vance_the_cubs_fan

You make it sound like those things are completely untrue. Many people came to these conclusions based on the ample quotes and decisions by Baker that confirmed that suspicion. Baker is a guy who doesn't choose his words very carefully, we all know that. Some of his sentences only make sense when you consider what he was trying to say, but in order to do that, one has to give him the benefit of the doubt. It is very easy for anyone who wants to support an already held belief to twist his not-very-carefully-chosen words around to do so. It has been my experience that some fans have done exactly that and don't give Baker the benefit of the doubt very often, if at all. Maybe you aren't one of them. I don't know. I don't pay close attention to the name of the person doing the writing. I pay more attention to what is being written. But it seems clear to me that some fans have an already held belief that they are seeking to support by assuming the worst about a certain quote or twisting the words around to make them mean what they want it to mean. I remember the Baker quote about tall guys having more moving parts. His words were poorly chosen and you kinda had to visualize what he was talking about to understand what he meant, but once you did, you got the gist of what he was saying. Some guys jumped on him for that quote and used it as evidence that he is an idiot or something, I don't know. His quote about walks clogging the bases was twisted by these fans, too. Baker was referring to the fact that a hit can drive in someone from 2nd base, but a walk doesn't advance the runner with 1st base open instead, it creates a double play opportunity for the other team. If you give him the benefit of the doubt that he isn't an idiot, you can understand what he was trying to say. But, if you have an already held belief that he is an idiot who hate walks, then it is fairly easy to twist Baker's poorly worded statements into evidence for your hatred of him. That said, I think Baker could have done a much better job of getting his hitters to take more walks. I think he could have emphasized it a lot more. I don't think it is a coincidence that the Cubs have walked as little as they have under him and I think he should be fired. But the twisting of his quotes and extreme viewpoints expressed with hatred towards Baker by some fans I think is unsupportable. I would agree with that if Baker's actions and decisions didn't support the supposed forgone conclusions that posters apparently twist his words to come to. It's one thing to interpret a Dusty quote to say "Dusty hates walks" or "Dusty hates kids". It's another thing to come to that interpretation after watching Bellhorn get run out of town, approaches like Neifi's continually rewarded, the PT situations of deserving young position players the last few years, etc. in addition to the supposedly twisted quote. Excellent statement. In 2003, I ignored Dusty's ignorant ramblings for the most part. But after watching actions back up the worst possible interpretations of said quotes, it's hard to do so any longer.

Premium is $5 a month or $50 for the year.

But Manny wouldn't have a no-trade clause if he's traded before that occurs. So, if the Cubs acquire him, he doesn't come with a no trade clause. On the other hand, his contract makes him nearly untradeable. I'd take Manny if the cost was only in dollars of the contract and very little in terms of players. We could get Manny and make very few other changes and I think this team could win next season. Imagine this line-up: Lofton CF (until Pie is ready. Lofton could be signed for 1.5 mil likely) Walker 2B Lee 1B M. Ramirez LF A. Ramirez 3b Murton RF Barrett C Cedeno SS I think that line-up could score. It's 2-5 is devastating and the bottom three should be solid performers.

What people of New Orleans? By the time the city is ready to be inhabited again the residents will have spent years in homes and careers elsewhere. At that point there won't be a "people of New Orleans". I really think this is going to be a permanent move for the great majority of the people who have been displaced. You apparently are unaware of the resolve and links to that area that many natives of New Orleans feel.

We have that emoticon when you sign up for premium.

Around the Joe Horn selects Eli Manning, QB and Dallas, Def.

I have no confidence in Williams as a starter. My confidence in him is just a little above my confidence in Rusch as a starter.

Once again, great games by Cedeno and Murton. They both should be the starters for the entire month. We know it won't happen, but it should.

The first step in acquiring Manny will be a willingness to take on all of his contract. Once that occurs, the players can be discussed. I actually think he could be had for very little as far as players. My perception is that Theo would love to unload him. Jettisoning Manny would make it easier for the Red Sox to keep Damon and look to other needs, like signing Burnett or another pitcher.

First of all, there's a big difference in bashing Maddux and thinking that his salary for next season could be better allocated to other resources. Secondly, I don't think there's a snowball's chance in hell that Maddux will walk away from nine million, nor do I think he'll agree to reduce his salary for next season unless you agree to an extension. On top of that, once the contract becomes guaranteed, there's no way the players association will agree to it because they don't allow their players to sign a deal that will pay them less guaranteed money. I'm glad Maddux is on the team. I appreciate what he's done for us. I still wish he'd retire because that nine million could be better allocated.

Would we be having this debate if an earthquake leveled a California city? Did we have this debate when Andrew leveled parts of south Florida? It's ridiculous. The city should be rebuilt. To not do so is an affront to the people of New Orleans and the citizens of Louisiana.

Does anyone know if this game will be blacked out on DirectTV?

Bruce, did you chuckle a bit when he said it? Or just sit and look like this --> :shock:

Congrats, Eric!

You can have breakfast with the Cubs tomorrow.

And: Richard Lewis Geovany Soto Jon Koronka Russ Rohlicek Sergio Mitre Sorry, forgot about Lewis (he has been at many diferent levels), Koronka and Rohlicek. I'm assuming Soto and Mitre will be called up, as stories have mentioned. Hopefully Koronka and Rohlicek won't be taking up 40-man space much longer.

Modzilla makes an appearance and it isn't to Yanr someone.

BOOOOOO....Murton was robbed!

Chris, I think you should go Steve Stone on Ron and start predicting the outcomes of the AB's.

Dude, don't you know September isn't the time for kids. Dude, we owe it to the fans to try to win every game.

I can't stand when people put money ahead of people's lives and homes. New Orleans was home to many many people. You HAVE to rebuild it. I hope Hastert's home burns down, so people can say, "nope, we shouldn't rebuild it." Maybe he is thinking of peoples' lives. One of the reasons I'm not keen on rebuilding is that I don't want to see a bunch of people killed again. Now if we can come up with a 100% guaranteed foolproof containment system then maybe it would be OK to rebuild, otherwise I say stay out. So should we halt all building of new homes and industries along the fault lines in California? Should we no longer build along the coasts of Florida as well?

If you do want to sell it, let me know! I could add it to my Sandberg collection.

Apparently, Hastert doesn't think that we should. :roll:

Fredi Gonzalez. Gonzalez is currently the thirdbase coach of the Atlanta Braves. He was interviewed by the Cubs when they chose to hire Baker instead. He has a nice resume' for a young guy without major league managerial experience. While that uncertainty could be a cause for concern, I think his work in the minors as well as his work with the Braves organization make him an ideal candidate.

My list would include: 1. Fredi Gonzalez 2. Davey Johnson 3. Larry Dierker 4. Ned Yost (if he could be pried away from Milwaukee.)