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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2009 > July > 21 > Entry
Baker benches Phillips for not hustling
For all you Dusty Baker detractors, well, the Cincinnati Reds manager climbed a step on my respect ladder today.
Even though the Reds are facing a tough lefthander in Randy Wolf and need all the offensive help they can get, Brandon Phillips is NOT in tonight’s lineup.
It is obvious punishment for another incident where he didn’t hustle, a play Monday night on which he hit a fly ball to right field and trotted to first, believing he had hit a sacrifice fly. When the ball was lost in the sun and plopped to the Dodger Stadium grass, Phillips then turned it on.
He should have stopped at first, but he compounded his lack of effort by trying to make second base and was easily thrown out. Instead of three runs in, no outs, a runner on second (if he had hustled from the start), the Reds had three runs in, one out, nobody on.
“That was a rally-killer right there,” said Baker.
One wonders right now, before the media can talk to Dusty, if Phillips said the same thing to him as he said to the media.
“I was just happy to just get that RBI, to finally do something with runners in scoring position (a run scored from third on the play),” he said. “I was happy to hit a fly ball to get the run in. I hit the fly ball to right and said, ‘Damn, I missed it.’ I put my head down and when I looked up I saw that he had dropped it. I didn’t know he messed it until I looked up. Then I tried to get to second.”
Then Phillips realized his explanation was a bit lame and said, “I know I screwed up. When it happened, I was glad I got the run in. I could have done worse and not got the run in at all. But I messed up and that’s my second time not hustling this year. I won’t happen again. I screwed up.”
Said Baker, “Hey, man, we’ve all talked to him until we are blue in the face. Evidently, this must have started long before I got here. All you can ask is for a guy to hustle.”
CAUGHT UP ON my sleep today. Awoke at noon (3 p.m. Eastern). Then a cab driver nearly put me back to sleep. First of all, they don’t seem to believe in air conditioning in the taxi industry in LA. Probably saving gas money, but it’s nearly 100 today and I was sitting in the back seat waiting for somebody to baste me and stick a thermometer in me.
And the driver I had was a nice Asian fellow, but spoke nearly no English. He knew how to get to Dodger Stadium, but once there I had to tell him how to get to the media entrance. Every time I said, “Right,” he turned left. Every time I said, “Left,” he turned right. Once we finally made it I gave him money and said, “Keep the change, but need a receipt.” He kept trying to give me the change and ignored the receipt. After several gestures, we made a connection. He got his tip, I got my receipt.
And I bounded out of the cab, leaving a puddle of sweat in the back seat. I started to mention something about the air conditioning, but it would have been useless. He probably would have popped the trunk for me.
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By Yes We Do!
July 22, 2009 12:59 AM | Link to this
Where’s Pete Rose when we need him? HELLO ………..
By Mark
July 21, 2009 9:52 PM | Link to this
Thanks Steve. I agree if it was such a big deal he should have pulled him in the first inning last night.
By Bruce
July 21, 2009 9:43 PM | Link to this
Is Dickerson still living?
By joe
July 21, 2009 9:32 PM | Link to this
I would cut Brandon Phillips from the roster! He is not that good!
By wizard
July 21, 2009 8:47 PM | Link to this
Good for Dusty-and good for Brandon! I love to watch Brandon play, when he does it correctly. I’d still like to see him everyday as our short stop. Great arm/great range! Gold glove there, also. I’m proud of Dusty. Go Reds!
By Steve
July 21, 2009 7:49 PM | Link to this
Yank them out at the time it happens, don’t wait until the next day.
By Mike
July 21, 2009 7:46 PM | Link to this
Baker has not had control of this team since he got here. All they need is the sweet Lou type of manager and not take any crap or lack of hustle. There are several players that like to watch where it goes before they start running or should I say just heading to first base.
By josh
July 21, 2009 7:43 PM | Link to this
choosing rosales as the replacement further emphasizes the point. i like it.
By Mark in Sun Valley
July 21, 2009 7:29 PM | Link to this
Good for Baker for taking control. I hope he does not water it down by acting like it was “just to give Brandon a rest”. Watching Rosales play his position might show Brandon a little of what he should be showing. Hustle and 100% effort.
By CT
July 21, 2009 7:27 PM | Link to this
I agree with what Dusty did too. Its about time. I say next time Dusty just takes him out of the game at the moment he doesn’t hustle. He thinks he is too good to have to play hard. I can’t stand watching his lack of effort. It looks like he doesn’t even care most of the time.
By christy h.
July 21, 2009 7:15 PM | Link to this
i agree with what dusty did.brandon was just being brandon by not listening to his manager and coaches.it seems like he does it to oftened.he needed to be benched.