Despite Slow Start and Sandberg Fans, Mike Quade and Chicago Cubs Moving Forward

When it comes right down to it, my favorite sport is football. I played it as a kid and even though the sport I played in school was basketball, football was what I played on weekends with my buddies. So, it is difficult to pull away from the NFL. I'm going to have to spend some time with the Chicago Bulls and, of all things, the Cubs are getting into the swing of things. Hey, that was sort of a pun.

There is one unexpected problem for Cubs super-manager Mike Quade. He is battling a hangover effect of Ryne Sandberg's absence. Sandberg was after the manager's job as well as Quade last year and Quade's victory has sent Sandberg to the Philadelphia Phillies organization. That is something that has some Cubs' fans angry.

Carrie Muskat and Owen Perkins have posted an article at the Cubs' website titled "Quade keeps Sandberg factor in perspective." Quade is handling it in a way we would expect him to based on our knowledge of him from last year.

As you may recall last year, the Cubs had a terrible season. Their manager was Lou Piniella and he had some personal problems with his mom that no one knew about. Then he abruptly resigned. It became clear then why his managing had not been up to snuff. The Cubs have a lot of new and young players and it was expected they would "lose their way through" the remaining 37 games at the time Mike Quade was named interim manager. However, somehow Quade got that team to play and they started upsetting teams and spoiling postseason plans and ended the season with a 24-13 record due to Quade's good and effective managing. His reward was the Cubs managerial job.

Unfortunately, Ryne Sandberg, Hall of Fame second baseman and fan favorite, was up for the job as well and was a little better known than Quade.

On the heels of a loss to Seattle on Monday, March 14, the Cubs are struggling a bit in spring training with an 8-11 record.

While fans are starting to call for "Ryno" and wearing his jersey, Quade has kept his perspective. He knows criticism comes with the manager's office, and he further knows that some fans think the Cubs made a big mistake making him manager.

Quade has already gotten the Cubs back on track after a scuffle between two players partially from disappointment at a slow start.

I'm still looking forward to what Mike Quade and the Chicago Cubs are going to do this year.

Reference:

Chicago Cubs' Website, Carrie Muskat and Owen Perkins, "Quade keeps Sandberg factor in perspective"