Sport news

Cubs Won't Bring Dusty Baker Back

CHICAGO (AP) - Chicago Cubs manager Dusty Baker's four-year contract will not be renewed, team officials announced Monday. Baker was in the last year of his $14 million-to-$15 million deal and had hoped to resurrect the franchise that hadn't been in the World Series since 1945 and hadn't won one since 1908. Baker compiled a 322-326 record during his time in Chicago.

Known for his toothpicks and wristbands while managing from the dugout, Baker was popular with his players and in his 14th managerial season.

In his first season with the Cubs, the team was five outs away from returning to the Series. But leading the NLCS against the Marlins 3-1 and ahead 3-0 in Game 6 with Mark Prior on the mound, the Cubs collapsed in the eighth inning when Florida scored eight runs, an inning remembered for a fan interference on a foul ball. It will also be the most talked about inning in Baker's tenure in Chicago.

The very next night the Cubs also lost Game 7 with Kerry Wood pitching. They came back the next season, led the NL wild card by 1 1/2 games, only to stumble again on a final homestand and not make the postseason.

The 2004 season also marked the end of Sammy Sosa in Chicago. Sosa left the clubhouse before the end of the season finale, and the fading slugger later accused Baker of blaming him for the club's failures. He was subsequently traded.

Injuries to Prior and Wood dogged the Cubs the last three seasons as did one to Nomar Garciaparra a year ago when he tore a groin muscle and missed much of the season as the Cubs fell to 79-83, Baker's first losing season since 1996.

The swoon continued this year as Prior and Wood started the season on the disabled list again and then NL batting champion Derrek Lee broke his wrist. From there, the collapse has been staggering.

Baker is the latest victim in the Cub's history of losing. Just the day before, CEO Andy MacPhail resigned ending his 12 years in charge of the club.

MacPhail offered no excuses on Sunday, but acknowledged the Cubs hadn't developed position players as well as pitchers and pointed to the team's uncanny stretch of injuries and poor health.

Baker has said he does not regret coming to the Cubs but wished he'd been the one to turn the longtime losers around. That's what he expected upon his arrival following 10 seasons as skipper of the San Francisco Giants where he was a three-time manager of the year and led the Giants to the World Series in 2002.

Source: www.intwebnews.com

World News

Sport news

Cubs Won't Bring Dusty Baker Back

All News "Sport" ...