Chicago Cubs: Who’s to blame for the subpar first half?

Chicago Cubs: It’s almost impossible to pin it on one man

So then comes Maddon himself. I know as you’re reading this, you’re either on one side or the other. There aren’t too many people that sit in the middle-ground with him. Some believe he’s one of the greatest managers the Cubs have had and should be re-signed. Others want him gone due to his ‘out of the box’ approach, wacky road trips and ever-changing lineups. The Boston Red Sox have won the title with three different managers in the last 15 years, so why can’t the Cubs?

Some say he’s lost touch with his players, and can’t relate. I don’t know about all that, but it brings us to the players themselves. Maddon may make some questionable choices at times, but all he can do is expect the player to perform. And some of them aren’t cutting it. Some blame the coaches or manager first but then complain about not being able to see a game with their family because it cost too much. Part of that is because players make, well, a lot.

So shouldn’t they be on the hook for the poor play, as they’re paid millions to play a ‘kids game?’ The thing is you can point fingers at this guy or that guy. But it’s an organizational issue that has to be cleaned up. Three hitting and pitching coaches in three years. One manager for the last five. Short of Frank Chance, he’s been the best manager since. But he’s on the hot seat this year. Of course, people wanted to trade Kris Bryant because he was ‘washed up,’ his ‘best years behind him.’

Maybe we watch and wait to see what they’ll do. Everyone is to blame, and everyone has a chance at redemption. So in the second half, maybe just watch the Chicago Cubs and enjoy it–or not. Depending on who you point the finger at might decide if you enjoy baseball in the second half.