Wayne: No Panic

[redsmetz]

No panic, Krivsky says
GM says manager change 'not on the radar'

By C. Trent Rosecrans
Post staff reporter

SAN DIEGO - Chad Moeller and Marcus McBeth aren't saviors for the Reds' season - and they're not intended to be.

While the moves to call up the catcher and reliever and option starter Bobby Livingston and infielder Jeff Keppinger to Class AAA Louisville following Monday night's 7-1 loss to the Padres are hardly the moves everyone outside of the Reds front office is clamoring for, that won't sway general manager Wayne Krivsky, he said after the game.

"There won't be any panic, either," Krivsky said. "We've played how many games? 39?"

With Monday's loss, the Reds have lost 24 of those 39, including four straight and 11 of the last 13.

Krivsky reiterated his confidence in manager Jerry Narron and said a change in managers "isn't even on the radar."

"We're doing everything we can to win games," Krivsky said.

Frankly I think it would be good if we can calm the panic in the streets - frankly, cool heads are needed. I've said it repeatedly that I'm glad Castellini and Krivsky are not panicking - I think this club can work through this and be the better for it.

[Redsland]

Originally Posted by redsmetz

I think this club can work through this…

Based on…?

[redsmetz]

Originally Posted by Redsland

Based on…?

Based on the fact that aside from the bullpen, this club isn't as bad as their record presently. I've never understood the whole notion of Pythag etc, but as I've heard folks talk about it this week, I've grasped the concept.

When EE gets back up (and I think he's in Louisville to get his head on straight), this isn't a bad line up overall. The starters have been fairly good and I think they can maintain their pace. At some point, I think we'll get the bullpen right.

I know it looks like a train wreck today, but it won't be all season. I was among those who said this club wasn't going to contend this year unless everything fell right - it hasn't; not just with us but throughout the division. I still think this club can right itself and come close to even.

I'm glad to see the steady hands because I've long believed that the constant turnover in management is hurting the club. I think the Reds can win in years to come to Narron at the helm. I don't believe for a minute that he's as stupid as far too many Redzone denizens believe.

[BCubb2003]

Originally Posted by redsmetz

Based on the fact that aside from the bullpen, this club isn't as bad as their record presently. I've never understood the whole notion of Pythag etc, but as I've heard folks talk about it this week, I've grasped the concept.

When EE gets back up (and I think he's in Louisville to get his head on straight), this isn't a bad line up overall. The starters have been fairly good and I think they can maintain their pace. At some point, I think we'll get the bullpen right.

I know it looks like a train wreck today, but it won't be all season. I was among those who said this club wasn't going to contend this year unless everything fell right - it hasn't; not just with us but throughout the division. I still think this club can right itself and come close to even.

I'm glad to see the steady hands because I've long believed that the constant turnover in management is hurting the club. I think the Reds can win in years to come to Narron at the helm. I don't believe for a minute that he's as stupid as far too many Redzone denizens believe.

I agree. A lineup that makes the most of Griffey, Dunn, Hamilton and Edwin, smart handling of the starting pitchers, and the excruciatingly slow process of fixing the bullpen will bring the team back from the dead.

[Redsland]

Originally Posted by redsmetz

Based on the fact that aside from the bullpen, this club isn't as bad as their record presently.

Well, the infield offense if pretty terrible. The corner defense is comedic. The bench is dismal. There's a black hole at catcher. On-field management is laughable. Then there's the braintrust.

Yep, the bullpen is the only problem. Fortunately, Stanton is under contract for another year.

[Chip R]

Originally Posted by Redsland

Yep, the bullpen is the only problem. Fortunately, Stanton is under contract for another year.

Whew! For a second there I was worried.

[RANDY IN INDY]

I think a manager change might be problematic for Hamilton, particularly with Jerry's brother being his personal "caddie" right now.

[pedro]

Originally Posted by RANDY IN CHAR NC

I think a manager change might be problematic for Hamilton, particularly with Jerry's brother being his personal "caddie" right now.

That's a good point and probably reason enough to keep Narron around for the whole year, even if he is proving to be less then and astute game manager.

[Chip R]

Originally Posted by RANDY IN CHAR NC

I think a manager change might be problematic for Hamilton, particularly with Jerry's brother being his personal "caddie" right now.

I guess I'm failing to see the problem here. Jerry and Johnny aren't joined at the hip. Just because one goes doesn't mean the other will follow. If Johnny Narron weren't coaching for the Reds, he'd be coaching in A ball for the Brewers. I don't know about you but to me a major league coaching job is a lot more attractive than unemployment or coaching in A ball. Do you actually think Johnny will quit if Jerry gets fired?

[Eric_Davis]

Originally Posted by Chip R

I guess I'm failing to see the problem here. Jerry and Johnny aren't joined at the hip. Just because one goes doesn't mean the other will follow. If Johnny Narron weren't coaching for the Reds, he'd be coaching in A ball for the Brewers. I don't know about you but to me a major league coaching job is a lot more attractive than unemployment or coaching in A ball. Do you actually think Johnny will quit if Jerry gets fired?

Yes, if Jerry Narron had the ability to call his own shots and manage any team he wants, but that's not the case, so, as you said, Johnny Narron has no real choice but to stay. It's not like Jerry Narron hasn't had a chance.

These comments by Wayne Krivsky I agreed with whole-heartedly until I saw the 10th inning tonight. But, I think they Narron and Krivsky communicate well together and that's important. I'd rather have Narron than Bob Boone, though. That doesn't mean much considering that no one is knocking down Boones door to manage again.

[SunDeck]

Originally Posted by RANDY IN CHAR NC

I think a manager change might be problematic for Hamilton, particularly with Jerry's brother being his personal "caddie" right now.

I thought of that too, but my guess is Jerry wouldn't be entirely surprised if he got canned. It's part of being a manager- always rent. He has been around the game long enough to know that getting fired is not always a reflection on the manager or even on the organization's comittment towards him. It simply boils down to the fact that you can't fire 15 ballplayers, but that you can fire one manager.

Additionally, the history of the Narron/Hamilton relationship tells me they are committed to Josh's success. My guess is they would be classy enough to do what needs to be done to help the kid out. And Hamilton is enough of a priority for the Reds that they would have to make sure to treat the Narron's right for the sake of Josh. Well, I hope so anyway.

[BuckeyeRedleg]

Yes, work through this and get to where they belong.

10-15 games below .500 by September 30th.

That would be a feat.

[Yachtzee]

Don't Panic...the management philosophy of the Hitchhiker's Guide.

[M2]

Originally Posted by Yachtzee

Don't Panic...the management philosophy of the Hitchhiker's Guide.

But does Jerry know where his towel is?

[pedro]

There's no need to panic b/c there's no way to fix it. The Reds had a team that might win 84 games if everything went right. Nothing Krivsky can do is going to fix that. Regardless, when teams completely tank like this traditionally the manager takes the fall, as I was on the fence about Narron before the collapse I don't see any reason why he shouldn't take the hit.