"Over Baked" Bakers Gotta Go! Maybe???

Hypothetically: What if we were to tell you that the Cincinnati Reds have just hired a new coach and he has a history of coaching some pretty good ball clubs. He has managed a total of 3116 games to date and has a winning percentage of 52%. Throughout his 20 years of coaching he has won exactly 1 pennant and has yet to win a World Series Ring! Although he seems to take his team to the playoffs about 50% of the time they never seem to make it past the wild card series. If you are a Reds fan and are okay with this type of resume for a manager than you are perfectly okay with Dusty Baker managing the Reds. If you are not okay with this mediocracy then you will agree with us in saying the Reds will not make it deep into the playoffs as long as Dusty is in charge.

Not saying that Dusty is a terrible coach at all but we just think that every time the Reds or the Cubs or the Giants made it to the playoffs, he would always be out-coached by the opposing coach.  Take for granted the situation he is in now with the Cincinnati Reds, many would say that the Reds have a deep starting pitching rotation, an unbelievable bullpen and an offense that could explode at any second. Why then can we not make it past the wild card series? Answer: Bakers the coach!

Baker's flaws:

Know when to pull the string on your starter!

As a coach you have to know when and when not to pull your starting pitcher or relief pitcher. We as Reds fans have seen this far to often.  Most often with Bronson Arroyo, he is having a great outing heading into the 7th only allowing the opposing team 4 hits and 1 run but the lineup is getting ready to turn over. What does that mean? The team is about to see Bronson for the third and possible fourth time and they are not going to be fooled by a swooping curve of a 75 mph change, we need a fresh arm in there!

Stick up for your team every once in awhile.

Anyone that is not a Reds fan but is a fan of the MLB can still recall the infamous reaction by Lou Piniella running out and chucking first base towards right center (like the base had just taken a second glance at his daughter) because the ump made a terrible call. May not seem like a lot but we can guarantee it sets fire to the team and helps them play better! Since Dusty has managed the Reds I can count on my two hands the number of times he has ran out to argue a call.

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Thank you Coldplay for that album title now all Dusty can think about is that there has to be a right in between a left always. No, put Jay Bruce in front of Joey Votto and make pitchers leave mistake pitches for a hitter that can annihilate the cover off the ball. We are pretty sure that if a professional hitter still has that much trouble facing an opposite hand pitcher then we need to send the player packing or replace our hitting coach (oh wait Brooks Jacoby we do!)

We do not want you to think that we are hating on Dusty, I mean the man has been in the Big Leagues for 45 years now. We just want him to change a few of his coaching methods and bring the World Series Trophy home where baseball was created.  And we will gladly forgive you Dusty for being out-coached last year and 2010!