Fire Dusty Baker: Epic Failure of Reds Since All Star Break Should Result in Manager’s Dismissal

July 30, 2009 By 6 Comments

fire dusty bakerAfter the Cincinnati Reds lost all six games on their recent, “key” road trip, they came home to take on the 2nd worst team in baseball — and lost 3 of 4.

They’re 5-16 in the last 21 games, and just 3-11 since the all star break.

Dusty Baker should be fired tomorrow. Period. Just like Eric Wedge.

If not, and of course he won’t be fired, true fans should not attend Reds games the rest of the season.

Just a thought.

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Filed Under: MLB Tagged With: baseball, Cincinnati Reds, Dusty Baker, fire Dusty Baker, MLB
About AJ Kaufman

AJ Kaufman is the co-editor of Midwest Sports Fans, where he has been a columnist since March 2009. AJ, a former Los Angeles schoolteacher and Indiana military historian, is now a corporate journalist, compiling publications for organizations across the country. He is a supporter of anything baseball-related -- especially minor league ball -- and mid-major college hoops. The author of three books, AJ is married to Maria and currently lives in Lincoln, Neb.

Follow him on Twitter (@ajkauf7) for ruminations on sports, politics, history and travel.

  • http://www.avgguysports.com Bill K

    AJ, you are correct. Dusty needs to hit the trail. His time in the league is over. Take a year off and then find a media job.

  • Quinty

    They should fire Dusty ASAP…he left Bailey in for around 125 pitches last game, despite Bailey having a 3 run lead. Maybe after he ruins a couple more arms, the upper management will come around…

  • Mark

    How many managers have the Reds gone through in recent years? Maybe, just maybe, the problem is not the field manager…..deeper internal inspection is called for higher up the ladder.

  • Greg

    I am a lifelong fan of the Reds living down here in Austin, TX. I couldn’t believe it when the Reds hired Dusty Baker, and he has met all my expectations – he’s lousy. He was terrible in SF, terrible and Chicago, and now he has kept pace with being terrible in the Queen City.

    They need to fire this guy immediately. And my condolensces to all the Reds fans up in Cincy. Sorry you have to put up with this guy on a daily basis.

  • fedupredsfan

    I am definately not the smartest nor am i the dumbest man in the world, However Dusty Baker has lost this team totally. He has made some horrible decisions and continues to make them. I know the reds won’t fire him this late in the season but I do hope they take a serious look at things this winter and just let him go. I heard someone say that “maybe he is the only “name” manager that would work for the money we have to offer, and maybe he is.However I assure you that there are thousands of people with knowledge of baseball who could run this team better and would love the chance regardless of money. We have a pretty young nucleas to a pretty good team of the future, why not give a young manager a shot, let him grow as the team grows. Just a thought
    I have a serious question for all reds fans and the people in baseball. Marty Brenneman included as I respect his views probably more than most. Question: HOW CAN A BULLPEN BE TIRED??
    I do not, nor have I ever understood that. The team carries at least 10 pitchers and normally more than that. They have 5 starters of that ten. and in most games the most any reliever will pitch is a couple of innings. even if all 5 relievers pitched 1 inning everyday how can they be tired? I have always heard that they throw on the side? what does that mean? Does that not mean that they are working on their game? and if not, shouldn’t they be? tossing a ball with your kids in the backyard is not really exhausting. so Why are they tired? And if they are throwing on the side to work on their games then why can’t they pitch one inning in a game instead of “throwing on the side”?

    I have an idea and want everyones opinion on this Please. You have a minimum of 10 pitchers on your roster correct? I say let every pitcher pitch 1 inning a game. The 10th day you have off…totally off no throwing at all. use the same rotation daily except on day #2 everyone moves ahaead an inning (example if you started in game 1, you would pitch the second inning in game 2 and so on)? I know Marty, you will laugh at me and tell me i am nuts that this would never work. WHY? because the pitchers will get overused and tired right?
    Then why is it that EVERYDAY position players and especially catchers, PLAY EVERYDAY with a few days off here and there and they play 9 innings and sometimes more? Are they better athletes? better condition?? Dusty there is a chance for you to TRY something new. EACH and Every game is as important whether it be opening day or in September. By my figures if they would goto this system then NO pitcher would pitch more than 148 innings. Thats for the entire year. Who cares about the record books. we want to win each day out there and if thats what it takes, TRY IT. If a pitcher struggles and does not make it through an inning, take him out and use one of the extra pitchers to throw an out or two. MY point is unless you pitch sevral innings in back to back games. I do not understand WHY you would ever be tired. It seems like another excuse to me. If it is true then the position players should make more money and the pitchers salary should be prorated as to how many innings they pitch in a year

  • Dan

    What kind of an idiot manager plays a three position platoon(Catcher,shortstop and left field). The only reason we won't see that piece of crap Jonny Gomes in left field anymore is because Jocketty was smart enough to trade him. The "players" manager " plays everybody regardless of talent. He ruined the Cubs pitching staff and has shown time and time again he cannot manage a bullpen. True the manager is not the one who goes on the field and plays but if Baker left well enough alone and platooned only the guys that needed to be….(Jay Bruce hitting 220 since May 31 with a measly 5 HR's and only 13 RBI's) maybe this team would be a whole lot better.