Following a ticker-tape parade and the dying of the Chicago River "Cubbie Blue," GM Chris Hansen sits down takes time to sit down for an interview with Tribune writer Dickey Dunn on what it means to win his second title in the Windy City.
Dickey Dunn : Let me start out by commending you on a fine season in leading your team to another World Series victory, and let me start by asking you how this differs from your last championship back in 1978.
GM Chris Hansen : Well, first off, thank you Dickey. And I'd like to thank the fans as well who showed up to every game with full support of what we were doing out on the field. Now, as far as differences, I guess the main difference is the mindset we held going into the playoffs. Back in '78 I was totally taken on how our team, being as young as we were, came together and really stepped up. This season, we went into the playoffs expecting to win, and at the same time feeling we had something to prove since we missed the post-season while defending our title.
DD : You mention maturity, how much maturity did your club show when down 3-1 against SF?
GM CH : That's when our maturity was on display the most. After loosing that game, our team came together after the loss and said simply that this is now a 3 game series and we need to sweep. No one held their head down after that game. No one. Before game 7, the locker room was so charged with excitement that there was no-one in the room who thought SF had a chance. We showed the league what the Cubs are made of.
DD : Who specifically stepped it up at that point?
GM CH : Gary Carter has lead us all season, but the real leader in the clubhouse at that time was Larry Dierker. He went out and pitched that game 5 down 3-1 and everyone knew that he wouldn't let us down. His great play continued into the World Series.
DD : How are you preparing for next season? Any key free agents you're talking to?
GM CH : At this time, Dickey, I'm really not at liberty to say. We do have our entire starting lineup coming back next season as well as the same starting five as last season. We lost a couple of key bench players, but we've got a few prospects who we'll try out in spring training and take a look at picking up a role-player or two before it's all said and done. As far as big named free agents, I don't expect to see any simply due to the fact that we've got a few guys to work out extensions with for next season and with the cap as tight as it is, we'll be watching the bottom line very closely.
DD : OK, one last thing then we can get out of here... I'm simply going to say a couple names and I'd like you to respond to each... First, Gary Carter.
GM CH : Raw power and a great mind for the game.
DD : Larry Dierker
GM CH : A player I'm very glad I traded for.
DD : Dan Ford
GM CH : The best player I've ever coached, probably the best player in the game today.
DD : The Pittsburgh Pirates and the "Quiz"
GM CH : No comment...
There you have it, the exclusive interview with two time World Champion GM Chris Hansen.
Team Most Likely to Have Finished .500
St. Louis Cardinals, baby! For the first time since the "aberration" of 1975, the St. Louis Cardinals reached the .500 mark of 81-81 for the 1980 season. While this may mean that Owner Steve Ritter can stroll in late to the draft this year, he also has several good, young players ready for the big-time... a dynasty perhaps? Likely not, but the Cards are definitely going for it all in 1981!
Most Valuable Player
(Tie) Dwight Evans and Dave Parker. Pedro Guerrero may be the future, but the present is these two slick-fielding outfielders, both aged 29. Career .274 hitter Parker approached career highs with his 101 RBI, .335 OBP and .483 SLG, and tied a career high with his .294 average. Evans, on the other hand, signed a cheap extension for $9.2M over 4 years, while Parker was more expensive at $43.5M. Evans set a team record with his 110 walks, and had career highs with his .262 average, 22 HR, 87 RBI, 5 3B, 77 R, .393 OBP, and .456 SLG. He is only expected to get better.
Our Children are the Future Award
Pedro Guerrero is a front-runner for the Rookie of the Year award, but this award goes to the player of the year in the minors, and that was 2B/3B/SS/LF Steve Ontiveros, who knows 4 positions and can play none well. His bat, however, shone at the AAA level, as he hit .324 with an OBP of .421 and smacked 40 doubles. He will be a reserve in 1981. The other player coming up from the minors will be top prospect Jay Howell.
You Can't Win If You Allow 189.19 Runs Per Game Award
Jim Todd is a frustrating 33-year-old minor league pitcher, as he is OK at keeping men off the bases and great at keeping them in the ballpark, but it seems that every time he takes the mound, he allows 6 hits in 0.1 innings! With a line of
Category ERA W L S G GS IP HA R ER BB Khe wins the You Can't Win If You Allow 189.19 Runs Per Game Award, proving everyone can at least win something (there's hope, Oakland!)
Overall 189.19 0 0 0 2 0 0.1 6 7 7 1 1