Say what you want about Dempster...at least he....

[kente777]

....takes responsibility for his stench.

 

"I'm falling behind hitters," Dempster said. "I've got to be more aggressive and go after people. This is ridiculous. I'm a big-league pitcher. Start acting like one. Start throwing the ball over the plate. They didn't hit a ball out of the infield and they scored a run. That's pathetic.

 

"I'm never one to make excuses -- I'm not making any excuses," he said. "Make them hit the ball. I don't care if somebody's hitting .500; there's a chance of them making an out."

 

 

Has Dusty Baker, once, taken responsibility....in 3 years....for his ineptitude? Heck, has he ever in his career said, "I blew it."?

 

I personally like Dempster. I think rightly used, he could be a good setup guy.

 

Ken

[A New Era]

I think, rightly used, he can be a good CLOSER. And he should get the shot of being that, with a new manager and under new coaching. Get this crap coaches the heck out of town. And you've fixed half the problem right there.

[CoolHandLuke]

I love Dempster too. He seems like a hoot and I would probably enjoy hanging out with him. However, I did not like the contract he recieved and I do not want him on this team in a prominant role.

[Electron Blue]

I think, rightly used, he can be a good CLOSER. And he should get the shot of being that, with a new manager and under new coaching. Get this crap coaches the heck out of town. And you've fixed half the problem right there.

 

Not to put you on the spot, but how could a different manager affect Dempster's control problems. Other than use him more consistently (btw, having a successful team around you seems to make this easier), I don't see how Baker is the issue.

[A New Era]

I think, rightly used, he can be a good CLOSER. And he should get the shot of being that, with a new manager and under new coaching. Get this crap coaches the heck out of town. And you've fixed half the problem right there.

 

Not to put you on the spot, but how could a different manager affect Dempster's control problems. Other than use him more consistently (btw, having a successful team around you seems to make this easier), I don't see how Baker is the issue.

[Big T]

I also believe that Dempster can be a good closer again. It seems to me that once these guys started to free fall (months ago) it affected everyone regardless of what they'd done in the past. If the Cubs were in the wildcard or division race and had played better ball all year long some of these close games might have had different outcomes simply due to them having some real importance. It kind of feels like losing has been contagious and if we had been winning, that might have become contagious?

[abuck1220]

I think, rightly used, he can be a good CLOSER. And he should get the shot of being that, with a new manager and under new coaching. Get this crap coaches the heck out of town. And you've fixed half the problem right there.

 

the best run of dempster's career (by faaaaar) was with dusty as his manager. his failings are not dusty's fault...dempster simply has never been a very good pitcher. the person who deserves the most blame is hendry (as usual) for giving him that contract.

[rynefan]

He seems like a fine guy, but he's played a key role in this team's demise and I'm willing and able to separate his personality from his 2006 performance and that STINKS. Sorry.

[A New Era]

I think, rightly used, he can be a good CLOSER. And he should get the shot of being that, with a new manager and under new coaching. Get this crap coaches the heck out of town. And you've fixed half the problem right there.

 

the best run of dempster's career (by faaaaar) was with dusty as his manager. his failings are not dusty's fault...dempster simply has never been a very good pitcher. the person who deserves the most blame is hendry (as usual) for giving him that contract.

 

And his worst run has been under dusty. Dusty didn't let him go 4-8 days without pitching in 2005. Unless you want to dig some stat up to prove me wrong.

[Mizzou]

I really like Dempster, the person, a lot. I wish he would get his crap together and start pitching like he did last year.

[dalgreen]

Help me understand why Dempster should receive praise for standing up when he stinks? He said pretty much the same thing two months ago, so when is he going to start doing what he says he needs to do? Dempster's words mean absolutely nothing to me if he doesn't do anything about it. It's as frustrating as seeing Cedeno get mad at himself for striking out swinging on ball four. Then he does the same crap again and again. Saying you stink and getting mad because you stink means nothing to me unless you do something to change.