I wish it was Sept. 1st

[Backtobanks]

So Dusty wouldn't have any more excuses about not letting the kids play. When you lose 2 out of 3 to the Rockies when you're fighting for a WC spot, all the doubt is gone. Now is the time to pull off some waiver deals and bring up the kids and let them play. Of course, we all know the Cubs will win 2 out of 3 from the Braves just to tease all of us crazy fans, but every decision on the field from now on should be 80% aimed at next year and 20% aimed at this year. Cedeno & Nomar ought to split time at SS, Murton should be playing everyday with Lawton, Patterson, & Burnitz alternating days off, and Hill and Williams should be given work on a regular basis.

[CuseCubFan69]

It won't happen. Baker will continue to trot out the same players that he always has. Why, because his job may depend on it and it's what he knows.

[IowaCubsFan]

You wish it was September 1st? I wish it was October 1st, or whenever this crappy season is going to end.

[Cubfanintheknow]

So Dusty wouldn't have any more excuses about not letting the kids play. When you lose 2 out of 3 to the Rockies when you're fighting for a WC spot, all the doubt is gone. Now is the time to pull off some waiver deals and bring up the kids and let them play. Of course, we all know the Cubs will win 2 out of 3 from the Braves just to tease all of us crazy fans, but every decision on the field from now on should be 80% aimed at next year and 20% aimed at this year. Cedeno & Nomar ought to split time at SS, Murton should be playing everyday with Lawton, Patterson, & Burnitz alternating days off, and Hill and Williams should be given work on a regular basis.

 

I think Matt Murton will get a lot of playing time, but Ronny Cedeno won't. I think the organization is going to use Nomar Garciaparra's remaining time to evaluate him for next season.

 

I think Rich Hill also has a pretty decent shot to return to the rotation.

 

If the Cubs can't cut the lead to four games by September 1 (a very tall order considering the way this team is playing), they'll throw in the towel. I wish they would cut bait sooner, but seeing how this organization has been holding out hope for going on 97 years, what's another week and a half?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

It won't happen. Baker will continue to trot out the same players that he always has. Why, because his job may depend on it and it's what he knows.

 

I agree. Baker will never sit the vets, even if we're 10 games out of the wild card with two weeks to play.

[AI]

This season has been over for weeks.

 

I can't wait for September 1st also. Its the official start of the college football season for me. Gameocks v. Central Florida.

[YearofDaCubs]

It's just shame that this season has been a failure.

[sandberg23]

It's just shame that this season has been a failure.

 

If Dusty is fired, all was not a failure. If he remains at the helm, then it was beyond failure.

[JC]

MacPhail's most recent vote of confidence for Hendry and Baker.

 

I think a most interesting aspect of this article is his reference to 2001. He says he thought they turned the corner at that point, implying that 2002 was a disappointment. Well, sorry Andy, but that team was an implosion waiting to happen. His failure to recognize that fact is ominous for 2006, with the likes of Neifi, Macias, etc., possibly returning (redundant though they are).

 

Baker and Hendry are likely safe unless the Cubs are subject to another painful losing streak.

[abuck1220]

Then '03 and '04—we won more games in '04 than '03, and to have us hovering around .500 going into September is not nearly where we should be," he said. "We're really actually not out of it now because the way the wild card is starting to look, it's going to be one of those 87- or 88-win seasons that's going to end up qualifying for the playoffs.

 

here's the problem. the cubs continue to think that 87 win seasons are successes. so when the cubs finish with 80-83 wins this year, they see it as just missing having a successful season. we're just another jose macias away from making the playoffs!

[Derwood]

Unfortunately, "not playing the kids" in September is more of an organizational problem than a Baker problem. Need I remind everyone of the McGriff/Choi debacle under Bruce Kimm in 2002?

[Backtobanks]

So Dusty wouldn't have any more excuses about not letting the kids play. When you lose 2 out of 3 to the Rockies when you're fighting for a WC spot, all the doubt is gone. Now is the time to pull off some waiver deals and bring up the kids and let them play. Of course, we all know the Cubs will win 2 out of 3 from the Braves just to tease all of us crazy fans, but every decision on the field from now on should be 80% aimed at next year and 20% aimed at this year. Cedeno & Nomar ought to split time at SS, Murton should be playing everyday with Lawton, Patterson, & Burnitz alternating days off, and Hill and Williams should be given work on a regular basis.

 

I think Matt Murton will get a lot of playing time, but Ronny Cedeno won't. I think the organization is going to use Nomar Garciaparra's remaining time to evaluate him for next season.

 

I think Rich Hill also has a pretty decent shot to return to the rotation.

 

If the Cubs can't cut the lead to four games by September 1 (a very tall order considering the way this team is playing), they'll throw in the towel. I wish they would cut bait sooner, but seeing how this organization has been holding out hope for going on 97 years, what's another week and a half?

 

The reason I suggested Nomar & Cedeno splitting time is to see what Nomar has left and to see if Cedeno can be a full-time SS next year. If Cedeno can play SS, that saves another big chunk of money (Furcal, Nomar, etc.) that can be used at another position.

[Derwood]

So Dusty wouldn't have any more excuses about not letting the kids play. When you lose 2 out of 3 to the Rockies when you're fighting for a WC spot, all the doubt is gone. Now is the time to pull off some waiver deals and bring up the kids and let them play. Of course, we all know the Cubs will win 2 out of 3 from the Braves just to tease all of us crazy fans, but every decision on the field from now on should be 80% aimed at next year and 20% aimed at this year. Cedeno & Nomar ought to split time at SS, Murton should be playing everyday with Lawton, Patterson, & Burnitz alternating days off, and Hill and Williams should be given work on a regular basis.

 

I think Matt Murton will get a lot of playing time, but Ronny Cedeno won't. I think the organization is going to use Nomar Garciaparra's remaining time to evaluate him for next season.

 

I think Rich Hill also has a pretty decent shot to return to the rotation.

 

If the Cubs can't cut the lead to four games by September 1 (a very tall order considering the way this team is playing), they'll throw in the towel. I wish they would cut bait sooner, but seeing how this organization has been holding out hope for going on 97 years, what's another week and a half?

 

The reason I suggested Nomar & Cedeno splitting time is to see what Nomar has left and to see if Cedeno can be a full-time SS next year. If Cedeno can play SS, that saves another big chunk of money (Furcal, Nomar, etc.) that can be used at another position.

 

But Dusty needs a little more time to evaluate Neifi and see what his role on the team will be next year.

[wvcbxl]

But Dusty needs a little more time to evaluate Neifi and see what his role on the team will be next year.

 

:lol:

That made me laugh; thanks Derwood.

 

The sad part is that it's also probably true. ](*,)

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

Santo and Pat Hughes were saying yesterday that they really hope and think Neifi will be back next year. "He's too valuable to this team to just let go." I cried when they said that.

 

I don't think Sept 1st is early enough. The problem is, while we realize the season has been over for weeks, no one else has. And to make matters worse, it's going to drag on with the Cardinals facing three wild card contenders coming up. If the Cards can do their job against those teams, it'll keep the Cubs within "reach". Then people will still believe there's hope for this team, and Dusty won't play the youngsters.