Making Lemonade

Looks like the Daily Herald opened up their snapper purse and hired a new writer for their sports page. Maybe he's not new, but this is the first time the byline of John Lemon has been noticed by this site. He gives us a list of the few reasons remaining to watch the 2006 version of the Chicago Cubs. Although the Tribune did this a few days ago, Lemon comes up with an interesting angle:

the Cubs' winning ways (8-3 over their last 11) indicate they haven't quit on Baker.

Did I say interesting or did I say dumb? The Cubs' recent play is no reflection on Baker, it's a reflection on capitalism.

See, when the team is so far under .500, the players know that some of their jobs are at stake. You can't have a lousy team and bring everyone back (although Jim Hendry is sure going to try). That means, they better play hard to get the general manager's notice. Or, if not the current GM, the GM of one of the other 29 teams.

What's motivating these guys right now is future paychecks, not Dusty Baker.

Lemon then correctly notes that, "there might not be much of a gap between the Cubs and the rest of the division."

As mentioned here a few posts back, that's exactly what Jim Hendry is counting on. The Jim Dowdle "Give the fans a sniff" theory continues at Clark and Addison. If Hendry can keep the team close without having to go all Florida Marlin on the roster (which clearly works better than the Dowdle style), Jim can justify his job to his bosses at the Trib and to the fans that soak up Wrigley sunshine and sporadic wins.

That would be a big mistake.