The Cincinnati Reds A.D. (After Dusty)

The news is breaking that Dusty Baker will no longer be the manager of the Cincinnati Reds. After six years at the helm, with a record of 509-463 (.524 winning percentage), the Reds decided they needed another voice. For better or worse, whether it's his fault or not, Dusty is the baseball Moses. He'll get you to the rock, but he can't take you into the promised land.

Season	Wins	Losses	Finish
2008	74	88	5th place in Central
2009	78	84	4th place in Central
2010	91	71	Lost in NLDS to PHI 0-3
2011	79	83	3rd place in Central
2012	97	65	Lost in NLDS to SF 2-3
2013	90	72	Lost in WC to Pit
Total	509	463	.524 Winning Percentage

Any outside analysis of whether a manager should be sacked or not, should come with the preface of, "I'm not in the clubhouse/dressing room/locker room everyday, so I don't know the dynamic." We can also debate whether a manager's in-game deficiencies are outweighed by his rapport with his players, which helps him get the best efforts of his players. Dusty's in-game managing has always been perplexing. Ask any Giants, Cubs or Reds fan, and he/she will most likely go on and on about questionable lineups or decisions. However, in 2013, the underachievement wasn't saved for the postseason. It was spread evenly from April to September.

With a shrinking window, it's clear the Reds need a new voice. Dusty seems like a good, smart, interesting man. He's into different types of music. He's a cool guy. However, this is about hanging banners.

My in-game qualms:

1. Lineup: i.e. his insistence on batting his CF and SS 1-2 or 2-1 in the lineup everyday. Shin-soo Choo is perfect for either of those spots. Drew Stubbs, Corey Patterson, Wily Tavarez, Edgar Renteria and Zach Cozart are not. 
2. Leaving starters in too long: Not to have them injured of course, but to go five innings to get the win. Dusty wants to take care of his guys. I get it, but it shouldn't come at the sake of the team getting the win.
3. Deployment of his closer: His Chapman pitches the final three outs only if the Reds have a lead devotion was maddening and led to a waste of one of the team's strongest assets. Aroldis Chapman was a total non-factor down the stretch and for long parts of the season for the Reds.

In short, it comes down to a lack of imagination. Dusty managed by the book, an old book at that. It was exemplified by his handling of Chapman. It, no doubt, cost the Reds games. Dusty's six Reds teams had flaws, but every team does. Each team goes through injuries, decline of skills, etc. You have to adapt. 

Couple Dusty's in-game flaws with the recent nonchalance that the Reds took through the '13 season and this had to happen. Guys were underachieving. That needs to change. Here's to hoping the Reds bring in the right fit for the team to go forward. 

Thanks Dusty for six years and getting the Reds back to the playoffs. Go Reds!