Ah, Dusty . . . you old so and so

[daske17]

Teddy Greenstein caught up with Dusty Baker, who likes to blame everyone else but himself for his tenure and treatment in Chicago.

 

Among the highlights:

 

Regarding the Cubs off-season spending spree

There were times I'd wake up and be angry. (2) I had to make myself not think about it. It's their money and they can do what they want to do. They certainly reloaded. I would have loved to have that. But, hey, for whatever reason, I knew my days were limited.

 

Regarding his final season

I knew [i would be replaced] sometime after Greg Maddux was gone.We didn't reload at all when everybody got hurt. I was sort of told: 'Play the youngs, try not to overpitch [scott] Eyre and [bob] Howry and don't worry yourself to death over wins and losses.' I had never been told anything like that at any level.

 

On his return to Chicago

I have a game at Sox park. It's June 4: Yankees-White Sox. At this point I'm not ready to [call a game at Wrigley]. I don't need any more abuse, you know what I mean? I was booed and jeered enough. You use every experience to your advantage to learn. Some you'd just as soon forget; some you don't. But it wasn't all bad.

[Derwood]

Dear Dusty,

 

Hendry had to "re-load" on pitching because you killed the best 3 pitchers the team has seen in decades

[Banedon]

I can't blame him for not wanting to come back to Wrigley yet though. It won't be pretty if/when he does.

[Derwood]

I can't blame him for not wanting to come back to Wrigley yet though. It won't be pretty if/when he does.

 

yeah, that's a bed he made though

[Banedon]

I can't blame him for not wanting to come back to Wrigley yet though. It won't be pretty if/when he does.

 

yeah, that's a bed he made though

 

Or at least helped make...absolutely.

[CubColtPacer]

I do like that it gives us a little more information about what Hendry was telling Dusty, and his strong suggestion of playing youngsters, keeping appearances down for Eyre and Howry, and to not worry about wins and losses do make me feel a little better about Hendry. I wish he would have said a little more, but it at least shows that Hendry was trying to see what young talent he had and trying to protect at least some of the arms so that they'd be ready this year (and it could be that he said to protect all of the arms, but Dusty simply didn't mention that part).

[daske17]

I do like that it gives us a little more information about what Hendry was telling Dusty, and his strong suggestion of playing youngsters, keeping appearances down for Eyre and Howry, and to not worry about wins and losses do make me feel a little better about Hendry. I wish he would have said a little more, but it at least shows that Hendry was trying to see what young talent he had and trying to protect at least some of the arms so that they'd be ready this year (and it could be that he said to protect all of the arms, but Dusty simply didn't mention that part).

 

The funny thing about that statement was that despite Hendry telling Dusty to play the young guys and not overwork Howry and Eyre, Dusty did the exact opposite whenever possible.

[apete6]

Regarding his final season

I knew [i would be replaced] sometime after Greg Maddux was gone.We didn't reload at all when everybody got hurt. I was sort of told: 'Play the youngs, try not to overpitch [scott] Eyre and [bob] Howry and don't worry yourself to death over wins and losses.' I had never been told anything like that at any level.

 

Why didn't they just fire him and let one of the minor league guys like Quade manage the team? He would have listened to everything the GM or president told him. The way the 2nd half of last season was handled was terrible. If we would have just given up and played young guys, we would have known that Theriot was good and wouldn't have wasted money on DeRosa. Also, could have gotten Murton a few more at bats. Brutal job, MacPhail and Hendry.

[biittner77]

I do like that it gives us a little more information about what Hendry was telling Dusty, and his strong suggestion of playing youngsters, keeping appearances down for Eyre and Howry, and to not worry about wins and losses do make me feel a little better about Hendry. I wish he would have said a little more, but it at least shows that Hendry was trying to see what young talent he had and trying to protect at least some of the arms so that they'd be ready this year (and it could be that he said to protect all of the arms, but Dusty simply didn't mention that part).

 

The funny thing about that statement was that despite Hendry telling Dusty to play the young guys and not overwork Howry and Eyre, Dusty did the exact opposite whenever possible.

 

I was thinking the same thing. In fact I was really hoping the Cubs would trade Eyre over the offseason because Baker has used him up.

[SAMMYWHO]

Regarding his final season

I knew [i would be replaced] sometime after Greg Maddux was gone.We didn't reload at all when everybody got hurt. I was sort of told: 'Play the youngs, try not to overpitch [scott] Eyre and [bob] Howry and don't worry yourself to death over wins and losses.' I had never been told anything like that at any level.

 

Why didn't they just fire him and let one of the minor league guys like Quade manage the team? He would have listened to everything the GM or president told him. The way the 2nd half of last season was handled was terrible. If we would have just given up and played young guys, we would have known that Theriot was good and wouldn't have wasted money on DeRosa. Also, could have gotten Murton a few more at bats. Brutal job, MacPhail and Hendry.

 

I disagree that money was wasted on Derosa. He just needs to be used like he was in Texas. He makes a great supersub. We just need to be in position to use him that way.

[jersey cubs fan]

I do like that it gives us a little more information about what Hendry was telling Dusty, and his strong suggestion of playing youngsters, keeping appearances down for Eyre and Howry, and to not worry about wins and losses do make me feel a little better about Hendry. I wish he would have said a little more, but it at least shows that Hendry was trying to see what young talent he had and trying to protect at least some of the arms so that they'd be ready this year (and it could be that he said to protect all of the arms, but Dusty simply didn't mention that part).

 

The funny thing about that statement was that despite Hendry telling Dusty to play the young guys and not overwork Howry and Eyre, Dusty did the exact opposite whenever possible.

 

I was thinking the same thing. In fact I was really hoping the Cubs would trade Eyre over the offseason because Baker has used him up.

 

Well, he did say those plans began after the Maddux trade, when the Cubs were already 20 under and most of the damage had been done. Those guys had already racked up the innings, and actually pitched less at the end. Guys like Theriot, Murton, Cedeno and Pagan all played quite a bit toward the end, even if some worthless vets did keep getting time. 2005 was the year when the Cubs were out of it but for some reason never went to the kids.

[Post Count Padder]

Regarding his final season

I knew [i would be replaced] sometime after Greg Maddux was gone.We didn't reload at all when everybody got hurt. I was sort of told: 'Play the youngs, try not to overpitch [scott] Eyre and [bob] Howry and don't worry yourself to death over wins and losses.' I had never been told anything like that at any level.

 

Why didn't they just fire him and let one of the minor league guys like Quade manage the team? He would have listened to everything the GM or president told him. The way the 2nd half of last season was handled was terrible. If we would have just given up and played young guys, we would have known that Theriot was good and wouldn't have wasted money on DeRosa. Also, could have gotten Murton a few more at bats. Brutal job, MacPhail and Hendry.

 

I disagree that money was wasted on Derosa. He just needs to be used like he was in Texas. He makes a great supersub. We just need to be in position to use him that way.

DeRosa has been pretty good so far. However, you are right, he could excel as a super sub and should be used as such.

[YearofDaCubs]

Yeah, so much for keeping appearances low for Howry, he broke the Cubs record. I'm glad Dusty is gone. He was trouble from the start,

[jersey cubs fan]

Regarding his final season

I knew [i would be replaced] sometime after Greg Maddux was gone.We didn't reload at all when everybody got hurt. I was sort of told: 'Play the youngs, try not to overpitch [scott] Eyre and [bob] Howry and don't worry yourself to death over wins and losses.' I had never been told anything like that at any level.

 

Why didn't they just fire him and let one of the minor league guys like Quade manage the team? He would have listened to everything the GM or president told him. The way the 2nd half of last season was handled was terrible. If we would have just given up and played young guys, we would have known that Theriot was good and wouldn't have wasted money on DeRosa. Also, could have gotten Murton a few more at bats. Brutal job, MacPhail and Hendry.

 

I disagree that money was wasted on Derosa. He just needs to be used like he was in Texas. He makes a great supersub. We just need to be in position to use him that way.

DeRosa has been pretty good so far. However, you are right, he could excel as a super sub and should be used as such.

 

DeRosa has been pretty good overall. Although his numbers have slipped the more he's played. His OPS has fallen from the hot start over 1100 down to 800 relatively quickly. He's been horrible in the past week and pretty bad for May overall. He's never been an everyday player, and it's not wise for the Cubs to try and make him one. He's on pace to surpass his career high in games played and just about match in plate appearances. He really does need to be used more as a sub.

[J.R.]

Dear Dusty,

 

Hendry had to "re-load" on pitching because you killed the best 3 pitchers the team has seen in decades

 

Good post.

[Soriano12]

Someone call Dusty the "Whambulance"

[biittner77]

Well, he did say those plans began after the Maddux trade, when the Cubs were already 20 under and most of the damage had been done. Those guys had already racked up the innings, and actually pitched less at the end. Guys like Theriot, Murton, Cedeno and Pagan all played quite a bit toward the end, even if some worthless vets did keep getting time. 2005 was the year when the Cubs were out of it but for some reason never went to the kids.

 

Eyre got hurt. I remember at the time thinking that this was the only way he wasn't going to make 90 appearances. Theriot didn't start playing until Hendry traded Perez.

[RynoRules]

Dusty's right about some of the spending issues though. I still believe there is ample evidence to suggest that MacPhail was tight with the purse strings and gave Hendry a hard time, though Hendry must assume much of teh blame as well. I know we were never in the bottom rung in spending, but didn't our payroll go down coming into 06'? What kind of sense did that make?

[NewUserName]

I think Dusty doesnt understand the business of baseball very well. I agree that Hendry was easily as much to blame for the Cubs sucking the last couple of years. However a GM gets to go through 2 managers before they are fired.

 

Also if you were sitting in Dusty's shoes how would you feel? Yes he had flaws but really wasnt dealt a good hand last year at all. The "horses" this year a certainly better. Backup plans were made for Wood and Prior.

 

I dont like Dusty as a manager and wanted him fired just as much as anyone else. I however do understand some of his frustration over the situation with the Cubs.

[jersey cubs fan]

Dusty's right about some of the spending issues though. I still believe there is ample evidence to suggest that MacPhail was tight with the purse strings and gave Hendry a hard time, though Hendry must assume much of teh blame as well. I know we were never in the bottom rung in spending, but didn't our payroll go down coming into 06'? What kind of sense did that make?

 

The Cubs climbed the ladder every year in terms of payroll rankings. A few years ago, when lots of teams were pulling in the strings, the Cubs kept spending. They went from around 12th in the bigs to top 5 with Dusty. But all that spending brought them nowhere in the end.

[daske17]

Also if you were sitting in Dusty's shoes how would you feel? Yes he had flaws but really wasnt dealt a good hand last year at all. The "horses" this year a certainly better. Backup plans were made for Wood and Prior.

 

I dont like Dusty as a manager and wanted him fired just as much as anyone else. I however do understand some of his frustration over the situation with the Cubs.

 

If this were an isolated instance of Dusty pointing fingers, then yes I would understand his frustration.

 

However, ever since he left San Francisco (and even during that battle between him and Sabean), the negatives have never been his fault.

 

If you lived in Dusty's world, someone else was always to blame. Hendry made him play the kids, Trib never opened the pursestrings for him, fans are to blame for him getting booed.

[CubColtPacer]

Dusty's right about some of the spending issues though. I still believe there is ample evidence to suggest that MacPhail was tight with the purse strings and gave Hendry a hard time, though Hendry must assume much of teh blame as well. I know we were never in the bottom rung in spending, but didn't our payroll go down coming into 06'? What kind of sense did that make?

 

They spent a lot between 2003 and 2004. From the data that I've seen, they went from 74 to 91 between those two years. From 2004 to 2005, they dropped to 87, and then from 2005 to 2006 they raised it back to 94.

[NewUserName]

Also if you were sitting in Dusty's shoes how would you feel? Yes he had flaws but really wasnt dealt a good hand last year at all. The "horses" this year a certainly better. Backup plans were made for Wood and Prior.

 

I dont like Dusty as a manager and wanted him fired just as much as anyone else. I however do understand some of his frustration over the situation with the Cubs.

 

If this were an isolated instance of Dusty pointing fingers, then yes I would understand his frustration.

 

However, ever since he left San Francisco (and even during that battle between him and Sabean), the negatives have never been his fault.

 

If you lived in Dusty's world, someone else was always to blame. Hendry made him play the kids, Trib never opened the pursestrings for him, fans are to blame for him getting booed.

 

Truth is he should just not say anything. He does show a lack of class. I agree with that. I just understand why he feels the way he does

[cubweiser03]

Someone call Dusty the "Whambulance"

 

Call? Dude has one parked in his 3rd car stall garage.

 

He shouldnt be complaining about payroll when he was here.

[KingCubsFan]

Our payroll isn't really that much higher than it was last year. We just made a lot of long-term commitments so every media outlet can use the "300 million" line at least 4 times when mentioning the Cubs. And it wouldn't really have made a difference if Dusty had this team or last year's team. If Dusty was still manager, we'd probably be at least 6 games under by now. Izturis would have started every game, Eyre would still be the set-up man, Jacque would be hitting 2nd every game, Wade Miller would be our 4th starter (with Rich Hill our 5th) and Michael Wuertz wouldn't even be on the team.