A Bit of the Hot Stove...

Yesterday it was announced that Sandberg is leaving the Cubs organization, and Cubbie Nation is an uproar.

When Sleepy Lou Pinella stepped down as Cubs manager during the season Cubbie Nation was hopeful that either Joe Girardi or Ryne Sandberg would be the next man for the job. Instead General Manager Jim Hendry gave Mike Quady the job. Quady, who replaced Sleepy Lou on an interim basis, led the team to a 24-13 record to close out the season.

For the past several season Sandberg has been making his way through the Cubs minor league system as manager. He's managed A, AA & AAA. Many believed he was being groomed as Sleepy Lou's replacement. Cubs fans are angry about about the decision not to hire him. Obviously Sandberg is upset as well. Following the Quady announcement he declined multiple positions within the organization.

Many are pointing the finger at Jim Hendry. There is nobody less sympathetic to the Cubs plight than myself, but I will give Hendry a break on this one. Quady going 24-13 was the worst possible thing to happen. If the Cubs finish out the season as they did under Sleepy Lou Quady gets a 'Thank you,' offered another role and the Sandberg era begins.

As it happened Quady got a dead ass team to play for him. Players went public with their support of him remaining the manager. The team showed signs of life for the first time in two years. Hendry was in a difficult spot. I can't say that he wanted to hire Quady. I think he had to. Quady's deal is only two years. If it is a disaster what is 2 years when the team hasn't won anything in over 100?