Hendry the apologist (Baker's job is safe)

[Wilmo]

While Hendry continues to back Dusty on what seems to be a daily basis, the fact remains the team is still losing. So MacPhail needs to grow a "set" and tell Hendry, "since you have so much confidence in your manager and his coaching staff, the problem is obviously you and the team YOU assembled". Bite the bullet and fire Hendry and his entire rag-tag coaching staff. I really don't want Hendry making ANY moves. He will only screw things up even more.

 

With that being said, I truly am amazed how this organization can't develop talent. The "K"ory Patterson thing is making me sick and the way the can't miss talent struggles, then gets traded and does well elsewhere is dumbfounding.

 

I have been a Cub fan since I was 6 years old (1980) and I've tried to tell myself I'm done, I'm not watching them anymore until fat Dusty is gone, but here I am back at NSBB reading the posts and venting. I really believe the 2003 season ruined it for me. Before 03' I didn't expect the Cubs to do much. I saw them make the playoffs in 84', 89', and 98'. I considered myself lucky. Then 03' came and we beat the Braves in the NLDS and came within...Well you all know how it goes. I was fortunate though, I only had to listened to game 6 and 7 on a radio. I was on my honeymoon on a cruise ship in the middle of the Caribbean somewhere. Yeah hearing it sucked, but I didn't have to see it. I, like most everyone else thought, they'll make it back in 04'. Well, we were close, a few tweaks and we'll be there in 05', not so fast. And even one short month ago, I was thinking, this might be the year. Ha!!!

 

Cub brass, MacPhail, some suit in the Trib penthouse, SOMEBODY make a change for God sake. Give us die-hard Cub fans something, anything. Well, not another second baseman, but something, hell fire the freaking ball boy. I just want to know you give a [expletive].

 

I know this is a rant and if you wasted your time reading it, sorry. I was only go to write the first paragraph and then something else happened and it turned into a vent for me. I do feel a little better. And I really don't understand how people are able to just "pick" another team to cheer for. If you can, great for you... I guess? but as horrible as the Cubs get, I find myself flipping on the next game and then coming here to read about "things" after another Cub loss. Well, I'm done, for now. Thanks for forum so I could "let it go".

 

By the way, what time is game next game?

[Tim Burr]

"But many of the fans are looking at Baker, a three-time manager of the year while with the Giants, who took San Francisco to the World Series in 2002 and then nearly got the Cubs there the next season.

 

No one is taking the Cubs' troubled times harder than Baker.

 

"This is not a man who sits on his laurels. He was a heck of a player and has been a heck of a manager for a long time," Hendry said.

 

"I think people need to understand it's bothering him just as much as anybody who works here. ... It's a very tough time. He's got it in him to help pull us out."

 

Or IN which ever comes first!! :cry:

[JC]

Hendry may have just elevated/lowered himself to worst GM in baseball.

 

To me, this attitude smacks of, "Everyone else would get rid of the manager, but I'm going to be different because we need stability." Problem is, stability is only worthwhile when it goes hand-in-hand with a competent option. Baker isn't competent. Neither is Hendry, for that matter.

 

What's Jim Bowden doing these days? Yeah, he's horrible too, but how many games has Neifi batted #2 on a Bowden assembled roster? :D

 

Attending court hearings, mostly.

[louisvillecub]

We are the laughingstock of MLB....I'm sure that players and execs on other teams are either outright laughing or shaking their heads in wonder at the steady diet of excuses and ignorant ramblings of our three headed monster.

[YearofDaCubs]

We are the laughingstock of MLB....I'm sure that players and execs on other teams are either outright laughing or shaking their heads in wonder at the steady diet of excuses and ignorant ramblings of our three headed monster.

Well said.

[Shavo]

In his playing days, Dusty's OBP wasn't so bad. .347 lifetime.

[BigSlick]

In his playing days, Dusty's OBP wasn't so bad. .347 lifetime.

 

I've mentioned it, I believe its a full 70 points above his average, which means he's taken his fair share of walks.

 

Its really puzzling why he's so anti-walk then.

 

Maybe its some sort of conservative old-timer reaction to the 'Moneyball' precedent.

[Coach C]

I hate reading comments like these from our GM just as much as anyone, but come on, what did you expect him to say when discussing Baker's future with the club?

 

Also, it should be noted that he didn't say a word about Baker's future with the club after this season. That's encouraging.

 

I expect Jim Hendry to tell the serious truth, especially the fact that the Cubs have lost 19 out of 23 games. I would bet you that if it was George Steinbrenner as the owner for the Cubs, Baker would have been canned just right about now.

 

Dusty have been given way too many oppiturnies. Dare I say it, that Dusty will more than likely have plenty of options to make this ballclub look bad as the Kansas City Royals.

[CubfaninCA]

I hate reading comments like these from our GM just as much as anyone, but come on, what did you expect him to say when discussing Baker's future with the club?

 

Also, it should be noted that he didn't say a word about Baker's future with the club after this season. That's encouraging.

 

I expect Jim Hendry to tell the serious truth, especially the fact that the Cubs have lost 19 out of 23 games. I would bet you that if it was George Steinbrenner as the owner for the Cubs, Baker would have been canned just right about now.

 

Dusty have been given way too many oppiturnies. Dare I say it, that Dusty will more than likely have plenty of options to make this ballclub look bad as the Kansas City Royals.

 

Exactly. The Trib doesn't care. Heck they broke an attendance record today. 4 more years!

[CubsBullsBears]

OldStyle is right. This is EXACTLY what happened to Baylor.

 

This means Dusty will be fired within one month.

Yeah, but he was never backewd this much by MacPhail.

I don't see how Dusty has anymore backing than Baylor did with MacPhail.

 

Knowing how MacPhail operates, I doubt he'd stand in Hendry's way if JH decides to fire him.

MacPhail said it's up to Jim whether to keep or fire Dusty

[NewUserName]

Dusty was managed by Tommy Lasorda though. I am pretty sure Tommy invented the term 5 tool player. He also played on a team that had Steve Garvey batting 3rd. I am pretty sure Jeff Francouer will have more career walks that Garvery had.

 

Anyway all this complaining about the Cub and their management yet the largest crowd since 1978(?) was in attendence today. I really dont think there is any real heat under anyones seat yet.

[Andy]

Dusty won't come back, I don't think he can stand it here anymore. I just wish they'd fire him to prove a point. Which they won't.

[CUBZ99]

I don't know why Baker would want to come back for any more after this year. Sure he is not the greatest manager in baseball, but after taking a look at the Cubs roster it is impossible to expect much more from the team.

 

In Dusty's defense, what the heck is he supposed to do with the team. He has nobody on the bench that can pinch hit. I noticed yesterday I was cursing at TV when he brought Mabry up late in the game but then I realized that Mabry is about as good as it gets on the bench.

 

Normally I can't stand Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, however, yesterday they were dead on, in their criticism of the Cubs. Their everyday lineup is horrible and Hendry basically did nothing over the offseason to improve the team. Earl Weaver couldn't coach this team to the playoffs.

 

It was kind of nice to see those guys making Hendry look bad in his interview too. Buck told Hendry that most of the times when a player like Lee goes down, the GM typically makes a deal quick just to show the team that he is not giving up on them. Hendry waffled and said he was trying, etc., etc. Then Buck made a remark about the lack of a replacement in the farm system and Hendry started talking about how the Cubs farm system was in the top 1/3 in baseball, except they just didn't have any parts that the Cubs needed at the time. It would have been nice to see Hendry make a bold move at a time when it would have mattered.

 

Baker has had a horrible team to put on the field for the last two years and Hendry just keeps re-upping the garbage (Rusch, Perez, Hairston, Blanco). Add the poor acquisitions of Pierre, Jones and Bynum and you have a horrible, horrible team.

[ZipDog]

"I don't think anyone would've said, 'Don't trade Ricky Nolasco for Juan Pierre' in December," Hendry said. "I still think Juan is going to come out of it and be a good player for us. He cares a lot and it's bothering him as much as anybody in the clubhouse the way we're going, and he feels responsible for the way we're going. He's probably as good an example as you'll find of a guy trying to do too much to pick the club up."

 

Heh, evidence that Hendry doesn't read NSBB.

 

 

They're still just waiting on that win streak before announcing the extension.

 

They all need to go.

 

Hendry really needs to consult us before he makes another move.

 

Actually, he should just pack his bags and leave Chicago (along with Dusty, the other coaches, and MacPhail).

 

Here, here, my friend. And, don't let the door hit their rears on the way out.

 

Won't happen, of course; but, maybe we'll get lucky off the field!

 

By the way....this marketing machine of the Cubs has always sold "hope."

 

Not "winning;" but, hope. They don't need winning....never have. They sell hope to loser fans like you and me....

[Laura]

Except now there is no hope as long as these clowns are running the circus.

[CubfaninCA]

Dusty won't come back, I don't think he can stand it here anymore. I just wish they'd fire him to prove a point. Which they won't.

 

The shower of boos Neifi received on Friday probably broke Baker's heart. I hope you're right.

[cubfan1955]

I don't know why Baker would want to come back for any more after this year. Sure he is not the greatest manager in baseball, but after taking a look at the Cubs roster it is impossible to expect much more from the team.

 

In Dusty's defense, what the heck is he supposed to do with the team. He has nobody on the bench that can pinch hit. I noticed yesterday I was cursing at TV when he brought Mabry up late in the game but then I realized that Mabry is about as good as it gets on the bench.

 

Normally I can't stand Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, however, yesterday they were dead on, in their criticism of the Cubs. Their everyday lineup is horrible and Hendry basically did nothing over the offseason to improve the team. Earl Weaver couldn't coach this team to the playoffs.

 

It was kind of nice to see those guys making Hendry look bad in his interview too. Buck told Hendry that most of the times when a player like Lee goes down, the GM typically makes a deal quick just to show the team that he is not giving up on them. Hendry waffled and said he was trying, etc., etc. Then Buck made a remark about the lack of a replacement in the farm system and Hendry started talking about how the Cubs farm system was in the top 1/3 in baseball, except they just didn't have any parts that the Cubs needed at the time. It would have been nice to see Hendry make a bold move at a time when it would have mattered.

 

Baker has had a horrible team to put on the field for the last two years and Hendry just keeps re-upping the garbage (Rusch, Perez, Hairston, Blanco). Add the poor acquisitions of Pierre, Jones and Bynum and you have a horrible, horrible team.

 

I wished I would have seen the interview. Unfortunately the Cards/Padres were shown here.

 

A lot of what you say is true however, I fully believe Dusty had a lot of input into the roster and Hendry basically gave him what he asked for. Everyone should be gone by the end of the year. But they won't becuase I doubt if the Tribune can see past the cash flowing in from the cash cow.

[Roast]

Well, hopefully this is the mandatory vote of confidence before the firing. But, something tells me that no; Jim Hendry is just that stupid. It really confuses me how he can pull off some downright amazing trades (hundly,Aram,Nomar/murton) and then turn around and be a complete idiot.

[srbin84]

Hendry's comments during the broadcast with the Cards anouncers were scary. He said he didn't make a deal to help the club when Lee went down because the overpaying to make trades has gotten way out of hand. Newsflash Jim, you have to overpay in trade to get good players. His unwillingness to do just that is one of the major reasons this team has continued to get worse since he took over.

[KaiserCesar]

Hendry's comments during the broadcast with the Cards anouncers were scary. He said he didn't make a deal to help the club when Lee went down because the overpaying to make trades has gotten way out of hand. Newsflash Jim, you have to overpay in trade to get good players. His unwillingness to do just that is one of the major reasons this team has continued to get worse since he took over.

 

I might be missing something here, but how does giving up more talent than you are receiving make you a better team from year to year?

[srbin84]

Hendry's comments during the broadcast with the Cards anouncers were scary. He said he didn't make a deal to help the club when Lee went down because the overpaying to make trades has gotten way out of hand. Newsflash Jim, you have to overpay in trade to get good players. His unwillingness to do just that is one of the major reasons this team has continued to get worse since he took over.

 

I might be missing something here, but how does giving up more talent than you are receiving make you a better team from year to year?

 

It's something all good teams do once in awhile. I'm talking about prospects for major league stars. Most of our top prospects have lost a lot of value, but last year or in the offseason, they probably could have gotten an allstar player for Hill, Guzman and Pie.

[CuseCubFan69]

Hendry's comments during the broadcast with the Cards anouncers were scary. He said he didn't make a deal to help the club when Lee went down because the overpaying to make trades has gotten way out of hand. Newsflash Jim, you have to overpay in trade to get good players. His unwillingness to do just that is one of the major reasons this team has continued to get worse since he took over.

 

He'd rather overpay for average talent.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If I had the choice right now of either Hendry as GM and a new manager or Baker as manager but a new GM....I think I'd probably take the second option.

 

For those that know my position on Baker, that says a lot about how I feel about the construction of this team.

[BigSlick]

If I had the choice right now of either Hendry as GM and a new manager or Baker as manager but a new GM....I think I'd probably take the second option.

 

For those that know my position on Baker, that says a lot about how I feel about the construction of this team.

 

Agreed. If we had a quality GM, we're basically taking the steering wheel out of Baker's hands. Its hard to flub up when you have quality players on the bench and on the field.

[BigbadB]

I don't know why Baker would want to come back for any more after this year. Sure he is not the greatest manager in baseball, but after taking a look at the Cubs roster it is impossible to expect much more from the team.

 

In Dusty's defense, what the heck is he supposed to do with the team. He has nobody on the bench that can pinch hit. I noticed yesterday I was cursing at TV when he brought Mabry up late in the game but then I realized that Mabry is about as good as it gets on the bench.

 

Normally I can't stand Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, however, yesterday they were dead on, in their criticism of the Cubs. Their everyday lineup is horrible and Hendry basically did nothing over the offseason to improve the team. Earl Weaver couldn't coach this team to the playoffs.

 

It was kind of nice to see those guys making Hendry look bad in his interview too. Buck told Hendry that most of the times when a player like Lee goes down, the GM typically makes a deal quick just to show the team that he is not giving up on them. Hendry waffled and said he was trying, etc., etc. Then Buck made a remark about the lack of a replacement in the farm system and Hendry started talking about how the Cubs farm system was in the top 1/3 in baseball, except they just didn't have any parts that the Cubs needed at the time. It would have been nice to see Hendry make a bold move at a time when it would have mattered.

 

Baker has had a horrible team to put on the field for the last two years and Hendry just keeps re-upping the garbage (Rusch, Perez, Hairston, Blanco). Add the poor acquisitions of Pierre, Jones and Bynum and you have a horrible, horrible team.

 

Sure seemed to me that Baker was very supportive Hendry and his focus for players who can catch the ball, guys with speed and guys who are aggressive at the plate. He doesn't get a free pass with me.