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Cubs just need a GM, not a savior

If I hear it one more time, I may just hurl.

It's usually something along the lines of, Big Name Cubs GM candidate intrigued by the job because of the chance to be forever known as The Guy Who Brought A World Series Title To The North Side Of Chicago.

Seriously, you want that kind of egomaniac running your baseball team?

That sort of desperation and selfishness is from which horrible decisions are born — and have been for decades.

Intrigued? What is this, some kind of experiment? Is it a toy here for others' amusement?

The Cubs don't need magic or miracles.

They need OPS and professionals.

Maybe they just need a competent guy who wants to win, who wants and knows how to build an organization that's going to last awhile.

Someone who says, “I want to win a World Series every year. That's what I tried to do at my last stop and I will try to do here, understanding that it will not happen overnight.''

Someone who says, “I don't give a spit what year this team last won it. I don't care about my place in history. That's for others to decide, hopefully many years from now.''

See, it doesn't matter when the Cubs last won a World Series. What matters is how they intend to win the next one, and when they hope to do it.

Cubs history is relevant only as it applies to the mistakes made by those who wanted to get to the Hall of Fame based on having been in the front bus of the Cubs' parade.

So if anyone's coming here with those notions, the Cubs shouldn't be interested.

It would be terrific if the next guy arrived and said, “I really came here because of the fantastic opportunity. The owner is brilliant. The organization is already in place. The ballpark offers revenue streams beyond belief, and we intend to maximize those as we build a winner.''

That would be nice, but anyone who says that is probably nuts or something less than honest.

Yeah, what it comes down to is the Cubs ought to find the best guy they can to do the job and do it right, regardless of how many years it's been since they won anything.

Public Relations Lesson No. 1 for the next GM, big name or not, should be as follows for his first news conference:

Cubs history, not to mention the potential fame or infamy of the next GM, has nothing to do with trying to win.

And let's hope if he says it, he believes it.

The big names

There are some great jobs open (or opening) around baseball, like with the Angels where a new GM would inherit a great manager in Mike Scioscia and a terrific owner in Arte Moreno.

So why would big names leave better situations, or bypass better openings in other cities, to work for the Cubs with all of their problems?

If it's out of boredom and the challenge of building a winner, I might buy that. If it's for the opportunity to be a hero and save the Chicago Cubs from themselves and their history, no thanks.

Saviors need not apply.

The throw

For all the criticism Jay Cutler has received of late, he had precious few chances to throw the ball Sunday — which is a positive — and one of them was a perfect toss in traffic to Devin Hester, who — naturally — dropped the ball and landed hard on his left shoulder.

On third-and-8 from their own 43 late in the third, Cutler feathered a ball between defenders on the sideline, and Jerry Angelo's No. 1 receiver couldn't hold on.

On top of the fact that Hester isn't good at the position, it's not going to help the team a whole bunch if the best returner in NFL history gets hurt while dropping passes.

Did you know?

Detroit QB Matthew Stafford, one of the early leaders for NFL MVP, and Dodgers star Clayton Kershaw, who will win the NL Cy Young next month, grew up playing sports together and were teammates until high school when Kershaw quit football and Stafford quit baseball to concentrate on their respective sports.

At one point, Kershaw was Stafford's center and Stafford was Kershaw's catcher.

Brush with greatness

In the press box at Soldier Field Sunday morning, I sat next to a large man with a deep voice and had a pleasant conversation about football, children and his singing of the anthem.

He said that he had played defensive end at LaTech, liked watching football, and that rather than sit in a luxury suite after he performed he would prefer the press box.

I explained that it's quiet and probably rather boring if you're not working. Said the man with a smile, “I have a lot of kids and noise at home. Quiet would be just fine with me.''

Forgive me for not knowing he was Trace Adkins until he sang, and then not knowing who Trace Adkins was after he sang.

Nevertheless, very polite and cordial gentleman with an amazing voice.

Just asking

Emailer Lake Zurich John: “What is the Land of Lincoln trophy, a guy in a suit and handcuffs?''

And finally …

Omaha World-Herald's Brad Dickson: “Five Big 12 teams were in the AP top 17. I'm stunned. Not just that five teams were rated in the top 17, but that the Big 12 has five teams left.''

brozner@dailyherald.com

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