Opening Day in Cincinnati is as electric as you'll find in the world of sports. The town basically stops for a 7-hour "baseball break" and the hope is palatable every spring. I, too fell into the trap of believing the Reds could make noise this year until a good friend reminded me (that he'd ALREADY reminded me) that Dusty Baker is still the manager. I am reminded of Bob Knight's famous quote about Dale Brown. Baker has under-achieved for so long, he's now famous for it. He's a sad excuse, and I have no concept of why Walt Jocketty hasn't let him go. This evening, he has another reason.
Dusty Baker got worked today. Got suckered into a bad lineup, then made bad decisions. Last season (2009) the Reds were mediocre or bad all year. Chris Dickerson under-achieved; Laynce Nix showed he's not an every day player; and Aaron Harang went 6-14. Yet there they all were in the opening day lineup.
In a year when Reds fans are excited about all the new faces - most of which had terrific spring training numbers, Baker went "safe." He went with "matchups." He showed no feel for the excitement fans have for the new faces, and went with the old guard. The result? Dickerson goes 0 for his first 4 when the game mattered; Nix does get a cheap single past a drawn in Albert Pujols (more on him in a minute), but it was a weak ground ball that meant nothing; Harang gives up 4 runs in 5 innings; and a bad relief pitcher does what he always has, he got shelled. Reds lose 11-6. I'd be remiss not to add that Albert Pujols went 4-5 with 2 HR's. The man simply isn't human. (Name that Molina!) Yadier Molina hit a grand slam in the top of the 9th to put the game away; but the Reds wrote a script for a movie we've all seen before. "Dusty Has No Clue" Playing at a theater near you.
RHP Mike Lincoln had an 8.88 ERA in 2009 and had a poor spring training. Logan Ondrusek, also a righty and one of those "new faces," had a great spring training; especially late. So who does Dusty turn to out of the pen first? You guessed it. Lincoln; who promptly gives up 2 runs on 4 hits in 1 IP. The brilliance of Baker never ends. No reason to go to a guy who's not played well when your team's still in the game unless you don't have confidence in the new guys or simply have no idea what you're doing. If this is a new and exciting season, Baker didn't get the memo. By the way....Ondrusek comes in an inning later and gets 3 quick outs.
Drew Stubbs earned the CF and leadoff jobs in spring training, and Baker even said so. When Dickerson was penciled in to the lineup, I about blew a blood vessel. In fact, I may have. Stubbs came into the game late, and promptly went 2-2, showing the speed with which he won the job. Another player Reds fans can't wait to see is Juan Francisco. He's the Reds version of Pablo Sandoval; a free swinging power hitter who can flat rake. He has been the MVP and home run leader of almost every team he's played on, and hits 'em like Adam Dunn used to. Seems to me he's a perfect left handed bat to put in an opening day lineup in front of a rabid crowd. Yet Baker starts Nix - who hit all of .239 last year. Why? (Francisco got a pinch-hit at bat late in the game and had a sharp RBI single to right.) Francisco had a quick cup of coffee in the majors last year and hit .429; led his team in home runs at 3 different levels last season, and can hit for average. He does strike out a lot; but he's also very young. Fans are excited for the 2010 season because of players like Francisco and Stubbs, and Baker starts Laynce Nix and Chris Dickerson in the outfield. Why? I left out that Johnny Gomes was also left on the bench. All he did in Arizona was lead the Cactus League in home runs.
I have no faith in Dusty Baker as a manager and don't think he's very bright. He seems to keep gettingand holding jobs because he's Dusty Baker, and no other reason. Kind of like the Kardashian's are famous for being Kardashian's. Never really accomplished anything, but keep making news. I hope it isn't a long summer, because it doesn't have to be.
RT Brightman
2 comments:
Couldn't agree more about Baker.
The reason this man still has a manager position is because of one overgrown beast. Barry Bonds
GC - nice rant here but can't say I agree. I played ball at the D1 level and understand the fascination with the baseball manager. He just isn't that important, imo. Dickerson was 4-7 off Carpenter so I can justify that start. Nix is garbage, I agree. I am of the belief that Baker has taken multiple teams to the playoffs and one to the WS. So, either the players won in spite of him (meaning the manager is not that important) or he is capable. I will liken it to Tony Dungy. Guy can coach football. Knock was he couldn't win in playoffs. Is he all of sudden a great coach since he won the super bowl? So, in the end - baseball is a very simple game to coach. There is a book on everything and your bench coach right there to toss ideas around. The issue with Baker was the Reds went young, therefore he wasn't the ideal candidate. That would be Joey Cora, Rick Sweet, or perhaps Gonzalez down in Florida.
btw, if you don't recognize my name - my tag on scout is poolboy55
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