Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 36th year of covering the Cincinnati Reds, the longest tenure for any active writer covering one team. Counting spring training and postseason games, McCoy has covered more than 7,000 major-league baseball games, written close to 18,000 baseball stories and eaten enough hot dogs to give Babe Ruth indigestion.Home > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2008 > August > 17 > Entry
The curse of the masks?
There are four empty dressing stalls in the Cincinnati Reds clubhouse, two each once occupied by Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn.
Dunn, though, left something behind on a wall near his space - four black native African masks.
“They should take those down,” said free-lance writer Jeff Wallner. “They’re probably cursed.”
THE DISCUSSION in the Reds’ dugout early Sunday was about the comment Bengals’ wide receiver Chad Johnson made that he could beat Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. Said pitching coach Dick Pole, “What’s Chad going to do, run alongside the pool? He still might not beat Phelps.”
DESPITE HIS team losing 17 of its previous 21, manager Dusty Baker was upbeat and optimistic Sunday morning.
“Over the course of the years, I was looking it up, and St. Louis and Houston have beaten up on the Reds,” said Baker. “That’s No. 1. That can’t happen, not in this division. I ain’t going for that. Me and Tony hook up pretty good. I think I’m ahead or we’re pretty close to even head-to-head.”
Baker said St. Louis-Houston domination over the past decade is going to change, among other things.
“It ain’t right that teams come in here, like Houston and these guys (St. Louis) and hit more home runs than us. I was warned about this place at this time of year but I hadn’t seen it until now. The ball is flying, I mean, that ball is flying.
“When a little guy like Skip Schumaker hits a ball to dead center like Albert Pujols, well, anything hit up in the air has a chance to go,” said Baker. “Whew. Man, the ball goes. You have to get sinkerball pitchers here and keep that ball down.”
“I’m more convinced now than ever that we’re going to figure this out,” he said, drumming his fingers on his desk. “I want Pete Rose to be wrong. I love Pete. He said good pitchers won’t come here and you can’t win in this ballpark because of the way the ball flies. I just want Pete to be wrong.”
There was a long pause and some chatter about other things, then as a point of emphasis as I walked out his office door, Baker said, “We’re going to get this together. I’m convinced of that. We’re going to do it.”
What he didn’t say was when. Or how. But you have to admire his optimism.
Permalink | Comments (75) | Post your comment |
Comments
By うつ病
September 23, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this
検討に値する。By クレジットカード 現金化
September 21, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
検討に値する。By wizard
August 21, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this
Damn, he’s been on here blabbering to others all day! Hopeless, is correct.By James Bradley
August 21, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
You are hopeless and will never be troubled by me again.By Matt
August 21, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
It seems to me that what has grown thin and threadbare around here are the endless, relentless personal attacks by HT, brarhopper, and Wizard. The blind defense of them and their ridiculous, undignified behavior is staggering. My name is not “sonny boy”, or “man-child” or anything else other than Matt. If you address me, I would appreciate it if you called me Matt. Otherwise, I’ll not respond or acknowledge you.By James Bradley
August 21, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
Well, sonny boy, I was talking to you, not them. A totally predictable response from you — defensive! But you will never listen because you are absolutely the most defensive child this blog has ever seen. You wouldn’t listen to my advice just like you wouldn’t listen to several other men who several times kindly attempted to steer you onto a healthier happier course. You are a classic know-it-all and ascribe to the philospohy that you’d rather be right than happy. Grow up, kid! Your act has worn thin and threadbare.By Matt
August 21, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this
I don’t allow others to define me, or to relentlessly attack me, and not defend myself. If you want the “childish t*t for tat rantings” to stop, then you should advise brarhopper, wizard and HT, along with everyone else who engages in their childishness, to cease and desist with their nonsense.By James Bradley
August 21, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this
Stick to baseball, Matt, please. You’re expending all your energy on minutia. Can’t you see some folks are just trying to get your goat (and obviously succeeding)? It seems more adult and you’ll be more respected by those of us who are very tired of your endlessly childish t*t-for-tat rantings. I recall some folks very gently trying to help you thru this before and thought we were all through it. But here we friggin’ go again.By Matt
August 20, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this
Yawn. More personal attacks, HT. You know nothing about me, and when you attempt to attack me, it shows.By HT
August 20, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this
So glad you find me and my posts funny, Matty. That’s always been my goal, to bring joy and laughter to the lives of shut-ins, the less fortunate, and the mentally challenged and emotionally damaged like yourself.By Matt
August 20, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
You and your personal attacks are laughable, HT. Perhaps your reading skills are failing you, since I didn’t ask a question at the end of my last post.By HuberTucky
August 20, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Gee Matt, you forgot to use a question mark to finish your question at the end of your post. You’re slipping again. Yeah, I really love the way you use your rationalizations to justify your BS about “Dusty haters.” A figure of speech, huh? You are such a transparent phony little kid. Why don’t you grow a set?By Matt
August 20, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
And leave it to HT to continue with his personal attacks. They seem to be never-ending. Apparently you don’t understand what I mean when I use the term “Dusty haters”. That terms is not meant to imply that the folks who don’t like Dusty Baker literally hate him, it is simply a figure of speech. It simply means the folks who attack Dusty and don’t like him for one reason or another. I hope that clears it all up for you, Hubertucky. Also, you sure are the right person to accuse someone else of inflammatory, critical rhetoric, since that is exactly what you demonstrate on this blog virtually every time you post.By HuberTucky
August 20, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this
Leave it to matt to take an absurd premise, “some are ready to blame him for everything from the bad economy to Hurricane Katrina” and then build a lame defense on it. You are the only person on this blog who has ever used the word hate in the same sentence as the name Baker. Nobody hates the man, we are just critical of his actions, and rightfully so. It’s a blog where opinions fly and vary. You are the only one that has made such an asinine assertion on this blog. You do it all the time. If anyone fuels the anti-Baker flames, pal, it’s you with your inflammatory and critical rhetoric.By wizard
August 20, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
Wow. And, I in AA.Looking right at Valentin stretching on the field. Pretty amazing.By michael
August 20, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
small worl wiz, I was in 134 as well. Row BB.By wizard
August 20, 2008 2:06 AM | Link to this
Well dang, Michael—I was there Saturday, also, watching Mr. Valentin. I was in section 134—How about you?By Matt
August 19, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
I don’t believe that the Reds record this season to be Dusty Baker’s fault for a number of reasons. First of all, I don’t believe in knee-jerk reactions. I think things through and look at the big picture. Dusty Baker inherited the majority of the roster when he was hired as manager. It is not his fault that the Reds did not give him a team to win with. The biggest fault that I have with Baker is his fascination with Corey Patterson. In my opinion, Patterson is a wasted spot on the roster and should not be a part of this team. However, he has stuck around, largely due to Dusty Baker. I can’t understand it and I hope the Reds let go of CP this offseason. But other than that Baker has played the hand the Reds dealt him. It is up to Jocketty to give him the players and team this offseason to win with in 2009 and beyond. To answer your question about what free agents I’d like for the Reds to sign, I’m not sure. I haven’t seen a list of all available free agents yet so I can’t make any intelligent comment about that. I do think the Reds most pressing needs this offseason will be catcher, at least one outfielder, at least one starting pitcher, and to add some power and versatility to the bench.By BIRDIE41
August 19, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
Matt, I can not believe you can think Dusty has done a good job and it is not his fault for the lousy season IT IS HIS FAULT)(although he would never take the blame himself)Also what free agent would even want to come to the Reds? Also you say they can make trades but what team would want any of the Reds other than Bruce,Votto,Phillips,Cueto or Volquez?Hopefully these players would not be traded by the Reds management(although nothing they would do would suprise me!By Matt
August 19, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
Hubertucky, my opinion is that Baker’s .440 winning percentage as Reds manager this year is unacceptable. The Reds have not put together a good season, and that is unfortunate. But I’m not foolhardy enough to blame all of that on Dusty Baker. I know that some are ready to blame him for everything from the bad economy to Hurricane Katrina, but those folks are wrong, as far as I’m concerned. He hasn’t even had a full season here as manager, and some want him chased out of town. I think that is unfair and uncalled for. There is nothing wrong with Dusty Baker. The problem is that he hasn’t been given the players to get to the playoffs with here, let alone win a championship. But with the maturation of guys like Jay Bruce, EE, and a few key free agent pickups and/or trades this offseason to fill some holes, I am highly confident and optimistic about 2009 and beyond. As a matter of fact, I haven’t felt as good about the Reds future since I’ve been a fan as I do right now. The Reds are on the cusp of something special. Not having Dusty Baker as manager will not help them get to where they want to go.By Hubertucky
August 19, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
As stated, Bob Boone’s “dismal .455 winning percentage” (per your calculation) is a fact, a statistic. Then tell us this, oh wise one Matt, if .455 is dismal, what is Dusty Baker’s .440 winning percentage as Red’s manager this year? What is below dismal, in your rarified-air opinion?By michael
August 19, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
I agree with everyone about Javy Velentin. Javy is not an everyday player on a good team. Javy is a big part of this team, and goes about his business and works hard. He has earned the right to play everyday on this team, as the Reds are not a good team! I went to the game Saturday and Valentin was the first player on the field warming up, and he stayed on the field until game time. Heck, he even signed a couple of autographs! He is a ballplayer.By Matt
August 19, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this
Well Bob, they probably looked at the track record of Dusty winning with every team that he has managed. They probably looked at his well over .500 record as manager coming into this season, or his over 1,100 victories as manager coming into this season. Let’s counter that with Bob Boone’s record as manager. That record would be 371-444. In my calculation that is a dismal .455 winning percentage. All this anti-Dusty talk that you are a part of Bob just doesn’t represent any fact, statistic, or anything else that is substantiated. Is Dusty a perfect man, or manager? No. But comparing him to Bob Boone is frankly ridiculous and absurd. He is light years ahead of Bob Boone, as far as managing goes. He is the best manager this team has had since Jack McKeon, and he should have never been let go in the first place.By Bob
August 19, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
Baker said “me and Tony hook up pretty good. What in, arm wresting? Much better manager and better players means the Cards win almost every time. In my rating of managers, Dusty is ahead of Bob Boone. Boone is at the bottom. What track record did the Reds look at in the hiring of Baker. He’ll swallow a splinter before he leads the Reds to the World Series.By HuberTucky
August 19, 2008 1:15 AM | Link to this
Oh goody goody, a game! I like Charlie’s idea and want to play along. Here goes…Id much prefer it if Baker would get all fired up, kick some butt in the dugout, tell Corey to sit down, spit out his toothpick, argue more with the umpires, get tossed a time or two defending his players, show some passion, and stop being such a people pleaser with reporters and say what he REALLY feels! I would also very much like to see the camera pan into the dugout and catch Dusty swiggin’ out of a flask — he deserves to get a buzz. BTW, I like him on the Dodgers, as a manager, and always have but I also liked him as a comentator on ESPN. See, I’ve never hated Dusty (I don’t hate anybody). I can like the man and still hold his feet to the fire. That’s part of the deal when you are in the public eye. It goes for all celebs, athletes, politicians, actors & bubble-headed starlets as well.By wizard
August 18, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
Yep, you are correct, Cait, about all the good posts today—your’s being one of the better one’s.Incidentally,great name!By Matt
August 18, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this
Taking part in Charlie’s finish-the-sentence post at 6:55 PM, “Id much prefer it if Baker would”…stick around as manager for as long as possible!By wizard
August 18, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
Huber Tucky: I must agree with your 5:37 post. When people talk about Javy not being an everyday player, they must be talking about on this years Red Sox/and other’s, full of veteran and proven talent—not this Reds team. I speak of Javy deserving to start—if one wants to put our best sticks in the lineup—by allowing Votto to play where he played at the end of last season, in left. Heck, I’d even play Valentin at third,in place of EE, if they don’t want to move Votto. Of course, if the idea isn’t to win; and score more runs than we have been scoring…By Charlie
August 18, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this
Baker=Hot Air. Hal, Let’s have a contest to finish the following sentence: I’d much prefer it if Baker would:__ (Let the people vent, Hal.)By HuberTucky
August 18, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
Pete, which Reds team are you watching? Javier Valentin has been awesome this year. Given the chance to play, the man is terrific. Clutch hitting, great fielding for a 5’ 10” 215 pound barrel. How you can say what you did about Valentin shows your ignorance in spite of the facts and proof to the contrary, and your “end of discussion” declaration shows your arrogance.By Cait
August 18, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
Wizard, I agree with you on BP. Note that I said he should observe Pujols’ leadership style. As you noted, you don’t declare yourself a leader, you just lead, and that means playing hard all the time and getting on players cases when they make mental errors or don’t hustle. BP isn’t ready for that, but he’s the only guy on the team with the leverage to do it w/Jr. & Dunn gone. Votto might become a leader, but he needs a few years of seniority. Finally, I have been pumping Valentin for more playing time for awhile. I disagree that he’s an everyday player at 1B or C, but Dusty has pinch hit him 2-3 times a week all season and rarely played him a full game. That’s nuts on a team that struggles offensively. And with Reds catchers (Bako/Ross) among league leaders in passed balls, and being average at best throwing runners out, I don’t see that Valentin could be significantly worse defensively behind the plate. He’s playing good D at 1B, not perfect, but neither is Votto. Valentin would get plenty of PT backing both of those positions up regularly. The PT would make him a better pinch hitter, too. Lots of good posts on the blog today!By Y-City Jim
August 18, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
Ride the Latin Love Machine horse until it drops.By wizard
August 18, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Excellent blog, Matt.If the Reds are going to leave Joey at first—I would agree with your point. But, if they are going to move him later to the outfield, then I say why not do it now, when Javy is doing well. I do not think Javy is our future at first, either—but until the future arrives… Thanks to Post office dean…By tom
August 18, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
Instead of closing off the open end of the ballpark, how about closing off the gap along the third base line and moving the power alley fences back at least 10 feet?By Matt
August 18, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
It’s guys like Javy Valentin, in my opinion, that are so important to a big league ballclub. He not only is a solid all-around player, but he just goes about his business and gets it done. Do you ever see his quotes in the newspapers or on the Internet? Is he ever a distraction to the team? No. He is a guy who obviously busts his butt every day and has a genuine love for the game. Do you build a team around a guy like Valentin? No. But he is a big part of this team, and the Reds should keep him around until he retires. All that being said though, Valentin’s best days are long behind him, and his role on the team is where he should remain. He is not an everyday first baseman, and he shouldn’t be for this or any other team. Votto is clearly the entrenched first baseman, and I’m sure that he will be as long as he is a Red.By post office Dean
August 18, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
I want to jump on the Javier Valentin band wagon, I don’t think we have missed a beat with him a first base in Votto’s absence. I think he would make a good team leader, he plays hard and sets a good exampe. I think he has as much power as Votto and would be more consistant with the long ball. JV is the MAN!By wizard
August 18, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
Excellent points at 10:55am Mike-Cinci! OK, I’ll quit talking now. Thanks for listening.By anthony
August 18, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
“By Mike August 17, 2008 1:18 PM Really, what else would Baker or say? Whether he actually believes it or not is not the point, he told the media what they should hear. He was policitally correct. What he not correct about is NOT playing Votto!” dude votto has been on the bereavement list for a week and hasn’t taken any b-p or anything. he needs a day or two to get back into it. geezBy wizard
August 18, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
Yo Pete! Have you seen Votto make any better plays this year than Valentin has recently at first? I disagree with you—the man can swing the bat! I can’t think of anyone the Reds have who I’d rather have at the plate than Javier—Therefore, he has to start!!!By wizard
August 18, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
Cait, Leaders don’t tell the world they want to be the team leader; they simply become the leader through their play and example! I am real sick of the never ending saying:”This is so and so’s team”! That is arrogant BS! I like Brandon; but he just needs to shut up and play—if the team then wants to follow, it will! You aren’t a team leader, when you keep getting picked off.By wizard
August 18, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
Just a hunch, Michael. Just a hunch. No one can be that bad two years in a row—and he can play late defense, if they need it. He CAN go get the fly balls. I think he can become an asset for the Reds. If he were to start hitting,he would be a great purchase—speed kills!Sometimes potential is more important than what have you done for me lately! And, speaking of what have you done for me, lately—Valentin is only hitting .350 and playing great defense. With Alonzo on the way—why not play V at first, and move Votto to left {which may be where they want to play him if Alonzo plays 1st base}? Regardless, Valentin has risen to the occassion—he has met the challenge!IMO.By Bobs
August 18, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
Dusty is a joke, the organization is a joke, and the owner is joke. (although Dusty taking out EV with under 100 pitches was a VERY good thing). I so want to give Dusty the benefit of the doubt, but the man needs to stop talking. Has he accepted any of the blame this year? Or does he continue to blame Krivisky for everything? This team was put together to win THIS year…while that may have been a pipe dream, that was the expectation by the manager, GM, and owner. For Dusty to glance over all of this should tell you what kind of man he is. First mistake was taking his boy, Patterson over Bruce. How could any of the players respect a manager who would trade blind loyalty over talent? When, and not if, the Reds lose next year, who will Dusty blame? On a side note, the Reds need to push Brandon Phillips’ name out there a little more. I fear Phillips could get pushed aside nationally. He should be a Gold Glove winner.By Fred
August 18, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
Cait, you are right on target. Pujols is the leader of the Cards and he absolutely is the epitomy of a good leader, leading by example. I agree that BP has the ability to become that but he needs to address some areas of his game: 1) the showboating is not what you want from your leader and 2) you hustle every single play, not just when the game is on the line.By Fred
August 18, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this
Cait, you are right on target. Pujols is the leader of the Cards and he absolutely is the epitomy of a good leader, leading by example. I agree that BP has the ability to become that but he needs to address some areas of his game: 1) the showboating is not what you want from your leader and 2) you hustle every single play, not just when the game is on the line.By Matt
August 18, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
To clear things up, the only SN that I have ever used on this blog is “Matt”. I don’t use different SN’s for different occasions. Just to make that clear.By Cait
August 18, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
Two things struck me as I watched the Cardinals series last weekend (besides being a glutton for punishment). 1. The Reds need an Albert Pujols. Not just his baseball skills, but his leadership. It’s clear this is his team and he leads by example, and I suspect, verbally when need be. I think Brandon Phillips has a chance to be a similar leader for the Reds, but he should first study Pujols’ style. Albert never showboats and he never whines. He’s always steady and he always seems to be concentrating on the task at hand, whether it’s hitting, baserunning or defense. I like Phillips’ flash with the glove, but sometimes it’s a bit much. 2. Hustle, even when the game is out of reach (winning or losing). This, too, goes to Pujols’ leadership, but also to LaRussa. I loved seeing that Tampa Bay benched Upton for not hustling. Dusty is making a big mistake by not getting all over guys when they don’t hustle, especially the young ones who need to learn now. I think the Reds should bring Eric Davis and Mario Soto aboard full-time. These guys know all about hustle, leadership and character and they would be great tools for the younger guys to learn from.By Mike-Cinci
August 18, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
While I don’t agree with Dusty all the time it is hard to blame him for the failings of the Reds. Except for the bullpen this team is near the bottom in every category…hitting, pitching, defense, speed. There is a talent shortage that no manager can fix. The Reds problem has been the lack of player development over many years which has made Boone, Narron Miley, Mackanin, and Baker look bad. When players are not quite good enough it shows up in their hitting/pitching stats but also in their defense and how they handle the little things like bunting, moving the runner over, hitting the cut off man, throwing strikes, playing hard, and running the bases. The Reds are difficient in all these things and it is not the managers fault. Reds management has to find better players. The one guy who is just as miserable as Reds fans over the play of this team is Dusty Baker. Name the Reds who have surprised us on the upside by their play this year. I say Volquez, Lincoln, Hairston. All the rest have played as expected or worse. You can’t win that way. Jocketty has his work cut out for him.By pocketpool
August 18, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
hey bruiser (matt), getting on matt’s case IS the same as playing with myself, my favorite pasttime! because it’s so easy. amazing that your very first post under your new fake name is so un-baseball & utterly meaningless, “bruiser” matt!By michael
August 18, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
Mike, good question? If I were in Baker’s shoes, I think I would be taking a more “business- like” approach to the game. I would take my job serious if the fans paid me to win. Well, I am just a fan who apparently knows nothing about this game.By Mike
August 18, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
When did the dugout become the Reds day care center?By Steven Ross
August 18, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
Per Baker’s comments: He’s talking out his a**e. Yeah, we’ll turn it around but I doubt you’ll be part of it. Jocketty has a plan and that includes his own manager. Even if Baker returns, he’ll be on short leash.By michael
August 18, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
Still not sure about Baker, as he has had nothing to work with. He started the season with a weak team (Griffey hitting 3rd, Bako Catching, Patterson in CF, etc.), but he has stuck with these guys too long and dug a hole too deep. Valentin? Great Pinch- Hitter. Period. The main question I have for wizard is….why Patterson?By Steven Ross
August 18, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
Matt wrote: Volquez is looking at close to 200 innings this year, plus Winter Ball. FYI: Volquez pitched 8 & two-thirds innings in Winter Ball. I think he can handle it.By MAC
August 18, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
I have to agree w/ most; I’m just not sold on Baker as a positive answer as our Mgr. He makes a lot of questionable moves and it only sounds worse when he tries to explain why. This team is full of young talent and they need a lot of direction & leadership that Baker doesn’t seem capable of giving? On a positive note, I would encourage everyone to read the 12 May, SI article on the D-Backs success. What’s notable is the amount of young players that have contributed to the teams overall success after they took their lumps @ the ML level. This has been Matt’s pt much of the season and I’m sure what the Reds are counting on in terms of EE, Votto, Bruce, Cueto and Volquez? Only time will tell. P.S. The article did mention that SP, M.Owens had 69 HRs in HS; he just may be our Rick Ankiel?By Kevin
August 18, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this
UR right Pete….Valentin is mediocre at best.Cant see them signing a stud free agent pitcher either. They do however have alot of talent to use as trade bait to get one. I also think they should look at Baily as a closer. Im not sold on Cordero as the answer.By Pete
August 18, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this
Yo Wizard… U R stoned, dude? Valentin IS NOT an everyday player. He’s not even an average pinch-hitter! Big deal that he’s having a bit of a run @ the plate. In the long haul… & in reality, he’s lucky to even have a job. & Matt… wake up!!!! The Reds won’t go after Sabathia or anyone else of that caliber. End of discussion.By Kevin
August 18, 2008 7:01 AM | Link to this
One thing he should do is this….Make sure everyone understands that they are from here on out additioning for a job on next years team….not just by your actions on the field but your attitude in the clubhouse as well. NO MORE NEGATIVITY!!!!By Kevin
August 18, 2008 6:54 AM | Link to this
People….people…. Always with these negative vibes!!!Of course Baker was talking about next year. When he made the comments about this not being his team he was in a sense correct. It all starts from the top….and it sounds to me like it has! would you rather have him being negative and criticle about every little thing(like alot of you!)or to accentuate the positives? Give the man a break…there is little to be done with the situation he has at this point. It all begins from day one of spring training next year. That moment should start the clock ticking for Dusty and Walt!By bruiser
August 18, 2008 3:01 AM | Link to this
Hey Pocketpool—-get off Matt’s case and go play with yourself.By Michael in Monterey, CA
August 18, 2008 1:54 AM | Link to this
Did someone say curse? Get those things outta there. Afterall, Pedro Borbon put a curse on the Reds when he was shipped off to SF- and that damn thing lasted over a decade. Someone had CP in CF for the Reds next year? Forget about it. He has as much chance of returning to the Reds as Griffey or Dunn- neither of which are tearing it up for their new teams. (Dunn OBP noted).By pocketpool
August 17, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this
it’s very obvious, matt, that in your delusional mind, practically anything that anyone else on this blog says is hate material. especially if it disagrees with your selprofessed expertise about any and all things baseball. you have no respect for the opinions of others and constantly rag on anyone who offers a differing opinion. if you’re so “tired of hearing it,” then go crawl back into your hole, little boy…it’s been really great since you were on your little pouting hiatus. sorry you’re backBy Matt
August 17, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this
Well pocketpool, or brarhopper or Hubertucky or whatever your name is, at least I have the intestinal fortitude to stand by my comments. I don’t have 10 or 15 different SN’s. I make my opinions known, and I stand by them. I don’t talk out of my hind end. Also, I’m surely not ignorant enough about baseball, Baker or the Reds to think that pulling a pitcher out of the game who is under 100 pitches is a terrible, horrible move. Volquez is looking at close to 200 innings this year, plus Winter Ball. It was a smart move to not overuse a guy who is a stud of the Reds pitching staff, and probably will be for years to come. It’s just like I said pocketpool, or whoever you really are, Dusty can’t win with you and other “Dusty haters” no matter what he does. You and others on here criticize and critique the man for every breath he takes practically. It’s ridiculous, and I get tired of seeing it. I may be a “blabbermouth”, but at least when I post here I have something intelligent and thoughtful to say. You should try it.By redfuture
August 17, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
Hal’s words about Dusty drumming his fingers on his desk as he was making these inane meaningless comments painted a picture for me of Humphrey Bogart in the “Caine Mutiny” while he trying to figure out who ate the strawberries. Instead of saying they’re going to be better just because…well they are, why not talk about concrete things of how he is going to insist on constant hustle down the line on batted balls and hard turns around the bag looking for the slightest outfield bobble to take off to 2B. Going into 2B hard to break up double plays. Throwing to the right base, not getting picked off 2B with no outs etc, etc, etc. You know the kinds of things that La Russa insists upon or you are not in the lineup the next day!By pocketpool
August 17, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this
Only god (if you believe in such a thing) and Dusty Baker know the mind of Dusty Baker. Notice I did not mention 3:39 & 4:06 blogger, who seems to be the official interpreter for the Red’s manager…he apparently knows the man’s intentions and what he thinks and what his motives are probably better than Dusty himself. And speaking of “dissecting every word the man says,” that also seems to be the proclivity of 3:39. The old “do as I say, not as I do” hypocrisy at work again. I guess our vacation is over. Blabbermouth is back.By Post office Dean
August 17, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
I agree with Matt’s comments at 4:06, that was a good blog, some people just want to dog the Reds, like now they have started on Brandon Phillips, I just take the Reds the way they are and hope they win, so I don’t feel down the rest to the day.By Mike
August 17, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
Reds got 13 hits today. Excellent bet that they lose the next 2-3 while trying to get 7 hits in a game!By wizard
August 17, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
Lets see a couple of bloggers have ridiculed my suggestions about Dickerson and Valentin; saying they are not major league starters—those bloggers are incorrect,on both accounts, as is being proven daily! Next year:Votto—LF;Bruce—RF; Dickerson/Patterson—CF;Phillips—SS;Hairston—2nd;Valentin—1st{waiting on Yolando};Keppinger—3rd;By Mike-Cinci
August 17, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
Pocketpool made a good comment on the Reds playing hard. To Patterson’s credit he did go hard into 2nd base on Saturday night to break up a double play. Jay Bruce looked awful today doing nothing to break up a double play. Hustle does not seem to come naturally to Bruce. Maybe it has been too easy for him. I see where Joe Maddon, manager of the Rays, pulled B.J. Upton in the middle of Friday’s game for not runing out a grounder. He benched him on Saturday. Upton apologized. All players should be expected to hustle. The Cardinals are a good example. All their players hustle or they don’t remain Cardinals.By Matt
August 17, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
That’s also a pitcher who has worked over 150 innings this year, not including Winter Ball. That is the most innings he has pitched in his short career. Dusty is probably trying to protect Volquez’s arm by having him throw less than 100 pitches today. I say that’s a great move. Volquez pitched 7 great innings. Let the bullpen wrap it up in the 8th and 9th. If Dusty isn’t “overworking” a pitcher, then he is overusing the bullpen. He just can’t win with certain folks on this forum that’s for sure. In the end, Volquez will get his 15th win, and the Reds will get the ‘W’. A good day at the office.By Mark in Sun Valley
August 17, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
More lip service from Baker. When he complains about an overworked bullpen and then takes out his starter with under 100 pitches and a shutout going, how do we not blame at least some of the overwork on his bad decision making. The team will not be a winner as long as Dusty is at the helm.By Matt
August 17, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
Dusty was obviously referring to next year and beyond when talking about this team getting it together. It seems to me his comments were appropriate and prudent. Instead of dissecting every word the man says, let’s look at the overall gist of it. He talked of proving Pete Rose wrong about good pitchers wanting to come to the Reds and GABP to pitch. Let’s all hope that is the case. With guys like Sabathia on the free agent market this year, and who knows who else in the years to come, the Reds need to be able to sign a pitcher in the mold of Sabathia to help solidify the rotation. That is particularly true with the # 5 spot. This team needs to find another starting pitcher somewhere, because the ones who have auditioned for that # 5 spot have been awful this year for the most part. That may be fine in August when the games mean nothing and your 21 games out of first place, but earlier in the year when your playing for something you better have a solid 1 through 5 rotation. Baker made some good points, and it seems to me that the Reds will be in a position to win next year and beyond, provided that they make good choices regarding free agents, trades and things of that nature. It’s time for Jocketty, Baker and Co. to roll up their sleeves this offseason.By Y-City Jim
August 17, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
Baker is a big talker. That statement is right on. He seems to generate a reality distortion field that seduces all within hearing range.By pocketpool
August 17, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
Masks? Gads!Superstitions, indeed. That’s like believing in faries and elves. Anyway, here’s another bone of contention I have with Baker. Last night, the Cardinals with a 9-3 lead late in the game slide hard into 2nd to take out Phillips and bust up a 2bl play. They play hard and they play right. Today, Bruce goes into second like a pansy, no slide and flailing around. How long do you think a REAL manager like LaRussa or Socia would stand for that crap? For Baker to tolerate that kind of don’t-give-a-shite play and tolerate his players not running hard down to 1st base…that “tude” rests with the manager for allowing that kind of lack of hustle. Will Baker EVER get it? He’s a big talker, but I saw what a whiner he was as Cubs manager. No wonder they dusted off Dusty. I am yet to see any resonn to have confidence in this man as manager of a fledgling team, the ONLY team in all of baseball to be in 6th place! Oh yeah, how pleasant to see Dusty’s kid in the dugout. What time is the picnic?By Mike
August 17, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
Really, what else would Baker or say? Whether he actually believes it or not is not the point, he told the media what they should hear. He was policitally correct. What he not correct about is NOT playing Votto!By Y-City Jim
August 17, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
If you want GABP to be less of a hitter’s park, you are going to have to close off the open end of the ballpark to reduce the convection currents. Maybe they can get away with just partially closing it off but the air flow has to be restricted.