CuseCubFan69

And Ramirez is first on the list!

You're right, it was UL.

I don't understand why people have to distroy things to prove they care. When Aramis Ramirez is up at the plate(a contact hitter who doesn't strike out alot) with a 3-1 count with a runner at first and 1 out facing a sinkerball pitcher, and you are screaming at the TV for a hit and run, then Ramirez grounds into a DP....you can't help but destroying something. What you do doesn't effect the Cubs. What Lou does will effect them.

I don't understand why people have to distroy things to prove they care. They don't. I said it's overkill. But I always know that I played better under coaches who were more fired up than those that were more subdued. Might just be my style. As you know OMC, every player is different and is motivated differently. Dusty cared, he just showed it in another way.

I don't understand why people have to distroy things to prove they care.

Didn't he play with a toothpick in his mouth?

The only positive I see is that bringing a "big name" manager gives me the impression that the Cubs want to win now. I like that mentality. I reserve judgment until I see what kind of off-season we have. If we get a big name pitcher (Zito), and a big bat (C. Lee or Soriano), I like our chances. Time will tell. I thought that Baker was a big name manager and he didn't bring much to the table.

Looking through the pitcher abuse points lists, Moyer and Fassero appeared one year for the older pitchers. Hamala appeared as one of the least abused pitchers of that year. When the full lists came out in 2001, the highest Mariners were Abbott at #28, and Garcia at #36. The next starter for the Mariners was a long way down from that. In 2002, Valdes and Garcia are #21 and #24, with a little ways down until you get to Sele. In 2003 for TB, Jeremi Gonzalez was #15 and Victor Zambrano was #20, with no other TB starter in the top 50. I could not find the 2004 numbers other then I think Victor Zambrano was #4 that year. In 2005, Casey Fossum was #11, and Kazmir was #31. I simply don't see that much evidence that Lou abuses pitchers. He certainly does not abuse them to the point that Baker did at all, as referenced by only having one instance of his pitchers being in the top 10 of PAP. It does seem he has gotten worse as he's aged but he hasn't been that bad on the surface. I'm more worried about the veteran fetish.

Levine said on Saturday? that the rumor was 3 years, $3M/per. That's not bad but I wonder if it has certain out clauses.

Well the Cubs must be serious about Matsezuka, they just hired Steve Lyons to broker a deal.

I've thought the whole time that Ramirez is going to try for the big bucks in free agency and I still do. I'll be thrilled if Hendry inks him. I'm not in a panic and I'm willing to give any manager Hendry picks a solid chance. I just hope Hendry gives the new hire some solid players along with an impact one or two.

Even if Izturis leads off instead? If the Cubs don't get the proverbial leadoff guy I'm curious if Lou or who ever the new manager is would have the stones to bat Murton leadoff. He is not gonna bat Izturis leadoff. Hendry may be a moron, but if he doesn't re-sign 4-3, he will get someone for the leadoff hole. I am a fan of getting Dave Roberts(provided he and Barret can kiss and make-up) who would come at a reasonable price and could bridge the gap for Felix Pie. If the Cubs get a Preston Wilson type for CF, that will eliminate any of the proto speed guys and Izturis could be the choice to lead off. Hendry has a way of painting himself into a corner.

He apparantly tried to use Kazmir on short rest to win one last game to get to the meaningless goal of 70 wins one year. That's a sign of a manager with misplaced priorities. That ain't good.

It's not just a lineup issue. There are other things, like giving up outs with unnecessary sacrifices, using worthless veterans over unproven rookies who might be able to do a better job for less money. Or wearing out young arms and putting more emphasis on winning today's game than saving a kid pitcher. If Hendry can give Piniella a roster lined with all stars, future hall of famers and steroid enhanced super freaks, like he had in Seattle, then I expect good things. But a lot of what annoyed me about Baker is still evident in Piniella. If Lou is playing AGone type at 2nd instead of Theriot/Fontenot I won't be a happy camper. I'm not so sure about his burning out the arms though, did he do that in Seattle or Tampa?

Even if Izturis leads off instead? If the Cubs don't get the proverbial leadoff guy I'm curious if Lou or who ever the new manager is would have the stones to bat Murton leadoff.

Some of his decisions in Tampa Bay may be clouding my judgement, but it's hard to act like they didn't happen. Also, his pitcher usage has me worried. I'd say that is probably my biggest concern when seeking to hire a manager. What proof is out there about his pitcher abuse? I know he used the pen quite a bit in Cincy but I don't know his habits pitching wise in Seattle.

Is it possible that Aramis is a guy that wants Lou to manage the Cubs? Maybe this is a domino effect (I'm hoping) and Ramirez was disgusted with the lack of control. Maybe that's the case. Ramirez appreciates a leader who is disciplined and not lazy like Baker. He knows his faults and wants a manager who will help him limit them. And he could see this as hiring a "win now" manager, instead of a rebuilding manager, which is what he wants to do. But if Lou is hired, and Ramirez walks, I will guarantee there will be experts who talk about how great it is that Lou is getting rid of the malcontents. I hate you....why did you write that last paragraph? God, that is so true.

Is it possible that Aramis is a guy that wants Lou to manage the Cubs? Maybe this is a domino effect (I'm hoping) and Ramirez was disgusted with the lack of control.

"I hope" does not settle well with me! Plan 9 from outer space continues. God forbid Hendry could multi task.

Some may be placated by an angry manager who "won't accept losing", but Piniella staging implosions isn't going to ease the anger caused by more losing. The thing is Goony is that it'll give the illusion that their doing something, showing that emotion that many look for. Go look at the pro Lou posts on here and other places and this is what many want, classic looks over substance.

All just part of Hendry's misguided assumption that a big name manager can make the team better. Hendry has no plan or he's being told what to do. If this does happen I have to hope I'm pleasently surprised. Could be orders from above. I'm sure the beancounters don't mind spending $4-5M on a big name manager because it's a cost-effective way to put butts in the seats, but I really don't think Hendry needed his arm twisted to hire Lou. I agree. If the Cubs suck the fans will be entertained by a dirt kicking Lou.

Do you think a team loses 90 games on accident? It's a series of moves. Hendry re-upped Alfonseca with a big raise when it was unwarrented and unnecessary. He brought in guys like Macias, Perez, Rusch and Estes who all sucked and received way to much playing time. He's overpaid for mediocrity repeatedly, and avoided the opportunity to acquire difference makers, unless those players came with an asterisk (like the banged up Nomar, or the getting dumped by a payroll slasher Ramirez and Lee). He focused on the bullpen last year when the lineup and rotation were huge question marks, then he filled in the lineup and rotation with mediocre players like Jacque Jones and an injured Wade Miller. The Cubs have lost a ton of games with Hendry. That doesn't happen if all but 2 of your moves are good. I think with Hendry (and what Goony is alluding to) it is more of what he hasn't done than what he has. Most of his really bad moves that have been talked about are really just bench moves or things like that which have little bearing on a ballclub. In the past two years though, for whatever reason, Hendry has not brought a single impact player to the ballclub. The closest are Jones, Erye, and Howry, who are all decent to nice pieces of a ballclub, but none of them are an impact player. This team needs more impact players to be highly successful, and Hendry has to go out and get them this offseason. If he does that, the little moves will be seen as much less important. Right now, they have to be seen as important, because that's all we've seen for 2 1/2 years now. Maybe Soriano will give Hendry a blank check? Hendry's lack of vision has trapped him in pursuit of major impact players and I do not expect that to change. I think opportunity has to hit him in the face.

All just part of Hendry's misguided assumption that a big name manager can make the team better. Hendry has no plan or he's being told what to do. If this does happen I have to hope I'm pleasently surprised. If he's being told what to do, I have to assume he'd be hiring Girardi. After how hot and heavy he was for Baker, Lou is just too perfect a fit to be his next passion. Similar to Baker on the field, but a big enough change in the clubhouse to justify the move. I'm not so sure of that. Girardi could be a guy that could win now and develop and Lou is a win now guy and IMO that's what the new Prez wants. Plus, Lou is popular with Cub fans.

What Campanis said was classic ignorance. That was something that I've never ever really heard from any human in any medium.

All just part of Hendry's misguided assumption that a big name manager can make the team better. Hendry has no plan or he's being told what to do. If this does happen I have to hope I'm pleasently surprised.