The Dusty Baker era ended with a big wet thud as a promising start ended abruptly when Rafael Furcal careened into Derrek Lee and broke his wrist. Mark Prior pitched his final games for the Cubs. Kerry Wood’s career as a starting pitcher ended. Phil Nevin traded himself. Greg Maddux got Scott Boras to trade him. Michael Barrett punched AJ Pierzynski in the face. Key relievers on the division championship teams the next two seasons were wallowing in the rotation. The Cubs somehow thought adding Juan Pierre and Jock Jones was a good idea. The team was a mess, lost 96 games and Dusty reminded us all that he didn’t get fired, dude. But he also didn’t come back. All that, and much more.
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Cardinals at Cubs, April 9, 2006 – Barrett hits the grand slam at about 3:05:00.