My God what a change from Dusty Baker. .

[A New Era]

We all knew Piniella doesn't take carp right?

 

"What I'm trying to say is if you give up seven unearned runs in a ballgame, you're not going to win many," Piniella said. "When we play sloppy as a team, truthfully, it's a reflection on me, and I don't like it. I'm the one who's responsible for that. I'm not the one who makes the errors, but I'm the one who has to answer for them. I take a little pride in teams playing well."

 

"I'm not the type who is going to sit and watch sloppy play," he said. "I'm not going to do it. We'll make some changes to find the right combination of who can play. We have to work harder to continue to improve, and that's what Spring Training is for."

 

 

This has probably been discussed in threads. But dammit, this makes me smile. I love how it's only ST and Piniella is speaking strong words about sloppy play already. What would dusty say in this situation? "My teams have always played good fundimentals in the past". Sorry to get on his back about that but it's such a refreshing change.

 

link

 

HE ACTUALLY SAW SOMETHING FROM THE DUGOUT!!

 

However, it only took until the fifth inning of the second spring game before he questioned an umpire, standing and shrugging his shoulders after a call at second when Murton was called out on a force play.

 

"I just wanted to know," Piniella said. "It seemed to me our runner was there. But I always think our runners are there."

[Stu]

Quite a change from: "It's OK, dude, we'll tighten it up."

 

Looking back, Dusty reminds me of a lot of managers I've seen in companies. Guys who don't want to pi$$ people off, who want to be people's friend. Those people, in business, are soft and ineffective managers.

[Backtobanks]

We all knew Piniella doesn't take carp right?

 

"What I'm trying to say is if you give up seven unearned runs in a ballgame, you're not going to win many," Piniella said. "When we play sloppy as a team, truthfully, it's a reflection on me, and I don't like it. I'm the one who's responsible for that. I'm not the one who makes the errors, but I'm the one who has to answer for them. I take a little pride in teams playing well."

 

"I'm not the type who is going to sit and watch sloppy play," he said. "I'm not going to do it. We'll make some changes to find the right combination of who can play. We have to work harder to continue to improve, and that's what Spring Training is for."

 

 

This has probably been discussed in threads. But dammit, this makes me smile. I love how it's only ST and Piniella is speaking strong words about sloppy play already. What would dusty say in this situation? "My teams have always played good fundimentals in the past". Sorry to get on his back about that but it's such a refreshing change.

 

link

 

HE ACTUALLY SAW SOMETHING FROM THE DUGOUT!!

 

However, it only took until the fifth inning of the second spring game before he questioned an umpire, standing and shrugging his shoulders after a call at second when Murton was called out on a force play.

 

"I just wanted to know," Piniella said. "It seemed to me our runner was there. But I always think our runners are there."

 

I don't know what Lou has against fish.

[BigbadB]

I don't know what Lou has against fish.

 

It's just another example of how Lou and Dusty are exact opposites. Dusty loves fish and Lou doesn't.

[Rob]

I was adamantly against signing Lou this offseason. Damned if he hasn't made me feel a bit foolish up to this point, though. His work getting free agents to come here was admirable (if ill-advised in certain cases) and his quotes have been inspiring.

 

At this point though, I must remind everybody... it's easy to say the right things. I want to see him coming through with the right actions in the regular season before I decide to annoint him my new saviour. However, my fears have been allayed a bit.

[Master Shake]

For some reason, I see Dusty Baker as Lumburgh from 'Office Space'.

[Jehrico]

We all knew Piniella doesn't take carp right?

 

"What I'm trying to say is if you give up seven unearned runs in a ballgame, you're not going to win many," Piniella said. "When we play sloppy as a team, truthfully, it's a reflection on me, and I don't like it. I'm the one who's responsible for that. I'm not the one who makes the errors, but I'm the one who has to answer for them. I take a little pride in teams playing well."

 

"I'm not the type who is going to sit and watch sloppy play," he said. "I'm not going to do it. We'll make some changes to find the right combination of who can play. We have to work harder to continue to improve, and that's what Spring Training is for."

 

 

This has probably been discussed in threads. But dammit, this makes me smile. I love how it's only ST and Piniella is speaking strong words about sloppy play already. What would dusty say in this situation? "My teams have always played good fundimentals in the past". Sorry to get on his back about that but it's such a refreshing change.

 

link

 

HE ACTUALLY SAW SOMETHING FROM THE DUGOUT!!

 

However, it only took until the fifth inning of the second spring game before he questioned an umpire, standing and shrugging his shoulders after a call at second when Murton was called out on a force play.

 

"I just wanted to know," Piniella said. "It seemed to me our runner was there. But I always think our runners are there."

I never felt that we had fielded a fundamentally sound team during Baker's tenure. I'm optimistic Piniella is going to change that.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Scott Moore is already in Lou's doghouse. Dusty would have pinned a medal on him for playing hurt.

[CubinNY]

Even when he makes a bad analogy he's funny and you get the point

 

You’ve got an emotional manager, for God’s sake,” Piniella said. “Sure, I like an emotional pitcher. I like some emotional players on my team. You can’t have 25 Stepford Wives. What you want, basically, is a combination of different personalities on a team, and that’s what makes it a team.”

 

The Stepford wives were drugged up and showed little emotion.

 

I agree with Rob, he is saying all the right things, hopefullly he does them too.

[cjbucks]

Who is this Dusty Baker you speak of ........................ :?

[Amazing_Grace]

I was adamantly against signing Lou this offseason. Damned if he hasn't made me feel a bit foolish up to this point, though. His work getting free agents to come here was admirable (if ill-advised in certain cases) and his quotes have been inspiring.

 

At this point though, I must remind everybody... it's easy to say the right things. I want to see him coming through with the right actions in the regular season before I decide to annoint him my new saviour. However, my fears have been allayed a bit.

 

That's exactly how I feel. I thought, of all the choices for manager, Piniella was about the worst, but so far I'm liking most of what I hear. I hope his actions match his words.

[Ivy Walls]

We all knew Piniella doesn't take carp right?

 

"When we play sloppy as a team, truthfully, it's a reflection on me, and I don't like it. I'm the one who's responsible for that. I'm not the one who makes the errors, but I'm the one who has to answer for them. I take a little pride in teams playing well."

 

"I'm not the type who is going to sit and watch sloppy play," he said. "I'm not going to do it. We'll make some changes to find the right combination of who can play. We have to work harder to continue to improve, and that's what Spring Training is for."

 

If any of you are at all interested I know accomplished coaches and here this message that Piniella is sending is fundamental to changing a last place team that was sloppy under Baker and my biggest beef.

 

Baker was a 'players coach' meaning he believed that if he maintained a positive reinforcing environment and looked for players to discipline the other players that eventually he prevailed since veterans who were successful know how to get it done.

 

This is the nice guy approach and often works after a team has grown and then become tired of a taskmaster and disciplinarian. It is why disciplinarians stay long in college where by defintiion there is regular turnover. In the pros disciplinarians are short lived, often win and win unexpectedly and then a team or players often play below new found expectations.

 

Piniella is sending the following message.

 

1)Losing is not acceptable

2) Sloppy play (meaning mental and physical errors) or lack of execution will not be tolerated.

3) He has one major power, the power to play and power to remove. Power is only effective when used and used consistently which determines fairness in the context of his team.

4) So let us watch the opportunity Cedeno & Moore have this season in A squad stuff. Sloppy could be a message to one or both's approaches before the game also. My bet is Cedeno will be singled out and have to really work out of the dog house.

5) This example will be felt throughout the entire team

6) There will be few locks in the starting lineup even Soriano, Lee or Ramirez as Piniella will find a way to discipline them as the ST and season unfolds. He might even find a way to get Zambrano's attention by pulling him early some game early.

 

In the end Piniella will say that he is responsible for the play on the field by his choosing who plays in what situations and who does not and that everyone must be ready to perform at the level that he expects.

 

Playing time will not be based on favorites.

 

What to expect:

 

Murton is the kind of player that flourishes under a Piniella as yesterday showed. Floyd is the kind that might begin to moan and groan, look for him to start on the DL if he is not all ready April 1.

 

Theriot is also the kind of player who can flourish in a Piniella system, my guess is watch to see if he gets playing time at SS because Cedeno is sloppy.

 

Lee is the kind of player who can be a real player leader.

 

Jones, is the kind of player Piniella will ride and platoon in CF as I don't think Soriano will end up being there. This is why I think Pie eventually emerges before June 1st at the latest in CF.

 

Beyond this will be the approaches that will show up in OBP, runs scored after 2 outs, unearned runs, runners in scoring position, runs scored from 3rd with less than 2 outs.

 

This is exciting and my guess is that when it comes to a 50/50 if a younger player is not sloppy and is willing to be taught the right approach versus a veteran with little upside...it is the younger.

 

That is why if I am DeRosa I might want to have my OF glove well broken in as if Patterson and Theriot push they could be the regular starting infield before the year is over. If or when Jones is traded DeRosa could be playing RF regularly if he wants playing time in a Piniella team.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Even when he makes a bad analogy he's funny and you get the point

 

You’ve got an emotional manager, for God’s sake,” Piniella said. “Sure, I like an emotional pitcher. I like some emotional players on my team. You can’t have 25 Stepford Wives. What you want, basically, is a combination of different personalities on a team, and that’s what makes it a team.”

 

The Stepford wives were drugged up and showed little emotion.

 

I agree with Rob, he is saying all the right things, hopefullly he does them too.

 

 

Doesn't that make it a correct analogy? He's saying "I like some emotional players on my team. You can't have 25 zombies out there. You need a combination of personalities."

[A New Era]

Even when he makes a bad analogy he's funny and you get the point

 

You’ve got an emotional manager, for God’s sake,” Piniella said. “Sure, I like an emotional pitcher. I like some emotional players on my team. You can’t have 25 Stepford Wives. What you want, basically, is a combination of different personalities on a team, and that’s what makes it a team.”

 

The Stepford wives were drugged up and showed little emotion.

 

I agree with Rob, he is saying all the right things, hopefullly he does them too.

 

 

Doesn't that make it a correct analogy? He's saying "I like some emotional players on my team. You can't have 25 zombies out there. You need a combination of personalities."

 

Yes that does make it correct. That's what I figured he meant. BTW anybody can see a video clip of that interview on cubs.com (inside the kerry wood article).

[CubinNY]

Even when he makes a bad analogy he's funny and you get the point

 

You’ve got an emotional manager, for God’s sake,” Piniella said. “Sure, I like an emotional pitcher. I like some emotional players on my team. You can’t have 25 Stepford Wives. What you want, basically, is a combination of different personalities on a team, and that’s what makes it a team.”

 

The Stepford wives were drugged up and showed little emotion.

 

I agree with Rob, he is saying all the right things, hopefullly he does them too.

 

 

Doesn't that make it a correct analogy? He's saying "I like some emotional players on my team. You can't have 25 zombies out there. You need a combination of personalities."

 

Yes that does make it correct. That's what I figured he meant. BTW anybody can see a video clip of that interview on cubs.com (inside the kerry wood article).

 

I saw it the other way. Basically,"I like emotional guys but you can't have 25 emotional guys on the team".

 

Whatever, it's still funny

[frostwyrm]

Dusty never accepted blame for any team failures and never admitted a mistake, but was always willing to take credit for any team success. I like that Lou is willing to shoulder some blame when things go badly. With Dusty it was an endless parade of excuses and finger-pointing at anyone but himself and his cronies.

[98navigator]

This is so refreshing!

 

Link

 

Quote of the day: "You look at this ballgame today, and we just didn't really execute. We had runners on second base twice with no outs and couldn't get them over. The game ended up 5-5, and we could've lost the darn thing. But these are the things we're going to have to work on. I don't expect my boppers to do that, but the rest of these kids in the lineup will have to play that type of baseball if they want to stay in the lineup. That's how you win baseball games. You don't win baseball games with a two-run lead in the seventh inning hitting batters and walking people. These are the things we have to correct and find the right combinations for. That's just fact, and nothing more but fact. These are the things we have to work on. There's talent here, but we have to get it to mesh and we have to get it to execute the way you have to do to win baseball games with consistency. If not, it's just a struggle." -- Piniella, after Saturday's game against Oakland. The Cubs were 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position, and stranded seven baserunners.

[CubColtPacer]

This is so refreshing!

 

Link

 

Quote of the day: "You look at this ballgame today, and we just didn't really execute. We had runners on second base twice with no outs and couldn't get them over. The game ended up 5-5, and we could've lost the darn thing. But these are the things we're going to have to work on. I don't expect my boppers to do that, but the rest of these kids in the lineup will have to play that type of baseball if they want to stay in the lineup. That's how you win baseball games. You don't win baseball games with a two-run lead in the seventh inning hitting batters and walking people. These are the things we have to correct and find the right combinations for. That's just fact, and nothing more but fact. These are the things we have to work on. There's talent here, but we have to get it to mesh and we have to get it to execute the way you have to do to win baseball games with consistency. If not, it's just a struggle." -- Piniella, after Saturday's game against Oakland. The Cubs were 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position, and stranded seven baserunners.

 

Uh, that's actually one thing that I thought Dusty did say a great deal.

[98navigator]

This is so refreshing!

 

Link

 

Quote of the day: "You look at this ballgame today, and we just didn't really execute. We had runners on second base twice with no outs and couldn't get them over. The game ended up 5-5, and we could've lost the darn thing. But these are the things we're going to have to work on. I don't expect my boppers to do that, but the rest of these kids in the lineup will have to play that type of baseball if they want to stay in the lineup. That's how you win baseball games. You don't win baseball games with a two-run lead in the seventh inning hitting batters and walking people. These are the things we have to correct and find the right combinations for. That's just fact, and nothing more but fact. These are the things we have to work on. There's talent here, but we have to get it to mesh and we have to get it to execute the way you have to do to win baseball games with consistency. If not, it's just a struggle." -- Piniella, after Saturday's game against Oakland. The Cubs were 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position, and stranded seven baserunners.

 

Uh, that's actually one thing that I thought Dusty did say a great deal.

 

I don't really think so. Dusty would, more often than not, find a way to deflect blame for why they didn't get the job done and he certainly never came out and said play was unacceptable. I also don't recall Dusty, publically, challenging guys; telling them to step up their collective game if they expect to play.

[CubColtPacer]

This is so refreshing!

 

Link

 

Quote of the day: "You look at this ballgame today, and we just didn't really execute. We had runners on second base twice with no outs and couldn't get them over. The game ended up 5-5, and we could've lost the darn thing. But these are the things we're going to have to work on. I don't expect my boppers to do that, but the rest of these kids in the lineup will have to play that type of baseball if they want to stay in the lineup. That's how you win baseball games. You don't win baseball games with a two-run lead in the seventh inning hitting batters and walking people. These are the things we have to correct and find the right combinations for. That's just fact, and nothing more but fact. These are the things we have to work on. There's talent here, but we have to get it to mesh and we have to get it to execute the way you have to do to win baseball games with consistency. If not, it's just a struggle." -- Piniella, after Saturday's game against Oakland. The Cubs were 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position, and stranded seven baserunners.

 

Uh, that's actually one thing that I thought Dusty did say a great deal.

 

I don't really think so. Dusty would, more often than not, find a way to deflect blame for why they didn't get the job done and he certainly never came out and said play was unacceptable. I also don't recall Dusty, publically, challenging guys; telling them to step up their collective game if they expect to play.

 

I guess we have different memories then. Dusty would deflect it some of the time, but he said all of that plenty of times. He also challenged people to step up their game-Rich Hill is a perfect example of somebody who he said had to step up if he expected to play. I thought that Dusty talked about execution in the way Piniella is there most of the time when addressing what was wrong with his team. In fact, he was widely criticized for blaming it on simply not executing in that way.

[98navigator]

This is so refreshing!

 

Link

 

Quote of the day: "You look at this ballgame today, and we just didn't really execute. We had runners on second base twice with no outs and couldn't get them over. The game ended up 5-5, and we could've lost the darn thing. But these are the things we're going to have to work on. I don't expect my boppers to do that, but the rest of these kids in the lineup will have to play that type of baseball if they want to stay in the lineup. That's how you win baseball games. You don't win baseball games with a two-run lead in the seventh inning hitting batters and walking people. These are the things we have to correct and find the right combinations for. That's just fact, and nothing more but fact. These are the things we have to work on. There's talent here, but we have to get it to mesh and we have to get it to execute the way you have to do to win baseball games with consistency. If not, it's just a struggle." -- Piniella, after Saturday's game against Oakland. The Cubs were 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position, and stranded seven baserunners.

 

Uh, that's actually one thing that I thought Dusty did say a great deal.

 

I don't really think so. Dusty would, more often than not, find a way to deflect blame for why they didn't get the job done and he certainly never came out and said play was unacceptable. I also don't recall Dusty, publically, challenging guys; telling them to step up their collective game if they expect to play.

 

I guess we have different memories then. Dusty would deflect it some of the time, but he said all of that plenty of times. He also challenged people to step up their game-Rich Hill is a perfect example of somebody who he said had to step up if he expected to play. I thought that Dusty talked about execution in the way Piniella is there most of the time when addressing what was wrong with his team. In fact, he was widely criticized for blaming it on simply not executing in that way.

 

I agree on the Hill memory but the difference, as I see it, is Lou is challenging the entire team without singling out (or possibly alienating) a particular player. I think his mantra, thus far, has been for the whole team to execute. He's not just talking about the young guys here because Jacque also left a runner in scoring position...

[CubColtPacer]

This is so refreshing!

 

Link

 

Quote of the day: "You look at this ballgame today, and we just didn't really execute. We had runners on second base twice with no outs and couldn't get them over. The game ended up 5-5, and we could've lost the darn thing. But these are the things we're going to have to work on. I don't expect my boppers to do that, but the rest of these kids in the lineup will have to play that type of baseball if they want to stay in the lineup. That's how you win baseball games. You don't win baseball games with a two-run lead in the seventh inning hitting batters and walking people. These are the things we have to correct and find the right combinations for. That's just fact, and nothing more but fact. These are the things we have to work on. There's talent here, but we have to get it to mesh and we have to get it to execute the way you have to do to win baseball games with consistency. If not, it's just a struggle." -- Piniella, after Saturday's game against Oakland. The Cubs were 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position, and stranded seven baserunners.

 

Uh, that's actually one thing that I thought Dusty did say a great deal.

 

I don't really think so. Dusty would, more often than not, find a way to deflect blame for why they didn't get the job done and he certainly never came out and said play was unacceptable. I also don't recall Dusty, publically, challenging guys; telling them to step up their collective game if they expect to play.

 

I guess we have different memories then. Dusty would deflect it some of the time, but he said all of that plenty of times. He also challenged people to step up their game-Rich Hill is a perfect example of somebody who he said had to step up if he expected to play. I thought that Dusty talked about execution in the way Piniella is there most of the time when addressing what was wrong with his team. In fact, he was widely criticized for blaming it on simply not executing in that way.

 

I agree on the Hill memory but the difference, as I see it, is Lou is challenging the entire team without singling out (or possibly alienating) a particular player. I think his mantra, thus far, has been for the whole team to execute. He's not just talking about the young guys here because Jacque also left a runner in scoring position...

 

Well, the question is, does he consider somebody like Jacque to be one of his boppers? That's the thing-he is excusing some of the people in that quote and only focusing on some.

[98navigator]

This is so refreshing!

 

Link

 

Quote of the day: "You look at this ballgame today, and we just didn't really execute. We had runners on second base twice with no outs and couldn't get them over. The game ended up 5-5, and we could've lost the darn thing. But these are the things we're going to have to work on. I don't expect my boppers to do that, but the rest of these kids in the lineup will have to play that type of baseball if they want to stay in the lineup. That's how you win baseball games. You don't win baseball games with a two-run lead in the seventh inning hitting batters and walking people. These are the things we have to correct and find the right combinations for. That's just fact, and nothing more but fact. These are the things we have to work on. There's talent here, but we have to get it to mesh and we have to get it to execute the way you have to do to win baseball games with consistency. If not, it's just a struggle." -- Piniella, after Saturday's game against Oakland. The Cubs were 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position, and stranded seven baserunners.

 

Uh, that's actually one thing that I thought Dusty did say a great deal.

 

I don't really think so. Dusty would, more often than not, find a way to deflect blame for why they didn't get the job done and he certainly never came out and said play was unacceptable. I also don't recall Dusty, publically, challenging guys; telling them to step up their collective game if they expect to play.

 

I guess we have different memories then. Dusty would deflect it some of the time, but he said all of that plenty of times. He also challenged people to step up their game-Rich Hill is a perfect example of somebody who he said had to step up if he expected to play. I thought that Dusty talked about execution in the way Piniella is there most of the time when addressing what was wrong with his team. In fact, he was widely criticized for blaming it on simply not executing in that way.

 

I agree on the Hill memory but the difference, as I see it, is Lou is challenging the entire team without singling out (or possibly alienating) a particular player. I think his mantra, thus far, has been for the whole team to execute. He's not just talking about the young guys here because Jacque also left a runner in scoring position...

 

Well, the question is, does he consider somebody like Jacque to be one of his boppers? That's the thing-he is excusing some of the people in that quote and only focusing on some.

 

I think he does consider Jones to be one of his boppers. I took from that quote that he was unhappy with the overall lack of production with RISP (in this game more of the nonbopper types came up in those situations). Plus, I think he's reminding them that it's ST and he's looking for certain things from guys seeking to make the final 25.

 

While listening to the game, I thought Theriot was a bit too aggressive with his at bats. I hope he's been reading some of the things Lou's been saying about patience at the plate with a potential base stealer aboard... There was at least one time (possibly two) during the game when Pie was on the move and Theriot was hacking. If you are to believe Lou's quotes, he's not going to be using the hit-and-run as much as advocating stolen bases. Additionally, Lou's said he's looking for a patient batter behind a speedy runner (and if the 4 stolen bases today are any indication, guys will be on the move alot). Having read that, I thought Theriot shouldn't have swung at the first or second pitch with Pie trying to steal a base. My feeling is it's this kind of lack of execution that Lou is referring to.

[Connor McConnor]

Hmmmm........0-2 and have played like crap their first two games. What exactly is different?

 

What would be "refreshing" would be solid play and wins......not what spin the manager puts on the situation.

 

Way too much made of Baker as the problem with the team.......way too much.

 

Players either execute or they dont.

 

Piniella's managed some great teams....and some real dogs. He is one in a very, very long line of Cub Saviours.

 

Dont get your hopes up.

[A New Era]

Hmmmm........0-2 and have played like crap their first two games. What exactly is different?

 

What would be "refreshing" would be solid play and wins......not what spin the manager puts on the situation.

 

Way too much made of Baker as the problem with the team.......way too much.

 

Players either execute or they dont.

 

Piniella's managed some great teams....and some real dogs. He is one in a very, very long line of Cub Saviours.

 

Dont get your hopes up.

 

Hey. All we're saying is that Piniella is speaking out on bad play and saying it's not acceptable. That's the difference from baker, and it's a better way of going about it.

 

And I'm sorry but I have the right to get my hopes up. You don't have to, if you don't want to. But don't spoil my party. :wink: