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Comments, News & Rumors - 2004 August
Archives
Headlines
Sosa says he was humiliated - 10/31/04 7:31am
Nomar and others file for free agency - 10/30/04 11:27am
Sosa rumors - 10/30/04 11:21am
Steve Stone resigns - 10/30/04 11:09am
2005 tentative schedule released - 10/27/04 8:01pm
Nomar to prove himself or move on? - 10/25/04 7:32pm
Cubs will decline Alou's option - 10/25/04 7:15pm
Beltran will be costly - 10/19/04 7:15pm
What to do for 2005 - 10/12/04 7:15pm
Cubs fire "Waving Wendell" - 10/12/04 7:05pm
What went wrong in 2004 - 10/10/04 7:24pm
CubbiesBaseball.com awards - 10/8/04 9:15pm
Sosa yet to apoligize - 10/8/04 9:01pm
Cubs to trade Sosa? - 10/6/04 10:14pm
Sosa disciplined - 10/6/04 8:23pm
Will Steve Stone be fired? - 10/3/04 7:23am
Wait till next year - 10/2/04 5:57pm
10/31/04 7:31am - Sosa says he was humiliated
Sammy Sosa, on Saturday from the Dominican Republic, said he was humiliated by being dropped to sixth
in the batting order and claims he was mistreated by the Cubs.
"I'm not a sixth batter," Sosa told Hoy newspaper in Santo Domingo. "I'm a cleanup hitter or third
because I've earned that right with almost 600 career home runs."
Sosa also replied about skipping the final game of the season and lying about it. "I know I screwed up
and I can assure you that I've asked for forgiveness," Sosa said. "But I also need to say
that I felt poorly treated."
"So many things happened that I was in shock. I needed to rest that day because I wasn't going
to be able to give it my best."
This is just the latest from Sosa that proves his ego has grown beyond control. Though Sammy has done
great things, he plays for a team. If he is not helping the team where he is batting, then he should
be moved. It is not about Sammy Sosa, it should be about the team.
Rumors around the Cubs suggest that upper management with the Cubs are doing everything they can to
trade Sosa. Rumors indicate the Mets are interested but Sosa would need approval from the player's
union to make the trade happen. Sosa is believed to be willing to waive the part of his contract
that guarantees the 2006 salary in order to make the trade happen.
Sosa also indicated he would play a few more years. "I'm going to play at least another five or six
seasons, hitting 35 home runs a year," he said. "That would allow me to finish my career with
700 home runs."
Cubs fans have had it with Sosa and they hope he will be playing those years for another team. Sosa
will play hard, but he will play for himself, not a team.
- Jim | Return
10/30/04 11:27am - Nomar and others file for free agency
On Friday, Nomar Garciaparra filed for free agency to test the open market for an all-star short stop. Though
this does not mean he will not re-sign with the Cubs, it does mean he will be taking offers from other teams.
Garciaparra said he would consider returning to Chicago and also said that his agent has already talked to
Jim Hendry.
"I'm going to experience something I never experienced in the off season," Garciaparra said on the last day of
the season. "Like I said, this is one of the places I'll consider. No question."
Others who filed for free agency were Paul Bako, Tom Goodwin, and Ben Grieve. Bako was Greg Maddux's personal
catcher this year, while Goodwin and Grieve played their part as the Cubs "Lemons". Other players who
already filed for free agency were Matt Clement, Glendon Rusch, Ramon Martinez, Todd Walker, and Mark Grudzielanek.
On Friday, the Cubs exercised the $2 million option on relief pitcher, Ryan Dempster. They may consider to
use him in the closer role. The Cubs are expected to pick up Rusch and Walker as well.
- Bryan | Return
10/30/04 11:21am - Sosa rumors
The New York Mets have reportedly had internal talks about acquiring Sammy Sosa. Though Manny Ramirez is on
the top of their list, he may be a long shot since he just won the World Series MVP. The other rumor coming
out of ESPN radio is that Sosa may be willing to waive his no-trade clause in his contact with the Cubs.
The Mets are looking to hitting and star power to compete with the Yankees, as the management sources with the
Mets reported that Sosa would be a backup option to Ramirez. Sources say that Jim Hendry's Tribune Co. bosses
have requested that Hendry do anything they can to find Sosa a new home. The latest news of Sosa's willingness
to be traded may indicate it is only a matter of time.
Mets general manager, Omar Minaya, is a close friend of Sosa's after Minaya scouted Sosa in the Dominican
Republic when Sosa signed with Texas. Part of the deal would likely include some extra baggage from the
Mets. Cliff Floyd, a Chicago native, is the name being thrown around. Floyd was recruited by Jim Hendry when
Hendry was a coach at Creighton. This past season, Floyd batted .260 with 18 home runs, but he is an injury
prone player.
With the probably departure of both Moises Alou and Mark Grudzielanek and Sosa getting ready to pack his bags,
the Cubs may be in a better position to focus on Carlos Beltran. Reports now suggest Beltran has been
interviewing new agents and his price tag is expected to be very high. The Yankees still look like the
number one contenders to acquire Beltran, but with Alou and Sosa possibly gone, the Cubs may put everything
they have into acquiring Beltran.
Sources close to the Cubs and Garciaparra say Nomar is seeking a one year deal to prove he can be healthy. If
they can not reach a deal, Hendry will likely go after Edgar Renteria or Orlando Cabrera.
The Cubs also hope to gain a closer. They have already suggested they can not rely on Borowski to come back
in top form, and may be looking to make a trade for a good closer.
- Bryan | Return
10/30/04 11:09am - Steve Stone resigns
After nearly twenty years, Steve Stone has resigned from the Cubs television broadcasts. This comes after several confrontations between the television booth and the Cubs players and managers.
During the season, Moises Alou and Kent Mercker had words with Stone about his critical assessment of the Cubs and their sub par performance. Towards the end of the season, Stone make several comments on WGN Radio about the poor play of the Cubs during the season.
"You want the truth? You can't handle the truth," Stone said in the WGN Radio interview on Sept. 30. "Let me tell you something, guys, the truth of this situation is (this is) an extremely talented bunch of guys who want to look at all directions except where they should really look and kind of make excuses for what happened."
"This team should have won the Wild Card by six, seven games. No doubt about it," he said. "They have the talent to do that."
After the critical comments by Stone, he had a meeting on October 1st with Cubs president Andy MacPhail, general manager Jim Hendry and manager Dusty Baker. All three suggested everything was resolved, but eventually Stone suggested his comments were personal against Dusty Baker because he felt Dusty did not say anything to the team when some of the Cubs players confronted Stone.
These issues probably led to the departure of Stone's former partner, Chip Carey, who has now moved on to the Atlanta Braves.
Both the Cubs and Stone both agree that Stone was not fired. "We respect his decision," WGN-TV's Bob Vorwald said Thursday on WGN Radio. "We'll miss him. I've always said he's as good at doing that job in any sport at any time. We reiterated over and over that we wanted him back next year. We'll live with his decision and miss him and wish him all the best. I've got to respect his decision."
Below is the letter from Steve Stone to the Cubs fans.
Dear Cubs fans:
Since I put on a Cubs uniform in 1974, I've seen lots of Cubs history. There has been heartache and joy . . . agony and ecstasy, not to mention 21 managers and 10 general managers.
Through all of these years and more than a few broadcast partners, I have always felt a strong connection to the greatest, most loyal fans in baseball, Cubs fans.
My love for the city of Chicago and the people who came to beautiful Wrigley Field has been a constant. Over three million of you Cub fans came to the ballpark in 2004 and the TV ratings showed you watched the Cub broadcasts in staggering numbers..
Unfortunately, the 2004 season did not end as we had hoped. It was devastating for all of us who invested our hearts, our time and in many cases our lives, in the hopes and dreams of the Cubs winning a world championship..
I am sure you have read many things about this past season and my involvement in one or two controversies. However, you have never heard my story or my perspective of the events that have brought us to this point in time..
As has always been my personal policy, it is not my intention to divulge the content of private conversations I've had with others. Likewise, I do not want to be forced into sharing my side of the story..
I came to Chicago on the high road with my credibility and integrity. Thirty years later, I choose to leave the same way..
The phrase I used that angered certain people was "I regret nothing." Well folks, I was wrong about that and want to set the record straight. I regret I won't be calling another Cubs game on WGN-TV for the greatest fans in baseball . . . the fans of the Chicago Cubs..
It's been a great ride. I will never forget you. Most importantly, I thank you all for every minute of happiness you, the fans have given me..
Best regards,
Steve Stone.
- Bryan | Return
10/27/04 8:01pm - 2005 tentative schedule released
It is going to be a fun season when the Cubs play both the Yankees and the Red Sox. One game away from a
World Series sweep, the Red Sox - Cubs match up will be the hottest tickets of the year.
The Cubs will open their season with a three game series again the Diamonbacks, April 4th, 5th, and 6th.
Their first home game will occur on Friday, April 8th against the Brewers. In Interleague Play, the
Cubs will be hosting the Toronto Blue Jays from June 6th-8th and then will host the Red Sox June
10th-12th. The Cubs will then travel to New York to play the Yankees for the first time since the
1938 World Series.
As usual, the Cubs will play the rival White Sox twice during the season. They will play at home May
20th-22nd and then play on the South Side June 24th-26th.
The Cubs will also play the NL Champion, Cardinals, sixteen times during the 2005 season. They will meet
April 20th-21st, July 22nd-24th and September 5th-7th in St. Louis, and August 11th-14th and
September 15th-18th at Wrigley Field.
If the Cubs are to get back to the dominant form, they will have some tough competition in 2005. Boston,
New York, Houston, and St. Louis will all be very tough again. For a tentative 2005 season schedule,
visit cubs.com.
- Jim | Return
10/25/04 7:32pm - Nomar to prove himself or move on?
It has been reported that Nomar may be considering taking a one year deal for 2005 with an
option for 2006 to prove he can get over his injuries.
On the other hand, the Cubs may have other Shortstops on their list of possible replacements
as they have shown interest in Edgar Renteria, Orlando Cabrera, and even Rafael Furcal.
While Nomar was the best option to compete for the playoffs in 2004, he may not be the
best option for the future.
There is also some talk coming out of California that the Dodgers may attempt to make some adjustments
to bring Garciaparra west.
- Jim | Return
10/25/04 7:15pm - Cubs will decline Alou's option
The Chicago Tribune is reporting that the Cubs will decline Moises Alou's $11 million option for 2005. The Cubs
will hope to find a younger, faster, better defensive player to replace Alou.
Alou had one of the best years of his career, batting .293 with 39 homers and 106 RBI's. Alou is 38 years old,
but will still be in demand after his productive year.
Moises is likely to become a free agent, but had suggested earlier this that he wanted to remain with the Cubs.
He still could come back, but it would likely be at a cheaper price.
- Jim | Return
10/19/04 7:15pm - Beltran will be costly
Cubs fans continue to drool at the thought of acquiring Carlos Beltran for 2005. Beltran is sizzling in the
playoffs batting .472 with 8 home runs and 14 RBI's. His price tag for 2005 continues to grow with every
hit and diving catch.
Last week, Beltran suggested he would love to play at Wrigley Field. "I feel good hitting in that
ballpark," Beltran said. "It's a great hitter's ballpark. You could see that from
their lineup. Almost every one of those hitters hit more than 30 home runs."
"It's fun to play over there. The fans are good fans. The ballpark is sold out every day. I'd
like to see what's going to happen in the off-season."
If Beltran came to the Cubs, it would only be after a battle with the Yankees. George Steinbrenner has
already shown interest in Beltran and also has the wallet to back it up.
If Beltran is acquired, the Cubs would likely make some adjustments in the outfield. If Sosa returns,
Patterson would likely be moved to right field and Sosa would be moved to left field. Beltran has insisted
that he would like to keep the center field position.
"It doesn't matter to me to get as much money and be in a place I don't feel happy," Beltran said. "I just want to be happy,
have a chance to win and be in the situation I'm in right now.
- Bryan | Return
10/12/04 7:15pm - What to do for 2005
Wave bye to Sosa and Alou
The fate of Moises Alou could be determined if the Cubs decide to trade Sammy Sosa. Though Alou had a
great year, he is starting to age and has an option for an $11.5 million for next season. If the Cubs
trade Sosa, they will probably pick this up for another year, otherwise they also have a $2 million
buyout.
Asking most Cubs fans, the verdict is that Sosa should be traded. He is a distraction on and off the
field, and even the players are starting to get annoyed with his antics. By walking out on the
team, he made himself the scapegoat for 2004. Sosa is under contract for $17 million in 2005
and $18 million option for 2006 with a $4.5 million buyout. If traded, the team he would be traded
to would have to guarantee him the 18 million option for 2006 and a 2007 club option is added at
$19 million. This seems unlikely, but there are some teams that may be interested in Sosa and
considering his recent actions, he may be willing to negotiate a deal out of Chicago.
Expect Corey Patterson to be back and a little more disciplined at the plate. When he took over the leadoff
spot, he was great, but he still needs work learning to draw walks and bunt. During the off-season, Baker
suggested he may have Patterson work with Brett Butler on his bunting. If the Cubs aren't positive
Patterson can lead off, they may look for someone who can leadoff. More than likely, this would be
someone to fill the shoes of Nomar at shortstop, which brings us to the next topic.
Sign a SS long-term
Nomar Garciaparra may no longer be the man the Cubs want to sign longterm. If his financial demands are
too high, like they are expected to be, the Cubs may decide to look elsewhere. If that is the case,
names like Edgar Renteria, Rafael Furcal, and Orlando Cabrera come into the picture. If Nomar is
willing to consider a 3 year deal, where his base salary is about $8 million, they may decide to
stick with him, but Nomar will probably expect more even though he is injury prone.
Renteria may be the main focus for a long-term shortstop. In 2004, he made $7.25 million and would expect
to make more in 2004. He may be interested in joining the Cubs and would probably be a cheaper
option than Nomar. Furcal makes $3.7 million this year and is a good leadoff hitter. He batted .279
with 29 steals this year. If Corey Patterson doesn't improve like the Cubs hope, they may focus on
Furcal, but Renteria seems to be the main focus.
Get a closer
The Cubs need to focus on the bullpen for 2005. Joe Borowski is signed through 2005, but it would be
surprising if he ends up the closer for 2005. This season, the Cubs blew way to many saves and lost
too many one run games. Bringing in a free agent will be a top priority for Jim Hendry. Moving Hawkins
back to a setup man will be the main focus.
Extend Ramirez's contract
Aramis Ramirez will get a contact extension for 2005, it is just a matter of how much. This year he
made $6 million and is eligible for arbitration for next year. Ramirez replaced Sosa as the RBI guy
with 103 RBI's and 36 homers. He batted .318 while only striking out 62 times. He is a contact, power
hitter, which is a refreshing site in a lineup that is strikeout prone. Ramirez is well deserving
of a raise and will likely get something near $10 million for 2005 and a multi-year
contract extension.
Looking forward
Looking forward to 2005, fans are hoping the team will shake things up. The Cubs should bid farewell to
several players including Grudzielanek, Martinez, and Clement. Grudzielanek is getting older and is more
injury prone than Walker. Both are free agents, but expect Walker to land the job. Martinez is a
good utility player, but may be replaced with Neifi Perez for the 2005 season. Clement pitched
great during the first half of the season, but never got any run support. His expected salary for
2005 will be more than the Cubs will be willing to pay, so he will likely be gone.
In the bullpen, many of the same faces will still be around. Mercker and Rusch are the only two relievers
that are free agents, but it is likely that the Cubs will resign both players. Remlinger, Wellemeyer,
Hawkins, and Leicester will all be back.
Players like Borowski and Hollandsworth will be coming back from their injuries. Look for the Cubs to
invest in a good closer, rather than take a chance on Borowski again for 2005. Hollandsworth is eager
to get back and could possibly earn a starting job if the Cubs lose both Sosa and Alou.
Dream lineup for 2005
Patterson (cf)
Renteria (ss)
Beltran (rf)
Ramirez (3b)
Lee (1b)
Hollandsworth / Sosa (lf)
Walker (2b)
Barrett (c)
Pitcher
Pitching Rotation
Wood
Prior
Zambrano
Maddux
Rusch / Mitre / Guzman
- Bryan | Return
10/12/04 7:05pm - Cubs fire "Waving Wendell"
As expected, the Cubs started to shake things up. "Waving Wendell" Kim was released from his coaching
duties, while Gene Clines and Gary Matthews switched jobs. Matthews will now be the first base coach
and be responsible for outfielders and base running, while Clines will take over as the
hitting coach.
Many fans expected Kim to be removed during the season after several costly mistakes. Nicknamed
"Waving Wendell", Kim was known for his aggressive play. Probably the play the may have sealed
the deal was on July 19th when he waved Aramis Ramirez from second base to home on a base hit to
center field. Ramirez was getting over a groin problem and was easily thrown out at the
plate.
On June 22, 2003, Kim was ridiculed for waving Damian Miller around third after he was thrown out at the
plate by over 15 feet. The Cubs ended up losing the game and Kim accepted the blame.
The Cubs have not yet filled the third base coach position, but reports out of San Francisco say
that Sonny Jackson may fill the role. Jim Hendry also listed AAA Iowa manager Mike Quade as a
candidate.
This is the second time that Kim has been fired from a team managed by Dusty Baker. Kim served with
Baker from 1997 to 2002 with the Giants. This was his second season with the Cubs. "We both felt
we had to do a few things differently that might help the club," Jim Hendry said. "We appreciate
Wendell's effort but felt it was appropriate to make a change."
- Bryan | Return
10/10/04 7:24pm - What went wrong in 2004
Injuries
Early in the season, the Cubs were predicted to go all the way to the World
Series. An inflamed Achilles injury to Mark Prior in spring training set
the tone for the year to follow. Prior finally made his first start on June
4th after missing nearly half the season. It took him most of the second half
of the season to show the dominance he once had. Kerry Wood also missed
time with a sore tricep. Taking him nearly two months to recover, he too
was unable to regain the dominance of 2003. Both pitchers finished 14-13
combined on the season.
Sammy Sosa was also bit by the injury bug. Sosa aggravated his back after a
heavy sneezing spell. He ended up on the DL for nearly a month trying to
recover. The list continues with Joe Borowski departing in early June and
Mark Grudzielanek missing part of the season with a sore Achilles. Even
Nomar Garciappara missed some time with several injuries after being
acquired in a three team deal.
In the end, it may have been the injury to Mark Prior that set the Cubs
back. Expecting a dominating pitching Staff, the Cubs were faced with
Sergio Mitre and Glendon Rusch to fill in for the ailing starters.
Dusty Baker used the disabled list 16 times over the season and spent most
of the season trying to fill his rosters.
Distractions
2004 was filled with numerous distractions. First it was the injuries to
Prior and Wood and then Borowski's questionable injuries sidelined him. Then
the Cubs were ridiculed by the broadcast booth and a feud started between
the Cubs and Steve Stone.
In 2004, the Cubs were criticized more for arguing with anyone who would
listen, rather than play baseball. Next was the incident with Wrigley
Field where the City threatened to shut down the stadium after several
reports of falling concrete. Each of these numerous incidents added up
and took the focus away from baseball.
Small Ball / Long Ball
Having 4 players with 30 or more home runs, the 2004 Cubs were built for the
long ball. The problem was that they were unable to play small ball.
Simple base hits or bunts were hard to obtain, while one run homers were
easy. More often than not, many of these home runs were hit without anyone
on base.
The Cubs were 19-30 in one run games as a result of their inability to hit.
They finished 71-40 when they hit home runs, and 17-33 when they didn't. A
little over 45% of their runs came from home runs, which was the second
highest in the last 30 years.
Usually over the season all bats would go cold at the same time. The Cubs
would either have everyone hitting well or nobody hit well at all.
Closer / Bullpen
The Cubs had a rough season in the bullpen as well. When Joe Borowski
started off slow, people were confused. In a strange move, he was actually
placed on the DL before anyone knew what was wrong. Later it was found that
he had a small tear on his rotator cuff.
With the injury to Borowski, the Cubs attempted a closer-by-committee role.
When this failed to take off, the moved Latroy Hawkins into the role.
Alone, Hawkins blew 9 save opportunities.
When the season was over, the Cubs had blown 25 save opportunities in 66
chances and lost several of the save opportunities with 2 outs and 2 strikes
on batters. In the final week of the year, the Cubs had 2 outs and 2
strikes on batters, but failed to seal the game.
Base Running
Base running was a big problem in 2004. Numerous times, veteran players like
Alou, Sosa, Grudzielanek, and many more were thrown out or picked off.
Third base coach, Wendell Kim was criticized and labeled "Waving Wendell"
after several plays where he waved players in and they were tossed out at
the plate.
Base running is one of the most important parts of the game and when it came down
to smart plays on the bases, many chances were squandered by a veteran player
making base running mistakes. Most of the season the Cubs marked these off to
aggressiveness on the base paths, but other aggressive teams did not have these
problems.
- Bryan | Return
10/8/04 9:15pm - CubbiesBaseball.com awards
In a vote through CubbiesBaseball.com, fans voted on several topics. Votes were conducted to find out
which player had the biggest temper and which player your girlfriend was most likely to hook up with.
In a landslide, Farnsworth won "The player your girlfriend would most likely hook up with" award taking 35% of
the vote over Garciaparra, Walker, Grudzielanek, and Patterson. In second place was Nomar Garciaparra
with 23% of the vote.
Farnsworth had his problems this year, but by winning "The player your girlfriend would most likely
hook up with" award, his luck may turn around for 2005.
It was a close race for the player with the biggest temper. In the end, Moises Alou with 45% of the votes and
Carlos Zambrano with 33% of the votes. Latroy Hawkins was a distant third place with only 9% of the votes.
This off-season, the Cubs may bid farewell to Moises Alou. With his temper and large salary, it is unlikely the Cubs
will pick up his option. Though he played great this year, the Cubs will try to get younger in the outfield.
Zambrano will continue to develop as the Cubs have high hopes for his future. They
will continue to work with him to control his emotions. Most fans like to see the emotion, which is why his
temper can sometimes be considered to be good.
- Jim | Return
10/8/04 9:01pm - Sosa yet to apoligize
Sammy Sosa's future in Cubbie blue does not look promising. After walking out on the Cubs on the final game of
the season, he is now pursuing a grievance with the Major League Baseball Players Association for his $87,400
fine and has yet to apologize for his actions.
Todd Walker and Mark Prior both suggested that Sosa owed the team an apology. Instead, he is trying to get
the fine reduced, even though Sosa turned his back on his team and the fans and then lied about it. This
reinforces what most fans already know. Sosa is now more of a distraction than anything else.
The day after Sosa left the stadium, he sounded off against Dusty Baker. "I'm tired of being blamed by
Dusty Baker for all the failures of this club. I'm always the guy they are going to blame. They blame me for
not going to the World Series last year. They blame me for not going to the playoffs this year. I'm tired
of it."
After Sosa made his comments, you can't help but feel like he was speaking to Dusty Baker and all Cubs fans
in general. Look at some of the incidents in the past two years. From the corked bat incident to the
home run hop, he has been criticized. Though he has done things like volunteer to drop in the batting
order, fans never have the sense that he is doing what is best for the team.
You can almost read between the lines that Sammy Sosa is a sensitive, selfish, and frustrated baseball
player. He is a showman that is frustrated when his fans start to turn on him. A few years ago, incidents
like these would be overlooked if Sosa hit 50 home runs and batted .300. The same home run hop brought
smiles to faces. Now that his skills may be diminishing, Sosa's ego hasn't. He is frustrated because
what worked before is not working now.
Does this mean that Sosa can not exist in Chicago? More than likely, the Cubs will do everything they can
to trade him. Several years ago, he was open to a trade with the Yankees. After it fell through, he said
he was happy to be in Chicago and wanted to retire as a Cub. With the recent problems, he has become a
distraction on and off the field. His latest actions of leaving the stadium and then lying about it
made him the self-appointed scapegoat of 2004. Filing a grievance and not apologizing is just icing on
the cake.
Look at it this way, would Cal Ripken or Brett Favre ever pull any of these things? If these guys were
performing below expectations, they would be the first to tell you. They play for the love of the game, and
do everything they can to keep the game pure. They do not cheat, lie, or walk out on their team, nor do they
ever put themselves before a team.
- Bryan | Return
10/6/04 10:14pm - Cubs to trade Sosa?
With the latest problems between the Sosa and the Cubs, it may be more and more unlikely that he will
return to Wrigley Field for 2005. Before considering this, you may want to remember that the Cubs
owe him $17 million next year and hold an $18 million option for 2006. If a trade was to happen, whatever
team Sosa was traded to must guarantee the option for $18 million for 2006. Finding a team that is
interested in this may be difficult, especially after Sosa's dismal 2004 season.
When Jim Hendry was asked if he would consider trading Sosa in the off-season, he suggested that anybody
on the team would be traded if it was "in the best interest of the Chicago Cubs".
Sammy has had problems with Dusty Baker this year after suggesting Baker blames him for the recent
problems with the Cubs. Sosa also had problems with how Baker handled the batting order situation earlier
this year. Sosa eventually volunteered to move to the number five slot.
Sosa is not new to controversy with managers. In 2000, Sosa publicly ripped Cubs Manager Don Baylor after
Baylor suggested Sammy should become a more "complete" player.
With the latest problems with the media and the recent turn on Sammy by the Chicago fans, it looks
more and more likely that the Cubs may try to do everything possible to trade Sosa for the 2005 season.
Fans and Analysts have been critical of Sosa from talking about his sneezing injury to ridiculing him
for his home run hop. He has constantly been criticized for his selfish attitude and his poor performance
this year. The latest incident of Sosa walking out on his teammates and then lying to reporters about the time
he left the stadium has given the fans the opportunity to use Sosa as the scapegoat for 2004.
His actions will make it very hard for fans to be excited to see him at Wrigley Field in 2005. Though
neither Baker or the Cubs have spoken with Sosa, it seems like he will be more than happy to move to
another team. Considering this, he may be willing to waive his 2006 option with a new team.
Trade rumors have been floating around where Sosa would go to an American League team where he could work
as DH. The Rangers, Royals, and Yankees have all been thrown around as possible teams who may have an
interest in Sosa. If these teams are not interested in Sosa, could his teammates forgive him for walking
out on them?
- Bryan | Return
10/6/04 8:23pm - Sosa disciplined
Sammy Sosa was disciplined by the Cubs on Monday and fined one day's pay for leaving the stadium on the final
game of the season.
Sosa was fined $87,400 after he left 15 minutes after the final game of the season started. "Sammy's actions
Sunday are not to be taken lightly," Jim Hendry said on Wednesday. "It's totally inexcusable to not dress,
be with your teammates and the organization on the final day of the season.
"It's something we do not take lightly and something that cannot be tolerated," Hendry said.
Sosa vented his frustration with the team and fans. "I'm always the guy they are going to blame," Sosa
told the Chicago Sun-Times. "They blame me for not going to the World Series last year. They blame me
for not going to the playoffs this year. I'm tired of it."
Sosa also said he was upset with Dusty's comments about coming back next season in "tip top shape mentally
and physically." "No one has ever questioned my mental or physical preparation at any level," Sosa told the
Sun-Times. "They always find something to blame me for." Sosa was also upset with how the batting order
issue was handled and how the coaches made suggestions related to his batting stance.
Sammy has one year left on his contract where he will get $17 million.He has been widely criticized
this year from his strange injuries to his home run hop. He finished the season batting .253 with 35 home
runs and 80 RBI's.
- Bryan | Return
10/3/04 7:23am - Will Steve Stone be fired?
It will be a very sad day for Cubs fans if Steve Stone is fired. Stone has been critical of the Cubs
for most of the year publicly criticizing them and calling them chronic complainers.
On Thursday after the loss to the Reds, Stone questioned Baker on his moves in the 12th inning. Later
that night, Stone was very critical on a radio interview on WGN.
"You want the truth? You can't handle the truth," Stone said on WGN Radio. "Let me tell you something,
guys, the truth of this situation is [this is] an extremely talented bunch of guys who want to look at all
directions except where they should really look, and kind of make excuses for what happened.
"At the end of the day, boys, you don't tell me how rough the water is, you bring in the ship. The best
eight [teams] go on, the other teams go home," Stone said. "This team should have won the Wild Card
[playoff berth] by six, seven games. No doubt about it. They have the talent to do that. They're
life-and-death right now."
Dusty Baker was "shocked" by Stone's comments and Jim Hendry called them "personal attacks".
"It shocked me," Baker said Friday. "A man can say what he wants to say. I don't understand it, I don't
understand the timing of it. Bad timing. If there's something personal, you need to talk about it.
You don't broadcast it to everybody else. I don't know where he's coming from. I feel bad for my team
and I feel sorry for him to even do that. That's bewildering to me."
"We had talked about the situation before with the team and him and I thought it was done," Baker said.
"Men shake hands as men, it's usually over with. I don't know where this is coming from. Just like I
don't know where it was coming from on the post game interview. There are a lot of bad feelings.
I was shocked by the whole thing, really.
After the comments, Stone met with Dusty Baker, Andy MacPhail, and Jim Hendry to try to resolve the
situation. Earlier this year, some players were upset with Stone and the media for being too critical
of the Cubs. Stone was confronted on the team bus by Kent Mercker, which escaladed the situation.
Stone admitted he was upset that Baker did not meet with his team earlier and resolve the situation. Will
his comments cost him his job? "To be honest with you, it never really crossed my mind," Stone said.
"I can't think of any other place I'd rather be," Stone said. "To be honest with you, I was most surprised
when people even brought it up because it was something I never even considered. And I'm not
considering it now."
"He has his job to do, and I have my job to do," Stone said. "I think that he respects me and my job,
and I believe I respect Dusty and his job. At the end of the day, I think it's best to do these
things man to man. Dusty and I were able to do that, and that's pretty much it for me. It's an
end to it. I really don't know what goes on after this for me. For me, [the matter] is over."
Jim Hendry was not happy with Stone after the comments. "If it starts to become personal, then I think
that's wrong," Hendry said. "I think we went past constructive criticism of how the game
was managed and I think it became personal."
Stone said the defining moment of the season was the game against Houston on August 27th. That was
the game where Michael Barrett - Roy Oswalt confrontation happened. The Cubs ended up losing the game
15-7.
"The one game that defined this season, that allowed a team that was dead to get back in was one of
the days that started a lot of problems for my partner and I, one of the best partners in the game," Stone
said. "That is the Roy Oswalt game, when Kent Mercker hit him in the sixth inning. That illuminated the
Houston Astros.
Though Dusty Baker and Jim Hendry have to defend the players and the team, Stone was speaking what most
fans thought. The Cubs squandered a great opportunity with possibly the best talent they have ever had.
They let outside circumstances take their focus. They complained about umpires and the media more than
they focused on the game. Stone had enough of it and so did the fans. Though it should have been
done behind doors, Stone defended himself against how he was treated.
If Stone is fired, it will be a sad day for the Cubs. It will prove that a manager and a team can directly
effect what is said about them. It may also turn some fans away because many looked up to Stone for what
he said. He spoke what was on the minds of all Cubs fans. The quote, "You don't tell me how rough the
water is, you bring in the ship," sums up the season.
- Bryan | Return
10/2/04 5:57pm - Wait till next year
Many Cubs fans are sick to their stomach after the Cubs were officially eliminated from the playoffs on
Saturday. Before Saturday, the Cubs still had a chance if they won their remaining two games and both
Houston and San Francisco lost their remaining two games. After the Braves beat the Cubs on Saturday, the
dreams were officially ended.
In what many consider to be a serious meltdown, the Cubs looked liked the favorites to win the NL Wild
Card with their easy schedule. With San Fransico and Houston playing well, there was no breathing room
as the Cubs lost 2 of 3 to the Mets and 3 of 4 to the Reds. They have lost their last 5 games at home.
Dusty Baker defended his team against the media and fans who suggested the Cubs were "chokers". "It's
disheartening that people feel like that," Baker said. "But you can't stop the way people feel."
"Hey, it just didn't end right," he said. "These guys are running on fumes -- big-time fumes. We knew when we
had to go to Florida [on Sept. 20 for the makeup doubleheader], we knew it was going to be a tough period.
Guys are trying, they're trying to win. I've never had a team that's choked and I'm not going to have one now.
We just have to go out and play and get to 90 victories and hope we get some help from abroad and afar."
In a season where many suggested the Cubs had the best chance to win the World Series, there may not be another
word for what happened to the Cubs this year. Arguably, they had better talent than any team in the National
League and probably the best talent in the majors. With injuries and other distractions, Cubs followers
never had the same feeling they had in 2003.
The Cubs now look forward to next year where they can clear the air and remove some of their distractions of
2004. Expect some key players to be gone, but also expect the Cubs to make some moves to strengthen the team
and position themselves to get to the playoffs. For the first time since 1971-72, the Cubs recorded back-to-back
winning seasons. Though the 2004 season is a disappointment, the Cubs and fans alike hope to use this
as fuel for 2005.
- Bryan | Return
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