So Long, Dusty

The Cubs finally figured out that they would be better off without Dusty Baker.  Most Cubs fans knew that long ago, and long before this season. 

But at least the Cubs didn't wait until they hit bottom before they started looking to change something.

Comments

[Tim Ellsworth]

I'm glad to see Dusty get the boot. I've never been a fan of his, Cubs or no Cubs.

Is Joe Girardi a lock for the job? He's clearly the best choice.

[Justin]

You don't know this about me Steve but Im a huge baseball guy, played most of my life. This is a good move for your franchise. Losing Andy McPhail is not though, he is a good man. That tells me something is very wrong over there. I dont know if Girardi is the answer, he has gotten mixed reviews in Florida. Apparantly he wanted to make some questionable moves over there and was overruled by the GM. I want old franchises like the Cubs to be successful, it just seems right.

[Mike Edwards]

Go Tigers!!

Ok..that was probably uncalled for, but we're going to need all the help we can get!

Mike

[Tim Ellsworth]

Girardi took a Marlins team that wasn't supposed to do anything and made them contenders. Personality conflicts in Florida were the only problem, and if I were the Florida owner, I'd suck it up and make it work.

Chicago would be crazy not to hire him.

[Steve McCoy]

Tim, some one Chicago sports radio aren't so sure. I can't remember all the issues, but there are at least legit concerns.

[bob Franquiz]

Steve,

Do you think Dusty was the problem? Or was Derek Lee being out for 2 months, Mark Prior, Kerry Wood, the lack of starting pitching, and any semblance of a bullpen?

I don't watch the Cubs from day to day, but was his managerial decisions the reason the Cubs couldn't do anything?

I think sometimes the manager becomes the sacrificial lamb for the front office's lack of signing quality players that have the opportunity to win. IMHO

[Steve McCoy]

Bob, Dusty wasn't THE problem. But he was a big part of the Cubs' problems. Going through the last four seasons with him, game by game, made that abundantly clear.

What the Cubs really need is to be sold to someone who actually wants them to win and not just make them money regardless of whether or not they win.

[Justin]

Any manager that says walks are overrated shouldn't have a job. The Lizard is old school but he needs to lose the sweat bands.

[jeff]

Dusty Baker teams always leads the league in sacrifice bunts. He did this year too. The real essence of baseball is the conservation of outs. Handing them over for free is not only counter-productive it's just insane. And anyone who thinks Neifi Perez is a guy to hit second all year when the guy barely broke the Mendoza Line is obviously off his rocker. At the same time, on my blog I showed how Dusty Baker is very similar to Jesus so maybe it wasn't his fault.

[Mike McKinley]

It's great to be a Yankees fan (or as we refer to ourselves, "The Elect") this time of year. But at least you guys won it all last year. Oh, wait, that was the other team in Chicago. Never mind...

And BTW, I hope that the local team here (the Nats) picks up Girardi if the Cubs don't move on him. He's the real deal. And if everyone is nice, maybe he'll show them his WS Championiship rings from his time with the Yanks. :)

[Tom Bryant]

I'm part of the elect also :) but would love to see the cubs get Girardi. He's a hard nose guy who got in hot water because he couldn't get along well with the owners over in Miami.
Dusty has always had a decreasing return. After the Bartman game, things have been going down hill. He's a players manager, but sometimes they need more.

[Mike]

I was just going to drop by and say I liked your blog and especially appreciate your Keller links page.

But now I have to take a baseball shot. I'm a White Sox fan, but I won't kick the Cubs while they're down.

But I must say that being a Yankees fan builds no character. They don't even know what it feels like to win the World Series, really. When you win it that often, you get spoiled and cranky. They'll never get to experience the exhiliration I felt last fall.

[Joe Kennedy]

So Steve, if the Yankees fire Torre, do you think the Cubs would be able (or willing) to get him? I'd say he's an upgrade over Dusty.

[Steve McCoy]

I don't think Torre would come to the Cubs. He's a winner. :) Cubs ownership doesn't want to be bothered with actual ambition.