Manage the Cubs: The best of jobs or the worst?

Mercury News ^ | 7-11-06 | David Haugh

[SJackson]

CHICAGO - Dusty Baker didn't answer a classified ad when the Cubs hired him as manager after the 2002 season. Baseball teams don't work that way, and it's just as well.

If the position were to open again soon, a possibility even Baker acknowledges, the job description might scare off the boldest of managers if the language honestly depicted the new work environment.

Looking for manager to win World Series before 100th anniversary of last title in 2008. Must face daily comparisons in home city to best team in baseball and game's most charismatic manager.

Duties include playing mostly day games in charming but antiquated ballpark with cramped clubhouse, facing persistent rumors about ownership selling the team, and answering regular questions about curses, billy goats and Steve Bartman.

Will have access to $100 million payroll but also must make most of substandard farm system that hasn't produced consistent everyday player since Mark Grace 18 years ago.

Does that sound like the best job in baseball, as it often is described?

[SJackson]

Of course money doesn't matter, but I believe Baker's 4 year deal is worth about $14 million. That's worth a bit of aggrivation.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

". . . that hasn't produced consistent everyday player since Mark Grace 18 years ago."

Ouchie.

[labette]

And remember;

"Unless a manager owns the team or dies on the job, He is GOING to get fired" - Casey Stengel, as told by Whitey Herzog. {Couple of pretty good big-league managers}