Bruce talks about dusty's future

[minnesotacubsfan]

Interestingly, two of the guys who got a bad rap in the past _ Kent Mercker and LaTroy Hawkins, I had no problem with. In fact, Mercker was one of the nicest guys I've ever been around. Other writers, including Hall of Famer Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News, will corroborate that.

 

 

why do i have a feeling we knew this?

[Wheelimus]

What's wrong is the fact that I read your "impersonation" Bruce, and if I didn't know it was such I would have believed it as an exact quote. Ugh.

[Soriano12]

If Dusty is extended I will be attending the Cubs Convention when Hendry

is giving his press conference...and most likely I will be escorted out by Chicago Police.

 

my post is dead serious. I love the Cubs and I am sick of this jag-bag

Hendry tearing apart the team.

[BRASKYS SCOTCH]

I feel that Dusty is coming back here next year no matter what. And I wouldn't be surprised if he's given a 2 yr deal with an option/buyout clause/etc (by Dusty, not the Cubs) on the 2nd year.

 

It'd be nice if we made it through two years, Hendry and Dusty hit the road, and Girardi enters the fold (it would be after his 3 yr deal has run its course). Dusty has his faults, but I think the main reason the Cubs won't develop is the unwillingness of Hendry and MacPhail to pay attention to the makeup of winning ballclubs. That said, this isn't the most optimistic post. See you in 2009.

[Mark Priors Calves]

This is the first I've heard of Ohman supposedly being a jerk.

 

From the sounds of some of the broadcast, Len Kasper is a big fan of Ohman, "word of the day", etc.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

May I point out that Bruce told us the part about Dusty coming back being closer to 50-50 a few days ago in the game threads?

 

:)

 

Wait.

 

:(

[TB_11]

The fact that Dusty has gone from being 20-80 against to 50-50 in terms of being offered another contract is more proof that this team has no plan whatsoever.

 

On the flip side: Great article as always Bruce - keep up the great work!

[goonys evil twin]

The fact that Dusty has gone from being 20-80 against to 50-50 in terms of being offered another contract is more proof that this team has no plan whatsoever.

 

To be fair, that's just Bruce's interpretation of what they'll do. For all we know, they planned from day one to extend Baker and all of this is just trying to pass it off to the public as the right move.

[wekse]

This is the first I've heard of Ohman supposedly being a jerk.

 

I've heard that he (and Dempster) are the light-hearted jokesters of the clubhouse - the best and most notorious for pranks. Either he has gotten more crueler/annoying in his fooling around, or the perception of his antics changes when the team is failing.

 

How's that sound, Bruce?

 

Dempster is a great guy. Ohman blows hot and cold. He's a bit of a cocky guy to begin with, and sometimes he likes to play the tough guy, too. I don't mind if players don't like us. You're going to have that. But when it comes to getting in the way of people doing their jobs, that's when I have a problem. Interestingly, two of the guys who got a bad rap in the past _ Kent Mercker and LaTroy Hawkins, I had no problem with. In fact, Mercker was one of the nicest guys I've ever been around. Other writers, including Hall of Famer Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News, will corroborate that.

 

da Merck loves all of His people.

[Bruce Miles]

The fact that Dusty has gone from being 20-80 against to 50-50 in terms of being offered another contract is more proof that this team has no plan whatsoever.

 

To be fair, that's just Bruce's interpretation of what they'll do. For all we know, they planned from day one to extend Baker and all of this is just trying to pass it off to the public as the right move.

 

Entirely plausible.

[soccer10k]

Excellent article Bruce. I especially like the impersonation of Hendry. Keep up the good work.

[Bruce Miles]

Excellent article Bruce. I especially like the impersonation of Hendry. Keep up the good work.

 

You've been a great crowd. I'll be here all week. If only I could have gotten the shirt tug, hair tousle and spitting between my teeth to translate, we'd really have something.

[Banedon]

The fact that Dusty has gone from being 20-80 against to 50-50 in terms of being offered another contract is more proof that this team has no plan whatsoever.

 

To be fair, that's just Bruce's interpretation of what they'll do. For all we know, they planned from day one to extend Baker and all of this is just trying to pass it off to the public as the right move.

 

Entirely plausible.

 

You'll excuse me if I hope you're just flat out wrong on the probability of all this Bruce....no offense... :P

[gus_dog]

The fact that Dusty has gone from being 20-80 against to 50-50 in terms of being offered another contract is more proof that this team has no plan whatsoever.

 

To be fair, that's just Bruce's interpretation of what they'll do. For all we know, they planned from day one to extend Baker and all of this is just trying to pass it off to the public as the right move.

 

Entirely plausible.

 

...and likely, IMO, based on what I have seen and read, and what I know of Hendry and Baker. Baker is, and has always been Hendry's guy.

 

I know that Baker is VERY unpopular here, but I will say this: The Cubs managerial job is Baker's, if he wants it. The only way Baker leaves is on his own terms. His job has not been in jeopardy at all this season - that was just wishful thinking on the part of fans and some writers.

 

JMHO.

[NorthsideAvenger]

So if Baker is brought back, I think we all in agreement, the Century Mark will come and go without the Cubs sniffing the playoffs, much less the World Series.

 

But hey the drive to be competing with the Royals, is alive and kicking.

[Bruce Miles]

The fact that Dusty has gone from being 20-80 against to 50-50 in terms of being offered another contract is more proof that this team has no plan whatsoever.

 

To be fair, that's just Bruce's interpretation of what they'll do. For all we know, they planned from day one to extend Baker and all of this is just trying to pass it off to the public as the right move.

 

Entirely plausible.

 

You'll excuse me if I hope you're just flat out wrong on the probability of all this Bruce....no offense... :P

 

Like I said the other day, there's a 50-50 chance he WON'T be back, if looking at it that way makes you feel better. :D

[BigbadB]

50/50 right now to me means the glass is completely empty. :(

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I loved the article, Bruce.

 

I am surprised to hear Ohman acts like that.

 

I'm not surprised Mercker wasa great guy. He's a god among men.

[ToupeeOnFire]

This is hilarious too

 

Obviously (Hendry likes this word), we didn’t get off to the start any of us would have liked. Obviously, losing Derrek Lee was a big blow to our club.

 

“We obviously didn’t anticipate the injuries to Mark, and we thought Kerry and Wade would be able to join the rotation and stay there. Obviously, that didn’t happen.

 

“So I felt it unfair to Dusty to scapegoat him for a total organizational failure. Right before the all-star break, we turned it around, and I felt Dusty had the club playing well and playing hard. Obviously, we had a lot of young players both in the lineup and in the rotation, and I felt Dusty did a good job in bringing them along.

 

“We have lot of work to do during the off-season. I know one pesky reporter has been after us to start valuing on-base percentage and slugging percentage, but I’ll be looking for guys who have a track record of knocking in a run from third base or stealing a bag and for guys who can catch the ball. We’ll also look, obviously, at upgrading our starting rotation.

I read this before actually reading the article and I just about [expletive] myself.

 

Take out the sentence I know one pesky reporter has been after us to start valuing on-base percentage and slugging percentage, but I’ll be looking for guys who have a track record of knocking in a run from third base or stealing a bag and for guys who can catch the ball (even Hendry knows better to admit it in public) and that's pretty much the script Hendry will read from if/when he announces Dusty's extension.

 

I'm still holding out hope for the cheeseburger.

[mul21]

Excellent article Bruce. I especially like the impersonation of Hendry. Keep up the good work.

 

You've been a great crowd. I'll be here all week. If only I could have gotten the shirt tug, hair tousle and spitting between my teeth to translate, we'd really have something.

 

I'm getting this strange feeling that Bruce isn't a huge fan of Hendry......... :wink:

[CUBZ99]

Bruce, Do you ever get called into Hendry's office? or treated differently because you cover stories the fans have interest in? or does it put a strain on your relationships with the team and/or players because you report objectively?

 

Personally, I favor reading your articles and posts because you have integrity and don't treat us fans like morons (like pretending that BA with RISP is the most important stat in baseball). :D

[Dirt Dog Sparly]

Bruce,

Personally, I favor reading your articles and posts because you have integrity and don't treat us fans like morons (like pretending that BA with RISP is the most important stat in baseball). :D

 

I want to second this porton of CubZ99's statement. I was recomending a book to a friend a few weeks ago with about the same recomendation. Thank you for treating us like adults, and smart ones at that. Even if we dont act it here sometimes.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

Personally, I favor reading your articles and posts because you have integrity and don't treat us fans like morons (like pretending that BA with RISP is the most important stat in baseball). :D

 

I want to second this porton of CubZ99's statement. I was recomending a book to a friend a few weeks ago with about the same recomendation. Thank you for treating us like adults, and smart ones at that. Even if we dont act it here sometimes.

 

I appreciate the sentiments. As I've said before, I've learned as much, if not more, from you guys as you might have learned from me. The only advantage I have is access. No, I've not been called into the office or treated badly by Hendry or Dusty. I like them both as people very much. They're both very good to deal with. We sometimes have to agree to disagree.

I've got to pack for Denver. Let's hope the airport lines move quickly tomorrow.

[bhogg]

Bruce, you're the only Cub reporter I bother reading. I've done my best to spread your gospel to the rest of my cub buddies. Keep up the good work!

[Sammy Sofa]

Bruce is the only Chicago sports press guru worth his salt these days. The fact that the toads on BleedCubbieBlue.com seem to not like him only makes him more awesome. Keep up the great work!