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Posted 08/03/2009 at 02:53 AM
The Cincinnati Reds ought to consider a name change. They need something that fits the personality of the team a little more accurately. I like the idea of the Cincinnati Deads. Gray uniforms with gray lettering. Lifeless threads for a lifeless team.
The Reds have lost six straight following Sunday’s extra inning loss to Colorado. They’ve dropped 11 of 12 overall the last couple weeks, and that even includes dumping three in a row while hosting the pathetic Padres along the way. It really doesn’t get much uglier than what we’re seeing out of the Reds right now.
Who gets the blame? Obviously, this is not a terribly talented team, so a finger certainly has to be pointed at upper management. But it goes beyond that. I’ve watched this team on a very regular basis, and the Reds are consistently as flat as a pancake. I realize playing on a team that’s going nowhere on an annual basis isn’t easy, but the lack of energy on this team is palpable.
The Reds just don’t go the extra yard to win games. I can’t go on anything more than the eye test, but it sure looks to me like the Reds dive less for balls that may be out of reach than most teams. They’re not aggressive in any way. I won’t go so far as to accuse them of going through the motions, but let’s just say that Charlie Hustle sure isn’t wearing a Cincinnati uniform these days.
Dusty Baker is the culprit on this count. He’s never been regarded as one of the game’s great strategists, but Dusty has always enjoyed a rep as a great clubhouse skipper who gets the most of his players physically. Sorry, but that’s not the case with this team.
There was a situation in the 11th inning of Sunday’s game against the Rockies that begged for the manager to put up a loud stink and get tossed. The Reds had just given up an RBI triple to Dexter Fowler, which sure looked as though it should only have been a double, particularly since Fowler stumbled rounding second. The next hitter grounded to deep shortstop and Alex Gonzalez threw him out at first to end the inning. But umpire Joe West blew the call, allowing Fowler to score to make the score 6-4.
Baker should have come out firing here. His team is in the midst of a huge skid, there’s a general malaise in their mindset and now they’re even getting it in the shorts on a missed call. I realize that no matter how long and loud Baker may have protested, it would have had no impact on the decision that had been rendered. But at least it might have sent a message to his players that he still cares. Instead, he put up a very brief beef and simply retreated to his seat in the dugout.
I don’t know whether Dusty Baker has lost his team or not, as I’m not there to witness the clubhouse atmosphere. But from afar, it sure looks that way. I’m also not suggesting that a managerial change would suddenly transform the mundane Reds into the spoiler no team wants to face down the stretch. But I can tell you with virtually no uncertainty that a change is clearly warranted, and waiting until the end of the season to make the move is unwise. Do it now, and get someone at the helm with a little more energy and perhaps more of a willingness to occasionally kick some butt.
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The Giants are a poor road team, so laying this kind of lumber with them is risky. But Matt Cain is on fire, while Mike Hampton is having his problems right now, so there’s a big mound edge for SF despite Hampton’s 15-4 ledger vs. the Giants. There’s no way I can step out with this as a strong call because of the numbers involved, but I’d still have to side with Giants as winners tonight.
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