Dusty Baker has lost his mind!

by Ur on Jul 27, 2005 11:33 AM EDT

This was in the Chicago Tribune today:

Will Garciaparra automatically return as the starting shortstop when he's done with his minor-league rehab stint?

"Nothing is automatic," manager Dusty Baker said. "We'll have to see how Nomar is doing. Neifi says he realized when he came here that he came here as a utility guy. But he hasn't remained a utility guy with what he has done."

I'm serious -- that's NOT A JOKE!!!

So I put it to all of you -- has Dusty Baker gone totally insane or not? I mean, what's next the Cubs trade for Manny Ramirez and Dusty refuses to play Manny over Todd Hollandsworth because "Holly is such a gamer?"

Tweet Comment 47 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

The thing is...

Dusty hasn't lost his mind, he's always been an idiot. You have to wonder what he an Piniella need to do to get fired.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Jul 27, 2005 12:06 PM EDT reply actions

Exactly...

He's always been like this. Get ready for Calvin Murray to come play CF in Wrigley.

Actually, this is a real possibility...Kirk Rueter. HAHAHAHA. He wants out of SF if he's not in the rotation. He's one of Dusty's boys. Hell, the Giants could probably get Corey Patterson for him.

by losgigantes on Jul 27, 2005 12:10 PM EDT reply actions

hahaha

wow, if he ever drifted into senility, would anyone notice

by sanchez101 on Jul 27, 2005 1:14 PM EDT reply actions

Triology

He belongs with the billy goat and Steve Bartman to complete the curse trifecta.

by ejac13 on Jul 27, 2005 1:33 PM EDT reply actions

my favorite dusty moment with the giants.....

...starting kenny lofton in centerfield in the world series vs. anaheim and having shinjo (who was one of the best defensive centerfielders in the game, just couldn't hit) as his DH. dusty's reasoning: "kenny needs to play the field to get a feel for the game". i imagine he'll join joe morgan in the booth once his managing days are over.

"Therapy is a good thing ... it can be therapeutic." -- Alex Rodriguez

by mike JONES @ Minor League Ball on Jul 27, 2005 1:49 PM EDT reply actions

Ow, My Head

Talk about your broadcast duos from Hell...

Go ahead and shoot your mouth off, like it might kill the silence.

by ESiegrist on Jul 27, 2005 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Garciaparra

The Twins would luuuuuuuuv to have Garciaparra. Do you guys want Justin Jones back? He's healthy and pitching well...

by alskntwnsfn on Jul 27, 2005 2:06 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks, but no thanks

We already have one no-glove, no-stick vet that's overhyped; Bret "The" Boone. If it wasn't for Seattle picking up the tab on Boone I just might be really mad about it. You know it's time to hang 'em up when fans start clamouring for Luis Rivas instead of you.

by ejac13 on Jul 27, 2005 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions

What?!

No glove, no stick? How about no brain? What are ya, nuckin' futs? Nomar has AWESOME gold glove caliber defense and he is a .320 lifetime hitter. He's no Bret Boone my friend. He was having a slow start to the season, so what. He absolutely tore it up in ST, so it was only a matter of time until got straightened out this year.

by slurve on Jul 28, 2005 7:54 AM EDT up reply actions

you're right about Baker

see today's lineup vs the Giants. It appears he is so loyal to his players, that he will throw a game so his former players "feel" better.

http://www.scacchoops.com

by jonpyardi on Jul 27, 2005 2:12 PM EDT reply actions

Watch for

Darren Lewis, you never know who Dusty might bring back.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Jul 27, 2005 2:25 PM EDT reply actions

Baker

Dusy Baker and Lou Pinella need to open a pizza shop or something. Baseball doesn't need them.

by Goodfella on Jul 27, 2005 6:17 PM EDT reply actions

Did I miss something

If I wasn't mistaken - the Cubs are 3 1/2 out of the Wild Card in spite of losing 10 starts from Wood, 7-8 starts from Prior, losing M. Clement, having no closer, replacing Sammy Sosa with Jeremy Burnitz, Nomar with Neifi, Todd Walker missed 40 games, a left filed platoon of Todd Hollandsworth and J. Dubois (now J. Gerut) and I can go on. Is he the sharpest tool in the shed - absolutely not - the Lofton example is a perfect example, however D. Baker has had nothing to work with for more than 2-3 weeks at a time before all the pieces break down yet he still has these guys right there. If the Wood experiment goes well and he can become the closer they need - the Cubs can still compete in the playoffs. Dusty will probably do something dumb like pitch Prior for 130 when they are ahead 10-1 in game 2 but he has still done an admirable job with this team.

What does all this have to do with Nomar...Nomar will be of value if he plays 3-4 times a week and maybe only 2-3 to start and Neifi Perez continues to play 2-3 at SS and maybe 2-3 at 2B to keep Walker healthy. Easing Nomar back in is not a bad idea if they want to have him there in the last 2-3 weeks when the final push is on. Nothing is automatic because that fragile groin will probably tear again if he is pushed into everyday duty. There are plenty of other things to bash Dusty about but that comment is not one of them.

by slickwdb on Jul 27, 2005 9:00 PM EDT reply actions

Sosa

Do you really think the Cubs are missing Sammy Sosa?
Sosa
R    HR    RBI    SB    AVG
33    13    37    1    .233
Burnitz
R    HR    RBI    SB    AVG
60    17    54    4    .277

The Cubs don't need a closer. Dempster is 14 for 16 in save opportunities. They need healthy starters, reliable middle relief and setup guys.

"Remember, no matter where you go, there you are." Pigkiller, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome

by finman on Jul 28, 2005 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Dempster?

14-16 with an ERA over 4 is not a long term solution to closing. I acknowledged how dumb Dusty has been at many points in his coaching tenure however the comment that starts this thread is not dumb. Nomar is not capable of playing everyday. He may only be capable of playing every other day and when he was playing at the beginning of this year - he batted below the mendoza line. He has not been tearing up it on his re-hab assignment either. There are plenty of things to bash Dusty about however the beginning of this thread is not one of those instances.

by slickwdb on Jul 28, 2005 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Not tearing it up on rehab?

Interesting since he's played all of 1 game.

Not sure what you motivation is to defend Dusty. LaRussa made him look like a fool in St. Louis and I hate LaRussa. Neifi Perez's eyes closed grand slam saved Dusty from alot of heat.

by HuskerBob on Jul 28, 2005 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

really?

Cubs won 2 of 3. Dusty forced La Russa to over-manage and load the bases with 1 out in the 10th. Result--Cubs win.

You make that statement because of 1 game winning suicide squeeze?

Pretty weak assessment.

by So Cal Bob on Jul 28, 2005 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Dusty sux

Again, the Cubs won IN SPITE of Baker. What sense does batting Lee/Burnitz/Ramirez make? Ramirez should be right behind Lee. L/R/L/R in the line-up is cool, but they would probably won that first game with Ramirez behind Lee. How about walking Eck to face John Rodriguez who had under 20 AB's in his career to set up double play? The whole stadium knew Eck was squeezing, Dusty did nothing. He sucks. He sucked in SF and he still sucks in Chicago.

by slurve on Jul 28, 2005 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions

b.s.

He had Mitre out there. He gave up the lead-off triple. Gimme a break. It's not like '03 Gagne was pitching. The chances of preventing that run from scoring was about 1%, but a rocket-scientist arm chair manager like yourself would have prevented that run, huh? And it proves your point he sucks?

The Lee, Burnitz, Ramirez thing is to balance out their line-up. It makes sense as the Cubs have now won 12 of 17. Ramirez doesn't need line-up protection like a Burnitz would.

And teh Cubs still haven't had their team this season. It's remarkable that they are even above .500. No one has been decimated like they have.

by So Cal Bob on Jul 28, 2005 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions

1%

So what then, you just concede? C'mon. I was at that game. Everyone in the house knew the squeeze was on. Even the Cards fans were wondering out loud why Baker would pitch to Eck. There was one out when Eck came to the plate. Put him on and try for the inning ending DP with a hitter that has less than 20 AB's in J-Rod. Your "1%" likelyhood of getting out of that ining increases exponetially. Like you say, it wasn't rocket science, that's good fundamental management, not arm-chair managing.

I'm not talking about Ramirez getting protection, I'm talking about D. Lee getting protection from Ramirez. They pitched around him in crucial situations all weekend knowing that Burnitz was up next, including an intentioanl walk in the 10th inning. Really have to doubt they would have pitched around him as much, especially in that situation, when one of the hottest hitters over the last month would be coming behind him in Ramirez. Again, basic common sense management. Dusty is an idiot.

by slurve on Jul 28, 2005 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions

you don't

know the cat and mouse going on behind the scenes. You don't know that Dusty might have pitched out on the next pitch--do you?

And your rationale is flawed in saying Dusty is an idiot because the Cubs won the game because of his moves. Cubs win 2 of 3 and he's still an idiot? And he's won for over 12 years and still an idiot?

Need a reality check Slurve.

by So Cal Bob on Jul 28, 2005 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions

next pitch

Hard to play "cat and mouse" or plan ahead for the next pitch... WHEN YOU ALREADY LOST THE F*CKING GAME!!! Hello, McFly!!! Are you actually Dumby Baker, SoCal?

Edith Bunker could have coached 2 wins out of the Cubs in that series.

by slurve on Jul 28, 2005 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions

well

I guess he should have pitched out every pitch huh Slurve? You are a flippin' moron.

You obviously no very little about baseball.

You show your ignorance is saying Dusty "sucks" when he is among the winningest managers in baseball with 2 different organizations caoching has-been's to never-were's to superstars. I guess bobby Cox "sucks" too from your view because he hasn't had to manage with the talent in ATL over the years.

Way to get personal you pussy! When your facts run out, you have to go at it from a personal standpoint. What a weak human being you are.

by So Cal Bob on Jul 28, 2005 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I got your moron swingin'!!!

I've had more intelligent arguements with my dog, but here goes anyway...

I haven't run out of facts. I've actually provided some, along with some actual examples from games. You have failed to provide reasonable support for your arguement. I made a joke about you possibly being Dumby himself, you counter by stating I'm a moron... and a pussy... don't know about baseball... and a weak human being... did I miss any? Who is running out of facts and is resorting to name calling? I'll call you a name. Black. As in the pot calling the kettle black. I haven't called you any names, you threw out moron and pussy in one post to go along with... well basically nothing to support your arguement that Dusty is a good coach. Nice going, the debate team wants you to anchor.

Yes, he should have pitched out every pitch. That's exactly what I'm saying. Walk Eck, pitch to J-rod, try for a DP.

Putting Bobby Cox and Dumby in the same sentance is only highlights your deficiencies in this arguement. Cox wins year after year coaching unproven talent. This year he is really making himself standout. 15 rookies have been on his roster so far, but Bobby keeps on chuggin'. Dumby? He HATES young players and demands that the GM go out and get a roster full of proven veterans. Everyone has been writing off the Braves for the last few years, Cox has kept that team afloat.

by slurve on Jul 28, 2005 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions

you got personal first

go back and take a read.

Man on 3rd O outs--Game over. The only other option is to get Eck FIRST, then walk the next hitter or hitters setting up a DP.

O Outs Slurve, you walk to Eck accomplishes nothing. So Rodriguez faces Mitre--let's see a LH low-ball hitter versus a RH sinker ball pitcher with zero outs. Same result--GAME OVER. So the choice is to pitch to Eck or walk the bases full--AGAIN WITH ZERO OUTS.

I guess you and your dog can't comprehend this fact.

This is really the first managing job Cox has had to do. He has been great. Dusty has been equally great although they have different methods. To say someone "sucks" and use rationale that flies in the face of winning 2 of 3 from the "god-like" LaRussa doesn't fit.

He has a proven track record and you are too stubborn talking to your dog to see it.

by So Cal Bob on Jul 28, 2005 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions

funny how

you can insert an F-Bomb in your post, call me Dumby McFly, and yet not be able to take an insult back when you initiated the personal attack. Funny how that works.

by So Cal Bob on Jul 28, 2005 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions

The only difference between you

and my dog is opposable thumbs and the abiltiy to type. I'm not putting you down. Believe me, I'd love to be able to lick my own balls.

Do you think it took Phil Jackson to win with the Bulls and Lakers? Those teams were loaded with talent, they could have won with you coaching them. I'm not saying Jackson is bad coach, but at the same time, he didn't do stupid shit to cost them games. That is the problem have with Baker, I've documented it. Jackson had HOF talent. So has Baker (Bonds/Sosa), yet he is w/o a championship. Last year Dumby single-handedly cost them a playoff berth. Period. See my post below and go talk to Steve Stone about it if you don't believe me. He'd agree with me here, and like I said, he 's forgotten more about baseball then you or I will ever know.

Fine, I'll concede on opening up the personal stuff. I still think mine was just a little bit of poking fun and you blew the roof off of it. F-bomb? That wasn't in direct reference to you and the 'u' was edited out. Get over it.

by slurve on Jul 28, 2005 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Just the facts.

Mabry tripled. 0 outs.

Taguchi grounds out to SS. 1 out.

Eckstein squeezes. Dusty admits he knew the squeeze was coming. LaRussa out guessed him.

There was one out. How do expect to make yourself look like a better manager when you don't even know what was going on the game? Please keep lobbing these batting practice fastballs. This is too easy.

by slurve on Jul 28, 2005 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions

my bad

I forgot about Taguchi. My bad, my mistake, my wrong assessment. However, this actually strengthens Dusty's choice. He already got 1 out and there was a big "if" waiting. The main point you fail to mention is Albert Pjuols. He hits behind Rodriguez who you think should have been at the plate with 1st and 3rd 1 out. I'll take my chances with Eckstein. LaRussa out guessed Dusty as to when to squeeze. It still needed Eckstein to execute, Mabry to not leave early, and Mitre to thorw a buntable pitch. It came down to player execution--NOT DUSTY SUCKS. You essentially are a second guesser and Tommy Lasorda had a fantastic line about second guessers--he said, "they are always guys who couldn't get it right the first time." If you actually had meaningful analysis, you would ask why Dusty started the inning with Mitre instead of Dempster. but that is apparently out of your realm of thinking.

As for your style of debate, I am sure you and your friend in life, Fido, are proud. Apparently where you come from and the circle you hang in this is acceptable. You certainly couldn't have a meaningful relationship dropping in expletives and name-calling in the middle of conversations. You wouldn't raise children that way or certainly talk to a wife that way. Good for you. A good spirited debate on sports is solid, but name calling and dropping expletives is weak. And then to say, "get over it" is rude and disgusting.

Your Phil Jackson take was brutal. MJ was in the league 7 years before winning a title. Why did he win? Because of Phil. Phil brought a new style of Offense and a new style of Defense which played the Bulls strenghts versus the opponent. Phil went to LA and won there too when 3 other coaches failed with the same players. Dusty has won in 2 places with all types of players.

As for batting practice, yep you are right. You seem to me to be a 5 o'clock hitter. Just like Henry Blanco who may take the best BP of any Cub. But when it's game time, the .227 hitter appears. Get in line, there are plenty of guys who don't get it done at game time.

You also mentioned Dusty and failing with younger players. Please name them. The Giants haven't developed one player worth a crap for Dusty to have played and the Cubs certainly haven't either. He gave Patterson every chance in the world. So this is another misperception I think is unfounded.

Your positions don't equal "Dusty sucks." He may be unconventional and plays hunches too much, but he doesn't suck.

by So Cal Bob on Jul 29, 2005 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm going to stay away

from all of the other crap other than MJ didn't win until he was surounded by better players. I didn't say Phil was a bad coach, you're putting words in my mouth. I tried to make that clear. What I'm saying is the majority of those teams would have won with about any coach.

Pujols has nothing to do with this. This isn't hindsight. Like I said, I was actually at this game and thought they should have put Eck on. So did the other 39 some odd thousand sitting around me, so you need to put that notion to bed. The odds of getting J-Rod to hit into a double play were better than taking chances on Eck, who is an EXCELLENT bunter, try to get one down. Pujols wouldn't have had a chance to bat until the next inning if it worked.

by slurve on Jul 29, 2005 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions

And yes, Dusty still sucks

Steve Stone knows it. Any baseball fan that knows anything and actually watches Cub games every day knows it. We don't need some Mr. Know-it-all from the left coast to tell us otherwise.

by slurve on Jul 29, 2005 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

nice try

I live in Lake Forest, IL and watch at least 140 games a year and have been a Cub fan since the late 60's. Thanks though. I didn't realize Steve Stone invented basbeall.

by So Cal Bob on Jul 29, 2005 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Like I said.

Steve Stone didn't invent the game, but he knows more about it than you or I ever will. He knows Dumby doesn't know what he is doing and he expressed it loud and clear at the end of the year last year. So do people that watch the games and know what they're talking about. That leaves you on the idiot side of things. Fans like you are the reason Sox fans can get away with calling Cubs fans morons and that Wrigley is the biggest beer garden in America with none of the fans actually paying attention to the game.

by slurve on Jul 29, 2005 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions

and

(let me act like you now) Cub fans like you belong on the South Side with your trailer in tow. Go hang out with Ligue, the two of you are made for each other.

I played collegiately and professionally coaching in college and in the minors after playing. I would think it's safe to say I've forgotten more basbeall than you know. Steve Stone is entitled to his opinion, but he was wrong for taking on Dusty on live TV the way he did. Again, I let Tommy Lasorda's words speak, "second guessers are guys that could never have gotten it right the first time." You are on the side of idiot if you can't see an improved Cubs team from the crap the percolated most of the 70's, 80's, and 90's. And by the way, if LaTroilet doesn't blow 8 of 12 1 run leads, the Cubs visit the playoff for back-to-back years. Player's fault, not a Dusty sucks problem.

Whatever slurve, I'm done with you. You are an emotional wreck and can't have a dignified discussion. Good way to live life.

by So Cal Bob on Jul 29, 2005 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Now

I'm an emotional wreck... Hahahahaha!!!! That's it, if you can't beat down the arguement, beat down the arguer. Pathetic.

by slurve on Jul 29, 2005 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Dempster's ERA

You have to look at more than his season ERA. When he was pulled from the rotation, his ERA was 5.35. It went up to 5.65 after his first two relief appearances, and now is down to 4.02.

He has pitched 31.3 innings in relief, giving up 9 runs, for an ERA of 2.59. Take away his first two appearances (3 ER in 3 Innings) and the numbers are even better (1.91 ERA in 28.3 Innings).

He also hasn't cost the Cubs any games - the 2 blown saves resulted in Cubs wins anyway.

"Remember, no matter where you go, there you are." Pigkiller, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome

by finman on Jul 28, 2005 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

In SPITE of Baker

The team is having some success, but that isn't necessarily because of Baker, more likely it's in spite of him. He tends to overuse his pitchers, no pitchcount is too high or arm too fragile, you'd think he'd be careful with the arms of Prior and Wood, guys he's already worn down in the past, but no, not Dusty. The damage he's done to prior and Wood alone should be enough to have him hung from the yardarm but he also gets consistently outmanaged on the field. Plus, any manager who is willing to have Wendell Kim as a 3rd base coach should be fired straightaway, no exceptions.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Jul 28, 2005 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Wave 'em In Wendell...

I don't know... After watching Dale Sveum's two-year reign-of-terror as 3rd base coach in Boston, I'm almost longing for the days of watching Windmill Kim...

by RVachon on Jul 28, 2005 1:24 PM EDT reply actions

Same rules apply

To Sveum as to Kim.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Jul 28, 2005 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Nomar, Dempster...

Nomar killed in ST. .433 avg / .851 slg / 1281 OPS. Then he went into a early season slump... for 51 AB's. Get over it. The man can rake, .320 lifetime. He'll be fine.

As far as Dempster's ERA goes, WHO CARES!!! He gave up 17 runs in like 24 IP during April... as a starter. Since he went to the pen, he has only given up 9 runs since early May. ERA for closer, especially in in Ryan's case is WAY over-rated, as the sample size is relatively small. LaTroy had a totally better ERA last year, I'd much rather have Dempster. Is he Rivera or Gagne? No, but he's been much better than the majority of closers around the league.

I also agree that the Cubs are where they are in spite of Baker. He only plays what Hendry has given him. It's not like Niefi or the other replacements are some stroke of genius that Dusty deserves props for. Hell, if weren't for Dusty (or Dumby as many in town call him), the Cubs may be 3 1/2 games UP in the WC.

by slurve on Jul 28, 2005 1:57 PM EDT reply actions

Nomar can't play everyday

Nomar himself said he can't play everyday when they aquired him last year. I admit that Dusty is a fool. The first chance as a lifelong Cubs fan that I had to watch a game in Chicago was at the Cubby Bear when he left Prior in with an 8-2 lead or something for 2 more innings and 40 pitches which made him useless when they really needed him at the end.

My point all along has been he is an idiot but the comment that starts this thread is hardly something to take exception with. It is truth that Nomar will not be ready to assume everyday activity at SS and may only be good for 3 games a week which is an improvement over the current situation but hardly something to base an argument for Dusty being an idiot. There are many things that are valid - this quote is not one of them.

by slickwdb on Jul 28, 2005 3:00 PM EDT reply actions

Dusty is not an idiot

because he doesn't play by the "conventional wisdom" book? Can someone please tell me where I can get a copy of "the book"?

The fans that grill him about the '02 World Series for taking out Schmidt are the same one's who complain about him leaving in Prior. And if this is your argument, you may want to recall that Prior had a 3-0 lead in the 8th inning of his next start. He was really fatigued (sarcasm). And that he had Robb Nen int he game to close out Anaheim. The players failed to perform, not a fault of Dusty's decision.

Dusty continually gets an unfair shake in these blogs full of arm-chair managers.

by So Cal Bob on Jul 28, 2005 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Difference

There's a diference between keeping a pitcher in a World Series game and keeping him in a regular season game with an 8-2 lead.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Jul 28, 2005 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Prior

was left in in the NLCS with the big lead in Game 2, I think. Dusty got killed over that one. Seems pretty "flip-floppy" to me.

by So Cal Bob on Jul 28, 2005 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Dusty

has apparently been sitting around ignorantly in more winning clubhouses than any manager ever (or maybe anybody other than Bobby Cox). Do you guys really want me to believe that this man has had teams win in spite of him consistently for nearly 12 years? Granted, he does a lot of irritating things, but he gets responses out of his players, which is the primary job of a coach or manager.

BTW, the pitcher he was criticized for taking out of the World Series wasn't Schmidt, it was Russ Ortiz, who frequently performed the one-hitter through 6, never retire another batter tango (see crucial Game 3 of the 2000 playoffs). I was worried that Russ even went out to start that inning in the World Series, and couldn't wait to see Dusty give him the hook personally (though bringing in Fifi was another matter).

by Roger on Jul 28, 2005 5:49 PM EDT reply actions

Yes...

"has apparently been sitting around ignorantly in more winning clubhouses than any manager ever (or maybe anybody other than Bobby Cox). Do you guys really want me to believe that this man has had teams win in spite of him consistently for nearly 12 years?"

...exactly. And Barry Lamar Bonds.

Actually, at the ML level, players win games, not managers. I'd rather have a manager fill out a lineup and go sit on his hands in the dugout. Then again, I'd prefer almost anyone to Baker filling them out...Anytime you start to write "Shinjo" and "DH" on the same line you should collapse in an epileptic fit.

You do have a point about him "getting the most" out of the scrubs. I wonder if the numbers confirm that impression? And if they did, I wonder if it actually has anything to do with Baker and not just coincidence.

The players do seem to like him, can't fault him for that. And he's one of the main reasons Jason Schmidt is a Giant.

by losgigantes on Jul 28, 2005 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions

And the ones...

that defend Dumby are the ones that don't watch his f-ups day in and day out. The guy is a moron. Yes, I'm telling you that teams win even though Dumby is the manager. When you coach teams loaded with talent, it can cover up your lack in managing skills. I used to defend him. No more. Forget the Prior thing. How about during the great choke of last year when he was making poor move after poor move. Against the Reds that last week, he made SEVERAL errors in judgement (bad match-ups from the bull pen when better ones were available, terrible pinch hitting decisions.) The last blown match-up caused the Steve Stone melt-down. Stoney couldn't take it anymore and called him out on it. Call me arm-chair all you want if you think that gives you an upper hand in this arguement, but Steve Stone has forgotten more about baseball than you'll ever know. Earlier in the year in a big game, he screwed up a double switch in the middle of a rally. The umpire penalized the Cubs an out, ending the inning. The previous year in the playoffs, instead of bringing in Matt Clement out of the pen, he brings in Dave Veres. It was painfuly obvious the last few weeks Veres was injured. His velo was down 5-7 MPH and he had been getting shelled for the last few weeks. Needless to say, Veres gave up the go ahead runs and the Marlins have been thanking Dumby ever since. Good teams are going to win regardless of who manages. IMO the players will do about 90% of the winning for you, the other 10% comes from the manager putting his players in a favorable position to win (bullpen management, line-ups, pinch hitting, etc.) Dumby just doesn't pull his weight man, it's that simple.

by slurve on Jul 28, 2005 6:27 PM EDT reply actions