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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2009 > May > 04 > Entry
Baker Nixes talk about Nix starting
For those of us (yeah, me, too) who would like to see Laynce Nix in the lineup, well, you (we) are not going to like what Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker said before Monday’s game with the Florida Marlins.
Somebody mentioned about the fans clamoring for Nix and he said, “The fans don’t make out the lineup card. The fans didn’t even know who he was until we gave him an opportunity to make this team.”
Just before the beat writers met with Baker Monday afternoon, he called Nix into his office for a closed-door session.
“I talk to all of my players,” he said. “I told Nix to just stay ready. I told him I still thought some day he would be an everyday player. But right now he is valuable coming off the bench. It is why we got him - to be our fourth outfielder.”
About Nix playing, Baker said, “Is he going to take Jay Bruce’s place? No. Is he going to take Willy Taveras’s place? No. That leaves Chris Dickerson in left field. Who has more talent than Chris Dickerson? Hey, last year the fans were clamoring for Chris Dickerson and he was the fair-haired boy.”
What the fans see is Dickerson’s .204 batting average and Nix’s .333 average.
“I let a guy play his way out of the lineup before I let a guy play his way into the lineup,” said Baker. “I ain’t no front-runner.”
Fans aren’t going to like this one, either.
Baker called Jerry Hairston Jr. (.159) into his office Monday to tell him he would be playing third base Tuesday and Wednesday instead of Adam Rosales (.417), “And I called Rosales into my office, too, to tell him,” said Baker.
MEANWHILE, tonight’s lineup is the basic one against the Marlins: Taveras, Dickerson, Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce, Ramon Hernandez, Rosales, Alex Gonzalez, Aaron Harang.
AIRTRAN CONTINUES to be my favorite airline. Not only did we arrive in Fort Lauderdale on time, we arrived 20 minutes EARLY. Unheard of. And my luggage almost beat me to the carousel.
THE REDS (and me) stay at the Trump International Resort Hotel in Sunny Isles, Fla., and the place is outstanding. Marble floors everywhere - including nothing but marble floors in the rooms, along with a washing machine (not that I’d ever use it). And because Donald Trump enjoys a cigar now and then, there are smoking rooms, which I was glad to accept, and there is a balcony attached on which to sit and watch the waves roll in on the Atlantic.
Baseball? Who needs it?
I do.
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By Sal Monella
May 6, 2009 11:08 PM | Link to this
NOTE: Rosales, Nix, Hannigan & Janish are all white. Dopey Baker is a racist & THAT’S why they don’t play. Nuff said. I mean, what else could it POSSIBLY be at this point?
By Y-City Jim
May 5, 2009 4:50 PM | Link to this
Just what does “I ain’t no front-runner” mean, and since it is a double negative does it mean that he is a front-runner?
By Russ
May 5, 2009 11:38 AM | Link to this
This team is going to blow this year,with one of their best pitching staffs in recent memory.This is all because they need a manager with some discipline and some basic rules.We dont nee a manager who likes to play favorite.
By Jim
May 5, 2009 10:50 AM | Link to this
I feel dumber for reading through this blog. I’m just glad Dusty bashing Monday morning managers who think they got it all figured out are just that, and are nowhere near being a real manager.
By wizard
May 5, 2009 10:27 AM | Link to this
“I’m starting to think I’d like to see a Dickerson/Taveras platoon in CF and a Nix/Gomes platoon in LF.” Someone finally agrees with the wizards words of long ago…
By wizard
May 5, 2009 10:25 AM | Link to this
Someone finally agrees with the Wizards words of long ago…
By timb
May 5, 2009 10:07 AM | Link to this
Agree completely with Dan. Those two platoons might produce something until Uncle Walt trades for a bat
By Dan
May 5, 2009 9:56 AM | Link to this
The silliest part of the whole comment is talking about Willy Taveras in the same breath as Jay Bruce. As if it’s inconceivable that Willy wouldn’t be an everyday starter. Here are Taveras’s stats: Taveras (2009) - .261/.333/.333, 72 OPS+ Taveras (career) - .282/.331/.337, 72 OPS+ In the words of Dennis Green, “He is who we thought he was!” Willy does seem to be playing some slick defense in CF, and that’s valuable, but man… that bat… I’m starting to think I’d like to see a Dickerson/Taveras platoon in CF and a Nix/Gomes platoon in LF.
By rudy
May 5, 2009 9:55 AM | Link to this
Dusty did get it right when he said nobody even knew who Nix was before the season. Even after he made the roster, NUMEROUS posters on this board pointed at him, and only him to replace with Gomes. Fairweather fans have no place in a manager’s seat on the bench. That is why you are in the seats and not on the bench.
By Wizard
May 5, 2009 8:53 AM | Link to this
“I let a guy play his way out of the lineup before I let a guy play his way into the lineup,” said Baker. “I ain ‘t no front-runner.” What a pile of horse sh** this is! I agree with Maloy, the guy running the show has too much double speak; and has crossed the line.When the entire world wants to see Nix given an opportunity, including me—a BIG Dickerson supporter—why doesn’t Dusty? I, for one, am tired of asking that question. Now even though Chris had two hits last night, I still believe Nix has earned the right to play, even if it’s only on an alternating basis—but, he deserves a full time arrangement, until he proves he can’t get it done.Perhaps, one has to play their way out of the lineup by getting injured first, ala Gonzo! One would think, since Janish had two more hits last night, that he would be inserted into the lineup following the Gonzo injury; but, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Baker insert an undeserving Hairston at SS! I wonder if Baker asked Nix to bend over prior to leaving his office? A tough loss, for sure, last night; but I couldn’t help but wonder, what the outcome might have been had Janish and/or Hannigan been up, during each at bat, instead of their counterparts.
By Gary Maloy Jr
May 5, 2009 1:20 AM | Link to this
Castellini wants to win ‘now’. Jocketty is a proven winner. After this unbelievable outburst (can it be understood in any other way?) to the fans, Dusty needs to be called in on the carpet for a dressing down. If ANY one of us were to treat our customers that way, we’d be looking for a new job. NOW IS THE TIME FOR SENIOR MANAGEMENT - AND OWNERSHIP - TO ACT!! (Imagine Steinbrenner if one of his managers ran the scrubs out everyday. The manager would be out of work quicker than you can say Billy Martin. (Hal, would you assess Baker’s testiness as a result of watching sub-.200 hitters not getting the job done?) I’ve supported Baker all the way based on his track record. But gunning for the fans - when we have stats in hand to support our argument - CANNOT be accepted. Hal you need to splash that interview all over the baseball world.
By Tom
May 4, 2009 9:45 PM | Link to this
For Baker, it seems Dickerson is the Cory Patterson of 09. And now it’s Hairston instead of Rosales at third. I look forward to the day Baker is out of here. He’s not the manager this young team needs. Too bad the Reds gave up on Pete McKannin. here.
By Concerned
May 4, 2009 9:00 PM | Link to this
Dusty Baker needs to learn how to go with the hot hand. There is no logic at all that Nix, Rosales, and Hanigan aren’t in the lineup everyday right now.
By Mark in Sun Valley
May 4, 2009 8:45 PM | Link to this
My head has not hurt this much from reading Dusty quotes since “walks just clog the base paths”. Who has more talent than Chris Dickerson? Well, it must be Jerry Hairston and Darnell MacDonald since Dusty plays them ahead of Dickerson againts lefties. What color is the sky in Dusty’s world? In most big league cities, a .204 average after 5 weeks IS playing yourself out of the line-up. And I do not even know where to start with Hairston over Rosales.
By timb
May 4, 2009 8:44 PM | Link to this
“By Bill Timb, you are a buffoon.The Reds need more players like Votto and Rosales.” I get what you mean, Bill, wink, wink. I mean, for the life of me, I can’t think of anything they have in common, except, well, you know, Bill…one hit lefty; the other righty. One sprints out to his positions; the other is professional. One is a starter; the other is a utility player. Maybe, you meant (besides the obvious) that they are both hot hitters. In that, I have to agree, the Reds need more hot hitters. But, I’m thinking there’s a more obvious reason you identify with those two.
By redsfandownunder
May 4, 2009 8:39 PM | Link to this
Here’s a theory: Dickerson has about a week to turn things around and continue playing every day. If not (I hope he does), look for him to go to Louisville and either Gomes gets promoted or Jockerty makes a trade.
By timb
May 4, 2009 8:37 PM | Link to this
You wanna play stats, marge? ‘Cause last year when Rosales was starring at Triple A, he walked a whole 22 times in 460 plate appearances and hit 11 homers (EdE walked 60 times and hit 26). Only once in the Majors has EdE NOT slugged better than Rosales’s best year in the minors. If you think Rosales is going to hit .500 for the season, then I think you might be surprised. Nice to see him hitting now, but he’s the same age as Edwin and can’t bring the thunder EdE can, nor does he have the talent. This team, you may have noticed, cannot score (they are second to last in the NL in runs scored) and they need all the thunder they can get, no matter how all of us think that running back to the dugout and saying “aw, shucks” is fascinatin’. But, I do appreciate the groupthink of “baseball” fans who apparently who don’t one thing about winning baseball. It has nothing to Reds fans running yet another good player out of town.
By Mike Bradley
May 4, 2009 8:25 PM | Link to this
Dusty may not be a “front-runner” but he certainly has his favorites-whether they make sense or not…
By Bill
May 4, 2009 8:07 PM | Link to this
Timb, you are a buffoon.The Reds need more players like Votto and Rosales.
By Marge
May 4, 2009 7:56 PM | Link to this
Oh my bad timb, I didn’t know this was baseball golf, the guy that produces less is a better player. Then EE and his .150 avg should play over the .450 hitting Rosales.
By timb
May 4, 2009 7:43 PM | Link to this
Too bad about Nix, I like his power. For Marge, was EdE hustling when he played through two injuries in a month? Or do you just like the dorks who sprint their walks out. “Hustling” does NOT equal wins, for God’s sake. Talent does.
By Mister Redlegs (the)
May 4, 2009 7:32 PM | Link to this
I written many times that some players need a vote of confidence. All need a chance and are getting one. Dickerson, Harisont and Nix. It will sort itself out. I nkow from my experi3encec
By SonofSonofBeast
May 4, 2009 7:12 PM | Link to this
My bad…don’t forget Janish @ SS over Gonzo…
By SonofSonofBeast
May 4, 2009 7:05 PM | Link to this
Just think of how awesome the Reds lineup is in Bizarro-World, where the guys with the hot bats ACTUALLY START over the guys who are struggling. (Taveras, Rosales, Votto, Hanigan, Bruce, Phillips, Nix, Gonzo) What’s the over/under on that lineup’s W’s?
By Marge
May 4, 2009 7:03 PM | Link to this
This is sick but this is what’s going to happen. Dusty won’t let Rosales get too hot because he has to play EE when he gets back. He’ll also probably tell him to cool it on the hustling so EE won’t look so bad when he comes back. Mark it down.
By Michael S
May 4, 2009 6:47 PM | Link to this
This is crazy. Nix was a can’t miss player til his injury and everyone knew that.Dickerson may have potential but play hot bat now!if you want to win.
By Ty
May 4, 2009 6:42 PM | Link to this
If baker was coaching for a big market team he would be getting eaten alive with his b.s. But because it’s the nati he can get away with whatever he wants. I’m sick of this crap…
By Nancy
May 4, 2009 6:41 PM | Link to this
Is something wrong with Marty. Haven’t heard from him in a long time??
By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
May 4, 2009 6:40 PM | Link to this
This situation is no where close to last year and playing Patterson. They had no one else. They were beat up with injuries. This year there are options and it would be one thing if Dickerson was an established, proven player. He is not. So for Baker to keep the hot player (Nix) on the bench and keep playing the cold player (Dickerson) is ridiculous.
By Tim
May 4, 2009 6:36 PM | Link to this
oh well, what do we the fans know?… we just watch the dropped fly balls, the numerous strike outs, batting averages below .200
By Buckeyefan
May 4, 2009 6:30 PM | Link to this
Maybe Dusty will play his way out of the lineup. Dusty seems to have his favorites…like last year… play Patterson even when it is obvious to everyone but Dust hatt he is washed up.
By SI and Ritter
May 4, 2009 6:16 PM | Link to this
Baker is an idiot! But then we all know that. He should be booed every time he pops out of the dugout. He just insulted the fans big. IMO
By nllspc
May 4, 2009 6:12 PM | Link to this
Its really the comedy of the absurd with Baker. Play the cold players because they’re not hot and leave the hot players on the bench because they’re already hot. Is his goal to have EVERYONE hot at once? LOL! When does that ever happen? His logic is staggering.
By G-Fox
May 4, 2009 6:09 PM | Link to this
I don’t see Nix’s .333 average. I see good at bats, good swings, and good contact. Same can’t be said of Dickerson or Hairston. I can’t understand why he would make these statements. Well, unless if every Red is like BP, and scours through the local media articles everyday.
By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
May 4, 2009 6:04 PM | Link to this
Wow. Hmmm. Ohhh-kay, Dusty. Medical help is on the way. Remain calm… .