Trib's David Van Dyck responds to a fan inquiry about Dusty

[Northwoods Fan]

Friday I got into a little argument with some on this board regarding some things Dusty has supposedly said (or did not say) that served as background for Van Dyck's story in the Trib. I argued that it was paranoid--too strong a word, I know--to surmise that Van Dyck got Dusty wrong because we all know that Dusty would never say such things (for example, about playing the kids Murton and Cedeno). People thought I was, perhaps, naive to believe the opinions really came from Dusty.

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-060112cubs,1,7990950.story?coll=cs-cubs-headlines

 

The person who launched the thread (Trib Baker Q&A: Walker is starting 2B) has even edited his first post with the following words, and I quote:

 

"EDIT: As noted throughout this thread, this may not be a direct Baker quote, but rather a supposition of possible answers at the convention."

 

So I wrote to Van Dyck and just asked him. You can disbelieve him (again) if you want, but here's what David Van Dyck replied, and I quote:

 

"All straight from Dusty's mouth.

 

Thanks for reading. . . "

 

Perhaps all this is water over the dam, but I think there is a lamentable tendency on this board to suspect everything in a sniping way. You will argue that fans have that right. Okay.

 

I will go on thinking that Hendry and Dusty just may be able to field a great team this year. Of course they'll need some luck too.

 

Northwoods Fan

[CUBZ99]

Friday I got into a little argument with some on this board regarding some things Dusty has supposedly said (or did not say) that served as background for Van Dyck's story in the Trib. I argued that it was paranoid--too strong a word, I know--to surmise that Van Dyck got Dusty wrong because we all know that Dusty would never say such things (for example, about playing the kids Murton and Cedeno). People thought I was, perhaps, naive to believe the opinions really came from Dusty.

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-060112cubs,1,7990950.story?coll=cs-cubs-headlines

 

The person who launched the thread (Trib Baker Q&A: Walker is starting 2B) has even edited his first post with the following words, and I quote:

 

"EDIT: As noted throughout this thread, this may not be a direct Baker quote, but rather a supposition of possible answers at the convention."

 

So I wrote to Van Dyck and just asked him. You can disbelieve him (again) if you want, but here's what David Van Dyck replied, and I quote:

 

"All straight from Dusty's mouth.

 

Thanks for reading. . . "

 

Perhaps all this is water over the dam, but I think there is a lamentable tendency on this board to suspect everything in a sniping way. You will argue that fans have that right. Okay.

 

I will go on thinking that Hendry and Dusty just may be able to field a great team this year. Of course they'll need some luck too.

 

Northwoods Fan

 

Thanks for following up on that. That article seemed like it had to much detail to be Van Dyck guessing at Dusty's answers.

 

Dusty also made all of those same remarks at the convention, it is not beyond possibility that Dusty realizes he made some mistakes last year.

[Northwoods Fan]

Just like us fans, Dusty was a victim of a lot of disappointment last year (such as Patterson and Wood and Nomar and even Prior). Could he have won another 10-15 games with squeeze bunts? I doubt it. This year let's hope he can get a few breaks. And then we'll see all the squeeze plays we want.

 

Northwoods Fan

[UK1679666180]

Unlike the assumptions being made, I was basing it on how it was worded before any of the potential Dusty quotes were made and NOT based on the content of the quotes.

[Northwoods Fan]

Unlike the assumptions being made, I was basing it on how it was worded before any of the potential Dusty quotes were made and NOT based on the content of the quotes.

 

And it's true that Dusty's answers were not in quotation marks. Still, a major market journalist (especially not a columnist) needs to exercise some professionalism.

 

Northwoods Fan

[UK1679666180]

It was another poor article in a series of poorly written articles this off-season.

 

When I saw this...

 

For those who can't make the convention this weekend, here is how Baker will answer the tough questions from fans, gleaned from Thursday's gathering:

 

I took it as the author putting himself in Baker's shoes and answering the questions on how Baker would answer them rather than a typical Q&A with him.

[Northwoods Fan]

It was another poor article in a series of poorly written articles this off-season.

 

When I saw this...

 

For those who can't make the convention this weekend, here is how Baker will answer the tough questions from fans, gleaned from Thursday's gathering:

 

I took it as the author putting himself in Baker's shoes and answering the questions on how Baker would answer them rather than a typical Q&A with him.

 

Actually it was a better-than-average article because it included a couple of facts that we didn't know:

• He's gonna play some kids
  Walker is on the outs (I have to infer)
  

Whether he means that or not, whether we agree or not, this is some new stuff.

 

Northwoods Fan

[Radar3454]

I agree that it was poorly worded but wouldn't quotation marks be redundant in Q and A?

 

I don't know how you can infer from that article that Walker is on the outs.

[CubsWin]

When someone has invested so much time and effort in convincing themselves and others that Baker and now Hendry are complete idiots, it is real easy to read a sentence or a quote in the way that supports their previously held opinion.

 

Be that as it may, there was evidence to the contrary before this article and now there is just a little bit more.

 

Dusty has done a lot of things that I personally don't understand and disagree with. Hendry has missed opportunities that I feel he shouldn't have. But, being as level-headed and objective as I can about it, I have never had enough evidence to convince me that either of them was mentally deficient.

 

If anyone can make a really good argument for either of them actually being idiots, I'm ready to be sold. If not, maybe we, as fans of the team, should describe our manager and general manager a little more accurately and respectfully.

 

Or not. :wink:

[UK1679666180]

When someone has invested so much time and effort in convincing themselves and others that Baker and now Hendry are complete idiots, it is real easy to read a sentence or a quote in the way that supports their previously held opinion.

 

If addressed to me...

 

When have I said that Hendry and Baker were idiots? I question their moves and approach to the game, I've also complimented them when I feel they've done something right.

 

I took that statement at face value.

 

Everything I've ever said about Hendry and Baker has been justified.

Edited January 16, 2006 by UK

[Northwoods Fan]

I agree that it was poorly worded but wouldn't quotation marks be redundant in Q and A?

 

I don't know how you can infer from that article that Walker is on the outs.

 

Dusty's words about Walker (quoted many times here) are really a too tepid endorsement. He seems uncomfortable with the question. He kind of changes the topic. Imagine that you are Walker reading those words: do you feel supported?

 

Northwoods Fan

[Fred Hornkohl]

I agree that it was poorly worded but wouldn't quotation marks be redundant in Q and A?

 

I don't know how you can infer from that article that Walker is on the outs.

 

Dusty's words about Walker (quoted many times here) are really a too tepid endorsement. He seems uncomfortable with the question. He kind of changes the topic. Imagine that you are Walker reading those words: do you feel supported?

 

Northwoods Fan

 

How on Earth could Dusty feel anything but uncomfortable and Walker anything but unsupported with Hendry trying to shop Walker all offseason ?

[Banedon]

I actually received an email stating the same thing...

 

Tell all your buddies that the answers are all Dusty. Thanks,

[Northwoods Fan]

I actually received an email stating the same thing...

 

Tell all your buddies that the answers are all Dusty. Thanks,

 

Thanks for the confirmation, Banedon.

 

Questions for reflection: Has Dusty undergone a character change for 2006? Is he lying? Is he feeling pressured to say such sensible things?

 

My answers: No. He's really a pretty good baseball man and a good manager even when I (who don't work with the team day in and day out) disagree with some of his moves or non-moves.

 

Northwoods Fan

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Questions for reflection: Has Dusty undergone a character change for 2006? Is he lying? Is he feeling pressured to say such sensible things?

 

My answer: Dusty is saying what he thinks fans of teh cobs want to hear. I fully expect him to be up to his old ways when the season begins. I still do not consider him to be a "good manager".

[Magnetic Curses]

Just like us fans, Dusty was a victim of a lot of disappointment last year (such as Patterson and Wood and Nomar and even Prior). Could he have won another 10-15 games with squeeze bunts? I doubt it. This year let's hope he can get a few breaks. And then we'll see all the squeeze plays we want.

 

Northwoods Fan

 

why would we want more squeeze plays?

 

i tell you that he could have won more games by playing guys with a better chance of not making outs.

[USSoccer]

Just like us fans, Dusty was a victim of a lot of disappointment last year (such as Patterson and Wood and Nomar and even Prior). Could he have won another 10-15 games with squeeze bunts? I doubt it. This year let's hope he can get a few breaks. And then we'll see all the squeeze plays we want.

 

Northwoods Fan

 

why would we want more squeeze plays?

 

i tell you that he could have won more games by playing guys with a better chance of not making outs.

 

10-15 extra wins just by using the squeeze more? Methinks that's waaaay unrealistic.

[CubsWin]

When someone has invested so much time and effort in convincing themselves and others that Baker and now Hendry are complete idiots, it is real easy to read a sentence or a quote in the way that supports their previously held opinion.

 

If addressed to me...

 

When have I said that Hendry and Baker were idiots? I question their moves and approach to the game, I've also complimented them when I feel they've done something right.

 

I took that statement at face value.

 

Everything I've ever said about Hendry and Baker has been justified.

Not addressed to you, UK. Only to those that fit that description. I've fit that description before with other issues. It is a very human thing to do.

 

And the statement only applied to those who have called Baker and Hendry "idiots", or other equivalent names that are also disrespectful and inaccurate. You know who you are. If you disagree with my statement and would like to have a civil and intelligent discussion about it, I'm ready to learn.

[goonys evil twin]

When someone has invested so much time and effort in convincing themselves and others that Baker and now Hendry are complete idiots, it is real easy to read a sentence or a quote in the way that supports their previously held opinion.

 

If addressed to me...

 

When have I said that Hendry and Baker were idiots? I question their moves and approach to the game, I've also complimented them when I feel they've done something right.

 

I took that statement at face value.

 

Everything I've ever said about Hendry and Baker has been justified.

Not addressed to you, UK. Only to those that fit that description. I've fit that description before with other issues. It is a very human thing to do.

 

And the statement only applied to those who have called Baker and Hendry "idiots", or other equivalent names that are also disrespectful and inaccurate. You know who you are. If you disagree with my statement and would like to have a civil and intelligent discussion about it, I'm ready to learn.

 

I think Hendry and Baker run this team like a couple of idiots, even though I don't think they necessarily are idiots.

 

I don't get why people are making a big deal, the Cubs are obviously trying to get rid of Walker, but playing nice while he's still here, and in case they fail in their efforts to get rid of him. Van Dyck did not quote Dusty in the original article, he simply wrote what he thought Dusty would say.

[Northwoods Fan]

Van Dyck did not quote Dusty in the original article, he simply wrote what he thought Dusty would say.

 

Goony, you affirm this in spite of Van Dyck saying (twice) that Dusty actually said what he put in the Q & A story? Okay...

 

Northwoods Fan

[goonys evil twin]

Van Dyck did not quote Dusty in the original article, he simply wrote what he thought Dusty would say.

 

Goony, you affirm this in spite of Van Dyck saying (twice) that Dusty actually said what he put in the Q & A story? Okay...

 

Northwoods Fan

 

I affirm that because I can read exactly what Van Dyck wrote, which was not a quote of Dusty, but his impression of what Dusty would say at the convention. And it still doesn't matter because while somebody took the quotes as Walker being the likely 2B starter in 2006, what they really were was a bunch of nothing quotes about a player who is going to be gone. The "he's still here" line has been used more than once with guys destined to leave.

[CuseCubFan69]

Just like us fans, Dusty was a victim of a lot of disappointment last year (such as Patterson and Wood and Nomar and even Prior). Could he have won another 10-15 games with squeeze bunts? I doubt it. This year let's hope he can get a few breaks. And then we'll see all the squeeze plays we want.

 

Northwoods Fan

 

why would we want more squeeze plays?

 

i tell you that he could have won more games by playing guys with a better chance of not making outs.

 

Because the Cubs are going to trade for Dunn and he can't hit Sacrifice Flies.

[Northwoods Fan]

Van Dyck did not quote Dusty in the original article, he simply wrote what he thought Dusty would say.

 

Goony, you affirm this in spite of Van Dyck saying (twice) that Dusty actually said what he put in the Q & A story? Okay...

 

Northwoods Fan

 

I affirm that because I can read exactly what Van Dyck wrote, which was not a quote of Dusty, but his impression of what Dusty would say at the convention. And it still doesn't matter because while somebody took the quotes as Walker being the likely 2B starter in 2006, what they really were was a bunch of nothing quotes about a player who is going to be gone. The "he's still here" line has been used more than once with guys destined to leave.

 

I don't disagree with your clear inference re. Walker, though now I think they will be careful replacing Walker with just anyone. It would have to be a solid upgrade.

 

As for whether he quoted Dusty or not--that's a dead issue. I am looking forward to at least one blockbuster aquisition by spring. These guys are not such idiots that they don't know they need that.

[dalgreen]

Friday I got into a little argument with some on this board regarding some things Dusty has supposedly said (or did not say) that served as background for Van Dyck's story in the Trib. I argued that it was paranoid--too strong a word, I know--to surmise that Van Dyck got Dusty wrong because we all know that Dusty would never say such things (for example, about playing the kids Murton and Cedeno). People thought I was, perhaps, naive to believe the opinions really came from Dusty.

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-060112cubs,1,7990950.story?coll=cs-cubs-headlines

 

The person who launched the thread (Trib Baker Q&A: Walker is starting 2B) has even edited his first post with the following words, and I quote:

 

"EDIT: As noted throughout this thread, this may not be a direct Baker quote, but rather a supposition of possible answers at the convention."

 

So I wrote to Van Dyck and just asked him. You can disbelieve him (again) if you want, but here's what David Van Dyck replied, and I quote:

 

"All straight from Dusty's mouth.

 

Thanks for reading. . . "

 

Perhaps all this is water over the dam, but I think there is a lamentable tendency on this board to suspect everything in a sniping way. You will argue that fans have that right. Okay.

 

I will go on thinking that Hendry and Dusty just may be able to field a great team this year. Of course they'll need some luck too.

 

Northwoods Fan

 

I appreciate the follow up. I still think this whole thing was blown out of proportion. But did you really think those steadfast that it wasn't a direct quote would come out and say they were wrong?

[CubsWin]

Friday I got into a little argument with some on this board regarding some things Dusty has supposedly said (or did not say) that served as background for Van Dyck's story in the Trib. I argued that it was paranoid--too strong a word, I know--to surmise that Van Dyck got Dusty wrong because we all know that Dusty would never say such things (for example, about playing the kids Murton and Cedeno). People thought I was, perhaps, naive to believe the opinions really came from Dusty.

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-060112cubs,1,7990950.story?coll=cs-cubs-headlines

 

The person who launched the thread (Trib Baker Q&A: Walker is starting 2B) has even edited his first post with the following words, and I quote:

 

"EDIT: As noted throughout this thread, this may not be a direct Baker quote, but rather a supposition of possible answers at the convention."

 

So I wrote to Van Dyck and just asked him. You can disbelieve him (again) if you want, but here's what David Van Dyck replied, and I quote:

 

"All straight from Dusty's mouth.

 

Thanks for reading. . . "

 

Perhaps all this is water over the dam, but I think there is a lamentable tendency on this board to suspect everything in a sniping way. You will argue that fans have that right. Okay.

 

I will go on thinking that Hendry and Dusty just may be able to field a great team this year. Of course they'll need some luck too.

 

Northwoods Fan

 

I appreciate the follow up. I still think this whole thing was blown out of proportion. But did you really think those steadfast that it wasn't a direct quote would come out and say they were wrong?

Why wouldn't they? I've been wrong and admitted on this site before. I don't think anyone on this site thinks that they are perfect, do they?