dusty come home!

[stitchface]

http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/30806.html

 

registration required so highlights:

 

Even though Baker has been bearing the brunt of criticism for the Cubs' injury-fueled collapse the past two seasons, there is growing speculation that a major housecleaning is in store, including general manager Jim Hendry and the entire coaching staff.

 

After taking the Giants to the 2002 World Series, Baker had a falling out with owner Peter Magowan and became a hot commodity for teams seeking a new manager. His move to Chicago looked like a great decision when the Cubs came within five outs of their first World Series since 1945.

 

Expectations were even higher in 2004, but chronic injuries to pitchers Kerry Wood and Mark Prior, plus rifts with Sammy Sosa and broadcaster Steve Stone, contributed to Baker's fall from grace.

 

"It's beating up on him pretty good," said Cubs bench coach Dick Pole, Baker's first pitching coach in San Francisco. "Some of the stuff that has gone on this summer has been tough on all of us, but he accepts the responsibility even though he's not responsible. ...

 

"I never saw anything like this. For a man who has done all the things in his managerial life to be scrutinized like this. ... A pitcher is getting hammered and he goes to take him out, and they applaud the pitcher and boo Dusty.

 

"You ask me if I would go back, but you've also got to ask them if I'm welcome there," he said. "I don't know if my relationship with Peter (Magowan) is the same. We haven't spoken. I really don't know. I don't think about that stuff."

 

After managing the Giants for 10 years, Baker said he sensed it was time for a change. He said he doesn't feel that way in Chicago. It's a matter of unfinished business, he said.

 

"God told me to come here, and I just can't believe -- my dying mother-in-law told me this, and I pray on it -- that I was supposed to come here to leave under these circumstances," he said. "That wasn't my purpose coming here.

 

"It's been a tough year. A lot of guys out of position, a lot of injuries, a lot of rookies. It reminds me a lot of 1996 with the Giants. It was tougher then because I was just getting started. I had no track record."

 

Baker's career as a manager consists of nine winners and five losers in 14 seasons. He has a reputation as a master communicator with players who sometimes is loyal to a fault with veteran players.

 

Baker said he wants to manage five more years.

 

"I'm in better shape now than four years ago," Baker said. "I have no tax problems. My health is fine. It'll be six years (surviving prostate cancer) in December, and they say if you make five years, you're 90 percent home."

 

So, what would he have done differently in Chicago?

 

"Nothing -- I'd have guys healthy," he said.

[snoodmonger]

I'm not saying it's ALL his fault, but... it's pretty sad when you've managed a team to back-2-back losing seasons (including a near 100-loss season), and you can't think of ONE thing you'd do differently.

[RichHillIsABeast]

No one could have managed these last two Cubs teams to the playoffs. Dusty makes some moronic in-game decisions, lineups, and comments, but he's not the big problem. MacPhail, Hendry, and the Tribune's bottom line are.

[CubsInNC]

No one could have managed these last two Cubs teams to the playoffs. Dusty makes some moronic in-game decisions, lineups, and comments, but he's not the big problem. MacPhail, Hendry, and the Tribune's bottom line are.

 

Why should he change anything. According to Dick Cole, his friend, he's not responsible for it. Sheesh. That statement is wrong on so many levels, it hurts my brain to try to analyze. ... ... . . ... . *!&^@&*%#@^%!

[jtownie]

A couple of things. First, there's speculation that Hendry might be going as well as the coaching staff? Either I have missed a lot of news or that is completely new. Second, I really enjoy that quote from Pole. "He accepts full responsibility even though it isn't his fault..." No wonder Baker loves that guy! I'm not saying it's all Baker's fault but seriously talk about in no way wanting to be accountable for this team. Then again, I'd probably try to deflect all the blame too if I had to manage this crap roster.

[Banedon]

Yes, please, direct me to the speculation of a house cleaning. I like that idea and would like to subscribe to the newsletter.

[A New Era]

He accepts full responsibility? When has baker accepted responsibility for anything? Maybe he can pass his lies off to casual couch fans but us real fans can see through that bull*#@#. And it's not his fault? Entirely? No. Partially? Hell yes.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

...there is growing speculation that a major housecleaning is in store, including general manager Jim Hendry and the entire coaching staff....

 

Yes please, and twice on Sundays! I will even help pack up Hendry's office for free!

[Laura]

And so it begins!

[A New Era]

And so it begins!

 

Exciting, enticing, envigorating. . .

[NewUserName]

"I have no tax problems"

 

What does that have to do with managing

[CuseCubFan69]

"I have no tax problems"

 

What does that have to do with managing

 

 

This is why he's so worried about what the press and other outside distractions are doing to his team instead of being focused on the real problems. He just can not take responisbility for anything that goes wrong, it's always because of something else.

[NCCubFan]

A few days ago I posted a quote from Hendry on cubs.com where Hendry said that what would be done would be in the best interests of the organization, not any individual, including him. I raised the issue of whether that meant Hendry's job was on the line too. At the time people thought it simply meant that Hendry personally wanted to keep Dusty but knew he couldn't. If there's any truth to the report mentioned in this thread, maybe I was on to something before. Unfortunately I don't recall which thread I posted Hendry's quote in.