For the bashers of Dusty Baker and Drew Stubbs, allow me to borrow a chant from GCL student sections, "Sit Down, Shut Up".....
Baker sat Drew Stubbs and played a hot Chris Heisey for three games. Stubbs, who is going to be a star, doubled, homered and singled to drive home two runs and scored two in the win.
Baker was criticized for sticking with the rookie, when he was struggling through a 1-for-36 slump. He made the move Sunday in the finale against Atlanta, replacing Stubbs. "He was ahead of the breaking ball and behind the fastball. That's when you know you're in no man's land," Baker said.
Paul Janish also drove in a run with a key two-out single. Janish continues to perform in the absence of Orlando Cabrera.
Players respond to a manager, that shows faith when the player struggles, yet there is a fine line between hurting your team with that strategy. For all the gripes and complaints about Baker, he has shown that he knows when and how to pull the plug. Forget the over rated in-game strategy. The art of managing is using your personnel to give the team the best chance to win. Sometimes it is sticking with a struggling player until he snaps out of it. Sometimes it is pulling the plug.
The examples of Baker's feel for those decisions are mounting by the day.
Heisey gets a start and responds. Stubbs gets a rest and responds. Votto gets a needed day off and responds.
Today, he pulled the plug on his highly paid closer, Francisco Cordero. Yesterday Cordero pitched himself into trouble with a three-run lead and pitched out of it. In the same situation today, Cordero did the same thing. He walked himself into trouble. This time Baker went with Nick Masset to bail Cordero and the Reds out. Masset struck out Derrick Lee with the bases loaded and Marlin Byrd to end the game.
Cordero will not hang his head because Baker has shown faith in him. Masset gets a dose of confidence. The team in general, puts its trust in Baker. The Reds are now 15 games over .500 and maintain the lead in the National League Central Division.
Cincinnati Sports News and Commentary
About Me
- Gary Schatz
- I am a freelance writer. I've covered the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals and others since 1992. I have a background in sales as well. I've sold consumer electronics, advertising and consumer package goods for companies ranging from the now defunct Circuit City to Procter&Gamble. I have worked as a stats operator for Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joe and Colerain High School.
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