-
That’s a Lot of Caca in Caracas
May 16, 2013 | 7 comments
-
Canadian PM: Keystone XL Pipeline “Absolutely Needs To Go Ahead.”
May 16, 2013 | 2 comments
-
Has Obama Done Sufficient Damage Control With The IRS?
May 15, 2013 | 7 comments
-
Liberals Surprisingly Re-Elected in British Columbia
May 15, 2013 | 1 comment
-
Eric Holder Has No Shame
May 15, 2013 | 9 comments
The Spectacle Blog
To the surprise of no one, in his first act of office, Chicago Cubs President Theo Epstein has fired manager Mike Quade. After Quade guided the Cubs to a 24-13 record at the tail end of the 2010 season, the Cubs went 71-91 this season.
But to the surprise of everyone, Epstein effectively ruled out Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg as Quade’s successor. Amongst the prerequisites Epstein set out was that the Cubs new manager required “managerial or coaching experience at the Major League level.” Sandberg managed in the Cubs minor league system and this past season managed the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. The Hall of Fame second baseman has never served on a big league coaching staff.
Yet while Sandberg has been effectively ruled out of Wrigley, the St. Louis Cardinals don’t seem deterred by Sandberg’s lack of big league managerial or coaching experience and are expected to ask the Phillies permission to speak with Sandberg. The Cardinals suddenly found themselves in need of a manager when Tony La Russa abruptly retired following the team’s World Series triumph last Friday.
If the Cardinals hire Sandberg it would be a dagger through the hearts of Cubs fans.
Amongst the possible candidates for the Cubs job is Milwaukee Brewers bench coach Dale Sveum, Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux, Philadelphia Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin, Tampa Bay Rays bench coach Dave Martinez and Boston Red Sox bench coach DeMarlo Hale. These candidates are also on the radar of the Red Sox GM Ben Cherington as they search for a new manager.
I do feel sorry for Quade. I remember him when he managed the now defunct Ottawa Lynx back in 1993 and was glad when he finally got a chance to manage at the big league level and when the Cubs responded to him late in 2010, I thought he could take them all the way in 2011. Well, we know how that turned out. Unfortunately, Cubs fans are impatient for a winner and the writing was on the wall once Jim Hendry was dismissed shortly after the All-Star Game.
With that said, I think Theo is being shortsighted in his exclusion of Ryno. Should the Cardinals hire Sandberg, Cubs fans will let Theo have it every time they lose to the Cards at Wrigley next season and beyond.
View all comments (8) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Aaron Goldstein
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/11/02/cubs-fire-quade-wont-hire-sand
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
Current Issue
- Ailes: A Voice for the Silent Majority
- Consternated Conferences
- Boys and Girls
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
ADVERTISEMENT
Occam's Tool| 11.2.11 @ 4:57PM
Aaron: I was born at Edgewater Hospital in Chicago. I have been a Northside fan all my life, as my father before me.
Honestly, let Epstein general manage. If we go to the World Series, no one will care about Ryno. Many great players are not great coaches or managers (case in point in basketball, His Airness).
Bob Grant| 11.2.11 @ 6:10PM
"Many great players are not great coaches or managers (case in point in basketball, His Airness)."
...or GMs...or owners...or golfers...or baseball players...or gamblers...or humble, decent people.
Bob Grant| 11.2.11 @ 6:12PM
Oh, or good product pitchmen (MJ was HIGHLY overrated)...or interesting people.
A great basketball player who was entertaining to watch. Nothing more.
Casey Abell| 11.2.11 @ 8:05PM
Must be some real animosity toward Sandberg in the Cubs organization. Have no idea if it's justified or not, but Ryne never seems to have been seriously considered for the manager's job, no matter who the GM was.
Dave | 11.3.11 @ 10:21AM
While I agree with all my baseball buds posting on this site, I'll go along with the notion that not all great players convert into good managers and head coaches. Having said that, and being a Dodger fan since Walter O. had 'em in Brooklyn, Don Mattingly didn't do all that poorly last season managing the former Mannywood 9. It's especially true when you look at the mess that once proud franchise has become. Yeah, I think "Donnie Baseball" done pretty good. But then, as it is in all sports, you gotta' have the horses to win.
Meanwhile as Marshal Dillon says: "McCourt, it's time to get outta' Dodger."
james wilson| 11.3.11 @ 11:56AM
Cubs fans are impatient? Cubs fans are far to patient. When bad teams are faithfully attended--with the assistance of Budweiser--you are paying to get more of the same product. Sandberg as manager is typical of this type of thinking.
Occam's Tool| 11.3.11 @ 12:01PM
James: must agree---Cub fans too inpatient? Aaron, my dad, who is now in his seventies, was six when the Cubs last were in a World Series. My Grandfather, who died in 1971 at age 78, was 15 when they last won one.
Aaron Goldstein| 11.3.11 @ 6:20PM
Cubs fans I know tell me that things have changed since the 2003 NLCS.