The radio media is coming around.  It took two and half months for them to realize what most of us on the internet have been preaching since October:  Dusty Baker is the worst manager the Reds could have hired and is the worst manager in the Major Leagues including the two brand new interim managers.  The local print media still drool and fawn over Baker, but the rest of us are clued in.  No rational baseball person ignores statistics and plays Corey Patterson at all (much less bats him leadoff), bats Paul Janish or Jolbert Cabrera second, and bats Ken Griffey Jr. third. 

How do we know he ignores statistics?  After Tuesday night's game, a game in which he left Patterson in to bat in a one run game with runners at second and third and a left handed pitcher on the mound, he was asked why he let Patterson stay in and, predictably, ground out.  He said that, "Corey historically has had better success against left handed pitching."  This is a lie or is and example of a manager who does no preparation.  In his career, he is batting .240 against lefties and .264 against righties.  This year, he is batting .167 against lefties and .197 against righties. 

More Reds thoughts...

• I am going to disagree with Marty Brennaman and Jeff Brantley (this is a rare occurance) and state that Joey Votto is just what the scouts say he is- a below average defensive first baseman.  When receiving a throw from an infielder, he bends at the knees  and catches the balls at his chest instead of stretching properly.  His arm is inaccurate and he rarely make any scoops in the dirt.
  
  
• It is time to start worrying about the long term future of Homer Bailey.  His low 90s straight fastball can blow most minor leaguers away, but that cannot carry him in the big leagues.  He needs much better off speed stuff to keep hitters off of his hittable fastball.  He has also developed a nasty reputation that he is stubborn and uncoachable.  We may have to start hoping he develops into a #4 or #5 starter instead of an ace.
  
  
• What do you think Griffey's reaction would be to a move to the number six or seven slot in the lineup?  If management has the guts to do it, I applaud them because I bet that does not go over well.
  
  
• There is a sabermetric theory in baseball that you never give a large contract to a reliever.  They are a dime a dozen and do not appear on the field in enough innings compared to the rest of the team.  Francisco Cordero is proving theory to be correct.  He has barely pitched over 30 innings.  The Reds' fifth starters will combine for around 200 innings.
  
  
• There is nothing left at Triple A Louisville except pitchers Darryl Thompson, Daniel Herrera, and Josh Roenicke.  There is no more position player help on the way for at least a year, maybe more.  By the way, Matt Maloney cannot help the Reds.
  
  
• The Reds need to look into why they play so poorly on Sundays.  They seem to be just going through the motions while they get smoked each Sunday.
  
  
• Coco Crisp would look nice in a Reds uniform.  He is a switch hitter, can bat leadoff, is fast, has some pop (as shown last weekend at GABP) and can cover a lot of ground in centerfield.  The Reds badly need all of those qualities- he is a great fit.
  
  
• Speaking of looking good in a uniform... have you seen ex- Red Dmitri Young lately?  He looks anyting but good because he is resembling Cecil Fielder.
  
  
• The Austin Kearns, Felipe Lopez and Ryan Wagner trade to Washington back in 2006 is not looking so bad for the Reds.  Those three players have turned out below average production while Kearns and Lopez have collected big paychecks.  Meanwhile, Bill Bray and Gary Majewski are having solid 2008 seasons and Darryl Thompson has become the Reds' #1 pitching prospect.
  
  
• Have you seen the seven picks Jim Bowden and Reds took in the 2001 amatuer draft before the Red Sox took Cincinnati product Kevin Youkilis in the 8th round?  Here they are in order:  1.  Jeremy Sowers (went unsigned, just like he promised before the draft)  2.  Justin Gilman  3.  Alan Moye  4.  Steve Kelly  5.  Daylan Childress  6.  Scott Light  7.  Bobby Basham.  Pathedic.  Jim Bowden actually caused more harm to the franchise than anyone else with the exceptions of the ex- owners Marge Schott and Carl Lindner.  Give Dusty Baker some more time though and he may catch him.

More next week...