I think I just threw up in my mouth..Hendry/Dusty Extensions

[Bruce Miles]

I'm hearing you guys.

Today was a case where I was glad I could ask questions first and shoot later because, believe me, I wanted to shoot. On the surface, the eighth inning looked like a case of La Russa managing the pants off Baker. The Cubs bunted and it all played in the Cards' hands. La Russa didn't go with that silly bunt, and Pujols homered.

Believe me, I am not letting Baker off the hook here, but he swears he didn't want to bunt with Cedeno. Multiple players missed multiple signs today. Shame on them.

Now, it's up to the manager and management to either change that kind of play or get players who can play the game correctly.

Know that I asked some questions and that all of us investigated things pretty thoroughly today, not leaving until every player involved was grilled pretty good.

[erik316wttn]

I'm hearing you guys.

Today was a case where I was glad I could ask questions first and shoot later because, believe me, I wanted to shoot. On the surface, the eighth inning looked like a case of La Russa managing the pants off Baker. The Cubs bunted and it all played in the Cards' hands. La Russa didn't go with that silly bunt, and Pujols homered.

Believe me, I am not letting Baker off the hook here, but he swears he didn't want to bunt with Cedeno. Multiple players missed multiple signs today. Shame on them.

Now, it's up to the manager and management to either change that kind of play or get players who can play the game correctly.

Know that I asked some questions and that all of us investigated things pretty thoroughly today, not leaving until every player involved was grilled pretty good.

 

Good for you, Bruce. It's good that someone asks the tough questions.

 

I wonder what will be done about the players missing signs. Probably nothing.

 

Are you hearing anything about the Hendry/Baker contract extensions? Is this legit or someone just making up a story?

 

Did you ask Hendry about the fiasco today? Do you know what he said?

[YearofDaCubs]

I'm hearing you guys.

Today was a case where I was glad I could ask questions first and shoot later because, believe me, I wanted to shoot. On the surface, the eighth inning looked like a case of La Russa managing the pants off Baker. The Cubs bunted and it all played in the Cards' hands. La Russa didn't go with that silly bunt, and Pujols homered.

Believe me, I am not letting Baker off the hook here, but he swears he didn't want to bunt with Cedeno. Multiple players missed multiple signs today. Shame on them.

Now, it's up to the manager and management to either change that kind of play or get players who can play the game correctly.

Know that I asked some questions and that all of us investigated things pretty thoroughly today, not leaving until every player involved was grilled pretty good.

Thanks Bruce. Glad somebody is on our side. Any truth to the rumor that Baker might get a 2 year extension?

[Chris]

I'm hearing you guys.

Today was a case where I was glad I could ask questions first and shoot later because, believe me, I wanted to shoot. On the surface, the eighth inning looked like a case of La Russa managing the pants off Baker. The Cubs bunted and it all played in the Cards' hands. La Russa didn't go with that silly bunt, and Pujols homered.

Believe me, I am not letting Baker off the hook here, but he swears he didn't want to bunt with Cedeno. Multiple players missed multiple signs today. Shame on them.

Now, it's up to the manager and management to either change that kind of play or get players who can play the game correctly.

Know that I asked some questions and that all of us investigated things pretty thoroughly today, not leaving until every player involved was grilled pretty good.

 

You are the man! Keep grilling them! The missing signs kills me.

[Bruce Miles]

Hendry spent a lot of time after the game with Chris Speier. He was none too happy.

I also touched on the contract situation today. It's pretty legit. I think both will be extended (or at least offered extensions) next spring. Hendry will definitely re-up. Baker may say no, instead opting to roll the dice on the final year of his contract to see what happens.

[CubfaninCA]

Gee what a surprise, the Trib won't admit to a mistake. Perhaps people should turn their hatred towards the Trib instead of Dusty, Hendry, Neifi and Macias..

 

Just have to hope the Cubs can get Giles and Furcal and that Wood can turn it around, and Prior can become dominant again.

[YearofDaCubs]

Hendry spent a lot of time after the game with Chris Speier. He was none too happy.

I also touched on the contract situation today. It's pretty legit. I think both will be extended (or at least offered extensions) next spring. Hendry will definitely re-up. Baker may say no, instead opting to roll the dice on the final year of his contract to see what happens.

OMG, I'm hoping Baker doesn't it. Seriously, I don't know if I can handle 2-3 more years of him.

[erik316wttn]

Hendry spent a lot of time after the game with Chris Speier. He was none too happy.

I also touched on the contract situation today. It's pretty legit. I think both will be extended (or at least offered extensions) next spring. Hendry will definitely re-up. Baker may say no, instead opting to roll the dice on the final year of his contract to see what happens.

OMG, I'm hoping Baker doesn't it. Seriously, I don't know if I can handle 2-3 more years of him.

 

I don't see how Baker would turn it down. Any other market in baseball and he'd be raked over the coals. In Chicago, he can hide and place blame on others, and never be held accountable for anything.

 

You think they'd have put up with Dusty's crap this long in LA or New York, even Miami or Dallas?

 

Was he like this in San Fran, or not as bad?

[YearofDaCubs]

From getting so close to the WS in 2003 to this disaster? How did it get so bad so fast?

[CubfaninCA]

From getting so close to the WS in 2003 to this disaster? How did it get so bad so fast?

 

Pretty simple. Look @ what Prior and Wood did in 2003 compared to this year.

[Slider]

Hendry spent a lot of time after the game with Chris Speier. He was none too happy.

I also touched on the contract situation today. It's pretty legit. I think both will be extended (or at least offered extensions) next spring. Hendry will definitely re-up. Baker may say no, instead opting to roll the dice on the final year of his contract to see what happens.

OMG, I'm hoping Baker doesn't it. Seriously, I don't know if I can handle 2-3 more years of him.

 

It's beginning to sound like that's the best we can hope for. Bruce, with all sincerity, thanks for the insight. Are the injuries letting Dusty off the hook, and if so, how can that warrant an extension?

[MembersOnlyJacket]

I'm hearing you guys.

Today was a case where I was glad I could ask questions first and shoot later because, believe me, I wanted to shoot. On the surface, the eighth inning looked like a case of La Russa managing the pants off Baker. The Cubs bunted and it all played in the Cards' hands. La Russa didn't go with that silly bunt, and Pujols homered.

Believe me, I am not letting Baker off the hook here, but he swears he didn't want to bunt with Cedeno. Multiple players missed multiple signs today. Shame on them.

Now, it's up to the manager and management to either change that kind of play or get players who can play the game correctly.

Know that I asked some questions and that all of us investigated things pretty thoroughly today, not leaving until every player involved was grilled pretty good.

 

I was hoping you guys would go to town on these players and coaches. I look forward to reading the fishwraps tomorrow AM. I watch these guys everyday because I love the team, but I'm so sick of so many of the individual parts. Keep up the good fight Bruce. Hopefully change will come.

[YearofDaCubs]

From getting so close to the WS in 2003 to this disaster? How did it get so bad so fast?

 

Pretty simple. Look @ what Prior and Wood did in 2003 compared to this year.

There's more to it than that.

[Mark Priors Calves]

I think quote from Hairston is just a important as the players missing signs.

 

"I didn't see anything," he said. "Maybe he put it on when I put on my [elbow] guard or something, so I really can't comment on it. Nobody really talked to me about it. I guess it will be discussed [Tuesday] if I did or not."

 

If a player missed a sign during a crucial stretch in the game, the first thing I do as manager is chew his butt or if I'm in a patient mood, ask him about what happened. The fact that Baker/Speier/Clines etc. didn't even mention anything to Hairston shows how inept this coaching staff really easy. No wonder why players want to play for Baker, they don't catch an earful when they mess up.

[erik316wttn]

From getting so close to the WS in 2003 to this disaster? How did it get so bad so fast?

 

Pretty simple. Look @ what Prior and Wood did in 2003 compared to this year.

 

That's not the whole reason. A part, yes, but not the whole reason.

[CubfaninCA]

From getting so close to the WS in 2003 to this disaster? How did it get so bad so fast?

 

Pretty simple. Look @ what Prior and Wood did in 2003 compared to this year.

There's more to it than that.

 

Such as??

 

I'm not blaming either. It's just those two were great in 2003.. If this is 2003, the Cubs win 4-1 today.

[erik316wttn]

I think quote from Hairston is just a important as the players missing signs.

 

"I didn't see anything," he said. "Maybe he put it on when I put on my [elbow] guard or something, so I really can't comment on it. Nobody really talked to me about it. I guess it will be discussed [Tuesday] if I did or not."

 

If a player missed a sign during a crucial stretch in the game, the first thing I do as manager is chew his butt or if I'm in a patient mood, ask him about what happened. The fact that Baker/Speier/Clines etc. didn't even mention anything to Hairston shows how inept this coaching staff really easy. No wonder why players want to play for Baker, they don't catch an earful when they mess up.

 

That's why he's the players manager. You don't have to play hard, and he won't get on you when you screw up. It's like you can go out there and half ass it and still get paid.

 

Wish I had a job like that.

[rocket]

From getting so close to the WS in 2003 to this disaster? How did it get so bad so fast?

 

Pretty simple. Look @ what Prior and Wood did in 2003 compared to this year.

 

That's not the whole reason. A part, yes, but not the whole reason.

 

The main reason was because the Cardinals and Astros weren't that good. We lucked into 2003, and it may have been the worst thing to happen to this team.

[erik316wttn]

From getting so close to the WS in 2003 to this disaster? How did it get so bad so fast?

 

Pretty simple. Look @ what Prior and Wood did in 2003 compared to this year.

 

That's not the whole reason. A part, yes, but not the whole reason.

 

The main reason was because the Cardinals and Astros weren't that good. We lucked into 2003, and it may have been the worst thing to happen to this team.

 

Why are the Cubs the only team in which good things turn in to bad things years down the road?

[Bruce Miles]

Perceptions are a funny thing. Baker thinks he's getting hammered by the media in Chicago. In San Francisco, they fawned all over him, and they're still doing it. Wait'll this weekend when we go there and all the "Poor Dusty" stories come out in the Bay Area media.

It's hard for me to comment, but if you read Gene Wojciechowski's great book, "Cub Nation," he says the Cubs media have been "firm but fair." For the most part, we gave Dusty the benefit of the doubt in 2003. Things started to change last year with the circus atmosphere that permeated the club. This year, it's been a little more critical.

I won't do character assassination, but I'll point out things like how the Cubs have ignored or under valued sabermetrics or how Dusty doesn't like playing the kids or how his lineups have hurt the team.

We'll see how the other outlets play it, especially if the Cubs don't make it back to .500.

[muntjack]

Regardless of Baker's intentions in the eighth inning today, I have seen him make the same mistake multiple times this season, many coming when Derrek was pushing .400. He thought he was bunting a runner into scoring position for Lee, only to see him intentionally passed for (usually) Burnitz.

 

I also find it interesting that three players missed signs today. Is it possible that the signs weren't clear?

 

Could this be one man's mistake instead of three?

[Jon]

Just as important is what happens to the rest of the coaching staff. It'll be really interesting to see how Hendry responds to the Patterson fiasco (move Patterson, get rid of Sarge/Clines as their hitting coaches, or both) and what he does with instructors like Sonny Jackson and possibly even Rothschild. Would Hendry want to bring in his own guys or will he let Dusty pick? And if it's Hendry's call, how upset will that make Dusty?

 

We'll see. As upset as I'll be if Dusty returns in 2006, I am really not going to be happy if the coaching staff stays intact.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Perceptions are a funny thing. Baker thinks he's getting hammered by the media in Chicago. In San Francisco, they fawned all over him, and they're still doing it. Wait'll this weekend when we go there and all the "Poor Dusty" stories come out in the Bay Area media.

It's hard for me to comment, but if you read Gene Wojciechowski's great book, "Cub Nation," he says the Cubs media have been "firm but fair." For the most part, we gave Dusty the benefit of the doubt in 2003. Things started to change last year with the circus atmosphere that permeated the club. This year, it's been a little more critical.

I won't do character assassination, but I'll point out things like how the Cubs have ignored or under valued sabermetrics or how Dusty doesn't like playing the kids or how his lineups have hurt the team.

We'll see how the other outlets play it, especially if the Cubs don't make it back to .500.

 

It has sounded like Dusty really has grown to dislike Chicago this season - I don't want him back, so hopefully he won't want to re-sign. Keep up the good work, Bruce!

[YearofDaCubs]

From getting so close to the WS in 2003 to this disaster? How did it get so bad so fast?

 

Pretty simple. Look @ what Prior and Wood did in 2003 compared to this year.

There's more to it than that.

 

Such as??

 

I'm not blaming either. It's just those two were great in 2003.. If this is 2003, the Cubs win 4-1 today.

Here we go again:

 

Poor coaching.

Poor manager

Terrible off-season which caused more holes on the roster.

A regressed and unhealthy starting pitching

A lack of good arms in the bullpen

A lack of taking walks

No patience at the plate

Not starting/playing the best players on the team

Injuries

No solid day in/day out lineup.

Poor manager

and probably some more but that sums it up IMO.

Edited September 6, 2005 by YearofDaCubs

[YearofDaCubs]

Just as important is what happens to the rest of the coaching staff. It'll be really interesting to see how Hendry responds to the Patterson fiasco (move Patterson, get rid of Sarge/Clines as their hitting coaches, or both) and what he does with instructors like Sonny Jackson and possibly even Rothschild. Would Hendry want to bring in his own guys or will he let Dusty pick? And if it's Hendry's call, how upset will that make Dusty?

 

We'll see. As upset as I'll be if Dusty returns in 2006, I am really not going to be happy if the coaching staff stays intact.

Agreed. If it was up to me I would fire the entire coaching staff. Let's see what Hendry does but something tells me we wont be happy.