Dusty Done, MacPhail Resigns

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Oct 2, 2006 5:34PM

Baseball's regular season concluded yesterday, and as expected, the Cubs and Dusty Baker have parted ways. With his 4-year deal expiring, the Cubs chose not to retain his sevices.

Dusty became a Chicago legend early in his tenure, taking the team to within 5 outs of the World Series in his first year as Cubs skipper. The next year, they won one additional game but came in third place after the infamous final week "meltdown"; they declined in 2005 and ended 2006 as the worst team in the National League. Along with Dusty, much of his coaching staff will likely be gone, too.

In another move within management, Cubs President Andy MacPhail announced his resignation yesterday, stepping down after 12 years in the team's top job. The "resignation" came at the urging of Tribune Co. CEO Dennis FitzSimons.

FitzSimons turned over the reigns, at least on an interim basis, to John McDonough, senior vice president of marketing and broadcasting. He's the guy credited with helping build the "Friendly Confines" aura at Wrigley Field, where sun, beer and ivy will pack the stands even when the team sucks. In 2006, the Cubs were second in attendance in spite of their league-worst record. The appointment of McDonough seems to confirm that the party and profits are more important to the Trib's bottom line than actually fielding a winning team.

Maybe they really do want to win ... and if that's the case, then they'd better get on the phone with Joe Girardi tomorrow, after he's canned by the Marlins.

Image via FestaStuff