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Home > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2008 > September > 07 > Entry

Double disaster dosage for Piniella

By Hal McCoy | Sunday, September 7, 2008, 05:37 PM

The grin on Jolbert Cabrera’s face was as wide as both batter’s boxes and he placed a finger in front of his lips and said, “Shhhh. Don’t tell Lou Piniella. That’s two walk-offs for me against him.”

Cabrera should know, Piniella is like an elephant (only meaner). He doesn’t forget.

The latest was a Sunday thriller in Great American Ball Park, a three-run ninth-inning rally that ended abruptly when Cabrera pulled a line drive single to left scoring the winning run in a 3-1 victory for the Cincinnati Reds over the Chicago Cubs.

The cinema finish was accomplished against Cubs closer Kerry Wood and after Cabrera’s single nestled in the left field grass, he pumped his arms and an angry Wood screamed at him for his celebratory display.

“It was a game-winner and I was showing him up,” said Cabrera. “He has a reason to be mad, but not at me. I was just doing my job. I’m sure if he strikes me out, he pumps his arm.”

Wood had reason to be angry. At himself.

The Reds had only three hits and trailed 3-1 entering the ninth.

Edwin Encarnacion led the ninth with a bloop single to center that skipped past Jim Edmonds for an error that placed Encarnacion on second.

Jay Bruce walked, but Ryan Hanigan forced Encarnacion at third on a sacrifice bunt attempt gone bad. Pinch-hitter Javier Valentin walked on a full-count to fill the bases.

That brought up pinch-hitter Chris Dickerson, who was originally in the starting lineup but was removed just prior to game time with a sore left ankle.

Dickerson shot a two-hopper at shortstop Ronny Cedeno. A game-ending double play? No, the ball took an extremely high hop and deflected off his glove as two runs scored. At first it was ruled an error, then changed to a two-run him that tied it, 3-3.

Then Cabrera produced.

“Remember that game when I was with Cleveland and we fell behind Seattle, 12-0, when Lou managed Seattle?” said Cabrera. “It was the biggest comeback in major-league history. We came back to win, 15-14.”

It was August 5, 2001 and it was also to left field. But it was a broken bat. All this hit did was break a bunch Cubs’ fans hearts.

They thought they had this one won. Instead of taking the series two games to one, they lost it two games to one,.

“It felt like we were playing in Chicago,” said Cabrera. “Sometimes you have to get lucky and we did (with the Edmonds error and the high bounced at Cedeno). We want these teams to do if they are going to go through us to a championship they are going to have to earn their wings and we’re going to make it tough on them.”

Speaking of wings, Piniella flew the coop after the game, ducking the media by telling his public relations representative, “Tell them I decline.”

Baker, though, was more than happy to chat with the media, which he did, then as they left his office his telephone rang.

It was his wife.

“Yeah, it was a nice win,” he said to her.

Baker’s wife said something about feeling sorry for Wood, “Because we’re close, close to him and his wife.”

Said Baker, “Hey, I love Kerry and his wife, too. But we needed this more than he did.”

A quick check of the standings reveals that that is not the truth.

Before the game, Baker stopped Reds starter Aaron Harang, grasped his elbow, and said, “This is your playoff game. This is a playoff atmosphere, what it is like to be in the playoffs.”

And it certainly was that, plus Harang pitched well enough to win — seven innings, three runs, six hits.

To the media before the game, Baker added, “It is our playoffs. This gives us something to chew on.”

There was no chewing until the ninth inning, then the Reds spat out the Cubs as most of the 37,540 blue-clad fans fell silent.

“We wanted to win this game to let them know we were coming after them right to the end, right through the last game we played against them, and to let them know we were coming after them next year with a better team,” said Baker.

The Reds scored first when Encarnacion singled with one out in the second, took second Jay Bruce was hit by a pitch, moved to third on a walk to Ryan Hanigan and scored on Corey Patterson’s fly to right.

The Cubs tied it in the fourth, scoring only one run despite getting three straight hits to open the inning. The run scored while Geovany Soto was hitting into a 6-4-3 double play.

Amazingly, Harang had not hit a batter in 155 innings this season, not one, not once. In the seventh he hit Geovany Soto and Mark DeRosa, back-to-back. And both scored to give the Cubs the 3-1 lead they protected until the ninth.

“I tried to go in on both of them and went too far in,” said Harang. “Then I threw a good pitch on the inner half of the plate to Ronny Cedeno and he barely got his bat on the ball the flared it to right field (for a run-scoring single). I stood on the mound and said, ‘Are you kidding me?’”

That’s what Piniella is saying right now about Wood, about Cabrera, about his team’s sixth loss in seven games.

Permalink | Comments (153) | Post your comment |

Comments

By Wizard

September 12, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this

If you think Dickerson can’t play in the major leagues—your blind.

By Y-City Jim

September 12, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this

Welch is ripping Patterson for misplaying a single into a double.

By Matt

September 12, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this

Well we were talking about Reds baseball, sir, at least in a way. We’re discussing a blogger, Erik, who obviously thinks he is something more than what he is. And of course Erik writes about Reds baseball. So yea. It’s sort of tied in at least.

By Y-City Jim

September 12, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this

Now, Matt. Let declare an impasse on this subject. It is time to allow the blog to be what it is intended to be - a discussion of Reds baseball.

By Y-City Jim

September 12, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this

Well, I’m glad you cleared that up since that was not the blog entry you and I were talking about. So Erik is foul because he twice use self-censored versions of swear words? It must be since few can argue that Chad Johnson is a nut case with the name change being just the latest evidence that the squirrel brought in from the tree.

By Matt

September 12, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this

http://mvn.com/mlb-reds/2008/09/07/chad-eight-five/ There you go, Jim. There’s the link to the blog about Chad Johnson that Erik wrote. You’ll find the quote that I pulled from there displayed prominently in his blog. Since I don’t know Erik and have never met him, I can only go off of what he himself has said. And what jumps out at me is “therefore, it is my DUTY to make fun of the man”. Those are his words Jim, not mine. No talk show host gets up and says that its their duty to make fun of someone. That’s what a bully does though.

By Y-City Jim

September 12, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

People say the manager makes little difference. Point for contradiction-the NY Mets, who have played 20 games over .500 since having Jerry Manuel take over. Also the Reds acquire Micah Owings (6-9, 5.93 ERA) to complete that blockbuster Adam Dunn trade.

By Y-City Jim

September 12, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this

Meanwhile, back at the ranch… What does everyone think of Jocketty’s comments regarding possible position moves next seasons? Votto to LF? RR to 1B? Bruce to C? (I just made that one up).

By Y-City Jim

September 12, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this

Wait a minute. Yesterday you said that you were the one that made the Chad Johnson reference, which I thanked you for clearing up since there is no reference to Chad Johnson in Erik’s blog entry. As for professional comedians having their tongues planted firmly in cheek, they have them no more or no less firmly planted than Erik. You make it seem if Erik is sitting rocking back and forth obsessing how much he hates Dusty Baker. That’s just a little psychotic, IMO. He is just a Reds fan who doesn’t care for Baker as manager. If one is going to accuse others of not being objective then that person had better be darn sure that they are objective as well.

By Matt

September 12, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

Jim, you’ll notice that I had the comments about Chad Johnson in quotes, due to the fact that those were Erik’s words. I simply copied and pasted them from Erik’s blog. I’ll say it one more time Jim, and hopefully you’ll understand this time. The difference between those late-night talk show hosts and Erik is those guys never claimed that it was their “duty” to make fun of someone. Those guys do stand-up comedy on their shows when they poke fun at the President, or anyone else. Their tongues are firmly in cheek, if you will. I see no tone of joking in Erik’s words that it is his “duty” to make fun of Dusty Baker. I don’t know whether he “hates” Baker or not, but he sure doesn’t seem to like him, at all.

By Matt

September 12, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

You said no need to reply, but I must, because it appears that you misrepresented what I said. I was referring to a blogger saying that I had a mental disease. I never claimed that Erik had a mental disease or mental illness, because that’s pretty tough to tell from some comments on a baseball blog. Also, I’m not a doctor, so it would be foolish of me to try to diagnose someone with anything. I also never called Erik a drunk. I said that’s what he sounds like in his posts, a drunk at the ballgame. That’s about how much sense his posts make.

By Y-City Jim

September 12, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

By your definition, Leno, Letterman, etc. should all be classified as foul-mouthed, hateful idiots since they make fun of people like the president and other people of celebrity. Do you think Erik “hates” Dusty Baker? Also foul-mouthed, by most definitions, means using swear words like you did in your description of Chad Johnson. I see none of that in Erik’s blog entry.

By Mark in Sun Valley

September 12, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

Matt, In the last thread you wrote this. “Interesting how you can determine that from some comments on a baseball blog. You must have some special abilities or something. ” Now read you assessment of “Erik” based only on his Blog. It includes calling him drunken, foul-mouthed, idiot, arrogant and hate-mongering. No need to reply or comment, just trying to show you how some people might be upset with posts.

By Matt

September 12, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

What does Leno, Letterman, O’Brien, Stewart or Colbert have to do with “Erik”? Erik is a foul-mouthed, hateful idiot in his own dark corner of the Internet spewing out garbage. The aforementioned group are professionals who do stand-up and interviews on a late night talk show. They don’t relate at all.

By Y-City Jim

September 12, 2008 6:50 AM | Link to this

So Jay Leno, David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, etc. are all warped?

By Carl's Little Brother

September 12, 2008 12:35 AM | Link to this

Well Hal’s back, an article just wrote for tomorrow about Votto and EV.

By Matt

September 11, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this

So it’s a sense of humor to claim that it is your duty to make fun of someone? A pretty warped one.

By Y-City Jim

September 11, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this

It’s called having a sense of humor.

By Matt

September 11, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this

I don’t know his IQ, and I never certainly claimed to be Einstein. But I believe he lacks good judgment and sense as to what he should or shouldn’t say. It’s not about whether Baker’s feelings get hurt or not. I believe if I’m going to post something, I should be as responsible about it as I can, and to make the most intelligent posts that I can make. To sit and say that it is my duty to make fun of a professional big league manager, or anyone else, is completely outrageous. Erik is one of these posters in the dark corners of the Internet, posting a bunch of garbage.

By Y-City Jim

September 11, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this

Erik is no more or no less wise than you or I. Dusty Baker is a big boy. I’m sure his feelings aren’t too hurt. Thanks for clearing up the Chad Johnson reference. I thought I was losing my sanity.

By Matt

September 11, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this

Jim, this is the direct quote from your source; “Since he is making so much money and is doing his job so poorly I have decided it my duty to make fun of the man�. You can spin that all you want, but does that sound like a quote from a responsible, objective source? Or does it sound like somebody who who is an irresponsible, immature idiot? To claim that it is your duty to make fun of someone? It sounds pretty hateful to me. Like a schoolyard bully. You and “Erik” may consider Dusty’s comments to be off-the-wall. But I trust the judgment of a man who has been in baseball for 40 years. He has accomplished more, seen more, done more than any of us could even fathom. I certainly don’t think Erik is qualified to sit in judgment of someone of Baker’s stature. As far as the “Ocho Cinco” comments, that was just a reference to what I feel is Erik’s irresponsible commentary. As if this man is some knowledgeable, wise blogger. Again, he strikes me as one of these drunks you see down at the ballgame after reading a few of his blogs. I think I should start up my own blog and post “Erikisms”.

By Y-City Jim

September 11, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this

It appears that maybe Jocketty is going to become more assertive. He is talking of moving some players into different positions. While I don’t think the Phillips to SS move will happen unless Gonzalez is unable to play yet another year, the Votto to LF and the Encarnacion to 1B moves might make sense especially if the Reds can acquire a quality 3B (that would not be Casey Blake) in the offseason. A lot of the decision might also depend on how Alonzo looks in spring training. While I don’t expect him to be play at the big league level next year, it is not unrealistic to think he possibly could in 2010.

By Y-City Jim

September 11, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this

What article are you reading? The one I posted a link to has no reference whatsoever to “Chad f-ing Ocho-Cinco.” I hardly think poking fun at Dusty Baker’s off-the-wall comments qualifies for foul, hateful language. Also calling Pettyjohn a Jamie Moyer-type who just wins does make it sound like he thinks Pettyjohn could put up Jamie Moyer-type numbers at the MLB level, which is just absurd. I forgot to mention the “coolness of mind” comment in the article. McKeon smoked cigars after games. I beginning to wonder if Baker is smoking some of those funny little cigarettes.

By Mike

September 11, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this

Is it Matt ” let me make it perfectly clear ” Nixon? Reading all this is like hearing statements in a grand jury investigation!

By Matt

September 11, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this

Jim, I’m not sure why my posts are so confusing to you. I’m trying to make myself perfectly clear. Where was the foul, hateful language in the blog by “Erik”? How about his direct quote that he feels that it is his “duty” to make fun of Dusty Baker? What is this guy, 12 or 13 years old? Where’s the foul language? “Sh-t! Your sick of them too? Ah well, here it goes anyway. Chad f-ing �Ocho-Cinco� has for no reason changed his name.� That sure sounds like foul language to me. This is your source? This “Erik” guy sounds like one of the drunks you see down at a Reds or Bengals game for that matter. As for the Moyer-Pettyjohn comparison, it doesn’t seem to me that he says that Pettyjohn is Moyer, or vice versa. Jamie Moyer, like Pettyjohn, is a lefty. Moyer, like Pettyjohn, doesn’t have an overpowering fastball. What it looks like Baker was trying to say is that while a lot of people think Pettyjohn has to pitch overpowering stuff in order to win, that Moyer is a good example of a left-hander that doesn’t have overpowering stuff yet still wins. It seems like Erik was making a complete distortion of that quote.

By Y-City Jim

September 11, 2008 6:12 PM | Link to this

Your response is real confusing. Where did the article contain foul, hateful language? I also didn’t get the sidebar into talking about the Bengal and Chad Johnson. My favorite Dustyism was the one about comparing Adam Pettyjohn to Jamie Moyer.

By Matt

September 11, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

Errr…Greg, I apologize. Got your name wrong there.

By Matt

September 11, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

Actually Eric you make a good point. That is a fault of mine, I do get a little long-winded. But to be fair though a lot of that last post was quotes from the hate-mongering zealot “Erik”. Or as I like to call it, “Erikisms”.

By Greg in London

September 11, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

I’m convinced that everyone on here loves Matt. If you didn’t, why would you wind him up every day just to watch him go. To be fair, Matt sometimes has good insights, he just can’t keep it to less than 200 characters. Hey that would be a good blog rule…200 key strokes.

By Mo

September 11, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

ha-ha-ha-ha— The Blog Hog referred to his “manifesto’s” as “intelligent”. How about boring babblings.This guy really thinks he is important, huh? How many hours of each day does he regurgitate on here?

By Matt

September 11, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

It seems as though “Erik”, the esteemed journalist who put out the “Dustyisms” fluff that was posted really isn’t too esteemed or much of a journalist at all. Let’s get a couple of “Erikisms”, if you will. “Since he is making so much money and is doing his job so poorly I have decided it my duty to make fun of the man”. Hmm, that sounds like the reflections of a true, objective Reds fan. Wat evidence is there that Baker is doing his job “so poorly”, sir? “I gotta thank the reds for one thing, they have really helped motivate me to be a more complete fan of the league. There have been games where I am much more closely watching the other teams players than I am our players.” Interesting. Maybe that is why “Erik” seems to know so little about the Reds based on his writings. “Alright, I�m sick of the Reds and so are you right? So let�s talk Bengals!��.Sh-t! Your sick of them too? Ah well, here it goes anyway. Chad f-ing �Ocho-Cinco� has for no reason changed his name.” There’s some intelligent thoughts from a mature, articulate individual there. It kind of seems like, from reading Erik’s posts, that his thoughts are pretty similar to someone who has had one too many down at the ballpark. A lot of foul hateful language, a lot of arrogant, smart-alecky comments, but not a whole lot of anything to really be taken seriously.

By Y-City Jim

September 11, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this

Dustyisms from Redlegs Rundown: http://mvn.com/mlb-reds/2008/09/10/dustyisms/

By ross

September 11, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

mike-cinci…If the Reds stand pat what do you think the outcome will be..a push to get to the 70 win mark..Freel/Hairston-CF, Dickerson-LF, Votto-1B, Phillips-2B, Bruce-RF, EE-3B, Gonzalez/Keppinger-SS, Hanigan-C..not a very good team if thats similar to a lineup Baker/Jocketty runs out there

By ross

September 11, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

Does anyone know if the Tigers are coming to Cincinnati next year..If Im coorect I believe that should be the interleague rotation

By Mike

September 11, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this

Matt’s manifesto’s are back..concise is not in his vocabulary. Readers Digest would be more condensed. How about a commercial break in the middle?

By Matt

September 11, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

Hey whats going on bobs? Why should I be the one that has to go away? Why not the ones who are continuing to drive this blog into the ground with their hate-filled rants, their threats, and their demeaning comments? I’m not concerned that Hal called me out. Hal doesn’t know the whole story here. If he did, he may have realized that I’m not the only one who deserves to be singled out on here. I defend myself when I’m attacked, sure. That’s human nature buddy. Who sits back and lets themselves be a punching bag? Myself and others on this blog try to have intelligent conversation about Reds baseball, but unfortunately certain hate-filled zealots just can’t resist stirring up trouble. That is very unfortunate, but I’m not the one who should be blamed for it. What ought to happen is Brarhopper, Wizard, Huber and a few others should have their access blocked to this blog, as far as posting goes. Then the rest of us can talk intelligently about Reds baseball in peace.

By Mike-Cinci

September 11, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

The Reds have 16 games to go and have won 66 games. It looks like they will end up with 70-75 wins. There are some other teams that have been very disappointing this year. As of today: Yankees 77 wins, Indians 71, Tigers 70, Rockies 67, Braves 64, Mariners 57. The Yanks spent $210 million and the Tigers spent $135 million. It is easy to spend money but doing it wisely takes a smart GM. It will be interesting to see how Jocketty spends his $70 million or so next year. He will have $46 million tied up in Harang($11.0), Arroyo($9.5), Cordero($12.0), Freel ($3.5), Gonzalez($5.4),and Phillips($4.8). The $24 million left needs to fund the remaining 19 players.

By Last one out turn out the lights

September 11, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

Thanks for this blog, Hal, it was great to read what you had to say, I understand why it’s shutting down and I don’t blame you, you even gave it a second chance and the bloghog still didn’t get it, now it’s gone and did the hog think very far in the future about what will he do now with his life? What life I know, back to being alone. Luckily for the rest of us we have other venues and can function in society. No one will miss every blog by the cop on here, with every other word he types, I, In my opinion, etc. Hal, your doing the right thing because it’s sad but the hog will never learn or realize what he did and what his co-workers already know about him, so why bother. Thanks again for trying.

By Cait

September 11, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

Mark in SV, I suspect your info is right. I’m in Ohio but can’t get Dayton TV. I thought the idiots among us had led Hal to stop blogging, but then I noticed that the Reds game stories are from the AP, not Hal. So it looks he’s on vacation - or as your source says, the DDN is saving some money. Not surprising - I have lots of friends in the newspaper business and times are tough. Some have gotten buy-outs and left. Here’s hoping Hal’s back soon!

By Mark in Sun Valley

September 11, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this

I spoke to family in Dayton and they saw on TV news that the DDN did not send Hal to Milwaukee for “budgetary reasons”. I would imagine they put him on a “unscheduled, unpaid” vacation. If you were on such a vacation, would you want to deal with a bunch of yo-yos like us?

By bobs

September 11, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

“To the complete fools that have driven Hal away- Thanks for ruining the only thing �Reds� that I have enjoyed this year. Hal calls people out and they still post.” -Matt, take a bow. Congrats! Now your just being selfish, maybe if you leave, others will quiet their tone down and Hal will continue to post. Be the bigger the man, say goodbye.

By Steve

September 11, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

To the complete fools that have driven Hal away- Thanks for ruining the only thing “Reds” that I have enjoyed this year. Hal calls people out and they still post. Unreal. This blog is not about you. It is about Hal and his insights. Stop posting. You are not that special. No one with any kind of life would continue to run this forum into the ground. You have not only driven Hal away, but other people (including myself as of now) that looked forward to what others had to say. You should be very proud. You have taken over this blog and turned it into a playground for your small minds. You earned it. Enjoy!

By AP-FLORIDA

September 11, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this

Y-City/Let it go, there is no reasoning with some people. LIZ-ask matt;brahopper;wizard where Hal is>>>

By Y-City Jim

September 11, 2008 7:00 AM | Link to this

Any quotes other than Dusty likes to hug his players a lot (I have always wondered about him)? I still don’t see the contradiction.

By Matt

September 10, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this

I can’t post HTML, or links to my sources on this forum. I just saw a source on Google though that claimed in 2003 Baker was voted by players as the best manager in the game. Here is a quote from Jacque Jones about Dusty Baker; �Look, as a person, Lou is okay,� Jones, who hasn�t been in the starting lineup since June 20, said late Wednesday night. �I think he�s worse than Dusty Baker, though. I just preferred Dusty�s managing style. We got along better.� Here is a quote from Bobby Valentine in an interview he gave with the New York Times; “And the guy who manifests Tommy Lasorda’s management style most since Tommy Lasorda is who? Dusty Baker. He hugs his players, his quotes after the game are right out of Tommy Lasorda. Nobody ever makes that connection. It was amazing when I would manage against him, how much he acted, looked and sounded like Tommy Lasorda.” Kerry Wood has called Dusty his friend. When the Reds played Toronto earlier in the year, Cito Gaston, manager of the Blue Jays and good friends with Baker sang Baker’s praises like none other. I know that I have read and seen many other quotes from others, but I couldn’t find the exact quotes from the resources that I have available. As far as what I posted not proving the contradiction that I pointed out about the statement that you made, you should perhaps read what I stated again, sir. It’s quite clear that the two statements contradict eachother.

By Y-City Jim

September 10, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this

Well, you elaborated but I don’t see how that is a contradiction of my saying he signed for a paycheck and a promise of control. Also can you provide some links to player/manager quotes of “respect?” BTW, what lead to the tensions that arose in the clubhouse while he was managing in Chicago?

By Matt

September 10, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this

Dusty Baker has been quoted that he knew very well that the Reds were wanting to go toward more of a youth movement if you will. He claimed that it was one of the reasons he wanted to come to the Reds. He said that he’s always wanted more of a young team like the Reds with a few veterans sprinkled in, and that appealed to him quite a bit. The Reds, and Wayne Krivsky, the GM at the time, made it clear that the Reds wanted an experienced manager who had accomplished something in his managerial career. The Reds clearly wanted to break the trend of hiring no-name managers with zero experience at anything other than losing. Dusty fits that mold. You can give Bonds the credit, you can give Kent credit, you can give the credit to the San Fransisco weather. But the fact is that a man with 1,220 odd wins doesn’t get to that number by accident. I simply refuse to believe that. The simple fact is that Baker has won everywhere he has gone. Now is he totally responsible for his record? No. But being able to control the clubhouse, and egos like Bonds, Kent and Sosa no doubt had something to do with it. Managing in his own style, and not just strictly by the book has something to do with it. Virtually every player that has spoken to the media that played for Baker has nothing but the most respectful, kind things to say about him. The same with other managers. When your peers have respect for you like they clearly have for Dusty Baker, that says something. We may not always agree with every decision that Dusty Baker makes, but at least we should all be able to agree that he is the best and most qualified manager this team has had since Jack McKeon. And then to come on this blog and read the hate and vitriol that is spewed at this man is sickening as far as I’m concerned, being a die-hard Reds fan. The man hasn’t even managed this club for a full season yet. Surely his accolades and prestige as a big league manager are worthy of the benefit of the doubt and giving the guy a fighting chance. I mean, really.

By Y-City Jim

September 10, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this

“Really? That�s a direct contradiction to what he said when he was hired. Also a direct confrontation by the comments and attitude from ownership. What a completely disrespectful and untrue thing to say.” Elaborate, please.

By Matt

September 10, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this

Really? That’s a direct contradiction to what he said when he was hired. Also a direct confrontation by the comments and attitude from ownership. What a completely disrespectful and untrue thing to say.

By Y-City Jim

September 10, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this

Why did Dusty sign here? A paycheck and the promise of control.

By liz

September 10, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this

Where’s Hal???

By Matt

September 10, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this

If Dusty didn’t prefer younger players, why would he have signed here? Also, as far as Encarnacion goes this season is most definitely his first real opportunity to show what he can do. 2008 is the first season that EE has been with the big league club for the entire year. He first came to the major leagues in 2005, where he only appeared in 69 games. In 2006 he appeared in 117 games, and in ‘07 139 games. He is 4 away from that total now, and barring injury, he will play between 140 to 150 some odd games with year. He is improving offensively and defensively and again, he is 25 years old. Folks, he has barely gotten his feet wet in the majors. I believe that has been one of this biggest problems with the way this team has been run the past several years. There is no room for mistakes, no patience, no nothing of that nature. It’s perfection or bust, and that is a big reason why this team is where they are now. Casey couldn’t hit enough homers, so he was traded. Bichette didn’t hit for a high enough average and didn’t go a season without making an error, so he was dealt. Encarnacion throws a couple balls in the dugout, so he is sent packing to Triple A. This club didn’t get to where they are in 5 minutes, and they aren’t going to get back to where they should be in 5 minutes. Firing another manager and coaches, and capable accomplished ones at that, won’t make this team better. Who says the coaches don’t know what they’re doing? Why is that? Because somebody on this blog didn’t agree with a decision that they made? The current manager and coaching staff has accomplished more than the last few managers around here combined. The Reds need to stick with the young nucleus they have, and build a winning team around those players. That’s what they should have done in ‘99, but they didn’t and we’ve seen almost 10 years of futility as a result.

By Mark in Sun Valley

September 10, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this

It’s pretty obvious Dusty found his lefty/righty book again with his pinch hitting decisions today. Never play the hot hand or look at averages when you have lefty against righty, eh Dusty? And Weathers… pitched three days in a row. And what a surprise! Shelled. So many of out latest wins have come from errors, walks and misplays by the other team, I am almost glad to see is lose. Otherwise we will stand pat this off season, thinking we have the team we need. There is plenty of potential here, but undisciplined. It’s nice to see the enthusiasm of youth. Now let’s get a coach or two to show them how to focus it. Or if you are gonna keep coaches that prefer veterans, then dump the youth and acquire vets. Good luck on that working…

By ross

September 10, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

kyle..you are so right..Weathers is awful..brings that 86mph heat into game..I can’t wait to see him and Bako pack up and get out of Cincy

By Cait

September 10, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

While I’m happy the Reds took 2 of 3 from the Brewers, lousy play today kept them from a sweep. Arroyo was awesome - both runs he gave up in 7 innings were due to errors. Then Weathers coughed up a furball … And why did dusty pinch hit CP for Cabrerra? I’m OK with CP going it as a defensive replacement late in games, but pinch hitting? Come on!

By Kyle

September 10, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

Coffey will be a great example of a pitcher the Reds coaching staff messed up. He’ll go to the Brewers and be a star. Weathers was his typical Stormy self this afternoon. He is horrible.

By Y-City Jim

September 10, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

Before one thinks of getting rid of Encarnacion, one needs a replacement that is an upgrade. One doesn’t exist on this roster. As for Bill Hall, his defense certainly isn’t anything to write home about and he has been at it longer. As for Baker managing with his “head,” I would have a problem with him sometimes playing a hunch if he relied on stats a lot more to base his “hunches.” In today’s game, you cannot manage with nothing more than instinct. You have to manage with your brain.

By bobs

September 10, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

I feel for guys like Marty, Hal, Grande…etc. How much fun can it be covering this team almost every night. Unlike most of us, (cant tell you the last game I saw on TV), they got to come to work everyday and watch this crap. I understand they get paid well to broadcast and write about games, but at some point in the season, it has got to be really old.

By Mark in Sun Valley

September 10, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

Being in LA, I have not heard Marty in a while, but I can tell you from hearing broadcasters in other markets via XM radio and MLB package, there are a lot of weak announcers out there. For every Vin Scully or Brennaman, there are 10 guys that can’t read the media guid to see what players have done, can’t tell a fast ball from a curve, or are hopeless homers (I still laugh at Milwaukee’s TV guys a few months ago talking about how they were “2 hits away form being in” a 9-1 blowout.) Marty may be deteroriating, but in covering the many blow outs we have been on the down side of this year, sometimes you are looking to do anything to avoid the mess on the field.

By Roho Radio

September 10, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

Mike……….”You got that right!”

By Mike

September 10, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this

Mike-Cinci..I’ve been saying the exact same thing about Marty all summer long..if you look closely, his off the wall conversations with Brantley and/or Thom have been a “distraction” mentally for him. Thus the reason for fundamental mistakes. When he stays to the game, describes it and simply does his job, he is second to no one. Even though he only does 6 innings a game now. One game recently , his grandkids were there in the booth and the broadcast sounded like it was coming from the day care center downtown. I couldn’t care less about what kind of ice cream they like etc,.do the damn game! His rendunancy is manifested each game with his cruthch phrase..” There’s no question about it! ” He uses this 10 times a game. If another broadcaster did it…he would be chastized and told to cease from overuse of the phrase. Time has changed him and “there’s no question about it! ”

By Mike-Cinci

September 10, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this

Marty B.(the self proclaimed “hall of famer”) can get negative which makes him interesting and entertaining sometimes and insufferably wrong at other times. Marty is beginning to make more errors in his broadcasts. He is stumbling over words, getting the number of outs and inning wrong, and even calling the opposition by the wrong name. He rarely gives a word picture of the game as other top radio guys do. There is a lot of time wasted on things not connected to the game. He is loved and disliked for the same reason which is due to his doing Reds games for 30+ years. Fans either love him or have become sick of him. Errors happen but Marty never mentions his own. He has been a Reds celebrity for so long he now believes his own balony. Like an aging ball player, Griffey Jr comes to mind, Marty is not as good as he once was. This is not his fault. Time waits for no one. To Marty’s credit he always shows up and he has been a pro in his line of work for a long time. He can dish out criticism with the best of them. I hope he can take it like he expects the players to do when he blasts them.

By bobs

September 10, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

Thankfully EE will be gone next year. Hal, what would we need to give up to get Bill Hall? Those wanting to keep EE, want to keep mediocrity. He has got his chance, HE has not earned it, time to move on. Dickerson has played well, but not sure someone to rely upon. Bruce has shown flashes, just like EE he will get a few years to show the team he can be a star. Votto is legit. Until recently, thought it would be a mistake to move Phillips to shortstop, but we need our best defensive player at the most important position. Then I would either move Kepp to third if no one is brought in to play third or move him to second. Freel/Hairston (obviously would need both because of their injuries) could play second and leadoff. Power bat, although not sure where he would come from to play outfield and another outfielder would be nice. This team is still a ways away, but if Votto, Bruce, Volquesz, and Cueto continue to develop, then they might only be a few years away.

By Florida Buckeye

September 10, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

AP-Fl, I agree with your assessment: I love the comments; but, alas, a few apples have rotted the blog, and I think that Hal has had enough…what a shame!

By ross

September 10, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

lets put castillo and dickerson, bruce in the HOf..I love how a player can come up and have a couple of good weeks or a good month and they are the savior..this team needs a RH hitting OF that crushes, a CF Hairston, Hopper, Freel..not sure if they are the answer..Hanigan could be not sure yet

By AP-FLORIDA

September 10, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this

Hal-just read all the comments from ‘you don’t need a scorecard’ and some of these people are out of control. I’m sad that you shut the blog down, but I fully understand why you were forced to. Let me say thanks for what you gave us for as long you could. You don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone… THANKS HAL!!!

By Florida Buckeye

September 10, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this

A couple of things: I’m tired of the argument that Baker manages by instinct and feeling rather than the numbers. I coached for years, and one thing I do know is that you do not punish people who have produced. See Keppinger’s NOT being in the line up last night, AFTER, hitting the game winning hit from the night before. Next, did anyone listen to the FSN Wisconsin Broadcast last night? Since I’m in Fl, I have to get whatever feed is on the package. There was a pregame interview with Dusty, and he gave some downhome-country advice that was puzzling: “A Champion keeps doing what he’s doing.” Hmm…and I thought that was the definition of Insanity, to keep doing the same thing, and expecting different results…Lastly: Someone mark the calender. I actually agree with one of the Brennemans w/r to EE…time to ship him off. There’s more downside to that kid, and his potential, than his worth over a season on the field…

By Matt

September 10, 2008 7:45 AM | Link to this

It seems like Marty is overreacting a bit about EE. He is still very young, what is he 25 or so? The guy hasn’t had a complete, healthy year at the big league level yet. He has a lot of room for improvement, but so do a lot of other 25 year olds in the majors. He has made improvements, especially on the offensive side. Last night he hit his 25th homer of the year, which is 9 better than his 16 home runs in 2007. His defense, while not fully there yet, has also improved. He still messes up the “routine” play while making the spectacular play with ease seemingly. The jury is still out on EE, I think. I’m proud of Dusty Baker for sticking with Encarnacion, and being so patient with him. That’s the only way we’ll find out what we truly have in Encarnacion. Not sending him back to Triple A every time he looks the wrong way at somebody.

By AP-FLORIDA

September 10, 2008 7:16 AM | Link to this

If Marty said that about EE, then EE is gone, and you can take that to the bank!

By Matt

September 10, 2008 7:00 AM | Link to this

Again, if all it took to be a good manager was to grab a stats book and make out the lineup directly, to the letter out of that stats book, my mother could be a good manager. Baker is not a statistician, and he doesn’t pretend to be. I believe that is what infuriates a lot of folks on this blog about Baker, is that every decision he makes is not based on some stat or OBP or whatever else. I personally think that is one of the many good things about Baker. He manages with his head, not by some book. He thinks outside the box, and while it doesn’t work every time, it does work quite a bit, but of course he won’t get any credit for it on this forum. Doing a complicated math equation and putting your professor hat on isn’t necessary to winning a baseball game. It’s baseball folks! Not trigonometry. Anyway, impressive win by the Reds!! Clutch hitting, good pitching except for that pitch to Durham, and a solid performance again by the young Castillo. Good stuff Reds!!

By Kevin

September 10, 2008 3:47 AM | Link to this

Paul…maybe left field would be a solution for EE. We know he has a good arm and a little bit of speed…it might also translate into a better performance at the plate for him because he might be a little more relaxed. I think hes gotten to the point where he doesnt want the ball even hit to him!

By Kevin

September 10, 2008 3:40 AM | Link to this

Hey thanks Hank! i always have wondered about Plummer…And as for Youngblood its nice to hear hes still in the game as well. Wasn`t it Joel that swallowed a huge mouthful of Red Man as he was round third base one time? Hahahahaaa!!!

By Paul

September 10, 2008 1:54 AM | Link to this

Interesting comment tonight by Marty after Edwin’s second error.He said, “I don’t see how this team can win cosistently with this kid at third.” He talked about his erratic play both offensively and defensively with flashes of brilliance in between. What do you folks think about these comments and about Edwin’s future?

By Coach

September 10, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this

Missed a few games—what is the reds record now?

By Coach

September 10, 2008 12:29 AM | Link to this

Paul: yes, Mr. Baker!

By HuberTucky

September 9, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this

At times, the man truly defies logic.

By Paul

September 9, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this

Has anyone had a worse second half than Brandon Phillips?

By Mark in Sun Valley

September 9, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this

Dusty’s “instincts” told him to take out the 7 for 8 Castillo and use the man who had not seen live pitching in a month. Same instinct that had him use Burton, the guy 1 week off the DL two days in a row instead of one of 6 other fresh arms. Good thing Dusty is not a bear. With such instinct, he’d starve.

By HuberTucky

September 9, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this

Well, ol’ Cap’n Brilliant does it again. Take out a guy who has 3 hits tonight, brilliant in the field, switch hitter, and 7 hits in 3 days & pinch hit a very cold guy who just came off a month on the DL. Bonehead Baker strikes again! Now we know who the TRUE rally killer is!

By Y-City Jim

September 9, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this

There is still time for Baker and staff to help him “unlearn” those abilities. :D

By HuberTucky

September 9, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this

This team, has been really enjoyable to watch again. I just LOVE the hustle. Wow, what a difference this fresh talented young energy brings. Go Bats, er Reds.

By Wizard

September 9, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this

Good lord someone who knows how to bunt—bat level/out in front of him/dropped it down to the ball/great drag bunt by Castillo!

By Y-City Jim

September 9, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this

No, a good manager doesn’t manage with instincts. What is he? A tiger or a bear in the wild? A good manager understands the components of a good line-up, which is stacking the line-up with OBP guys at the front ASAP. That leads to big innings. Starting your line-up with a guy with a .239 OBP is flippin’ insane!

By Wizard

September 9, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this

Keep Hannigan he’s a fighter—like his grit/catching style—great “run and hit”! Start Dickerson next year. Castillo “six consecutive hits right on the nose”—better trade him—never make it!

By donb51

September 9, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this

�We wanted to win this game to let them know we were coming after them right to the end, right through the last game we played against them, and to let them know we were coming after them next year with a better team,� said Baker. Yeah, like we don’t want to win every game? And Baker had everything to do with a fluke 9th inning win? Give me a break. About his many line ups? Baseball is a game of averages. No one knows when the next hit is coming. Baker’s lineups mean absolutely nothing on a singular game basis. It takes a statistically sufficient number of games for any lineup to determine which one is the best - a haphazard approach means nothing in the law of averages.

By Marge

September 9, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this

Looking back at the beginning of the year and seeing that this team was picked to contend if not win the divisional. It is a fact that this team has underachieved. Why? I say Dusty B. has to take some of the blame. Look at the offensive stats from last year and the additions to the pitching staff. EE and B Phillips look like very selfish hitters. Bako and CP are Dusty’s boys. Dusty’s “no guts” approach to Griffey. Can Dusty lead and teach the young guys? In my opinion, no and the facts are there to prove it.

By Matt

September 9, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this

That’s why Baker makes the big bucks. My 11 year old sister can write out the same lineup card night after night. A good manager goes with his senses and instincts, which is what Baker does. Sometimes what he thinks is right, sometimes its not. But he does the best with what he has, in my opinion.

By HuberTucky

September 9, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this

Is this the only team in the world that bats a .200 loser in leadoff? Again tonight. And cabrera at SS after Keppinger wins last night’s game? The “logic” escapes a sane person. Oh well, at least Hanigan’s catching.

By Matt

September 9, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this

Y-City Jim, you make very good points and I agree pretty much with your post.

By Y-City Jim

September 9, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this

Matt, you are correct that there is no need for a major overhaul. Votto, Bruce, Encarnacion, and Phillips are a decent nucleus but SS, C, and two outfield positions need to be filled with proven offensive performers who can get on base.

By HuberTucky

September 9, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this

To me, Votto is our prize. I very much like his intensity at the plate and all I’ve heard of his work ethic. He seems very businesslike, unlike a few hotdogs. Agree that he needs def work at 1st. He is a fine hitter, though.

By Mark in Sun Valley

September 9, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this

Thanks HT. I neglected to include Votto, who I do think is the real deal at the plate. But I may go nuts if someone does not show him proper footwork around the bag. At least he has shown some improvement defensively, specifically leading the pitcher on a grounder to the right side, but there is still a lot of room for growth.

By HuberTucky

September 9, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this

Excellent post, Mark. You make really sharp points. Bob should bring you on as a consultant. And since Hal seems to have given up on this blog, it’s good to read such rational posts as yours.

By Mark in Sun Valley

September 9, 2008 6:12 PM | Link to this

So much difference between talent and potential. Many players on the roster have potential, but it needs to be cultivated and developed. Right now, I see Bruce, a .250 hitter who makes a ton of errors and strikes out over 100 times a year. Sounds like Dunn with less power. Dickerson is having a great honeymoon in the majors, but they will start to adjust the way they pitch him. Dickerson is a lifetime .260 hitter in the minors, and also strikes out 100 time a year. EE has shown no improvement in 3 seasons. Flashes of brilliance with long periods of erratic throws and trying to pull every pitch. a .260 hitter who will also strike out 100 times this year. Phillips is an all star, but plays for himself. And again, on pace to strike out 100 times. We have some good starters, but Cueto and Volquez pitch management is suspect at best. Harang should rebound, but Arroyo’s history shows a pitcher who is on again/off again. I guess that is why no one will pick this team to finish above 5th next year. Now they do have potential. But sadly, from what I have seen the Reds do not seem to have the coaches in place to cultivate it.

By rlg

September 9, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this

The Reds were fortunate to win last night’s game thanks to Jeff Keppinger’s double and as much as I hate to say it, CP’s single off the pitcher’s leg. The failure though to add on insurance runs could have been devastating with Phillips hitting a weak grounder to third so the runners could not score followed by Edwin’s feeble infield pop-up. Oh, not to mention Valentin’s awful at bag with his Ruthian swings. The Reds also had a horrbile fourth inning when they had the bases loaded with no outs. Their issue this year has been hitting, not pitching. They are last in the league in average and probably last in hits that count with runners in scoring position. No pitching staff can endure that kind of pressure. I think if they can add a quality hitter and have a solid leadoff hitter (maybe it will be Dickerson..too early to tell), we could be alright. We definitely need to have hitters who are capable of making contact and not striking out. (Two of those folks are gone).

By Matt

September 9, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this

It seems as though the Reds do have a solid roster all the way around. Let’s go position by position. 1B, Votto. 2B, Phillips. 3B, Encarnacion. SS, Keppinger. C, Hanigan/Bako. The SS and C position needs upgrading, but other than that the infield looks solid up and down. The outfield? Dickerson, Bruce and CP. Clearly CP is terrible and is not the answer, but to say that Bruce and Dickerson aren’t quality ballplayers? C’mon, let’s be real here. Volquez is a 16 game winner, Cueto has the stuff to be a 15-20 game winner as well, and Arroyo has 14 wins this year. Harang has had an off year, but you can’t believe that it will last. The Reds must find a permanent solution for the #5 slot in the rotation, but everything seems solid other than that. The bullpen up to down is as solid as they come, and anchored by a veteran closer. The bench needs upgrading, no doubt. So to recap, in my opinion, it seems as though the Reds need a leadoff hitter (that void could be filled through acquiring a SS or CF, which the Reds also need). The Reds also need some power off the bench that can put the fear in opposing pitchers late in the game, and a more reliable, permanent solution at catcher. Other than that, it seems as though the Reds are good to go. This major overhaul talk, as if the Reds need to blow every bit of this team up and start over, seems way way off-base and reckless. I’m confident that GM Jocketty and Castellini and their crew will make the right decisions in the offseason to not only strengthen the club for ‘09, but beyond.

By Florida Buckeye

September 9, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

I was just on ESPN’s preview for tonight’s game, and I saw that both Russel Branyan, and Mike Cameron were on the day to day…and it got me to thinking how many players, and pitchers, we’ve gotten rid of, and who we’d LOVE to have on our team about now…Dempster, Loshe, Cameron and the list can go on and on…

By ross

September 9, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

matt..I agree with mike-cinci..this team does not have good players..you need a strong roster all the way around not just 5 or 6 guys..it takes 25 to win..u need a catcher, a RH masher in the OF and probably a CF..Hairston stays hurt and not sure Freel/Hopper who I like are the answers..agree Phillips is a solid ML, Votto has a chance to be good, Bruce should be a good player in time..lord lets hope so..good young pitchers..hoping Cueto with experience can turn into a 15 game winner..Arroyo who knows about him..this team needs alot of help

By HuberTucky

September 9, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

Exactly about Bako. Let’s see R Hannigan the rest of the year. Now is the time to see if RH is the future with young pitchers, not Bako. RH looks like the real deal so far. May as well start his spring training NOW! This is a lost season, therefore it’s get acquainted time. Totally agree with DFA CP, but do it yesterday! Yeah, here come the Bats!

By ross

September 9, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

Y-City I agree..Bako should not be on a major league roster hitting .207..plus who says he handles pitchers that well..Ive said it too many times but he could possibly be the worst Red that plays alot rthis organization has ever had

By Y-City Jim

September 9, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

Carl’s LB - I’m just not buying into this “Bako is a great handler of young pitcher” bs. That is someone’s subjective opinion. Matt - Let’s forget Dusty’s illustrious career for a moment. What has Dusty Baker done this year that makes him stand out as a good manager? Bako has not played as a back-up this year, and I have an easy solution to Patterson being on the roster - DFA him. John - very good point about Phillips. AP-Florida - good rationale on why APhillips doesn’t play :) . Mike - agree that the Reds are short on good players.

By ross

September 9, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

what about the LH hitter Brad Guilden as a back-up..I also liked Taubensee, Joe Nolan, and I like Javy Valentin..he can hit it..Baker just dont let him get any swings..not a big fan of LaRue but he did battle

By Matt

September 9, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

I guess I’m just not getting the logic that there is no talent on this team and that this team needs to be totally rebuilt. Jay Bruce. Brandon Phillips. Edwin Encarnacion. Joey Votto. Do those sound like bad players? They sure don’t to me. Edinson Volquez. Bronson Arroyo. Johnny Cueto. Does that sound like a bad trio in the starting rotation? It just flat out boggles the mind, Mike-Cinci, how you claim that the Reds are a talentless team with no bright future. I respect your right to have your opinion, but it sure doesn’t seem to be based in fact. The Reds need to totally be rebuilt? I think not. The Reds must retool.

By HuberTucky

September 9, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

As I remember, the original original Javy Valentin was Cincy Reds HOF catcher/PH Forrest “Smoky” Burgess, an absolute bulldog. He played in five All-Star games and set the then-record of 145 career pinch-hits. Man, he’d send ‘em into the old RF Sundeck at Crosley Field. And another PH extraordinaire was Jerry Lynch.

By Mark in Sun Valley

September 9, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

You guys are forgetting the best of the best. The original Javy Valentin. The man who single-handedly propelled the Reds into the playoffs in 1973 via pinch hit home runs. The one and only Hal King!!!!

By Cait

September 9, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

I, too, liked LaRue, but he couldn’t hit a lick. My fav after Bench was Joe Oliver. A good defensive backstop who could also hit a little. Was on the 1990 championship team. There aren’t any Bench’s out there, so I’ll take a Joe Oliver. Jury’s still out on Hannigan, but I like what I’ve seen.

By Florida Buckeye

September 9, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

How about Eddie Taubensee? Wasn’t he a good hitter as well as a good game calling catcher? Personally, I liked LaRue’s personality, and toughness behind the plate.

By John

September 9, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

No love for Jeff Reed among the backup catchers. Sigh. (He caught Browning’s perfecto, you know.)

By Florida Buckeye

September 9, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

Mike in Cinci, good points w/r to position players; although I think we do have a position player or two who have proven that they are major league level players. On the other hand, a mediocre team improves to a good team with Pitching and I think that they Reds have laid the foundation for a very good starting rotation and a better than average bullpen…What I’d like to see is One more starter; a power rightie, and a veteran presence in the outfield that doesn’t have an ego that will dominate, and or, rot the young and impressionable minds in the clubhouse…As far as Dusty: Give him players and he’ll win; but I dont believe that makes him a great manager, just a manager with great players, and timing to be there when it comes together. Thus far in Cinci, he’s proven time and time again that he is NOT a developmental mgr, rather, a veterans/players mgr, and the fit is not good.

By Hank

September 9, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

For Kevin: Bill Plummer is the manager of the Tucson Sidewinders, the PCL AAA affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Their hitting coach is Joel Youngblood, also a former Red.

By Mike-Cinci

September 9, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

Mark in Sun Valley, thanks for the correction on David Ross. He was picked up on August 22 and sent to Pawtucket. The Red Sox called him up on August 29. I missed it.

By Mark in Sun Valley

September 9, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

Actually, Mike, Ross did get picked up. He’s with the Red Sox. Bako is fine as a BU catcher, but as long as he is Baker’s pet, I do not see him being used as anything less that a platoon. Memo to Dusty: You don’t get any experience catching a certain pitcher unless you have him actually CATCH that pitcher. This would be a good time to see how Hanigan can handle Cueto and Volquez. I think he might call a batter game than Bako. Bako calls an ok game, but he does not push pitchers to be aggressive, which elevates pitch counts. I’ve watched too many 0-2 counts go to 3-2 because he is having them pick around the outside for 3 straight pitches.

By Mike-Cinci

September 9, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

The Reds don’t have enough good players. That’s the problem. Please note no team picked up Hatteberg when he was released. Ross was dropped on July 31 and no team picked him up either and there is a shortage of catchers. Did the Griffey and Dunn trades get value in return? It is too early to make a decision but it does not look promising. The Reds have a few good young players but every team has a few good young players. Good teams have more than a few good young players they have many good players. The Reds are not a good team yet. Jocketty has to build the entire organization from top to bottom. It is long overdue. Watching what happens in the off-season will be very interesting. At least I hope it is.

By MAC

September 9, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

Yes, and A. Phillips is another one of those vets that could have help this team out IF given a fair chance…he couldn’t be any worse than CP or Bako could he? AP could have given Votto or Dunn a night off against a good LHP and I think he has played some 3rd in the past? The guy has been a decent ML hitter in the past when he wasn’t over swinging and trying to do too much. Great come from behind win last night. Funny how this team plays well against the best teams, but look totally inept against the weakest?

By Cait

September 9, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

While I’m no fan of Dusty, I’m willing to give him another year. The Reds are in transition, so let’s see where it goes. Plus, I say the Reds owe it to the rest of the league to try to win every game. Remember the year the Reds had the 1 game playoff with the Mets? If I recall correctly, the Mets swept the Dodgers to gain the tie with the Reds. The Dodgers played almost none of their regulars in that series. If they had, they might have won one game, and that would have sent the Reds to the divisional playoffs instead of the Mets. I feel that as long as the Reds are playing contenders, they have to play their best lineup - mixing in the new guys coming in from AAA. To Mark in SV - I’d like to see Larkin manage. Here’s the Dream Team: Larkin manager, Eric Davis hitting/baserunning coach, Mario Soto pitching coach. Maybe Billy Doran or Ron Oester as bench/infield coach.

By AP-FLORIDA

September 9, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this

But Andy won’t wash Rusty’s car or do his gardening…

By John

September 9, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this

Um…the Reds do have a guy on the roster who doesn’t play: The Immortal Andy Phillips.

By ross

September 9, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

Bako could be the worst Red of all time that gets alot of playing time..u need a veteran that can play a little..bring back Mike O’Berry, Joe Nolan

By Kevin

September 9, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this

Hahaha! Was just horsin` around AP. Was something my buddies and I used to joke about. Funny thing was he would come in on the back end of a doubleheader and he always seemed to get 3 or 4 hits! I wonder what ever became of Plum…any idea Hal?

By AP-FLORIDA

September 9, 2008 7:37 AM | Link to this

Pat Corales wasn’t bad, and he’s due a try at manager!!!!!

By Kevin

September 9, 2008 7:27 AM | Link to this

Bill Plummer…The greatest back up catcher of all time. Period.

By Matt

September 9, 2008 5:38 AM | Link to this

Hell I don’t get why Baker HAS to go. We finally have a manager around here who has done something in his professional career, who has accomplished something as a manager, and we have folks like some on this blog ready to run the guy out of town. Or to discredit half the guy’s resume. It’s completely unreasonable and outrageous to me that some people can’t even give the man a chance. Folks, he hasn’t even been here for a full season. He plays Bako. Yep. As another poster wisely pointed out, you need a veteran in the catching corps, if nothing else as a backup. CP has been awful, but again, he is on the roster. Should the Reds have a player on the roster that doesn’t play?

By JB

September 9, 2008 12:42 AM | Link to this

Headline: Blind Hog Finds An Acorn. Geesh, only Corey patterson could go 1-for-5 and raise his average.

By Carl's Little Brother

September 9, 2008 12:30 AM | Link to this

Just asking, wouldn’t Bako make a good back up next year? Seems to handle EV and JC real well and with the rookie catcher you need some veteran exper’s. Ok I agree with you Y-City Jim and the rest 200% on CP. Plus Baker HAS to go. Don’t understand the hate for Bako though. No he is not a hitter but calls a good game. Just when have we had a good hitting catcher since Bench? And how many are out there? Just my thoughts ok?

By AP-FLORIDA

September 8, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this

I’m sure that yost,bush, and the rest of the brewers thought that rusty is a great manager when they saw the starting lineup tonight. No they laughed out loud and put a win on the ledger(premature as it turned out.) Question! how many managers would play cp/bako, and how many would lead cp off?

By HuberTucky

September 8, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this

Y-City Jim and Mark in Sun Valley. PLEASE, stop being reasonable and using logic. Your muddying the waters.

By Y-City Jim

September 8, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this

There is a fifth dimension, beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition. You have entered the Dusty Baker reality distortion zone.

By Y-City Jim

September 8, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this

So do you think SF’s success was because of Baker? Is it possible he was a different personality back then who wasn’t so full of himself? No one is saying to sit guys who are guaranteed to be regulars next season but youth should definitely be getting the nod over guys like Patterson and Bako, two guys who should not be in the Reds plans at all next year if the Reds are to be competitive. That is what the letter said and Baker continues to use those two regularly including CP in the leadoff spot tonight.

By Matt

September 8, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this

So we should discredit Baker’s successes in San Fran because he had Barry Bonds on the team? Or a great offense? That’s unreasonable and incredibly disrespectful to go with that logic, in my opinion. It’s incredible how folks like to cherry pick the numbers when those numbers go against their argument. I’m not sure how Baker’s comments go against the letter that Castellini and Jocketty put out to the fans. Nowhere in that letter did it state that the Reds were just going to give up the rest of the season and just say to heck with it. It’s great that the Reds are bringing up young players, but does that mean that the Reds should just throw all caution to the wind and put guys from Triple A at every position? Should they just tell Phillips, Encarnacion and guys like that to sit down because they HAVE to play unproven players at every position on the team? The Reds should give those young players opportunities to play, but only if they have those players are in the team’s future. Just playing prospects just for the sake of playing them makes no sense, and apparently not to Baker either.

By Y-City Jim

September 8, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this

I don’t get the Rosie O’Donnell comment. Anyhow, it is the manager’s job to comply with the plan of the front office. It is absolutely senseless to do otherwise. Not to mention, it makes the organization look extremely foolish when the front office says one thing and the field manager does something completely contrary to that. As for separating the San Fran years from the remaining one third of Baker’s career, even Dave Miley, Bob Boone, and Jerry Narron could have won big time with one of the most prolific offenses in MLB history (with the help of Barry Bonds). Was there a reason you left Pete Mackanin off your list?

By post office Dean

September 8, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this

Dusty Baker is a flippin fool, you have got to be kidding me, Bako, pitcher, Patterson, you cannot justify this with all the players on the roster now, Bako sucks, Patterson sucks, Baker sucks, how can I keep watching this load of crap. Tonight…bases loaded and no outs and no runs cross the plate, this team just plain sucks.

By Y-City Jim

September 8, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this

Mark, I agree that being a teacher is a must as well as being a communicator. This team is very weak fundamentally, which indicates that they need to be taught these things. Also an effective manager surrounds himself with quality people in his coaching staff.

By Matt

September 8, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this

Dusty Baker was hired to manage this club. Therefore, the managing should be left up to him. I believe that it is. A manager should be trusted to do his job. If not, then he shouldn’t have been put in that position in the first place. This man has 40 years in the game, and has been managing longer than 5 minutes, unlike the recent history of Reds managers. We’ve seen how the likes of those guys have turned out, huh? Miley, Boone, Narron. Not exactly a winning trio there. And what is with this pointing out Baker’s win percentage as manager after San Fransisco? That makes about as much sense as Rosie O’ Donnell winning the triathlon. Who on earth would cut out a part of someone’s resume (his biggest part I might add) to attempt to justify their argument? It certainly looks a little desperate.

By Austin Red

September 8, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this

I’m with Jim and Mark. Dusty is too concerned with his record (and his pet players). For the good of the team, he should let the kids play.

By Y-City Jim

September 8, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this

Why was Baker hired in the first place? Since leaving San Francisco, Baker has a .487 winning percentage. Hardly what I would call a winner. As for a replacement, it needs to be someone who understands the key to scoring runs is getting people on base and placing those people in a position in the batting order where they get the most plate appearances. It should also be someone who is on the same page as the front office because Dusty’s action and words do not match with what the letter from Bob Castellini and Walt Jocketty said. That is reason enough for him to be fired. It is called insubordination.

By Mark in Sun Valley

September 8, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this

A teacher. Someone that works well with young players and helps them transition into the very different world of majors vs minors. It will probably be a no name, or someone’s bench coach. I have not looked to see who might be available, but personally, I am not interested in some other teams reject. If I had my way, I’d hire Barry Larkin to manage the second his contract with Washington expired.

By Matt

September 8, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this

Who should be hired if Baker is fired? Another no-name manager who will work for peanuts? Another manager who has accomplished nothing in his life? That strategy has failed too many times to count.

By Mark in Sun Valley

September 8, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this

Great post Jim! Kind of shows that not only is Baker not on the same page as Bob and Walt, they are not even reading the same book. Best way to get fired - go against the boss. Here’s hoping…

By Y-City Jim

September 8, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this

From Mark Sheldon preview of tonight’s game on mlb.com: “But for most teams out of contention, September can serve as a time to evaluate the future by calling up a slew of Minor League prospects and throwing them to the fire when wins and losses seemingly don’t matter anymore. Not for the Reds and especially not for Baker. Baker said he does not plan to alter his lineup in the near future when the Reds call up the bulk of their prospects, which has been delayed by the Triple-A Louisville Bats’ playoff run. If the Bats make the Governor’s Cup and the series goes the full five games, those prospects will be available by next Sunday at the latest. “It depends on where we are the last week or so, and it depends on where are in the standings, too,” Baker said. “I’ve got personal pride in our record, my record and everybody’s record.” As several posters on Redleg Nation said in response to this, it is a direct contradiction to what Jocketty and Castellini said in their letter after the Dunn trade, and demonstrates the overwhelming arrogance of Dusty Baker. His “pride” is more important than developing the future for this franchise. There should be a city-wide celebration the day that jerk gets fired.

By HuberTucky

September 8, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

Wood is a hypocrite! He can dis Chris D. with a gesture but can’t accept a true show of emotion from a guy who rarely plays yet hit a game winner? Talk about a whiner! The bigger issue is who did his job and who didn’t. Look at Wood’s ineffectiveness yesterday: 1/3 inning pitched, 3H, 3R (all earned) 2 BB, zero SO, a loss and a blown save. So who is at fault here Kerry? Oh yeah, J. Cabrera. What is Cabrera supposed to do, whiff out of respect for your past greatness? Cabrera was doing HIS job; it’s a shame you didn’t do yours. Wood is in full whine & blame mode and refuses to man up. That whining and victim crap reminds me of what we are subjected to daily on this blog from our resident victim-whiner Same kind of thing — blame the other guy(s).

By Brad

September 8, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

It’s about time Harang started coming inside. Sure, he plunked a couple of batters and gave up a fluke hit and they scored, but the “message” was sent. If a pitcher never comes inside the hitters will lean out over the plate and get the fat part of the bat on those outside strikes. So, it’s good to see Aaron has finally acquired a “mean” streak and is trying to reclaim the inside corner of the plate. Now, keep it up!

By tom

September 8, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

The ‘Loveable Losers.’ Keep the tradition alive. Last WS win 1908. Last pennant 1945. Let’s go ChiSox!

By John

September 8, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

If you watch the replay, Wood pumped his fist when Dickerson hit what would’ve been a DP ball. Did Dickerson act like a big baby when Wood showed him up? Then Wood gets upset when Cabrera beats him? That’s just low class. Cabrera is right on — Wood shows people up all the time. Doesn’t matter if it’s Jolbert Cabrera. If you show people up, expect others to show you the same courtesy.

By Pando

September 8, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

Again, the posts are all sniping back and forth instead of about baseball… Regarding the passage in Hal’s blog: �Hey, I love Kerry and his wife, too. But we needed this more than he did.� A quick check of the standings reveals that that is not the truth. It seems to me that in competitive sports mercy isn’t supposed to be part of the equation. If you’re winning you want to keep losing. If your season is in the toilet, you still want to try and turn the corner

By Bubba

September 8, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

Kerry Wood being mad at Cabrera is just plain stupid. Celebrating a victory is not showing up the other team. Maybe Wood has been with the loser Cubs so long he doesn’t know the difference. It was great to send all those Cub fans home with a loss.

By Mike-Cinci

September 8, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

Kerry Wood has always been overly sensitive. Wood should be mad at himself not Cabrera. The Cubs have been cursed for 100 years and it won’t end this year. They will figure out a way to lose. They always do. To their credit they have developed a huge fan base that extends far beyond Chicago.

By Cait

September 8, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this

Taunting is always bad sportsmanship. But Cabrerra wasn’t taunting Wood. He through his arms up in celebration when the hit fell in. There’s a big difference between jubilation and rubbing it in.

By Mark in Sun Valley

September 7, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this

Of course, too much taunting in baseball and you’re likely to get a rock in your ear at 100MPH. Not as much chance of that in basketball.

By Y-City Jim

September 7, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this

Good point, Kurt. In most other sports, taunting is part of the routine. Though I’m glad that baseball hasn’t sunk to the lows of those other sports.

By Kurt Frost

September 7, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this

Is there anyone on the planet Earth who is more sensitive than a baseball player?

By BrarHopper

September 7, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this

See, Dusty, good things happen when you PH for CP in the 9th!