It’s time, isn’t it?
Time for the Cubs to point out us what they’re made from, for higher or worse.
Time for his or her star gamers to behave the half or curl up into the fetal place.
Time for the workforce’s “October begins in March” rallying cry to be tweaked to “Any chance October will begin a few days early?”
Time for all concerned to rise like champions or sink into the abyss.
Oh, and one other factor: It’s time for Theo Epstein, and anybody else who may need a say in Joe Maddon’s managerial future with the Cubs, to get a grip.
I’m going to interrupt out the S-word right here. Yes, I notice it’s a household newspaper, however circumstances demand it. So right here it’s:
Scapegoat.
That’s what Maddon will probably be if he’s fired on the finish of his fifth season.
Is Maddon, probably the most profitable supervisor in Cubs historical past, in his 11th hour with the North Siders? Has his specific model of profitable yearly run its course? Has the tradition he created — involving such ideas as treating gamers nicely and having their enduring respect in return — change into antiquated?
The 2019 Cubs are an imperfect lot, to say the least. Is Maddon guilty? Or is it the entrance workplace that has dedicated a fortune to free brokers who’ve accomplished little or nothing to boost the bar on the sphere? Is it a household of householders who’ve all however publicly pulled lint out of their pockets regardless of ever-increasing revenues? Is it a farm system that has failed — in eight years of the Epstein regime — to develop a single pitcher who has spent a full season on the roster or delivered a playoff pitch?
Fans can whine about Maddon all they need. Members of the media can share all of the unusual, middle-of-the-night movies of themselves tearing into Maddon that they need. Has anybody bothered to consider who the subsequent supervisor ought to be? Is there actually any cause to suppose another person is healthier ready for this sophisticated Cubs job transferring ahead?
I’m nonetheless ready for the primary convincing argument, and don’t give me that nonsense about the way in which he handles his bullpen. Five years in, the pitchfork-wielding “Joe must go” mob can’t resolve whether or not Maddon has too itchy a set off finger with relievers or sticks with them too lengthy. Meanwhile, the truth is there isn’t a supervisor, pitching coach, self-help guru or Talmudic scholar alive who may make sense of this ragtag Cubs ’pen.
The mob isn’t altering actuality one bit. Here’s a dose of the true stuff for you: Maddon’s résumé places these of rattling close to each different supervisor in Cubs historical past to abject disgrace.
Are the Cubs actually going to fireplace — make that scapegoat — this man?
Just take a step again and drink within the absurdity of it.
JUST SAYIN’
Congrats to the 2019 NL Central champion St. Louis Cardinals.
What, too quickly?
Yes, the Cubs technically nonetheless have an opportunity to catch St. Louis, which they trailed by 4 video games getting into play Wednesday. In principle, the seven head-to-head video games between the groups characterize an enormous alternative for Maddon’s workforce.
But what extra do the Cardinals need to do to persuade individuals it’s their 12 months? They’ve received almost two-thirds of their video games for the reason that finish of June. They’re in a 23-Eight dash, with a league-low 2.87 ERA in that span and exhibiting no indicators of slowing down.
Did you recognize Mike Schildt, who changed the fired Mike Matheny heading into the 2018 All-Star break, has the perfect profitable share of any NL supervisor during the last two second halves?
It’s just about wild card or bust round right here.
• I can’t be the one one who sees 22-year-old Cubs shortstop Nico Hoerner’s face and needs to inform him: “Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold.”
Sorry, youngsters. It’s an ’80s reference.
• Speaking of Hoerner, what occurs to injured Javy Baez now that he’s been Wally Pipp-ed?
• No, I nonetheless don’t perceive why the Bears handed on Deshaun Watson and drafted Mitch Trubisky as an alternative in 2017. What was it, precisely, about the way in which Watson carried Clemson to the nationwide title, beating Alabama…