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Baker needs to reduce the hot air coming out of the Windy City

Sporting News, The, Sept 20, 2004 by Ken Rosenthal

Cubs manager Dusty Baker defended his team's conduct last week by telling reporters that he hates whining and doesn't allow it in his own home.

Funny, he has permitted it in his clubhouse all season.

It's impossible to know whether the Cubs' beefs with media, umpires, opponents and team broadcasters have distracted from the team's focus. But the Cubs have executed so poorly, the question is valid.

Baserunning mistakes. Botched defensive plays. Undisciplined at-bats. You name it, the Cubs are guilty of it. And whether it's Baker's fault or not--major league veterans should know how to play the game--it reflects on his managing. Ditto for his team's demeanor.

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Baker is a maverick, so when his players lash out at their perceived antagonists, its natural for him to support them publicly. That's fine: all successful managers defend their players. But the Cubs get so carried away, Baker--at least privately--needs to clamp down.

The Cubs' problems include a ghastly bullpen, a homer-reliant offense and the decline of Sammy Sosa. They are not the only team to respond poorly to increased expectations--the Astros and Phillies stumbled even worse before their recent revivals. Injuries contributed in each case, but that excuse goes only so far.

On July 1. when the Cubs were just 3 1/2 games behind St. Louis, a National League executive told me Chicago would win the N.L. Central by seven games. Last week. as the Cubs continued to struggle, the same executive predicted they would win the wild card easily.

They should, anyway--the Cubs' remaining schedule, while lacking days off, is your basic cream puff, save for five games against the Marlins and Braves.

Baker always got the most out of his Giants teams. It will take a big finish for anyone to say he did the same with the 2004 Cubs.--K.R.

Baker needs to reduce the hot air coming out of the Windy City

Sporting News, The, Sept 20, 2004 by Ken Rosenthal

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