, I believe that Torre no longer has the energy necessary to be a great manager. I’ve seen a lot of listlessness on the Dodgers this season. Maybe that’s because of the divorce, but maybe it’s because Torre doesn’t have the energy anymore.
That's part of it.
And your point about Torre’s record as being driven by his players is taken.
At the time Torre was hired by the Yankees, he had managed 14 years in the major leagues with a record of 894-1003. He had six winning seasons with the Mets, Cardinals and Braves and one playoff appearance.
His overall percentage with the Dodgers is going to wind up similar to what it was with the Braves, suggesting that he has little overall influence over his team’s record.
He’s the modern-day Casey Stengel.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
This is true...
…for virtually all managers. Which is why organizations make managers successful as opposed to the opposite.
Torre is going to be a first ballot HOF manager, and he wouldn’t have sniffed that if he didn’t get the Yankees gig.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
So what do you do....
…. if in three years Sandberg’s record mirrors Trammell’s first three years?
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
Fire him
Same as you’d do with any manager. What would you do if Torre’s record as Cub manager mirrored his record as the Cardinals or Mets manager?
Promote Sandberg then....
… from bench coach.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
Moreover.....
…. if Sandberg is the manager in 2011 and they have three bad years, a distinct possibility, you’ve forever blown the cache he brings as a team icon, just like Trammell can’t go home anymore. Give Sandberg the job when he has a better chance of succeeding, not now.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
What do you mean by "Trammell can't go home anymore"?
No, the Tigers won’t hire him as manager again. But he is certainly welcome at Tigers events and I’m sure Tigers fans still remember his playing career fondly.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Don't be obtuse
You know what I mean.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
Sandberg
Will be an old-school, big-name manager the second he steps into a management job. Why would you think otherwise?
"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
A green for thee.
[...]when Giants coach Steve Owen, a certified defensive genius, was asked how he planned to stop Nagurski, he said: "With a shotgun, as he’s leaving the dressing room."
by NobodySpecial on Sep 2, 2010 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Is Jim Hendry really the GM going forward?
by jackbuc@aol.com on Sep 2, 2010 10:27 AM CDT reply actions
Yes
He will be the GM next season at least.
by Josh Timmers on Sep 2, 2010 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions
It boggles the mind, doesn't it?
"One of the things I like about baseball is that between innings you can go to the restroom.'' ~Manny Acta.
It boggles the mind...
…and will end up setting the organization back (and cost Ricketts financially) for several years to come if it is true.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
The only thing that has been promised thus far
Is that Jim Hendry will be the Cubs’ GM on Opening Day 2011.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
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sorry..I just slammed my keyboard. Is that really true? I guess they want to lose for the next couple years too. One has to wonder if money is in this decision. I’m just speculating but Rickets has said he wants to cut costs. Hendry’s got a contract in place for a couple more seasons. You have to wonder………….
I have no idea whether they are serious candidates
but based on past history I’d take a look at Ron Roenicke and Mike Butcher from Anaheim. By the way, Butcher grew up in the Moline area.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
I'd like Roenicke
But I don’t think he’s a candidate for the Cubs job. Maybe the Mariners will give him a call.
Everyone is looking for the next Joe Maddon.
by Josh Timmers on Sep 2, 2010 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions
And Bud Black
Scioscia has produced two so far. You are right though with the number of openings I bet Roenicke gets some interest.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
I'd take Roenicke....
…. but would pass every time on Butcher. One way to trace the Angels’ decline is to look at their pitching since Bud Black left. Butcher hasn’t made anyone better. And one way to trace the Padres’ upsurge is to look at their entire team since Black arrived. Butcher was supposed to be Scott Kazmir’s savior, and Kazmir was a start or two away from getting released earlier this year before he mysteriously went on the DL.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
I'm more amazed
That Quade is running #3 behind Bob Brenly.
Fredi Gonzalez
On this list he is pretty clearly the best candidate on paper. Young, but with quality big-league experience. He would be a great hire in my opinion. That being said, I think he goes to Atlanta. They have a much better chance to be a good team in the next 3-4 years than the Cubs do. Better MLB talent and a better farm system. Not to mention a history of winning and far less pressure than in Chicago.
That being said, I would have no problem if Sandberg was hired. I think there is a very good chance the Cubs are bad for the next 3-5 years. In that case, we will get a chance to know what we have with Sandberg. My only hope is that Cubs fans treat him better than Lou or Dusty.
Earth just stopped moving
I pretty much agree with this and we don’t agree often
"Lou Piniella's been a great manager for a long time and I stand by him completely"
Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on Sep 2, 2010 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions
If the Cubs are bad for the next 3-5 years
you’ll hear crickets chirping and see cobwebs forming at Wrigley, after the pitchfork-and-torch parade to Ricketts’ front door.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Sep 2, 2010 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Well, I have a feeling it will happen
I have been meaning to put together a doom and gloom fan post for a while, but haven’t gotten around to it. The gist: the Cubs have very little elite talent in their farm system or on the MLB club, there aren’t many impact free agents available in the next, and most of our competitors in the division either have more elite young talent (the Pirates and Brewers), more elite MLB talent under contract (the Cardinals) or both (the Reds).
by JSB on Sep 2, 2010 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions
This franchise must compete every season
It improves the odds of eventually breaking through, plus this is a major market. No reason to act like it’s Kansas City.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Sep 2, 2010 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions
I am not suggesting we take the next 5 years off
I just don’t see a likely path to being good anytime soon. I think Cubs fans have taken for granted Aramis, Lee and (old) Z. We don’t have players that good in the pipeline. I think we could be in for a serious drought.
by JSB on Sep 2, 2010 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions
So you'd rather compete every year...
…even when we’re burdened with onerous contracts, diminishing talents and other less-than-desirable conditions, but throw enough money at it, move some things around and we might be sniffing the wild card race, or even the division title if the favorites have an off year. That’s what we must do every season, for the next 5 years. Hopefully there’s improvement from year to year but nothing today gives off good vibes that say any of those years are gonna be spectacular.
That’s the scenario you’re envisioning.
Instead of looking at ____ (pick a year – doesn’t necessarily have to be 2011 although IMO it’s a good candidate) as a transition year where tough decisions are made, contracts eaten/moved, young talent acquired and other moves made, always with the next few seasons in mind more so than the present.
Me – I’d rather come up with a 5 year plan and take the first year or two and rebuild/reload if that meant we’d be in totally kickass awesome in years 3, 4, and 5. I understand the playoffs are mostly a crapshoot once you get in. But I’d rather have 3 out of 5 years of being just about assured of getting in and being dominant than 5 years of maybe getting in and catching a break.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
And a lot of times, five-year plans don't work
And then what? You’re the Brewers, who have one wild-card berth so far to show for all their vaunted young talent.
Chicago is big enough where you can develop youth and augment them with free agents.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Sep 2, 2010 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Target guys like Lee and Dunn
and try to unload Fukudome, for starters.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Sep 2, 2010 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Brewers don't have the money to do what the Cubs can
No one’s saying it’s a five year plan. Why not just have a two year plan?
Ballhawk just referenced a five-year plan
And that’s not the first time I’ve seen it here.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Sep 2, 2010 6:45 PM CDT up reply actions
And it should be noted that in my "five year plan"
the Cubs should be primed to kick-ass after Year 2 and making the playoffs would be a given in Years 3-5 and beyond. Once the current overall system is fixed and running on all cylinders and under proper stewardship, then we’ll be in a position to strongly compete every year.
In other words, I’d rather suck it up for 1-2 years of pain – as long as it was intelligent pain – if it meant we’d be in a strong position to be dominant for several years after that.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I can respect that
but the goal for this franchise — more than any other — should be to win the World Series. Every year.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Sep 2, 2010 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions
That's very nice... (pats NBF on the head)
Now… WAKE UP!!!! (raps NBF across knuckles with ruler)
How in St. RynoDeRosa’s name are the Cubs going to win the World Series next year???
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Can we make it a ten year plan..
so the team can be really really good?
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
a twenty year plan
Would certainly clear all of the current problem players off of the roster…
"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
at this point
Your two years of pain seem virtually guaranteed.
"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
Not the first time, but close to it
Too bad we won’t get Fredi. Who is your second choice?
by JSB on Sep 2, 2010 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Nope
If Sandberg gets hired and the team tanks the next 3-5 years, then I would refer you to Trammell, Alan, in Detroit. Team icon takes over, no patience is shown, team icon is made the scapegoat. Old, retread, crusty name guy, abhorred in these parts unnecessarily, takes over and wins. It’s why I keep pushing for Torre now and Sandberg as bench coach.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
After Dusty and Lou, I'm ready for a younger guy who isn't ready to fall asleep on the bench
I fully understand Lou’s attention was elsewhere at times, this season. But look at the Lou from four years ago and look at Lou today – two different guys. My choice is Ryno for a variety of reasons. But the question we all need to be asking – and not just about managerial candidates motivated by money or the association with a high-profile franchise, is…
Who wants the Cubs to win the most? Who REALLY wants it more than anything else in the world?
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
I really believe Ryno when he says he thinks about the loss in 1984 every day.
I think it still bugs him and annoys him and he has personal motivation to be in a position to do something about it. And we need a manager that can translate that motivation to the players on the team now.
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
Well played.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Mount Washington conquered July 5, 2010! State high point count: 3/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Sep 2, 2010 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Better question:
Who’s the best manager available, regardless of how much he wants the Cubs to win the most?
by elgato on Sep 2, 2010 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I second this
Basing everything on the desire for the Cubs to win can be counter-productive. It will happen when they have a team and coach who can maintain a professional distance from the perpetual angst transmitted by the fans.
"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
Here's an even better question
How in the world do you evaluate a manager? Because no one has really come up with a good way of doing it.
by Josh Timmers on Sep 2, 2010 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Totally agree.
I said as much above. I guess I should have said that the Cubs should hire the person whom they think will do the best job.
I've been saying this all along
All anyone talks (argues) about is experience, instead of how they actually manage a ballclub.
So how do you judge that?
A cage match to the death? Do we start a manager scrapiness rating?
Regardless of who wins, why does that mean the person is the best manager?
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
Exactly
The best manager might not win. And there is no such thing as the “best” manager. My point was more about the laundry list of managerial candidates that will no doubt receive interviews with Hendry. What is JH looking for? Just experience? Experience and passion? I think there’s an X factor with Sandberg – a Hall of Fame, career-long Cub (yes, I know he started with the Phillies.) who REALLY wants it. And I like the fact that he’s young and could easily stay with the franchise for 10-15 years, if not longer…
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
I like that he is young
The fact that he is a HOF’er and ex-Cub mean zero to me.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
I like
The fact that he is being called young when he is the same age as me. There are not that many contexts where this happens any more.
"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
the scrappiness rating
is actually called the Weighted Theriot Factor or the wsCrapF
I Love Larry - Brick are you looking at random things around the room and saying that you love them - I Love Larry
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
Who wants the Cubs to win the most? Who REALLY wants it more than anything else in the world?
My guess is Ron Santo…but I don’t think he’d be a good manager.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
Exactly.
Second place would go to Al, but (no offense, Mr. Yellon) I’d prefer a more experienced candidate.
LOL
More experienced than me? In what, exactly?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
LOL
That would have made all the difference this year
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That and Kiko Calero.
I think Paul Simon wrote a song about Kiko Calero. Something about a nation and lonely eyes.
That song.
The Cubs missed out on that guy, too.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Other: Nyjer Morgan
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
by Cubbiegoon on Sep 2, 2010 11:52 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
...
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
by Cubbiegoon on Sep 2, 2010 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Nyjer Woo! Morgan Woo!
Suspension Woo! Wrestlemania Woo!
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Sep 2, 2010 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
He's so proud.
Thank god for Sanchez lol
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 Sep 2, 2010 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions
WWE's newest member!
Oh wait…
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Mount Washington conquered July 5, 2010! State high point count: 3/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Sep 2, 2010 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions
I have made it clear I like Gonzalez best
but I also have no problem with Sandberg. I suspect the Cubs will have to throw money at
Fredi to take him away from the Braves, but that at least is realistic unlike getting Girardi.
Greetings from LA and can’t be around much this week but sweep the Mets.
"Lou Piniella's been a great manager for a long time and I stand by him completely"
Jim Hendry
Just to pass it along
and most have probably already heard or seen it, but espn news this a.m. has crawler going on about Gonzalez being Hendry’s top choice “according to someone who knows”. I do agree with Al about a potential PR nightmare if Ryno either rightly or wrongly get’s kicked to the curb in alot of fan’s/ticket holder’s way of thinking. I’m personally a Sandberg guy, if Ryno and Musial were Harry’s two fav’s…good enough for me!
"most football players are temperamental, thats 90 percent temper and 10 percent mental" Doug Plank
ESPN news crawlers should always be ignored without 5 cited references.
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 Sep 2, 2010 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Speaking of passing along...
Didn’t see a fanshot or fanpost on this – which is good because it’s not worth either – but in reading through the Nationals SBN game thread last night (and confirming w/ ESPN, MLB), I see that Dibble has been let go by Nationals as broadcast guy.
Maybe him and Lou can go fishing together…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Here's an interesting rumor
from Keith Law’s ESPN chat:
Also heard an interesting rumor from an industry source not with either club: Ozzie to manage Florida next year and TLR to manage the White Sox.
Please note that I believe this to be nothing more than baseball scuttlebutt. Probably nothing to it. But I can see Florida wanting Ozzie (although I have trouble seeing him leave the South Side) and I can see LaRussa finishing up where he started.
Don't Tony and Hawk hate each other?
Which, for the record, is the best quality either individual brings to the table.
LOL
"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
I think I'd root for Hawk.
But I’d really root for a comet to fall out of the sky and hit both of them.
Now, now...
that might hurt them.
If the comet was made of stinky garbage… that would be pretty cool
"It's all in the game, yo"
Kenny will leave the Sox...
…before Ozzie does.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
I'm pretty sure...
…because Reindorf has made it very clear his biggest regret was letting his GM (Hawk) run off LaRussa in the mid 80’s, and I don’t see him allowing another successful manager to have a similar fate.
Also, Reinsdorf likes Guillen and I also think he admires his style, even though it can be over the top at times.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
At some point...
… Ozzie is either going to say something outrageous and Williams will be forced to fire him, or Ozzie might quit on his own in disgust.
I doubt Kenny Williams is going anywhere soon.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
We'll see...
…you may be right.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
It pains me to type this because I don't like the guy much, but Reinsdorf is pretty smart...
He’s got two fairly competent people in the two most visible leadership positions (GM, Mgr). But more so than that, he’s got not one but TWO lighting rods to absorb attention and controversy away from the entity most responsible for success – the players on the field.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Yup
But LaRussa is still quite friendly with Reinsdorf, and he’ll likely have more impact on the decision than the Hawk would.
This season
might be it for TLR in STL. Just a hunch, particularly the way they’ve been playing.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Sep 2, 2010 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions
I've been hearing that as well
LaRussa has actually done an atrocious job this year. His handling of Rasmus is worse than anything Lou did.
by JSB on Sep 2, 2010 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Either he or Rasmus is gone
And I’d say the Cards think Rasmus could be around for ten more years. Even if they sign LaRussa to a new contract, he could still retire after 2011.
Part of me enjoys baseball and the Cubs ...
because they’re both very interesting in their flaws. The Cubs are never boring, and baseball is fascinating in part because it has so many wrinkles. That part of me is strangely fascinated by the idea of Tony as the Cubs manager. It would be a helluva show.
But a bigger part of me that loves the Cubs, loves baseball and dislikes jerks and cheaters hopes Tony ends up sitting at home for the rest of his life. And he can take McGwire with him.
LaRussa is overrated
No thanks. He has made the playoffs once in 4 years with Albert Pujols.
by JSB on Sep 2, 2010 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions
He also has quite a few postseason blemishes
Losing in 5 to the Dodgers and getting swept by the Reds with what should have been an Oakland dynasty was just atrocious.
He probably had the inferior squad to Boston in 2004, but that still shouldn’t have been a sweep.
"It's all in the game, yo"
He's had a good run there
But I think the September collapse, plus his weird detour to support a political rally (Would have been just as weird had the rally been by Olbermann or Maddow, so don’t make it political) and his continued defense of McGwire have ended it.
White Sox would be a good destination for him, but I wouldn’t rule out Los Angeles if the Dodgers aren’t ready to throw the thing to Mattingly yet.
"It's all in the game, yo"
Mattingly will be replacing Girardi in NY, so, rule that out.
Joe Girardi...2011 Chicago Cubs Manager...Book it!!
Adam Dunn..2011 Chicago Cubs First Baseman - 3 yrs/$42 mill with a club option for a 4th.
No way the Yankees give that job
to a rookie manager. That is a $400 million payroll. You don’t give that to Skippy the Wonder Manager
"It's all in the game, yo"
They pretty much did it with Girardi, who had only one year experience when hired.
Mattingly is a Yankee icon. I could easily see that IF Girardi leaves, which he won’t.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Girardi was a manager
Mattingly is a mascot. No way does he get the job, nor should he.
"It's all in the game, yo"
They pretty much did it with Girardi, who had only one year experience when hired.
Mattingly is a Yankee icon. I could easily see that IF Girardi leaves, which he won’t.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Where would one get MORE experience managing?
Managing in the minors or as a bench coach in the majors?
Joe Girardi...2011 Chicago Cubs Manager...Book it!!
Adam Dunn..2011 Chicago Cubs First Baseman - 3 yrs/$42 mill with a club option for a 4th.
The Yankees don't have to deal in icons
They can trot them out for Old-Timers Day.
Of the Yankees’ World Series winning managers, only Ralph Houk (1961-62); Billy Martin (1977) and Girardi (2009) actually played for the Yankees.
You know who wants the Yankees to hire Mattingly? The Red Sox, Rays and Blue Jays.
"It's all in the game, yo"
Well, they'll need to figure somethin' out, cuz, in about 2 months, there's gonna be a vacancy.
You gotta think positive, Worf. We MUST send all positive vibes towards Hendry, because, with ALL those names to choose from in that poll, chances are he’s gonna blow it.
Joe Girardi...2011 Chicago Cubs Manager...Book it!!
Adam Dunn..2011 Chicago Cubs First Baseman - 3 yrs/$42 mill with a club option for a 4th.
I like Joe Girardi
as much as the next guy, and I think he’s a solid manager, but let’s not make Girardi into the only good candidate out there. There’s not much that separates Joe Girardi from Fredi Gonzalez in terms of managerial ability in regards to how they are viewed. Both are actually fairly similar.
I'm hearing Tim Wallach
The Dodgers haven’t been all that impressed with Mattingly, from what I’ve read.
A few thoughts
Count me amongst those who are in the camp of “who knows.” After pounding the table for Baylor and Baker I realized that most of us have no clue on this subject matter. We have no idea what will make Sandberg a good manager versus what will make Brenly a failure (or vice versa). I think that having a smart, thoughtful GM is a good starting point, and unfortunately I don’t believe we have that right now. But ultimately we’re going to have to hope that the people in charge are asking the right questions.
With LaRussa, one of the main criticisms that he’s gotten is his success rate with young pitchers and starters in general. This is something that has been quieted a bit but the Cards had several top notch young pitchers (Morris, Benes to name a few) that some believed were ruined by TLR.
As for Fredi Gonzalez, while he may or may not be a favorite or Bobby Cox, the person he has the longest relationship in this entire picture is Hendry. The two go way back, what, nearly 30 years. Its very possible that these ties are stronger to Gonzalez than his ties to Atlanta.
I have a new candidate!
TIFFANI!
"It's all in the game, yo"
by Worf on Sep 2, 2010 2:21 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
She'd be a clubhouse favorite, that's for sure.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I am very motivated to get some fungo work in!!!
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
by RiskyBusiness on Sep 2, 2010 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Don't bring me that skank again
And the true one goddess spells her name with an “i” at the end
"It's all in the game, yo"
Uh huh. You and I both know you'd hit it.
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 Sep 2, 2010 6:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Would you be willing to have breakfast with Tiffany?
;-)
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Mount Washington conquered July 5, 2010! State high point count: 3/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Sep 2, 2010 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions
My top 4
would probably be Sandberg, Quade, Fredi Gonzalez, and Listach. There are other coaches that I like, but they haven’t been linked to the Cubs yet. I don’t think Brenly, Torre, LaRussa are the right situations. I like Dave Martinez, but I have a hard time seeing him jump ahead of say, Quade, Listach, Sandberg, or Gonzalez, guys that Hendry knows well.
I would be fine with any of the four. If Girardi is available, he probably joins that group, although I’m not sure I’d make him the clearcut top choice that most fans and writers would seemingly do. I doubt that happens. My vote for now … is still with Quade. He knows the meat grinder that being the Cubs manager entails. He has a strong work ethic, builds a good rapport with players while maintaining discipline. I don’t particularly care what happens the rest of the way record wise, but it should be noted that the players haven’t quit, something they could’ve easily done. He has extensive managerial experience in the minors, and certainly, this little bit in the majors doesn’t hurt his candidacy. He has coaching experience and is well-thought of. He doesn’t bring the pressure that a big name signing like Sandberg would bring. He has experience in another organization, and of these four guys, from what I understand, he is viewed as the most new-school guy in his approach. Quade works hard digesting information, by most accounts, and seems like he’s the type of guy that wouldn’t crumble from media intensity (although you never know).
In short, I think he offers all the positives of Sandberg, including his knowledge of the organization and it’s history, along with a more progressive outlook on in-game approach, while not necessarily having the pressure that a Sandberg hiring would entail. He’s a good teacher of the fundamentals (all of them are). I’d be fine with any of those 4, but for now, Quade has the edge with me, with Sandberg/Gonzalez close behind.
Sandberg is the top choice !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ryno did what he was told to do. He went to the minor leagues and won big, especially at Iowa AAA without the services of Castro, Cashner, Vitters, ans a little bit of Castillo.
If it was Hendry’s decision to start Castro in AA, that should be considered a “mortal sin” and a travesty. I personally feel that Hendry is afraid of the fan popularity of Ryno & he just might not be able to be the “top dog” he wants to be as GM. It would be a nice feel to have Ryno, Maddux, “Hawk”, Denier, & Jaramillo in charge in 2011. I really think we have has enough of Trammel & rothschild. Plus if Quade is that good, some other team might look at him. That’s not the case with Ryno, they will come & pluck him out away from the cubs & make him a Manager…..I only wish Hendry would have stepped up to the mic at wrigley to sing in the 7th inning in front of 40,000 but that won’t ever happen because Ricketts would really find how the fans really feel. It wouldn’t be pretty.
I don't think either guy would stick around
If the other guy gets the job. There seems to be enough positive momentum for both Quade and Sandberg that both are likely to get interviews with other organizations this winter, considering the number of openings that might be available. I doubt either guy would wait as the bench coach for the other guy – I imagine Sandberg would probably prefer bench experience with another organization than sitting around and waiting for Quade to fail, and I imagine Quade would bolt too.
I think there is a chance that Quade would be bench coach for Ryno.
If Quade gets good pay to sit next to Ryno, he may prefer that to similar pay with an organization he doesn’t know. I don’t see Quade getting big pay to go to another team. So if Quade is a cheap, new manager (for another team) or close to similar pay to be Ryno’s #2, he may take the less pressure #2 job and stay with the Cubs.
In reverse, I do not see Ryno willing to sit as the bench coach for Quade—but it all depends on alternatives and what another organization will pay him to manage or be a bench coach. My sense is that Ryno feels that he has put in his time and done what the organization has asked of him. If the Cubs ask Ryno to now be a bench coach, he may say “enough is enough” and go elsewhere. I agree with you that if Ryno has to keep “paying dues” he may prefer to do it elsewhere.
Carlos Silva lemonade: made from freshly squeezed Milton Bradley lemons. -- the Jim Hendry kook book.
No chance...
…Quade gets the Cubs gig, no matter what his record is.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
If that's the case,
then Ryno is as arrogant as they come.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Sep 2, 2010 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions
arrogance = taking another job offer?
you keep lowering the bar
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Sep 2, 2010 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Again, we're acting
as if we have the next John McGraw here. I don’t think so, and I’m guessing most people in baseball don’t think so, either.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Sep 2, 2010 6:46 PM CDT up reply actions
I think Quade sticks around
After all, Joe Maddon stuck around after Mike Scioscia got the Angels job, and that worked out well for him.
Sandberg only won’t stick around because someone else will offer him a job. I’m not sure that true with Quade, who would be a tough sell to other fanbases.
I'm not certain...
…Sandberg will get a managerial offer this offseason if he doesn’t get the Cub’s job. If he does, it will likely be with a small market club that is not expected to win.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Quade might be a sell...
… like Maddon was, to a small-market team on the way up, if he has success in his 39 games here.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Thing is
Maddon managed the Angels for 29 games in 1999 to a 19-10 record, which is pretty good. No one gave him a second look. Then he managed under Scioscia for six seasons and, most importantly, won a world championship with the Angels, and then eventually got the Tampa job. Tampa could sell Maddon as “the right-hand man of a World Series champion.” How is a small market team going to market Quade? A guy who was the third base coach of a team who got ousted in two straight divisional series and has been a disaster since?
You could sell Maddon because he has a World Series ring. Quade doesn’t have that. He doesn’t even have a playoff win.
that somewhat suggests that Quade's resume isn't good enough
and I’d argue that is far from the case. look around the league at some guys that got managing opportunities. Many have come from far weaker resumes than Quade has gathered so far, and everyone I talked to has suggested that Quade is very well respected amongst people in the business.
All that said, it takes the right situation, the right interview, and so forth. Doesn’t mean Quade will get a managerial gig this offseason, although from what I’ve heard, I think he’ll get some interest. I’m not sure he’s going to sit around and wait behind a lesser qualified (this isn’t a knock on Sandberg, who I’m fine with, but he simply is not as qualified as Quade – he very well could be qualified enough for the job, but Quade has a deeper resume) candidate who is younger than him. Quade aspires to be a manager. Waiting a few years, while the Cubs are rebuilding, under a younger manager, not sold on that from what I’ve heard.
Only time will tell. I’d be quite happy if Quade decided to stick around even if Sandberg got the gig. I think he’d help alleviate a lot of the concerns I have on Sandberg’s managerial capability.
I'm not arguing
that Quade doesn’t have the resume to be a successful manager. I’m not even arguing he might not be a great manager. I’m saying he’d be a very tough sell in a small market.
Part of a manager’s job is to sell tickets, especially in smaller markets. I can’t see Blue Jay fans lining up to buy season tickets because they hired Mike Quade. It’s not a slam on Quade, it’s just the truth. He doesn’t have the name or the ring. Whereas I can see the Ryne Sandberg name causing excitement in Seattle or Toronto.
I agree...
But the tickets that get sold on their name is a novelty. That’s not sustainable. How a manager REALLY sells tickets is by getting his team to win. That may not be the big name.
Sure
But … how many folks in small markets actually go up and buy tickets on account of the manager? I think we are overstating the importance of a “name” for a small market team to sell. There are so many other market forces at play that impact the situation. For example, having been in Toronto quite a bit and lived there for awhile, no manager is going to change the culture of the fans in Toronto by himself. I wonder if casual Pirates fans know who their manager is right now. I’m not saying a name doesn’t help – I’m saying that we probably shouldn’t overstate the importance of a name.
I really don’t think Sandberg will cause excitement in either Toronto or Seattle. Maybe their teams pick him in the end. Only time will tell. That said, the fans in Seattle are tired of inexperienced guys taking over, and Jack Z, by most accounts, is pushing major league experience. As for Anthoupoulos in Toronto, I’d be a tad surprised if they went Ryno. It’s possible, but everything that is known about Ryno’s managerial style/ability doesn’t seem to mesh with what Anthoupoulos wants in his manager.
Only time will tell.
I think it's bigger than you think
Because if talk radio and columnists in a home town starts going off about how management decided to go cheap hiring a nobody again and have no commitment to winning, then that can have a bad effect on the whole fan base. A name they recognize does mean something. I’m not saying it’s going to have a huge effect, but I think it’s more than negligible.
I just threw Toronto out there as a place with a managerial opening. I wasn’t meaning to argue the merits of Sandberg’s appeal in Ontario.
Why do you continue spewing this crap
and yet never respond when people call you out for how dumb it is?
Ryno was told to go learn to manage in the minors or he,
like Billy Williams before him, would have no shot at managing the Cubs. Now he has a shot. He put himself in contention for the job, that’s all. Does he have the most experience? No. Is he the best at any skill needed to be a successful manager? Won’t know until he actually manages in the majors.
I do know that I’d want to manage the 2011 Cubs about as badly as I’d like to be the next governor of California. Or Illinois. Or Arizona. Or…
Your right...
…Sandberg may end up being a fine manager, but I’m betting he like any other rookie manager will make mistakes in the first couple of years he wouldn’t make in years 3 or 4.
I don’t know exactly what the Cubs told him about getting experience, but I doubt they told him he would be guaranteed the Cub’s gig if he paid his dues in the minors.
As professionals, the organization has to make the best objective decision on who are the best candidates available. If previous major league experience/success is one of the criteria (and I’m betting it’s high on the list) there are several guys who should be ahead of Sandberg.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
wow, i love how this poll is basically all ryno. I’m not going to say he isn’t qualified, he is, but if he were any other coach we wouldn’t be a top choice. A lot of you guys are just basing it off feelings to a former player. He’s not a bad choice at all, but hardly deserving of almost 60%. There are so many more qualified people. Just shows you how name value works with fans.
You straight silly
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
I think it's hilarious
that the one guy who we know has already been interviewed for the job wasn’t included in the poll or mentioned in the first 300+ comments.
good point
Eric Wedge is definitely in the running by most accounts. I completely missed that. He’d probably be 5th on my list right now.
I realize he isn't a favorite
but he actually has a chance, even if it is tiny. Unlike some included on the poll, I think.
You know...
… I forgot that Wedge had been interviewed, or I would have put him on the list. My fault.
I may do another poll later, which includes Girardi. I’ll include Wedge if I do that.
Surprising that it took all day before anyone noticed this, though.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Another good question to ask...
…would be this;
If you were a GM and your ass was on the line with this managerial hire (lets say you have to make the playoffs within 2 years to save your job), would Sandberg still be your number one choice?
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
For me, probably
Because I think this team needs a fresh face and not someone who has been around a while. Different teams have different needs, and this team needs someone who is a break from the current regime.
Do I think Ryne Sandberg would be a better manager for the Braves than Freddi Gonzalez? Probably not. The Braves need continuity from Bobby Cox. Do I think Sandberg would be a better manager for the Cubs than Gonzalez? I probably do.
Wouldn't a lot of other guys...
…also be a fresh face? And if you can combine that fresh face with someone who has had major league success, why wouldn’t that work for you?
A fresh face on it’s own is not going to get you over the hump and get you through the tough times. Experience and past success is what I think is very important for the next Cubs manager, along with someone who could be here 8-10 years.
The risks with Sandberg are the following; you will have a guy that is learning how to manage at the major league level for a couple of years, and he may also end up not being very good at it. With their payroll, I don’t want someone who is getting their first shot at this level (and managing at the big league level is a lot different than the minors).
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
I disagree with your last statement
The Cubs have not hired a manager on a permanent basis for his first managerial job since Lee Elia. I don’t believe it’s worked very well. I have no problem hiring someone without major league managerial experience. In fact, I kind of prefer it at this point.
And if you’re going to hire someone without managerial experience, it makes little sense to hire Ron Roenicke over Ryne Sandberg, for example, unless you’re convinced Sandberg is an arrogant jerk or something.
I'm not advocating...
…hiring another guy without major league experience who isn’t Sandberg.
Quick question; why do you prefer someone who doesn’t have major league experience?
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Because
I think managers develop habits that work in one place but not in another but they stick to their old ways because they think it worked once. Plus, I want a fresh face. Third, as I said, hiring retreads from other teams simply hasn’t worked.
I’m not completely opposed to it. I just don’t think it’s the big plus that everyone else seems to think it is.
I disagree...
…with this thought process.
Managers who have been successful can take that success anywhere they go because it is based on a positive skill set they have built to have success. Every manager has to adjust (even with the same team) because they have turnover and different circumstances that arise that encourage adjustment. I would argue it would be difficult for a manager to have extended success if they didn’t have this capability.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Well just agree to disagree then
I think that there are certain managers that are good for certain situations and the skills that make them good at one job do not necessarily transfer to another. Just like a good second baseman may not be a good center fielder (although they might be).
Dusty Baker is a great example of this. Very good manager in San Francisco. Good manager in Cincinnati. In Chicago? Not so much.
I will point out that three of the last eight managers to win a World Series (Ozzie, Scioscia and Bob Brenly) were in their first major league job. Of the other five, two managed the Yankees and Red Sox.
If this was the case...
…no manager would last with any team longer than 3-4 years. Eventually, when the player dynamics change, their style would not work and they would be out the door.
The Cubs should strive to be like other organizations who have the same manager for 8-10+ years and actually have success. When this doesn’t happen, it is the organizations fault, not the revolving door of managers that keep coming through.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Apply this to any other job
and you’d be laughed out of HR.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Sep 2, 2010 6:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Ridiculous how Fredi Gonzalez has 5% of the vote. Amazing. He’s wayy better that Ryno. I just can’t believe how Ryno would be 53% better. It’s not even close. Ridiculous. This poll is basically all on sentimental feelings.
If you polled...
…all the GM’s in major league baseball with the same question, Gonzalez would be your top vote getter (by a wide margin) if Girardi was not an option.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
exactly
a lot of the people here are just basing it off of sentimental feeling. Gonzalez is just so much more qualified. And as someone pointed out before he speaks spanish. Just ridiculous how Gonzalez has 5%. s
There is no question...
…that setiment is a major part of this, and something Cub fans have a lot of.
I have a theory on that, and I believe when you don’t have a history of winning championships (or having long term success), you have to have something to hold onto. That is why Cub fans are so sentimental with certain former players and even announcers.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Agreed 100 percent, MPH
Al has told me his choice of Ryno has nothing to do with sentiment, and I believe him. He honestly believes he’s best for the job, over guys with better qualifications.
But I think a lot of other fans, most of them, perhaps, are thinking about his with their hearts rather than their heads.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Sep 2, 2010 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Exactly
Fredi Gonzalez is way more qualified, has major league success before. There is no one who can say Ryno is the best person for the job. They’re just being sentimental.
by Bad Midget on Sep 2, 2010 6:54 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I'm not sure
that Gonzalez wouldn’t top Girardi in a vote like that. There’s some folks that feel like Girardi isn’t the best in-game manager. Overall, I think the two are fairly similar types of, hard-nosed managers.
How about some organizational loyalty?
Reading earlier about the possibility of Wood/Girardi coming back to Cubs out of loyalty and I got to thinking, doesn’t the organization owe some loyalty to Sandberg. Dude played the game the right way and, seems to me, is going about getting a managerial gig the right way. Successfully at both I might add.
I suppose the same could be said for Quade, minus the HOF playing career. My hope is that Sandberg gets the gig and my fear is that it will occur under the watch of Jim Hendry.
So What if Ryno was loyal? I know it’s hard to be objective for a lot of people here because they saw him play, but he is clearly not the best choice. Fredi Gonzalez is way more qualified and is great with foreign players like starlin. You guys just aren’t being objective.
by Bad Midget on Sep 2, 2010 6:51 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Not talking about Sandberg's loyalty
talking about the loyalty of the organization to people who have served the organization well.
Also not arguing about Fredi, I see that’s being done above.
by mainehawksfan on Sep 2, 2010 6:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Well, it's hard to be objective when it's pretty much a subjective process
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
In a word, no.
Loyalty is not how you get ahead. Making the right decision, which may not be the right decision, is how you come out on top.
Right. Some people just aren’t capable of being objective. Sandberg is not a bad choice, but there are so many better people for the job. Your illogical if you think ryno is the best choice. Because we are talking about the BEST. Not the sentimental favorite.
by Bad Midget on Sep 2, 2010 6:57 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Maybe if you repeating
this a few hundred more times will make it true.
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
lol
Your team just scored.
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'm just catching
the game during commercials, you know checking out our competition for next weekend. ;)
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 know we have no chance next week
but if we won, we could lose ever other game this season and it’d be a success
I just laugh my ass off
when ISU fans say this.
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
One day we may be a good program
but for now, we know we’re the #2 program in the state. The realists, at least… and there’s a lot of us.
I just don't get the
“if we beat Iowa but lose all the other games our season will be a success” mentality. I hear this a lot from ISU fans around here.
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
Mainly
Because for a long time you could bank on every conference game being an L. That turned the Iowa game into the superbowl of sorts because it was the only non-conference game that had any meaning.
I grew up an Iowa fan and I know that ISU doesn’t mean as much to Iowa as the opposite.
What made you switch teams?
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
Going to ISU :)
Went into Computer Engineering, ISU had the better program. I don’t officially claim dual citizenship but I do pull for Iowa any other week. Aside from my sister who also ended up at ISU my family is all Hawkeyes
I see. We have a
family member who is a freshman at Iowa this fall. She is so pumped for the game this Sat. She has a high school friend going to ISU who will be staying in her dorm with her for the ISU game.
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 sadly only got to go to one
In 2001 when 9/11 moved it to Thanksgiving weekend and both teams needed the win to improve their bowl game placement. My senior year, 2003, my aunt died and I had to give my tickets to a friend to attend the funeral.
They’re really fun games to attend, we were very tense at the one in 2001. I sometimes wish it was the last weekend every year when both teams are contending.
I've been to a couple
games in IC but haven’t been to one in Ames.
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
Pretty much
How I switched my allegiance from the Badgers to the Hawkeyes. I still cheer for Badger Hockey though. No conflict of interest there.
I take it you mean the "BEST" at managing.
Do records really show who the best at managing is? Managers can only work with what they got. We’ve seen Ryno work good things with some of the players that are and will be on the Cubs for years to come. That is why I want Ryno. The players know and respect him.
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
This is the best work I've posted on BCB. ^-^
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
I agree that Ryno has done some great things
The thing is, Quade has done the exact same things, only they were done 6 years ago. BUT, Quade has 3 years bench experience.
Quade is a Chicago boy. He knows what the Cubs are and the “pressures” of managing them. He clearly should be considered at least an equal to Sandberg, not #3.
Well, if you want the BEST, you should eat at Mendy's
Get the swordfish. Best swordfish in the city. The BEST, Jerry.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
If Jim Hendry...
…is allowed to be the chief baseball guy, I don’t think it bodes well for any manager you hire to not end up like Dusty or Lou.
Look at Dusty now with the Reds. How can he possibly have that club so far ahead if he is as bad as most on this site put him up to be?
The fact is, the Reds have a nice balanced club and Dusty has proven over and over again he can win when he has good players and he can’t when he doesn’t (no unlike 95% of all managers). If the baseball brain trust can’t get it right, we will be going through this process again in 3-4 years and calling the guy get fired a bad manager.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Dusty didn't do so well his first two years with the Reds.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Girardi not in the poll
Then Sandberg gets my vote. He was a Cub, he understands the city, he understands what it is like to deal with the history of this team. He has gained experience in the minor leagues where a lot of other Hall of Fame players never would of step on a bus. He gets what it is like being a Cub. All the others that have come before can say the right things, make the standard quotes, but if you haven’t been through it like a Cub player, you don’t know shit about being a Cub and the pressures that come with the job.
I like LaRussa, I like Quade. For some reason Freddi Gonzalez is Casey Stengel. For the ones that don’t get the love for Sandberg well I don’t understand the love for Freddi.
Hire Sandberg, lets see what happens.
Fredi
is viewed as a relatively solid in-game guy, who can build a good rapport in the clubhouse while maintaining discipline. He’s viewed as bright and willing to try new things. Basically, he’s a more experienced version of Quade right now.
Loving a guy, respecting his abilities only goes so far. Don Wakamatsu was a guy people really thought would be good, and things clearly went bad in Seattle this year.
I guess I was using the term "love"
as meaning the high value of the pick for manager. I just like Sandberg as a baseball guy. I like him because he knows the Cubs. And for that my first choice would still be Girardi because of the same.
Bob Brenly
189 votes
Fredi Gonzalez
77 votes
Wow…. that’s sad. Come on you guys, your better than that. That’s just silly.
Tells you something...
…doesn’t it?
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Even more telling
Brenly: 190
Fredi + Quade: 184
I’m not trying to mean or anything (I’m really not) but a lot of people just don’t follow baseball closely. I’m not saying I’m smart or they’re dumb, but a lot of people on this blog just don’t follow baseball that much. Yes, and now I’m going to get the “I’ve followed the Cubs for 20 years.” But really a lot of people just don’t follow baseball that much. But they hear the name Sandberg or Brenly and they think “I know that guy, he would probably be good.” It’s like when your at the store and you look at two cereals. The one that had good advertising looks better than the one brand you haven’t seen a commercial on. Even if the one that had a commercial tastes bad you’ll take it because you’ve heard of it, while if you paid close enough attention you would have read the reports on how the other brand has less calories/no sugar/tastes better.
I think you are taking
this too personally. Seriously.
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 think you are taking
this too personally. Seriously.
\
Yeah, excuse me for wanting the best man for the job, I’m sorry for actually caring about getting the best person for the job, sorry I’ll stop.
I honestly think we ALL want the best man for the job.
We just might not all agree on who the best man is.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
That would depend...
…one one’s criteria of what is most important.
Those that want Sandberg as their number one choice, are clearly using different criteria than those who have other guys ahead of Sandberg.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
exactly. That’s why I was getting mad. These people here and the poll results are amazing. The people here haven’t said anything about Sandberg you couldn’t say for half the people on that list. It’s all about cute memories and then they throw in well he’s managed in the minors so he’s paid his dues!!
Seriously I'm talking your reaction
to the poll results. Those results have no impact on who will be hired as the new manager. So what if the majority of the people want someone different than you want? None of us know what kind of job any of the candidates will do.
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
You're right
And it’s all the more reason a lot of people may be really disappointed when the announcement comes
It's their opinion of who they want as the next manager
They’re just opinions bra. Saying most people here don’t follow the Cubs….that’s straight silly
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
And who didn't know that Jim Hendry will be the Cubs’ GM on Opening Day 2011?
Perhaps if you spent less time slamming your keyboard and more time following baseball closely you’d be aware of what Ricketts is saying about the Cubs and their plans moving forward.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
And who didn’t know that Jim Hendry will be the Cubs’ GM on Opening Day 2011?</blockquote
1. That has nothing to do with what we’re talking, thanks for trying to change the subject while not replying to the actual content of my comment.
2. hahahahaha because i forgot about a two line quote from a day ago obviously i just don’t know anything about the Cubs or baseball.
whoaaa block quote fail, let’s try this again.
And who didn’t know that Jim Hendry will be the Cubs’ GM on Opening Day 2011?
Perhaps if you spent less time slamming your keyboard and more time following baseball closely you’d be aware of what Ricketts is saying about the Cubs and their plans moving forward.
1. That has nothing to do with what we’re talking, thanks for trying to change the subject while not replying to the actual content of my comment.
2. hahahahaha because i forgot about a two line quote from a day ago obviously i just don’t know anything about the Cubs or baseball.
well, is that any less asinine than labeling the people who happen to prefer someone...
…with previous World Series winning managing experience and several years worth of up close observation of the current team as people who just don’t follow baseball closely?
Because that’s what you did to the 190 people who voted for Brenly.
You keep talking about the BEST man for the job and how folks here are not being objective about the evaluation of prospective managers. What are your criteria for being the BEST? And can you explain what exactly there is that’s objective about this selection process?
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Sep 2, 2010 11:34 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ryno may not be the best choice, but he's the right one
Watching the movie ‘Miracle" recently, I remember Kurt Russell as Herb Brooks commenting about the 1980 US Hockey Team, "I’m not looking for the best players. I’m looking for the right ones." Perhaps Ryne Sandberg isn’t the best candidate for manager, but he is the right one. Some people might criticize his “lack of experience”, but he’s more experienced as a manager than A.J. Hinch was in Arizona. And, going back even further, Dallas Green was neither a manager or coach when he took over the Phillies in August 1979. He was the farm director in charge of scouting and he led Philadelphia to a World Series championship in 1980. Dallas may not have been the best choice, but he was the right one.
As much as it pains me to defend Jim Hendry, I will because he has to be fair and interview more candidates than Sandberg and Girardi. I love Ryno and I think he’d do a fine job as Cubs manager, but I can understand the reticence some people have in hiring him based on the fact that he is popular and “paid his dues.” However, I think that Sandberg is the right choice because he’s been successful as a minor-league manager, knows a lot of the young players on the current team, is well-respected, has the hunger and enthusiasm for the job and, like Herb Brooks, has unfinished business in getting to a World Series and bringing a championship to the Cubs.
My first choice would be Joe Girardi, if he were to become available. But I personally don’t see him leaving the Yankees. Just as I don’t see Derek Jeter leaving the Yankees. There are a few guys interviewing for the Cubs job who would make fine managers here or elsewhere. But I personally, and maybe this is just me, would prefer this time to see someone from the Cub family get the job. Managing the Chicago Cubs is a completely different animal. Ryno, Joe, Quade, Listach…they get it. Especially Sandberg and Girardi. They understand the history of the Chicago Cubs, the close bond this team has with the Cubs fans, and just how much a World Series ring would mean to this city. Piniella didn’t even know the Cubs were the NorthSiders. Small criticism, but he didn’t get it. Lou’s a smart baseball man, but he didn’t have that Cubs bloodline running through his veins. And I think that’s the type of manager the Cubs need to lead the ballclub in 2011 and beyond. And I would hope that Tom Ricketts would get that since he claims to be such a die-hard Cubs fan. I know he said that he’s trusting Jim Hendry with this decision, but I think you’d have to be naive to believe Ricketts won’t have some say in determining who gets hired as manager.
You confuse me
by trying to convince us that Ryno is the “right one” and then saying your first choice would be Girardi.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
I love that quote from Herb Brooks...
…and I think it applies to putting a “team” together, because they have to compliment one another and fit together like a jig saw puzzle.
In regards to the one guy in charge (the manager), it doesn’t quite apply the same way.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Why I think Ryno will be the next manager
It could be coincidence, but just in the last month there have been celebrations for Andre Dawson and Harry Caray. Not to mention Dutchie Caray coming out in support of Ryne Sandberg. And Bob Dernier, 1 half of the Daily Double, getting hired as first-base coach. It just appears to be almost subliminal messages that the Cubs are getting the team ready for Ryne Sandberg to arrive.
do coronation and coronary share the same root word?
Because I think that I might be having one after reading this…no wait…just mild nausea.
"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
Celebrating the history of the most futile franchise in professional sports history
doesn’t make you feel good?
by Not Bruce Froemming on Sep 3, 2010 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions
"Ryno may not be the best choice, but he's the right one"
If ever a statement summed up the dysfunction of us Cub fans, it’s this one.
The best be damned!
by the nth on Sep 3, 2010 10:11 AM CDT reply actions 4 recs
I can't recommend this enough
Cubs fans get what they deserve.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Sep 3, 2010 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions
I have to agree...
…because notalgia and setiment, don’t win you championships.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
why
have rhyno manage in the minors if you wont give him a chance in the bigs.
Oh boy....
Let’s put it another way….Why send a Police Officer Candidate to the Academy, why send a potential solider to boot camp, why send a soldier to SEAL Training? Too weed out the ones that don’t belong. Just because he was in the minors does not mean that he gets the promotion. And before anyone brings up his success in the minors, the above examples weed out people all the way up to graduation day. It is very well possible that Sandberg does not live up to the criteria that the MLB club desires. Time will only tell and even then it may still lie.
"All I want is food and creative love" - Rusted Root
by TheRiot Police on Sep 7, 2010 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions
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