Another Baker thread

[burnt out cubbie fan]

These comments pissed me off and I think they will have a similar effect on most of you. From a Phil Rodgers article in the Tribune today:

 

"We weren't fundamentally good for my teams," Baker answered. "My teams never had that reputation. The Cubs have been fundamentally bad for a long time. It reared its ugly head."

 

When Dusty Baker was asked about his commitment to 22-year-old shortstop Ronny Cedeno and 24-year-old left fielder Matt Murton, he didn't exactly have to morph into the second coming of Ron Popeil to do a little salesmanship.

 

All Baker had to do was tell reporters how Cedeno and Murton are among the players the Cubs are asked about in every potential trade. It was sitting right there on a tee, waiting to be taken on a spin around the pressroom.

 

...

 

Here's how Baker answered the question: "If I don't [play them] I'll be accused of not liking young players."

 

Oh, boy.

 

Baker was asked what he had heard about Felix Pie in winter ball. After all, the 20-year-old Pie is not only the organization's top prospect but also seemingly knocking on the big-league door.

 

"I haven't had any reports on him this winter," Baker said.

 

Oh, boy. Again.

 

Link

 

Ok, first of all, what the heck is he thinking. These questions are simple as they come and you mess them up. It is almost like you want a ticket out of Chicago, not that I would have a problem with that. Secondly, how about this idea Dusty, why don't you work on the fundamental problems with the players. You know, do some coaching perhaps? God forbid you actually try to improve their performance on the field. I just don't understand how a person can take absolutely no responsibility for what happens on the field when things go wrong, yet throw themselves into the spotlight when things happen to go right.

[Derwood]

- He blames the coaches for bad fundamentals as often as he can.

 

- People blame him for hating young players because he does. And apparently he will play them only to make sure that nobody is saying bad things about him (more thin skinned nonsense)

 

- No reports on Pie means he either isn't paying attention, or management doesn't really give to scraps what he thinks about the minor leaguers.

[Cubfanintheknow]

I have a long history of imploring people not to read too much into the printed quotes of Dusty Baker (especially), Jim Hendry, Andy MacPhail, etc., because it's just too hard to get an exact feel on what they're saying. A lot of times they say one thing but mean another. Or they'd rather not talk to the media but do so knowing they'd be ripped more for not saying something. Or quotes are imsinterpreted by reporters and used in an improper context.

 

I'm making an exception this time.

 

Baker sounded a lot like a guy prepared to play out his contract. I'm not going to fault him for not knowing how Felix Pie is playing in winter ball, but to not have good things to say about Matt Murton and Ronny Cedeno, two guys who played for you and played well at that, is inexcusable. And while he's right the Cubs have a long history of not playing fundamentally sound baseball, three years as manager is more than enough time to correct it. Can't blame the past 97 years for what happened in 2005.

[Andy]

- People blame him for hating young players because he does. And apparently he will play them only to make sure that nobody is saying bad things about him (more thin skinned nonsense)

As long as he plays Murton and Cedeno and doesn't bench them after their first 0-for-9 slump, I don't care what motivation is behind it.

[NewUserName]

during his interwiew with Mike North he had a chance to say good stuff about Murton but didnt. He has not given him any endorsements at all. He has actually talked pretty highly about cedeno in some places though.

 

It drives me crazy when he says things about poor fundementals. This is his fault. Take some responsibility dude

[cubbyvirus00]

If Baker gets another contract with the Cubs, I might quit baseball for the duration of it.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

I'm honestly starting to doubt whether Murton starts. It's a pretty limited pool when you talk about lefty power bats that can play RF competently and that's all Hendry talks about with OF that aren't leadoff hitters. How do you squeeze a lefty power bat in there? you certainly aren't going to get him at SS or 2B (that can also "catch the ball").

 

The sooner Baker is gone, the better. Does he ever take responsibility for anything?

[Bgbird68]

I like how he says "his" teams aren't bad fundamentally, but the Cubs historically have been. Does this mean he is not managing the team? Is there a Dusty look a like on the bench during the year?

 

Has there ever been a weirder guy as a Cub manager?

 

How anyone can defend this guy is amazing.

[Mad Dog 2020]

Short of the Cubs winning the world series, I don't see there being a chance for Baker to be the Cubs manager in 2007. I would take anyone aside from him. Bob Brenley, Larry Bowa. Dusty is an idiot.

[badger1679666666]

If they give him a contract extension, you might see me on TV getting hauled away for burning down MacPhail and Hendry's offices. With a Baker doll being hung in effigy.

[KatJ]

- He blames the coaches for bad fundamentals as often as he can.

 

- People blame him for hating young players because he does. And apparently he will play them only to make sure that nobody is saying bad things about him (more thin skinned nonsense)

 

- No reports on Pie means he either isn't paying attention, or management doesn't really give to scraps what he thinks about the minor leaguers.

 

What's the fine for beaning a manager?

[B]

I'm honestly starting to doubt whether Murton starts. It's a pretty limited pool when you talk about lefty power bats that can play RF competently and that's all Hendry talks about with OF that aren't leadoff hitters. How do you squeeze a lefty power bat in there? you certainly aren't going to get him at SS or 2B (that can also "catch the ball").

 

The sooner Baker is gone, the better. Does he ever take responsibility for anything?[/quote]

 

Winning.

[JGalt73]

Hopefully the SF Chronicle has extra-special Dusty insight...

 

Dusty Baker is sounding quite uninspired to be returning as manager (a man of his word, he's honoring the last year of his contract, but there's no way he wants an extension).

[UK1679666180]

There's a metaphor about a door hitting a person in a certain region as he exits.

 

It applies nicely there.

 

I hope Dusty is as anxious to leave as I am for him leaving.

 

(if true)

[CuseCubFan69]

There's a metaphor about a door hitting a person in a certain region as he exits.

 

It applies nicely there.

 

I hope Dusty is as anxious to leave as I am for him leaving.

 

(if true)

 

He'd be gone if that were true.

[QcCubFan]

I'll tell ya what'll happen with Murton. He'll get off to a slow start and after 80-100 ABs be hitting .240-.250 or something and Dusty will use that as an excuse to bench him, then bury him.

[Andy]

I'll tell ya what'll happen with Murton. He'll get off to a slow start and after 80-100 ABs be hitting .240-.250 or something and Dusty will use that as an excuse to bench him, then bury him.

I'll be shocked if Murton's doing that badly after 100 ABs.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I'll tell ya what'll happen with Murton. He'll get off to a slow start and after 80-100 ABs be hitting .240-.250 or something and Dusty will use that as an excuse to bench him, then bury him.

I'll be shocked if Murton's doing that badly after 100 ABs.

 

Don't be.