A Load Of Crap

Chris DeLuca does his worst in trying to break down where the Cubs season went wrong. Check this graf:

Baker's biggest failure with the Cubs was the handling of superstar Sammy Sosa. In a battle between stubborn men with big egos, the player's manager outlasted the petulant icon. The fallout carried over into 2005 because Sosa's departure cost the Cubs valuable time and money last offseason.

While the Sosa auction stretched into overtime, the Cubs never landed a sorely needed leadoff hitter, an experienced closer or a big-name outfielder to replace their fading superstar.

Total garbage. They couldn't get a leadoff hitter because they couldn't get rid of Sosa on a timely basis? What would the excuse be if the Orioles hadn't taken Sosa? They needed a leadoff hitter for TWO years, not just one.

That writers pass off this company line to readers would be gross negligence if they were in, say, the hurricane warning business.

DeLuca gets better in this part:

Setup man LaTroy Hawkins never recovered from the disaster of being pushed into the closer's role during the collapse of 2004.

The power drain of losing Sosa and Moises Alou in the same offseason was too much to overcome. Baker hung with veteran Todd Hollandsworth -- a capable bench player -- too long in left field and heard from it loudly from critics.

Center fielder Corey Patterson, long removed from a remarkable first half in 2003, nearly has played his way out of the organization at 26.

The season was a mess long before the All-Star break.

Better, but still lacking. No comments about Dempster the starter, Rusch the reliever, Korey the leadoff hitter, Neifi in the two hole.

Then, this part gets goofy:

Baker and Hendry have had their disagreements, notably their divide about who should close. Hendry insisted all winter Ryan Dempster should be the man. Baker wouldn't budge from giving Hawkins another shot.

Turns out Hendry had the right call.

At times this season, Baker has griped enough about the team he was handed to indicate there might be a rift between the manager and general manager.

But Hendry stands behind Baker as much today as he did in November 2002.

This isn't DeLuca goofy, it's Hendry goofy. Hendry was smarter about the staff than Baker, but Hendry didn't force Baker's hand. Now, Hendry wants to give Dusty an extension? Either Hendry is nuts or this is all cover for massive post-season changes.

And, don't miss the teaser on the end:

COMING SUNDAY

Year 4 of the Dusty Baker era could prove to be the most challenging for the Cubs and their beleaguered manager.