Baker's reasoning for not pinch hitting for Patterson (McCoy)

[Homer Bailey]

http://www.daytondailynews.com/o/con...incinnatireds/

Baker’s TWO reasons for Patterson
By Hal McCoy | Wednesday, June 18, 2008, 03:20 PM

Latest comment
“…feeble reasons, illogical reasons…”
Damn. True. You go, Hal.
...

Read 10 comments
Post your comment index
One might label this one: “Beating the opposition the punch,” or, “A guilty conscience.”

Before he asked by the media after Tuesday’s game, Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker brought it up himself, saying he knew people wandered why.

Oh, yeah?

So why did Baker permit Corey Patterson, a lefthander hitting .193, bat against Dodger lefthander Joe Beimel, a pitcher against whom Patterson was 1 for 13 with six strikeouts.

At theime, there were runners on second and third with two outs and the Reds trailed, 2-1. Patterson bounced meekly to second base.

Baker said his reason was two-fold:

ONE - He said at the time he didn’t believe Ken Griffey Jr. was availalbe (out of the lineup with a virus), although Griffey pinch-hit in the ninth - and struck out.

And he said Patterson hits leftanders better than righthanders. Untrue. Patterson is hitting .167 against lefthanders and .199 against righthanders. Clearly, he hits neither.

TWO - Baker said he had no outfielders. Andy Phillips played outfield in spring training, but not since, and Baker said it would be unfair to him. Still, he could have played right field for a couple of innings, with Jay Bruce moving from right to center.

And shortstop Jolbert Cabrera played 16 games in the outfield for Louisville. He could have moved from shortstop to right and Paul Janish inserted a shortstop.

To me, those are feeble reasons, Illogical reasons.

Anyway, that’s Baker’s story and he is sticking to it as we sit in the press box at Great American Ball Park awaiting the second game of the Dodgers series.

The thing is - nobody is hitting. The Reds are hitting .178 on this 2-5 homestand. They’ve scored 2.3 runs a game. They are hitting .075 with runners in scoring position and are 0 for their last 11.

My Aunt Opal could hit better than that with her ironing board - and she is in a wheel chair.

The lineup hasn’t been posted yet, but if Patterson is in there I won’t be able to write tonight because there will be a mess on my laptop.



That's insane.

[Matt700wlw]

Oh, Dusty.

Statistically for his CAREER, Corey Patterson has hit better against righties than lefties.....264 vs .240 (roughly)

[nate]

Oh, Dusty.

Statistically for his CAREER, Corey Patterson has hit better against righties than lefties.....264 vs .240 (roughly)

Is that OPS?

[Matt700wlw]

Is that OPS?

Believe it or not, it's average.....his career average is .255

[Joseph]

Hal McCoy calling people fools, more or less.

You know its bad when that happens.

[RedsManRick]

Hal McCoy calling people fools, more or less.

You know its bad when that happens.

And that's on top of Welsh's "geez" last night. Maybe Dusty got the message.

[Caveat Emperor]

And that's on top of Welsh's "geez" last night. Maybe Dusty got the message.

I was thinking it would take an intervention.

[Rounding Third]

This just in from the Reds dugout. Another update on Corey Patterson

“Votto leading off today,” said manager Dusty Baker. “Corey (Patterson) wasn’t getting on base...

http://www.daytondailynews.com/blogs...oey_votto.html

[KronoRed]

“Votto leading off today,” said manager Dusty Baker. [i]“Corey (Patterson) wasn’t getting

Corey never has gotten on base for any team during his career, nice that Dusty got the memo.

[knuckler]

Hal McCoy calling people fools, more or less.

You know its bad when that happens.

The shocking thing to me is that I figured Dusty was going to be one of McCoy's guys, the teflon manager. I really underestimated Hal McCoy -- credit him for figuring out that the emperor has no clothes quickly.

It's a shame Dusty was signed to such a big, long-term contract. At least Patterson will be gone after this year.

[Chip R]

So the great communicator didn't know if Jr. was able to pinch hit earlier in the game but he knew in the 9th? Unacceptable.

[Homer Bailey]

So the great communicator didn't know if Jr. was able to pinch hit earlier in the game but he knew in the 9th? Unacceptable.

C'mon. He knew. It was just his poor attempt at rationalizing his decision to keep his son er- leadoff hitter in the game.

[GAC]

The less this man talks, the more sense he makes.

[paulrichjr]

I actually believe that the press is starting to turn on Dusty. Once Marty completely jumps ship watch out. I honestly don't know that Dusty will make it to 2009.

[RedsManRick]

I actually believe that the press is starting to turn on Dusty. Once Marty completely jumps ship watch out. I honestly don't know that Dusty will make it to 2009.

Well, maybe the Cincy media can take after the New York (Mets) media and collectively get the manager fired.