Thoughts on the Chicago Cubs and other topics in baseball. E-mail Tom at: tomsmithcubs@ hotmail.com

 
ANOTHER MARIOTTI RE-RUN: Jay Mariotti in the Chicago Sun-Times today writes his 7,879th column in which he says, "the Cubs should think big" in his 3,698th column clamoring for the Cubs to hire Dusty Baker away from the San Francisco Giants. Baker has had success as the Giants' manager. Baker is said to run the clubhouse well while being a good motivator. He has a preference for veterans over youngsters. Some baseball people are critical of his game strategy. The Cubs need a strong presence in the clubhouse which Baker would provide. If Baker left San Francisco for the Cubs I would be happy; but I doubt it is going to happen. Baker may not be very close with San Francisco GM Brian Sabean but when all is said and done Dusty will likely return to San Francisco in 2003. The rumors of Baker leaving San Francisco have come up before then he re-signs with the Giants. Baker likely wants these rumors going around because it gives him some leverage in his negotiations with the Giants. If the Cubs can get Baker: good. Just do not count on it. When the Cubs do not get Baker expect Mariotti to write the Cubs do not "think big", the Tribsters have no clue, etc. etc. The same stuff Mariotti always writes when he writes about the Cubs. As I said last week, with all this rehashing of old columns maybe Mariotti is trying to get Bob Greene's old job at the Tribune? Now Mariotti's got me rehashing old blog entries. Yikes.
posted by Thomas at 8:44 PM

 
SHOW US THE BUCK: According to today's Chicago Tribune the Chicago Cubs are interested in Buck Showalter to be the next manager of the Chicago Cubs. I am all for hiring Buck Showalter. Showalter is a proven winning major league manager. The Cubs should have tried to hire him back in July when Don Baylor was thankfully let go. We would not have had to endure the Bruce Kimm era (if you can call slightly less than three months an era) and we would not have to compete with other teams for Showalter's services. Having to compete with other teams for Showalter worries me and makes me have doubts Showalter will sign with the Cubs. The New York Mets, Texas Rangers, and Milwaukee Brewers are also interested in Buck Showalter. I think Showalter will be more interested in the Mets and Rangers jobs than the Cubs job. The Mets and Rangers despite several problems are more likely to improve sooner than the Cubs will. Secondly if the Cubs continue their losing ways next year one has to wonder if Tribune Company will dump Andy MacPhail. Who wants to go somewhere if you are not sure the people who hired you are going to still be there a year from now?

BE MY VALENTINE: Ron Rapoport in the Chicago Sun-Times and Barry Rozner in the Daily Herald want to hire Bobby Valentine who the Mets fired on Monday to be the next manager of the Chicago Cubs. I think Valentine is good manager as well and agree that Valentine will not be hired because he is not a MacPhail type. Since I am afraid we will not get Buck Showalter, Valentine would be an ok second choice.

ROGERS WANTS BACKMAN: Phil Rogers in the Chicago Tribune wants to hire former New York Mets second baseman Wally Backman to be the next Cubs manager. What no mention of the often hired and fired Jim Fregosi who Rogers is always clamoring for the Cubs to hire?
posted by Thomas at 9:05 AM

 
2002 PLAYOFFS: The playoffs begin today and my predictions are as follows: ALDS: Oakland Athletics over Minnesota Twins; New York Yankees over Anaheim Angels. NLDS: St. Louis Cardinals over Arizona Diamondbacks; Atlanta Braves over San Francisco Giants. ALCS: New York Yankees over Oakland Athletics. NLCS: Atlanta Braves over St. Louis Cardinals. World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves.
posted by Thomas at 9:07 AM

 
2002 MLB AWARD WINNERS IN MY BOOK: AL MVP: Alex Rodriguez, SS, Texas. AL CY YOUNG: Pedro Martinez, RHP, Boston. NL MVP: Barry Bonds, LF, San Francisco. NL CY YOUNG: Randy Johnson, LHP, Arizona.
posted by Thomas at 9:02 AM

 
SUNDAY'S GAME VS. PITTSBURGH: Good way to wrap up the 2002 regular season as the Cubs win 7-3. Sammy Sosa hit career home run 499 in the first inning and Kerry Wood pitched well for six innings before departing.

BYE BYE BRUCE: Before the game on Sunday the Cubs fired interim manager Bruce Kimm. Cubs fans shed no tears.
posted by Thomas at 8:58 AM