Comments on: Dusty Baker on Chicago: “patience wasn’t a real virtue here”

By: doublekid

doublekid — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:23:32 +0000

As far as patience goes the article hit the nail on the head; it’s time for a rebuild, and as a Cubs fan I can appreciate that. Especially with Theo and Hoyer in here already making (small) waves. It’s a very exciting time to be a Cubs fan.

As far as Dusty’s comments go, I think he’s completely out of line. When he was managing the Cubs it was not a rebuilding period. During Dusty’s first two years as the Cubs manager we had a rotation that consisted of a healthy Kerry Wood, a healthy Mark Prior, and a young Carlos Zambrano. Not to mention an above average offensive lineup. Patience? The Cubs had a team that was built to win!

By: Alex K

Alex K — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:36:34 +0000

paper- We’ve both been banging this drum for a while. One day we will get through to people!

By: pipkin42

pipkin42 — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 05:04:52 +0000

Maybe if Dusty had been less patient with Mark Prior his arm wouldn’t have been ruined…

By: paperlions

paperlions — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 01:45:16 +0000

Exactly. Compared to the other major sports, the manager in baseball has much less ability to have an impact on the game. Of course, they can have some positive or negative effect….but compared to hockey, basketball or (especially) football…that effect is very small.

By: Alex K

Alex K — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 01:40:21 +0000

It’s not that managers don’t matter at all. It is that they don’t matter as much as the players. I’m not sure why that is a controversial thing to say. If Tony LaRussa had managed a bunch of bad players he wouldn’t be HOF to be manager Tony LaRussa. He would just be former manager Tony LaRussa.

Also, the most talented team doesn’t always win the World Series (or Pennant, for that matter). Luck and random variance have a lot to do with who wins a short series in baseball.

By: firstandonlywarning

firstandonlywarning — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:45:02 +0000

awesome
mangers dont matter
why bother putting any of other them in the hall of fame
pay all them the same

The Cards were the most talented team last year

anymore gems for us?

By: paperlions

paperlions — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 20:49:18 +0000

He has all of the pennants and rings that the talent on his team has won for him.

By: firstandonlywarning

firstandonlywarning — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 20:28:21 +0000

How many pennants and rings does LaRussa have?

Are you serious?

By: paperlions

paperlions — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 20:01:23 +0000

HOF-to-be manager Tony LaRussa has a career .536 winning %….you don’t think Tony has had enough of an edge in talent to account for winning 1.5% more games?

The point is not that Baker is good or bad, but that the influence of the manager on wins and losses is greatly over-rated.

By: firstandonlywarning

firstandonlywarning — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:35:15 +0000

Hi! Im Dusty Baker I have a .521 winning % with One, count em one pennant in 18 years of managing.

Im under .500 with the Cubs
Im under .500 with the Reds

I would have been hired and never given another chance in most sports
but somehow here I am.

By: buffalomafia

buffalomafia — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:30:57 +0000

Give your Cubs 2-3 years & they will contend?

By: ptfu

ptfu — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:08:12 +0000

Hey everyone, Dusty thinks Cub fans can count! That’s the first compliment for Chicago Public Schools I’ve seen in a long time, backhanded as it may be. Speaking of long questionable rebuilding plans…

Anyway, insert comment here about glass house and throwing stones. It’s Dusty’s team, not Sveum’s, that’s expected to win today. Another 79 wins won’t be anywhere near enough in Cincinnati, although 79 would be fine on Chicago’s North Side, and possibly the South Side too.

So play those veterans, crown your out-machines as leadoff hitters, and run up those pitch counts on young pitchers, because if the Reds fall short then guess who’s on the hot seat? They wouldn’t even have to fire him, since Dusty’s contract runs out after this season. Sveum’s got a much longer leash than Dusty.

By: jason1214

jason1214 — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:04:38 +0000

2012 will essentially be a wash. I’m looking forward to 2013 & beyond.

By: brucewaynewins

brucewaynewins — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:02:53 +0000

I’m waiting for metalhead to show up and comment It’s more about the Cubs but its about his all time favorite manager Dusty.

By: Alex K

Alex K — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:29:47 +0000

If they finish 3rd and/or around .500 I would be very happy with the Cubs. I expect another season much like last year.

By: El Bravo

El Bravo — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 13:57:44 +0000

If you are a Cubs fan, you better have patience. Even more so, just have low (reasonable) expectations for a few seasons. If they finish in third and/or around .500, I’d consider that a successful season this year.