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Similarities abound between Quade, Thibodeau

Losing an opening series to the Pirates indicates Mike Quade won’t be as successful in his first full season as Cubs’ manager as Tom Thibodeau has been in his first season as Bulls’ coach.But it#146;s April and time for baseball fans to fantasize the impossible fantasy.Remember, six months ago nobody thought the Bulls would have the best record in the NBA East at this point.Now it#146;s tempting to hope against hope that the Cubs can surprise, if only because Quade is so similar to Thibodeau in so many ways.For starters, each comes across as a common man in an uncommon occupation. Neither will be confused with Phil Jackson, the Zenmaster.#147;That#146;s not me,#148; Quade said with a smile. #147;I did read Phil#146;s book, though.#148;Neither Quade nor Thibodeau is a slave to fashion. Each has an engaging nickname, Q for Quade and Thibs for Thibodeau. Neither is married. Each enjoys talking nuances of the game and makes sense when he does.Other than the glamour of sports, the simple life seems to suit them: Thibodeau is portrayed as needing a life, though he did mention a stamp collection recently; Quade enjoys staples like music and fishing.The comparison that should hearten Cubs fans the most is that Quade is 54 years old, Thibodeau is 53 and each had to wait decades to be offered his own team.#147;There#146;s all different routes to the position,#148; Thibodeau noted last week.His ran through Salem State University, Harvard and the NBA at Minnesota, San Antonio, Philadelphia, New York, Houston and Boston.Quade#146;s ran through Macon, Rockford, Harrisburg, Ottawa, Scranton, West Michigan, Huntsville, Edmonton, Vancouver, Oakland, Des Moines and here as Cubs third-base coach under Lou Piniella.Today, finally, each has a dream job with a storied franchise in a world-class city.Quade, who managed the Cubs to a 24-13 record as an interim late last season, was asked the difference between being offered this job a decade later rather than a decade earlier.#147;I would have liked to have had the opportunity 10 years ago,#148; he said. #147;But if I#146;m not better prepared now (than then), I#146;ve missed the boat.#148;Thibodeau and Quade made the most of their time in the background, when they worked with and learned from some of the best minds in sports.#147;Piniella is a great manager and when you work with great people, it helps a lot,#148; Thibodeau said.Before becoming Bulls head coach, Thibodeau worked under the likes of Jeff Van Gundy and most recently Doc Rivers.#147;I learned from everybody I#146;ve been around,#148; Thibodeau said. #147;Experience helps a lot. Things that occur (now) have a frame of reference.#148;Quade#146;s and Thibodeau#146;s players have embraced them because of the knowledge they absorbed while waiting for a team to give them a chance as manager and head coach.#147;The more and more experience you get helps if you approach it right,#148; Quade said. #147;As far as being ready for something, the 10 years between then and now is probably good.#148;Thibodeau landed with better players who he could coach to early success. Expectations are that Quade#146;s process will take longer.Regardless, each will tell you that his current job was worth waiting for.mimrem@dailyherald.com

Tom Thibodeau paid more than his share of dues before he became Bulls coach. Associated Press