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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 > September > 22 > Entry
Baker puts Taveras in Wally Pipp class
For those holding their breath worrying about when Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker will stick Willy Taveras back in the lineup, well exhale and breathe heartily.
Taveras has been activated off the disabled list, but when Baker was asked when Taveras would play, he answered testily.
“Well, I mean, I don’t know. I’ll work it, not to be a smart-ass, but I’ll work it like I feel like it,” he said. “You know what I’m saying? Drew Stubbs has been playing good. We’ll see how Willy is feeling and I’ve asked him and he says he is still feeling something (in his quadriceps).
“We’re doing fine with who we’ve got out there,” Baker added.
IF HE TRULY subscribes to that, good for him. Taveras was a bust on top of a failure on top of a big disappointment all year. Since he went down and Stubbs arrived, Stubbs leads the team in home runs (8), total bases (65), steals (7) and runs scored (20). That’s more production in 32 games than Taveras produced in three-fourths of a season.
ONE SUSPECTS that Taveras somehow fell out of favor during his stay on the disabled list, perhaps didn’t work hard enough to suit Baker.
“He’s been out quite a while,” Baker said. And the most telling thing Baker said?
“Sometimes Wally Pipp is still alive,” he said. Pipp was a first baseman for the New York Yankees and took a day off. He was replaced by Lou Gehrig, who then played 2,130 straight games and Pipp was never heard from again as a Yankee.
Now when a player sits out some games and loses his position to another player, it is said, “He was Wally Pipped.”
THEN THERE is Ramon Hernandez. He came off the DL Sunday and there he was in the lineup Tuesday.
“He’s worked hard to get to this point and I like to reward guys who work hard to get back in there to play,” said Baker.
Just reading between the lines here, one suspects Taveras did not work hard enough to get back, not the way Hernandez did after having knee surgery July 21.
Also sounds as if Baker wouldn’t mind if Taveras was not back with the team next season. He didn’t say that, but when a manager brings up Wally Pipp, that’s Serious Business.
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Comments
By Wiz
September 23, 2009 3:36 PM | Link to this
Mike: Do we have much choice in the matter? Good ideas, as usual. I’d perhaps tweak them just slightly. I think our pitching will be better.By Mike-Cinci
September 23, 2009 3:27 PM | Link to this
Could a team with Hanigan/Miller at C, Votto, Phillips, Janish, Rolen in the infield, and Bruce in RF, a Dickerson/Stubbs platoon in CF, and a Gomes/Nix and/or Dickerson platoon in LF work? Some of these guys will really need to step up. Is it good enough over 162 games?By Wiz
September 23, 2009 2:58 PM | Link to this
Mikes comment about WT being signed to be the leadoff hitter is accurate. Eventually Baker realised that CD was a better leadoff hitter-hitting WT second. He was right and wrong, at the same time about that:By not playing CD regularly in center field,IMO, he did not allow him to get comfortable there! That is very important, im my estimation. Keeping WT in center, while forcing CD to play elsewhere—hurt CD—while Taveras was spinning his wheels!The correct manager and/or decision in this instance, could have gone a long way in helping CD’s career!By Wiz
September 23, 2009 2:43 PM | Link to this
Sorry, but that is exactly my point—He was ‘that close’, even after being a distance from where the ball landed—fielded it on one bounce—CD would have tried to catch it! Yes, he would have. I’ve seen him do it! Believe what you will. The reason I say CD is better in the field, is because he will ‘stretch’ himself to make a play, and I have yet to see DS do the same. CD, also, takes charge when he plays the position, much more authoritatively, than does your guy. In addition, I believe the ‘veterans’, that were considered such by Dusty, were Gonzo and Taveras and Edwin. All of them played way too long. Any reasonable person would say so/ Baker is too slow on the trigger; and too stubborn about his set ways! Jack is correct. Mike says, correctly, that early on the outfield didn’t work well. I believe this was so because Taveras should not have been playing/CD should have been in Center and Bruce should have been the recipient of what they did to Mickey Mantle in his younger days in the big league—he should have been sent back to AAA! When Mantle first came up he alternated with Jackie Jensen in right field, until Dimaggio retired and they decided to trade Jensen—then the Mick played Center. Seems to me a good idea next year to alternate Bruce and Gomes vs righties and lefties—or play Gomes there everyday, if Bruce doesn’t get his swing together.By Mike-Cinci
September 23, 2009 1:46 PM | Link to this
I don’t agree with Dusty all the time but I don’t agree with any manager all the time. Taveras was signed to be the lead off hitter. That’s what he was in Houston and Colorado. The Reds had no other lead-off hitter. With his 2 year expensive deal Baker had to play him. Early on the outfield was Dickerson, Taveras, Bruce. It was not productive. Taveras was a bad signing. They should eat his contract. The Reds don’t have an obvious #2 hitter either. Janish lately has batted there quite a bit. It was a good way to get him a lot of opportunity and good pitches to hit with Votto behind him. Janish has not distinguised himself with the bat. He is excellent in the field but it may be hard for this team to put up with his weak offensive production. The players are continuing to play hard vs. what we see from some other teams. Baker deserves some credit. To my surprise the Reds have played better ball since Rolen joined the team. Gomes has been better than anyone expected.Not sure he is an everyday player but he is an asset to the team. The Reds need Stubbs and Bruce to be good. They are key to the future. The pitching looks solid even without Volquez. Maybe Yonder Alonso and Francisco can come on faster. It looks to me that Votto goes to LF and Alonso to 1B sometime next season or for sure in 2011. Another option is a trade.By jim t
September 23, 2009 1:29 PM | Link to this
Wiz again we’ll have to respectfully disagree with you. CD is not or will he ever be a better defensive player than DS and I saw the play in which you refering and no way does CD get that ball. The outfield was way around with Daniel on the mound and DS was lucky to get that close.By Jack
September 23, 2009 1:23 PM | Link to this
Jim, I understand your money argument, that signing is on Jocketty. Dusty and/or Walt have two options. Admit they are wrong and get rid of the pattersons, the EE’s, the WT’s and play the best line-up or justify your signings by playing the wrong people and start preparing your resumes. Dusty is coming up on a lame duck year which is good for nobody and Jocketty certainly has done much. Look at the Brewers, cut ties with Hall and Hardy. Cost some money, but shows they want to win.By jim t
September 23, 2009 1:00 PM | Link to this
Dawgpound, in our world your right. But in the world of multi-million dollar contracts you don’t always Have the luxury of playing the best guy. Its unfortunate but salaries do play a huge part in who plays and who doesn’t.By Pops
September 23, 2009 12:39 PM | Link to this
Guys, I think we’re talking around things a bit here. The fact remains that Mr. Baker does not understand simple lineup construction. The top of the order being productive of late is an accident. Baker does not get that you cannot give the worst hitters on your team the most ABs. Taveras and Gonzo in the top 2 spots in the order for even one game is an inexcusable example of managerial incompetence. Thankfully Stubbs has played well and Taveras has fallen out of favor, but yes Jocko foolishly signed a player, Tavreras, that no one else wanted and signed him for 2 yrs guaranteed for entirely too much money. But, it was Dusty who led him off, over and over again. If Dusty’s hands were tied and he had to play Taveras, nothing made him slot him leadoff. He should have been hitting 8th. There’s a lot of blame to go around in this organization.By Wizard
September 23, 2009 12:29 PM | Link to this
Sorry to disagree with your points, once again, Jim T. Although there were some deficiencies in running the bases, CD is still behind DS in only one area, at the plate, slugging %. That is all. He gets more walks and had reached a point where his strikeouts had improved. He was demonstrating to DB that he could hit right and left-handed pitching. His outfield play, to anyone who can see, is that his arm is stronger and his range is better than DS. He’s much more agressive in going after balls that have yet to hit the ground! Example: last night, when Stubbs allowed a fly ball to hit the ground, fielding it after one bounce, in right-center{he was slowing down}—I do believe that is the kind of ball that CD would have laid out for, and made an attempt to catch. Stubbs is not as good a fielder, period.You may be correct in him getting the nod to start; however, I maintain a couple of things regardless of who is chosen 1. If Dickerson doesn’t start here in CF, he will with another organization 2. The Cowboy is correct when he states, that a lot of raw talent has yet to be tapped in Chris Dickerson. 3. He is the best we have for a ‘leadoff’ hitter; and he will, ALSO, improve with more consistent playing time, than he got this year, in CF!!DS would be better hitting second, playing left, IMO. 4. Injury is my only question mark with CD. Stubbs is capable, and will improve hopefully{but he won’t make the plays CD does}. I will root for him, if he plays; but I maintain that what I have said here is factual-and I will believe it, no matter what occurs in Dimwit Dusty’s mindlessness!By DawgPound
September 23, 2009 11:49 AM | Link to this
Correct me if I’m wrong, JimT, but I have always been of the belief that it is the manager’s job to put the best line-up possible onto the field each and every game of the season. Your comments seem to say that it’s the manager’s job to field the team based upon pay structure. So why should they pay a manager? Heck, just go by the numbers and let the GM fill out the line-up card for Game 1. From then on, pay scale will determine playing time. Right?By jim t
September 23, 2009 11:06 AM | Link to this
Wiz, when CD learns to run the bases and can avoid injuries which he has been unable to do even in the minors. He possibly could be considered for a everyday job. As far as being the best fielding CF on the roster I think your mistaken, Drew Stubbs has that distinction and will only get better. It is amazing how much more relaxed he looks in the field and at the plate. Hope it continues.Drew is begining to, dare I say it, look like the 5 tool player he was projected coming out of Texas. His upside is very high. You may want to try enjoying his developement.It is definitely on display. My hope is we can get Jay turned around.Then we would be cooking on the front burner.By jim t
September 23, 2009 10:54 AM | Link to this
Jack, I might remind you that Wily T’s BA and OBP was above avg until the slide started the end of May. What vets are you talking about. BP or Rolen. Getting rid of EE who’s idea was that? Should he not have played Gomes? As I look at this roster there are not many vets on the team. Jack again my point when your GM signs a guy for 2 years at 6.5mil you are not going to sit him. What you do is, after deciding he is not the answer, play him until and hope he hits a streak so you can unload him or DFA him which is coming. The cost 6.5mil. NOt Dusty’s fault but Walt J.By Jack
September 23, 2009 10:42 AM | Link to this
Jim, I think the point is, why does it take Dusty six months to reach the same conclusion that everyone knew right away. The team is playing decent, I think the present team can be a .500 team. Not a playoff contender, but a team that can actually look…okay. But with Dusty, we have to sit around and watch his veterans stink it up for 3/4th a year before he makes a change. Why?By Wizard
September 23, 2009 10:04 AM | Link to this
CHRIS DICKERSON!!!! He is STILL the best fielding CF on this roster. He also, still has the best AVERAGE and OBP!!!By jim t
September 23, 2009 8:06 AM | Link to this
Look at the posters scrambling to cover their butts. Yea, Dusty is lying lol. How can this be, isn’t this Dusty’s boy.Folks when your GM signs a guy to a 2 year 6.5mil contract he isn’t sitting the bench especially in this market. The question is if Dusty will not play him will the Owner approve DFA-ing and eating the 4mil owed which doesn’t bode well for Mr. Jockerty. I’d say there is a better than 50/50 chance Willy T is on his way out. Remember Stanton and Cromier.Both owed money both kicked to the curb. Also the comment about Freel and Hopper would you really want them on the roster. Because if you do you’d be the only GM in baseball considering they haven’t been seen in the big leagues since early this year for Freel and last year for Hopper. By the way how does that Miller for Hopper trade look now?By BrarHopper
September 23, 2009 2:27 AM | Link to this
Best comment? “Baker is not to be trusted.”By ironmyke
September 22, 2009 11:39 PM | Link to this
I like the analogy. Taveras has rightfully lost the job.By Aaron B.
September 22, 2009 9:55 PM | Link to this
Too little too late. These were the kind of tough personnel decisions that needed to be made when the Reds still had half a chance 4 months ago.By Mark in Sun Valley
September 22, 2009 7:49 PM | Link to this
I was thinking the same thing, Mr Redlegs. What interests me is, apparently Baker puts more stock into how you rehab an injury than how you perform on the field.By mr. Redlegs (Original)
September 22, 2009 7:43 PM | Link to this
Once you get in Baker’s doghouse, there is no getting out. Ask Norris Hopper and Ryan Freel. Taveras is fried with Baker.By Believe It Or Not
September 22, 2009 5:37 PM | Link to this
If you don’t think Baker reads this blog, often, you are blind to his transparent comments.By Believe It Or Not
September 22, 2009 5:25 PM | Link to this
Baker is not to be trusted! He is a manipulative, veteran-approving,by-his-book,good ol’boy, fraud. His arrogance is often exhibited in print-and it’s not a pretty, nor acceptable picture, when it is.By Wiz
September 22, 2009 5:13 PM | Link to this
And, if Stubbs isn’t enough proof that Taveras is not needed or wanted—Dickerson outplayed Taveras, as well, ALL YEAR! Baker gives me heartburn!