Remember Kerry Wood and Mark Prior? Imagine what the Cubs franchise would look like if they never met Dusty Baker.
Look at Mark Prior's 2003 game log, for example. Over each of Prior's last seven starts, Dusty kept him in for 110+ pitches. In fact, in Prior's final two starts, Baker had Prior pitch over 130 pitches. And of course, we know what Dusty did with Prior in the playoffs. Such is criminal to do to any pitcher's arm, especially after a season's worth of mileage.
So too, was the fate of Kerry Wood. Baker had him pitched 114+ plus pitches in each of his final six outings (120+ in his final two).
Baker already broke Aaron Harang (details in the middle of the post). Good luck Alroldis Chapman, Johnny Cueto, Edinson Volquez, and Homer Bailey and friends.
Showing posts with label Dusty Baker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dusty Baker. Show all posts
Dusty Baker Update: Yonder Alonso
We at Game Of Inches have done our share of Dusty Baker hating. Some may say we are picking on him, but he's really just picking on himself. When he's not to busy devising ways to break pitchers and telling his players to stop walking, he's deviously plotting other ways to play baseball backwards. Such ways include playing a guy with a DH's body and surgically repaired right hand, who has never played catcher ever in his life, at catcher. No really. I'm actually not kidding. Here is what Baker said at a press conference yesterday:
And so is born the tag to monitor Dusty Baker's persistent gallimaufry.
"We've entertained a few things, even the possibility of putting Alonso behind the plate. He's built more like a catcher than he is anything. Imagine a left-handed, power-hitting catcher. A lot of that depends on our Minor League development people that spend time with the kids and the time training them."A lot of it also depends on whether or not that player has ever played catcher, a physically demanding position, before. Alonso has not. It's not like they moved Mike Piazza BEHIND the plate...
And so is born the tag to monitor Dusty Baker's persistent gallimaufry.
Dusty Baker Flow Chart
Continuing this week's Dusty Baker theme, here is the greatest flowchart ever created by man (click to enlarge):
Reproduced with permission of Beyond The Boxscore.
Reproduced with permission of Beyond The Boxscore.
The Onion Must Read Our Blog
Just a few days after I introduced Aldrois Chapman to Dusty Baker, parody paper The Onion decided to take their own take on the situation:
CINCINNATI—Within just a few minutes of Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman's arrival in the United States, Reds manager Dusty Baker had already overused and mangled the 21-year-old's arm beyond recognition, team sources reported Sunday. Baker, who has been accused of overtaxing young pitchers' arms in the past, reportedly greeted Chapman with a bucket of 250 baseballs and told him to "hurl them" as fast as he could, later encouraging the fastballer to "go nuts" with his pitching style. "He didn't even let me stretch out first," Chapman told reporters through an interpreter. "And when I started to wince from the pain and soreness, he just gave me a thumbs up, winked, and told me to keep throwing."Gotta love The Onion.
Aldrois Chapman, Meet Dusty Baker
Dusty Baker, Reds pitchers and total/average Pitcher Abuse Points (PAP) by season:
2009:
Aaron Harang (162.1 IP, 15th in total PAP, 16th in Avg. PAP)
Bronson Arroyo (220.1 IP, 18th in total PAP, 22nd in Avg. PAP)
Homer Bailey (113.1 IP, 40th in total PAP, 23rd in Avg. PAP)
Johnny Cueto (171.1 IP, 83rd in total PAP, 96th in Avg. PAP)
Micah Owings (119.2 IP, 167th in total PAP, 184th in Avg. PAP)
(out of a total 664 pitchers)
-Point of interest: The second most abused pitcher by game in baseball was Pedro Martinez (~3762 Avg. PAP). The most abused pitcher by game in baseball was Justin Verlander (~6283 Avg. PAP).
2008
Aaron Harang (184.1 IP, 19th in total PAP, 18th in Avg. PAP)
Bronson Arroyo (200 IP, 15th in total PAP, 19th in Avg. PAP)
Edinson Volquez (196 IP, 17th in total PAP, 18th in Avg. PAP, )
Johnny Cueto (174 IP, 27th in total PAP, 34th in Avg. PAP)
Josh Fogg (78.1 IP for the Reds, 189th in total PAP, 196th in Avg. PAP)
(out of a total 651 pitchers)
2007
Aaron Harang (231.2 IP, 5th in total PAP, 5th in Avg. PAP)
Bronson Arroyo (210.2 IP, 6th in total PAP, 6th in Avg. PAP)
Kyle Lohse (131.2 IP, 54th in total PAP, 60th in Avg. PAP)
Matt Belisle (177.2 IP, 83rd in total PAP, 98th in Avg. PAP)
Bobby Livingston (56.1 IP, 153rd in total PAP, 149th in Avg. PAP)
(out of a total 666 pitchers)
Pitchers who required major arm surgery/surgeries while or shortly after Dusty Baker was their manager:
That's eight pitchers in sixteen years of management. Welcome to the Reds, Aldrois Chapman.
2009:
Aaron Harang (162.1 IP, 15th in total PAP, 16th in Avg. PAP)
Bronson Arroyo (220.1 IP, 18th in total PAP, 22nd in Avg. PAP)
Homer Bailey (113.1 IP, 40th in total PAP, 23rd in Avg. PAP)
Johnny Cueto (171.1 IP, 83rd in total PAP, 96th in Avg. PAP)
Micah Owings (119.2 IP, 167th in total PAP, 184th in Avg. PAP)
(out of a total 664 pitchers)
-Point of interest: The second most abused pitcher by game in baseball was Pedro Martinez (~3762 Avg. PAP). The most abused pitcher by game in baseball was Justin Verlander (~6283 Avg. PAP).
2008
Aaron Harang (184.1 IP, 19th in total PAP, 18th in Avg. PAP)
Bronson Arroyo (200 IP, 15th in total PAP, 19th in Avg. PAP)
Edinson Volquez (196 IP, 17th in total PAP, 18th in Avg. PAP, )
Johnny Cueto (174 IP, 27th in total PAP, 34th in Avg. PAP)
Josh Fogg (78.1 IP for the Reds, 189th in total PAP, 196th in Avg. PAP)
(out of a total 651 pitchers)
2007
Aaron Harang (231.2 IP, 5th in total PAP, 5th in Avg. PAP)
Bronson Arroyo (210.2 IP, 6th in total PAP, 6th in Avg. PAP)
Kyle Lohse (131.2 IP, 54th in total PAP, 60th in Avg. PAP)
Matt Belisle (177.2 IP, 83rd in total PAP, 98th in Avg. PAP)
Bobby Livingston (56.1 IP, 153rd in total PAP, 149th in Avg. PAP)
(out of a total 666 pitchers)
Pitchers who required major arm surgery/surgeries while or shortly after Dusty Baker was their manager:
Edinson Volquez*Harang didn't require major surgery, but Dusty Baker broke him on May 22, 2008.
Kerry Wood
Mark Prior
Matt Clement
Jason Schmidt
Angel Guzman
Rob Nenn
Aaron Harang*
That's eight pitchers in sixteen years of management. Welcome to the Reds, Aldrois Chapman.
Dusty Baker Baseball 101
Eckstein wanted me to post on Dusty Baker's latest lesson in the basics of baseball. News came that star second basement Brandon Phillips was fined for swinging on a 3-0 count when given the take sign by Dusty Baker.
Firstly, given Baker's track record I too would always do the opposite of what Dusty says. Remember last year when he told Adam Dunn to bunt in the 9th inning and then this happened. Or when Dusty told Edwin Encarnacion to bunt he went yard. Or when he pinch hit Javier Valentine for Jay freakin Bruce in the 9th. Or when he batted out of order. Or when he batted Corey Patterson lead-off, for 2 different teams. Or when he replaced Patterson with his evil twin Willy Taveras. Or when he batted Neifi Perez lead-off. Or when he personally shredded Mark Prior's arm, and Aaron Harang's arm, and Edinson Volquez's arm. Or his personal game theory of kissing his nekclace for good luck. Yeah, just a track record of fantastic decisions. Worst manager ever.
How is it reasonable to fine major league players for mistakes they make on the playing field, pseudo-mistakes at that. Maybe they should be fines everytime they strike out, or drop a ball, or give up a homer run. That would probably be excessive as Phillips was officially fined for insubordination. In the words of Baker
Yes, baseball is just like the military. If Phillips doesnt follow orders, people will die. You wanted the truth? You cant handle the truth.
Considering the Reds were down by 2 runs with 2 men on base and the second best power hitter on the team, I would not blame Phillips for swinging at the pitch. This reminds me greatly of what Clint Hurdle recently tried to do. Fining or benching players for swinging at pitches is becoming a new fad of managers who have only this year discovered the importance of OBP. Dusty Baker never game a crap about walks prior to this year and same goes for Clint Hurdle. Their dictatorship tactics is probably just a way to cover up their insecurity about being the last 2 people in the world to realize sac bunts are retarded beyond imagination. Hopefully Baker has a similar fate to Hurdle, until of course he finds a new job from some desperate GM.
Firstly, given Baker's track record I too would always do the opposite of what Dusty says. Remember last year when he told Adam Dunn to bunt in the 9th inning and then this happened. Or when Dusty told Edwin Encarnacion to bunt he went yard. Or when he pinch hit Javier Valentine for Jay freakin Bruce in the 9th. Or when he batted out of order. Or when he batted Corey Patterson lead-off, for 2 different teams. Or when he replaced Patterson with his evil twin Willy Taveras. Or when he batted Neifi Perez lead-off. Or when he personally shredded Mark Prior's arm, and Aaron Harang's arm, and Edinson Volquez's arm. Or his personal game theory of kissing his nekclace for good luck. Yeah, just a track record of fantastic decisions. Worst manager ever.
How is it reasonable to fine major league players for mistakes they make on the playing field, pseudo-mistakes at that. Maybe they should be fines everytime they strike out, or drop a ball, or give up a homer run. That would probably be excessive as Phillips was officially fined for insubordination. In the words of Baker
If you've ever been in the military, you still have to follow orders. That's what it boils down to
Yes, baseball is just like the military. If Phillips doesnt follow orders, people will die. You wanted the truth? You cant handle the truth.
Considering the Reds were down by 2 runs with 2 men on base and the second best power hitter on the team, I would not blame Phillips for swinging at the pitch. This reminds me greatly of what Clint Hurdle recently tried to do. Fining or benching players for swinging at pitches is becoming a new fad of managers who have only this year discovered the importance of OBP. Dusty Baker never game a crap about walks prior to this year and same goes for Clint Hurdle. Their dictatorship tactics is probably just a way to cover up their insecurity about being the last 2 people in the world to realize sac bunts are retarded beyond imagination. Hopefully Baker has a similar fate to Hurdle, until of course he finds a new job from some desperate GM.
Dusty Baker doesn't just break pitchers
Joey Votto is still dizzy. After a bout with flu last week, Joey Votto -- who played every inning of every Reds' game prior to his illness -- is still not 100%. Perhaps its because Dusty Baker refuses to rest Joey Votto.
Other guys Dusty refused to rest: Edwin Encarnacion (DL), Aaron Harang (broken last season), Mark Prior (broken every season).
Reds players beware.
Other guys Dusty refused to rest: Edwin Encarnacion (DL), Aaron Harang (broken last season), Mark Prior (broken every season).
Reds players beware.
WBC Injury+David Letterman
So I'm watching the Cuba v Mexico game on ESPN 2 and Cuban pitcher Jorge Vera seemingly injured himself on the mound. The manager came out, talked to Vera and I guess told him to work through it or something, because Vera stayed on the mound. Two pitches later, he collapsed in pain and had to be carried off the field
Classic pitcher abuse. I wonder if Dusty Baker is watching...
Anyone notice that Lindstrom, Braun, Chipper and Pedroia have all been injured on Team USA? Further proof that this stupid competition is useless.
On a related note, here is the funny clip from David Letterman detailing the top ten reasons to watch the WBC:
Classic pitcher abuse. I wonder if Dusty Baker is watching...
Anyone notice that Lindstrom, Braun, Chipper and Pedroia have all been injured on Team USA? Further proof that this stupid competition is useless.
On a related note, here is the funny clip from David Letterman detailing the top ten reasons to watch the WBC:
The Great Runs Expectancy Chart
Here is a chart of the mathematical run expectancy (based on tons of data from 1999 through 2002) with various runners on or not on various bases with various amounts of outs. Cool shit, right? It sort of proves that sac bunting a guy over from any base decreases run expectancy. Take that, Dusty Baker!
Dusty’s Reds changing approach
Dusty Baker has always been known for playing the veterans and being a fan of the long ball. According to this article http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/11439492 Dusty Baker and the Cincinnati Reds actually want to run this year. This is shocking to hear about any Dusty Baker team. The article points out how they brought in Willy Tavaras who loves to run and steals a lot of basses.
Dusty said that "We've had eight years of losing the other way," Baker said. "It's time to do something different, don't you think?"
Adding one player who runs doesn’t mean you’re a running team all of a sudden. They still have Votto and Bruce who are power guys. Phillips is a guy who will steal some bases. Both candidates at shortstop don’t really run and Gonzalez will probably get the job being a veteran over the less experience Keppinger. Encaration doesn’t do anything and Ramon Hernandez doesn’t run. That leaves left field where a few players are competing for the left field. They are: Jerry Hairston Jr. (A dusty favorite from Chicago), Chris Dickerson who I think should be the starting left fielder, but he is a rookie playing for Dusty baker, so good luck to him. Some other guys brought competing are Jonny Gomes, Jacque Jones, Norris Hopper, Daryle Ward and Laynce Nix. Some of those guys have speed like Hariston and Hopper, but Hariston doesn’t run a lot. Thus, no matter who wins the left field job, they only have two starters who can actually run. Only one more than last year! Sounds like a big change Dusty!
Dusty said that "We've had eight years of losing the other way," Baker said. "It's time to do something different, don't you think?"
Adding one player who runs doesn’t mean you’re a running team all of a sudden. They still have Votto and Bruce who are power guys. Phillips is a guy who will steal some bases. Both candidates at shortstop don’t really run and Gonzalez will probably get the job being a veteran over the less experience Keppinger. Encaration doesn’t do anything and Ramon Hernandez doesn’t run. That leaves left field where a few players are competing for the left field. They are: Jerry Hairston Jr. (A dusty favorite from Chicago), Chris Dickerson who I think should be the starting left fielder, but he is a rookie playing for Dusty baker, so good luck to him. Some other guys brought competing are Jonny Gomes, Jacque Jones, Norris Hopper, Daryle Ward and Laynce Nix. Some of those guys have speed like Hariston and Hopper, but Hariston doesn’t run a lot. Thus, no matter who wins the left field job, they only have two starters who can actually run. Only one more than last year! Sounds like a big change Dusty!
Baker likes ex-Cubs
Dusty Baker went to Cincinnati last year. This was his first managerial job after parting ways with the Cubs. He decided to bring some of the ex-Cubs who we didn’t miss in Chicago. For his first season he brought Corey Patterson Paul Bako, and Jerry Hariston Jr.
Corey Patterson signed a minor league contract and made the club out of spring training where he batted 293 with a 341 OBP in 14 games and 41 at-bats. He always plays a gold glove center field. Dusty Baker was so impressed he made him the everyday center fielder where he rewarded Dusty for making a good decision by batting .205 with a .238 OBP, 17 doubles, 10 homeruns, and 14 stolen bases in a whopping 366 at bats over 135 games. Why did he get so much playing time with those numbers when some of the young outfielder they have could have been playing?
Dusty didn’t have a good option at catcher. He had David Ross, Javier Valentin (who can rake), and ex-Cub Paul Bako (now curr ent Cub). He gave the majority of the playing time to………….the ex-Cub in Paul Bako. Bako led all Reds in as-bats with 299 in 99 games while batting .217 with 6 homeruns, 30 runs scored, and 35 RBI’s. David Ross got the next most playing time at catcher in 52 games and 134 at-bats with three homeruns, 13 RBI’s, and batted .231. Javier Valentin played in 94 games with 194 at-bats while being the biggest threat at the plate with his .256 average, but he is a terrible defensive catcher. David Ross and Paul Bako are both pretty similar as defensive catcher’s, but Dusty choose to play his former Cub Bako!
Jerry Hariston did have a good year so I can’t fault Dusty on playing him. I can only fault him for not playing him more. Hariston can play centerfield and he should have played him over Patterson! Hariston batted 326 with 6 homers and 36 RBI’s in 261 at-bats.
This year they decided to bring two ex-Cubs in Jacque Jones and Darlye Ward. Jones was released twice last year by the Tigers and Marlins. He batted a combined .147/.239/.207 in 134 plate appearances for both clubs. Jones had laser eye surgery and played winter ball. I guess they think he can rebound since he can see the ball. Ward is a decent bat off the bench who had a down year last year. He batted 216/.319/.402 in 119 plate appearances for the Cubs last season. Signing Ward isn’t as bad as thinking Jones has anything left in the tank. The sad thing is there are many better free agents still available. We will see how these moves pay off!
Corey Patterson signed a minor league contract and made the club out of spring training where he batted 293 with a 341 OBP in 14 games and 41 at-bats. He always plays a gold glove center field. Dusty Baker was so impressed he made him the everyday center fielder where he rewarded Dusty for making a good decision by batting .205 with a .238 OBP, 17 doubles, 10 homeruns, and 14 stolen bases in a whopping 366 at bats over 135 games. Why did he get so much playing time with those numbers when some of the young outfielder they have could have been playing?
Dusty didn’t have a good option at catcher. He had David Ross, Javier Valentin (who can rake), and ex-Cub Paul Bako (now curr ent Cub). He gave the majority of the playing time to………….the ex-Cub in Paul Bako. Bako led all Reds in as-bats with 299 in 99 games while batting .217 with 6 homeruns, 30 runs scored, and 35 RBI’s. David Ross got the next most playing time at catcher in 52 games and 134 at-bats with three homeruns, 13 RBI’s, and batted .231. Javier Valentin played in 94 games with 194 at-bats while being the biggest threat at the plate with his .256 average, but he is a terrible defensive catcher. David Ross and Paul Bako are both pretty similar as defensive catcher’s, but Dusty choose to play his former Cub Bako!
Jerry Hariston did have a good year so I can’t fault Dusty on playing him. I can only fault him for not playing him more. Hariston can play centerfield and he should have played him over Patterson! Hariston batted 326 with 6 homers and 36 RBI’s in 261 at-bats.
This year they decided to bring two ex-Cubs in Jacque Jones and Darlye Ward. Jones was released twice last year by the Tigers and Marlins. He batted a combined .147/.239/.207 in 134 plate appearances for both clubs. Jones had laser eye surgery and played winter ball. I guess they think he can rebound since he can see the ball. Ward is a decent bat off the bench who had a down year last year. He batted 216/.319/.402 in 119 plate appearances for the Cubs last season. Signing Ward isn’t as bad as thinking Jones has anything left in the tank. The sad thing is there are many better free agents still available. We will see how these moves pay off!
The second best sports prediction ever
I know that I've quoted this January 2006 Heckler interview with Ryan Dempster at least a hundred times before, but I have yet to quote what I consider the second funniest sports prediction ever made (the first being John Kruk predicting Randy Johnson to win 30 games in 2005).
"The Heckler: A lot of people are pretty down on Dusty. What do you think about that?He sure showed us.
Ryan Dempster: I think he's one of the best guys to have ever managed baseball. I think the reason they are [down on him] is because, number one, he put the blame on himself. I can't honestly remember one time that Dusty has sat there and blamed a player. He always takes the blame himself. He gives us all the positive feedback we can get. Corey [Patterson] had a really tough year and Dusty, all the way down to the end, stood behind him. He sticks behind his players. It hurts to lose for you and your fans, but it also hurts to lose because your manager is such a great guy.
Everyone's going to understand what a great manager he is after this year."
