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Dusty's Cub Record 2003: 88 wins 2004: 89 wins 2005: 79 wins At time of quote: 27 wins, 42 losses and headed to 66-96 worst record in NL	"I just want my team back some day soon. That's what I want as much as anything. I want my team back to see what I can do." Dusty Baker, June 2006 Note--Cub manager Dusty is referring to three of his best: Mark Prior, Kerry Wood, and Derrek Lee, each of whom spent considerable time on the Disabled List in 2006.		Derrek Lee on DL: approx. 15 weeks able to play: 12 weeks Kerry Wood on DL: approx. 23 weeks able to play: 4 weeks Mark Prior on DL: approx. 20 weeks able to play: 7 weeks
Dusty's critics-- fans and media alike-- pointed out that all teams face injuries. The manager's job is to overcome the problem, not to use it as an excuse!
Other Issues It wasn't just this quote that set off the anti-Dusty crowd They didn't like Dusty's approach to the game He didn't have enough respect for the On Base Average! He preferred to play veterans over the young guys And the main factor working against Dusty was that . . . . . . his numbers were headed in the wrong direction!		In defense of Dusty How do you replace your best hitter? How do you replace your two best pitchers? How good would the Cubs have been with a . . . . . . healthy Wood, Prior, and Lee for the full season? It may have been the wrong thing to say . . . . . . but we can't blame Dusty for wanting his team back!
After he made this comment it seemed like his departure was just a matter of time
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