Even a strong showing by the Cubs’ Sean “Metal Heart” Marshall in shutting down the Astros last night wasn’t nearly enough to appease Ben Schwartz, who notes the following item on ESPN.com :
“We’re all frustrated. It’s all our faults,” Baker said. “We’re not exactly tearing it up in any department. We’ve just got to do a better job, that’s all.”
Among the candidates speculated to replace Baker, if he is fired, are former managers Lou Piniella, Tom Kelly, Jimy Williams and Gene Lamont and Braves third base coach Fredi Gonzalez.
Replies Ben,
The Lou Piniella Cubs? Can’t wait! Even that looks like up from here. Hope they put Dibble in the booth to rekindle some of that Dusty Baker/Steve Stone love. While Jim Hendry ponders Baker’s future over the all-star break, he can at least take solace that a medical diagnosis for Kerry Wood’s arm trouble has finally been reached on the Cubs’ official site. After years warming the bench, millions wasted, the second highest ERA in baseball, and 23 games under .500, the Cubs’ official verdict? A “cranky right shoulder.” Would even the Surf Dawgs take Wood this season?
In other soul-stirring news, someone in the National League was able to acquire the elder Wevie Stonder brother, and the price of doing so wasn’t Lastings Milledge.