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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 > 2010 > August > 01 > Entry
Baker talks about Stubbs/Heisey situation.
Somebody told Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker that they were at a bank this week and the bank teller criticized Baker for blowing Friday’s game against the Atlanta Braves.
Baker laughed and said, “So it’s my fault at the bank, too? I mean, hey, what did I do? I hear that all the time. Am I throwing, am I hitting, am I pitching? It’s OK, no problem.”
Criticism only humors Baker. You can bank on it.
Criticism rolls off his back like a marble when he stands up, but he loves talking and laughing about it. “People appreciate you more when you’re not here,” he said. “That’s what I hear in Chicago, ‘We want you back, we miss you.’”
THE CRITICISM du jour right now is that Baker keeps playing slump-ridden Drew Stubbs (0 for 10 and 1 for 36) and Jay Bruce (even though he has hit safely in nine of 10 games and is hitting .293 over that span). They wonder why Chris Heisey is anchored on the bench and Laynce Nix isn’t playing more (nine hits in his last 11 at-bats).
Isn’t it amazing? When Baker played Corey Patterson and Willy Taveras, he was ripped for favoring veterans over young players. Now he keeps playing the young players and keeps getting ripped for it.
Well, Baker had Heisey and Nix in Sunday’s lineup - Heisey in center field for Stubbs and Nix in left field for Gomes. It isn’t permanent, so relax.
“The day off for Gomes is a little bit of a blow (rest), but it is mostly to get a hot Nix in there because he is swinging as good as I’ve seen him swing,” said Baker. “And Drew seems a little lost right now. We’ll just let him find himself, go work on things. Right now he is ahead on breaking balls and behind on fastballs. That’s when you know you are in no-man’s land.
“Slumps are more difficult for young players because they don’t have a track record of success to call upon for confidence” said Baker. “They can’t say, ‘Ah, I’ve been through this before and I came out of it smoking.’ When you are a young player, you don’t feel real comfortable yet in the big leagues - and you shouldn’t.”
Baker smiled and said, “There were certain guys prone to striking out before they got here.” Did he mean Stubbs? Yes. But he also meant Heisey and said, “People forget that I’m responsible for getting him here in the first place, even when he was hitting .240 in Louisville.
“He is swinging the bat pretty good and we hope he can swing it good while starting as well as he does coming in late in games,” Baker added. “I know late in the game nobody runs it down in center field like Stubbs does, which is the main reason he is in there. You know how big I am on defense. But you have to bring some offense with you, too. But like I tell the guys, ‘Defense gets you into games and offense keeps you in the game.’”
And Baker said there is a method to his use of Heisey.
“I’ve tried to protect Heisey, like I did last year with Gomes to match ‘em up against certain guys they have a better chance to hit,” Baker said. “I really like Heisey. I know a lot of people are screaming, ‘Heisey, Heisey, Heiser,’ but I’m trying to put him in certain positions to succeed, against pitchers I think he can hit. Right now. He can hit, but he’s still learning, too, and he listens.”
Baker paused for effect and added, “Plus, you know, we always like the back-up quarterback.”
SPEAKING OF Chicago, Baker mentioned that Joey Votty best be prepared next weekend when the Reds are in Chicago after he said he didn’t like Cubs fans. “He’s going to hear about it, big-time,” said Baker. “He’ll probably concentrate more. It’s possible. Like that guy in Milwaukee who threw under his chin and Votto said, ‘OK, buddy,’ and hit the next pitch out of the park.”
ATLANTA MANAGER Bobby Cox, on his farewell tour before retirement while leading his team toward an NL East championship, is impressed with the Reds and said he’d love an Atlanta-Cincinnati playoff series.
“I like that team,” said Cox. “Their pitching seems to be good, they have a nice bullpen and they have Joey Votto and Scott Rolen. Votto is impressive, but even more so is Rolen. He’s the best professional player, just the best. He plays it the way it is supposed to be played and he is playing it at a high calibre right now. You know he is not 100 per cent every day, but he doesn’t show it, especially with his back problems.
“His hamstring is bothering him?” Cox said. “Well, his hamstring may be bothering him but he is still the best baserunner they have. And Votto is a good baserunner, too.”
Cox mentioned the home run Votto hit Friday off relief pitcher Takashi Saito, the only home run Saito has given up in his career. “That came off one of the best relievers in baseball,” he said. “Impressive.”
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By judy
August 9, 2010 6:06 PM | Link to this
why dont people like dusty baker if it wasnt for him the reds would be in last place
By pharmacy tech
August 8, 2010 2:56 PM | Link to this
Great site. A lot of useful information here. I’m sending it to some friends!
By Hopalong
August 4, 2010 4:40 PM | Link to this
I know guys who coached HS and couldn’t even put their socks on correctly.
By Manager?
August 4, 2010 2:02 PM | Link to this
You would think by reading these comments that half of these people have coached baseball at the professional level! I’m sure 95% of you haven’t even at the high school level, its pretty easy to second guess! I have coached HS, there’s always moments where you say to yourself, I shouldn’t have done that!
By Believe It Or Not
August 4, 2010 11:44 AM | Link to this
No, Dusty isn’t hitting or pitching or anything other than poorly managing when changes are needed, sooooo… Let me bash him for you…Baker is trying to be ‘right’. It all began long ago when Dickerson should have been given the same amount of playing time as Stubbs—but wasn’t! In fact, Dickerson, although frequently injured,should have gotten the same amount of playing time as Dusty’s other boys, Corey and Willy—but wasn’t! Dickerson should be in center, LAST MONTH,—but wasn’t! Dickerson should be in center tonight—but isn’t! Dusty wants to be right—and isn’t!
By ribosomo
August 4, 2010 9:07 AM | Link to this
I would like to exchange links with your site www.daytondailynews.com Is this possible?
By Splendid Splinter
August 3, 2010 11:29 PM | Link to this
Dusty: please don’t protect Heisey anymore. He’s doing just fine when he gets to play.
By Bill
August 3, 2010 9:13 PM | Link to this
Hal, the argument shouldn’t be an old guy/young guy thing. It should be that Dusty likes playing the COLD hand, not the hot one, again and again and again…
By freestyle55
August 3, 2010 11:50 AM | Link to this
to florence ky: You are an idiot. Votto has a tweaked/sprained wrist. Why risk that against the Pirates when he can heal up and be ready for the important series coming up. And I’m sure he’s itching to play against the Cubs since he destroys their pitching the way Dunn used to.
By sko
August 3, 2010 10:06 AM | Link to this
Dickerson is on fire in the minors. Maybe its time to send Stubbs down to get his swing/confidence back and bring up Dickerson?
By StuttgartTim
August 3, 2010 6:58 AM | Link to this
So now Dusty thinks he is GM? The GM calls up players NOT the Mgr. Heisey is here, first because Dickerson went down and secondly because Joc brought him up. Dusty still thinks he has a marriage with the GM. I like Dusty as a person (except when he takes credit for things he should not). As a Mgr, not so much. As previously stated, he does NOT utilize his 25 man roster.
By steven ross
August 3, 2010 6:31 AM | Link to this
WornCleat is 100% correct. Heisey over Stubbs is a no-brainer. Janish gives us better defense than OC too. We’ll be fine if Dusty doesn’t mess it up. His so-called logic is mind numbing.
By Chris Heisey
August 2, 2010 10:07 PM | Link to this
Hey Dud: How do ya like me now? Think I’ll be in the lineup for Bruce tomorrow? Probably not—our manager is Dusty Baker. You know, the dummy who should have had Janish inserted into the lineup at SS tonight, and all through this season,in the eighth and ninth innings. Stubbornly he refused to do it. Cabrera once again strained to get to a ball in the hole in the 8th inning tonight, allowing another base hit that his range does not allow him to reach. Then,hitting in the 9th{instead of Janish} strained something-who knows how serious it will be. You and your buddies should listen to Worn Cleat…
By florence ky
August 2, 2010 5:03 PM | Link to this
Votto out of lineup. I’m sure he does not want to play in Chicago this weekend. Dusty has done a great job as has the whole staff. The Reds have no margin for error if they are going to stay in this thing with St Louis. That means no injuries. Pujols is in the lineup day in and day out. I’m sure Votto will be out though the weekend. That seems to be his mentality.
By just a fan
August 2, 2010 4:16 PM | Link to this
So Baker says it isnt his fault when the team loses. No one is going to buy that hogwash. It is the managers job to put the players and the team in the best possible position to succeed. He constantly fails to do that. Example, last Friday he left Bruce in to bat against the lefty Ventors in the 8th inning with the go ahead run in scoring position even though everyone, including Bruce, knew he had no chance. Of course he struck out as did Stubbs, and they ended up losing the game. Heisey, a right handed batter was on the bench and should have been used as a pinch hitter. THEN HE PUT HEISEY IN RIGHT FIELD FOR THE NEXT HALF INNING REPLACING BRUCE. Baker is the worst manager in baseball and if he thinks the people in Chicago miss him he is delusional as well. They couldnt wait to get rid of him and would never hire him back.
By Bud Wizer
August 2, 2010 3:56 PM | Link to this
Hey Dud,the question should be: “Would Heisey be as bad as Stubbs”? “Would Nix be as bad as Bruce”? And, on Dickerson’s defense: I’d say it is a bit over the top, to suggest that CD’s four great diving catches were because of a lack of speed{as if Stubbs would have gotten to any of those balls}; and suggesting Stubbs isn’t more timid and less of a take charge guy than CD. That is ludicrous and disingenuous. You have yet to see Stubbs get the front of his jersey dirty, because the balls hitting the ground between he and the SS are too far from him, because he plays too deep. Much deeper than Dickerson. Save your BS on this subject, for some who buy your garbage.
By Bud Wizer
August 2, 2010 3:41 PM | Link to this
“Just because they win doesn’t mean you are playing all the correct people”! If Dud, and others could read and interpret correctly, they would see the truth in this statement by Worn Cleat. If the leaders are playing people who contribute little to each win, others should be playing-at least half the time.
By Bud Wizer
August 2, 2010 3:38 PM | Link to this
“Just because they win doesn’t mean you are playing all the correct people”! If Dud, and others could read and interpret correctly, they would see the truth in this statement by Worn Cleat. If the leaders are playing people who contribute little to each win, others should be playing-at least half the time.
By wrc
August 2, 2010 3:21 PM | Link to this
Baker amazes me as to hear him talk you think he was a HOF manager and he had no say in Patterson,Taveras or Cordero hirings or playing time.But then he turns around an claims he the reason Heisey is up here.Heck if it wasn’t for Jocketty,Heisey be in AAA an Matthews Jr would be in his spot but Jocketty kill that.Heck even when Gomes was killing the ball last year Baker still platoon him as his excused of protecting him is laughabled.Then his ego act like Chicago can’t wait to get him back,what a joke!
By Worn Cleat
August 2, 2010 3:19 PM | Link to this
Hey Dude: Maybe you and your unintelligent friends didn’t pick the Reds to be this far over .500; but yours truly did! I picked them to win at least 90 games this year. Yep, I’m at it again—pointing out how much better they could be with more competition allowed by the manager, who you think makes all the right moves. Gee, I wonder if instead of Stubbs three strikeouts per these 100 plus games, if someone else had gotten a hit in just 1/3 of those at bats, how much different our won-loss record might be? Competition is all I have called for since the beginning of this season. It is idiotic to concur in any thing else. So, I’m sorry to say sir…you are an idiot.”Competition” has been needed for the past two years—because the talent level is even, every where you look at the Reds, except at second,third and first base. Noone else deserves to play every day. Competition would have improved the teams record over the past 324 games—but those you love wouldn’t allow it. Those YOU love chose such stalwarts as Patterson/Taveras/ and Gonzalez to play everyday, for fricking EVER; and encouraged noone else to contribute. A huge mistake and wastes of talent. Bruce and Stubbs have contributed very little to the games won. Competition always helps team chemistry; and often improves the record. Sorry you and others are to boneheaded to see other view points.
By Ranger fan
August 2, 2010 12:27 PM | Link to this
Let Josh Hamilton start! Nice trade Reds!
By pharmacy technician
August 2, 2010 10:37 AM | Link to this
Great site. A lot of useful information here. I’m sending it to some friends!
By alan
August 2, 2010 9:57 AM | Link to this
hmmm…as always, a lot of ‘feeling’ here…and, as always, there are so many fans who have such a difficult time realizing that a team doesn’t have 25 superstars, not ever…sure, stubbs and bruce haven’t produced anything like what we hope that they would…and dusty has made some decisions that didn’t turn out very well, too…but that’s baseball, and while the reds certainly could improve, i don’t see anything going on that validates any of the vitriol here…or that addresses the team and its problems in the light of reality…not much use in me going into any of these things…what i will say is that the reds have a whole lot more going on than anytime in the last 20 years, and they are getting better…and these constant screams for this or that change are baseless…there will be some changes not so far down the line, people…but solid changes come from solid decisions, not random or frantically redoing the lineup every other day…and one guy hit it right…dusty knows more baseball, more about players, than any of us out here…and overall, he’s been more successful than lou pinella or most of the rest of the guys who’ve managed…i wanted someone else when the reds brought dusty in, but he’s gained a lot in my estimation…and this thing about developing young players is something that takes time…seems to me that people forget that players like joe morgan had a lot of knocks on them early on in their careers…me, i’m willing to be patient here…
By dude
August 2, 2010 9:27 AM | Link to this
Worn Cleat at it again. “Play the damn game to win”. Are you kidding me? This is a team that no one picked to finish above .500. They are 11 games over. They play the games to lose? “just because they win doesn’t mean they are playing all the correct people”? What?? Sure give Heisey a chance. Would he be better than Stubbs? To say absolutely, would be assuming. Dickerson? if he were a little faster he would not have to dive for those balls in the outfield. I am looking forward to the series with the Cubs. Votto should be very well received by the Cubs fans….
By Florida Buckeye
August 2, 2010 8:45 AM | Link to this
Hey All, I was very loud with my disagreement with Dusty keeping Patterson in, and WT as well; however, with Stubbs and Bruce the difference is that we are in first place…Bruce is hitting decent enough for where he’s at in the order and both of them are tremendous fielders. Plus, with Heisey and Nix coming off the bench, it gives Baker options later in the game…There are other teams out there that are in the same situation as the Reds; Take the Rays for example: Upton is their CF and cant hit worth a lick, and they have no regular RFldr, and yet, we are both contending clubs…Both Stubbs and Bruce’s bats are glaring holes, but, both have contributed at the plate - not consistently, albeit, ha! - and are standouts in the field…keep em in there, and allow them to grow into the players that we all want them to be…Go Reds!
By SC Red
August 2, 2010 8:41 AM | Link to this
The Stubbs and Bruce situation does need to be addressed instead of hoping they will pull it together. Stubbs looks awful offensively and we need him to pull it together for the last two months, now is the time to deal with that. Bruce is batting below his expectations. I’m all for competition, give some of the other outfielders a chance and see what they can produce. Having said that I am a huge Bruce fan and truly believe he will bring it together. Hal made a great point by saying he has hit safely in 9 of his last 10 games. Instead of ridiculing his below average performance, and it is bad now, I’m staying positive and hoping he will pull it together. We need him down the stretch. A lot of complaining going on for a team that is 12 games above .500 and better than anyone could have imagined at the beginning of the year.
By Pete
August 2, 2010 7:43 AM | Link to this
Heisey should’ve never left AAA unless they intended to put Stubbs back there. U simply can’t let talent rot on the bench like they’re doing w/ Heisey. I have to agree w/ Worn Cleat WRT his comments of Janish & Nix playing/hitting once or twice a week. Stubbs & Bruce’s heads are somewhere else when they’re @ the plate & unless their attention gets got, they’ll continue their rotten hitting, striking out more often than not, leaving WAY too many runners on base, & most importantly, they’ll NEVER REACH THEIR HITTING POTENTIAL. I’ve been saying since last year that Bruce doesn’t make adjustments @ the plate. Still doesn’t. 0-3 again yesterday, another K, & another LOB. Can’t knock his or Stubbs’ defense. But they both need a wake up call w/ their bats.
By Gary Maloy
August 2, 2010 12:34 AM | Link to this
To WornCleat… there may well be a reason that Stubbs doesn’t dive after flyballs. He reaches them in time such that he doesn’t need to dive. No doubt, Stubbs needs work. But I’ll take his defensive play ahead of anybody on the team or in the organization.
By Bill
August 2, 2010 12:04 AM | Link to this
Seems to be a lot of other folks on here who don’t agree with Baker besides Cleat. Hey moron, instead of blaming cleat, open your eyes and notice the kind of statistics he keeps sending out to center and right field. Most people who know anything about the game know that isn’t working. What game have you been watching? Sounds like you are the one who knows nothing about the game.
By bob
August 1, 2010 11:40 PM | Link to this
Don’t forget playing Jr.all that time, not hitting, and the three hole no less. It’s not like Bruce or Stubbs have shown any improvement. Every AB looks like the one three mos. ago. Giving Nix and Heisy playing is not a one day shot. Even Gomes avg. has fallen off the charts. What ever happened to platooning? Dusty is so big on the lefty/lefty righty/righty, at least platoon Nix and Heisy. Heisy played the ball perfectly on the RF catch, I don’t know if he could do it again, the timing was perfect with full extension.
By bob
August 1, 2010 11:35 PM | Link to this
Don’t forget playing Jr.all that time, not hitting, and the three hole no less. It’s not like Bruce or Stubbs have shown any improvement. Every AB looks like the one three mos. ago. Giving Nix and Heisy playing is not a one day shot. Even Gomes avg. has fallen off the charts. What ever happened to platooning? Dusty is so big on the lefty/lefty righty/righty, at least platoon Nix and Heisy. Heisy played the ball perfectly on the RF catch, I don’t know if he could do it again, the timing was perfect with full extension.
By worn out
August 1, 2010 11:33 PM | Link to this
Hey Worn Cleat: Your act is so tiresome. All you do is b***h and moan and it is clear you know nothing about baseball. Baker has had the team competing all year when nobody thought it would happen. All you do is rip at him when you don’t know what the hell you are talking about. All you do is clog us this blog with vicious garbage. Give the man credit. He knows a hell of a lot more than you’ll ever know about the game. Worn cleat? We’re just worn out with your nonsense.
By To dumb cleat
August 1, 2010 10:58 PM | Link to this
Dickerson got to those balls hit to short left=center because he tries to make the catches. Stubbs plays too deep and allows too many balls to hit in front of him. Dickerson makes more plays then does DS. Watch the game.
By David T
August 1, 2010 10:17 PM | Link to this
Finally Alex Gonzales helps the Reds win a game. I was so glad when they unloaded him.
By Austin Red
August 1, 2010 9:12 PM | Link to this
“That’s what I hear in Chicago, ‘We want you back, we miss you.’” That’s laughable - This is Dusty’s last stop as a major league manager. Remember also that not only did Dusty play Patterson, he demanded that we sign him in the first place. But now, to hear Dusty tell it, he’s finally got “his guys”. He’s got a short memory - “big time”.
By new cleat
August 1, 2010 9:06 PM | Link to this
Um Worn cleat……Stubbs get a great jump on the ball and gets to the balls that Dickerson has to dive for. That doesnt make Stubbs a bad def center fielder because he doesnt make a lot of diving catches.
By Worn Cleat
August 1, 2010 8:54 PM | Link to this
Hey Hal, quit trying to cover for Baker’s stupidity! He is getting ripped for his Patterson/Taveras and Gonzales gaffes because he was playing them when they were killing the Reds chances of winning! They were not producing; and Baker made us watch it for a whole damn year!And, he’s doing it again THIS YEAR!
By Worn Cleat
August 1, 2010 8:46 PM | Link to this
One problem with Baker, that Hal, nor anyone else ever calls him on is: When, and if, Heisey/Nix/Janish ever get a chance to play, it’s only for one day! Noone can get in rythym playing one day. Big deal you played someone ONE DAMN DAY. The only people that helps are the people who got to rest—ONE DAMN DAY! Leave Heisey and Nix in the lineup for a week, or more. Baker your trying to laugh off your stupid lineups, is laughable in itself.You{Baker} said:”We always like the backup quarterback…” Only when the starter doesn’t produce, Mr. Dusty. Ain’t nobody asking for Peyton Manning to be benched!Ain’t noone asking for Pujols or Votto or Rolen, to be benched! Play the hot hand—MORE THAN A WEEK! ONE DAY? What the hell does that prove? Bruce and Stubbs are not getting it done! Just because they were your’s and Jocketty’s choices in trying to pick success, should not keep their continued failure in the lineup. Play the damn games to win!!!And, just because you win doesn’t mean you are playing all of the correct people. It{winning} doesn’t mean that Stubbs and Bruce contributed to the win. And, by the way, Chris Dickerson was, and still is, your best CFer. Ain’t seen Stubbs make any diving catches yet—but saw Dickerson make four of them!
By Mark
August 1, 2010 2:15 PM | Link to this
“And before Baker hurts himself patting himself on the back for promoting Heisey, if Chris Dickerson hadn’t gotten hurt, Heisey would still be in AAA.” How do you know? You say he played Taveras and Patterson because they were veterans. The whole front office is on record as saying that they were played because they needed to be traded. The anti-Baker rhetoric spread by Chicago media is still effective. Some people are so gullible. So what have Chicago done with sweet Lou as manager? Baker has taken a talented team and developed them to be winners. There are FAR more talented teams with double the payroll sitting in mediocrity. Appreciate what you have. Or it could be another 15 years before the Reds see post-season.
By josh
August 1, 2010 1:19 PM | Link to this
Votto hit that HR off Johnny V, not Saito. But it was still the first HR he’d given up.
By josh
August 1, 2010 1:18 PM | Link to this
Votto hit that HR off Johnny V, not Saito. But it was still the first HR he’d given up.
By Steve F
August 1, 2010 1:10 PM | Link to this
Hal, maybe back in spring training the Reds goal was to finish above .500 and to continue to develop their young players. So here in August they are battling for first place. With only one team to beat they can win with what they have and still develop for the future.
By Steve M.
August 1, 2010 1:09 PM | Link to this
People didn’t criticize Baker for stubbornly playing Patterson and Taveras because they were veterans. It was because they were bad at their jobs and Baker continued to play them every day long after that had become apparent. Same thing recently with 1-36 Drew Stubbs. And before Baker hurts himself patting himself on the back for promoting Heisey, if Chris Dickerson hadn’t gotten hurt, Heisey would still be in AAA.