Perfect example of Dunn last night. Sweet swing for the home run. Then, in the 7th, he blows the play in left. Goes the wrong way for the ball, doesn't go back fast enough. It wasn't an easy play, but one that a decent outfielder makes.
Marty and Thom were all over Dunn. So, as I've said many times on radio, if you drive in 100 runs and give back 25 because of bad defense, it makes no sense. NONE !
Marty called Dunn a "LIABILITY" ON DEFENSE.
I've always been a big defensive guy. As Marty says, the REDS need to "radically" improve the defense especially in the outfield. I had the feeling besides calling out DUNN, Marty actually help back a little. And yes, Marty holds back more than you think. And he is as open as it gets in a big league booth.
I was mad at Dusty for letting Cueto pitch the 7th. Dusty was trying to be a nice guy. His kid pitched a terrific game and was losing thanks in part to a Kepp E, and a bad pitch to the Cubbies big time third baseman.
Dusty was trying to Cueto another inning just in case they came back against the Big Z, who was big time last night.
There was NO reason to let that kid throw 111 pitches. Let him feel good about himself and take him out after 6.
Gosh, you gotta love that kids fire. As I was watching Zambrano and Cueto battle, I was thinking about Zambrano's first year, and how Cueto would compare when you look at his first year.
Do you think Homer is as tough as Cueto ? Sure Cueto has better stuff, but don't you think Cueto has more fire ? And yes, you can have tons of fire without showing it.
Anyone notice that Cleveland, having a bad year anyway is now much worse ? Trading CC took a lot of their fight out of them.
If the REDS don't have enough "spirit" after over 90 games, than I blame Dusty. And, Dusty doesn't think they have enough "spirit."
All Dusty has to do is sit down a player who shows a lack of "spirit." Sit them for a couple of days. When asked why they sit, Dusty doesn't rip like I do, but says, he needs to see more "spirit."
Reporters than run to the player involved. Reaction happens. Perhaps there is friction. Who cares ? This is a losing organization. SHAKE THINGS UP.
Rollins in Philly is a great player. Plays the right way. Earlier this year he got lazy. That is not normal for him Manuel, his skipper sits him. Could have caused a big problem. The MVP shortstop says it was his fault !!!! I loved it. And, Rollins is quickly back in the lineup and hustling like he always does.
Talked with a baseball executive today who believes the REDS mishandled Harang.
Sometimes you can't say who your source is, because if you do, they can't, and or won't talk to you anymore. It's all part of reporting and talking to people.
Hal McCoy will sometimes throw in a comment from a scout talking about a player, but he can't tell you who it is. If Hal uses the name, not only is he breaking a code, but other scouts, when they find out, will stop talking to the veteran scribe. And, who knows, it might be someone he's known for a long time.
Wonder how long before Dusty starts getting ripped for using his ace for too many innings in the extra inning game against San Diego. He hasn't been the same since.
And how long before callers will bring it up again. That Dusty didn't handle the pitchers properly in Chicago, and he's doing it again in Cincy.
There is already speculation that Harang will get cut. The famous Tommy John procedure.
It was obvious to anyone watching last night that Harang could not put the ball where he wanted.
You want your athletes to be tough. You want your athletes to play hurt. How Dunn played a few years back with a broken bone in his hand still amazes me. He is one tough Texan.
But, athletes can be the worst judge for themselves. They want to compete. The good ones really want to help. So, Harang volunteered to help out against San Diego after Dusty pulled Fogg, his long man for the day, with his bullpen shot after a very short and unsuccessful apprearance by Fogg.
Sometimes you don't have the horses to win a game. It happens. You have to know when to throw your cards down and play the next hand.
It's Dusty's fault for letting Harang throw so many pitches. Dusty wanted to beat SD so much, he pulled Fogg and didn't think about the future by letting Harang go inning afer inning.
It's the job of the manager to give a guy a rest when he needs it even if the athlete doesn't want out, or can't admit he needs to take a short vacation on the bench.
It's the job of the manager to do the best he can not to have your ace pitch 3 times in 8 days.
If Boston, whose trying to win yet another World Series in this decade isn't uptight about giving a starter a start off, why can't the REDS do it. Sure, Boston has more depth. So what. Injuries happen. Most you can't help. But, sometimes you can.
Before the Chicago series I said if I was running the PR department for the Cubs, I'd have Marty B. sing 'Take Me Out To The Ballgame.' Marty offered. Why not have fun with the rip he did on some of the Cubs fans. And like anywhere else, there are great Cub fans and there are turkeys.
Dunn just hit another home run. How some American League teams aren't really interested in him as a DH, amazes me.
Terrific E-Mail. I can't tell you if this is 100% correct, but it's an interesting read. This is an e-mail's research as to who has broken some of the big stories in Cincinnati over the last few years. If you ? some of his picks as to who should get credit, let me know.
E- MAIL
This is a reference on which reporter broke the story on breaking news for Reds fans since 2005.
What I have since:
Rosenthal; Bowden/Boone firings Germano for Cormier trade Cantu signing Cordero rumor, then signing Affeldt signing
700 WLW; Miley/Gullet firings Milton signing
ESPN News (on TV); Randa to Padres trade
John Fay; Castellini buys Reds John Allen steps down Fogg rumors Patterson and Hairston signings
Message Board Insiders; O'Brien firing Guardado for Chick trade Lohse for Ward trade Pena for Arroyo trade Salmon to Royals trade
Marc Lancaster; Kullman firing LaRue to Royals trade Hamilton signing Conine signing
You can't have it both ways. If you want to complain that the REDS just beat a really bad team, and so what, you can't complain about the worst part of the REDS record.
The REDS have been awful against BAD teams, and much much better against good teams.
They finally did what they are supposed to do. So, it's a good thing. And along with the W's comes the added confidence the REDS are getting.
The problem with the added confidence is, it can't be too strong because this has been a losing franchise for a long time.
If the REDS go to the Windy City, where they are 33-10 at Wrigley and lay an egg, and do the same in Milwaukee, the season could really be over next monday. If that puts too much pressure on the REDS, so be it. They are the ones who put themselves in a position of being 4 games below .500 after 90 games.
This is the biggest week of the year. No, the REDS don't have to sweep. No, no one expects them to. But, they have to have a winning road trip.
You wonder what they are thinking in the CUBS locker. Now that CC Sabathia is in Milwaukee, and they along with the Cards are only 3.5 games out, you wonder if that puts some heat on the CUBS. If you like the CUBS, the good thing is they have Sweet Lou. He handles pressure like a champ. Always has. That started as a player.
15th inning and Jim Riggleman, who I've always been surprised hasn't gotten another chance to be a skipper before taking over in Seattle is really smart. His bullpen is toast. He has no one left. So, 36 year old backup catcher Jamie Burke goes to the mound. Goes one inning but gives up one run. Costs Seattle the game. Seattle's record still stinks, but they have been much better under Jim.
Don't you wonder what if Dusty did the same thing ? Instead of pitching Harang all those extra innings when the bullpen was dry weeks ago, he sacrificed one game for the sake of the future.
There is one thing about Dusty that bugs me today. Weeks ago, there was a game where his all-star pitcher had gone enough. The REDS had a comfortable lead. I believe Volquez had thrown over 90 pitches. There was no reason to give him another inning.
The next day on radio I was mad because these two kids, Cueto and the All-Star are going to hit a wall in August. When you can, you need to save an inning here and there for the future.
Yesterday, Dusty talked about watching how much this kid pitches. Since Dusty has won over 1200 games as a manager, why didn't he see this when I did ?
Protecting the arms of these young pitchers is HUGE !
A-Rod is being dumped by Cindy. Must be nice that you need '3' lawyers to handle it.
Please tell me you were smart enough to know that Kyle Lohse was not only going to be 10-2 but be snubbed by the All-Star team. Amazing ! Obviously, I had NO IDEA.
