Baker, Hendry, Hairston, Patterson...

[halplm]

Ok, I've been seeing lots of talk about Hairston missing signs. Is this actually the case, or is that an excuse Baker is throwing around? That said, do we know it was actually Hairston's fault, or could it have been Bakers, or whoever was relaying the signs from Baker?

 

I'm not saying he didn't miss any signs, as I've been too busy to follow the games recently, but it sounds an awful lot like Baker's typical mentally challenged reasonings for not playing the better player when it matters.

 

I've been a long-time Hendry supporter, as I think his hands were somewhat tied dealing with Sosa last offseason. Yeah, he "hoped" the team would pull together, gel, and be a contender, but there was reason for him to think that was possible. So I've backed him, even though I think Baker is trash.

 

However, that's rapidly changing. He's backing his man Baker WAY too much. Maybe that's just for the press, and Baker will be on his way out, but I've started thinking Hendry is blind to Baker's oh so obvious faults. Maybe he has his reasons for sticking with Baker that aren't apparent yet, but I don't see them. Until I do, I'm going to have to switch to being anti-Hendry and Baker. If Hendry fires Baker and doesn't try to fill gaps with short term solutions in a vain attempt to win this year, then I'll start to believe in him a bit more. The man seems to make really good deals sometimes.

 

As for Baker. I wanted to comment specifically on Patterson. I personally think Baker is responsible for Patterson's very negative turnaround. Baker has been hard on Patterson publicly, and there is evidence it is privately as well. Patterson's complete lack of discipline at the plate is partly a result of the "no walks" mentality that Baker is very much a fan of. Before he got hurt, Patterson was starting to turn that around, and he took walks, and was improving on his strikeouts. Since he's come back, Baker's influence is obvious, and Patterson is probably trying to gain Baker's approval by playing the game HIS way, when he should play it his OWN way, or be coached by someone that will help him improve.

 

Baker should go first, Hendry not too far behind, but Patterson should stay, and Hairston should play every day.

[CubfaninCA]

When Washington says, "we think we can turn Patterson around..." perhaps it means "we don't have Baker ruining him."

[johnnyba99]

While I agree with most everything you said, in 2003 Patterson had a good month of May, but was headed back to normal in June and July. In 2003 he had 15 walks in 83 games, this year in 82 games he 16 walks, and last year he had 45 walks. I agree that Patterson is not the sole problem on this team and I would hate to see him succeed somewhere else, but the fact is he's the same player today he has always been. I can't stand Dusty Baker, but to say he is responsible for Corey's production isn't true, he is responsible for putting him in the leadoff spot over and over again.

[ZZ Thorn]

Ok, I've been seeing lots of talk about Hairston missing signs. Is this actually the case, or is that an excuse Baker is throwing around? That said, do we know it was actually Hairston's fault, or could it have been Bakers, or whoever was relaying the signs from Baker?

 

I'm not saying he didn't miss any signs, as I've been too busy to follow the games recently, but it sounds an awful lot like Baker's typical mentally challenged reasonings for not playing the better player when it matters.

 

No, Hairston is actually a pretty dumb ballplayer. It sounds like him that he'd miss signs. He doesn't seem to have his head in the game at times.

[TheDude]

When Washington says, "we think we can turn Patterson around..." perhaps it means "we don't have Baker ruining him."

Nope. Feel free to blame many things on Baker, but Patterson isn't one of them. Patterson's problem is Patterson. He hasn't listened effectively to any coach, and hasn't made many positive adjustments in 2 years.

 

Sure there is this clash of want between Baker and Patterson regarding where he hits in the lineup, but that falls on Patterson's shoulders. It is irritating to hear a player as young as he, without the credentials, staking his claim to a particular spot in the lineup. It further shows he does not listen.

[ZZ Thorn]

When Washington says, "we think we can turn Patterson around..." perhaps it means "we don't have Baker ruining him."

Nope. Feel free to blame many things on Baker, but Patterson isn't one of them. Patterson's problem is Patterson. He hasn't listened effectively to any coach, and hasn't made many positive adjustments in 2 years.

 

Sure there is this clash of want between Baker and Patterson regarding where he hits in the lineup, but that falls on Patterson's shoulders. It is irritating to hear a player as young as he, without the credentials, staking his claim to a particular spot in the lineup. It further shows he does not listen.

 

Baker is trying to do what everybody wants to/has tried to do with Patterson, you can't pin CP's problems on Baker.

[goonys evil twin]

between Baker and Patterson regarding where he hits in the lineup, but that falls on Patterson's shoulders. It is irritating to hear a player as young as he, without the credentials, staking his claim to a particular spot in the lineup. It further shows he does not listen.

 

Is that more or less irritating than a seasoned manager who supposedly knows the game inside and out trying to stuff a player into a particular spot in the lineup where he has no business playing?

[halplm]

When Washington says, "we think we can turn Patterson around..." perhaps it means "we don't have Baker ruining him."

Nope. Feel free to blame many things on Baker, but Patterson isn't one of them. Patterson's problem is Patterson. He hasn't listened effectively to any coach, and hasn't made many positive adjustments in 2 years.

 

Sure there is this clash of want between Baker and Patterson regarding where he hits in the lineup, but that falls on Patterson's shoulders. It is irritating to hear a player as young as he, without the credentials, staking his claim to a particular spot in the lineup. It further shows he does not listen.

 

No, I don't buy this at all. Yes, he shouldn't stake a claim on a spot, but when he is so obviously being misused, and then fails at it... that's on the Manager.

 

Corey has never been a leadoff guy. He's never been a number 2 guy. He has ALWAYS been a 6th or 7th spot guy.

 

As for Hairston being dumb.... He still gets on base. It's up to the Manager and coaches to make sure he keeps his head in the game. They know their team, they have to know it's strengths and and solve it's weaknesses. If Hairston is missing signs that's unacceptable, but that doesn't mean he should be benched and complained about to the media...

[Neuby]

You can complain about a lot of things Baker does but lets not blame him for Patterson. No matter where you hit in the line up a slider in the dirt or a face high fastball it's still the same. Baker makes Corey a average at best bunter? Come on guys you have grips with Baker but trying to blame him for Patterson is just too much. Patterson is a bust , he might be an average player some where else but he needs a change .

[CubfaninCA]

When Washington says, "we think we can turn Patterson around..." perhaps it means "we don't have Baker ruining him."

Nope. Feel free to blame many things on Baker, but Patterson isn't one of them. Patterson's problem is Patterson. He hasn't listened effectively to any coach, and hasn't made many positive adjustments in 2 years.

 

Sure there is this clash of want between Baker and Patterson regarding where he hits in the lineup, but that falls on Patterson's shoulders. It is irritating to hear a player as young as he, without the credentials, staking his claim to a particular spot in the lineup. It further shows he does not listen.

 

Patterson doesn't pencil himself in as leadoff hitter. It's Baker. Baker should know better.

[badgercub]

Patterson's problem, besides plate discipline, is his inability to go the other way, he tries to pull everything and his front side is flying open on every swing. Maybe Gene Clines should take some of the blame too. Back to basics Corey, maybe getting to the park a little early everyday and doing some flip drills would help him start taking those outside pitches he is missing by a foot the other way. Have you noticed that Burnitz has been going the other way on occassion and Aramis has gotten hot by taking that approach too. Quit trying to hit a homerun every at bat and drive some balls the other way for a double. Edited July 6, 2005 by badgercub

[CubfaninCA]

I'm sure Baker saying Patterson is another Lou Brock has no influence at all.

 

I don't see Bobby Cox trying to make Andruw Jones into a 1 or 2 hitter.

[goonys evil twin]

You can complain about a lot of things Baker does but lets not blame him for Patterson. No matter where you hit in the line up a slider in the dirt or a face high fastball it's still the same.

 

Why?

 

Why is it that when Dusty came here he was almost unanimously praised as a guy who didn't call out his own players, and did get the most out his guys? Why is it that he has completely shown that to be false, yet he can get off scott free with Patterson. If Patterson developed into a great player under Dusty, wouldn't his supporters be patting him on the back?

 

Baker is all about taking credit for his team's successes. He deserves blame for the failure, including blame for not taking full advantage of and developing some of his most talented players.

[Dunston2Sandberg2Grace]

As for Baker. I wanted to comment specifically on Patterson. I personally think Baker is responsible for Patterson's very negative turnaround. Baker has been hard on Patterson publicly, and there is evidence it is privately as well. Patterson's complete lack of discipline at the plate is partly a result of the "no walks" mentality that Baker is very much a fan of. Before he got hurt, Patterson was starting to turn that around, and he took walks, and was improving on his strikeouts. Since he's come back, Baker's influence is obvious, and Patterson is probably trying to gain Baker's approval by playing the game HIS way, when he should play it his OWN way, or be coached by someone that will help him improve.

 

Great post. I hadn't thought of it that way. I think that you may be right on this. Maybe part of the reason that Baker does not play young guys is thathe does not know how to manage them. He simply does not know how to develop players. Give him a team of vets and he does alright. Give him some youth and he ruins them.

Baker must go.

[badgercub]

"The Cubs won't criticize Hairston publicly, but there have been questions behind the scenes about his on-field judgments, including missed signs. Insiders think his low grades in baseball instincts are hurting his chances to start more." (In today's Sun Time's)

 

Are these the same insiders that continually think it is a good idea to bat Patterson and Perez at leadoff? Maybe instead of looking at Hairstons lack of baseball instincts, they should be looking at one Dusty Baker and his lack of instincts.

[YearofDaCubs]

"The Cubs won't criticize Hairston publicly, but there have been questions behind the scenes about his on-field judgments, including missed signs. Insiders think his low grades in baseball instincts are hurting his chances to start more." (In today's Sun Time's)

 

Are these the same insiders that continually think it is a good idea to bat Patterson and Perez at leadoff? Maybe instead of looking at Hairstons lack of baseball instincts, they should be looking at one Dusty Baker and his lack of instincts.

I agree. Baker has no damn clue.