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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 37th year of covering the Cincinnati Reds, the longest tenure for any active writer covering one team. Counting spring training and postseason games, McCoy has covered more than 7,000 major-league baseball games, written close to 18,000 baseball stories and eaten enough hot dogs to give Babe Ruth indigestion.Home > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2009 > July > 20 > Entry
Phillips says it won’t happen again (again)
THE ENIGMA that is Brandon Phillips surfaced again tonight in Dodger Stadium, another time he didn’t hustle, another apology, another quiet shaking of the head by manager Dusty Baker.
The Cincinnati Reds had Jason Schmidt draped over the ropes, groggy and out of it. The first three Reds hit safely to open the game. With two runs already in and a runner on third, Phillips flied to right field and trotted out of the batter’s box, head down, loping toward first.
But right fielder Andre Ethier lost the ball in the sun and it fell for a hit. Only then did Phillips turn on the after-burners and he tried to make second base. He was thrown out.
As Baker said, “We should have scored more in the first.” A walk and two outs followed Phillips getting thrown out at second. No more runs.
Asked if he talked to Phillips about it, Baker said, “Hey, man, we’ve all talked to Brandon about stuff like this until we’re blue in the face. Evidently, this must have started long before I got here. That was a rally killer right there. All you can ask is for a guy to hustle. That’s not too much to ask. Just hustle.”
Phillips, who had three of the Reds six hits, admitted he was wrong.
“I was happy to get the run in from third with a fly ball to right field,” he said. “I was thinking, ‘Damn, I missed it,’ and I had my head down. When I looked up he had dropped it and I tried to make second. I messed up. That’s my second time not hustling this year and it won’t happen again.”
We’ve heard that one before.
IF THE REDS are going to lose out here on the West Coast, three time zones away, can they at least do it more quickly than Monday night’s ghastly affair?
The Dodgers didn’t even have to bat in the bottom of the ninth, so the game was only 8 1/2 innings, but it still took the Reds more than three hours to lose, 7-5.
As far as time of game goes, this one didn’t start very well.
Jason Schmidt, making his first start since June 2007 went to 3-and-2 on leadoff hitter Willy Taveras, who smoked one to left center. The ball bounced back into the playing field and Taveras legged it for a triple.
Baker came out to argue and request a review, the only play in baseball that can be reviewed (home run or not a home run). After further review: no home run.
TWO PITCHES later, Jerry Hairston Jr. swung and missed and his bat ended up in the seats behind the Dodgers dugout. He had to walk to the bat rack, grab a new stick, apply the pine tar and … oh, well, I didn’t have anything to do after the game, did I? No movie starlets returned my calls today.
THEY SAY something you haven’t seen before happens often in baseball. I can testify to that. See something all the time and it happened again tonight. The first three Reds hitters played wall ball - all three batters (Taveras, Hairston, Joey Votto) hit the wall on the fly and I know I’ve never seen the first three hitters in a game hit balls off the wall on the fly.
MAKE IT a two-fer. Another event I’ve never seen. Rafael Furcal led the Dodgers first by bunting. For a double. Yes, he bunted for a double. He bunted over third baseman Edwin Encarnacion’s head and before shortstop Hairston could run it down, Furcal was on second.
Some weird stuff, man, weird.
END OF one inning: Los Angeles 4, Cincinnati 3. I’ve been sitting all day in an airplane and now I’m going to have to sit all night in a press box - and sit and sit and sit. First inning: 43 minutes.
Manny Ramirez put this one out of reach with a two-run homer in the second that was last seen circling LAX between two 747s.
ACTOR CHRIS Noth was in the stands. My wife, Nadine, loved him in Sex in the City and in Law and Order - or in anything. Maybe he could have pitched a couple of innings for the Reds. Or run hard from first to second on a fly ball???
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Comments
By Ken
July 22, 2009 7:47 PM | Link to this
Wait. Shouldn’t Dusty be happy? After Phillips was thrown out, the bases weren’t clogged up with base runners.By Jack
July 21, 2009 10:11 PM | Link to this
One topic that I agree with timb. You guys are foolish if you think the majority of players hustle everyday. Does anyone really think Pujols..jeter would have been sprinting to second when they hit a lazy fly to right field. But, where i disagree with timb is dusty certainly gets blame. How many times has this happend…three now. How many times has he blamed the prior coaching staff? If this stuff keeps hapening, dusty has to start looking in the mirror.By Petey29575
July 21, 2009 7:31 PM | Link to this
RC You got that right about Hernandez. He has far exceeded any expectations that the club had for him coming in. When the Reds acquired him, I went back & read articles about him in the Oriole organization. I found very little positive that they had to say about him. They were anxious to get him out of town & make room for the rookie phenom Wieters.By RC
July 21, 2009 7:17 PM | Link to this
About a month ago, I posted the stat that Hernandez was hitting .292 with RISP. When he went on the DL, that was up to .328. The increase happened while he was having issues with the knee. He’s done more than all but a few to help this team win this year.By ME
July 21, 2009 6:45 PM | Link to this
timb, you are talking stupidly. you are wrong, dead wrong. “Nothing is EVER Dusty’s fault. If there is a problem, it is your job to fix it Dusty.” So, timb would have allowed Manny to continue playing with no penalty for drug use. And, if Hernandez was that hurt, that he could not slide-he must have been woried about losing his job to Hanigan-or he would have reported it to the trainer and manager, in order to help his team win! He was selfishly looking at helping himself, not his team. Why does Dusty take pitchers out when they reach a certain pitch count?Fear of injury! He expects them to tell him the truth when they are tired, or hurting. I am certain he expects the same from any player, including a surgery needing catcher! It was stupidly selfish of Hernandez.By petey29575
July 21, 2009 6:29 PM | Link to this
All I’m saying is that if Hernandez is not healthy enough to slide at home then he is not helping the Reds by being on the field. You are leaving out Hannigan. I think that Hannigan is a more than adequate replacement. Who are you talking about when you say”You people amaze me”??? I have never said that any Reds player is a “prima donna”…I have never said that any of the Reds players are “lazy” or that they “suck”. I think that you are confused. I like this Reds team. I think that they do have potential to contend in the CENTRAL. All I am asking for is their best effort!! Please tell me why that is wrong. If we are not getting their best effort then they are not talented enough to contend.By timb
July 21, 2009 6:07 PM | Link to this
Petey, you’re crazy. If Hernandez can stay healthy enough to keep perpetual scrub Craig Tatum from darkening the door of the Reds clubhouse by not sliding, then he should do so. You people amaze me. You accuse them of being prima donnas and, when they play hurt, you say they suck and are lazy. Hernandez did the right thing and it’s too bad treatment for his knee didn’t work. Players should risk their careers so they can impress you? Not sold, PeteBy petey29575
July 21, 2009 6:07 PM | Link to this
By the way…the person with the Cincinnati Reds who is ultimately responsible to see that each and every player is achieving his maximum potential…..It is the MANAGER!! Now I will leave it to each of you to determine in your own mind whether Dusty Baker is getting the most from this group of players.By Petey29575
July 21, 2009 5:57 PM | Link to this
I apologize for my earlier comments implying that players should hustle or sit. I guess a more appropriate way to explain would be to ask the players to “Put Forth their Best Effort”. Bottom line …if you asked B.P. or Hernandez about those referred to plays, they would admit that it was not their best effort. Is that asking too much?? When did we get to the point that we accept “Mediocre Effort” (moderate or low quality.)We don’t have to reinvent the wheel here…it’s not brain surgery…The good teams in both leagues reflect their managers expected level of play. They expect players to put forth their best effort…they expect that their players can execute the fundamentals of the game…they expect them not to make mental errors…they expect their pitchers to throw strikes and to compete on the mound. You will not find play-off bound teams who don’t expect the players to put forth their best effort. I’m sorry, if Ramon Hernandez is in the game, regardless of the condition of his knees and there is a play at the plate….I expect him to slide. We all should expect him to put forth his best effort. Remember, if we expect less than this of a player we will almost certainly always get a less than the best effort. I think that most true fans of any sport only want to see their team put forth their best effort. With these young Reds players I almost always can feel pretty good about their performance regardless of the outcome if I feel like they have given their best.By ME
July 21, 2009 5:53 PM | Link to this
Colgar has just awakened from a long summers nap-and is still a bit groggy. Someone already mentioned{if you’d pay attention}that before last night’s game Jonny Gomes has hit for better average, and leads Nix in all categories of offensive production, by quite large margines, against right handed pitchers! Baker’s stupidity comes into play once again, when you consider this, as well as,all the other players who have played well during this season, only to be benched the very next game, because of Baker’s stereotypical and assinine lefty/righty crap:Hanigan,Dickerson,Janish.By timb
July 21, 2009 5:44 PM | Link to this
Old enough to have heard people like you b*tch about ballplayers for 30 years. Your prescription: “Everybody should be like Pete” has never changed, is not a formula for winning, and it bores me. The added wrinkle of blaming Dusty for everything is new, so there’s that. But, it’s not like it’s new on this blog.By Bruce
July 21, 2009 5:36 PM | Link to this
Mike-Cinci, So what. By your thinking since Manny leads his team in all offensive categories, we should overlook his steroid use; or whatever it was he got disciplined for. You are mistaken on how many times he has not run hard this year! He has been caught loafing two or three times, because of the outcome, when he should have been running harder. In other situations, he was jogging, also;but the outcome covered his poor effort. Trading a player, obviously is not the answer. What we are talking about here is LEADERSHIP from his manager! We aren’t getting it!By Nomad
July 21, 2009 5:29 PM | Link to this
Dusty should have pulled him from the game on the spot, there is no excuse for not hustling period. I hope Dusty sets him tonight, he needs to make a statement about who is running the team.By Hawk
July 21, 2009 5:22 PM | Link to this
Timb, there is no responsibility without accountability. The only person in position to accomplish that with Brandon, is HIS MANAGER-who keeps allowing his failure!You are foolish if you think Brandon will correct this all by himself.How old are you?By Paul
July 21, 2009 5:03 PM | Link to this
It’s enough to make one wnt to vomit.By colgar
July 21, 2009 4:52 PM | Link to this
Gomes was on the bench. Why would you assume that he would be in the game on Tuesday with a righthander pitching? Just because he hit a home run in his last at bat doesn’t make him a starter. And I believe Dickerson was in the lineup and so was Laynce Nix who you goofs clamored to play ahead of Dickerson when Nix had a couple of hits two days in a row. What happened? Nix cooled off then all of you switched to Dickerson’s bandwagoon. Do you clowns ever learn from your mistakes?By timb
July 21, 2009 4:37 PM | Link to this
Well said, Jeff. It is Brandon’s fault and he needs to stop doing it (personally I would have stopped at first, but he knew he was wrong and tried to make up for it…..). As far as Dusty goes, Brandon’s not Dusty’s fault. Dusty’s line-ups su*k, but his players seem to like him and he has done a good job with the pitchers. I didn’t like the signing of Dusty, because he is so weird, but he has won many times before. Whether he follows all the dictates of Wiz or the rest of the fanbase, the team would still stink since it cannot score. Hal and Tim both said the Reds were a fifth place team prior to the start of the season and I hoped to be around 5 games out in July so management could get the stick they need. The blame Dusty crowd goes too far on this blog. Fact is, playing Dickerson every day in center would be an improvement, but guess what? They’d still be a losing team, because Ede missed two months, Joey missed 30 games, and Jay under-performed AND is not hurt. It would be nice if the fans of the team focused their frustration on the GM and owner, where it belongs and not on a player whose “laziness” made no difference in the final outcome and his manager. It’s like a hive mind in here. Oh, and Wiz, free Paul Janish, he’s a .300 hitter.By Jeff
July 21, 2009 4:14 PM | Link to this
Timb, I can see you feel strongly about this but you have to admit it does get frusturating when you see someone with Phillips talent do these things over and over. He has so much talent, and no he doesnt have to run 100mph hour but for gods sake that was horrible last night, at least fool us with some effort. as for your analogy of all of us at work, yes we slack off, we all do, but if my boss tells me I messed something up, by god i better do it right the next time or else I am replaceable. Your analogy defines what is wrong with the professional athlete today, they are invincible, they are irreplaceable in their minds. Like I said I like Phillips and I am a big fan of his but Phillips knows that no one behind him can take his job. What is sad is that he “says” he wants to be the go to guy and the leader of this team. My Answer “ACT LIKE IT”. To go back to Dusty, do we really think Phillips is worried about Dusty calling him out, obviously not because this has happened many times. If the supposed leader of your team is doing this with no repercussion what do you think the other guys think. I am not a Dusty fan nor have I ever been, he has never been the right fit for this team. Bob C went with a big name instead of the smart decision and fit for this team. Money doesnt buy good decisions. Honestly I would like to have our whole Triple A staff be the managers, I think the guys come up better than when they stay here for awhile.By brandon
July 21, 2009 3:26 PM | Link to this
The problem with the Reds is that it is not just that they dont have enough talent, or they dont hustle, or that their manager is a moron, or that their pitching is not top notch. The problem is that they are really bad because of every one of those issues…plus a few. Not an easy fix.By brandon
July 21, 2009 3:26 PM | Link to this
The problem with the Reds is that it is not just that they dont have enough talent, or they dont hustle, or that their manager is a moron, or that their pitching is not top notch. The problem is that they are really bad because of every one of those issues…plus a few. Not an easy fix.By Mike-Cinci
July 21, 2009 3:13 PM | Link to this
Bruce, the Reds could trade Phillips and try to get someone who hustles more. Hopefully they get a good player or two in return. By the way Phillips leads the team in RBI(63),hits(87),runs scored(47),walks(32),triples(3). He is second in HR’s(14), SB’s(14), and 3rd in doubles(15). He won the gold glove in 2008. He has not run hard on 2 or 3 plays this year. The Reds could probably pick up a good player or two for him. Once the fans turn on a player it is probably best for him to move on. With its current talent level the Reds can’t win.By timb
July 21, 2009 3:04 PM | Link to this
Hawk, is it your boss’s fault you’re embarrassing yourself on this blog? What Phillips did, Phillips is responsible for. Blaming Dusty for BP not running out a sacrifice fly is almost as ridiculous as blaming Hal because you comment here. Criticize BP for his “laziness”.By Hawk
July 21, 2009 2:44 PM | Link to this
Timb, your attempts to defend lazy efforts is laughable. Your blaming of all persons under the sun for Phillips and Baker’s ineptitude’s is a waste of ink/posting! Please accept the fact that ‘readers and fans’ of baseball do not want to pay hard earned money to watch YOUR hero’s loaf!By Jack
July 21, 2009 2:39 PM | Link to this
Amen Mike. Same thing I have been saying since day one. This team does not have enough players to win…of course Baker and his non-sense do not help. Timb, Edwin does suck. How many straight games without a hit now? And, before you attempt to mention walks, that argument apparently does not hold any weight in Cincy, see A. Dunn.By Bruce
July 21, 2009 2:37 PM | Link to this
Sorry, but I feel your comment has little relevancy to the BP problem, Mike-Cinci. Lack of baseball talent, has nothing to do with a players ability to hustle! They get paid quite handsomely for what they do! No excuse for not busting their butts!By Mike-Cinci
July 21, 2009 2:29 PM | Link to this
The problem with the Reds is a lack of talent. Not one Reds player would start for the Phillies or the Dodgers. Votto and Phillips could start for a few teams but that is it. This team is just like the Pirates and the Royals but in red uniforms. The players are not good enough.By Rick M of Anderson Township
July 21, 2009 2:19 PM | Link to this
Apparently, talking to Brandon about his habit isn’t getting the problem solved. Time to move on to Plan B. Brandon sits on the bench tonight. But, I’m doubting that will happen…just another example of the loose ship that Dusty runs.By timb
July 21, 2009 2:11 PM | Link to this
No, Petey, he received a trip to the DL when he told them the reason he didn’t slide was that his knee had been killing him for the last two weeks. He didn’t slide, because he was already hurt. Do try to keep up. ———————-The idea that Dusty isn’t punishing him by subjecting him to the judgment of a bunch of pudgy sportswriters and their “readers” is a joke. Managers don’t call their players out in the press so Joe Six Pack can [once again] tell us how he ran all the time in Legion ball and Pete Rose is a god. They do it to embarrass their players. ——— I feel as punished as BP must have by reading these “I know hows to be a professional ballplayer comments” written by the same group of people who blame every loss on laziness. If it wasn’t Eric Davis’s fault, it was Barry Larkin’s. If not Lark, then it was Willie Greene. If not him, then it was Griff or Kevin Mitchell or Dunn. We get it, you people would play every AB of an eight month season the same way and it’s these gifted athletes who just don’t understand. Of course, none of you are posting from work, or were late from a break, or left work early, eh?—————- They should trade BP and let the great Adam Rosales play 2B. If there’s something that goofball knows how to do it’s run to first on a weak flyball. I’m sure you’ll be here tomorrow to complain about losing. On the bright side, the “Edwin sucks” were retired so you can all explain how it’s Dusty’s fault.By stevef
July 21, 2009 2:02 PM | Link to this
Remember when Bobby Cox came out on the field and pulled Andrew Jones for not hustling ? How long were the Braves always in contention ? The one guy who’s always been there has been Cox.By Petey29575
July 21, 2009 1:55 PM | Link to this
Let’s look at World Series Champion Charlie Manuel and the Phillies. He has two rules: Be on time…Hustle. Last year at mid season his star shortstop Jimmy Rollins did not run out a ground ball. When the Phils took the field, Rollins was no longer in the lineup. Why is it so hard for Dusty to bench his players when they don’t hustle?? On Thursday night Vs. the Brewers, Hernandez chose not to slide on a close play at the plate. By removing him from the game immediately, this would have sent a clear message to players and fans alike. Play Hard or sit. Instead, I suspect that he received “a stern talking to” in the Dusty’s office. Dusty would not be embarassing the players by removing them from the game…they have already embarassed themselves.By Petey29575
July 21, 2009 1:55 PM | Link to this
Let’s look at World Series Champion Charlie Manuel and the Phillies. He has two rules: Be on time…Hustle. Last year at mid season his star shortstop Jimmy Rollins did not run out a ground ball. When the Phils took the field, Rollins was no longer in the lineup. Why is it so hard for Dusty to bench his players when they don’t hustle?? On Thursday night Vs. the Brewers, Hernandez chose not to slide on a close play at the plate. By removing him from the game immediately, this would have sent a clear message to players and fans alike. Play Hard or sit. Instead, I suspect that he received “a stern talking to” in the Dusty’s office. Dusty would not be embarassing the players by removing them from the game…they have already embarassed themselves.By RC
July 21, 2009 1:47 PM | Link to this
To me, Phillips is missing a huge opportunity here, the same opportunity he missed when he ignored the bunt sign. He said he wanted to be a leader on this team. A leader would not wait to see if the team would fine him or not - he should fine himself. He should start the Kangaroo Court, and kick in the 1st 5 grand (well, maybe 10 grand now) himself. That, and being a grownup with the press, would be a step towards leadership.By Mark in Sun Valley
July 21, 2009 1:39 PM | Link to this
It is obvious “Brandon” will always get in the way of Brandon being a truly great player. Great role models and leaders seldom make that mistake and if they do, they certainly do not repeat it. But Baker has to be taken to task as well. Talk til you are blue in the face and it hasen’t helped? Well then TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT!!! Like sitting the primadonna until he figures out it is a team game and not Brandon! featuring the rest of the Reds.By Jeff
July 21, 2009 1:07 PM | Link to this
Everyone has good points on this. Here’s the deal. Yes Phillips is at fault, 100% for this, he is the man who made the action and he keeps doing it. The reason I also blame Dusty is because he allows this to go on. He has yet to pull him from a game or bench him. Words and warnings only do so much. Do they need to win tonight, yes, but in my mind setting “who the boss is” is way more important. Remember during sring how Dusty said, “this year is better because some of the lacksadasical mindset is gone” he was referring to griff and dunn. Well, dusty if that is the case then right from the get go Dusty had the chance to become the head honcho and someone these guys would respect. I think by seeing Phillips, by seeing how many times this team forgets to cover first, or they get picked off is all indicative of your manager. I played ball and the best managers I had, I sure as heck knew I better not mess up frequesntly because if I did I was gone. Sadly for the reds they dont have the talent to just bench guys all the time but you sure can send a message. Dusty worried too much about being a “players manager’ and not enough about how to win games. When you lack talent you have to do all the little things in order to overcome your deficiencies. If Phillips goes to second last night maybe they score 4-5 runs and really put Schmidt in a hole. Owings can then give up a couple of runs and still be ok. Point is it all starts up top and all are to blame.By drunkenhopfrog
July 21, 2009 1:03 PM | Link to this
——- Bunting with no outs, unless it is the pitcher in the box, is dumb. That is one aspect of modern baseball that Baker understands. Giving up an out is ridiculous when one has other options to put the ball in play. ———However R-L-R-L line-ups are hoodoo. Strict adherence to R/L match-ups without considering batter/pitcher is moronic. The team not getting better in fundamentals is inexcusable. The inconsistency of our pitchers is puzzling. The mind numbing stubbornness that allows WT to claim the lead-off spot on a daily basis is infantile. The thought that speed somehow scores runs and getting on base does not… illogical. These are things that Baker/staff can be held accountable for. ——-Dunn/Griffey/Phillips or Rosales/Freel rubbing off on our players? So good players with (insinuated) bad attitudes or bad players with good attitudes. I’d like at least one good player with a good attitude… maybe Votto(?) to be the torch bearer of the team.By mike cahill
July 21, 2009 12:54 PM | Link to this
Tonight will say volumes. If Baker doesn’t bench Phillips, then he needs to share the blame. No excuse for not hustling and no excuse for not taking control of the situation.Bench Phillips or I will join the dump Dusty chorus.By Pistol Pete
July 21, 2009 12:44 PM | Link to this
Hey Colgar, Tell me this, Where was Jonny Gomes last night, why is Taveras and Hairston batting 1-2 when we have Dickerson and hanigan with higher batting averagesd batting 7-8. Who fills out the lineup card. Dusty is terrible. Plays his boys.By colgar
July 21, 2009 12:23 PM | Link to this
Misplaced blame here. The culprit is Phillips. He talks a good game but is the self absorbed brat he was when Cleveland decided to get rid of him. Why do you clowns continually find fault with Baker? He has won at every stop and will win here but this team simply is not ready. This team is young and young players will make errors on the field and in judgement. Baker has been there and is respected but sometimes lessons take time to burn in with the inexperienced. With that in mind I am sure you anti-Dusty posters will eventually get a clue one day.By R.Kahn Madison, IN.
July 21, 2009 12:13 PM | Link to this
This team needs a new manager and they need one yesterday. I’m not one to blame all bad things on the skipper but some of the mistakes I’ve seen on the field this year is horrible and the mngr needs to be held accountable for it. Volquez needs to get back on the mound if we are gonna have any chance to stay in the race. Its getting ugly really fast and something needs to change….NOW!!! Every damn year its the same s**t. I WANT TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS DAMN IT!!!By Michael in Monterey, CA
July 21, 2009 11:49 AM | Link to this
The Reds definitely have a problem with the fundamentals. Hey Dusty, despite what you might think- a bunt is not a cake. The only players exempt that particular technique are Votto and Gomes. Everyone else needs to move runners over in no out situations.By Barry
July 21, 2009 11:41 AM | Link to this
funny this talk about laziness. Last night (Direct TV is having free preview) I was watching the Game Mix channel, and I saw Austin Kearns batting for Washington so I flipped it over. Adam Dunn is on 2nd and Austin Kearns hits a hard shot into the OF, and Dunn just trots over to 3rd. The announcers just started to rip into him about it. I really think that the past few years guys like Phillips, Dunn, and Griffey were more of an influence on the Reds more than the Freel/Rosales types. Which in this city is a huge no no since everyone is looking for the next Pete Rose. One thing was for sure I am still glad that Adam Dunn is in DC and not here.By Wizard
July 21, 2009 11:29 AM | Link to this
The real sadness of this topic is:You can watch ANY major league game and see, constantly, the same laziness demonstrated by the multi-millionaire’s of the baseball world. Most everyone is not running full speed at the bag on a ground ball they hit! That is why watching college baseball is my best choice, for the future.By jd
July 21, 2009 11:18 AM | Link to this
That ball is caught 99% of the time.Most players would have ran the same way. STOP ,making a big deal out of nothing. Where would this team be without Phillips 10-15 games out of first place.By steven ross
July 21, 2009 11:07 AM | Link to this
Sit Phillips down and let him think about things. Dusty’s frustration should never make it to the press. Personally, I’d bat Phillips 2nd with Gomes and Votto to follow. Hard to be positive when Baker rolls out unbelieveable lineups.By Wizard
July 21, 2009 11:03 AM | Link to this
All you can ask is for a guy to hustle.” -Wrong again, Dimwit. You don’t ask-YOU DEMAND! Take action NOW,Dimwit!By Wizard
July 21, 2009 10:58 AM | Link to this
Once again you prove your ignorance,timb. There are some things in the real world more important than talent.Jeff has it correct; You? You’re just YOU, I guess. Did you see Dimwit bench his sorry a$$, yet?By Jack
July 21, 2009 10:55 AM | Link to this
Should have read Hal’s article prior to the blog, but did everyone see this quote from Dusty: “Hey, man, we’ve all talked to Brandon about stuff like this until we’re blue in the face,” said Baker. “Evidently, this must have started long before I got here. All you can ask is for a guy to hustle.” -dont even know what to say on this. He blames the prior manager for Phillips loafing, but not himself. Nothing is EVER Dusty’s fault. If there is a problem, it is your job to fix it Dusty.By timb
July 21, 2009 10:35 AM | Link to this
Yeah, Wiz, I always blame the mistakes of grown men on their bosses. I saw Dusty telling him not to run. Seriously, Jeff, you’re nuts to blame that on Dusty and the rest of you are nuts to make a big deal of it. Talent wins and the Reds don’t have it.By Jack
July 21, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this
Why would anyone be impressed with Dusty for bringing it up with the media, and then doing nothing? That does not teach a thing…however, actually not mad at Phillips. That ball is caught 99% of the time. If there are people on the board that dont mail it in when there is a 1% success rate, would love to hear it.By RampantRedsFan
July 21, 2009 10:21 AM | Link to this
Well if this was C-Dic Dusty would bench him for a week, but nonetheless I am impressed (compared to normal Dusty, not compared to a competent manager) that Dusty said something. Dusty handles BP like he is a super star, but the fact is he is not. He’s above average (2.2 WAR), but he’s no superstar. While we are looking at WAR, a more than suitable replacement is Paul Janish who has a .1 WAR. So Dusty certainly should not be afraid to sit BP down if he needs to discipline him.By Former Coach
July 21, 2009 10:04 AM | Link to this
Scott: Coaches do not get respect by turning their heads the other way. Often they need to take action against jerkish behavior.By Blogcopwatcher
July 21, 2009 10:00 AM | Link to this
By Wizard July 21, 2009 9:55 AM Whoops. Someone tell timb that there are posters on here blaming Dusty Dimwit for Brandon Phillips behavior! Well said, Jeff.By scott from cincy
July 21, 2009 9:57 AM | Link to this
Jeff I agree that Dusty is a joke, but you can’t blame him for this. This is BP thinking he can just mail it in, because he is the annointed one. If you want to pile on Dusty for his horrible on-field management, poor strategy, and horrid lineups (i.e. batting Ryan H. 8th when he has an over .400 OB% or batting WT lead-off, while Dickerson bats 7th) I can agree. But, not for this. I would love to see BP benched tonight, but this team is hanging by a thread, and I can’t see him not being in the lineup.By Wizard
July 21, 2009 9:55 AM | Link to this
Whoops. Someone tell timb that there are posters on here blaming Dusty Dimwit for Brandon Phillips behavior! Well said, Jeff.By scott from cincy
July 21, 2009 9:52 AM | Link to this
BP scsares me a little. He is a great player, but so was Griffey. I get concerned more with his reply when asked about not hustling. He was very quick to deny that he made a mistake until he realized what he was saying wouldn’t jive with the fans and Dusty. I am glad Dusty seemed to take a stand. Unfortunately, this team needs BP too much to sit him tonight, but I kind of wish they would. He needs to understand that the rules apply to everyone, not just the self-appointed “leader” of the team. I am not sure what is wrong with some of these guys, but they just don’t get it. Chad is the perfect example. I actually heard TJ Housh. yesterday telling Colin Cowherd that “Mike Vick got a raw deal and he feels bad for him and all he lost”. These guys are just on a different planet with their distorted views of reality.By Efro
July 21, 2009 9:16 AM | Link to this
Hal, what was the damage on Dodger Dogs last night? And do you think you could bring me back a Dodger Dog Doggy Bag? Hope the west coast is treating you well!By Jack
July 21, 2009 8:36 AM | Link to this
I’m only wondering when Brandon Phillips will begin tweeting from 2nd base. It’s nice to see that Cincinnati has two Ocho Cincos!By paul
July 21, 2009 8:34 AM | Link to this
Hal, I love your stuff and all, but once again, if a 43 minute inning of baseball in Dodger stadium is starting to become a grind, I will gladly trade you jobs. I think I could endure following my favorite baseball team to southern California for a living, if you are willing. Sometimes we all need a little perspective. You could be going down a coal mine to work a 12 hour shift. You are in a press box reporting on the best game ever invented. Just a suggestion from a loyal reader.By Jeff
July 21, 2009 8:32 AM | Link to this
I like Phillips. he is a fan friendly good ball player. he made yet another mistake. I blame Dusty for this. Obviously these guys dont respect him. This is the 3rd time phillips haas done this, actually he has done it more than that he has been caught 3 times. The way you do it is you take him out of the game and you bench him for 1-2 more. 1st a offence a warning. 2nd offense bench immediately, 3rd he sits down for a bit. There is no excuse. If you want to hold your team to a high standard then hold yourself to one too, dont let your players walk on you. This guy is a joke, he was with the cubs and he is here too. This team doesnt need a “players manager” they need someone to develop young players, these guys are getting worse as the year goes on which means the coaching isnt taking effect. Chalk another thing up for Dusty to go, Hey Bob C you should have hired McKannin and you would have saved some moneyBy Barry
July 21, 2009 7:58 AM | Link to this
what I don’t understand is, what does Jonny Gomes have to do to get in the line up everyday.By Deaner
July 21, 2009 7:54 AM | Link to this
There were a couple of weeks earlier in the season (back in April/May, I think) where BP did burn up the bathpaths. What did Dusty say to him then?By Jerky Gerkenheim
July 21, 2009 7:21 AM | Link to this
Phillips kinda reminds you of Chadly Ocho Cinco Johnson with the showboating and the occasional loafing. lackluster play. Has talent, but is sometimes overshadowed by the sideshows.By Pete
July 21, 2009 7:04 AM | Link to this
& everyone thought Griffey & Dunce were gone. Yeah right…. their PI$$poor attitude & lack of caring got passed on this BP. If you wanna go young & change the face of this team, get rid of him & Baker!By steven ross
July 21, 2009 6:23 AM | Link to this
jb: my thoughts too. A good manager sits Phillips down immediately. Nothing else would need to be said. Actions over words. Baker should rip himself for not playing Gomes though. Not very bright. Reward the guy for a huge game on Sunday. We simply can’t win with Baker.By Wayne Lackey
July 21, 2009 3:44 AM | Link to this
Why do Reds mess up so much running/not running the bases. The players have a big problem with the basic fundamentals of the game.The team needs help from the minors or via trade. Since no help has been done, the team is getting closer to last place,rather than first place in their division.This is really pitiful.By jb
July 21, 2009 2:30 AM | Link to this
A “good” manager would have taken BP out of the game after the 2nd time for not hustling,BP antics is getting old really fast.