On Sunday, Cubs manager Lou Piniella gave a tearful goodbye to the baseball world. He retired immediately following the Braves-Cubs game to be with his ailing mother. Because of Lou’s departure, the Cubs needed a managerial replacement, and they named third base coach Mike Quade the team’s interim manager for the remainder of the season. That move definitely made me scratch my head.
Piniella hasn’t been around the team much since he announced he would retire back in July. In his absence, bench coach Alan Trammell has been managing the the team. But I guess that doesn’t mean much to the Cubs. Jim Hendry and company completely overlooked Trammell and gave the job to Quade for the rest of the season. And if that wasn’t bad enough, they also told Trammell that he wasn’t even being considered for the vacant mangerial spot. Basically they told him that he didn’t have a shot in heck and that he wasn’t even being given a courtesy interview.
Um, harsh? I know that he didn’t do the Tigers much good while he was with them but at least this guy has major league managerial experience. Does that count for anything? For the Cubs, I guess not. Trammell had an amazing playing career and I think that he should at least be considered for Lou’s replacement. I still think Ryne Sandberg should get the job, but at least give Trammell a shot.
The Cubs have made some pretty stupid decisions in recent years (like giving huge contracts to Carlos Zambrano, Alfonso Soriano and Milton Bradley). I think this is going to be another item to add to the list. Of course the reports will read that Trammell “understands” the move, but there is no reason he should not get a chance at interviewing for the new manager job. I think the phrase “don’t crap where you eat” applies here. The Cubs have definitely crapped on Trammell and I don’t think he’ll soon forget it.
