dalgreen

Please elaborate because I've never read anyone stating that Hendry is the first GM who has sucked. It's all about accountability. In my lifetime, Dallas Green is the only GM who receives high marks in my book. Hendry has not been a good GM and I'm curious what past sucky Cub GMs have to do with the current sucky GM.

I'm curious. Say a team has the lead after 5 innings in a game seven and hard, hard rain falls for hours. How long do they wait in a game 7 to call it?

That's why I'm not a manager. Yeah, I would have pitched around him too. But that's why I love the game, you can literally second guess every decision whether they work out or not.

I like this part... I hate that part. Fox games of the week just means I can only watch a Yankees or Mets game. I still don't get why they won't allow all FOX games or any afternoon start to be shown on Extra Innings. Even the NHL allows all the regional NBC hockey games to be shown on Center Ice.

There were a couple of threads. Here was one of them. It wasn't the most explicit one he made, but this will give you the idea-it's about 3/4 of the way down the first page. viewtopic.php?t=35835&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 Thanks, it's appreciated.

I'm no fan of Jones, but I've always been curious why some posters seem to have a "personal" hatred for Jones instead of just hating his contract -- which isn't his fault.

Could someone be so kind as to link me to Bruce's comments, or article, regarding the possibility of Rothschild and Baker not seeing eye to eye? I haven't been around much the last couple of weeks.

Hey! Quit stealing my thoughts! But, I don't ever remember reading or hearing anything suggesting that Rothschild was at odds with Baker, which makes me believe he was just as responsible, or maybe even more, than Baker.

Start a Rothschild thread if you wish. The Tribune updates it's stories throughout the day. The article about Prior getting a 2nd opinion also broke the news that Rothschild -- and O'Neal and the training staff -- all got 2-year extensions. Maybe you shouldn't be amazed "that Rothschild got an extension got little reaction yet Prior getting a freakin' second opinion does" since the story was one and the same -- which you can complain about -- but you're complaining to the wrong audience. We're just picking this stuff up out of the constantly updated articles here. If you want to snipe about it, snipe at the people who are responsible. Newsflash: That ain't us. I apologize for ranting. However, it's a little frustrating when what appears to be a small issue with the team (Prior or anyone just getting a second opinion) creates pages of opinions yet something that will have an effect , and, to many, a negative effect (Rothschild) seems to get overlooked. I guess it might be about perspective. I apologize, I'm still upset about the '06 season and I'm more upset about the Cardinals winning tonight.

Lower ratings for a season is what usually happens when the team's season is essentially over by May 15th, as it was this season. Had the Cubs even been just hovering around .500, or as I call it mediocrity, I still believe they would've beaten the Sox. But let's not turn this into "The Tribune needs to spend more money" game, because if Hendry can't manage a $95 million payroll correctly, then what would make you think he could manage a $120 million payroll?

I'm amazed (and maybe I really shouldn't be) that the fact that Rothschild got an extension got little reaction yet Prior getting a freakin' second opinion does. Unless, of course, most of you don't hold Rothschild at all accountable for our poor pitching and injuries.

Relative to what he had to work with in terms of inexperience, I'm not sure how you cannot see an accomplishment. Managing what amounted to a Class AAAA team into playoff contention after a horrible start is worth consideration. That was a very talented team. It wasn't a AAAA team, it was just a very young major league team. They also had benefit of one of the most talented hitters in the game. I'm not saying Girardi didn't do anything with them, but I don't think he's distinguished himself either. Now if the team tanks under Gonzalez, then maybe we'll have more info to deal with. And just because Girardi was good with a bunch of rookies, doesn't mean he'll succeed in Chicago with a veteran-laden team. The situations aren't comparable. You make some good points. In hindsight, sure you can say the talent was there. But at the beginning of the season the Marlins were pretty much a AAAA team. You had a roster loaded with minor league kids getting a shot. And the team started horribly, competing with the Royals for worst record in MLB for at least a couple months. But Florida turned it around and while you have to spread credit around I can't see not giving Girardi his fair share. Good lord, imagine Dusty managing that team. Where I take a bit of offense and feel strongly on the matter is when people say some Cubs fans are only in favor of Girardi because of his background as an ex-Cub and ex-Yankee. I don't get that. Guy spends his first year as the manager on that Florida team and when it is all said and done, he did a good job IMO. If the Marlins tanked 100% this year and lost 90-100 games, I don't think you'd see nearly as many Cubs fans jockeying for Joe. The response to all this is some people saying "hey hire Lloyd McClendon he has Cubs ties, etc". That is patently ridiculous. The support for Girardi extends beyond his being an ex-Cub. You are dead wrong if you think there aren't SOME people enamored with Girardi because he's a former Cub. I remember before he was hired by Florida some Cub fans saying, "Hire Girardi he's a former Cub" while he was still a bench coach with the Yankees. I have failed to read any post that said that EVERY or the majority of people like him only because he's a former Cub. But there are definitely some.

:roll: Good come back. I agree. Based on what you posted, it's not worth wasting my time to go any further. Yeah, whatever. Your opinion that just because Girardi managed a young team with a low payroll to an almost .500 record (when this was one of the worst NL years) is as bad as those who swore Dusty Baker was a good manager just because he won 3 Manager of the Year titles. Tell me Girardi's philosophy on baseball if you will. Okay, name for me the managers who have managed young teams with a $15 payroll into playoff contention. Dusty always had A LOT more to work with than that during his Manager of the Year seasons. It's not a valid comparison. Evidently Girardi's philosophy on baseball is quite a bit superior to Dusty's when the guy gets more results with $80 million less on the payroll. Just as I thought, you have no clue as to whether or not Girardi, when given a choice, has a fetish for vets or not. He had no choice but to play younger players with the payroll of that team. By not answering my question you have no clue if he leaves in starters too long. By not answering my question you have no clue if he loves the 1st inning sac bunt, etc. And to answer your question, I don't remember the last time a team had a payroll of $15 million. So someone has to be the first, I guess. The payroll has little to do with the manager. Maybe if Girardi had managed the Cubs in 2006, maybe we would've only been 25 games under .500. Talent has a lot to do with it too. Too bad our GM doesn't know how to manage a $95 million budget. Perhaps he's be better with a $15 million payroll, too.

Actually, I don't mind the rolleyes if one can at least form one sentence either preceding it or following it.

Relative to what he had to work with in terms of inexperience, I'm not sure how you cannot see an accomplishment. Managing what amounted to a Class AAAA team into playoff contention after a horrible start is worth consideration. Talent can overcome inexperience. They had a pretty good starting rotation, Cabrera, good rookies and a closer who could do his job. We had none of those this year. Add to that a not-so-good NL and it can spell some success. Unless you all of a sudden think guys will forget how to hit and pitch under Fredi Gonzalez.

:roll: Good come back. I agree. Based on what you posted, it's not worth wasting my time to go any further. Yeah, whatever. Your opinion that just because Girardi managed a young team with a low payroll to an almost .500 record (when this was one of the worst NL years) is as bad as those who swore Dusty Baker was a good manager just because he won 3 Manager of the Year titles. Tell me Girardi's philosophy on baseball if you will.

:roll: Good come back.

All the negativity? I think there are some optimistic posts out there. But, come on, our negativity towards Pierre isn't necessarily all directed at him -- most of it is directed to the type of contract we think Hendry is going to offer him, based on Hendry's habit of overpaying. Now the negativity towards Pierre directly comes from him giving us nothing for the 1/3 of the season when we needed him most. Now do you think he'll get a fair contract offer or will we again overpay and neglect other areas?

Since it's pretty obvious that some want Girardi primarily because he's a former Cub, why not go and hire Lloyd McClendon? I mean Girardi's team finished with a sub .500 record as did all of McClendon's teams in Pittsburgh, yet I believe that Girardi's team this year was more talented than any of McClendon's teams in Pittsburgh. Just wondering.... I just don't get the fascination with Girardi.

In theory, I agree. So why didn't we get rid of our GM this year? You're asking the wrong person. That was another stupid decision made by MacPhail. I've never understood how someone who has done a poor job gets an extension. Although I'm happy that Baker wasn't offered an extension, I do find it hypocritical of Hendry not to offer him an extension, even for one year, when they both have done a piss-poor job.

This manager stuff is so overrated. If you get good players then that will reduce the amount of times that a manager has to actually manage a game. Terry Francona is not a better manager in Boston than what he was with those bad Philly teams. Phil Garner is not a better manager than when he was with Detroit and Joe Torre is not better than what he was in NY, Atlanta and STL. They all just have better teams.

Edmonds? :shock:

Maybe he is, or maybe its just an act. He is a salesman first and foremost. Let's not forget that. At this point I have 0 trust for anyone associated with the Tribune compnay So a marketing exec from another team would've been a better choice? Someone that didn't have the stink of the Tribune company, is what I would have peferered. Just my opinion. I'm not feeling this guy. Please put into detail why you hate the Tribune Co. They've given Hendry the money to be a contender and Hendry has made some absolutely horrible decisions with the money. What exactly don't you trust with people employed by the Tribune Co.?

I think you are not figuring in the fact that we know what types of moves Hendry will make so we type here how hendry can do the least damage. ;P BTW I don't see how you can criticize Murton, he had just a great year for his first full season and at HIS price? Should be considered a staple in LF. Re replace guys like Pierre, Jones, and Izturis. Not guys like Murton. Some of you should think twice before you criticize us. I think you should read my post again. I wasn't criticizing Murton, just that there is no way he should've started in left if you're going to sign guys like Pierre and Jones, who aren't top tier players. That's a big reason why our offense was so putrid. Had we had a Tejada or Abreu (and yes I think we could've had either one if people would get over the Prior lovefest) in the lineup then you could have gone with Murton and had a productive offense.

Now there's a fascination with Grace. Can't Cub fans let go of former players? Grace is not a good color analyst. Being a big Sosa for manager guy I'd have to say I have no idea what your talking about DAL GREEN or does that just count for former players?. :D Touche. However, I'm not a Dallas Green for GM fan.