Hire Jim Essian

When we last left The Muskbox, she was busy scoffing at the mere SUGGESTION of a Jumbo-Tron and weighing the Cubs' options for manager. A lot has happened since those simple days nearly a month ago. The Cubs hired Dale Sveum, Greg Maddux took his talents south, and you ate a bunch of turkey, drank some cognac, and punched your uncle. WHY DO YOU HAVE TO RUIN THANKSGIVING EVERY YEAR? Perhaps Greg's departure to Texas caused something in Carrie to snap, because in this week's Muskbox, she gets weirdly southern. READ ON, Y'ALL!

One of my favorite parts of the Muskbox is the teaser question that introduces the article. They are rarely actual sentences, and they can almost always be answered with one word. That word is usually “nope.” This week’s teaser is no exception. “Loyalty a factor in manager search?” “Nope.” To elaborate on that, the Cubs no longer have an idiot running the baseball operations. This week’s Muskbox tackles that controversial question and more! Let the dumbening begin!

Considering that everyone has been talking about Mike Quade's replacement since the hiring of Theo Epstein, it was really no surprise that today the Cubs announced that the bald incompetent won't be back next season. (HT: Pre) Quade did more than enough goofy, nigh-indefensible things this season to merit his dismissal, and his reign as Cubs manager was ... Read More

The Muskbox rarely promises things to us commoners. All we're guaranteed is the occasional laugh, the frequent facepalm, and the knowledge of new places across the globe like...Terre Haute? But this week's Muskbox brings the promise of more frequent Muskboxes! It's the gift that keeps on giving, even when you desperately wish it would stop so you ... Read More

Billy Wagner has had a very long, very successful MLB career. Wagner was half of a lethal back end of a Houston Astros bullpen in the early '00s. Wagner saved games behind setup man Octavio Dotel. He's saved quite a few of them in his sixteen seasons. 422, to be precise. He might be stuck ... Read More

If you thought that this week's Muskbox would ask whether or not Greg Maddux will be the next Cubs pitching coach, say another sooth, give yourself a gold star, and prepare for your weekly reminder of why you're embarrassed to be a Cubs fan. And, if you're NOT so embarrassed, thank you for your contributions to the Muskbox this week. Now that ... Read More

Well, well, well, well, well. I never really got a proper good-bye before my abrupt August departure. That didn't bother me, but I'm sure you twerps were crying about it. I see a lot has happened since I've been gone. Quade got hired. Sandberg got pretend-fired. And Essian still can't get a goddamn interview. ... Read More

It is with unbearable sadness that I inform you that Ryne Sandberg will not be in a Cub uniform next year. Let's take a moment of si- All right, Roundup time. The assistance of your tips is like a brilliant bench coach who offers the insight that Ryno may or may not have. Angel Guzman is gone! ... Read More

If you're a former player for the Chicago Cubs, it's been a rough week for you. Unless you're Ivan DeJesus or Bob Dernier. Or Mike Fontenot and Shawon Dunston. But if you were one of the most powerful offensive players in the history of Cub baseball, you were either unceremoniously dumped, or no one craved the bat ... Read More

Oh, baby. After the hiring of Mike Quade over Ryne Sandberg last week, I could not WAIT for this week's Muskbox. The first question does not disappoint. I haven't seen so much hand-wringing since Koyie Hill tried to grind his own coffee beans. If you're not as excited about Quade vs. Sandberg, how about a little ... Read More