great excuse for baker not playing the 9/1 callups

[LoneStarCubFan]

I saw that story this morning and all I could do was shake my head. I knew he was going to come up with an excuse not play the call-ups, I just didn't know what the excuse would be.

 

Why can't Perez and Macias be the guys who suffer the blown hammys and back spasms? Why can't they flunk a drug test?

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

Dusty is slowly becoming the Mike Tyson of baseball. Every interview he does is a joke. At least Tyson's quotes are humorous though. Dusty's are just plain sad.

 

Burn Dusty burn!

[Derwood]

Guys, guys, guys, you aren't reading between the lines here.

 

What Dusty is afraid of is that he will sit the vets, play the rookies, and they will do really well and the team will win. This will prove that they should've played all along, further damaging his credibility and further enraging the Cubs fandom since he refused to play them all year.

 

This is "Covering my Ass:101"

[ltb]

this...........is ridiculous.

 

wow.

[Too Tall]

What is this so called "book"? How would dusty know about a scouting book? I don't think i've ever seen him look at one. Its always funny watching the cubs vs cards games and they show Baker and Rothchild and they are just sitting there with there arms crossed, while in the Cards dugout they have about 6 3 ring binders open flipping from page to page, I guess thats the "book" he speaks of, maybe he should ask for a copy too.

[Chocolate Milk]

I honestly couldn't even follow that quote. I have no idea what he was trying to say.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

What is this so called "book"? How would dusty know about a scouting book? I don't think i've ever seen him look at one. Its always funny watching the cubs vs cards games and they show Baker and Rothchild and they are just sitting there with there arms crossed, while in the Cards dugout they have about 6 3 ring binders open flipping from page to page, I guess thats the "book" he speaks of, maybe he should ask for a copy too.

 

I noticed this too. That might be one reason why the Cards have the best record in baseball, and Dusty was using guys as loogeys that aren't really loogeys.

[UK1679666180]

I definitely think LaRussa is too much of a micromanager, but I'll never question him and Duncan's preparation for a game.

[JC]

I definitely think LaRussa is too much of a micromanager, but I'll never question him and Duncan's preparation for a game.

 

Thats because he lets people like Knight fill out the lineups for his spring training games. And, we know how much you like Bobby! :P

[CubDad4Ever]

As a longtime high school and small college coach. Im not worried about what Dusty says. I dont here many players complain about him.A lot bigger sign than most. He spouts some interesting verbage at times. (not his strength) But at the end of the day sports tend to play themselves out as they should. I dont have a clue if he will be back after next year. I know that hendry needs to put together a strong off season. The good thing about this year is the cubs can evaluate more realisticly their core.Potential may in woods and pattersons case may be on its last legs. Pitching depth and offense can and should be addressed. Much more important to me than griping about nefi or dusty . There is plenty of blame to share for this season. I still love being a cub fan and am raising three beautiful daughters to love our team. They help me keep my intensity in check. It s fun to debate the running of the team. I think the book moneyball created some interesting perspectives in a lot of fans minds. But again there are no absolutes in sports especially baseball. You can only try to read into accumlated data from many sources to make the best decisions and adjusments that you can. God Bless your days cub fans

[CuseCubFan69]

Once again, I will be furious if the Cubs don't play the youngsters, half the team is unproductive and the other half is injured. 3 players merit staying in the lineup right now, Lee, Walker, and Barrett (assuming Ramirez is on the DL). The rest you know what they can do and given Patterson's struggles, I'd like to see him out there for the remainder.

 

But, I think we have a general idea of what Perez, Macias, Burnitz, & w Lawton can do.

 

Their combined production does not merit preventing what other younger possibly more capable players from showcasing their skills.

 

I figured this might be the only time Baker would start a rookie when he wasn't forced by the roster or injury, this isn't encouraging.

 

I agree. This is why I like the Jays, they actually play kids from their own farm system....what a concept.

[thedaymen]

What is this so called "book"? How would dusty know about a scouting book? I don't think i've ever seen him look at one. Its always funny watching the cubs vs cards games and they show Baker and Rothchild and they are just sitting there with there arms crossed, while in the Cards dugout they have about 6 3 ring binders open flipping from page to page, I guess thats the "book" he speaks of, maybe he should ask for a copy too.

 

Hat tip UK.

 

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0940279738.01.TZZZZZZZ.jpg

 

Ok, all kidding aside...

 

...I have to eat entire posts from yesterday when I said as soon as the Cubs realized this current team isn't good, and isn't going to the playoffs they would shut down the gimps (Wood and ARAM) reduce the pitches for Prior and Z, and give time to Cedeno, Fontenot and Murton. Apparently that isn't going to happen and there is no more point in paying attention. Good to know.

 

So, Hutch vs. the Rookie, who should be the Bears starting QB?

 

Edited because HTML posting makes daymen something, something.

[dalgreen]

Once again, I will be furious if the Cubs don't play the youngsters, half the team is unproductive and the other half is injured. 3 players merit staying in the lineup right now, Lee, Walker, and Barrett (assuming Ramirez is on the DL). The rest you know what they can do and given Patterson's struggles, I'd like to see him out there for the remainder.

 

But, I think we have a general idea of what Perez, Macias, Burnitz, & w Lawton can do.

 

Their combined production does not merit preventing what other younger possibly more capable players from showcasing their skills.

 

I figured this might be the only time Baker would start a rookie when he wasn't forced by the roster or injury, this isn't encouraging.

 

I agree. This is why I like the Jays, they actually play kids from their own farm system....what a concept.

 

First you have to develop kids within your own farm system before you play them ,which I think the Cubs have done a poor job of doing. If the Cubs could start producing guys similar to guys in the Blue Jays, Braves, Twins, etc. system then I'm all for letting them play. It would be nice if we could start producing guys like Barmes, Tavarez, Bay, Duffy, etc. I currently see very few in our system that could be a success like these guys. Well, I have hope in Murton only because he didn't come through the Cub system.

[frostwyrm]

It seems obvious to me that Hendry will have to release Neifi for Cedeno to get regular starts.

[IowaCubsFan]

I definitely think LaRussa is too much of a micromanager, but I'll never question him and Duncan's preparation for a game.

 

Riggleman also used computer reports on the opposing lineups extensively. I remember seeing him pour through green-bar printouts back when he was the manager.

[CubDad4Ever]

I concur with dalgreen and the facts back up the lack of postitional prospects panning for the cubs. I have been a fan for years and its been while since a legit big league all star caliber player has come out of their system . The dallas green regime had more success in this endevor. Dunston Grace, wilkens Girardi, Joe carter, mell hall , Raphel Palimero. The current bunch stinks compared to that group. Choi, Hill , Dubois , Patterson, have all yet to show they are better than decent players. That may yet occur but the best bet we have in terms of rediness is from another orginization. Pitching is another story , as is Hendrys ability to sell off at the right time. Lee and Rameriz trades.

I hold out hope for cedeno and pie . Though along with Harvey , they appear more toolsy than plate disciplined. God Bless and Go Cubs

[biittner77]

Dusty actually keeps a notebook. In fact WGN often shows him taking notes especially after a rookie does something bad. Or after every time Patterson Ks.

 

What exactly he's writing, of course, is anybody's guess but he does keep a "book" of his own.

[JeffH]

What exactly he's writing, of course, is anybody's guess

 

"I like donuts."

[UK1679666180]

I definitely think LaRussa is too much of a micromanager, but I'll never question him and Duncan's preparation for a game.

 

Riggleman also used computer reports on the opposing lineups extensively. I remember seeing him pour through green-bar printouts back when he was the manager.

 

It's a great tool to use, some use it, some don't. I don't know why a manager wouldn't look at it, if you're trying to take a stand against "modernizing" managing, then you're making a mistake within itself without even getting into using all of the avail. resources.

 

I think some managers rely on gut instincts only, there's nothing wrong with looking at data and then deciding if you should use that or go with your gut instinct, there is an option, it doesn't have to be one or the other.

[dalgreen]

I concur with dalgreen and the facts back up the lack of postitional prospects panning for the cubs. I have been a fan for years and its been while since a legit big league all star caliber player has come out of their system . The dallas green regime had more success in this endevor. Dunston Grace, wilkens Girardi, Joe carter, mell hall , Raphel Palimero. The current bunch stinks compared to that group. Choi, Hill , Dubois , Patterson, have all yet to show they are better than decent players. That may yet occur but the best bet we have in terms of rediness is from another orginization. Pitching is another story , as is Hendrys ability to sell off at the right time. Lee and Rameriz trades.

I hold out hope for cedeno and pie . Though along with Harvey , they appear more toolsy than plate disciplined. God Bless and Go Cubs

 

I have a huge problem with our minor league managers, coaches and instructors. Over the past few years, it appears to me the guys brought up just aren't ready to play. You don't develop guys in the majors, they should be ready to contribute when they arrive. For example, is there any reason why Dubois was still getting poor jumps and misreading fly balls? I mean it's not like he came up with only two years of pro ball under his belt. Is there a reason why Choi's and Patterson's swings weren't corrected or improved by the time they came to Chicago?

[goonys evil twin]

I have a huge problem with our minor league managers, coaches and instructors.

 

I find it very interesting how quick you are to deflect criticism away from Dusty and his role in the failings, pointing out that it's Jim's fault for giving him bad players, but then you blame minor league managers, coaches and instructors, when all they have to work with are the people Jim and the other personel people provide for them.

[goonys evil twin]

Is there a reason why Choi's and Patterson's swings weren't corrected or improved by the time they came to Chicago?

 

With Patterson, it's likely because he went from high school ball, to low A ball - where he dominated - to AA and then the majors. I don't think the coaches down there had much of a chance to correct or improve his problems. His first speed bump was at AA, but before he could fix anything he was on the major league bench.

[TenzilKem]

In short, Dusty needs to manage the Yankees where he has an unlimited payroll to have an above-average veteran at every position. I really think he'd do well there. But with the Cubs pipeline starting to finally produce position players (according to MacPhail and Fleirta) It's a little difficult to see his management style fitting with the players he is likely to be given.

 

This is largely correct, except you'd have to get the New York media to promise to never say anything mean about Dusty, ever.

[dalgreen]

I have a huge problem with our minor league managers, coaches and instructors.

 

I find it very interesting how quick you are to deflect criticism away from Dusty and his role in the failings, pointing out that it's Jim's fault for giving him bad players, but then you blame minor league managers, coaches and instructors, when all they have to work with are the people Jim and the other personel people provide for them.

 

You shouldn't find it interesting. I just fail to see what is accomplished in adding on to 100 posts of Dusty's failings. He has failed miserably, to me, and I don't know if it would please you to see me on a daily basis me criticizing Baker when I've done so this year. As I have said time and time and time again, the entire organization has failed and I don't just pick one person and jump down on him. I guess today was the day I chose to blame our minor league instructors for our lack of producing major league talent (position players). By the way, whose job is it to bring major league talent to the Cubs? If I've missed someone to criticize please let me know.

[CubDad4Ever]

bingo, procurement and coaching the talent you procure are critical elements in consistant talent flow. Baseball because of its extensive sub system (minor league ball) even more so. The cubs have to find ways to improve in those ares. They have traditionally stunk in the latin market. better recently , but an area for huge talent at a bargain rate compared with the draft. There is a program called digiswing on the net , run by one of my friends that isolates swing mechanics visually against major league comparisons and simplifys some elements. Providing a fundemental base to work from. Maybe some innovative ideas that allow for development of both difficult skills (plate dicsipline) and other easier to aquire elements of the game could help the cubs. I dont know . I do know they have to improve in those areas to be successful. God Bless and MVLee