Post #1400: Mike Quade Named Cubs Manager

Well, by now I'm sure you've heard the news. Mike Quade has been named the Cubs Manager. He has signed a two year contract. Of course, the biggest news was that Ryne Sandberg did not get the job, or that the Cubs did not wait until after the postseason to see if Joe Girardi was available.

How do I feel about the move?

In 2006, when the Cubs were interviewing candidates to become their next manager, one of the candidates they interviewed was Ryne Sandberg. Cubs GM Jim Hendry told Sandberg that he needed to start managing down in the minors and work his way up. Sandberg started down at the Peoria Chiefs, then managed the Tennesee Smokies the following year, then managed the Iowa Cubs, winning the Pacific Coast League manager of the year award.

Lou Piniella gets the job to manage the Cubs, leading them to the postseason in 2007 and 2008, but they get swept out of the first round both years. The Cubs regressed in 2009 and 2010. Lou Piniella retired early in the season, replacing him with Mike Quade.

I think I was most suprised to announce that the Cubs did not wait until after the World Series to see if Joe Girardi was available.

I think that it is downright disheartning that the Cubs passed on the obvious heir apparent to the legendary Lou Pinniela, Ryne Sandberg. The man who thought that going all the down from Peoria would help him get a job managing at the Major League Level.

I know that Mike Quade led the Cubs to a 24-13 record in his season managing, but the fact that the Cubs may have lost the chance for a hall of famer like Ryne Sandberg to wear a Cubs uniform again is disheartening to me.

It's a two year deal, so maybe the Cubs don't believe they can contend for the next two seasons.

The biggest question I want answered is:
How in the World does GM Jim Hendry still have a job? He should have been fired as soon as he traded away Mark DeRosa and signed Milton Bradley.