During a recent make-or-break road trip comprised of 10 games, the Cubs did it their way. They produced more contract extensions (two) than victories (one).
Even for a franchise mired in a 51-year rebuilding plan, this is pretty bizarre stuff.
Mind you, we thoroughly endorse the present regime generally managed by Ed Lynch and skippered by Jim Riggleman, both of whom could have at least until 1999 to get this thing right. They, along with President Andy MacPhail, seem eminently qualified to lift the Cubs from their annual abyss to the next level, whatever it might be.
It is curious, however, while all appears to be well at Wrigley Field, there exists deep anxiety at Comiskey Park, where the White Sox have a better team with a better record. Moreover, the Sox have a pulse. They entered the season’s homestretch in the hunt while the Cubs went into a coma.
Perception is king. Terry Bevington, the Sox manager, allegedly can’t change pitchers and chew gum at the same time, which is why he is deemed vulnerable when a brilliant lodge brother such as Jim Leyland becomes available.
Yet Riggleman is safe, though one wonders whether he has less control of his warriors than Bevington has of his. Strange but true, but such is the essence of Chicago baseball.
Riggleman says he has this rule: Starting pitchers who don’t like being taken out of a game today must wait until tomorrow to meet their manager. It sounds reasonable, except that Cub flamethrowers repeatedly break the rule, especially if they can do so on a superstation.
Jaime Navarro, arguably the staff’s ace, has disrespected his boss on TV and in print more than once. Then last week, Frank Castillo, another decent fellow and gritty competitor, staged a tantrum in St. Louis after being removed during the eighth inning of his unfinished symphony.
These athletes were unhappy, which is good, because Cub fans have been unhappy since 1945. But public displays of anger serve only to show up Riggleman and teammates, not the least of whom is the poor slob who takes over on the mound.
If memory serves, when Castillo was 2-11 earlier this season, Riggleman refrained from pacing the dugout in disgust. Nor, when Castillo served batting practice in Pittsburgh last Sunday to become 7-16, did Riggleman feel compelled to throw helmets.
Navarro defended Castillo, another clear indication of Cub harmony. Navarro later stated “arguing brings us closer,” which could be true, although it would be nice if the Cubs someday direct their anger at the opposition so as to become closer to first place than they are to each other.
But Navarro is admittedly emotional. Why, just the other day when speaking of bullpen brutality, he mentioned himself in the same sentence as Greg Maddux. We’ll repeat that just in case you missed it. Jaime Navarro mentioned himself in the same sentence as Greg Maddux.
Meanwhile, back at mission control, MacPhail says he will spend more money next season, another sign of progress, although it will require more money just to keep the players he has, if indeed he wants them.
Fans can only pray they want him. Some core guys declared they like the direction of the front office and might wish to remain Cubs. Usually, when a team drops dead and goes down the toilet in September to finish fourth in a bland division, it’s management that appraises the performance of labor.
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But these are the Cubs, the same old Cubs, and it’s a good thing they have the ivy and Harry Caray.