Terry Francona wants Cubs job?

In News And Rumors by dmick89103 Comments

Dave Van Dyck is reporting that a source close to Terry Francona is saying that Tito “deep down” badly wants to manage the Cubs.

For his part, Francona says he is “trying to stay under the radar” with his unspoken candidacy, but a source very close to him says “deep down” he badly wants to manage the Cubs — for whom he played in 1986 while falling in love with Wrigley Field — and has told Epstein so.

I’ve been on the record many times with regards to Francona. If he isn’t the best manager in all of baseball, he’s one of the very best in my opinion. It’s very difficult to evaluate a manager in terms of his impact on runs and wins, so it’s only an opinion. I’ve believed Francona to be one of the best for many years now and when he became available he was the one I wanted the to hire. This was before Theo became available. Dave Van Dyck says there are complications though.

What would seem to be a simple process actually comes with complications, not the least of which is the Red Sox meltdown in September that made Francona and Epstein available. Yes, the Red Sox won 90 games, 19 more than the Cubs, but they failed to make the playoffs and there was talk Francona had lost control of the clubhouse.

There were hints Francona had become burned out after eight grueling seasons in Boston and that he had burned bridges with his longtime buddy Epstein.

We know the part about Francona burning bridges with Theo isn’t true. Theo holds him in very high regard and even hinted early on that he was the best manaager available this offseason. The performance of the Red Sox in September can’t be blamed on Tito. While he may be at fault in some ways, the bottom line is that winning is about performing and the players didn’t do it. Unless you believe managers can wave a magic wand making players perform up to their potential or above, this is just unfair criticism. Theo and Jed Hoyer are surely not so naive to think that’s what happened.

As for losing control of the clubhouse, there does appear to be some truth to that. The Red Sox clubhouse was out of control. The thing is, if the Red Sox win two more games, running an out of control clubhouse would be seen as a positive and not a weakness. If the 2004 Sox failed to win the World Series, The Idiots would not be seen as nearly as positive as it’s seen today. It’s possible that very attitude would be blamed for their failure. Since they won, it was all cool.

Furthermore, there are 25 adult baseball players in the clubhouse. In September there are even more. There’s only so much someone can do to control their behavior. Keep in mind that these guys make millions of dollars. They’re not easy to boss around. When there is a group of them, it’s even worse and maybe impossible to get them under control. I can accept that Tito deserves some of the blame for this, but I cannot accept that he deserves as much as the Red Sox front office, fans and media have placed on him. I’m guessing we could find the least out of control clubhouse in all of Major League Baseball and by our own standards it would be very much out of control. The degree to which the Red Sox clubhouse differed from others is unknown, but it’s probably not all that much.

Finally, maybe the Cubs could benefit from a less controlled clubhouse setting. It’s possible being able to do as they want, within reason of course, would allow them to focus more on the field. I don’t really see any reason to believe that clubhouse control would correlate with wins on the field. These are human beings and some groups of them could use more structure while others could use less. It’s been my belief for a long time that the worst managers with regards to clubhouse setting are the ones who create just one acceptable atmosphere. From what I’ve read, Joe Torre was very good at dealing with different groups of people in different ways. There’s no reason to believe that what would benefit the 2003 Cubs is the same thing that would benefit future rosters.

The 2004 Red Sox loved the relaxed clubhouse where they could mostly do as they please. It was a strength for that roster. Maybe the 2011 Red Sox needed more structure. I don’t really know, but two rosters aren’t alike. Just as you have to deal with individuals in different ways, groups of people must also be dealt with in different ways.

I had come to accept that the Cubs would probably not hire Tito and had moved on. I had become a fan of Mike Maddux and Dale Sveum. Both seem to be very intelligent baseball guys and Sveum is more the analytical type. But if Terry Francona is still an option, I can’t see how the Cubs could do better than hiring him.


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  1. Rice Cube

    I think since they’re only in the sixth inning, as some have suggested, now that they’re nearing the seventh inning stretch, they’ll sing “Terry Come Manage the Cubs” and see what happens. If he says no definitively, I’d go after Mike Maddux. Otherwise I agree they should hire Francona.

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  2. Berselius

    I still think Maddux has the inside track. Though I’m sure Tito would love to manage the Cubs I don’t know if he was specifically talking about Right Now. Only time can cure seventeen stab wounds in the back

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  3. Steve Swisher

    My boss is a Cardinals fan, and he says he doesn’t think Francona would want to come here since it’s going to be a few seasons before the Cubs are good.

    Meanwhile, the Cardinals have Carpenter (and Wainwright coming back), and one of the game’s best hitters ever (we’re both assuming that Pujols comes back). Given that, why would Francona want to come to Chicago for what’s clearly a serious rebuilding project?

    I have to say, it’s hard to argue with that point.

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  4. mb21

    I think it’s the same reason Theo wanted to come here. If Tito wins the World Series with the Cubs, he gets a plaque in Cooperstown. He breaks two “curses” and is remembered as one of the top two or three managers in the history of baseball.

    He can’t get that in St. Louis. I think the reason he would come to Chicago, and I’m not saying he would, is ego. Same with Theo. That’s why he’s in Chicago.

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  5. Steve Swisher

    That’s a good point, and exactly what I told my boss about why Theo would come here. In fact, we bet on it, and I won five bucks.

    Also: The Cardinals play in St. Louis.

    BTW, it still hits me sometimes: I’m like, “Holy shit, Theo Epstein is with the Cubs!”

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  6. Rice Cube

    [quote name=mb21]Good bet. I’d also bet your boss $5 on Tito.[/quote]At this point, you break even, so it’s a safe bet unless you already used the first $5 on pizza.

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  7. Dick McCheesedoodle

    If the Cubs get Tito, you should prepare yourself for the eventuality of when the Cubs start out 8-16 in 2012 for everyone with a press pass in Chicago to imply that the Red Sox of Sept 2011 = Cubs of 2012.

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  8. mb21

    I think most people, based on the polls I’ve seen on various sites, aren’t expecting the Cubs to be very good next year. I think the only way that would work is if the public was buying it and I don’t think they would. Wouldn’t surprise me if the media tries to bring it up, but I don’t think it goes far.

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  9. Steve Swisher

    [quote name=mb21]I think most people, based on the polls I’ve seen on various sites, aren’t expecting the Cubs to be very good next year. I think the only way that would work is if the public was buying it and I don’t think they would. Wouldn’t surprise me if the media tries to bring it up, but I don’t think it goes far.[/quote]
    I think people are saying that now. But when they’re 30-43 next year, a lot of the callers to the Score won’t be so forgiving.

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  10. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Steve Swisher]I think people are saying that now. But when they’re 30-43 next year, a lot of the callers to the Score won’t be so forgiving.[/quote]How quickly fans turn…

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  11. mb21

    [quote name=Steve Swisher]I think people are saying that now. But when they’re 30-43 next year, a lot of the callers to the Score won’t be so forgiving.[/quote]Yeah, Thoyer are going to lose fans every day. That’s just how it works and Theo even mentioned it. It’s like presidential approval ratings. When you haven’t done anything, they’re high. The longer your in office the more you’ve pissed people off.

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  12. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Rice Cube]http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Someone-stole-Shawn-Bradley-8217-s-impossible-t?urn=nba-wp10481

    I’m glad Shawn Bradley got his special bike back but this story was awesomely hilarious.[/quote]

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  13. AndCounting

    Finally, maybe the Cubs could benefit from a less controlled clubhouse setting. It’s possible being able to do as they want, within reason of course, would allow them to focus more on the field. I don’t really see any reason to believe that clubhouse control would correlate with wins on the field.

    I agree with this completely. Regular season I don’t think it matters that much. But if there’s any one specific downfall of the Cubs in the postseason, it has been what appears to be serious nervous breakdowns. I know the playoffs are unpredictable, but some Cubbie occurrences appear to be the product of too much intensity. I would love to see a more relaxed atmosphere with this team. I’d much rather see them improve with actual talent, but it wouldn’t hurt not to have an environment where everyone puts a century worth of losing upon their own shoulders.

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  14. Berselius

    [quote name=mb21]I’d be shocked if the Cubs traded for Crawford.[/quote]
    I’d be surprised if anyone traded for Crawford. I don’t think he’s going anywhere. The Red Sox are smart enough not to make a judgement on him based on one season.

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  15. Berselius

    [quote name=AndCounting]I agree with this completely. Regular season I don’t think it matters that much. But if there’s any one specific downfall of the Cubs in the postseason, it has been what appears to be serious nervous breakdowns. I know the playoffs are unpredictable, but some Cubbie occurrences appear to be the product of too much intensity. I would love to see a more relaxed atmosphere with this team. I’d much rather see them improve with actual talent, but it wouldn’t hurt not to have an environment where everyone puts a century worth of losing upon their own shoulders.[/quote]
    I don’t know what you’re talking about, AC. Cubs players need to go put on the hair shirt and blame goats and black cats and shit every single time they make a mistake. That’s just the Cubs Way.

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  16. mb21

    [quote name=Berselius]I’d be surprised if anyone traded for Crawford. I don’t think he’s going anywhere. The Red Sox are smart enough not to make a judgement on him based on one season.[/quote]Bowden or whoever it was on that link RR posted though it would happen around the deadline. He mentioned that John Henry never liked the contract, which of course is true. I agree with you that I don’t think any team is going to trade for him and I don’t think the Red Sox are going to trade him for pennies on the dollar.

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  17. Berselius

    [quote name=Gordo]Hoyer says 4 who have interviewed “quite possibly” could be entire field. But doesn’t rule out adding somebody to mix.[/quote]
    .

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  18. Rice Cube

    [quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]Bruce Miles :
    Alomar on stats: “I don’t want to become a fantasy manager.”[/quote]
    I don’t think he’s going to get the job. Just a hunch.

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  19. binky

    [quote name=AndCounting]I agree with this completely. Regular season I don’t think it matters that much. But if there’s any one specific downfall of the Cubs in the postseason, it has been what appears to be serious nervous breakdowns. I know the playoffs are unpredictable, but some Cubbie occurrences appear to be the product of too much intensity. I would love to see a more relaxed atmosphere with this team. I’d much rather see them improve with actual talent, but it wouldn’t hurt not to have an environment where everyone puts a century worth of losing upon their own shoulders.[/quote]If it comes from a place of confidence, yeah. I remember the 2008 Cubs being a fairly relaxed bunch most of the season, but as playoffs approached, the tension became more palpable. I don’t know how you get around that, except to just not allow the media anywhere near the players. When a dude is shoving a mic in your face after every loss in September (after you’ve already clinched) and asking you if you think that this loss is a sign that you’re going to get smoked in the playoffs, it tends to build up.

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  20. Berselius

    [quote name=mb21]berselius, any idea when the Olivers are coming out?[/quote]
    Still no clue. I’ll send an email to the guy who runs them.

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  21. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]How valuable is Marmol now?[/quote]Slightly more than yesterday I imagine. I think with Ryan Madson and Francisco Rodriguez still on the market some teams might want to trade for a cost-controlled closer who might have the “closer mentality” rather than blow $50MM. That’d be nice.

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  22. work sucks

    [quote name=josh]If it comes from a place of confidence, yeah. I remember the 2008 Cubs being a fairly relaxed bunch most of the season, but as playoffs approached, the tension became more palpable. I don’t know how you get around that, except to just not allow the media anywhere near the players. When a dude is shoving a mic in your face after every loss in September (after you’ve already clinched) and asking you if you think that this loss is a sign that you’re going to get smoked in the playoffs, it tends to build up.[/quote]
    Seems like I remember them having an 8 or 9 game losing streak in Sept. that kinda got everybody panicking a little bit. Fans at least, maybe not players.

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  23. work sucks

    Papelbon is getting overpaid. Trade Marmol now. Hell, I’d send Marmol to Boston but I bet they just put Bard in there.

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  24. binky

    [quote name=work sucks]Seems like I remember them having an 8 or 9 game losing streak in Sept. that kinda got everybody panicking a little bit. Fans at least, maybe not players.[/quote]That’s what I remember, too. I remember being panicked.

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  25. Mercurial Outfielder

    [quote name=Suburban kid 22]Keano > Estonia[/quote]WE ALL DREAM OF A TEAM OF ROBBIE KEANES, A TEAM OF ROBBIE KEANES, A TEAM OF ROBBIE KEANES

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  26. Suburban kid 22

    Panicked in 2008? I think there may have been a one or two day period in early September when they lost a little traction, but I remember being much more spooked by the losing AFTER they clinched.

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  27. binky

    [quote name=Suburban kid 22]Panicked in 2008? I think there may have been a one or two day period in early September when they lost a little traction, but I remember being much more spooked by the losing AFTER they clinched.[/quote]That’s what I meant, after they clinched.

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  28. Suburban kid 22

    [quote name=josh]That’s what I meant, after they clinched.[/quote]Ah. work sucks mentioned an 8 or 9 game streak. I didn’t think there were more than 5 or 6 games left after they clinched.

    Anyway it was like they were too relaxed for those last few games against the Mets et al, but then when the NLDS started they looked as wound up tight as a gnat’s arse.

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  29. Mercurial Outfielder

    Jeebus. Sandusky was running recruiting trips for PSU this past spring. Link in the PSU thread. Fuck all these people.

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  30. mb21

    [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]How valuable is Marmol now?[/quote]I’m of the opinion that the contracts this offseason aren’t going to drastically affect his value (or any player’s value for that matter).

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  31. binky

    [quote name=Suburban kid 22]Ah. work sucks mentioned an 8 or 9 game streak. I didn’t think there were more than 5 or 6 games left after they clinched.

    Anyway it was like they were too relaxed for those last few games against the Mets et al, but then when the NLDS started they looked as wound up tight as a gnat’s arse.[/quote]I can’t remember to be honest. I thought they clinched fairly early but played like crap. Maybe the clinching was a formality? I just remember that feeling of nameless dread descending on me.

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  32. Suburban kid 22

    [quote name=Rice Cube]http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/2008-schedule-scores.shtml

    There was one 6 game losing streak before clinch, I believe, but no losing streaks of more than two games afterwards. Lou rested a lot of guys in the last week of the season. Maybe resting guys was the problem. Or maybe the Cubs just had shitty luck.[/quote]Thank you for not being lazy. It’s all coming back to me now.

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  33. mb21

    It was right around late July when the Brewers came within a game of the Cubs. Then that series that was known as the massacre in Milwaukee happened.

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  34. Berselius

    [quote name=mb21]It was right around late July when the Brewers came within a game of the Cubs. Then that series that was known as the massacre in Milwaukee happened.[/quote]
    Man, one of the best 4 days of my life. Fun times.

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  35. binky

    [quote name=Berselius]Man, one of the best 4 days of my life. Fun times.[/quote]That was awesome. I wish they hadn’t choked/suffered from bad luck/whatever in the playoffs. It really did feel like their year.

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  36. Rice Cube

    [quote name=josh]That was awesome. I wish they hadn’t choked/suffered from bad luck/whatever in the playoffs. It really did feel like their year.[/quote]I think Sean Marshall should’ve been brought in one batter earlier to try to get Dempster off the hook. That might have changed the series. As it was, the Cubs never scored again and the Dodgers scored three more runs anyway.

    I also remember Z’s no-hitter very well. Watching Theriot throw the ball to D-Lee from the infield dirt was painful.

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  37. Mercurial Outfielder

    [quote name=josh]That was awesome. I wish they hadn’t choked/suffered from DeRosa FAIL in the playoffs. It really did feel like their year.[/quote].

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  38. binky

    [quote name=Rice Cube]I think Sean Marshall should’ve been brought in one batter earlier to try to get Dempster off the hook. That might have changed the series. As it was, the Cubs never scored again and the Dodgers scored three more runs anyway.

    I also remember Z’s no-hitter very well. Watching Theriot throw the ball to D-Lee from the infield dirt was painful.[/quote]I listened to that one on the radio. Pat did a great job calling that one.

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  39. mb21

    [quote name=Berselius]Man, one of the best 4 days of my life. Fun times.[/quote]I think that’s when ACB peaked. The amount of traffic that month after the CC trade and Harden trade along with the Cubs letting the Brewers back in and then just demolishing them in MIlwaukee was insane.

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  40. Berselius

    [quote name=josh]I listened to that one on the radio. Pat did a great job calling that one.[/quote]
    I had it on the radio too. Pat and Ron were fantastic.

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  41. Berselius

    Apparently it’s nostalgia day around here (dying laughing). I’m excited for the possibility of every year being like 2008 and watching the Cubs try to prove me wrong about that team being the best one of my lifetime.

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  42. GW

    [quote name=mb21]I think that’s when ACB peaked. The amount of traffic that month after the CC trade and Harden trade along with the Cubs letting the Brewers back in and then just demolishing them in MIlwaukee was insane.[/quote]
    i think there was a new alien sex files released that month, as well.

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  43. mb21

    [quote name=GW]i think there was a new alien sex files released that month, as well.[/quote]That was no doubt the best one. They’ve all sucked since then. They completely fucked up the Blu-Ray versions too.

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  44. Mercurial Outfielder

    [quote name=mb21]That was no doubt the best one. They’ve all sucked since then. They completely fucked up the Blu-Ray versions too.[/quote]That’s why I switched to the Pizza Hut MILF Trilogy.

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  45. Mercurial Outfielder

    Every time I post or refresh in this thread, it skips to the middle of the thread, then to the bottom of the page.

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  46. mb21

    [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Every time I post or refresh in this thread, it skips to the middle of the thread, then to the bottom of the page.[/quote]I think it’s because all the pictures at the top of the page. It’s doing it for me too. I think I’ll replace the images with links. The images must be high-res or something.

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  47. binky

    [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Every time I post or refresh in this thread, it skips to the middle of the thread, then to the bottom of the page.[/quote]Same for me.

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  48. Rice Cube

    [quote name=fang2415]http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/11/marlins-make-substantial-offers-to-pujols-reyes.html

    Jeez, the Marlins really do want to double their payroll…[/quote]It’s about time for them to buy a World Series anyway.

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  49. mb21

    [quote name=fang2415]http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/11/marlins-make-substantial-offers-to-pujols-reyes.html

    Jeez, the Marlins really do want to double their payroll…[/quote]I wouldn’t be surprised if the offers are something like 2/12 for Beurhle, 4/30 for Reyes and 7/100 for Pujols. Or maybe one of the offers is reasonable.

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  50. Berselius

    [quote name=mb21]I wouldn’t be surprised if the offers are something like 2/12 for Beurhle, 4/30 for Reyes and 7/100 for Pujols. Or maybe one of the offers is reasonable.[/quote]
    The buzz I was getting from the twitters etc. was that the Reyes offer was serious. Not sure how it makes sense with Hanley there though. Hanley probably needs to change positions but I don’t think Reyes is a big enough name to do it. I’m probably underrating Reyes though.

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  51. mb21

    I haven’t looked at the defensive ratings, but I know this past summer when I was suggesting Reyes to SS and Castro to 3rd or CF, ACT pointed out that Reyes probably needed to change positions.

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  52. Rodrigo Ramirez

    [quote name=mb21]I wouldn’t be surprised if the offers are something like 2/12 for Beurhle, 4/30 for Reyes and 7/100 for Pujols. Or maybe one of the offers is reasonable.[/quote]
    If the Marlins want to make any money they will have to fill that new stadium almost every game. That’s the only reason I can imagine them making these offers. It’s very un-Marlin-like.

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  53. Suburban kid 22

    [quote name=Rice Cube]Z+Theo —> phone pals

    They’ll talk later as well according to MLBTR.[/quote]I love how Z was interviewed by Carlos Alberto Zambrano.

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  54. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Suburban kid 22]I love how Z was interviewed by Carlos Alberto Zambrano.[/quote]I didn’t even notice that the first time. They even have the same middle name. It’s like he interviewed himself.

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  55. Aisle424

    [quote name=Rice Cube]I didn’t even notice that the first time. They even have the same middle name. It’s like he interviewed himself.[/quote]Great. Now Zambrano is a split personality.

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  56. Perkins

    [quote name=mb21]It was right around late July when the Brewers came within a game of the Cubs. Then that series that was known as the massacre in Milwaukee happened.[/quote]
    I was at the first game of that series. Best game I’ve every attended. It felt like a playoff game.

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  57. mb21

    [quote name=Aisle424]Great. Now Zambrano is a split personality.[/quote]I’m trying to get an interview with mb21 as we speak.

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  58. Aisle424

    [quote name=mb21]I’m trying to get an interview with mb21 as we speak.[/quote]That guy is an asshole. I spoke with Aisle 424 earlier and he agrees.

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  59. mb21

    [quote name=Aisle424]That guy is an asshole. I spoke with Aisle 424 earlier and he agrees.[/quote]I agree, but he says so many stupid things that it will make the rest of us look smart.

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  60. Aisle424

    [quote name=mb21]I agree, but he says so many stupid things that it will make the rest of us look smart.[/quote]This is why we keep you around even though you were fired.

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