By BlogCopWatcher

April 9, 2009 1:50 AM | Link to this

Is Buster the new All knowing Blog Cop?Didn’t you have to have some semblance of intelligence to get into Stivers, in the first place? At least when he was named they got the first syllable right.

By MAC

April 9, 2009 1:27 AM | Link to this

Good news is we scored some runs, but another costly base running error, pitching from behind & Gonzo boots a double play. Youth =s poor fundamentals?

By Sal Monella

April 9, 2009 1:19 AM | Link to this

Did Old Deadhead and Buster flunk out of Stivers together? The two dumbest postings of the week.

By MAC

April 9, 2009 1:03 AM | Link to this

Whole team could be All-Stars, but if U don’t play smart…U lose. Fundamentals R not being mandated @ minor league level. 1 GM tried 2 enforce fundamentals…fired?

By MAC

April 9, 2009 12:58 AM | Link to this

I’m not hating, but Bruce falls down and gives up 3 runs. Gonzo Ks w/ bases loaded and one out. Same Ol same Ol; poor fundamentals & lack of discipline…

By Buster

April 8, 2009 9:29 PM | Link to this

actually wizard, once you pay your money, you release any “view” of what Dusty should do … as he is the manager and can do anything he wants … you can choose not to pay your money if you don’t like it … Dusty doesn’t change for you, you have to change for the Reds.

By Wizard

April 8, 2009 6:46 PM | Link to this

Sorry, something wrong with my computer in previous post. Hairston will play hard; but is not the athlete that Dickerson is—so would be better in left, than center.

By Wizard

April 8, 2009 6:42 PM | Link to this

And, my point being: If I pay my money to see the Reds play—I want to know that Baker has the best possible lineup on the field. Not the best “OK” lineup.Just like tonight:Hairston is not as good a centerfielder, as is Dickerson. Hairston should play left when Dickerson is in the game want want want to WIN

By Old Deadhead

April 8, 2009 5:47 PM | Link to this

Do all of you genius managers out there want to just forfeit the other 161 games this year? According to some of you bozos, the Reds won’t win a game this year with Dusty and Walt. All we heard was pissing and moaning about the Reds hiring a name manager and GM, and as soon as they did, they have been second and third guessed on every decision Dusty has 3 MOY and WJ has put together a team that won a world series. Any of you clowns able to match that? The silence is deafening.

By Old Deadhead

April 8, 2009 5:36 PM | Link to this

Whoopee, the trolls are out! Looks like we’re going to see “Fire Dusty” after every loss this year. No reason to hold your head down losing to Santana and the Met’s 80 million dollar bullpen.

By Old Deadhead

April 8, 2009 5:36 PM | Link to this

Whoopee, the trolls are out! Looks like we’re going to see “Fire Dusty” after every loss this year. No reason to hold your head down losing to Santana and the Met’s 80 million dollar bullpen.

By Cait

April 8, 2009 12:54 PM | Link to this

My family went to opening day. Too cold for baseball. The new scoreboard is. We had tickets in the Champions Club area - “free” food, tables. Very nice.

By Mike-Cinci

April 8, 2009 10:42 AM | Link to this

Wizard did not like my support for McDonald playing instead of Dickerson against Santana. Wizard makes good points and I agree with him that Dickerson is a better player than McDonald. My only point is Santana is the toughest lefty in the NL and allowing a right hand hitter to play against him was an OK decision. Unfortunately I don’t see the Reds ever putting up big numbers against quality starters like Santana no matter who is playing. By the way it was too cold to play baseball.

By Nick W

April 8, 2009 10:32 AM | Link to this

i think we should wait at least a week to start saying fire the manger and this team is horrible. First we were facing one of the best pitchers and bullpens in the mangers.the mets are always a good team at the start of the season and then they die at the end. Second Harang pitched good and better then he did all spring so that is good sign. Third that was not the starting lineup where going to see all year and i want to see how taveras does in center and at leadoff and how dickerson does playing the whole game. So lets wait until next week to start the fire dusty post. Hopefully Edison will have a good game and we can get the offense going.

By JimT

April 8, 2009 10:29 AM | Link to this

Jack, the whole team is young. Don’t you think if Dusty had better players he would play them. Come on. He has Dickerson,Bruce,Votto,BP,EE is 25 Janish is young 25, Hannigan,in his twentys. Dusty will play the players he thinks will give him the best chance to win. The trouble with most fans is they want him to play people who they want to see. They want him to give up on the season and plan for the future and the heck with the season. If your thought process is that Dusty feels young players should prove themselves as it was when he came up your right but what is wrong with that. It makes them appreciate it more and work harder.Don’t listen to these people who think they know baseball on a chat blog see for yourself. You give this team a rh middle of the order thumper and we will be in business. Walt and Dusty have said this many times. I beleive them. Its Walt’s job to get one.

By JimT

April 8, 2009 10:08 AM | Link to this

To AP-Florida,its nice to have talent but if every manager who had talent won none of them would get fired. A lot of professsional baseball people think Dusty can manage evidenced by his 3 MOY awards. Walt J has also won executive of the year. I’d say they have some capability.You didn’t list your credentials.

By Jack

April 8, 2009 10:07 AM | Link to this

After the first game of the NFL last year, Lions fan said, no worries, its only one game…. This team may try hard and all that stuff managers say when they have a bad team, but its just reality that they are not going to be a good team. +90 losses is a reality. On Dusty, he may be a good manager with good players, but as many have stated, he is not good with a young team. He will throw a veteran out there before he will play a young guy. With the year we will most likely have (and yes, I hope and hope we do not), he is not the right manager for THIS team.

By Florida Buckeye

April 8, 2009 9:56 AM | Link to this

Hey All, I pulled the following from ESPN’s preview of todays game: “They’ve got a totally different bullpen,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “They spent a lot of money on it. They’ve got two closers. They shored up the area they wanted to shore up. You certainly want to get to them before they go there.” I find it interesting that he pointed out that THEY Got everything they wanted to shore up…to me it implied that WE (ie, the Reds) didnt, and the vast majority of us agree: Missed out on a power righty, and a quality centerfielder, and or an upgrade at third…Hmmm. But, with that said, I still contend that the Reds are better by subtraction than they were last year. Only time will tell…

By BrarHopper

April 8, 2009 9:32 AM | Link to this

Exciting game between Cubs & Houston last night. Very cool to see Keppinger step up in the bottom of the 10th and get the game winning hit. I miss him already.

By Brian

April 8, 2009 9:14 AM | Link to this

Somebody explain to me how is it going to be a winning team again when the Reds have let go several competitive players over the past few players, only to mention Griffey Jr., Dunn, Kearns, Hamilton, Lohse, Affeldt, Cameron, Reese. I’m not a baseball guru but I think what the Reds really need is a good management team in order to build-up again a big red machine based in all the prospects already in the majors (Votto, Bruce, Cueto, Volquez, Dickerson) along with those coming up (Bayley, Francisco, Alonso, Rosales, Valaika). There’s just a handful of experienced competitive players in the team, I just can mention Gonzalez, Hernandez, Phillips, Cordero, Harang.

By thekidsRalright

April 8, 2009 8:40 AM | Link to this

Not to mention production better than 9-25 from the #5 starter (remember Fogg, Sarluis, Belisle, and the cast of thousands)?

By thekidsRalright

April 8, 2009 8:38 AM | Link to this

Seems like a lot of negativity after just one game….I contend that between Harang pitching like he is capable, more production from Cueto (going from 9 to 12 or 14 wins), better defense, improving the catcher and shortstop position (if Gonzo is healthy), and speed at the top of the lineup (Taveras, Dickerson, and Hairston), this team is definitely 12-14 wins better than last year. If they can do that, they will contend if not win the NL Wildcard spot. I would rather have a baseball team, than a softball team (like years past).

By AP-FLORIDA

April 8, 2009 5:47 AM | Link to this

To Jim T: Give any manager talent and he will win….

By TonyPerez

April 8, 2009 3:43 AM | Link to this

FIRE DUSTY!! Just get it over with now instead of waiting 50 games-FIRE DUSTY!! Tell him to pack his toothpicks and hit the road. He can go back to ESPN and be a hack commentator. He couldn’t manage a little league team.

By MAC

April 8, 2009 1:53 AM | Link to this

It was a great way to introduce himself to the fans,” manager Cecil Cooper said. “I’m glad it happened; he’s a nice kid and one of the toughest guys in the league to strike out. You know he’s going to put the ball in play. That’s why we like him, and he’s going to be a big part of our team.” Said Keppinger: “I knew the situation. As soon as I saw Michaels hit the [fly ball], I knew they were going to walk Tejada. I just made sure I got a good pitch to hit. I was actually looking for something elevated so I could get it in the air. I really didn’t get the pitch elevated, but I got a strike and got a good enough pitch to handle.” Not that Reds didn’t play a good game on opening day, but do U notice Kepp had an approach going to the plate…not just a swing hard in case U hit it attitude. The line between winning and losing is a small one & in many cases it boils down to routine, un-flashy, FUNDAMENTALS…not getting doubled off 1st base on a fly ball to right, pitching ahead in the count instead of from the stretch the whole game and staying out of pitchers’ counts by not overswinging @ the 1st good pitch U see….have an approach….do the little things right….keep players like Kepp around if U want to win! Overall, I thought the Reds played a good game on opening day, but

By Harry the Horse

April 7, 2009 11:54 PM | Link to this

Look out for Musket Man in KY Derby. Musket won the Tampa Bay Derby and Illinois Derby. Anybody could have had him for $ 15,000. Has lost only 1 race and is improving with every run..

By Huber Tucky

April 7, 2009 11:31 PM | Link to this

Keppinger just had a walk off game winning hit for Houston to beat Cubs 3-2. Yeah Jeff. He led NL last year with only one K per plate appearance and also led with highest % of balls put into play w/60%. The Reds WILL miss the man!

By Wizard

April 7, 2009 11:05 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah, my last but most important reason for playing Dickerson, in centerfield opening day instead of McDonald IS: 10. The main reason for playing is to WIN the contest; this usually being accomplished with your best players!

By Wizard

April 7, 2009 9:51 PM | Link to this

“If you don’t play righty McDonald against lefty Santana with Taveras sick why have him on the team? Dickerson will get plenty of playing time and I hope he does great but missing a start against one of the top 2 or 3 pitchers in baseball and a left hander at that is not the end of the world.”—*So says Mike-Cinci. I generally agree with most of Mike’s thoughts on baseball—not, however, on the above comment he makes.I don’t play McDonald for Taveras, instead of Dickerson for the following reason’s:1.Dickerson is a better player 2.Dickerson has proven he can make the plays as a CFer.3. He earned the right to start on opening day 4.Dickerson has proven he can hit left-handed pitchers{.280 last year}5.He has better speed and range than McDonald 6.Just because someone is on the roster, and is right handed—doesn’t mean he is the best choice,IMO. 7.What seems to be, statistically, the obvious choice, isn’t always the correct decision. 8. Just because Dusty placed McDonald on the roster,does not justify doing it; nor justify not playing Dickerson.9.Dickerson’s career average is better than McDonald’s; and he’s had more experience facing top flight pitchers.

By Mister RedLeg

April 7, 2009 7:40 PM | Link to this

This team is in trouble. In all my years of never seeing a game but being a fake reporter I never seen it this bad. Time to hit the panic button.

By Buster

April 7, 2009 6:29 PM | Link to this

LS - you wrote “Regarding having Taveras hit 9th. The idea of having some speed a the bottom of the lineup is a good idea. If you think of the lineup as cyclical instead of 1-9 you will begin to understand the concept.” … uhhh - I already understood the concept which is why a lineup with the pitcher batting 8th is a dumb idea - if you think that having a 9th hitter that is fast and gets on base a good idea, why bat him 9th - you get more at bats and more productivity if you bat THAT batter first … if the lineup is cyclical, then the first cycle starts the first time through - why have that “fast” batter in the 9th spot potentially three innings away from his first AB when he can lead off the first inning … not batting the pitcher 9th has ALWAYS been a dumb idea … and aside from what I already wrote, you have the pitcher one batter closer to your productive 4-6 batters which appears to be a bad idea as the pitcher is not a run producer and putting the manager on batter closer to having to make pinch hitter decisions and getting into his bullpen earlier than desired. Any manager batting the pitcher 8th thinks he is a lot smarter than he really is ..

By JimT

April 7, 2009 6:22 PM | Link to this

Paul, by the way I love your Line up. I think Walt and Dusty would love it to. They just couldn’t find that RH 4 hole hitter that was affordable. They will make it happen its nice to see a management team that has a idea how to build a team. Maybe if Arroyo or Harrang have good first halfs and Bailey builds on his ST we could package one of them to some one who is trying to gain pitching and get that middle of the order hitter. If not will keep pressing with what we have and try to develope one.Remember this is a young nucleus and we have them under club control for some 3 and a few 4 years. Patience is the key.

By Jim T

April 7, 2009 5:52 PM | Link to this

Paul, name me a couple of those righthanded hitting outfielders you mentioned. I could only think of one that was a free agent Manny for about 25 mil.

By Paul

April 7, 2009 5:44 PM | Link to this

I agree with Jokers, I do not see a real progress under this owner. Why contract Taveras instead of a RH power batter for the LF spot? There was plenty to choose from back in the winter. My line-up for this season: Dickerson CF, Phillips 2B, Votto 1B, TBA LF, Bruce RF, Encarnacion 3B, Hernandez C, Gonzalez SS. I’d prefer an above normal 3B, but it looks like EE is the owner’s son-in-law. About pitching staff, it looks OK but maybe is time to replace Arroyo with Bayley.

By Boxter

April 7, 2009 5:36 PM | Link to this

I said in February the Reds will not win 75 games and after watching Dusty baker again, I’ll change that to 70. He may be the worst mgr. ever. Harang 114 pitches in 27 degrees? Amazing!!!!!!

By Jokers

April 7, 2009 5:09 PM | Link to this

What a joke Dusty winning world series . Now the Reds we have dont expect much maybe 3rd or 4th this year . We have no pitching and no homerun hitters . People will say we dont need a homerun hitter but we do . We have a bunch of kids that committed errors like crazy . I’m so tired of hearing we are rebuilding since we already have a Cinci tema that has been rebuilding for decades now. What happened to our new owner saying he was putting a winning team on the field . I think Dusty should be gone he hasnt done a thing as far as im concerned

By Jim T

April 7, 2009 4:41 PM | Link to this

Jeff have to respectfully disagreed with you. First fans who have a team that hasn’t won for over a hundred years may not be a good scource of information. Second when asked aaron said he felt great.Third the Mets pulled Santana because he was going to face EE who was like 4 for 5 against him with two HR in his career. Also I think the young players are doing fine under Dusty. as I stated they are making progresss the way he eased Joey into the lineup after a terriblle ST is just one example. The fact that he took the losingest franchise in the history of baseball the cubs to the brink of the wolrld Series should say alot. The fact is the team he took didn’t have the luxury of the additional 100 mil dollars the Cubs spent for Lou after Dusty left.I have a hard time with people who say Dusty doesn’t know the game. Fact is he respects the game. He broke in with Hank Asron and played for Tommy Lasorda. He is a 3 time MOY because he knows the game. To label him a manager who is 1 dimensional is crazy. He is a winner look at his record. He knows the game. Give him some talent and he will win.I have a feeling Walt will do just that. At least I hope so.

By Jeff

April 7, 2009 4:03 PM | Link to this

Jim T, obviously you wanted to throw the 3 time MOY out there. Thats great and yes dusty is a good players manager but knowing many mnay cubs fans and watching those games as well there are many things we could all disagree or agree with. Personally, I dont think he is a very good in-game manager. He is a great coach with a veteran team however he is not a small ball or defensive minded coach. To me he is a bad match for this team we have and will have for years to come. But the record will talk at the end of the season. As for Harang, yeah he was 16-6 back in 2007 and he threw 110 pitches but, you are missing the big picture. In 2007 he was not coming off an arm injury and opening day also wasnt 38 degrees and a wind chill. Did you see how fast they got Santana out of there and he was at 99. You dont push it early especially with a guy like Harang.

By LS

April 7, 2009 3:43 PM | Link to this

Regarding having Taveras hit 9th. The idea of having some speed a the bottom of the lineup is a good idea. If you think of the lineup as cyclical instead of 1-9 you will begin to understand the concept. Why have your worst hitter bat right in front of your best hitters does seem odd when you think about it. However, I do think moving playing Janish over Gonzo is a bad idea. Plus, if you have a Gold Glover at 2nd why move him? I would have thought playing Phillips at SS and moving Kepp to 2nd if Kepp continued to play like he did the 1st half of last of year. But that is a dead horse now and I don’t really want to start that one again.

By SCy

April 7, 2009 3:19 PM | Link to this

Excellent point, RC. That day off is a tired as the old way of Reds always being the first game start (since they were the first professional team). That history is no longer honored so that day off should join it on the scrap heap. Yep, I bet the players would appreciate an extra day off in the dog days. Oh well, if it makes sense, selig will never consider it.

By RC

April 7, 2009 3:04 PM | Link to this

OK, here’s something I think we can all agree on - having today off is a ridiculous throwback to the days when the Reds had the only opening day game, and everyone else started the next day. Nowadays it’s a pointless waste of a day off which could have been better used during the hot dog days of August, or… well, any-stinkin’-time other than today. Not that the Reds make the schedule, but I’m sure they could request an end to this particular tradition - they sure didn’t seem to have any say about the others…

By Sir Duke

April 7, 2009 2:57 PM | Link to this

Janish is not better at 2B than Phillips and Phillips is not better at SS than Gonzalez … it appears to be a much worse infield plus Gonzalez can hit much better than Janish so you lose offense and you lose defense … great move dreggy … maybe you need to say it two million times to make it come true.

By Buster

April 7, 2009 2:40 PM | Link to this

Dregs - could you explain how it is better to have the worst hitter in the lineup (the pitcher) come to bat more often than Taveres? Don’t repeat your Phillips is now batting third cause Taveres is now two in front of him line - why is it better to have the pitcher bat more than Taveras?

By Cincinnati DREGS

April 7, 2009 2:04 PM | Link to this

Here is the lineup I would be using: LF – Hairston / Dickerson SS – Phillips 1B – Votto RF – Bruce 3B – Encarnacion C – Hernandez / Hanigan 2B – Janish Pitcher Slot CF - Tavares I bat Tavares 9 instead of 8, because Phillips is a legitimate RBI guy in the number 2 slot (since he wont be swinging for the fences). This arrangement gives us two number 3 hitters with Votto following Philips. As I have said a million times, I move Phillips’ defense to SS and play Janish at 2B. I like Janish’s defense, but his stick is weak.

By Mike-Cinci

April 7, 2009 1:59 PM | Link to this

Anyone who uses an opening day baseball game to project a season knows nothing about baseball. CC Sabbathia and Brandon Webb were bombed on Monday. Is it over for the Yankees and the D-backs? The Reds won’t get better until they have better players coming through their farm system. Guys like Gomes, McDonald, Nix, Castillo, Janish, Hannigan will not make this team better. If you don’t play righty McDonald against lefty Santana with Taveras sick why have him on the team? Dickerson will get plenty of playing time and I hope he does great but missing a start against one of the top 2 or 3 pitchers in baseball and a left hander at that is not the end of the world. If the Reds stink by June 1 we will all have plenty of time to pile on. Until then remember they play 162 games. We will know what this team is made of after about 50 games. In my opinion there are plenty of questions and they all have to turn positive for the team to have a good year. We shall see.

By Jim T

April 7, 2009 1:54 PM | Link to this

First of all while Harrang did throw a 114 pitches 4 of them were of the intentional walk variety. The last time Aaron threw a 110 pitches on opening day was in 2007 when he went 16-6 and should have been considered for the Cy Young award. Secondly, for all you so called experts who continue to insult Dusty and Walt at every opportuniy let me remind you Walt has put togather a World Championship Team, Dusty has won 3 MOY awards. This is not to say you shouldn’t question or debate strategy. That is the fun of sports, just keep in mind many who berate and belittle there efforts were’t even first string on there own Little League team. The comments about Dusty just playing his buddies and everytime a decison is made it has something to do with a personal relationship of Dusty. I repeat he is a 3 time MOY, the club he inherited was not good, We need a 4 hole hitter which could make all the difference, Walt will get one until then be patient and have fun watching the young players develope into a much better team then Uncle Carl provided.

By Floyd the Barber

April 7, 2009 1:13 PM | Link to this

I worry about the kind of thinking that keeps McDonald and send Gomes down.

By AP-FLORIDA

April 7, 2009 1:02 PM | Link to this

Bottom line: did we play our best players? Who’s decision was that? Looooooong season!!!

By Roho Radio

April 7, 2009 12:52 PM | Link to this

I’m really trying to convince myself that we faced Johan Santana and lost, but everything is OK. It’s not working!!!!!! Why do I get the feeling we’re going to have the lowest team batting average in the HISTORY of the game after this season!! Geez….that’s positive after only one game!

By James Bradley

April 7, 2009 12:47 PM | Link to this

Beat the October rush and git yer tractor pull tickets NOW…for SURE!

By SonofSonofBeast

April 7, 2009 12:14 PM | Link to this

James Bradley: I didn’t say there will be a line in October for sure. I can’t possibly know that after ONE GAME!!! Just as you cannot possibly know that this team is terrible after ONE GAME. Read a few of the more intelligent posts about reserving judgment and not jumping to conclusions after ONE GAME, and you’ll see whose post is “stupid”, and who “has a clue”. So-called “fans” like you are what give all Reds fans a bad reputation.

By jeff

April 7, 2009 11:42 AM | Link to this

Okay lets put this into perspective. First of all, Dunn and Griffey wouldn’t have touched Santana. Maybe Dunn because he hits a Homer every opening day and so does griff, but they cant hit lefties. Secondly, Alonso, fraazier and those guys are not ready to be up here at all, Third, Arroyo and EE for Wright, dont ever mention that again, and lastly, the game was a good 2-1 game. Santana is a beast and it was nice to see Harang back. I still think 114 pitches first time out is a bit much and I would pitch Owings Saturday and give Harang an extra day to start the year. Also, Herrera was nervous as all get out and basically walked in the other run. Give the offense time it will come. Remember folks how bad this offense last year was with Griff and Dunn. I was down yesterday too with the loss but the positives are we only lost by a run and I think most of us agree we didnt play well. Give it time and don’t expect too much from this team. Enjoy watching them grow together. Our years will come!

By James Bradley

April 7, 2009 11:00 AM | Link to this

To sonofsonofbeast: The only line at the Reds ticket counter in October might be for a concert or a tractor pull. Your post was stupid. Get a clue!

By Kyle

April 7, 2009 10:29 AM | Link to this

Phillips needs to be in the two-hole. Encarnacion needs to bat cleanup. Edwin made yet another sweet play defensively at third. The Reds were trying to do too much at the plate yesterday. Congrats to Junior on his 8th opening day homer. Had the fans been less of a cancer to him, he might not have turned into a cancer in the clubhouse.

By sam

April 7, 2009 9:53 AM | Link to this

Harang could lose 20 games this year, with this offense. I realize the Reds were facing Santana, etc. but I just don’t see where run production will come from.

By Buster

April 7, 2009 9:52 AM | Link to this

This is a classic …….. Trade Encarnacion and Arroyo for an outstanding 3B (Wright)… now I know that some Reds fans are truly beyond delusional … what baseball world do some people live in to think that the Mets would ever do anything even remotely as dumb as trade David Wright for those two? In fact why would any team trade an outstanding player at any position for those two Reds? Nuts man people are truly nuts.

By CDouble13

April 7, 2009 9:41 AM | Link to this

For all the Dusty Baker Haters out there…Imagine this scenario…Reds do fire Dusty…In October of 2010, Baker lifts the World Series trophy as the manager of the World Champion New York Mets or fill in the blanks… This is precisely what Cincinnati is on a collision course of…Dusty is not this team’s problem. There is not one on the field veteran leader for this team. I do not have a problem with Phillips hitting cleanup on this team as Bruce still has a lot to learn. Votto is the only other candidate to be a cleanup hitter, but to you want Phillips hitting 3rd? He is not disciplined enough to be a 3 hitter. This team will struggle until everyone figures it out.

By SonofSonofBeast

April 7, 2009 9:29 AM | Link to this

Wow. One game, a 2-1 loss against a REALLY good pitcher, in which our ace nearly matches him, and you all are jumping off bridges. Even if we get beat 9-1 (like the Tribe) it’s still one freakin’ game. Why do you people even watch if you are THAT pessimistic. I suppose you’ll all line up at the ticket windows in October though. Get a life…

By Raul

April 7, 2009 9:22 AM | Link to this

Wake up! Get used again to yesterday’s result: Reds won’t go nowhere this season without a real clean-up, Phillips is not a 4th batter and this situation will affect the rest of the line-up. I stated last year, Reds needs a RH-3B able to bat runners in. Trade Encarnacion and Arroyo for an outstanding 3B (Beltre, Wright). My ideal line-up: Taveras CF, Dickerson LF, Votto 1B, TBA 3B, Bruce RF, Phillips 2B, Hernandez C, Gonzalez SS.

By Redsfan68

April 7, 2009 9:14 AM | Link to this

It is one game. Harang like Santana was getting pinched by the home plate umpires inconsistency with the outside strike to lefthanders. There was some poor defense but of the 7 hits Harang gave up 2 were in the infield and 2 were bloops that should have been caught….It was just one of those days….but as far as I see even with a few miscues they played with a $100M team….We will be alright.

By Steven Ross

April 7, 2009 8:58 AM | Link to this

One game in a long season vs. one of the best pitchers in baseball so everyone needs to take a chill pill. Unfortunately, yesterday’s final score seems rather prescient based on concerns of offense, or lack thereof. Get used to it. I still say Phillips should not bat cleanup. I don’t see us winning with Baker filling out crass lineups.

By Rockieredsfan

April 7, 2009 8:36 AM | Link to this

Could have been worse - you could have been watching the Rockies and D-Backs where Cook (Hamilton OH native) and Webb rated as one of the best pitching matchups of the day in the NL, never got past the 4th. Score was 6-6 and when it was over 9-8 D-Backs won with 8 homeruns hit in the game. A real slugfest. The Rocks and Reds are pretty much going to be equal when it comes to where they will finish in the standings - near dead last I’m afraid.

By Steve

April 7, 2009 8:31 AM | Link to this

Reds play like crap and still have a chance to beat maybe the best pitcher in the game, on a team many pick to win a championship. I guess the youngsters needed to shell Johan in order to get any props. I will worry if the team only puts up 1 run against Zach Duke. Johan is a Cy winner, people! I will agree that Dickerson got hosed. Dusty praises him all spring and sits him. Frustrating.

By AP_FLORIDA

April 7, 2009 7:50 AM | Link to this

Let’s hope we go 0-15 or so, get rid of rusty. Then we still have time to turn this around! This is as pathetic as I have ever seen, and I have seen more than a few….

By drock

April 7, 2009 7:49 AM | Link to this

Uh…I know you’re up there Hal in the warm press box, but think logically about this. It was 37 degrees out there….how do you expect guys to play at their peak performance level, huh? Give em a few games before you call them “lifeless”.

By J.Mark

April 7, 2009 3:21 AM | Link to this

WOW-shocking. The Reds start a career minor leaguer in CF on opening day, a untility guy in LF, an error machine at 3B, a SS who hasn’t played in over a year-and they lose. Shocking. Just Shocking. Dusty Toothpick is an IDIOT!

By Gary Maloy Jr

April 7, 2009 3:07 AM | Link to this

To Josh Manley: Where has Yonder Alonso played the outfield? He played ONLY first base at Miami. You must know the guy personally, if you know he played the OF in Little League. I wasn’t particularly impressed with the ONE bloop single to left that HAIRSTON should have taken charge of. He didn’t and it made the young CF look bad simply because he made an effort. Gonzalez can NOT be given the blame - he was going back on the ball - it’s always the OF’s job to come in. Hairston played that ball lacadaisically. Santana did his job. He’s the best left hander in the game - let’s give the man credit. And while we’re criticizing Harang for throwing too many pitches, let’s remember that Santana was also over 100 pitches through 5-2/3 innings. It’s early people, let’s give them a chance. By the way - I was WAAAY impressed by the power Jay B. showed on his double off the wall in the gap, opposite field - he barely swung at the ball!

By BrarHopper

April 7, 2009 1:13 AM | Link to this

I feel for Harang. We saw a microcasm today of how he lost 17 games last year. Pitched well enough to win and had a weak lame pathetic offense behind him and so-so offense. And if we have to watch Baker make stupid this year with McDonald like we did last year with Corey…sweet jeezus!

By Wizard

April 7, 2009 12:32 AM | Link to this

I thought Baker did a big disservice to Dickerson today. Regardless of who was pitching, or any other reason—Dickerson earned the right to be in the starting lineup on opening day. He should have been playing centerfield with Hairston in Left! McDonald should not be our centerfielder when Taveras is not in the lineup—Dickerson should{I’m not certain he shouldn’t be there in place of Taveras, as a starter}. He demonstrated sufficiently last year,that he could play center; and that he could face left-handed pitchers. He showed good discipline and batting eye at the plate. Baker is suggesting otherwise; and I don’t buy it! He covers more ground than does McDonald; and IMO, would have gotten to those balls McDonald did not get to today. I am still positive about this season; and still believe the Reds will finish second or third in the division. But, stupidly stubborn decisions by Baker, like this one he made today—will keep them from doing so. He is maddening sometimes.I also, believe that unless BP starts going to right—he will fail in the #4 spot. He had a perfect pitch to do so today, taking a strike fastball on the outside cornerwith runners on second and third. Yes, he drove in the runner on third with a Sacrifice fly to left—but the runner on second did not advance to third—as he would have on a ball hit to right. He is selfishly still hurting his teamates with this attitude.Others have said it best—he thinks he is something he is not.

By Harry the Horse

April 6, 2009 11:45 PM | Link to this

Dusty Baker moves front and center to the top of the First Manager fired list… This team has been sloppy for 1 season and 1 game… Baker will be fishing by July 1st..

By Thomas

April 6, 2009 11:44 PM | Link to this

I blame this train wreck of a team on Baker and Jocketty, tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum-dum. Not signing or trading for a quality, run-producing left fielder will haunt this team. Platoon Dickerson and Stubbs in CF on the cheap and use the Taveras and Weathers money for a good leftfielder. There were plenty to be had, but no they fail once again. And Baker’s awful coaching is pathetic. Their hitting discipline is a joke, and again the fundamentals are atrocious. I blame Baker and Jockety again. The Reds won’t get my money until they turn this train wreck around, I guarantee you that much!

By JRed

April 6, 2009 11:27 PM | Link to this

Spare me, folks, on projecting the Dunn, Junior opening day stats onto the current Reds opener against Santana. If Dunn and Griffey were in today’s Reds’ lineup, the Reds would have scored no more runs—and Santana would have had maybe 6-7 more Ks? At least we did not trade either for Indians ‘ace’ Cliff Lee.

By JRed

April 6, 2009 11:09 PM | Link to this

The Reds lost a close one to Santana on a soggy field. Which Texas ace did the Indians make fools of themselves against?

By Josh Manley

April 6, 2009 10:51 PM | Link to this

Check it out. They shipped out D and G, and supposedly tightened up the defense. Tonight we got a glimpse. Instead of losing 8-6 all year long, now we’ll just lose 2-1. McDonald over Gomes? Ridiculous. Phillips @ cleanup? Ridiculous. I know it’s just one game, but I’m not sharing everyone’s optimism if this is what we can expect. Patterson killed us last year. McDonald is just the second incarnation and if Dusty keeps him in there, it’s over before it even starts. Todd Frazier, Yonder Alonso, Drew Stubbs; all three have OF experience and would be less harmful in the field. Not to mention they can produce runs. The decisions made from the top down are hurting this team.

By Ken

April 6, 2009 10:42 PM | Link to this

Hmmm - maybe I’m crazy but losing 2-1 to Johan Santana isn’t the worst opening day you can have… Let’s give these guys 15 games before we start writing them off.

By Josh Manley

April 6, 2009 10:40 PM | Link to this

I said it after Dunn and Griff was traded and I’ll say it again. Bonehead Jocketty will regret getting rid of them. Dunn was 2 for 3 with 4 RBI’s (with his usual homer) and Griffey homered as well. Insert Dunn alone and this game was a W. Hairston could have played CF and Dunn’s antics in LF would have been nothing to Corey Patterson 2.0 (McDonald). $*#! Jocketty! Idiot.

By Jack

April 6, 2009 10:31 PM | Link to this

Take it easy with this next statement, but just a little irony today, Reds barely score a run, and Dunn and Griffey both homer.

By HuberTucky

April 6, 2009 10:25 PM | Link to this

Agree with Jeff. I had the same thought about Dusty leaving Harang out there in his 1st start, 38 degree weather & 114 pitches. Maybe Dusty will use him in long relief between now and his next start. Baker is still a bonehead. And BP picked up right where he left off last year swinging for the 5 run homer. Gads. Back to 2008.

By Mutaman

April 6, 2009 9:59 PM | Link to this

“67-95 And a lot of close losses. This team will be exciting to see for the pitching and that.is.all. “ Man can I get the over on this. Maybe Hal can hold the money. Seriously, how can anyone in there right mind say that a team with 4 kids like Volquez, Cueto, Bruce and Votto will only win 67 games? Seriously! Hal you really need to develop some kind of sanity test to screen out some of these people.

By Zoomie

April 6, 2009 9:23 PM | Link to this

Very nice. Dummy Baker chooses to keep a career minor leaguer on the roster and ends up starting him because Taveras has the flu. No wonder Darnell McDonald is healthy. Given the way he looked in center field today, he couldn’t catch a cold. Still waiting for Encarcion to live up to his potential. Or at least learn how to stay close enough to get back to first base. So much for stressing fundamentals. Going to be a long year.

By hopfrog

April 6, 2009 8:45 PM | Link to this

67-95 And a lot of close losses. This team will be exciting to see for the pitching and that.is.all.

By Packy

April 6, 2009 8:21 PM | Link to this

Hal didn’t write this article ten minutes early…he could have written the same words in 2 weeks ago in Florida. Totally predictable. Off to another fizzled start. Stay tuned, Reds faithful and loyalists. This was only the appetizer.

By JAMESRSHOCKMAN

April 6, 2009 8:08 PM | Link to this

WHERE IS CORY PATTERSON WHEN YOU NEED HIM? HE COULDN’T HIT BUT WAS A VERY COMPETENT CENTER FIELDER ON DEFENSE. HE ALSO RAN THE BASES BETTER THAN AN 11 YEAR MINOR LEAGUER.

By cdouble13

April 6, 2009 7:54 PM | Link to this

Dusty Baker is not at fault for today’s loss. Johan Santana does that to many teams…They had their chances early and could not close the deal

By Jeff

April 6, 2009 7:49 PM | Link to this

Okay I know it is one game but lets focus on this new “small ball mentality” Example 1: Reds have guys on second and third and Phillips is trying to hit a three run homer instead of poking the ball into right field. He is letting the 4 spot get in his head and he thinks he is a home run hitter. Phiilps was awesome in 2007 because he drove the ball to the opposite field and turned on the inside pitch. ( he did sac fly though so koodos) Example 2: Mcdonald stupidly goes first to thrid and barely makes it but then they don’t send him as the ball rolls down the line. If he scores there you now have ma on second noone out and down by one, wheres the aggressiveness? Example 3: Small ball includes solid Defense. How many bobbles and such can you have. Also Hal, can you please ask Mr Baker, what the _ was he thinking leaving Harang out there for 114 pitches. I know you want to get your horse a win but really its 38 degrees, he is just coming off an arm injury and he leaves him out there. Not very smart, I continue to not be impressed by Dusty’s decisions this is a rerun of my statements. I know its only one game and there were some positives today. Go Reds!!!

By Jeff

April 6, 2009 7:49 PM | Link to this

Okay I know it is one game but lets focus on this new “small ball mentality” Example 1: Reds have guys on second and third and Phillips is trying to hit a three run homer instead of poking the ball into right field. He is letting the 4 spot get in his head and he thinks he is a home run hitter. Phiilps was awesome in 2007 because he drove the ball to the opposite field and turned on the inside pitch. ( he did sac fly though so koodos) Example 2: Mcdonald stupidly goes first to thrid and barely makes it but then they don’t send him as the ball rolls down the line. If he scores there you now have ma on second noone out and down by one, wheres the aggressiveness? Example 3: Small ball includes solid Defense. How many bobbles and such can you have. Also Hal, can you please ask Mr Baker, what the _ was he thinking leaving Harang out there for 114 pitches. I know you want to get your horse a win but really its 38 degrees, he is just coming off an arm injury and he leaves him out there. Not very smart, I continue to not be impressed by Dusty’s decisions this is a rerun of my statements. I know its only one game and there were some positives today. Go Reds!!!

By StuttgartTim

April 6, 2009 7:03 PM | Link to this

Back in the day, we’d say “So did you hear there will be no beer at the Reds games this year?”

By Greg Tampa Fl.

April 6, 2009 6:17 PM | Link to this

man 11 years in baseball mcdonald looked like a player you put in the lineup to hide he plays way to deep we just cant catch the ball it is that simple votto was over matched god that was ugly and closer than it should have been but its only one game if i was manager of that team i would be up in everyones face on those bloopers it is pathetic

By Mark in Sun Valley

April 6, 2009 5:57 PM | Link to this

Hey Florida Buckeye! Dusty has decided Dickerson cannot hit left handers, so McDonald started today and Dickerson will platoon with Hairston in left. Dusty never seemed to read any further in the manager’s handbook than “lefty vs righty”. Which reminds me, I heard Marty say today that Phillips is hitting 4th “because no one else can”. How about the guy with the most power, aka Jay Bruce? No, Dusty insists no lefties hit back to back. He has the imagination of a turnip. I see a LOT of 2-1 losses like todays in 2009…

By StuttgartTim

April 6, 2009 5:54 PM | Link to this

Hey FL. Buckeye, I’m with you. I suspect the reasoning though was because McDonald is a righty.

By Florida Buckeye

April 6, 2009 5:29 PM | Link to this

Hey Hal, Sorry I’ve been away. KNow that I’ve missed your blog…question though, and I apologize if it has been answered in previous posts: WHY didnt Dickerson get the start after Taveras got the flu? Macdonald seemed lost, and I was stunned by his presence in the lineup.

By Mark in Sun Valley

April 6, 2009 5:27 PM | Link to this

McDonald looked like a deer in headlights in the field and Hairston twirlled more on fly balls that a ballerina. I had to laugh when I saw the stat that lefties actually hit 20 points BETTER than righties against Santana. I wonder if our fearless leader looked at that when he sat Dickerson for McDonald. I hope Gomes has not gone too far…

By Red_in_ky

April 6, 2009 4:53 PM | Link to this

Would have been a nice day to see Gomes in the lineup…he kills lefties. I know it’s Santana, but I have to imagine he would have been better than McDonald, and his defense couldn’t have been worse.

By Mike

April 6, 2009 4:50 PM | Link to this

Good to see the Reds have already hit midseason form.

By Jack

April 6, 2009 4:49 PM | Link to this

One game, but same old, same old. No defense, no hitting- leads to a loss. Nice game from Harang, one run, but gets the loss. Thats a shame for him, but the Reds pitchers will have to work very hard for wins this year.

By CT

April 6, 2009 4:37 PM | Link to this

I’m watching the 9th inning right now so I don’t think it quite over yet. I guess Hal jumped the gun a little. But I would have to agree that the Reds looked just as bad as last year.

By Jack

April 6, 2009 4:33 PM | Link to this

Is my radio on a ten minute delay or something….? We are in the 9th, right?