When the Cincinnati Reds make their first trip into Wrigley Field this season tonight they'll be carrying some extra baggage as former Cubs manager Dusty Baker makes his return. Boy, this is going to be weird. Not weird like seeing an ex-girlfriend, that you still like, out with a new boyfriend but weird like....damn, that was a long time ago.
Baker spent four years in Chicago but his first season was his most successful as he came within five outs of taking the Cubs to the World Series. Everyone loved Dusty that season and he probably could have run for Mayor of Chicago and given Mayor Daley a run for his money. Unfortunately, it was all downhill after that as the Cubs fell out of the Wild Card race late in the 2004 season and followed that up in 2005 with their first season under .500 (79-83) with Baker as manager. As Baker entered the final year of his contract in 2006 a lot of Cubs fans felt that things were looking up and the Cubs could make one last run but a broken wrist for Derrek Lee and other injuries helped pave Baker's way out the door as the Cubs fell to 66-96. In his four seasons with the Cubs, Baker finished with a record of 322-326....not exactly what the Cubs were hoping for when they hired him after he helped manage the San Francisco Giants to the World Series.
While in Chicago, Baker was confusing and intriguing all at the same time. He had a very good relationship with his players and you could tell they wanted to do well for him but a lot of times he would stick with veteran players in situations where he should have gone with youngsters. Even though a lot of people want to blame Baker for the poor health of the pitching staff, specifically Kerry Wood and Mark Prior, injuries happen in baseball all the time. Baker was a 'win now at all costs' manager and operated as such with everyone from his pitchers to his catchers. Sometimes that works....sometimes it doesn't.
There will be a lot of talk today about whether or not Baker will be booed at Wrigley and while my opinion is that it shouldn't happen.....there will be those that disagree vehemently. I think Cubs fans should just put it all behind them and move on with the team we have and the manager we like.....for now.
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