Warm winters aren’t the norm in Chicago. Lately they’ve been even colder for Wrigleyheads who have had to accept the fact that their treadmill of futility isn’t equipped with an ‘off’ switch.
The Chicago Cubs aren’t merely bad. They’re bad and three-quarters. A Triple-A ballclub playing Major League competition. A beat-up shell of the 2003 team that teased the masses and, ultimately, made ‘Bartman’ and ‘Satan’ neighbors in the same sentence.
No professional sports franchise thirsts for a B12 shot quite like the Cubs, and it might soon be en route.
The more friction that exists between first-year Florida Marlins manager Joe Girardi and his boss, team owner Jeffrey Loria, the better the 2007 Cubs are going to be if rumors are true that Girardi is headed back to Wrigley Field.
A fixture behind home plate on Chigago’s Northside having served two stints as the Cubs’ catcher, Girardi should win National League Manager of the Year having led the no-name, barely-a-payroll Marlins to wild-card playoff contention.
Florida is baseball’s most-overachieving club in part due to Girardi’s ability to squeeze maximum effort and performance out of a group of players that together comprise approximately one-thirteenth of the payroll of the New York Yankees.
In fairness to current Cubs manager Dusty Baker, it’s not the toothpick nibbler’s fault ace pitchers Mark Prior and Kerry Wood broke down physically and are now little more than high-dollar question marks.
Yet fair or unfair, it’s Baker who is about to fall on the sword. Girardi, Peoria-born and Northwestern-educated, is the first, last and only logical successor. Illinois to the core, Girardi might not be the first name on Loria’s Christmas card list, but he should be the only person the Cubs are considering.
Girardi’s relationship with Loria has been strained since an Aug. 6 home game against the Los Angeles Dodgers during which Girardi asked his boss to stop badgering an umpire.
Loria thought his manager overstepped his bounds — and vise versa — and there has been tension between the two ever since.
Think about it. This could be the ideal present from the Marlins organization to Chicago. A bit of payback for the Cubs falling apart like wet bread in the ’03 National League Championship Series and basically handing the Marlins a spot in the World Series (which they went on to win).
What Girardi must do now is go to great lengths to ensure his release. Call Loria at home in the middle of the night disguising your voice as Jack McKeon. Maybe slip a Whoopee Cushion beneath him during a team banquet. Something. Anything.
Then come to Chicago and turn around a franchise in need of a swift 180.
Cubs manager Joe Girardi. Kind of has a nice ring to it, the emphasis on ring.
Sports Editor Mike Beas can be reached at mike.beas@herald bulletin.com.
Sports
Mike Beas: Girardi the only real choice to manage Cubs
- Sports
-
-
Helberg nabs Little 500 pole
Following a rain shower and cooler than normal May temperatures, drivers were having problems finding grip around Anderson Speedway on pole day qualifying Thursday for the Pay Less Little 500.
California driver JoJo Helberg went out early in the qualifying session and captured the first Little 500 pole of his career with a four-lap average speed of 80.56 mph and the quick lap of the day at 81.17 mph. -
Family affair in Lapel sectional
It will be like a new episode of “All in the Family” when the Lapel baseball sectional championship game is held on Monday.
In Thursday’s semifinals, Frankton rolled past Shenandoah 10-4 and then Lapel scored seven runs in the sixth inning on its way to a 10-3 thrashing of Wapahani. -
Trio leads area at boys regional
The Ben Davis boys track regional is one of the toughest in the state.
“THE toughest,” according to Anderson coach Cary House.
It’s proven on the track year after year as runners from Brebuf Jesuit, Lawrence Central and the host Giants torch the competition.
But Madison County made its presence known in the field events this year. -
Wilson drives Tribe into semifinals
There was some debate overnight about whether Curtis Wilson would return to the mound Thursday when Anderson’s Class 4A sectional game resumed against Richmond.
But the Indians senior never had a doubt. -
Mike Lopresti: Welcome to the NBA spotlight, coach
Good morning Frank Vogel, and welcome to the Eastern Conference finals spotlight. Having fun, yet?
Not the most stress-free experience for the Indiana Pacers coach so far, is it? -
LeBron saves Heat at buzzer of Game 1
LeBron James made a layup as time expired in overtime, capping a 30-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist effort as the Miami Heat found a way to outlast the Indiana Pacers 103-102 in a wildly back-and-forth Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals Wednesday night.
-
Arabians roll to softball sectional title
Pendleton Heights leadoff hitter Sarah Dixon set the table, and Arabians starting pitcher Bailey Benefiel made sure the visitors got none of the food.
The Arabians stopped Greenfield 7-1 Wednesday night to claim the sectional title. -
Raiders repeat at Eagles’ expense
For only the fourth time in school history and second year in a row, the Wapahani Lady Raiders are softball sectional 40 champions after a 9-4 win Wednesday over the host Frankton Lady Eagles. As with all championships, it did not come easy.
-
Anderson, Richmond left in suspense
The Anderson baseball team’s Class 4A sectional title defense began well Wednesday night.
The only problem is it still hasn’t finished. -
Lions, Blackhawks to be continued
Liberty Christian’s sectional semifinal softball game with Cowan was suspended due to lightning in the top of the seventh inning Wednesday night.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Oklahoma City Thunder Players Tour Moore
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
MLB Hoping for Large Replay Expansion in 2014
America's Cup Officials Say Race Will Continue
LeBron James Wins NBA MVP for Fourth Time
African American Jockey Aims for Derby History
Horse Saved From Slaughter, Goes on to Win Big
Obama: 'Couldn't Be Prouder' of Jason Collins
Sacramento Mayor Lauds NBA Vote on Kings
NBA Star's Aunt: I Am Very Proud of Him
Tebow Time in New York Over After Jets Cut QB
White House Commends Jason Collins on Coming Out
NBA Veteran Jason Collins Comes Out As Gay
Raw: Alligator on Fairway at Zurich Classic
Backpacks Banned From Kentucky Derby
