July 4th celebrations worldwide
Wire walker at Kings Island
Annual hot dog eating contest
REDS NOTES
Baker misses call about Krivsky firing
Thursday, April 24, 2008
CINCINNATI — Dusty Baker turned off his cell phone, "To get some rest, catch up on some sleep," so he didn't get the call from CEO Bob Castellini. When Baker awoke, he called Wayne Krivsky, "To discuss two or three things," and that's when he discovered Krivsky was fired.
He needed to discuss those two or three things with new GM Walt Jocketty.
Extras
"This is a part of baseball and nobody likes to have it happen to them," said Baker. "Anybody in this game is going to have it happen to them. I only had it happen once, in Chicago. It's not very pleasant."
Baker said the switch from Krivsky to Jocketty will be seamless for him.
"I've been knowing Walt a long time," said Baker. "He was an assistant GM in 1985-86 when I played for the A's. When he was at Colorado and St. Louis, I was managing against his teams.
"Walt is going to do fine," he said. "He's won executive of the year a couple of times (three). I hope this all works out — works out for us, works out for Walt, works out for Wayne and we win, because it is Wayne's team."
Baker checked his roster and said, "They have some big decisions to make here. We have 13 free agents and that's a lot.
Griffey's reaction
Was Ken Griffey Jr. surprised by the dismissal of general manager Wayne Krivsky?
"Oh, yeah. You wake up in the morning, turn on the TV and you see that?" he said. "I wasn't consulted. I'm only employee No. 3, y'know?"
When told Walt Jocketty is his sixth general manager since he came to the Reds in 2000, Griffey uttered one word: "Damn."
Then he added, "It ain't my fault, coach. You never want to see anybody lose their job. Bob (Castellini) felt there had to be a change. He's the guy who controls this."
Griffey then hit his 597th career home run in the first inning to give the Reds a short-lived 1-0 lead — before the Astros scored eight unanswered runs against Reds starter Bronson Arroyo.
Ross activated
Catcher David Ross, on the disabled list since spring training with a bad back, was activated Wednesday and was in the lineup because he is Bronson Arroyo's favorite catcher. Oops. Arroyo gave up eight runs and 10 hits in 3 2/3 innings.
Outfielder Norris Hopper was placed on the disabled list with right elbow inflammation.
Quote of the day
"I ain't the boss, ain't close to being the boss, don't want to be the boss — I'm the shop foreman, the boss on the field." — Manager Dusty Baker on his thoughts about the firing of general manager Wayne Krivsky and his replacement, Walt Jocketty.
