Bleed Cubbie Blue: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:

Around SBN: The Worst Season of Francisco Rodriguez's Career Bar-right-arrows

The Cubs Blog Army Makes The MSM!

Yelloncard_tiny by Al on in News

As first noted in this diary, quite a few members of the CBA were contacted by Chicago Tribune reporter David Haugh and quoted at some length in this morning's Tribune -- both in that chicagosports.com link and in the "dead tree edition", as one diary commenter termed it.

It's nice to know that they notice us. And that they thought enough of us to actually put us in the newspaper, to bring our views to a wider audience. You'll see in the article that positions vary from "anger, frustration and vitriol", to a northsidebaseball.com commenter who said:

Keep Dusty. ... That's right, I said it. I don't see a viable alternative. Uncle Lou [Piniella], he will only last three years here at most. [Bob] Brenly, I doubt they will go down that road. Dave McKay or Dave Duncan from the Cardinals, Jerry Manuel from the Mets, Don Cooper from the White Sox, Larry Bowa or Tony Pena from the Yanks. Bobby Valentine from Japan ... None of those would be markedly better than Baker. This team, as assembled, is [garbage]."

Which pretty much is in line with what I've been saying. The anti-Baker sentiment is neatly summed up by Jeff at drstrangecub.blogspot.com, who said:

"It is Jim Hendry's fault that this team was assembled like a Jenga tower. A man that needs to sleep on whether or not Dusty Baker and his brain trust need to get the heave-ho is a man I have zero faith in to resolve this 'situation' correctly."

Mine, which was pulled from yesterday's game post, was mostly about why Lou Piniella or another big name would be the wrong choice for a replacement, and why I think Hendry, IF he decides to replace Baker, would go for a "young gun", someone who's been a manager-in-waiting; this would be a whole new direction for this ballclub. The last manager hired by this franchise with ZERO previous managerial experience was Lee Elia -- and the reason for that hiring was that he was Dallas Green's handpicked guy from Philadelphia.

I still believe this to be true. Dave van Dyck says in the Tribune, without reason or attribution:

The expected dispatching of manager Dusty Baker has been delayed, most likely until sometime in August, although there is no guarantee it won't be done before sunup of the second half of the season if the Cubs continue to play as they did in Thursday's 2-0 loss to the Brewers.

It's almost as if the writers have a pool going or something. "Sometime in August"? Where did this come from? How did August become a magical date? Anyway, IF Baker is dispatched, whether now, in August, or in October, I believe Hendry will choose from a group of younger men, coaches now, who are part of the "next generation" of managers epitomized by Ozzie Guillen, Eric Wedge and Joe Girardi (not those specific men, but men who are now in similar positions to the ones the three above held before they got their manager's jobs).

About the 2-0 loss to the Brewers last night, not much can be said; the Cubs simply cannot hit Chris Capuano, who is 3-0 this year against them without allowing a run. This diary suggests that it's Dusty Baker's fault that Aramis Ramirez got thrown out trying to stretch that double into a triple; Ramirez himself admitted he wasn't hustling around first base. The implication is that Baker didn't ream Ramirez out for this.

How does any one of us know this? This could be called "Piniella Syndrome". If a TV camera had caught Baker yelling at Ramirez in the dugout; well, then, he's a fiery manager who is a good leader. How does any of us know that he didn't ream him out in private? As I have repeatedly said: if you screwed up at work, would you rather have your manager admonish you privately -- or in front of your co-workers and a few random people off the street?

I think the answer to that is obvious. What the Ramirez incident proves to me, is that Ramirez has lazy tendencies. This isn't going to be solved by changing managers -- Ramirez is no rookie; he's a veteran with a big-dollar contract. That itself should be motivation enough to hustle. Brian, the diary writer, is correct when he says you don't make the first out of the inning at third base, and having Ramirez on second with nobody out might have gotten the Brewers' bullpen busy. Blaming Baker for this? I swear, if Dusty Baker announced today he had a cure for all cancers, the Baker-bashers here would find some way to criticize him for it.

The game wasn't lost because of that anyway; it was lost because Chris Capuano outpitched Greg Maddux (who threw quite well, I thought). These things happen in most baseball seasons, and if the ballclub's doing well, you shrug your shoulders and say, "We'll get 'em tomorrow". But in a season like this one, each and every loss is dissected to the nth degree.

0 recs | Comment 116 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

A new guy?
Why do you think Hendry would go with someone new?  He had an opportunity to do that three years ago and he chose Baker.

I think Hendry is unlikely to take a chance here, and I expect him to go with a retread, someone like Jimy Williams who has a lot of experience and a winning record.  Of course, Williams is just as bad as Baker when it comes to field decisions, but obviously that plays no role in Hendry's decision-making.  At least Williams (or most any manager) is likely to field a team that shows up to play baseball every day, unlike the Cubs of the last couple of years.

by dvdmgsr on Jul 7, 2006 9:31 AM CDT   0 recs

It won't be Williams...
... count on that.

You're right in that he's a retread, and I've tried to make the point that another retread would be absolutely wrong. IF the Cubs start over, it HAS to be in a different direction.

by Al on Jul 7, 2006 9:43 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree...
...a retread would be wrong.  But Hendry is going to do what most GMs do almost all of the time: hire a known quantity, unless he goes with a cardboard cutout, another Essian or Kimm.

by dvdmgsr on Jul 7, 2006 10:05 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

"Most" GM's?
Many GM's today are going the other way. I'd think that Hendry would have to at least SEE what's happening elsewhere, realize that TWO "big name" hires have both failed, and try something else.

by Al on Jul 7, 2006 10:58 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

August or July 12th or July 30th for that matter..
Goes back to what I was told from inside the Tribune/WGN family whether or when a decision is made and whether Hendry is on his own or not.

The CBA is right in many respects, this team is a house of cards, put together by Hendry but he is 'the decider', he can go it alone or be part of the 'bigger team'. Later means they have 'decided' on a long-term replacement has been secured....interim is just that...and will be made by Hendry himself....

he is in No man's land right now since if the Cubs continue to slide deep into the celler he will be blamed not having the 'bat & balls' to retrospectively make a courageous decision, (something corporate people don't make in group-think processes), but if the Cubs tread water 'so-to-speak' and they wait for a long-term Hendry is possibly in 'safe-harbour'.

Here is the other issue. Tribune Co. has done a masterful job hyping the abilities and decisions of Hendry (previously) and the Cubs once highly thought of farm system.

So is it Baker & Co who wasted that talent base or was it that the decisions of what talent there was in reality was hype and hope.

Reality is a strange bird, ugly but altogether absolute...reality is winning. So if Hendry hires an interim and the Cubs win, than it was Baker & Co., if he waits and hires a long-term and they win it is Baker & Co again, but if they continue to lose it is Hendry and the talent base.

Tough call.

Bill Veeck planted Ivy during 'The Depression', and over time the Ivy Walls has become the most distinct symbol of Wrigley Field.

by Ivy Walls on Jul 7, 2006 11:24 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Big names....
are not the issue.  Managerial style is.  Both Baylor and Hendry were old school guys.

I think you may be better off differentiating the two.

he hath no fury like a cubs fan scorned

by timeforachange on Jul 7, 2006 12:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Baylor is the furthest...
...thing from an "old school guy". It's obvious Baker is of the new school of thought. Spare the rod ,spoil the child. Lou would have had Aramis strung up by his toes last night.
cubsfan4life

by cubfan4life on Jul 7, 2006 12:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't know where they're going...
...but I can see where they've gone.  If you look at the list of managers hired in the last 2-3 years, you see that most of them were retreads: Garner, Melvin, Little, Hargrove, Manuel, Tracy, Francona, Narron, Bell, Leyland, as opposed to Maddon, Girardi, Randolph and Perlozzo.

Randolph is doing well, and Girardi's team has performed well when you consider its ridiculous payroll expenditure, but I don't think there's a terrific track record here that will wow Hendry out of his cautious tendencies.

You may remember that I advocated going with a no-name instead of hiring Baker, and I said that they had apparently not learned their lesson after hiring Baylor when they hired Baker.  Not only do you get someone who is going to want to do things one very specific way and has the clout to undermine you, you have to make a long-term commitment to someone like that.  Anyway, they didn't learn the lesson the first time, and I don't see why this situation should be any different.

by dvdmgsr on Jul 7, 2006 1:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Gonzalez
Hey Al,
Will have to agree with you
after some thought.
Big name manager is not the
answer this time.
Fredi Gonzalez is ready to
manage and he comes from a true
winning organization. I'm sure
he would have Bobby Cox's full
blessing and support.
We shall see......
Cubspizza

by quarryfan on Jul 7, 2006 2:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Reaming out Ramirez
The reason I assume Baker didn't significantly criticize Ramirez is that the Cubs do stuff like this all the time, over and over.  The team exudes an air of sloppiness and has for some time.  If he got on Ramirez for that yesterday, then he must've done the same thing the day before, and the day before that, and every day this season.  I do not have the impression that this is the case.

by dvdmgsr on Jul 7, 2006 9:33 AM CDT   0 recs

exatcly
either baker calls guys out or he doesn't.  if he does then they are obvioulsy not responding to it, meaning they don't respect him and he needs to go or the players are just laxy and they need to go.

by mike bornemann on Jul 7, 2006 10:40 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I believe..
the players are just lazy. Ramirez is a veteran guy who almost alwas watches the ball for a second or 2 on contact. I don't think any amount of yelling or screaming at him is going to change much the way he plays. Call it a lack of respect if you want, but this sort of thing has become more and more prevelent since the dawn of free agency. The players don't really have to hustle, they are already making their millions.

by wicubfan on Jul 7, 2006 10:58 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well
Baker has been known to refer to these thing as rookie mistakes. But of course Ramirez is no rookie so he is absoved of that type comment. If Baker would ever bench someone for that type attitude I'd believe that he might be somewhat forgiven. However, to see the same guys make the same mistakes and play the very next day is inexcusable.
Players win awards but teams win championships.

by tharr on Jul 7, 2006 3:24 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I sent this one to Al
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=2511798

He wrote Cubs Nation and I think has a pretty fair assessment of the Cubs.  I think that Dusty is a pretty bad field manager and I also think that it would have helped him if two of his coaches were the "enforcer" types of coaches that would have pulled Ramirez down the hallway and grabbed his ear until he heard them.  

That said, I'd rather see Perez, Rusch, Novoa, and Pierre just go away than Dusty.  That would be my personal order of firing and DFA.  Novoa might have value, but I'd demote him to AAA or trade him first.  The rest of them can just go.  With Pierre hitting better, it'd be nice to get something for him near the trade deadline.

I think the reality is that there will be no big trades for the Cubs until the last week before the deadline.  Dusty will not get fired and we are stuck with this regime through the end of the season.

by Woodstock on Jul 7, 2006 9:39 AM CDT   0 recs

I agree with you...
... on all of this, except for the trade notion. Hendry will make deals this month -- count on it. And if one comes up next week, he'll make it.

Baker is at fault, sure, in part. Everyone connected with this disaster of a season is. But to totally blame him is wrong.

As was said in that link:

"This year," said a Cubs official, "God couldn't manage this team."

Absolutely right.

by Al on Jul 7, 2006 9:42 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Trades
It's not that he's not looking for trades.  It's that Hendry has an idea of the value of his players (correct or incorrect) and won't go below a certain value.  As the deadline gets closer other teams will get more desperate and be more likely to give him things they wish they hadn't. Or, at least that will be how he sees it.  Since this is a lost season for the playoffs, what difference does 2 weeks make?  Hurrying to trade won't change the lack of World Series.

That's not a defense of Hendry, more just trying to figure out why he waits.

by Woodstock on Jul 7, 2006 9:47 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That is...
... one of the biggest criticisms I have of Hendry, that he overvalues his players. Not only the kids, but at the ML level as well.

At a certain point you have to admit your mistakes and try to cut your losses. The rest of this month will show us whether he can do that or not.

by Al on Jul 7, 2006 9:50 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hendry's job ahead
Big Jim has some work to do. I'm betting that Dusty stays until the end of the year. He had a meeting yesterday with him and maybe some coaches get the boot but Dusty will stay. Hendry on the other hand will be working the phones and building the team for next year. There are some good players to be had. Hendry has shown good ability to make some great deals. He does have a nice core of players when healthy. I don't see any reason why Hendry doesn't breakout the knife and start cutting the dead wood off this team. Hendry will begin bringing in some very good players that will add to the core and make the Cubs a sucessful winning team again.

BTW Neifi is a good BENCH player. Nothing more or less.  

Cleverly Disguised as a Responsible Adult

by Scott G F on Jul 7, 2006 10:18 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

much work to do throughout...some points
A) Who is a Dusty guy that is not part of the core team.-----Remember the 'Coach Riley Factor' 80% of the performance is actually done by 20% of the team---however the team can be destroyed or its collective effort by not managing properly those who compose 80% of the team.

You keep the core, or you re-make the core and then find those who support the core and provide the right role playing for a winning effort.

B) those who were Dusty's guys will be poison on a future team anyway....

My book is D-Lee & A-Ram are core players on the field, but it is better to have core players up the middle (catcher, SS, 2B, CF)

Pitchers are rarely core players because they play so in often, (exceptions Clemens, or a 3-some or 4-some who are starters) relievers by definition are specialists  or role players.

One could build around D-Lee but one needs to bring in a SS or CF or catcher who is also a core player. (A-Rod)

The team needs one more....

Bill Veeck planted Ivy during 'The Depression', and over time the Ivy Walls has become the most distinct symbol of Wrigley Field.

by Ivy Walls on Jul 7, 2006 12:31 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

And on the other side
Hendry also undervalues some of his prospects. Dontrelle was a throw-in, and Nolasco-Pinto-Mitre for Pierre was absolutely horrible. Nolasco was tearing apart AA with a record somewhere around 10-1 with an ERA under 2, and STILL ended up being packaged with our best relief prospect and a guy who wasn't a world beater, but still could be used as a 5th starter for a guy whose numbers have been in decline over the past 3 years. And nothing else! No A-ball prospects or PTBNLs.

Also, he seems very insistent on doing "reclamation projects". If they've had TJ surgery, he'll get them a contract before the ink has dried on it. I highly doubt that Wade Miller will be back to his old self by the end of the season.

I was saying Boo-urns.

by jrm78 on Jul 7, 2006 10:34 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Reclaims
Wade Miller had a torn labrum.  He is a guy who may never pitch in the majors.  I am not sure why it was worth a million just to see if he could.  I know he would be a 10 million guy if healthy, but the percentage of players that come back is just so low.

Of course, we just shelled out about 5-6 million in signing bonuses for guys that may never make it out of AA, so maybe it is worth it.

Williamson and Dempster have worked out REALLY well for the Cubs as projects.  I see the Wade Miller one as a possible miss, but if he does just need the winter to get healthy (as Kerry Wood might) then if he signs a cheap, incentives deal it might work out great for the Cubs.

by Woodstock on Jul 7, 2006 10:49 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

So why are they unmanageable?
Perhaps they are unmanageable because of the bad habits they've developed the last couple of years under Baker.

I completely agree that it's a mistake to look at the Cubs' poor performance and turn it solely into a referendum on Baker.  The problems are much more deep than that, and changing managers is unlikely to accomplish much.  However, I consider Baker clearly to be one of the problems, and I can't stand him anymore.  I consider him one of the major factors responsible for my active dislike for this team.

by dvdmgsr on Jul 7, 2006 9:53 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Bad habits
are hard to change. A new coach has his work cut out for him.
I can't wait for Iowa football!!

by sue369 on Jul 7, 2006 11:55 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe but....
All we needed to do up to this point is be .500. Not Good, Not Great, but just right around average. I think God could have done that.

by BadGuy on Jul 7, 2006 12:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

This is beyond belief
I will agree that there is a whole room full of blame to go around starting with Hendry.
Now, I believe Dusty should be fired.

The Cubs knew Wood was not healthy, and Prior, well it depends who to believe whether bad information on his health was correct or incorrect, that is up for debate. Hendry takes the hit on Williams and Rusch, however Rusch you must admit pitched well at times last year. And most of Cub fans would say a .500 record for those two starters until Wood and Prior got healthy was possible. Everybody was on the Pierre move, including myself. Lee goes down and this team goes 19-40. Starting rookie pitchers yes, Walker at first yes. However do you think maybe just maybe this team could of gone 25-34, and stayed in the race, got to 3 or 4 games UNDER .500 and only would of been maybe at this point6 or 7 games out of the wildcard. That my friends is not asking alot, and this is where Dusty has failed, and failed badly. Marlins are starting Rookie pitchers, they have a better record, Tampa Bay with one starter, Kazmir, has a better record in a much tougher league and division.
Dusty needs to be held accountable, He constantly complains about " Well never had the full team together to make a run" You know Dusty this is Sports people get hurt and you move on.He is not a standup manager, I know that is uncommon in baseball, but do you think maybe just once he would let some individual like Ramirez, (who coasted to first, then gets thrown out at 3rd last night with NO ONE out) how he feels openly, in the press or in the Dugout, Yes Al in the dugout. It is called fire in the eyes. I don't want to see this reaction everygame, but you know, when a team is playing as bad as they have been for the last 3 months, once every 3 months losing your cool is, I believe acceptable. No other team has coasted like this one, that is this bad.
I want a shakeup, and if Hendry goes good. But Dusty and the staff needs to go, Put Spier in for the rest of year, Von Joshua hitting instructer, and as far as I am concerned Al you coach 3rd base and I will coach 1st.
Enough already, change is needed.

"Just not getting any breaks" Johnnie Baker

by Johnny Callison was a Cub on Jul 7, 2006 12:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It was Aramis' fault..
..for not legging out a triple..the blame on that play should also fall on Spiers...why don't he hold him up at second?  

Now this brings me to my point.  I really do not think that Dusty is doing anything "behind closed doors".  If he was, these guys wouldn't keep blowing him off (which is what they would be doing IF he was handling this behind closed doors).

If these guys are blowing him off over and over again...then once again he is not doing his job.  A manager (supervisor) should under no way tolerate this.  The players should be listening to the manager and the coaches (i.e base coaches).  If they aren't listening then obvious they have no consequenses, meaning that the manager is not doing his job.

Everyone seems to be blaming the 2-0 loss on ARam last night, and it was partly his fault.

Here is another example IMO of Baker not doing his job in yet another loss....First of all Neifi was batting second (like that is something new).  Then Pierre gets on base twice during the game with less than two outs....Neifi steps up to the plate and hacks away.  Now I see two possible scenarios here

  1.  Baker told Neifi to sacrifice and Neifi didn't listen (Bakers fault for having no respect from the players)
  2.  Baker didn't tell Neifi to bunt because he is incompetent and didn't realize the importance of putting a runner in scoring position with DLee coming to the plate.  
Either way IMO the blame lies on Dusty.  This isn't the first time this season either.

The bottom line IMO is that Baker doesn't do anything behind closed doors.  The players have lost all respect for him for this and that the only way for them to play to their potential is to give them a new manager so they can start with a clean slate.

IMO

vote santo for h.o.f.

by santo for prez on Jul 7, 2006 1:23 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

don't should have been...
..doesn't
vote santo for h.o.f.

by santo for prez on Jul 7, 2006 1:23 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That's BS
Perhaps they still wouldn't be contending would have performed much better than they have. How about some accountability?
Players win awards but teams win championships.

by tharr on Jul 7, 2006 3:28 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

What language was that..
...can you rephrase that??
vote santo for h.o.f.

by santo for prez on Jul 7, 2006 3:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ask and you shall receive
Perhaps they still wouldn't be contending with another manager. However, they certainly would have performed better than they have been.

Mea culpa.

Players win awards but teams win championships.

by tharr on Jul 7, 2006 4:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Novoa Hate
Why all this Novoa hate?  He's not the best pitcher in the Bullpen, but he's also effective when properly used.  The problem that he has had is that Dusty leaves him in too long in order to justify his bizzare double switches.

by Frustrated Fan on Jul 7, 2006 10:53 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Novoa?
Every time he comes into the game I wonder how many walks he will have and how many fat, straight fastballs he will leave over the middle.  He just seems to lack something that makes a reliever.

Perhaps he just needs time.  This year would be a fine chance to see that, except that we see Eyre, Howry and Dempster.  Ohman once in awhile, Williamson now that he's back.

by Woodstock on Jul 7, 2006 11:04 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Perception versus reality
Novoa has walked a total of ONE batter in his last 12 appearances.   And he has given up 1 HR in his last sixteen appearances (if you leave out the Tiger game where he gave up 4 and pretty much everyone was hitting everything).   In other words, he has been pretty good for more than a month.  But the "perception" is that of the Novoa early in the season.

by Frustrated Fan on Jul 7, 2006 11:20 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't see it that way
I see a guy who is either right on or way off.  About every 3rd to 4th game, he just comes in and gives it up.  He's got to learn to pitch a bit better.  I will concede that he's had a good run while I've been away from the Cubs recently.  He's had some very good outings.  If they continue, I will be glad to see him.  But, for another week or two I will still cringe every time he's brought into the game.

by Woodstock on Jul 7, 2006 11:37 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

manager
i still feel that an interim is exaclty what we need for the rest of the year- i posted this the other day but i think it got buried

is why i think an interim is a good idea

i dont want our future manager close to this group of players, let him start with a fresh season and some distance from this disaster of a season

further make it clear that the interim's job is to play every young player with any shot of being a help to this club, we can find out who has something or who doesnt, call em all up

this wont happen with Dusty who feels he has an obligation to play the veterans, but neifi, glendon, nevin anyone without a future on this team needs to be dfa'd or benched and thats not going to happen with dusty, i dont feel that this team cannot contend in 07 with the right moves but until then we MUST play all our young guys to see what our in house options are for the future and history clearly shows that Baker is not that man for that job.

then go hire our new man this offseason

"a sort of soft tyranny of positivity" -GM

by ksucubbie on Jul 7, 2006 9:39 AM CDT   0 recs

General Manager
Then Big Jim needs to take Dusty's favorites away from him if he wants players developed. Or, just flat out tell him to play the rookies or get fired.  That's what your boss does.  The GM should be looking to the future and living in the present.

Dusty's job is to win ballgames.  If he thinks the Neifi! and the Nevin! are going to be the ones that win the game for him then he will play them.

Again, I certainly don't think Nevin! and Neifi! are going to win anything for you, now or in the future.

by Woodstock on Jul 7, 2006 9:50 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

but you
have to take into account dustys ego

if you remove all his favorite players you he will be aware of it and if you dicate who he must play your basically treating him like a rookie or stop gap (which is bascially what he is) and your going to have a pissed off manager instead of a guy who is going to be motivated to shine in his two month stint -- also that kind of atmosphere isnt the kind i want our young players trying to break into the game in--

we need a guy to finish the season out then go get cora or whomever

"a sort of soft tyranny of positivity" -GM

by ksucubbie on Jul 7, 2006 9:53 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Bob Brenly
Brenly has funny things to say about his first manager (Frank Robinson?).  Who, it seemed, hated his guts and took every chance to take him to school.  If you can play the game, then you can take it from your poisonous manager.  

Besides, I can't believe that Dusty would really bring the hate on some poor rookie just because his boss told him to play him instead of Neifi!.  Murton and Cedeno need some seasoning this year, even if they don't get great coaching, they need to play.  Hendry could simply step in and make them play.

by Woodstock on Jul 7, 2006 9:58 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

ok imagine
that your a boss at your job and your high up says that you have to fire all your favorite co workers and hire people he likes,
further you know that in a short time you will have no future with the company

are you really going to give 100% ?

baker wouldnt shut down he has more class than that but while our young guys are up lets just have a manager without any stigma or baggage

"a sort of soft tyranny of positivity" -GM

by ksucubbie on Jul 7, 2006 10:02 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Keep in mind
that Baker is essentially auditioning for his next job right now.  Other GMs will watch how he handles this situtation and probably consider it if they need a manager in the near future.

by jcub on Jul 7, 2006 10:18 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

But see...
Neifi! is not a coworker, he is a subordinate who is like a crack pipe. Baker knows he is a great sub, but he just cannot help but use him as a starter.  It is an addiction that needs some intervention.

I just think that Baker has too much free rein over who plays.  If you want player development, set that as his goals to get rehired.  Make it public that Hendry said this is the way we are going and Dusty has his hands tied.  Make it secret, and you make Dusty and the Cubs look bad.

by Woodstock on Jul 7, 2006 10:53 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

AGREE
"Just not getting any breaks" Johnnie Baker

by Johnny Callison was a Cub on Jul 7, 2006 12:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I know...
Ramirez is lazy.  I can deal with that stuff when he's hitting .300 and hitting 30+ homers with 100+ RBIs and the team is winning. As I have said, performance and wins make me shut up. None of that is happening so he should hustle to improve his chances because everything else he's doing is not working.

I'm not sure if it was just me, but on Lee's error it looked like he wasn't trying.  Maybe Lee was just being careful.

"...he's a veteran with a big dollar contract." Which probably doesn't help his chances of changing, but even if Dusty is screaming at him in an enclosed room that nobody knows about we see no effect. I think that no matter what Dusty is doing, behind, next to, or in front of doors isn't working.

Cubbie Blue will always sPaRkLe in my eyes, but please stop losing. PLEASE!

by sparkles721 on Jul 7, 2006 9:41 AM CDT   0 recs

Maybe Ramirez needs a public lashing.
Al, I agree with you that Dusty can't physically push ARam around the bases, but if a private "stern talking-to" hasn't been effective for the past three years, maybe he needs to have his widdle feewings hurt by being berated in front of the other players.

As you said, he has 11 million reasons to play hard and run out every hit.  But if he has forgotten why he gets paid, then Dusty must yell at him, sit him for a game, tell Hendry to trade him.  Do something.  IIRC, last night wasn't even the first time he has done exactly what he did by failing to run hard to first, then getting thrown out.

by jcub on Jul 7, 2006 9:42 AM CDT   0 recs

Point being...
... how do you know this isn't happening?

We do not know what happens in private. The only thing you mention that we'd know about is whether or not he sits for a game.

Do you really want Neifi or Nevin at 3B for a game? Because that's what you'd get.

by Al on Jul 7, 2006 9:44 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

yeah
our options are limited i seem to remember that Alou was  big motivator for him so maybe call that guy up and ask what his secrets where- or trade his ass for some hungry propsects

al, any further news on that arod thing?

"a sort of soft tyranny of positivity" -GM

by ksucubbie on Jul 7, 2006 9:46 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Nothing new on A-Rod, no...
... I would imagine that IF such a thing happened, it would take till the end of July, given the size of the contracts involved.

Plus, A-Rod being on the AL All-Star team and all, I'd think it might be left alone till after the break.

by Al on Jul 7, 2006 9:49 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Again, Al...
Does this team look anything like one where there is any accountability or standards at all?  The only thing consistent about this team is its lackadaisical, sloppy play.

Baker simply does not give off an attitude of high standards and accomplishment.  For the last two years the team has been playing like they're doing bong hits in the dugout.

by dvdmgsr on Jul 7, 2006 10:00 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I have been
Preaching accountability also, there is none. Managers need to be stern in certain situations, and Dusty, appears to cranking on the Bong
"Just not getting any breaks" Johnnie Baker

by Johnny Callison was a Cub on Jul 7, 2006 12:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That is McPhails new promotion...
...free bongs and weed to the first 39,000 fans into Wrigley each day.....

Hendry:  I don't know what to do?

McPhail:  Easy, we'll just get everyone high like us, then they'll understand.  Plus we'll sell more hot dogs and nachos and that'll make the Trib. happy!

vote santo for h.o.f.

by santo for prez on Jul 7, 2006 3:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The season is lost
Who cares if Neifi or Nevin plays at 3rd if it sends a message to Aramis that will hopefully change his attitude for next year. Neifi is going to play anyhow, this way, maybe Walker gets to play, too.

Conversely, trade Aramis and go sign Edgardo Alfonso to play 3B for the rest of the season for the league minimum. I'm sure he'd take it.

Sit Aramis for a week and have him do extra conditioning work.

This is the type of lazy play and behavior that just isn't tolerated in winning organizations.

by Scott on Jul 7, 2006 10:22 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Aramis needs to be benched but...
Nevin would be a better fit than Alfonso at 3B

by Augie on Jul 7, 2006 10:34 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Edgardo Alfonzo...
... was released by TWO teams this year. He hit .100/.135/.120 for the Angels, and .162/.279/.189 for the Blue Jays. Why on Earth would you want this guy anywhere NEAR the Cubs?

Sitting Ramirez for a week -- well, that'd accomplish a lot. Put the team's 2nd-best hitter on the bench?

Maybe pulling him from last night's game, a la Bobby Cox with Andruw Jones, might have helped. But a week? Silly.

by Al on Jul 7, 2006 11:01 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe silly, but it would send the message
The only reason I even mention Alfonso is only if Aramis and Nevin are both traded. Even then, I wouldn't mind seeing Neifi play 3rd as long as he doesn't bat 2nd. Alfonso would simply fill a hole until this horrible wreck of a season ends. Not like I'd want to see him in the long term plans.

SOMETHING needs to happen to shake this team up. You seem to be okay with status quo for the rest of the season and that fine. Other's of us would like to see the tone set now for changes that will be made next year.

It seems like every year, either here or on the newsgroup previously, I write something about how this team is lacking fundamentals and hustle. I'm certainly not the only person who is noticing that. I'm tired of seeing this crap. You don't see this happen on teams with an expectation of success. It simply isn't tolerated.

SOMETHING needs to happen, and maybe making an example of your teams 2nd best hitter would be enough to wake a few people up and make them realize they better move their asses and keep their heads in the game if they want to play.

Of course, none of this will happen with Dusty at the helm because he's too laid back, dude. They've just got to play better, you know. I mean, if he had the horses...blah blah blah. Maybe if Dusty had a pair of balls some of this humiliating season could have been avoided.

2003 was the worst possible thing to happen to this team, because it gave us fans a taste of success and some expectations of continued success. The Cub brass have not provided that.

SOMETHING needs to light a fire under these guys to help them find their pride rather than just lining their pockets with millions of dollars.

by Scott on Jul 7, 2006 11:39 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Sitting Ramirez TODAY
for one game only should suffice for a Baker message that he won't tolerate lazy play, even on a lousy team.  

If there isn't a PUBLIC reprimand of some nature here I would interpret that to mean that Baker has given up on this team.  Regardless of any private conversation he may have held with Aramis I think it is important for Baker to publicly display his leadership to show to the world that he gives a damn and hasn't given up himself on this team.

by JFCubFan on Jul 7, 2006 12:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

because there are no results
he's either not doing it or not getting through to them.

by mike bornemann on Jul 7, 2006 10:41 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Sorry
But when a player shlumps it on the field, You bench him for a game or two. He may very well be disciplined in private but whoopdeedoo. Sit Him.

by BadGuy on Jul 7, 2006 12:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes, play marmol at third..
At this point, it doesn't matter which player steps in to play one or two games for Ramirez.  Sure, we want a reasonably entertaining game, but it makes me nauseous to see Ramirez give a partial effort so often.

Yell at him, sit him, or mention his weak effort repeatedly during interviews (not common, but has happened).  Just get his attention.  If he can't handle it, then he should either shape up or get out of the big leagues.

My general point--from the theme of your original post--is that I don't believe that Dusty is to blame for everything (this team is not well built).  But even with injuries, this team is not a 100-loss team.  Look up and down the Pirates or Royals lineups.  Each team has very little in the way of talent.  The Cubs, on the other hand, have Pierre, Ramirez, Jones, and Barrett (not counting Lee, b/c he sat so much of season, or young players).  If those players don't pick it up and play decent baseball when Lee gets hurt, it is Dusty's job to motivate them or get somebody in the lineup who will play hard (someone else pointed out that several players have come up from the minors for multiple games throughout the season, but you almost never see them play--Guzman sitting for two weeks is the most egregious example of which I can think.  No explanation, unless he is hurt).  Dusty isn't doing his job.  Get someone else in here (I like your Gonzalez idea--I think a Bobby Cox protege would be nice).

by jcub on Jul 7, 2006 10:13 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

and god
i cant spell today
"a sort of soft tyranny of positivity" -GM

by ksucubbie on Jul 7, 2006 9:47 AM CDT   0 recs

Capuano
Capuano absolutely owns the Cubs. So far this year, his collective ERA against the Cubs is 0.00, with 2 CGs. I couldn't find his career totals against the Cubs, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was 8-1, ERA < 2. Genuine Cub killer.
I was saying Boo-urns.

by jrm78 on Jul 7, 2006 9:58 AM CDT   0 recs

Capuano
His overall ERA is now 3.21.

His ERA against the rest of the league is 3.83.

by dvdmgsr on Jul 7, 2006 10:01 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It's obvious
that he doesn't 'ream out' A-Lazy in private because A-Lazy has never changed. He's allowed to get away with his lazy sloppy play over and over again. Yes, Pinella or anyone else would have his guts for garters. And rightfully so. Dusty's excuse machine has to go. This pitiful excuse of a team is not all Dusty's fault. Hendry has a lot to answer for especially the woeful state of the bench and lack of power on this team. But there were two instances in yesterday's game, that I pointed out, in the 4th and 7th inning, that costs the Cubs two runs due to poor managing and lack of discipline. That's Dusty's fault and he has to go.

by kessinger on Jul 7, 2006 10:01 AM CDT   0 recs

It doesn't follow..
that since Ramirez hasn't changed, that Baker hasn't reamed him out.  Anyone with a difficult child can tell you this.

by wicubfan on Jul 7, 2006 11:11 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Congrats...
on getting some pub.  It is well deserved.

As for the "August" date, do you think that the Cubs brass is worried about bringing into an interim manager too early?  I do not remember a team bringing in an interim manager in July.

he hath no fury like a cubs fan scorned

by timeforachange on Jul 7, 2006 10:06 AM CDT   0 recs

I would certainly wager that
Dusty HAS previously reamed out A-Ram for not hustling.  Baker SHOULD ream him out for not hustling.  My point is that for whatever reason, (and I can't explain why) apparently, Ramirez doesn't respect Baker enough to take the reaming to heart.  Ramirez knows when he walks into the clubhouse the next day, he'll see his name on the line-up card.

No manager WANTS to treat his players like children and discipline them.  In certain instances though, you've got to send a message, a message that can be seen by both the offending player AND his teammates.  

I'm frustrated man.  If I performed poorly doing my job, my boss would reprimand me until the problem was corrected.

IMO, we need a manager that holds the players a