Rothschild's skills really on display in trying season
ST. LOUIS - Larry Rothschild isn't one for contemplating ironies or soaking up accolades.
He's just too busy.
So it was Saturday when the Cubs pitching coach stopped for a brief chat with the Daily Herald before heading out to the bullpen for some pregame work that the public never sees.
In a season when Rothschild's charges have taken a beating, his own reputation seems to have grown, based on his body of work over the years, including nine in his current job, and his shepherding a rookie-laden pitching staff through the grind of a long season.
But that grind has included a lot of losing, making it hard on Rothschild, manager Lou Piniella and all of Cubdom.
"It's hard; losing is always hard," Rothschild said. "We kept the pitching together for quite a while, and now it's been rough. We're looking to make these young guys better, and as they go forward, to improve during the rest of the course of the season so they have a future.
"It's been tough. Lou came here to win. I came here to win. We didn't come here to go through what it's been like this year. We're going to battle through it and do the best we can and try to finish well.
"For people on the outside looking in, whatever it looks like, I don't know. But for us, being here every day, we try to make things better, and we're going to keep coaching and teaching and doing everything we can.
"Personally, I've been through tough seasons. You know that you've got to make guys better and you've got to do your job. Really, you'd like to see the fans get rewarded. That makes it tough."
Rothschild is a rarity these days. He started with the Cubs in 2002 under manager Don Baylor and has lasted under interim manager Bruce Kimm, Dusty Baker and Piniella. Dave Righetti with the Giants has coached under Baker, Felipe Alou and Bruce Bochy.
"As a coach, to be in one place for any length of time is a rarity," Rothschild acknowledged. "And that's unfortunate. That's the way the game's changed."
But some things don't change. Rothschild's approach is one of them, according to one key Cubs veteran.
"His work ethic hasn't changed," said Ryan Dempster, who joined the Cubs in 2004 and who has been a closer and a starter.
"He works as hard as he ever has, if not harder. He's really helped a lot of these guys. When you're young and you first come in, you're going to have some struggles, especially when you're playing good teams.
"He's worked with the guys to make adjustments. He does a really, really good job. There's a reason why he's been a great pitching coach for so long.
"I've enjoyed every minute of working with him."
The Cubs' roster currently includes six rookies, or 50 percent of the staff. Needless to say, there's much on-the-job training these days.
"The command of the fastball and the second and third pitches, especially second pitch," Rothschild said. "You have to have a second pitch to pitch here. That's what we're working on.
If there's any solace to be taken by Cubs fans this season, 2006 may offer a guidepost.
Although the Cubs finished 66-96, pitchers Sean Marshall and Carlos Marmol came up that year. Today, they're two of the top relievers in the game.
"One, he cares, and I think that's probably the most important factor going in," Dempster said. "He puts huge preparation in - watching video and scouting and working with guys on the side.
"I've been with him for seven years, and not once has he ever come to the mound and put a negative thought in my head. It's always been reiterating the positive and making you feel like you're the best out there."
With the Cubs getting a new manager for next season, Rothschild's future is up in the air. He could be back. Or he could be leaving at a time when fans and some media are just getting around to appreciating him.
"I don't know," he said. "If I could answer it, I would. I don't really know. A lot's happened this year. When that happens, and you get to the last month or two, there's a lot of uncertainty. So we'll see what happens.
"You always appreciate it when people say stuff to you. Most of the time, our fans have been great to me, and the people I've met outside the ballpark, around the ballpark, have been great.
"I have no complaints. The one thing about this whole deal is you walk into Wrigley Field every day and you look around, and you're pretty lucky, really.
"About a week ago, we were driving by the stadium, and somebody said, "Wow, that's where your office is.' You've got to keep that perspective of things.
"To be able to go to that ballpark every day, there's a great appreciation for that. That's all great. It makes you want to win that much more, because it's such a great place.
"It would be just so terrific to win there."
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