What's the reason Trib continues to honor Rusty's contract?

[IowaCubsFan]

Theo Epstein fired Grady Little, at the end of his first season, after they came within five outs of the WS. The next year they ended an 86-year world championship drought. The Red Sox clearly had talent, but Epstein recognized that Little couldn't win even with that talent.

 

Baker should have been fired at the end of last season. Yet here we sit on the precipice of another losing season, with a payroll that was the highest in the NL, and we're pretty much all of the mind that Baker will be allowed to return yet again.

 

I know this has been asked over and over again, but HOW CAN HENDRY JUSTIFY KEEPING THIS IDIOT??

[BigbadB]

Theo Epstein fired Grady Little, at the end of his first season, after they came within five outs of the WS. The next year they ended an 86-year world championship drought. The Red Sox clearly had talent, but Epstein recognized that Little couldn't win even with that talent.

 

Baker should have been fired at the end of last season. Yet here we sit on the precipice of another losing season, with a payroll that was the highest in the NL, and we're pretty much all of the mind that Baker will be allowed to return yet again.

 

I know this has been asked over and over again, but HOW CAN HENDRY JUSTIFY KEEPING THIS IDIOT??

 

Don't look now, but rumor has it that Dusty might get an extension this offseason. :roll:

[sethuel1]

Theo Epstein fired Grady Little, at the end of his first season, after they came within five outs of the WS. The next year they ended an 86-year world championship drought. The Red Sox clearly had talent, but Epstein recognized that Little couldn't win even with that talent.

 

Baker should have been fired at the end of last season. Yet here we sit on the precipice of another losing season, with a payroll that was the highest in the NL, and we're pretty much all of the mind that Baker will be allowed to return yet again.

 

I know this has been asked over and over again, but HOW CAN HENDRY JUSTIFY KEEPING THIS IDIOT??

 

Here's how:

 

1. Dusty F. Baker is owed $4 mil next year. If he's fired, he still gets paid, plus they'd have to pay another manager.

 

2. The fans show up no matter what.

 

3. The Trib doesn't care if the Cubs win or lose as long as people show up.

[CuseCubFan69]

I think Baker has a voodoo doll of Hendry and controls him by sticking toothpicks in it.

[CubinNY]

Here's how:

 

1. Dusty F. Baker is owed $4 mil next year. If he's fired, he still gets paid, plus they'd have to pay another manager.

 

2. The fans show up no matter what.

 

3. The Trib doesn't care if the Cubs win or lose as long as people show up.

 

We have a winner folks, although I think for reasons 2 and 3 more than 1.

[sethuel1]

Here's how:

 

1. Dusty F. Baker is owed $4 mil next year. If he's fired, he still gets paid, plus they'd have to pay another manager.

 

2. The fans show up no matter what.

 

3. The Trib doesn't care if the Cubs win or lose as long as people show up.

 

We have a winner folks, although I think for reasons 2 and 3 more than 1.

 

What do I win? Will someone hypnotize me and give me a new favorite baseball team?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Here's how:

 

1. Dusty F. Baker is owed $4 mil next year. If he's fired, he still gets paid, plus they'd have to pay another manager.

 

2. The fans show up no matter what.

 

3. The Trib doesn't care if the Cubs win or lose as long as people show up.

 

We have a winner folks, although I think for reasons 2 and 3 more than 1.

 

What do I win? Will someone hypnotize me and give me a new favorite baseball team?

 

Congratulations, you're a Royals fan now!

[mhuber92211]

So how do you justify firing a Cubs manager to the average Cub Fan that sees 2 and possible 3 straight winning seasons?

 

Here's a question, who was the last Cub manager with a better 3 year record then Dusty's?

 

P.S. can we edit the title of this thread? It's a bit rude.

[sethuel1]

Here's how:

 

1. Dusty F. Baker is owed $4 mil next year. If he's fired, he still gets paid, plus they'd have to pay another manager.

 

2. The fans show up no matter what.

 

3. The Trib doesn't care if the Cubs win or lose as long as people show up.

 

We have a winner folks, although I think for reasons 2 and 3 more than 1.

 

What do I win? Will someone hypnotize me and give me a new favorite baseball team?

 

Congratulations, you're a Royals fan now!

 

poo

[sethuel1]

So how do you justify firing a Cubs manager to the average Cub Fan that sees 2 and possible 3 straight winning seasons?

.

 

here's how we justify it to the average Cub fan:

 

"Go buy another beer. Derrek Lee isn't up for another 4 batters."

 

 

In all seriousness, I doubt there would be much backlash is Dusty was fired. i don't think the average fan looks at the "2 winning seasons plus a nearly winning season this year" thing and thinks "gee, Dusty has made my life as a Cubs fan much better."

[mhuber92211]

So lets fire Dusty and replace him with Jim Tracy who has a terrible record in LA but (IMO) a better manager. Its hard to ask what the average fan would say because we are die hards, but in reality, Baker has proven to be a winner.

[rocket]

No, Dusty is not a proven winner.

[IowaCubsFan]

So lets fire Dusty and replace him with Jim Tracy who has a terrible record in LA but (IMO) a better manager. Its hard to ask what the average fan would say because we are die hards, but in reality, Baker has proven to be a winner.

 

A winner? Really? How many World Series has he won?

 

The only real winners right now are guys like LaRussa, Torre, Francona, and Scioscia. I don't see a lot of parallels between them and Rusty.

 

We've got to expect more than "back to back" winning seasons. That's the same old trait I hate in many Cub fans: diminishing expectations.

 

In 2003, Baker's team was 5 outs away from the WS

In 2004, Baker's team collapsed in the last week of the season, losing crucial games to the fifth-place Reds.

In 2005, Baker's team will finish with a losing record.

 

Am I the only person that sees a regression here?

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Cubs fans need to grow a spine. I mean, seriously. Why put up with such mediocrity? It's an absolute disgrace.

 

Think about this: I've been watching baseball--and the Cubs--since I was old enough to understand the game. 1970 was my first season where I really was cognizant of what was going on and years later, remember things. 1969 I just recall bits and pieces, I was a little guy.

 

So OK, 35 years of big league baseball.

 

In that relatively brief span, do you know that EVERY non-expansion team has won a pennant but for the Cubs and White Sox? I mean, it's freaking ridiculous! Of the other 30 ML teams not to win a pennant, you've got Houston (expansion 62), Montreal/Washington (expansion 69), Colorado (expansion 93), Tampa (expansion 98 ), Texas (expansion 69), and Seattle (expansion 77). That's it. Even the freaking Milwaukee Brewers have won a pennant!

 

And a World Series title? Of the pennant-winning teams over the last 35 years, only the Brewers, Giants, Padres and Indians couldn't win the whole enchilada at least once. Even the KC Royals have a title to their credit.

 

So I'm tired of the hand-wringing and oh-wells. It's a disgrace that a franchise as old and proud as the Cubs suffers this degree of repeated mediocrity. We have a right to demand success on the field and in the front office. When we see a problem, we have a right to demand it goes away.

 

Get rid of DFB.

[BigbadB]

Here's a question, who was the last Cub manager with a better 3 year record then Dusty's?

 

Here's an even better question, who was the last Cub manager with the payroll to work with that Dusty has had?

[Brian]

in 2003 making the playoffs Baker was surprised and said that it was supposed to be a work to become competive, and that he would probably need the entire 4 years to get to contending for the World Series. Dusty Baker is running his regime in reverse

 

year 1 - 5 outs from the world series

uprgade at several positions

year 2 - "just missing" the postseason

get rid of 'malcontents'

year 3 - hover around .500

 

who wants to see what kind of disaster year 4 will be?

[BigbadB]

So lets fire Dusty and replace him with Jim Tracy who has a terrible record in LA but (IMO) a better manager. Its hard to ask what the average fan would say because we are die hards, but in reality, Baker has proven to be a winner.

 

A winner? Really? How many World Series has he won?

 

The only real winners right now are guys like LaRussa, Torre, Francona, and Scioscia. I don't see a lot of parallels between them and Rusty.

 

We've got to expect more than "back to back" winning seasons. That's the same old trait I hate in many Cub fans: diminishing expectations.

 

In 2003, Baker's team was 5 outs away from the WS

In 2004, Baker's team collapsed in the last week of the season, losing crucial games to the fifth-place Reds.

In 2005, Baker's team will finish with a losing record.

 

Am I the only person that sees a regression here?

 

I never have understood why Joe Torre constantly gets listed as a great manager. He's been handed all star team after all star team since he became manager of the Yankees. Isn't an all star team supposed to win the whole thing? Better yet, we're getting ready to see the Yankees NOT win a World Series for 5 straight years now, and Steinbrenner has gone out and gotten him a better team each year Torre fails to win it all for him.

 

Torre pre-Yankee manager record:

 

894 wins

1003 losses

 

He managed St. Louis, New York Mets and Atlanta during that time in his career, and managed only 1 first place finish and 2 second place finishes in 14 years.

[mhuber92211]

No, Dusty is not a proven winner.

 

Really? His career winning % begs to differ.

 

Regardless of the excuses here and other things to look at like the infurating moves, most people look at the bottom line. The bottom line is that the CUbs have won and have posted a better record under Dusty then under someone else. It doesn't matter about payroll, or talent or time all that matters is the bottom line.

 

Now can the bottom line improve? Of Course. Can it improve under Dusty? Most likely not, and I understand that this is the point to want to replace Baker. But does it really call for the derogatory nicknames? I am all for a change but I won't ignore the postives that Baker has brought to the team.

[Larry Horse]

So lets fire Dusty and replace him with Jim Tracy who has a terrible record in LA but (IMO) a better manager. Its hard to ask what the average fan would say because we are die hards, but in reality, Baker has proven to be a winner.

 

A winner? Really? How many World Series has he won?

 

The only real winners right now are guys like LaRussa, Torre, Francona, and Scioscia. I don't see a lot of parallels between them and Rusty.

 

We've got to expect more than "back to back" winning seasons. That's the same old trait I hate in many Cub fans: diminishing expectations.

 

In 2003, Baker's team was 5 outs away from the WS

In 2004, Baker's team collapsed in the last week of the season, losing crucial games to the fifth-place Reds.

In 2005, Baker's team will finish with a losing record.

 

Am I the only person that sees a regression here?

 

I never have understood why Joe Torre constantly gets listed as a great manager. He's been handed all star team after all star team since he became manager of the Yankees. Isn't an all star team supposed to win the whole thing? Better yet, we're getting ready to see the Yankees NOT win a World Series for 5 straight years now, and Steinbrenner has gone out and gotten him a better team each year Torre fails to win it all for him.

 

Torre pre-Yankee manager record:

 

894 wins

1003 losses

 

He managed St. Louis, New York Mets and Atlanta during that time in his career, and managed only 1 first place finish and 2 second place finishes in 14 years.

 

It's all about the rings. Period. That is the standard to judge managers.

 

Let's see, who has had more success during their period of ownership, Steinbrenner or the Trib? Oh, that's right, the Yankees don't do it the right way because they try and "buy" titles. The Cubs have too much integrity to try and win that way. I'll take the Yanks success anyday of the week.

Edited September 29, 2005 by Larry Horse

[Larry Horse]

Cubs fans need to grow a spine. I mean, seriously. Why put up with such mediocrity? It's an absolute disgrace.

 

Think about this: I've been watching baseball--and the Cubs--since I was old enough to understand the game. 1970 was my first season where I really was cognizant of what was going on and years later, remember things. 1969 I just recall bits and pieces, I was a little guy.

 

So OK, 35 years of big league baseball.

 

In that relatively brief span, do you know that EVERY non-expansion team has won a pennant but for the Cubs and White Sox? I mean, it's freaking ridiculous! Of the other 30 ML teams not to win a pennant, you've got Houston (expansion 62), Montreal/Washington (expansion 69), Colorado (expansion 93), Tampa (expansion 98 ), Texas (expansion 69), and Seattle (expansion 77). That's it. Even the freaking Milwaukee Brewers have won a pennant!

 

And a World Series title? Of the pennant-winning teams over the last 35 years, only the Brewers, Giants, Padres and Indians couldn't win the whole enchilada at least once. Even the KC Royals have a title to their credit.

 

So I'm tired of the hand-wringing and oh-wells. It's a disgrace that a franchise as old and proud as the Cubs suffers this degree of repeated mediocrity. We have a right to demand success on the field and in the front office. When we see a problem, we have a right to demand it goes away.

 

Get rid of DFB.

 

Don, that is by far the best posting on the overall state of the Cubs. Great job.

 

It still amazes me the number of Cub fans who accept "back to back" winning seasons as something to be proud of. It should be something to be embarrased about.

[Derwood]

Cubs fans need to grow a spine. I mean, seriously. Why put up with such mediocrity? It's an absolute disgrace.

 

Think about this: I've been watching baseball--and the Cubs--since I was old enough to understand the game. 1970 was my first season where I really was cognizant of what was going on and years later, remember things. 1969 I just recall bits and pieces, I was a little guy.

 

So OK, 35 years of big league baseball.

 

In that relatively brief span, do you know that EVERY non-expansion team has won a pennant but for the Cubs and White Sox? I mean, it's freaking ridiculous! Of the other 30 ML teams not to win a pennant, you've got Houston (expansion 62), Montreal/Washington (expansion 69), Colorado (expansion 93), Tampa (expansion 98 ), Texas (expansion 69), and Seattle (expansion 77). That's it. Even the freaking Milwaukee Brewers have won a pennant!

 

And a World Series title? Of the pennant-winning teams over the last 35 years, only the Brewers, Giants, Padres and Indians couldn't win the whole enchilada at least once. Even the KC Royals have a title to their credit.

 

So I'm tired of the hand-wringing and oh-wells. It's a disgrace that a franchise as old and proud as the Cubs suffers this degree of repeated mediocrity. We have a right to demand success on the field and in the front office. When we see a problem, we have a right to demand it goes away.

 

Get rid of DFB.

 

Unfortunately, the Cubs are like Britney Spears. No matter how many people think they suck and should change, they never will, because there will always be millions of morons who pay to see them regardless of how bad they are.

[imb]

Sadly, the average baseball fan is a moron, and that is who the Trib caters too.

[LoneStarCubFan]

Actually, the Trib caters to non-baseball fans by selling the Wrigley Field "experience". These people don't give a crap about how the Cubs do they just want to drink beer and hang out at the park. If the team wins, great. If not, "hey this is a cool ballpark. Let's have a beer at Murph's when it's over."

 

There is no fan accountability. For every Cub fan who is disgusted by the clowns on the field and won't watch, three other yahoos will stand in line to buy their ticket just so they can say they've been to Wrigley.

 

Where is the incentive to field a championship ballclub?

[brfahey]

Sadly, the average baseball fan is a moron, and that is who the Trib caters too.

 

I'm glad labelling and grouping and name-calling isn't permitted.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Sadly, the average baseball fan is a moron, and that is who the Trib caters too.

 

I'm glad labelling and grouping and name-calling isn't permitted.

 

I think you overestimate the average fan. The average fan doesn't take the time to register at an independent website like this one to talk about the Cubs all the time. They're more the type that takes until June to realize that Grudzielanek isn't playing 2nd anymore, and are currently wondering why Wood hasn't started in seemingly forever. Since the regulations of this community that you're referring to are for fellow posters(please correct me if I'm wrong mods/admins), I really doubt that IMB! was trying to group anyone here into that category. Also, I'm pretty sure the mods/admins prefer you contact them in private if you have issue with any problems you have of this nature.