MLB Playoffs/Cubs Manager: Who to Root For
Well, Girardi got canned today and the Marlins immediately, and I mean immediately, hired Fredi Gonzalez to be his replacement. So that knocks off one of the leading candidates for the job. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, Girardi's an excellent candidate for the job and he brings with him the added bonus of being tremendously popular with the fans. I like Girardi. I'm not convinced he's the best candidate out there but I would definitely say he's the best candidate of the names that have been floated about. I'd be happy with Joe.
Supposedly, sources at Trib Tower say the job is Sweet Lou Piniella's to lose. I'm not sure about Lou. Five years ago, he would have been a great choice. He won the World Series with the Reds and led Seattle to the best record in the majors and multiple playoff appearances. Then he went to Tampa Bay and seemed to lose focus. Sure, he had lousy talent available to him but they didn't improve one iota under Lou. So if given a choice I'd say no to Lou.
Right now I'd say the odds are 40% Piniella, 35% Girardi, and 25% the Field, which represents the other nameless candidates that Hendry will likely interview over the next week. I'll give more thoughts when we hear more news.
As for the playoffs, they started today with a full slate of games. Given how the Cubs ended up and how the Bears are doing, I'm not really in the mood for baseball. Nevertheless, here's who Cubs fans should be rooting for:
1. Oakland - Cubs ain't got no beef with Oakland, and I'd really like to see the "Moneyball" team take home a title.
2. Minnesota - The Twinkies are fun, and Johan is the man.
3. Detroit Rock City - It'd be a tremendous story.
4. Los Angeles Dodgers - Maddux and Nomar.
I'm going to draw a line here. With every other team, I can't actually root for them to win it all. I can rank them in the order of which I hate them least.
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5. San Diego - 1984 NLCS.
6. Mets - 1969, a little before my time but I still hate them since Doc Gooden and the 80s.
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7. Yankees - self
8. St. Louis - explanatory
I'll predict Dodgers over Yankees in the Series. Maddux gets another ring. See ya!