Reply #3: Errors are only part of the story... [View All]

[Whitacre D_WI]

Lofton, while he still has good speed, no longer gets a good jump on balls hit into the gaps. His arm is even worse than his ex-teammate Barry Bonds (another formerly good defender who should probably be in the AL these days).

Errors only count the balls you get to, and Lofton doesn't get to many. I've loved watching him slap single after single into right field this series, and I loved watching him play for Cleveland (he was better then); but he's a poor defender.

And the whole "if Dusty Baker is a crap manager, where were the Cubs last year" is really a specious argument. Players win baseball games. Managers, from best to worst, can only account for a handful of wins or losses per year. However, the effect a manager has on his team, IMHO, is heightened in the playoffs.

I'll tell you why the Cubs were so much better this year:

1) Pitching, pitching, pitching. A full season of Mark Prior, who became the best starter in the league his second year. A great season by Kerry Wood, better than last year. Matt Clement's ERA went up, but his peripherals were good. Carlos Zambrano was outstanding, possibly even better than Wood. The bullpen was worlds above 2002's.

2) Strength at the top of the order. Lofton, despite his fielding, can still get on base, and he can still run well. Grudzielanek (even though I think this should have been Hill's season) turned in an inexplicable good year, far better than his career norm. Sosa was off from last year, but still one of the best hitters in the league.

3) Improved offense from key positions. Moises Alou hit MUCH better than last year. Corey Patterson improved immensely; and after Patterson's injury, Lofton hit much better than Patterson did in '02.

4) The competition in the NL Central was poorer. St. Louis and Houston did not field teams as good as they did in 2002, my beloved Reds stunk up the joint, and the Pirates and Brewers were -- well, the Pirates and Brewers.

Like I said, managers only win or lose a handful of games each year. I believe last night was one such game.