Starlin, let's talk about a way not to rape or shoot guns

huh? you talkin to me? I wasn't paying attention.

I rarely troll.

Rey Fuentes, Latin Coordinator, Mental Skills Program – Rey begins his third season with the organization and first in this role following two years as cultural programs coordinator. Fuentes graduated from Barry University in Miami Shores, Fla., in 2002 with a degree in Exceptional Student Education.

Baylor's guru motivating Cubs' mutiny
October 05, 2001|By Rick Morrissey.


If there's a rule coaches and managers should observe at all times, it's that no kung fu fighter/aerobics instructor ever should be allowed to tear apart a team.

Well, sure, that seems obvious now that Cubs players are publicly airing their distaste for Mack Newton, the club's motivational guru/jazzercise guy/whatever-it-is-he-does. But no one knew in spring training that the Cubs would be any good or that Newton would be such a publicity hound.




Here's a corollary to the rule: Just because a manager or coach has lost weight because of an exercise regimen of a mystic/yoga master doesn't mean it's a good idea for a group of pro athletes to follow suit, even if that suit is down from a 48 long to a 44 long.

But coaches are suckers for anyone who could karate-chop through George Clooney's black book, and Newton is pretty good with his feet too. Cubs manager Don Baylor ("I lost 20 pounds in one month!") saw Newton and saw innovation. Many of the players saw Newton and saw a guy getting credit for a positive attitude that was already there. Many heard Newton and heard a windbag/blowhard.

"I'm not sure what Mack Newton hit this year, [and] I don't know how many guys he drove in," Kerry Wood said sarcastically after the Cubs' 2-0 victory over Cincinnati on a dreary Thursday.

Wood is upset these days for a number of reasons, many of which are tied together like a bundle of kindling. When pitching coach Oscar Acosta resigned Wednesday on his way to being fired, one of the factors involved was a conflict between Baylor and Acosta over Newton. You might ask yourself: How is it that a crystal healer/acupuncturist could have so much influence over Baylor? Hypnosis, maybe.

Baylor needs to snap out of it before he has a mutiny on his hands. Already Wood says there's a division between management and players over the Acosta affair. Newton has been a yearlong irritant.

"The reason we were in first place for so long wasn't because of Mack Newton," first baseman Matt Stairs said. "It was because of the talent we had on the field. Mack Newton got us prepared for the season because of the stretching [program]. We got in top shape and no one got hurt. But we had to perform.

"He's a great tae-kwon-do guy. He had a 256-0 record. But it got so blown out of proportion. We got tired of hearing it. Fox Sports the other night said Don Baylor and Mack Newton had the Cubs in first place the whole year. No. The players had us in first place the whole year."

If you want to dismiss what Stairs has to say because he won't be back next season, go ahead. But he's not the only one displeased with the mountain of credit Newton has received, and if Baylor brings back his astrologer/UFO chaser, he's going to have a huge problem on his hands next year.

"He'll be back in some form," Baylor said.

Tae kwon don't, Don.

Baylor and Acosta didn't get along, probably because they're so alike in the personality department. Narcoleptics have more fun than these two guys. But lack of personality or the existence of conflict shouldn't be enough to ruin a good thing.



Where Newton's influence this season was vague at best, Acosta's influence can be seen in results. The Cubs struck out the most batters in major-league history this season. They are fifth in the National League in earned-run average. Acosta might have an anger problem, but the pitchers love his tough love. If there's more to the Acosta resignation, maybe the Cubs should be more specific with their pitching staff.

As for Newton, many players resent the implication that they were a bunch of losers until he came along preaching his message of self-empowerment. Sammy Sosa is a big Newton supporter, but Sosa would have welcomed an ax murderer with typhoid this year as long as he wasn't named Mark Grace.

"The positive attitude stuff of winning, of going from last to first, we already believed that," Stairs said. "So it's not as if he put it in our mind that, `Oh, now we believe in ourselves."' Newton jumped out of a helicopter in Vietnam and eventually needed both hips and a knee replaced because of it. Coaches love that sort of blood-and-guts stuff, but all I know is that an action figure/soldier of fortune couldn't help the leadoff batter get on base more often.

A nice season is turning ugly right before our eyes.

I rarely troll.

how does IMU sign up?

I rarely troll.

Remember those halcyon days oh so long ago when the Cubs outbid everyone for the great Rudy Jaramillo? The excitement in Wrigleyville was palpable.

I cant even tell if you're being serious here.

There was a lot of hope and hype around Jaramillo who was considered a guru at the time. He went from genius to bum in record time.

There was a lot of hope and hype around Jaramillo who was considered a guru at the time. He went from genius to bum in record time.

He was considered one of the better hitting coaches at the time, that's correct.

Are you stoned or pissed off, or both, when you create these postings?

people were pretty excited. "look what he did for Juan Gonzalez!"

I think the success of the Rangers' hitters was attributable more to pharmaceuticals.

What?

People were talking about Juan Gonzalez in 2009?

don't ask me to explain cub fans.

you ever notice your memory isn't the best?

well both JORR and I remember it. the great Rudy Jaramillo!

Cubs hire mental skills program coordinator

– A new mental skills program, led by director Josh Lifrak.

Les Grobstein's huge hog is proof that God has a sense of humor, isn't it?

you do realize that everything stated here is exaggerated at least 100%. .

Cubs havent won in 10,700 years

It's more fun to be a victim

There will never be an effective vaccine. I'll never get one anyway.

He was considered one of the better hitting coaches at the time, that's correct.

I dont recall much hope or hype other than people saying he had worked with Soriano before and he might help Bradley.