MSL to MLB: "Born Leader" Mike Quade Displayed Skills Early in Days at Prospect
NOTE: It was big news nationally when Cubs manager Lou Piniella decided to start his planned retirement early in August 2010. It also became big news locally when former Prospect three-sport star Mike Quade was promoted from third-base coach to lead the Cubs for the rest of the season. A strong 24-13 finish led to him getting the job for 2011, but unfortunately the success didn’t carry over as the Cubs went 71-91 and he was let go after the new Theo Epstein regime came in and made a lot of changes in the organization. It was fun to catch up with three favorites who knew Quade well for this story in Prospect teammate Kevin Kelley and former coaches Larry Pohlman and Ron Ashley.
Mike Quade played all the right positions of leadership at Prospect High School.
Shortstop in baseball. Point guard in basketball. Quarterback in football.
Those prominent spots were perfect places for the 1975 Prospect graduate to showcase the leadership qualities now on display for millions as the new manager of the Cubs.
“He took on leadership and was very popular,” said Larry Pohlman, who won 435 games as Prospect’s head baseball coach from 1968-96. “Those skills were there back when he was in high school. He just has that magnetic personality that lends itself toward being a leader.”
It didn’t take long for Quade, who was a winner in his Cubs managerial debut Monday, to showcase those skills after moving to Mount Prospect his sophomore year.
“I called (head basketball coach Bill) Slayton and said, ‘Boy, do we have a winner here,’” said Ron Ashley, who was an assistant basketball coach at the time.
“His junior year, it didn’t take him long to take a leadership role and we were a senior-dominated team,” said Kevin Kelley, a standout pitcher who graduated from Prospect in 1974. “He had great instincts. We heard a lot about his ability. We were looking for maybe a cocky kid coming up and he wasn’t like that at all. He played hard and worked hard.”
Pohlman didn’t have a paid varsity assistant at the time so he was glad Quade could fill that role.
“He was always collecting knowledge and was never above it,” Pohlman said. “He was always all ears.
“He’s always been a no-nonsense, play hard, do it the right way and give it your best shot kind of guy. His intelligence and personality are two of the main attributes that make him who he is.”
Pohlman said he has talked to Quade before several Cubs games this summer in Quade’s role as third-base coach. Pohlman, Kelley, Quad and his brother Scott all got together after a game this summer.
“I’m surprised it took him this long because he’s probably the most knowledgeable baseball guy I know,” said Kelley, a teacher at Niles North and assistant varsity baseball coach at Hersey. “I could listen to Mike all day long. He has so much knowledge and he hasn’t changed at all.”
That’s why Pohlman, Kelley and Ashley were thrilled when they heard Sunday’s news about Quade’s promotion after Lou Piniella decided to retire ahead of schedule.
Quade had definitely paid his dues with 17 years as a successful minor-league manager (1,213-1,165 record), three years as a coach in Oakland (2000-02) and three-plus years as the Cubs’ third-base coach.
“He’s just a good guy,” said Ashley, who believes Quade is the best three-sport athlete in Prospect history. “I think it will be a tremendous experience for him, and I think the Cubs realize that. He’s a gem.”
Kelley was surprised Quade’s name wasn’t mentioned prominently as a potential candidate on July 20, when Piniella announced his plan to retire.
“I said, ‘What a mistake,’” Kelley said. “Mike is perfect. He’s a guy who has won at every level he’s been at. He’s so knowledgeable and the way he handles players and people is fantastic. I’m so happy for him.”
Pohlman thinks Quade’s leadership skills will be more evident now that he’s in the main seat in the dugout.
“It’ll be another star after his name on his resume,” Pohlman said. “He’s going to do a good job. How much he wins and whether he gets the job next year, I have no idea. He’s well-qualified. This is great and this is the best thing that could have happened for him.”