I pose a question then:
Next Friday, if the exact same scenario happens again, do you think Dusty finds a pinch hitter (likely a starting pitcher)?
I think the answer is yes. Simon is done bunting for the year, UNLESS he is going out to pitch the next inning.
If it was that big of a concern, then pitchers wouldn't be bunting so often. What's worse, a pitcher breaking fingers, or grounding into a double play/striking out?
Obvious the fingers are a bigger concern in the grand scheme, but I don't think that is Dusty's thought (or any managers), or else he'd be swinging away with his pitchers a whole lot more.
The decision was more about lesser of two evils than high expectations that the guy would get the job done. This is a common MO of Dusty, so if it was Simon again, he'd be up there again.
And then there's this crazy thought. You know that batting cage thingy off the Reds dugout? Maybe Simon could practice in case he is put in that situation again. I know it sounds wacky, but it could work
"Rounding 3rd and heading for home, good night everybody"
Of course, eddabbs post said something quite different than the TShirt. Eddabbs talked about the "self-imposed" frustration of "over" analyzing Dusty's decisions.
In this case, I wouldn't have bunted at all. Hanigan was on first, likely to be thrown out at second, very slow. Game was close, I would have used a pinch hitter and played for the bigger inning.
Even when I disagree with Dusty, I can usually see the logic if I squint hard enough. I don't get this one at all. Send Leake up there to get the bunt down.
It was only the 6th inning. We needed a bunt (not someone to swing!) which Simon should be able to handle. Had we needed a hit we would have most likely seen a PH. So what Dusty saw an opportunity to get a job done with using 2 players instead do 3
I think you can expect it all day long, and then you can look at stats to see if it supports your expectations. In his 6 year major league career Simon has a whopping 7 ABs and Zero sac bunts. His last successful sac bunt was 7 years ago in the minors. Simon was not put in a position to succeed and based on his numbers and lack of experience, Baker's expectations of him were unrealistic.
Now maybe Baker didn't really care if he succeeded and that's why he sent him up there....but there were several better options available to perform that task.
CesarGeronimo (05-14-2013)
Hoping to change my username to 75769023
The older I get - the better I was
and yes - I hate the Cardinals (Reds fan since 1958)
I miss Raisor
malcontent (05-11-2013)
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