Dusty great manager?

[ian_madden]

If you were looking at this team, before the season started, and you were to tell me that BP would be in a month long slump to start the season. Votto would have vertigo like symptoms and be out for a few games. Micah Owings was our best pinch hitter. Jay Bruce was only batting .228. and Willy Taveras only had 12 stolen bases. What would you say our record would be? under .500? Dead last in the division, sellers at Memorial day?

You have to give Dusty some credit. He doesn't always say the right things, heck, he says some things that even he doesn't believe comes out of his mouth, but he motivates these young kids. He has a group of AAA ballplayers, role players, that are just giving him all they have every single game. Some are playing out of their minds out of Position (ie. Ramon Hernandez at 1st.).

Its not like we are playing mistake free baseball, we are having our errors, we have our mistakes, but we fight, we take pitches, we don't swing at bad pitches. We believe in each other and no matter what, we out hustle the other team. That is motivation, that is a great leader, that is Dusty Baker.:thumbup:

[Griffey012]

If you were looking at this team, before the season started, and you were to tell me that BP would be in a month long slump to start the season. Votto would have vertigo like symptoms and be out for a few games. Micah Owings was our best pinch hitter. Jay Bruce was only batting .228. and Willy Taveras only had 12 stolen bases. What would you say our record would be? under .500? Dead last in the division, sellers at Memorial day?

You have to give Dusty some credit. He doesn't always say the right things, heck, he says some things that even he doesn't believe comes out of his mouth, but he motivates these young kids. He has a group of AAA ballplayers, role players, that are just giving him all they have every single game. Some are playing out of their minds out of Position (ie. Ramon Hernandez at 1st.).

Its not like we are playing mistake free baseball, we are having our errors, we have our mistakes, but we fight, we take pitches, we don't swing at bad pitches. We believe in each other and no matter what, we out hustle the other team. That is motivation, that is a great leader, that is Dusty Baker.:thumbup:

While he seemingly makes some decisions that I just can't understand and do not seem to make sense, granted all managers make these decisions because we are all allowed to sit here and second guess them. But one thing Dusty has done this year is put guys in the opportunities to succeed, and also put guys into the fire right when they are called up such as Fisher and Gomes. It seems like whoever he puts where they are performing up to their potential and this has to be a positive reflection of an aspect of Dusty as a manager. Like him or not, you can't deny the performance of a lot of AAA callups and role players this year when given the opportunity just as you mentioned.

[mroby85]

If you were looking at this team, before the season started, and you were to tell me that BP would be in a month long slump to start the season. Votto would have vertigo like symptoms and be out for a few games. Micah Owings was our best pinch hitter. Jay Bruce was only batting .228. and Willy Taveras only had 12 stolen bases. What would you say our record would be? under .500? Dead last in the division, sellers at Memorial day?

You have to give Dusty some credit. He doesn't always say the right things, heck, he says some things that even he doesn't believe comes out of his mouth, but he motivates these young kids. He has a group of AAA ballplayers, role players, that are just giving him all they have every single game. Some are playing out of their minds out of Position (ie. Ramon Hernandez at 1st.).

Its not like we are playing mistake free baseball, we are having our errors, we have our mistakes, but we fight, we take pitches, we don't swing at bad pitches. We believe in each other and no matter what, we out hustle the other team. That is motivation, that is a great leader, that is Dusty Baker.:thumbup:


X2, Finally some credit for Dusty! It's very refreshing to see for a change. You have to love how much winning means to him, it's obvious it bothers him when they lose. I like that a lot, and it seems like it's rubbing off on this team!

[bgwilly31]

, but we fight, we take pitches, we don't swing at bad pitches. We believe in each other and no matter what, we out hustle the other team. That is motivation, that is a great leader, that is Dusty Baker.:thumbup:


Or that could be just a change in leadership on the team. Fact that Dunn and Lazy Griffey arent here anymore. And the fact that guys like rosales and Gomes and changing the face of this team.

I think it has more to do with that than dusty baker.

If it doesnt have to do with that why didnt we see this type of attitude and hustle last year. Did dusty change>? No. The team changed.

You think dusty has anything to do with rosales mindset on how he was going to play the game. Rosales was the kind of player he was before he came up. We have a bunch of young kids fighting for a position and loving playing this game.

[mroby85]

Or that could be just a change in leadership on the team. Fact that Dunn and Lazy Griffey arent here anymore. And the fact that guys like rosales and Gomes and changing the face of this team.

I think it has more to do with that than dusty baker.

If it doesnt have to do with that why didnt we see this type of attitude and hustle last year. Did dusty change>? No. The team changed.

You think dusty has anything to do with rosales mindset on how he was going to play the game. Rosales was the kind of player he was before he came up. We have a bunch of young kids fighting for a position and loving playing this game.

I agree with you to some extent, but I think Dusty deserves some credit as well. Last year was also his first year there, and he was trying to change the attitude of losing, that can take some time. I think he's done a fine job, but I do agree losing Griffey and Dunn was addition by subtraction. In some interviews during the spring Dusty said that they needed to change what they had done the last several years because it didn't work (speaking of Griffey and Dunn) so he may deserve some of that credit wanting a different style of team, and not pushing to bring those guys back. He's also a 3 time manager of the year, so it's not like he's not proven himself as a manager.

[roby]

Or that could be just a change in leadership on the team. Fact that Dunn and Lazy Griffey arent here anymore. And the fact that guys like rosales and Gomes and changing the face of this team.

I think it has more to do with that than dusty baker.

If it doesnt have to do with that why didnt we see this type of attitude and hustle last year. Did dusty change>? No. The team changed.

You think dusty has anything to do with rosales mindset on how he was going to play the game. Rosales was the kind of player he was before he came up. We have a bunch of young kids fighting for a position and loving playing this game.

I have watched baseball since about 1961, and I have never seen a manager who wants to win as much as Dusty Baker. He should get his share of credit for this team's early success.

[bgwilly31]

I have watched baseball since about 1961, and I have never seen a manager who wants to win as much as Dusty Baker. He should get his share of credit for this team's early success.

So your saying dusty baker has the most WANT TO WIN attitude you have ever seen from your television and your seat in the stands dating back to 1961. >?

Im not so sure about that one.

As a matter of fact i know of thousands of people from the chicago area that would laugh at that thought.

[GIDP]

No hes not.

[bgwilly31]

I agree with you to some extent, but I think Dusty deserves some credit as well. Last year was also his first year there, and he was trying to change the attitude of losing, that can take some time. I think he's done a fine job, but I do agree losing Griffey and Dunn was addition by subtraction. In some interviews during the spring Dusty said that they needed to change what they had done the last several years because it didn't work (speaking of Griffey and Dunn) so he may deserve some of that credit wanting a different style of team, and not pushing to bring those guys back. He's also a 3 time manager of the year, so it's not like he's not proven himself as a manager.

I agree as well.

Im not saying he has NOTHING to do with it.

But he certainly doesnt have Everything to do with it. As the OP was coming across.

[bounty37h]

So your saying dusty baker has the most WANT TO WIN attitude you have ever seen from your television and your seat in the stands dating back to 1961. >?

Im not so sure about that one.

As a matter of fact i know of thousands of people from the chicago area that would laugh at that thought.

There are thousands of MLB managers in Chicago??

[bgwilly31]

There are thousands of MLB managers in Chicago??

:doh::doh:

[Hondo]

I think Jim Leyland, Bruce Bochy, and Lou Pinniella are good Managers... Dusty is a second tier Manager... Good for a Veteran Club... Maybe like the 1990's Tigers.

[Dude Rock]

Dusty frustrates me some times, but I'll admit I take some things for granted. Sometimes the best move is no move, and Dusty does have patience with his pitchers and hitters. I was sooooo glad he took Lincoln out when he did last night. I feared he would leave him in longer to get even more shelled. I was frustrated with Owings, and wanted a Sparky Andersen yank of him, but Dusty stuck with him and got 5 innings out of him. I probably would have yanked him sooner knowing we have Thursday off. But hindsight is 20/20.

Also, if I were manager, my unwillingness to give player's a longer leash would probably not endear me much to them. These players like Dusty and maybe his longer leash has them playing harder for him.

[Dude Rock]

I think Jim Leyland, Bruce Bochy, and Lou Pinniella are good Managers... Dusty is a second tier Manager... Good for a Veteran Club... Maybe like the 1990's Tigers.

I think Lou is overrated. I know he managed us to a World Series title, but I still think he is overrated. He is entertaining though. :D

[mroby85]

I think Lou is overrated. I know he managed us to a World Series title, but I still think he is overrated. He is entertaining though. :D

I agree, everyone always blames Dusty for having loaded teams, but who has been anymore loaded than Lou?

He had the Seattle team of Griffey, Buhner, Edgar, Randy Johnson, Ayala, etc, and is now with the Cubs who are as talented as any team in baseball. He basically just quit in Tampa because he couldn't win there without talent.

I wasn't around to see the 90 WS which is probably why I feel this way, but since i've been alive, all i've seen from Lou is hype, and no titles.

[Fon Duc Tow]

An MLB Manager has two main roles:

Strategy and Keeping the Troops Happy.

Dusty is a pretty good babysitter but sucks with the lineup card.

[corwinator3407]

Good post. I too like Dusty, and enjoy reading about more good than bad on this board.

[demas863]

As a matter of fact i know of thousands of people from the chicago area that would laugh at that thought.

My friends in Chicago have a not-so-flattering nickname for him and it's not Dusty "one batter too late" Baker.

[reds1869]

I don't agree with a large chunk of what the man does, but I won't deny that he wins more often than not. I would make totally different decisions that are much more statistically oriented, but who's to say I would do any better than Baker? As long as he wins, I can't complain. There will never be a manager I agree with 100% unless I miraculously become a big league skipper. But then I would probably just second guess myself, too!

[gedred69]

From the start of last year, I've had a wait and see attitude about Dusty. Can't hold last year against him, because of the lack of good team leadership last year, (as someone earlier posted inre Dunn, Griffey they had prima donna 'tudes). Dusty said that wasn't his team. Well, he talks like he likes this team, and that talk started all the way back in the middle of ST, like this is more "his team". Seems like he has made more good decisions than bad ones so far. C'mon, so far so good..

[ian_madden]

I don't agree with a large chunk of what the man does, but I won't deny that he wins more often than not. I would make totally different decisions that are much more statistically oriented, but who's to say I would do any better than Baker? As long as he wins, I can't complain. There will never be a manager I agree with 100% unless I miraculously become a big league skipper. But then I would probably just second guess myself, too!

We have had the managers that went with the lefty on lefty match up and the right on righty match up (ie. Narron, Boone.). How did that turn out? When the player/pitcher is going well or hot, go with who is hot, (ie, Rhodes, Weathers (whom we all did not think was that great last year)), Did anyone expect that Rhodes or weather would be our "nasty boys" of the 21st century? They are doing amazing. Once again give credit where credit is due.

Dusty=great manager.

He is the best manager here since Old man Jack.

[Griffey012]

My friends in Chicago have a not-so-flattering nickname for him and it's not Dusty "one batter too late" Baker.

Those fans will blame anyone but the players and organization themselves, Dusty took them further than they have been in a long time.

[roby]

So your saying dusty baker has the most WANT TO WIN attitude you have ever seen from your television and your seat in the stands dating back to 1961. >?

Im not so sure about that one.

As a matter of fact i know of thousands of people from the chicago area that would laugh at that thought.

Chicago Cubs fans are not my favorites, so I'm not sure of what to do with this information.

[Dude Rock]

Chicago Cubs fans are not my favorites, so I'm not sure of what to do with this information.

Kinda hard to take Cubs fans seriously when I pretty much just laugh at them all the time.

[roby]

Kinda hard to take Cubs fans seriously when I pretty much just laugh at them all the time.

My thoughts exactly, Dude!

[BurgervilleBuck]

As a matter of fact i know of thousands of people from the chicago area that would laugh at that thought.
Yah, let's take advice from a team that believes a billy goat is keeping them from winning a World Series.

[defender]

this will be a good test for Baker

[fugowitribe]

That is motivation, that is a great leader, that is Dusty Baker.:thumbup:

That is a great motivator.....not a great manager. You are talking a bout the same guy who pinch hit Chris "explicit word here" Dickerson in a one run ballgame with runners on first and second and nobody out. I haven't had the chance to blow up on that move for a couple of days due to business, but REALLY!? Why not let Arroyo or someone who can bunt lay it down and advance them to second and third and then pinch hit Dickerson for Taveras. even if he hits that worthless ground ball, he scores the run.....instead we have a DP turned on us and a runner on third with 2 outs and the slumping Willy Taveras due up. Worst decision I have ever seen him make. You can credit decent pitching to the record we have right now. Dusty's motivation helps, but how hard is it to motivate a bunch of younger guys to do what they have dreamed of their entire lives? IMO Dusty is a cocky manager who likes to "stick to his guns" even when they have proved that they don't shoot. Need an example: COREY PATTERSON, CHRIS DICKERSON, MIKE LINCOLN. Dusty wants to be Manager of the year when Dickerson blows up and helps the team win, but won't acknowledge the terrrible decisions he makes after they Slump for 1/3 of the season.

[Krawhitham]

He has made some bone headed moves no other manager would make and he has made moves that all manager would make, does that make him great?

[Mutaman]

That is a great motivator.....not a great manager. You are talking a bout the same guy who pinch hit Chris "explicit word here" Dickerson in a one run ballgame with runners on first and second and nobody out. I haven't had the chance to blow up on that move for a couple of days due to business, but REALLY!? Why not let Arroyo or someone who can bunt lay it down and advance them to second and third and then pinch hit Dickerson for Taveras. even if he hits that worthless ground ball, he scores the run.....instead we have a DP turned on us and a runner on third with 2 outs and the slumping Willy Taveras due up. Worst decision I have ever seen him make. You can credit decent pitching to the record we have right now. Dusty's motivation helps, but how hard is it to motivate a bunch of younger guys to do what they have dreamed of their entire lives? IMO Dusty is a cocky manager who likes to "stick to his guns" even when they have proved that they don't shoot. Need an example: COREY PATTERSON, CHRIS DICKERSON, MIKE LINCOLN. Dusty wants to be Manager of the year when Dickerson blows up and helps the team win, but won't acknowledge the terrrible decisions he makes after they Slump for 1/3 of the season.

Gee, he pinch hit Dickerson in a one run game. Well you certainly convinced me. What a dope that Dusty Baker is. You certainly have proven your point. What a horrible decision.

And I bet you complained about this before the move failed too. If not, that would make you a second guesser, and nobody around here ever does that do they?

[Dude Rock]

Gee, he pinch hit Dickerson in a one run game. Well you certainly convinced me. What a dope that Dusty Baker is. You certainly have proven your point. What a horrible decision.

And I bet you complained about this before the move failed too. If not, that would make you a second guesser, and nobody around here ever does that do they?

Actually, I didn't like the move either. I failed to understand how they didn't bunt there or send someone up who could bunt. It was such an obvious move, no wonder Dusty didn't do it. Is Dickerson dating Dusty's daughter now?

[Mutaman]

Is Dickerson dating Dusty's daughter now?

Wow what an original joke. Really imagininative.

I decided a long time ago that people around here that talk this kind of smack have a lot more issues than questioning Dusty's managerial skills. Wonder why these types don't make jokes about Mike Lincoln dating Dusty's daughter?

[Hondo]

I just wish this team would not have been swept by the Brewers...

[Dude Rock]

Wow what an original joke. Really imagininative.

I decided a long time ago that people around here that talk this kind of smack have a lot more issues than questioning Dusty's managerial skills. Wonder why these types don't make jokes about Mike Lincoln dating Dusty's daughter?

If you're trying to make this about race, you're way off dude. Lighten up. I'm not the first to make that joke. It's called an ongoing joke.

Your comments say more about you than me. This has nothing to do about race, and I take serious offense to your accusation.

[Mutaman]

If you're trying to make this about race, you're way off dude. Lighten up. I'm not the first to make that joke. It's called an ongoing joke.

.


It wasn't funny the first time, and it isn't funny the 1,0000th time. And I never believed this joke woud be made if one of the players was white. I have no knowledge what your intent was about.

[Dude Rock]

It wasn't funny the first time, and it isn't funny the 1,0000th time. And I never believed this joke woud be made if one of the players was white. I have no knowledge what your intent was about.

1. I wasn't the first to make the joke.
2. I've probably seen the ongoing joke atleast 10 or more times.
3. My intent had nothing to do with race.

[Mutaman]

1. I wasn't the first to make the joke.
2. I've probably seen the ongoing joke atleast 10 or more times.
3. My intent had nothing to do with race.

Fair enough. Lets beat the Cardinals.

[Dude Rock]

Fair enough. Lets beat the Cardinals.

Agreed. Peace. :beerme:

[Mutaman]

Agreed. Peace. :beerme:


:beerme:

[fugowitribe]

Gee, he pinch hit Dickerson in a one run game. Well you certainly convinced me. What a dope that Dusty Baker is. You certainly have proven your point. What a horrible decision.

And I bet you complained about this before the move failed too. If not, that would make you a second guesser, and nobody around here ever does that do they?

Actually I did......I can't prove it so please just take my word for it. I don't want to get into these type of arguments. I was just blowing off a little steam after what seemed to be a very easy choice for Dusty. I over reacted a little. All in all, he is the manager of a Reds team that is winning, so I will still pay to see his team play. I hope he can motivate the guys enough to take two out of three from the Cards. Go Reds.