Come and get your whoppin'...

[Billy]

Reds fans.

And your incompetent toothpick-gnawing manager, too. I hope he enjoys his three-day stay on the North Side...and that he bats Korey Patterson leadoff each game.

http://thenastyboys.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/baker1109.jpg

"Hey dude, I don't know what these people have against me. The media's rough up here, that's all I know. Maybe I should have Johnny Cueto come back and pitch on short rest, man. Teach them a lesson. Did you know that I played with Hank Aaron? Well, I did."

I'll be in attendance tomorrow night and Wednesday night. I'll be the drunk guy.

[Billy]

And BTW...nice effort in Pittsburgh.

[xavierdude]

cubs fans...so delusional

[DC Muskie]

How did I know this would be about the Cubs and the Reds?

The battle for .500 baseball is on!

[American X]

cubs fans...so delusional

There is that word again. Either I am missing something or people do not know the meaning of 'delusional.'

Cubs fans are many things, but hardly delusional. They fully admit the massive suckness.

[Smails]

It's official...Dusty groped Billy's wife. Frankly, Sparky could be managing this team right now and it would not make a shred of difference they way they're hitting. Griffey has turned into a slap hitter, Dunn still has that hole in his bat, Edwin just looks lost..if it wasn't for Keppinger, Phillips and yes Korey Patterson this team would have about 2 wins. Thank god for some good young arms, because this team is boring right now.

That being said...f*ck the Cubs and their nation of rather get drunk than win fans.

[cinskyline]

The Cubs--- 100 years of excellence. LOL

[jdm2000]

The next time I worry about the Cubs being a legitimate threat to win it all will be the first time.

[DAllen15]

<<The next time I worry about the Cubs being a legitimate threat to win it all will be the first time.>>

And the next time Dusty outmanages the other guy, or overachieves with a team, will be the first as well.

[Smails]

It's good to know that the year the Cubs were within 1 out of the WS that they underachieved..

[Fred Garvin]

Reds fans.

And your incompetent toothpick-gnawing manager, too. I hope he enjoys his three-day stay on the North Side...and that he bats Korey Patterson leadoff each game.

http://thenastyboys.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/baker1109.jpg

"Hey dude, I don't know what these people have against me. The media's rough up here, that's all I know. Maybe I should have Johnny Cueto come back and pitch on short rest, man. Teach them a lesson. Did you know that I played with Hank Aaron? Well, I did."

I'll be in attendance tomorrow night and Wednesday night. I'll be the drunk guy.

You forgot to mention that Dusty's a jazz aficionado. Paul D seems to think Dusty is a renaissance man. We get it.

[DAllen15]

From Wikipedia----

At the time of the incident, Mark Prior was pitching a three-hit shutout for the Chicago Cubs in the eighth inning. For the Marlins, Luis Castillo was batting, with one out and Juan Pierre standing on second base. The Chicago Cubs were leading the game 3-0, leading the series three games to two, and were five outs away from reaching the World Series for the first time since 1945 and attempting to win it for the first time since 1908.

In '03, the Cubs won the division with 88 wins, which was 12 wins less than Dusty's old team, the Giants, and 13 less wins than the Braves. Dusty did nothing but whine about how tough the fans and press were to him in Chicago in comparison to the less critical SF fans and media. If you can't stand the heat.....

[Fred Garvin]

Did you hear Dusty want to be a vintner when he retires? Did you hear his eclectic tastes include Van Morrison? That he has fresh fruit delivered to his office?

My favorite: Dusty is widely credited with inventing the High Five. The self-effacing Dusty says to not be impressed with the High Five. No, he's most impressed with the guy who invented The Fist. Why? Because it mimimizes germ transference when greeting people.

[XU 87]

You can't dispute that Dusty was fairly successful at both SF and Chicago. That being said, he's made a few moves during games so far that have left me shaking my head. They remind me of when Boone managed.

The first was when he had Edwin bunting in the ninth inning right before he hit the hr against Arizona to win the game. There was no way Edwin was going to get a bunt down. He looked like he had never bunted in his major league career (and he hadn't). The second crazy move was in Milwaukee and the Reds were down 1-0 in the top of the 7th with a guy on second and one out. Dusty batted Cueto instead of pinch hitting for him- and Cueto grounded out. And then Cueto only pitched to two guys in the 7th before Dusty took him out.

I think the Cubs fans have complained that Dusty doesn't manage a game well. If he keeps making these type of moves, I'll understand their complaints.

[Fred Garvin]

I remember that. Didn't the next batter after Cueto drive a run in?

[Billy]

You can't dispute that Dusty was fairly successful at both SF and Chicago. That being said, he's made a few moves during games so far that have left me shaking my head. They remind me of when Boone managed.

The first was when he had Edwin bunting in the ninth inning right before he hit the hr against Arizona to win the game. There was no way Edwin was going to get a bunt down. He looked like he had never bunted in his major league career (and he hadn't). The second crazy move was in Milwaukee and the Reds were down 1-0 in the top of the 7th with a guy on second and one out. Dusty batted Cueto instead of pinch hitting for him- and Cueto grounded out. And then Cueto only pitched to two guys in the 7th before Dusty took him out.

I think the Cubs fans have complained that Dusty doesn't manage a game well. If he keeps making these type of moves, I'll understand their complaints.

He's awful.

As I have said since the Reds hired him, you guys will learn this for yourselves. That is, unless he stealthily spent his offseason shacking up with Bill James and Mike Scioscia...and some of it rubbed off on him.

The other thing I will point out about Dusty...when he's won, he's had either Barry Bonds or Sammy Sosa (at, or near in their primes) in his lineups. It's unfair to say that he CAN'T win without them, because he's only managed two full years without them. However, it's something to keep in mind.

[Fred Garvin]

I had no idea Woody Harrelson was in Cream.

[Billy]

I had no idea Woody Harrelson was in Cream.

Yes, that's him.

He went from playing bass for Manfred Mann, to Cream, to a bartender on Cheers, to playing Larry Flynt, to being stoned 20 hours/day.

[XU05and07]

Yes, that's him.

He went from playing bass for Manfred Mann, to Cream, to a bartender on Cheers, to playing Larry Flynt, to being stoned 20 hours/day.

what a life

[ATL Muskie]

And I had no idea Dusty Baker was in The California Raisins:

http://allvintagestore.com/Toys%20Pics/California%20Raisn%20orange%20sunglasses.jpg http://thenastyboys.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/baker1109.jpg

[AdamtheFlyer]

I liked how Dusty went about solving the stranding runners problem. Start Freel, Castro, and Hopper. Can't strand runners that aren't clogging the bases.

Not a Dusty fan, but I do like the direction the franchise is headed. And to be fair to Dusty, Cueto and Volquez are yet to throw 100 pitches. Have to get Patterson out of the leadoff spot, though. He's had a great start and still only has an OBP of around .300. Let Country Kepp leadoff and stick Edwin in the 2 spot with Griffey protecting him. Put Patterson at 7.

[Billy]

I liked how Dusty went about solving the stranding runners problem. Start Freel, Castro, and Hopper. Can't strand runners that aren't clogging the bases.

Not a Dusty fan, but I do like the direction the franchise is headed. And to be fair to Dusty, Cueto and Volquez are yet to throw 100 pitches. Have to get Patterson out of the leadoff spot, though. He's had a great start and still only has an OBP of around .300. Let Country Kepp leadoff and stick Edwin in the 2 spot with Griffey protecting him. Put Patterson at 7.

Yea, Dusty said in 2005 or 2006 (not exactly his rookie season) that Korey reminded him of Lou Brock. So expect to see him, and his lifetime .298 OBP, batting leadoff quite a bit.

[Jumpy]

I liked how Dusty went about solving the stranding runners problem. Start Freel, Castro, and Hopper. Can't strand runners that aren't clogging the bases.

Not a Dusty fan, but I do like the direction the franchise is headed. And to be fair to Dusty, Cueto and Volquez are yet to throw 100 pitches. Have to get Patterson out of the leadoff spot, though. He's had a great start and still only has an OBP of around .300. Let Country Kepp leadoff and stick Edwin in the 2 spot with Griffey protecting him. Put Patterson at 7.

I like the idea of protecting Edwin, but not in the 2 hole. He is the only legit right handed bat in the lineup and we need him at the plate with more opportunity to drive in runs. I would like to see Griffey-Edwin-Dunn either 2-3-4 or 3-4-5.

[jdm2000]

I like the idea of protecting Edwin, but not in the 2 hole. He is the only legit right handed bat in the lineup and we need him at the plate with more opportunity to drive in runs. I would like to see Griffey-Edwin-Dunn either 2-3-4 or 3-4-5.

I think Phillips is probably a more legit right-handed bat than Edwin. If the 3 through 6 guys are going to be some combination of Junior, Dunner, Phillips and EE, it's hard to come up with a scenario where EE isn't batting 6th. Unless he's all the way up to 2nd, but Kepp is a pretty ideal two-hole guy.

Patterson shouldn't bat leadoff for a rec league softball team. Normally, I'd say play Hopper and bat him leadoff, but with the rest of the team not hitting right now, not sure you can take Patterson completely out....but please drop him in the batting order.

[Jumpy]

I think Phillips is probably a more legit right-handed bat than Edwin. If the 3 through 6 guys are going to be some combination of Junior, Dunner, Phillips and EE, it's hard to come up with a scenario where EE isn't batting 6th. Unless he's all the way up to 2nd, but Kepp is a pretty ideal two-hole guy.

Patterson shouldn't bat leadoff for a rec league softball team. Normally, I'd say play Hopper and bat him leadoff, but with the rest of the team not hitting right now, not sure you can take Patterson completely out....but please drop him in the batting order.


the recent numbers may suggest your theory, but historically, Edwin is the Reds' best hitter with runners in scoring position. My ideal lineup would be Keppinger, Phillips, Junior, Edwin, Dunn, Patterson, Votto, Valentin.

[xeus]

Billy, wanted to make sure you had a chance to hear Marty's comments on Cubs fans. Classic.

Marty rips on Cubs fans (http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-080417-marty-brennaman-chicago-cubs-reds,1,6962881.mp3file)

[Billy]

Billy, wanted to make sure you had a chance to hear Marty's comments on Cubs fans. Classic.

Marty rips on Cubs fans (http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-080417-marty-brennaman-chicago-cubs-reds,1,6962881.mp3file)

Yea, I heard them.

I'll give him half credit. Cub fans are obnoxious. I agree. There were also a few guys selling some Fukudome tees that were by any standard, racist, until the Cubs gave them a verbal cease and desist since they were using a licensed logo. It wasn't a stellar week for us.

However, Marty's called hundereds of games there, and so he knows that the 15 baseball thing from the other night was a one-time thing. I had not seen it before last week.

I think there's an element of Marty "carrying Thom's water" from 1996 in all of this.

[Fred Garvin]

I love when Brantley faults them for blaming a goat "for that long." As if there is a suitable period of time to hold a goat culpable.

Also, I'll puke if I have to hear Thom and Welsh make another reference to either Eddie Shepherd or producer Jesse Jackson.

[MADXSTER]

What do bears on birth control and the World Series have in common?



No Cubbies!

[Kahns Krazy]

I went to the Reds game last night. I got free tickets and free food and beer. I still feel like I got ripped off. That is one crappy product they put out there last night.

[danaandvictory]

I went to the Reds game last night. I got free tickets and free food and beer. I still feel like I got ripped off. That is one crappy product they put out there last night.

I've resigned myself to the fact that, like the Bengals, they are going to suck for the rest of eternity.

[Kahns Krazy]

I don't think either will suck for the rest of eternity. I am more concerned about the Reds though, partly because the fan base just isn't there. It was a fairly nice night out, and there were very few people at the game.

[danaandvictory]

I don't think either will suck for the rest of eternity. I am more concerned about the Reds though, partly because the fan base just isn't there. It was a fairly nice night out, and there were very few people at the game.

Trying to psychoanalyze the Cincinnati sports fan has proven a fruitless task for me. It amazes me that the Reds draw as poorly as they do, even when school/weather/etc. is not an issue. It's pathetic.

But maybe that's what seven-plus years of garbage product gets you.

[Kahns Krazy]

The current pricing certainly isn't helping anything. If you want to sit in an actual seat (non-bleacher), you're looking at a minimum of $14 per seat, and those are really crappy seats. Everything else is $20 plus, and it's $42 for a good seat.

Beers are outrageous, and the food isn't good. 4-10 in the last 14 games. 5.5 games out of first only 20 games into the season.

Seriously, why would I want to spend my money on this crap?

[danaandvictory]

The current pricing certainly isn't helping anything.

No doubt. In the late 90s I used to attend 30-40 games a season, even if the team wasn't good. Why? Because Top 6 tickets at Riverfront were less than $5 and you could basically fill your backpack up with delicious beers and get wasted in the sun for four hours with your friends.

Granted, it's never going to be like that again (9/11 put the kibosh on the bag o' beer), but the atmosphere/amenities/etc. at GABP simply do not justify the costs. And KK, you didn't even mention parking, which is ridiculous.

[Kahns Krazy]

I didn't mention parking because if you feel like hoofing it, you can find reasonable, and even free parking. As a kid, a 5+ block walk was just part of going to the park. People can hate Marge for a variety of reasons, but she made damn sure that people with only a few nickles to rub together could still enjoy the games.

Remember when Riverfront actually sold cigars (Swisher sweets, I believe) at the concession stands for a quarter? Quite a different world 15 years later.

[Fred Garvin]

My dad just got out of the hospital and is using a walker hereafter. I attended Saturday's game and asked about the handicapped seating. Anyone here do that? She said I could pull up and drop him off at the front door from Mehring Way. (Although I'll probably get a handicapped sticker for his car and pay for parking.)

Some of the best are the ones on the third base line. I've sat there before at an August game when no one was in attendance and the usher didn't care. I'm thinking I get bleacher seats and then stroll into those sweet seats with oldie. No way the usher checks as long as there are plenty of empties(and there always are).

Btw, The Ascent looks awesome.

[Billy]

Nice crowd at GABP tonight.

[ATL Muskie]

http://homerderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/chipper-jones-swing.jpg

[Fred Garvin]

Why is this game on FoxSportsOhio HD but not in HD? Normally they just have a blank blue screen if it's not HD.

[X-band '01]

They've got the HD feed tonight on TW Ch 968; is there something I'm missing here?

And yes Billy, the Cub games at GABP usually get good attendance here because of the Cub fans who are either in town or made the roadie from Chicago.

On a side note, I am planning a roadie this summer to Wrigley this year for a day game (and maybe Colorado as well) - what's the best place to park and catch the L train to Wrigley?

[Fred Garvin]

My 968 is not HD. I have borders.

[Billy]

They've got the HD feed tonight on TW Ch 968; is there something I'm missing here?

And yes Billy, the Cub games at GABP usually get good attendance here because of the Cub fans who are either in town or made the roadie from Chicago.

On a side note, I am planning a roadie this summer to Wrigley this year for a day game (and maybe Colorado as well) - what's the best place to park and catch the L train to Wrigley?

North of the ballpark. North of Lawrence, somewhere around Broadway, and then walk to the Red Line...take that down to Addison. You can also park at the lot at Devry on Western for like $6, and they have a shuttle bus that runs the 2 miles to and from Wrigley.

[Fred Garvin]

Votto just got picked off second. Freel has competition for World's Most Inefficient Baserunner.

[Juice]

Votto would have to get caught stealing or picked off another 100 times for that to happen. Don't worry though, Freel hustles a lot. That can hide things like a lack of talent or intelligence.

[Billy]

As I am in my office, listening to the Reds/Cubs game...I mean listening to Home Run Derby, I have concluded that Jeff Brantley is really, really, really awful. A very special kind of awful.

[Smails]

Yeah...I don't like Brantley as a play by play guy at all. I do like his insight in the color role. Once you get passed his drawwwwl

I work downtown and it sounded like the Anbar province during the bottom of the second. Corey Patterson...nice return to the line-up. 0-2 with 2 u-turns

[gladdenguy]

Gosh the reds have sucked for the last 10 years.
But at least us reds fans aren't the cub fans, whose team has sucked for 100 years.
Cubs fans are so easy to bash. They just find a way to suck. Always.

[Billy]

Yeah...I don't like Brantley as a play by play guy at all. I do like his insight in the color role. Once you get passed his drawwwwl

I work downtown and it sounded like the Anbar province during the bottom of the second. Corey Patterson...nice return to the line-up. 0-2 with 2 u-turns

But it's a overdone professional announcers voice, with a drawl...which makes it even worse.

The Anbar Province analogy is pretty funny.

[Billy]

Gosh the reds have sucked for the last 10 years.
But at least us reds fans aren't the cub fans, whose team has sucked for 100 years.
Cubs fans are so easy to bash. They just find a way to suck. Always.

Cubs all-time record: 10004-9473, .514, 16 pennants

Reds all-time record: 9685-9397, .508, 10 pennants

I'm just sayin'.

[Smails]

Take cover !! Incoming

[Billy]

Seriously...I'm waiting for Mark Scott to walk onto the field with Dick Stuart and Rocky Colavito.

http://www.oldies.com/i/boxart/large/08/027616082411.jpg

6 dingers in 5 innings. At least the Reds are listening to Dusty and not "clogging up the bases" before these things are being hit, or else it would be 62-0 by now.

[Smails]

Classic....

Gotta love the Reds efficiency...6 jacks..5 solo shots

[ATL Muskie]

Did you guys see the clip of Mr. Redleg falling off the back of the 4-wheeler and busting his ass? It was all over ESPN. Hilarious. Although, the dude in the costume looked like he really hurt himself. Still, it was hilarious.

[PM Thor]

I want to kill Gapper.

[AdamtheFlyer]

Cubs all-time record: 10004-9473, .514, 16 pennants

Reds all-time record: 9685-9397, .508, 10 pennants

I'm just sayin'.


You sound like those Dayton fans!

I was at the game Monday night. It was so much fun watching those mouth breathers in blue go from thinking they were about to win the World Series to looking like someone shot their dog in a span of about 2 minutes in the ninth.

And seriously Cubs fans, it's time to stop wearing Mark Prior and Greg Maddux jerseys. I saw at least 5 of each. I mean, Prior epitomizes the Cubs overwhelming abilty to snatch suck from the jaws of success over the last 100 years, and Cubs fans still wear the guy's name. I don't get it.

I'd bet Prior is thought of more fondly in Chicago than Dunn and Griffey are in Cincinnati. That makes me sad...on both accounts.

[PM Thor]

Ha ha.

Even the dayton fans are getting in on mocking the Cubs for losing a series to the worst team in major league baseball.

Oh and dayton still sucks.

[Juice]

I want to kill Gapper.

I hate that POS. He is a knockoff of the Philly Fanatic. He looks stupid and is quite annoying at games because everyone goes nuts if he comes into the section. I want him gone. Contrart to that low rent mascot, I like Mr. Redleg. But my favorite mascot of all time is obviously the Blueblob.

[Billy]

You sound like those Dayton fans!

I was at the game Monday night. It was so much fun watching those mouth breathers in blue go from thinking they were about to win the World Series to looking like someone shot their dog in a span of about 2 minutes in the ninth.

And seriously Cubs fans, it's time to stop wearing Mark Prior and Greg Maddux jerseys. I saw at least 5 of each. I mean, Prior epitomizes the Cubs overwhelming abilty to snatch suck from the jaws of success over the last 100 years, and Cubs fans still wear the guy's name. I don't get it.

I'd bet Prior is thought of more fondly in Chicago than Dunn and Griffey are in Cincinnati. That makes me sad...on both accounts.

Mouth breathers? Look, I'm from Cincinnati...so I know first hand that you guys have no business playing that particular card.

Gladdenguy said the Cubs have sucked for a long period of time compared to the Reds. In every category except WS titles, the Cubs have outperformed the Reds. And WS titles aren't in any way a measurement of suckiness. They are a measure of greatness. No one would make the point that the Braves have sucked historically...and they have few WS titles. I never claimed the Cubs were great. There's a place somewhere in the middle, and that's where the Cubs actually belong. If you want to make an argument that they've sucked for selected 10 year periods (1973-83)...well yes. But not over the course of the history of the franchise....or even the last ten years have they "sucked". It's a bad argument.

You'd have to ask the people wearing Prior jerseys what they're doing. Maddux's number may end up being retired by the Cubs one day...so people who wear his gear isn't a big deal to me.

As for Prior epitomizing snatching defeat from victory...how so? Because he ran out of gas in a playoff game? A game that he allowed 3 earned runs in 7 1/3 innings? The problem with Prior, was that he couldn't stay healthy. Period.

[ATL Muskie]

What's up with the Reds batting out of order against the Mets? And then Dusty admits his Cubs did it once too. I don't think I've ever seen it happen in MLB. Crazy old man.

[Juice]

Someone on 1530 posted on their blog that Dusty has batted out of order once in Cincinnati (yesterday), once in Chicago, once in San Fran, and he once did it as a player. After this bullcrap, we now have the first place Marlins.

[Billy]

April of 2004:

(Warning! There are FIVE guys in this summary who have played/managed for both the Reds and Cubs. Norton, Patterson, Mercker, Walker, Dusty)

CUBS 7TH: Mercker grounded out (catcher unassisted); Martinez
led off the inning with a double and then the Reds protested
that the Cubs were batting out of order; Mercker, the proper
batter, was called out; Dusty Baker argued with the umpires but
was told that the call stood; yelling & screaming, he tossed his
lineup card on the ground and was ejected by Bucknor; Baker
threw his hat away, walked away and returned; he tossed his hat
again, stomped to the dugout and kicked some items in the on
deck cirle before finally leaving the field; NORTON REPLACED
RIEDLING (PITCHING); Walker singled to left; Patterson doubled
to right [Walker to third]; REITH REPLACED NORTON (PITCHING);
Sosa walked; Alou was called out on strikes; Ramirez doubled to
left [Walker scored, Patterson scored, Sosa to third]; Lee was
called out on strikes; 2 R, 3 H, 0 E, 2 LOB. Reds 9, Cubs 7.

[nuts4xu]

Dus-ty Ba-ker!

Clap, Clap..Clap, Clap, Clap!!!

How bet dem REDS?

[Billy]

Bump.

38-21 for your defending NL Central Champs. I mean, seriously, is it possible they are the best team in baseball?? Can it be?

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080604/capt.ae87069d0a804b49b3ce8fcd066e7035.cubs_padres_ baseball_cali115.jpg?x=285&y=345&sig=jOR.P_QXppbCkobDdA2Pfg--

[nuts4xu]

It is possible the Cubs are the best in baseball right now. But shit, how many home games have they played? It seems they have played more home games than anyone in baseball and that is a big advantage this season. Home teams are winning an unusually high percentage this season.

Plus it is only June. Plenty of time for the Cubs to find a Bartman to screw this season up somehow. It isn't like the Cubs haven't had good records early in the season. The problem recently has been they can't finish.

Temper your enthusiasm, young Billy. I understand you are pumped, but remember, this is the Cubs and that goat curse is still alive and well in the windy city.

[GoMuskies]

Bump.

38-21 for your defending NL Central Champs. I mean, seriously, is it possible they are the best team in baseball?? Can it be?



The Cubs will lose the World Series to the Devil Rays. It will be very amusing.

[Juice]

And the Rays will get revenge on Lou for leaving them.....

[X-band '01]

I'd love to see Tampa Bay and Toronto finish 1-2 in the AL East, but I'm afraid we'll see New York come out of hibernation in a couple of months. The Rays actually have a nice core of young players that are starting to jell, but who knows when age will finally catch up with the NYs and Bostons of the world.

I think the National League will come down to either Chicago or St. Louis; assuming the Reds remain noncompetitive I think that would be a very compelling NLCS matchup if it comes to fruition.

[The Artist]

I think the National League will come down to either Chicago or St. Louis; assuming the Reds remain noncompetitive I think that would be a very compelling NLCS matchup if it comes to fruition.

Don't look now, but here comes the Brew Crew. Also, I don't see STL holding up. It seems like they overachieve every year, but this year specifically their pitching staff is horrific, yet somehow producing. I think they'll come back down to earth. The Dbacks scare me the most of any team.

My playoff teams from the NL are: Cubs, Brewers, Dbacks, and Mets if Pedro has 15+ starts (5% chance), Phils if not