Cubs 2002 Redux

[Banedon]

I posted this in the game thread, but I thought it was significant enough to post here. If you've already read this, please feel free to ignore it.

 

If we lose today (looks like a strong probability), we'll be 18-28. The exact same record as 2002 on the same date. Don Baylor was fired on July 5th, 2002.

 

Quote from 2002:

"We're terribly disappointed in our season. It was unexpected. We have to hire the right manager and make improvements personnel-wise." - Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry

 

Baylor had 407 games as Cubs manager.

 

Baker has had 532 games as Cubs manager.

 

Why should Baker get more time than Baylor? I'd love to hear someone actually ask Hendry this, though I'm sure I know his answer.

Edited May 24, 2006 by Banedon

[Chocolate Milk]

I'd love to hear someone actually ask Hendry this, though I'm sure I know his answer.

 

My guess is that it would have something to do with injuries.

[Banedon]

I'd love to hear someone actually ask Hendry this, though I'm sure I know his answer.

 

My guess is that it would have something to do with injuries.

 

Which would be my guess as well.

[goonys evil twin]

Why should Baylor get more time than Baker?

 

Reverse that.

[Banedon]

Why should Baylor get more time than Baker?

 

Reverse that.

 

Err...yes.

[sweetpeteman]

Baylor wasn't hired by Hendry. Hendry was made GM on July 5, 2002. Hendry hired Baker, firing him would be admitting that Baker was not the guy. Sure, IT WOULD BE SMART TO JUST ADMIT THAT YOU WERE WRONG, but these people are too scared of actually admitting mistakes.

[soccer10k]

Baylor wasn't hired by Hendry. Hendry was made GM on July 5, 2002. Hendry hired Baker, firing him would be admitting that Baker was not the guy. Sure, IT WOULD BE SMART TO JUST ADMIT THAT YOU WERE WRONG, but these people are too scared of actually admitting mistakes.

 

Couldn't agree more.

[BigbadB]

July 5th? That's a long time to wait for something to happen.

[Derwood]

July 5th? That's a long time to wait for something to happen.

 

especially considering that firing Baker will in no way improve the team's performance on the field. It will get people to put the torches and pitchforks down, however.

[RynoRules]

July 5th? That's a long time to wait for something to happen.

 

especially considering that firing Baker will in no way improve the team's performance on the field. It will get people to put the torches and pitchforks down, however.

 

Agreed - this team will still stink, we'll just have one fewer guy to rage at.

[J.R.]

Don Baylor was fired on July 5th, 2002.

 

That was an awesome day.

 

It's sad that the Baylor years now look hopeful in comparison to today's wreck.

[Pinktermite]

We should all become Sox fans. Stop spending money and going to see this sad team. I give anything to see 2000 people show up for the braves game

[Ding Dong Johnson]

We should all become Sox fans. Stop spending money and going to see this sad team. I give anything to see 2000 people show up for the braves game

 

That would be about 1200 more than what remained at the game yesterday after the fish went up 6-3. That place was empty.

[Banedon]

Bump.

 

Just thought I'd bump this thread, since Baylor was fired on July 5th....will history repeat itself????

 

We can only hope.

 

EDIT: Note that in 2002 on this date, the Cubs were 4 games BETTER than they are now.

[cubfan1955]

Bump.

 

Just thought I'd bump this thread, since Baylor was fired on July 5th....will history repeat itself????

 

We can only hope.

 

EDIT: Note that in 2002 on this date, the Cubs were 4 games BETTER than they are now.

It's a lot easier to fire someone elses mistake.

[CubsBullsBears]

^ Actually, MacPhail fired him, was named team president, stepped down from his role as GM and hired Hendry.

[frostwyrm]

Weird coincidence, but I was just thinking about 2002 today and how much slack Baylor got relative to Dusty. 2002 was remembered was as the definition of an absolute rock-bottom disaster of a baseball season, but it was actually BETTER than 2006. Considering the payrolls of both seasons only increases the disparity. If Baylor deserved to be fired then Dusty deserves something much worse.

[Irrelevant Dude]

286-283

 

That's Dusty's current record as Cubs manager and closing in on .500 fast. When has a .500 record over 4 seasons and no World Series appearances ever earned so much respect? I was far from a Don Baylor fan and I can't believe I'm defending him, but Dusty Baker has had much more talent to work with than Baylor ever did. If Baylor deserved to be fired, then Baker certainly does too.

[Pinktermite]

Dusty will get fired. Soon...but it won't really help much. At least we can start anew, huh?

[CuseCubFan69]

Dusty will get fired. Soon...but it won't really help much. At least we can start anew, huh?

 

I think it will help though. Baker won't be around to make the pitchers throw too many pitches and maybe some young guys will get a shot and we can see what they have going into 2007. With Baker staying you'd have the vets getting way too much time.

[Sammy Sofa]

Does this mean 2007 will be randomly and agonizingly awesome?

[minnesotacubsfan]

Does this mean 2007 will be randomly and agonizingly awesome?

 

I hope so

[E.J.]

I absolutely want Baker to be fired, but my question is why does Hendry get a pass? He put together this crappy team. He's the one who gave Neifi and Rusch 2-year contracts. He was the one who once again put too much faith in Prior and Wood staying healthy. He's the one who put together this toolsy, swing-at-everything offense. I know he got an extension, but why is he not getting any heat for this mess?

[goonys evil twin]

I absolutely want Baker to be fired, but my question is why does Hendry get a pass? He put together this crappy team. He's the one who gave Neifi and Rusch 2-year contracts. He was the one who once again put too much faith in Prior and Wood staying healthy. He's the one who put together this toolsy, swing-at-everything offense. I know he got an extension, but why is he not getting any heat for this mess?

 

He's taken a ton of heat on here. And every single story about Baker earlier in the year effectively blamed Hendry by deflecting criticism away from Dusty. The problem is he got the extension and is here to stay. There's little hope to see him gone anytime soon. Baker's contract is up and the talk surrounding him has intensified because it's more likely.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

^ Actually, MacPhail fired him, was named team president, stepped down from his role as GM and hired Hendry.

 

MacPhail has been president since 1994. He took over the GM duties in 2000 when Ed Lynch left, and served as GM until this date in 2002 when Hendry was promoted.