A thread I loved reading....

[Kingspoint]

Unfortunately, it's from the Old Red Guard, so I can't post it. You'll have to use the link.

http://www.redszone.com/forums/showt...ht=dusty+baker

It's from the week Dusty got hired. Some San Francisco writer was trying to defend Dusty. The truth be told after we've had him for two years.

[Ghosts of 1990]

He's still a numb-skull isn't he? Still making those questionable moves. It's hard for me to root against him because he is such a pleasant man (I've spoken to him on several occasions) and the players seem to like him. But I'm just not sure he fits this young talent. It's 2010 or bust for Baker. But then at that point we've thrown away 3 more "re-building" years and a new guy gets the same excuse.

[Kingspoint]

Originally Posted by JayBruce32

He's still a numb-skull isn't he? Still making those questionable moves. It's hard for me to root against him because he is such a pleasant man (I've spoken to him on several occasions) and the players seem to like him. But I'm just not sure he fits this young talent. It's 2010 or bust for Baker. But then at that point we've thrown away 3 more "re-building" years and a new guy gets the same excuse.

I know a lot of nice guys I wouldn't want anywhere near my team. How's that working for Marvin?

[CesarGeronimo]

Originally Posted by JayBruce32

He's still a numb-skull isn't he? Still making those questionable moves. It's hard for me to root against him because he is such a pleasant man (I've spoken to him on several occasions) and the players seem to like him. But I'm just not sure he fits this young talent. It's 2010 or bust for Baker. But then at that point we've thrown away 3 more "re-building" years and a new guy gets the same excuse.

He reminds me of some of the near-retirement guys I've worked with over the years who at some point who refused to keep learning and adapting - using new tools, ideas and technology - so they didn't fare well in a changing workplace. That doesn't mean they're not good people and weren't great contributors at some earlier point, but there aren't many lines of work, particularly at the managerial level, where you can refuse to adapt over the length of your career and remain remain effective. Dusty is like that in having a younger, less developed group of players in a different era of baseball, but sticking determinedly to old ways of thinking, playing and managing.

On the other hand, I've known older business managers and employees who have embraced change, continuous learning and new ideas and ways of doing things. In doing so, they've remained among the most effective managers and workers in their organizations.