Dusty/Team

[DaCubz]

This might classify as a 'hate' thread. Now, I know he did well earlier in his coaching career, including 03, but lately it seems that he is lost. He obviously doesn't know how to handle a pitching staff, and is too adept to playing the older guys. Sure a Mabry here or there is fine, but Neifi has got to go. He is a streaky hitter, and has a weak arm. As long as he is our last resort it's fine, but if he's starting(IE last season), something is obviously wrong.

This years team is much younger than that of the past few years. Murton is my homeboy, Cedeno is a flashy, athletic player, and Sean Marshall is holding his own. But, Marshall will begin to fall off later on because teams will have reports on him.

Oh well, just stating my opinions. Anyone else have something to say? I'd like to see others views on this as well.

[Spitball67]

I used to be a Dusty basher but recently I have changed my perspective on him a bit. I think he has done a pretty good job for us when you consider all of the usual insane things that happen to the Cubs. Freak injuries, underperforming free agents, prima-donnas, the pressure on him and the Cubs after the '03 success. Now I know people will say that all managers have to deal with these things and the great ones succeed in spite of it. But how many truly "great" managers are there in baseball? Is there a guy out there right now that could come to the Cubs and do any better? I highly doubt it.

You also have to consider the fact that the Cubs had two winning seasons in a row and should have had another last year if not for injuries. And they have a winning record right now without their two "best" pitchers and best player. I agree Dusty has his problems. My opinion is a manager can only do so much. Players still win and lose most of the games. Remember, this is no normal MLB franchise we speak of. This is the Chicago Cubs. Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.

[rockin500]

neifi is only playing a coupla times a week. He is more than willing to play murton and cedeno, when he could be playing mabry and perez.

the cubs the past coupla years are the most insanely snakebit team around. Hes done well with the bullpen he has had and for the most part its been a bad pen. this year seems to be pretty good, but its going to be dead if the starters dont get past 5 innings with regularity.

[Spitball67]

the cubs the past coupla years are the most insanely snakebit team around.

the past coulpa years?

[rockin500]

the past coulpa years?
well, comparitively speaking. there were some years where they just had no talent. look at some of those 90's teams, they were truly brutal. The past few years, the talent is there, it just cant stay on the field.

[DaCubz]

well, comparitively speaking. there were some years where they just had no talent. look at some of those 90's teams, they were truly brutal. The past few years, the talent is there, it just cant stay on the field.

I don't know if was quoting because of what you stated, or because of the use of "coupla." Anyways, the talent is definitely there. Right now, our only concern is pitching. We have 3 SPs on the DL(Prior, Wood, Miller) who could all help out the team dramatically.


If the Cubs stay .500 or above until Prior comes back, then about 5-10 over until Lee gets back, they will be A-ok, and looking for a Wild-card spot.

[Spitball67]

well, comparitively speaking. there were some years where they just had no talent. look at some of those 90's teams, they were truly brutal. The past few years, the talent is there, it just cant stay on the field.

yes, point taken.
There were some bad teams in the 90's, not necessarily snake-bitten teams. I mean, if it wasn't for Sosa, the Cubs would have been almost a AAA team. Thank goodness he was doing whatever he was doing to get those homers. Just think of where we would have been if he was only hittting 30-40 HR's instead of 50-60 each year. OK, sorry bad joke I guess.

Well we just lost again 1-0. This is getting bad. Can we please maybe cancel the rest of the season and just come back next year when all of our guys are healthy? On second thought, I have tickets for a couple games coming up, nevermind... :D