As a longtime Cubs backer dating to Kiki Cuyler, Woody English, Guy Bush, Billy Herman and Stan Hack, I think the actions of the so-called Cubs “fans” in running Dusty Baker out of town was disgraceful. And as a decade-long sportswriter with three Chicago newspapers, I think the hatchet job done on Baker by the Chicago media was equally disgraceful. You had Baker fired by the All-Star Game, for goodness’ sake.
I am reminded of Winston Churchill’s comment in Parliament about American support when the British were facing the Nazis alone after Dunkirk: “Give us the tools, and we will finish the job.” Baker obviously, did not have the tools, and for people in Wrigley to boo him when he was managing a pitching staff mainly of Double-A youngsters, with a couple of Triple-A pitchers thrown in for comic relief, was an embarrassment for anyone who truly supported the Cubs.
In addition to the weak pitching, Baker had an outfield with throwing arms like wet noodles, and at one time he had three–count ’em, three–rookies in his infield. Was Baker supposed to catch or throw or pick up the ball for his players? Yes, according to the boo-birds.
The Cubs executive who should be history is Jim Hendry. This was his team. He put it together. He made no effort to add starters when Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Glendon Rusch and the minor-leaguers went on the disabled list. But there he sits, starting to pick another future victim of his own inadequacy.
Again, the only term for these so-called “fans” is disgraceful.
