Homer Bailey put in his innings six with three or fewer runs, a quality start. After two extra inning games in a row the Reds needed Bailey to pitch at least six. He got the job done.
Who do we point fingers at today? I have a candidate in mind. But let's examine the fall guys, du jour.
How about Dusty Baker, who played the guys that aren't hitting but since that is everyone, that is just not feasible although many will blame him just because.
Brook Jacoby? A radio talk geek offered him up as a sacrifice for of all the goofy reasons, to throw the fans a bone. Throw the fans a bone? As if anyone has ever in the past or ever will in the future buy a ticket or refrain from buying a ticket because of who the batting coach is. That may not be the dumbest thing I've ever heard, Lance McCallister but it is in the top 10.
But let's examine Brook Jacoby as the fall guy. Let's take the baseball knowledge that we all know.
They say that hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do in sports because even the best fail seven out of 10 times. Good pitching beats good hitting.
Ok so a team is not hitting because the batting coach is inept? How about every coach and batting instructor that major leaguers have ever had. They must not have taught these major league hitters anything that lasted in spite of the fact they have been successful in the past..
Do you start to see how ridiculous this blame game becomes?
Now who I want to blame is Edwin Jackson. Yes, he's a .500 pitcher for his career, yet he has thrown a no-hitter in his career, he has pitched on a World Championship team last season as a late season acquisition. He was among the players the Cardinals got in their 25 percent roster over haul that made Tony La Russa a genius last season. He is now in his eighth organization. At one time Boy Blunder, Jim Bowden IIII once coveted him because of his power arm Jackson is only 28 and has been frustrating to seven organizations.
Jackson was on his game. He retired 16 batters in a row. When a pitcher is dealing the hitters will suffer it has been that way since Abner Doubleday invented the sport.
It is all your fault Edwin Jackson.
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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