By Harry

August 26, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this

Cueto is most effective when motion is toward homeplate. He has a tendency (when tired) to throw lunge to the left (puts pressure on right elbow). Do Dusty and Pohl care?

By Harry

August 26, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this

Cueto is most effective when motion is toward homeplate. He has a tendency (when tired) to throw lunge to the left (puts pressure on right elbow). Do Dusty and Pohl care?

By Matt

August 26, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this

JSC, you should be proud of your accomplishment of having your masters in counseling psychology. I wish you the best success in that career path, and hope all goes well with you!

By jsc

August 26, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

Touche’, Matt. It just so happens that I DO have my masters in counseling psychology. But that won’t stop you from being wrong and blathering it all over this blog. Certainly rather than getting the help you so clearly need, you’ll just keep ranting.

By Matt

August 26, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

Well JSC, I don’t think anyone knows anyone on this blog well enough to tell them they are a “headcase”. Unless of course you have a degree or are a psychologist or something. Otherwise it is just talk. I called BIRDIE41’s comments ignorant because they are. You can feel however you want and think whatever you want about it. I’m not too concerned. Thanks.

By wiz

August 26, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

What? Matt is calling people names?

By jsc

August 26, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this

You used the word ignorant as a slam against BIRDIE41 and once again your are not man enough to own that. Back to your diversions and denials. If you meant to be conversational then why did’t you consult your dictionary and say you thought BIRDIE41 was uninformed or unaware. You use assault rifle words and then deny doing it. And your” I’m sorry you feel that way” is jibberish right out of a psych 101 textbook. They’re right on this blog, you are a head case.

By michael

August 26, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this

Remember when Pitchers completed games? I don’t really think Dusty has efected the longevity of any of the Reds Pitchers. Heck, He pulls them too soon at times!

By Matt

August 26, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this

JSC, I’m sorry you feel that way. According to dictionary.com, the word “ignorant” means “lacking knowledge or information as to a particular subject or fact”, or “uninformed; unaware”. I believe that fits with BIRDIE41’s description of how Dusty has “ruined” careers. Virtually every reputable source has proven that assertion t be patently false. From the players themselves (Wood and Prior) to baseball experts and writers, have absolutely and categorically denied and proven wrong that assertion. Therefore, it seems to me for someone to continue with that assertion and claim, is ignorant on that subject. I’m sure I’m not the only one who sees it that way.

By jsc

August 26, 2008 1:58 AM | Link to this

Matt, you are SUCH a child. You called BIRDIE41 ignorant and you prance around this blog accusing others of name calling and you are the absolute worst at it. What a hipocrite. Is that what your pastor teaches you?

By BIRDIE41

August 25, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this

Matt, as usual you respond with your childish little name calling and then accuse everyone else of calling you names. Ignorant? It takes one to know one. As I told you read the Sporting News you might learn something about baseball.

By Matt

August 25, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this

Some people just refuse to see the truth. They are gleeful and express unbridled joy in being ignorant. With all the evidence and proof against Baker “ruining” pitchers, for anyone to still seriously believe it is, in my opinion, ignorant.

By BIRDIE41

August 25, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this

To Mr Redlegs,Matt and mnay others that do not believe that Baker ruins pitchers you should read the 7-28-08 edition of the Sporting News.Give him a little more time and he can probaly include Volquez as a victim. Dusty Baker has to go!!!

By Bob

August 25, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe Bako is in anybody’s future, along with Patterson. Add the pitcher to the mix and that’s three straight batters that can’t hit ONE lick. Any wonder why they can’t score runs. Hanigan should catch every game just to see what he can do against righties and evaluate for 2009. It’s very apparent Bako can’t hit period. Far as Patterson, I guess he’ll get a long term contract next year. He can’t hit, run bases and even though he makes an occasional great catch, he looks terrible on others.

By Mr. Redlegs (Original)

August 25, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

How exactly did Baker screw up Cueto’s arm? Let’s see … it’s about the time when the minor leagues are ending their season, but Cueto as a major-leaguer this year has fewer innings, fewer starts, only one more batter faced and fewer pitches than a year ago at three levels of the minors. He has only 33 innings PAST the sixth inning in 27 starts this year, so, no, he’s not been taxed deep into games. There’s still a month to go in the majors season and the goal of stretching out young pitchers by about 30 innings per year through the minors and their first two years in the big leagues is pretty close to target. Has Cueto missed any starts? Shown any affects or complaints of arm ailments? Has he even been MRIed yet? Isn’t it possible he’s just showing some arm fatigue that happens to a lot of young pitchers at this time of year? As for Wood and Prior, just how many times does it have to be pointed out that Wood was already broken down three years before Baker arrived and Prior ruined his delivery on a play at second base a YEAR and a half after Baker arrived? Both pitchers have said Baker had nothing to do with their ailments and stated the criticism was unfair. Of course, comprehending these facts would be asking too much from many of the knee-jerk Cincinnati sports fans, eh?

By Cait

August 25, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

I’m not a Dusty fan, but I don’t see how blame for Cueto can be put on him. It’s not like Cueto has an excessive # of innings this year, and he rarely is allowed to go over the 100-110 pitch mark. Pitchers who can’t go 200 IP a year and 100-115 pitches a game don’t belong in the Majors. That being said, it may be time to shut him down for the season. It’s not like there’s anything left to play for and we need him in the years to come. David B. - I’m not sure, but I thought I read where DDT is on the DL. Maybe he’s back? If so, get him and Bailey back up here to finish the season. The experience will be invaluable to their development - if they are going to be what we need them to be.

By Matt

August 25, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

Yeah, imagine that AP. There are some on this blog that actually support me and agree with my posts. Amazing, huh?

By AP-FLORIDA

August 25, 2008 7:33 AM | Link to this

I get it gary jr-reverse physcology-why didn’t I think of that? MATT your post are real intelligent!!!!!

By Gary Maloy Jr.

August 25, 2008 12:50 AM | Link to this

Hehehe. LMAO. Carl’s Little Brother- I agree with you. Matt’s posts are invariably of the intellectual sort. Unfortunately, because of the Matt-bashing, which provokes Matt into a discussion about his posts rather than Reds baseball, I’m prone to hop over a lot. I like that he wrote “I believe…” - because Matt-bashers can say whatever they want, but Matt must certainly be allowed to believe whatever he wants. Personally I’m getting tired of those people who are more interested in bashing others than partaking in an intelligent baseball discussion. Regarding the Reds: 1) Baker hasn’t ruined anybody. Like everyone else, I hope Johnny “K”ueto will be back. 2) Dunn shouldn’t have been traded. 3) Like I say every year - I can’t wait until next year. And 4) it hurts having to say number 3. Reminds me of a Cubs fan… Kudos to Sweet Lou. I hope he takes to the Cubs to the promised land. (But then who will we pick on? No Bosox, No Chisox, No Cubbies…?)

By Carl's Little Brother

August 25, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this

Sx7h, if you are refering to me as a child, ha ha, I am 75 years old, seen more games in one year than you in a lifetime, but that dosen’t matter, I just think sometimes Matt makes good sense and I like his postive side. I think he has been bad mouthed a little too much.

By Shhhhhhh

August 24, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this

Appropriate, Matt is admired by a child.

By AP-FLORIDA

August 24, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this

Matt-you are entitled to your opinions, but you live in a dream world

By Carl's Little Brother

August 24, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this

Matt, up until that post about how great Baker is I had agreed with you about 99% plus your being postive. After I read this I looked up to see if Dusty or his son wrote this. Always agree with you but not this time, Baker needs to go.

By Matt

August 24, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this

Cubs fans were bitter about not being able to see their team win a World Series. Dusty is/was their scapegoat. I believe that Dusty has handled the pitching staff (especially the younger ones like Cueto, Volquez) very well. It is very apparent that Dusty is as cautious with them as possible. Rarely do you see them pitch over 110 to 120 pitches, and this team still doesn’t have a complete game pitched by a starter, if I’m correct on that. Dusty never “ruined” any arms in Chicago or anywhere else, and he hasn’t “ruined” any pitchers here either. While this season has been a disappointment, I wouldn’t claim the entire season as being a loss. There have been great stories and accomplishments for this team during the course of the year. Jay Bruce, Edinson Volquez, Joey Votto, just to name a few. That success can hopefully be carried over into 2009 and beyond. As far as whatever free agents that Dusty was talking about when he was hired, I don’t know that any of us are certain exactly which ones he was referring to. But no doubt, players want to play for Dusty. Managers like Baker attract premier players, and I think we’ll see a sampling of that this offseason. Players no doubt respect the distinguished managerial career that Baker has, and what he brings to the table as a manager. Baker is absolutely an asset to this club, and I hope the Reds keep him around as long as he wants to stay. Give him a team that can get to October, and he is the man to steer the ship in that direction.

By Aaron

August 24, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this

I want to add that it doesn’t help Dusty has these guys thinking they are in a pennant race of sorts. He has them trying to grind out wins like its gonna carry over next year. While that is fine it absolutely DOES NOT APLLY to young starting pitching. The last think we want them doing is taxing their arms in hopeless causes… because when we do need them, i.e. when we have an offense and decent defense, we need them in top form and 100% health. I am disgusted by how this season has developed. And let’s flash back to Dusty saying how he had a bunch of free agents lined up to come here. We all know that was Paul Bako and Corey Patterson specifically. And yea Hairston has been good but can’t stay healthy so the bottom line is like 700 ABs have gone to the ridiculous light hitting tandem of Bako/patterson while our pitching staff was burned out in the process. All the Cubs fans who warned us at the time of the hiring have been completely justified in their claims.

By aaron B.

August 24, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this

Its the result of his pitch counts. Not the overall number but he piles them up in just a couple of innings — that’s got to be taxing on your arm as opposed to spreading it out and resting between innings. Dusty is a horrible horrible manager for letting Volquez, Cueto and Harang throw so many pitches in a lost cause of a season. I have said many times the only thing we need to walk away with right now is 3 healthy pitchers heading into next year, and instead we may have none because Dusty’s team is fundamentally flawed (errors galore) and can’t get their pitchers out of innings without extending them unnecessarily. They’ve been doing the same things since day 1 — no progress whatsoever — miscues in the field and on the basepaths. handing the games away on a regular basis.

By Reds fan

August 24, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this

Give Dusty a break. It’s not like he leaves him out there for 200 pitches a game. And Harang volunteered to pitch in relief in San Diego, which seems to be the point where he started to have problems. Unless Dusty beats his players (which I would consider), he can’t be held responsible for injuries. The Reds are just a bad team right now. Maybe they can suit up Dusty. He’d get a clutch hit.

By BIRDIE41

August 24, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this

Another ruined pitcher by Dusty Baker? Like he ruined Aaron Harang’s season. Maybe we can add Lincoln to the list also!

By David B

August 24, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this

My bad about the multiple posts.

By David B

August 24, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this

Bring up DDT. (Darryl Dwayne Thompson); or Adam Pettyjohn.

By David B

August 24, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this

Bring up DDT. (Darryl Dwayne Thompson); or Adam Pettyjohn.

By David B

August 24, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this

Bring up DDT. (Darryl Dwayne Thompson); or Adam Pettyjohn.

By Anthony

August 24, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

I wonder if this is a result of the winter ball he played.