There probably are any number of managers that would manage exactly the way Baker has. After all Baker played The Game and is a baseball lifer, that seems to be a prerequisit for the position. But truely, I don't think a manager matters that much, maybe a handfull of wins over the course of the season. If a team is close it matter much more. I think Girardi managed the Marlins out of the playoffs, for example. Baker is/was bad, but I don't think he could have got much more out that assembled team then he got. It was bad at the end of 05 and was worse at the start of Spring Training. From what I've ssen of Girardi, I don't want him managing the Cubs next year. Nevertheless, until the front office decides that their philosophy de jour is not the right one it could be a while until the Cubs are in contention. As always I hope for the best. Sometimes things just break right. What's your issue with Girardi? He's only been at it a year but there are strong signs he'll be a young pitcher-abuser extraordinaire a la Dusty in no time.