The Yankees threw fits, planes, and (nearly) Joe Torre out over their collapse to Detroit last week. But that doesn’t deter the NY Sun‘s Steven Goldman from prescribing patience to Cub fans, who apparently haven’t waited long enough to get into a World Series. I don’t think I’ve read a more ass-backward assessment of Wrigley culture since Rob Lowe’s appearance in About Last Night wearing a No Lights t-shirt. In any case, my trade of Torre for Piniella is still on the table. Writes Mr. Goldman:
When Piniella takes office, attention will be focused on the train wreck that was the Cubs’ pitching staff, with the mangled and perhaps irreparable careers of Kerry Wood and Mark Prior serving as emblems of lost potential, but rebuilding the pitching staff will be child’s play compared to changing the culture of impatience that has pervaded Wrigley Field for decades. It’s not clear if he is temperamentally or philosophically suited to the job.
The article is about the Cubs’s impatience at the plate, not their impatience to reach the World Series.
Do you read these articles before you opine about them?
Goldman was citing low OBP as some sort of consistent Cub philosophy, as if there has been an consistent Cub playing philosophy. Can anyone point to me where the Cubs have been consistently exceptional in any category since WW II? Except in avoiding the World Series? I’m kind of one-note on this subject, but the consistent philosophy at Wrigely has been creating a fun environment for fans and familys to see games (admirable in itself). Winning has always been secondary, third if you count Harry Caray’s years as star of the team. Goldman apparently saw HBO’s “Wait Until Next Year” before writing his column, which, imo, makes Piniella look like a mananger whose attitude is what the Cubs need. The difference between most Cub years and their rare successes have been people like Durocher and Dusty in 2003. After ’03, the Trib Co. did not get Baker the players he needed to win. I think they’ll give Piniella what he wants this year — but after that?
Ben