Just moments ago it was confirmed that Ryne Sandberg will be the Ironpig’s manager in 2011!
So I can officially eat my words what I wrote a few days ago. Think this might help us get a better batch of free agents this year?
What else could this team want? OINK!
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
Do you get to use actual computers aboard the cruise liner, or did you have to do this from your phone?
I actually didn’t get to go on the cruise.. 😦
So much for thought-process and rationale with respect to Ryne Sandberg.
Of course, it is a well-known fact the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.
You remain undaunted, Kommandant.
The best laid plans fall apart when the first shot is fired 🙂
I too am surprised that he came here.
In regard to your question I don’t think its a matter of getting better free agents purely in terms of talent. The older free agent players on the Ironpigs seemed to have about as much talent as other similarly experienced players on other teams. What I believed we lacked was more young prospect type players who have legitimate shots at future full time Major League jobs. That unfortunately is a function of the Phillies system and not the Ironpigs on-field manager and coaches.
What I hope Sandberg will bring here with the free agents is a more aggressive style of play, particularly base running. Personally I would rather watch a veteran player with the approach of Rich Thompson than some of the bigger name players we have had here who seemed to be play the game at a slower get on base and wait for the long ball style. I fully understand the primary role of a AAA team is to support the needs of the big club but it would be nice to aggressively try to win a few more games here too.
I agree with everything you said.. the best response i can give is.. AMEN!
The Prussian General and world-famous military theorist KARL VON CLAUSEWITZ stated that it is important to have a thorough plan heading off into battle but also to understand that, once the first shot is fired, even the best plan is guaranteed to go to hell in an instant.
von Clausewitz would have probably appreciated American gridiron football, where, in theory, EVERY play is actually designed to go for a touchdown.
“Two qualities are indispensable : first, an intellect that, even in the darkest hour, retains some glimmerings of the inner light which leads to the truth; and second, the courage to follow this faint light where ever it may lead.”
What von Clausewitz was saying, with foresight, is that it is an indisputable fact that the Manifest Destiny of the ‘Pigs is to rule the International League with an Iron Ferrous.
“The more a general is accustomed to place heavy demands on his soldiers, the more he can depend on their response.”
Klaus von Clausewitz
—————————————
I contend that a big part of why the IronPigs don’t deliver results is because the fans do not demand such.