I am starting to think that Dusty Baker...

[Abe Frohman]

...is doing this on purpose. I mean, can he possibly be this clueless as to the talent - or lack of talent - he has? Is it possible he is tanking the organization because of Hendry firing some of his staff a year or two ago?

 

I really think that WooWoo could manage this team better. Does that sound so crazy?

[hawkcub]

I don't think he's doing this on purpose, he just can't manage.

[dalgreen]

...is doing this on purpose. I mean, can he possibly be this clueless as to the talent - or lack of talent - he has? Is it possible he is tanking the organization because of Hendry firing some of his staff a year or two ago?

 

I really think that WooWoo could manage this team better. Does that sound so crazy?

 

Doing what on purpose? Blowing saves? Mishandling cut-offs and throwing balls away? Hitting into double plays? Throwing balls to first that get your first baseman hurt? Baker is not a good manager, but what could he be doing on purpose to tank the team? Hendry's already given him darn near a cast of misfits on the bench. Is there really a difference when you play Perez or Hairston? There should be, but that's Hairston's fault.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

I really think that WooWoo could manage this team better. Does that sound so crazy?

 

I think I'm up for the task! Thanks for recommending me.

 

 

By the way is this the all HiTops thread? If it is here you go:

 

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j163/Niner74/dcp_0216.jpg

[leestheman]

this game was not dusty bakers fault...i'm tired of everyone blaming dusty for everything that goes on...this game was set up perfectly for him...what more could you ask for than to have your starter pitch no-hit ball into the 7th inning and then your bullpen works the way you want it to so you can get to your closer in the 9th...it's not dusty's fault that there were 9 walks in the game...it's not dusty's fault that dempster blew his 2nd save in a row...it's not dusty's fault that neifi can't catch or throw...who else is he gonna put at 2nd base right now...i'm sick of everyone blaming dusty...it's ridiculous

[Outshined_One]

I hate Hi-Tops.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

I hate Hi-Tops.

 

So do I, but the one in Pittsburgh wasn't bad.

[wastra]

Dusty is a terrible manager, but this loss isn't directly his fault.

 

The only way this is his fault is if you fall back to the lack of preparedness and focus from the players. In terms of personnel decisions, I actually think having Perez at 2nd in the 9th instead of Hairston or Walker is the right move. And you gotta go with your closer in a save situation.

 

 

So if there is a complaint about lack of team focus and effort- fine. If it's about Dempster throwing fewer than 3 innings in the past week, fine. But ultimately, today, Dusty didn't cause the loss, Dempster's inability to throw a strike and Neifi's inability to not * himself in the field caused this.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

this game was not dusty bakers fault...i'm tired of everyone blaming dusty for everything that goes on...this game was set up perfectly for him...what more could you ask for than to have your starter pitch no-hit ball into the 7th inning and then your bullpen works the way you want it to so you can get to your closer in the 9th...it's not dusty's fault that there were 9 walks in the game...it's not dusty's fault that dempster blew his 2nd save in a row...it's not dusty's fault that neifi can't catch or throw...who else is he gonna put at 2nd base right now...i'm sick of everyone blaming dusty...it's ridiculous

 

No today was not his fault, but in the ninth he should have made a statement and pinch hit for Neifi. Murton, Hairston whoever, but just not Neifi. He seems to get rewarded for his blunders. His horrible bunt to end the game a couple weeks ago resulted in starting the next day and now he has two horrendous errors on one play and gets to stay in the game. Granted Dempster gets some blames but so does Neifi.

[ondeckchamps]

Mutiny is the crime of conspiring to disobey an order that a group of similarly-situated individuals (typically members of the military; or the crew of any ship, even if they are civilians) is legally obliged to obey.

[BigbadB]

I don't know how anyone can say Dusty can't be blamed for today's loss.

 

Who filled out the line up card with Juan Pierre and Neifi Perez batting 1/2 in the order? If Dusty didn't do it, then I take back the negative things I'm about to say.

 

Pierre= 1/5

Perez= 1/5

 

OBP in the top spots in this game= .200

 

Hits by the middle of the order? 8 hits

 

At bats in the game? Pierre (5), Perez (5), Ramirez (4)

 

If you're going to let Perez have more at bats than Ramirez, you might as well let the pitcher bat ahead of Ramirez as well. Because it's about the most stupid strategy that I could ever imagine to put Neifi Perez ahead of GOOD hitters in ANY line up.

 

Is Dusty totally to blame? No. But, he certainly didn't do everything he could to win.

 

You know what makes me curious? Why didn't the Braves bat Todd Pratt at the top of the order? If batting your crappiest hitter in the 2 slot makes sense, why isn't Bobby Cox doing it?

 

The Braves magically scored 6 runs on 5 hits. Of those 5 hits, only one was for extra bases. 1 double and 4 single's created 6 runs. Ya see, Dusty, walks are real. And they don't always just "clog" bases.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Dear Jim Hendry:

 

You know what makes me curious? Why didn't the Braves bat Todd Pratt at the top of the order? If batting your crappiest hitter in the 2 slot makes sense, why isn't Bobby Cox doing it?

[bobbyd20]

Plus, why did he let Neifi (and his .195 average) lead off the ninth?

 

Where was Murton?

 

Dusty is either completely incompetent or asleep at the wheel. Either way, it's unacceptable.

[YearofDaCubs]

Plus, why did he let Neifi (and his .195 average) lead off the ninth?

 

Where was Murton?

 

Dusty is either completely incompetent or asleep at the wheel. Either way, it's unacceptable.

He's incompetent and I'm sick of watching this team. A change should have been made long ago, but truth be told it's Jim who is sleeping at the wheel.

[MembersOnlyJacket]

Plus, why did he let Neifi (and his .195 average) lead off the ninth?

 

Where was Murton?

 

Dusty is either completely incompetent or asleep at the wheel. Either way, it's unacceptable.

 

He was shell-shocked. His post game comments indicate that in everyway. He probably didn't know Neifi was due up. The guy made one of the most bone-head plays in baseball and you send him to the plate with that on his mind. I am convinced that Baker did not even know who was scheduled to bat in that inning.

 

As far as benches go. Look at the Braves. They lead the NL in pinch-hits with 25. Their bench is full of young players. The Cubs are last. And they are old and decrepit.

[bobbyd20]

If Dusty truly didn't know who was coming up in the bottom of the ninth, he should be fired immediately.

 

A manager's job is to remain calm, cool and collected even in the face of adversity. When things go heywire, it is the manager that is supposed to be able to maintain composure and make the best decisions for the team.

[CubfaninCA]

I don't know how anyone can say Dusty can't be blamed for today's loss.

 

Who filled out the line up card with Juan Pierre and Neifi Perez batting 1/2 in the order? If Dusty didn't do it, then I take back the negative things I'm about to say.

 

Pierre= 1/5

Perez= 1/5

 

OBP in the top spots in this game= .200

 

Hits by the middle of the order? 8 hits

 

At bats in the game? Pierre (5), Perez (5), Ramirez (4)

 

If you're going to let Perez have more at bats than Ramirez, you might as well let the pitcher bat ahead of Ramirez as well. Because it's about the most stupid strategy that I could ever imagine to put Neifi Perez ahead of GOOD hitters in ANY line up.

 

Is Dusty totally to blame? No. But, he certainly didn't do everything he could to win.

 

You know what makes me curious? Why didn't the Braves bat Todd Pratt at the top of the order? If batting your crappiest hitter in the 2 slot makes sense, why isn't Bobby Cox doing it?

 

The Braves magically scored 6 runs on 5 hits. Of those 5 hits, only one was for extra bases. 1 double and 4 single's created 6 runs. Ya see, Dusty, walks are real. And they don't always just "clog" bases.

 

this team has 4 hitters.. walker, aram, barrett and jones.. the 4 other spots in the order has turned into a crapshoot. 2b, ss, lf and catcher aren't hitting. they should just move walker back down to 2nd in the order.

[MembersOnlyJacket]

If Dusty truly didn't know who was coming up in the bottom of the ninth, he should be fired immediately.

 

A manager's job is to remain calm, cool and collected even in the face of adversity. When things go heywire, it is the manager that is supposed to be able to maintain composure and make the best decisions for the team.

 

I don't think Baker is capable of this. He lets the highs get too high and the lows too low. Flipping the "game ball" to Russ Ortiz in Game 7 of the World Series tipped me off to this.

[CubfaninCA]

the baker is losing on purpose theory is bullcrap.

[minnesotacubsfan]

If Dusty truly didn't know who was coming up in the bottom of the ninth, he should be fired immediately.

 

A manager's job is to remain calm, cool and collected even in the face of adversity. When things go heywire, it is the manager that is supposed to be able to maintain composure and make the best decisions for the team.

 

I don't think Baker is capable of this. He lets the highs get too high and the lows too low. Flipping the "game ball" to Russ Ortiz in Game 7 of the World Series tipped me off to this.

 

 

this is weird to me, i know (please dont ask) Russ Ortiz through my sister and bro-in-law, they guy (Ortiz) LOVES dusty. My bro-in-law is a huge supporter of what Ortiz has to say..

 

 

 

and hates Leo Mezzone

 

 

 

and my bro-in-law is a huge Billy Beane fan...add that up and make 2+2=4.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

If Dusty truly didn't know who was coming up in the bottom of the ninth, he should be fired immediately.

 

A manager's job is to remain calm, cool and collected even in the face of adversity. When things go heywire, it is the manager that is supposed to be able to maintain composure and make the best decisions for the team.

 

I don't think Baker is capable of this. He lets the highs get too high and the lows too low. Flipping the "game ball" to Russ Ortiz in Game 7 of the World Series tipped me off to this.

 

 

this is weird to me, i know (please dont ask) Russ Ortiz through my sister and bro-in-law, they guy (Ortiz) LOVES dusty. My bro-in-law is a huge supporter of what Ortiz has to say..

 

 

 

and hates Leo Mezzone

 

 

 

and my bro-in-law is a huge Billy Beane fan...add that up and make 2+2=4.

 

Why does he hate Leo Mazzone?

[minnesotacubsfan]

If Dusty truly didn't know who was coming up in the bottom of the ninth, he should be fired immediately.

 

A manager's job is to remain calm, cool and collected even in the face of adversity. When things go heywire, it is the manager that is supposed to be able to maintain composure and make the best decisions for the team.

 

I don't think Baker is capable of this. He lets the highs get too high and the lows too low. Flipping the "game ball" to Russ Ortiz in Game 7 of the World Series tipped me off to this.

 

 

this is weird to me, i know (please dont ask) Russ Ortiz through my sister and bro-in-law, they guy (Ortiz) LOVES dusty. My bro-in-law is a huge supporter of what Ortiz has to say..

 

 

 

and hates Leo Mezzone

 

 

 

and my bro-in-law is a huge Billy Beane fan...add that up and make 2+2=4.

 

Why does he hate Leo Mazzone?

 

Ortiz hates Leo because he felt he got too much credit for pitching success in Atlanta, and feels he (leo) gets an incredible amount of production out of pitchers but ultimately burns them out shortly...in essance produce now and get lost kinda attitude...

[Abe Frohman]

the baker is losing on purpose theory is bullcrap.

 

I hope you don't think I am totally serious. Dude.

[minnesotacubsfan]

the baker is losing on purpose theory is bullcrap.

 

I hope you don't think I am totally serious. Dude.

 

Dude. Thems the breaks. Dude.

[dalgreen]

If Dusty truly didn't know who was coming up in the bottom of the ninth, he should be fired immediately.

 

A manager's job is to remain calm, cool and collected even in the face of adversity. When things go heywire, it is the manager that is supposed to be able to maintain composure and make the best decisions for the team.

 

I don't think Baker is capable of this. He lets the highs get too high and the lows too low. Flipping the "game ball" to Russ Ortiz in Game 7 of the World Series tipped me off to this.

 

 

this is weird to me, i know (please dont ask) Russ Ortiz through my sister and bro-in-law, they guy (Ortiz) LOVES dusty. My bro-in-law is a huge supporter of what Ortiz has to say..

 

 

 

and hates Leo Mezzone

 

 

 

and my bro-in-law is a huge Billy Beane fan...add that up and make 2+2=4.

 

Why does he hate Leo Mazzone?

 

Ortiz hates Leo because he felt he got too much credit for pitching success in Atlanta, and feels he (leo) gets an incredible amount of production out of pitchers but ultimately burns them out shortly...in essance produce now and get lost kinda attitude...

 

Yet, almost no one talks about the number of arms that were wrecked under he and Cox.

 

Getting back to yesterday's game, even with the crappy lineup, we scored five runs and had a lead for the closer. You can still hate Baker without totally blaming him for every loss.