Cubs Announcement: MacPhail Resigns as President

[TXCubsFan]

Having a marketing guy as President is great! We don't need a "baseball guy" a.k.a. someone who thinks OBP is a "fantasy baseball geek stat."

 

 

MacPhail was one of the key guys keeping the hardcore scouting system alive in the Cubs org. Now he's gone.

 

There aren't a lot of SABR guys ready to step in as Pres. GM's make the baseball decisions anyway, but presidents get to pick the GMs. Once Hendry fails, we may be seeing a new approach.

 

Businessmen aren't opposed to statistics. :wink:

 

I was just thinking there was some room for hope in that regard. He has been with the organization for a long time, though, so hard to say if opinions have already been calcified.

 

At the risk of being a contrarian, I think the Cubs have been excellent at times in player evaluation. They traded Choi, Bobby Hill, and Brendan Harris while acquiring DLee, Aram, and Murton. Unlike most of this board, the Cubs were on target about Jacque's abilities.

 

The problem isn't scouting, it's not relying on stats as well as scouting. Finding a platoon partner for Jacque, batting high OBP guys #1 and #2, etc. The management team needs balance, not a complete overhaul.

 

My comment was more geared toward the stats side, and it seems that -- if Gary Hughes' comments in that roundtable were any indication -- balance has been lacking in the front office.

 

Fair enough.

[soccer10k]

I hope to wake up tomorrow to hear Dusty will not be retained.

[CubinNY]

I haven't read the entire thread, but isn't Stone good friends with McDonough? Weren't they seen having dinner together last week.

 

Would he make Stone the GM?

 

The thought frieghtens me.

[Laura]

I haven't read the entire thread, but isn't Stone good friends with McDonough? Weren't they seen having dinner together last week.

 

Would he make Stone the GM?

 

The thought frieghtens me.

 

Yes and yes, they did have dinner together. I don't see Stone becoming the GM. I've been wrong before. I would like to see bridges mended between Stone & the Cubs, which should be easier if Dusty is no longer in the picture.

 

There have been a lot of rumors about whether Ron Santo will continue on as a full-time radio broadcaster --- specifically, how much longer he'll do the road games, since he did miss a couple of road series this season. I like Santo in the booth and hope he continues on. If he chooses to cut back his schedule for health reasons, I'd prefer Stone in the booth as a PT replacement over Otto.

[Outshined_One]

If he chooses to cut back his schedule for health reasons, I'd prefer Stone in the booth as a PT replacement over Otto.

 

...

 

<_<

 

>_>

 

...HI DAVE OTTO!

 

*Runs away laughing about an in-joke only three or four people will get.*

[RockTheIvy]

Stone has a lot of the old baseball mentality. I remember him once commenting on how the Cubs were lucky because they could have afford to have players like Jose Macias on their team.

 

I'm not sure I want him as GM.

[Peoriaman]

Towers would love to be the Cub's GM.

[CuseCubFan69]

If he chooses to cut back his schedule for health reasons, I'd prefer Stone in the booth as a PT replacement over Otto.

 

...

 

<_<

 

>_>

 

...HI DAVE OTTO!

 

*Runs away laughing about an in-joke only three or four people will get.*

 

Dave Otto is a joke that we all get!

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I haven't read the entire thread, but isn't Stone good friends with McDonough? Weren't they seen having dinner together last week.

 

Would he make Stone the GM?

 

The thought frieghtens me.

 

Yes and yes, they did have dinner together. I don't see Stone becoming the GM. I've been wrong before. I would like to see bridges mended between Stone & the Cubs, which should be easier if Dusty is no longer in the picture.

 

There have been a lot of rumors about whether Ron Santo will continue on as a full-time radio broadcaster --- specifically, how much longer he'll do the road games, since he did miss a couple of road series this season. I like Santo in the booth and hope he continues on. If he chooses to cut back his schedule for health reasons, I'd prefer Stone in the booth as a PT replacement over Otto.

 

The Return of Joe Carter, baby!

[Banedon]

I haven't read the entire thread, but isn't Stone good friends with McDonough? Weren't they seen having dinner together last week.

 

Would he make Stone the GM?

 

The thought frieghtens me.

 

Yes and yes, they did have dinner together. I don't see Stone becoming the GM. I've been wrong before. I would like to see bridges mended between Stone & the Cubs, which should be easier if Dusty is no longer in the picture.

 

There have been a lot of rumors about whether Ron Santo will continue on as a full-time radio broadcaster --- specifically, how much longer he'll do the road games, since he did miss a couple of road series this season. I like Santo in the booth and hope he continues on. If he chooses to cut back his schedule for health reasons, I'd prefer Stone in the booth as a PT replacement over Otto.

 

The Return of Joe Carter, baby!

 

Can we get the Dusty Baker-Joe Carter-Joe Morgan baseball analysis program please? please???

[CuseCubFan69]

I haven't read the entire thread, but isn't Stone good friends with McDonough? Weren't they seen having dinner together last week.

 

Would he make Stone the GM?

 

The thought frieghtens me.

 

Yes and yes, they did have dinner together. I don't see Stone becoming the GM. I've been wrong before. I would like to see bridges mended between Stone & the Cubs, which should be easier if Dusty is no longer in the picture.

 

There have been a lot of rumors about whether Ron Santo will continue on as a full-time radio broadcaster --- specifically, how much longer he'll do the road games, since he did miss a couple of road series this season. I like Santo in the booth and hope he continues on. If he chooses to cut back his schedule for health reasons, I'd prefer Stone in the booth as a PT replacement over Otto.

 

The Return of Joe Carter, baby!

 

Can we get the Dusty Baker-Joe Carter-Joe Morgan baseball analysis program please? please???

 

Have McCarver do the play by play and you have your self a heck of a booth.

[Banedon]

Looks like while this was a resignation, the Tribune encouraged it...

 

MacPhail said he met in July with Crane Kenney, Tribune Co. senior vice-president and general counsel, and offered to resign. He said he has always worked with a handshake agreement rather than a contract.

 

"Obviously this has been an awful season," MacPhail said. "I reminded Crane, 'Look this relationship has to be one where both parties have to be satisfied that they're getting everything they need out of the other party, and if you need my resignation, you can have it when you want it.' "

 

Two weeks later, MacPhail met with Tribune Co. President and CEO Dennis FitzSimons, who told MacPhail, 'Look, Andy, we've just got to try something different.' "

[SouthSideRyan]

Dusty won't be back.

 

Of course he will.

 

Not a chance in hell.

[cubfan1955]

Dusty won't be back.

 

Of course he will.

 

Not a chance in hell.

Maybe not in hell but definitely in Chicago.

[jjgman21]

I haven't read the entire thread, but isn't Stone good friends with McDonough? Weren't they seen having dinner together last week.

 

Would he make Stone the GM?

 

The thought frieghtens me.

 

Yes and yes, they did have dinner together. I don't see Stone becoming the GM. I've been wrong before. I would like to see bridges mended between Stone & the Cubs, which should be easier if Dusty is no longer in the picture.

 

There have been a lot of rumors about whether Ron Santo will continue on as a full-time radio broadcaster --- specifically, how much longer he'll do the road games, since he did miss a couple of road series this season. I like Santo in the booth and hope he continues on. If he chooses to cut back his schedule for health reasons, I'd prefer Stone in the booth as a PT replacement over Otto.

 

The Return of Joe Carter, baby!

 

Can we get the Dusty Baker-Joe Carter-Joe Morgan baseball analysis program please? please???

 

for broadcasting? I was hoping those three would form the first 'college of GMs'

[Peoriaman]

MacPhail went out like a man taking responsibility.

[CuseCubFan69]

MacPhail went out like a man taking responsibility.

 

I agree and he seemed to treat people with respect.

[Banedon]

MacPhail went out like a man taking responsibility.

 

I agree and he seemed to treat people with respect.

 

I never had a problem with him in that respect. And honestly, if you'd have given me a choice...MacPhail or Hendry, it would've been Hendry. I feel like Hendry and Dusty both are very stubborn in their losing ways, while MacPhail is willing to take responsibilty for his failures. I wish MacPhail well.

[ConstableRabbit]

OK so MacPhail, Baker... Hendry please?

[Laura]

MacPhail went out like a man taking responsibility.

 

I agree and he seemed to treat people with respect.

 

I never had a problem with him in that respect. And honestly, if you'd have given me a choice...MacPhail or Hendry, it would've been Hendry. I feel like Hendry and Dusty both are very stubborn in their losing ways, while MacPhail is willing to take responsibilty for his failures. I wish MacPhail well.

 

Except that MacPhail could have booted Hendry at any time and instead gave him an extension earlier this season. He has seen (and overseen) many more losing years than either Hendry or Dusty have with the Cubs.

 

MacPhail seems like a gracious enough guy and I'm sure he'll have continued success with MLB or elsewhere. It's time and it has been time for the Cubs to go in a different direction. I don't know that McDonough represents a new direction, but what they've been doing with MacPhail in charge hasn't been working.

Edited October 1, 2006 by Laura

[USSoccer]

I haven't read the entire thread, but isn't Stone good friends with McDonough? Weren't they seen having dinner together last week.

 

Would he make Stone the GM?

 

The thought frieghtens me.

 

Yes and yes, they did have dinner together. I don't see Stone becoming the GM. I've been wrong before. I would like to see bridges mended between Stone & the Cubs, which should be easier if Dusty is no longer in the picture.

 

There have been a lot of rumors about whether Ron Santo will continue on as a full-time radio broadcaster --- specifically, how much longer he'll do the road games, since he did miss a couple of road series this season. I like Santo in the booth and hope he continues on. If he chooses to cut back his schedule for health reasons, I'd prefer Stone in the booth as a PT replacement over Otto.

 

Oh God No....

[Laura]

McDonough was also VP of Broadcasting in addition to Marketing. That's why all the rumors started about Stone-to-the-tv-booth and Brenly-to-the-dugout. It's also why it makes sense that he would have been meeting with Stone.

[Outshined_One]

Looks like while this was a resignation, the Tribune encouraged it...

 

MacPhail said he met in July with Crane Kenney, Tribune Co. senior vice-president and general counsel, and offered to resign. He said he has always worked with a handshake agreement rather than a contract.

 

"Obviously this has been an awful season," MacPhail said. "I reminded Crane, 'Look this relationship has to be one where both parties have to be satisfied that they're getting everything they need out of the other party, and if you need my resignation, you can have it when you want it.' "

 

Two weeks later, MacPhail met with Tribune Co. President and CEO Dennis FitzSimons, who told MacPhail, 'Look, Andy, we've just got to try something different.' "

 

Looks like he was axed to leave.

[A New Era]

This is really good news for Cubs fans. Look. Most of us have been calling for a MAJOR cleaning, starting with MacPhail, right? Well guess what, MacPhail just stepped down!!

 

Ok maybe we'll have Hendry another year. But if he doesn't put together a winner, guess what. He'll probably be gone. Dusty will be gone THIS year. Starting next year we would have cleaned out 2/3rds of the Mchendust trio!!

 

Now I don't know about you. But this gets me excited. Maybe our intern president will squeeze a little bit more $$$ out of the trib. Listen to some of the things he said in the conference. I never heard once, MacPhail say "It's about time we give these fans a WS". His goal is the "WS, not winning the division, not the wildcard, the WS". . Is it my bias that actually hears a subtle stab at mcphails comment on "competing within the division?".

 

We've deffinatly started the off-season on a good note.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Looks like while this was a resignation, the Tribune encouraged it...

 

MacPhail said he met in July with Crane Kenney, Tribune Co. senior vice-president and general counsel, and offered to resign. He said he has always worked with a handshake agreement rather than a contract.

 

"Obviously this has been an awful season," MacPhail said. "I reminded Crane, 'Look this relationship has to be one where both parties have to be satisfied that they're getting everything they need out of the other party, and if you need my resignation, you can have it when you want it.' "

 

Two weeks later, MacPhail met with Tribune Co. President and CEO Dennis FitzSimons, who told MacPhail, 'Look, Andy, we've just got to try something different.' "

 

Looks like he was axed to leave.

 

Very well played !!