DC Sports Day » Cincinnati Reds

Nats Do The Right Thing By Hiring Davey

Joe McDonald — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 05:23:09 +0000

It’s hard to believe Davey Johnson is turning into the company man.

Back in 1986, Johnson tore up a $30,000 for plane damages the Mets caused after winning the National League Pennant, essentially spitting in the face of owner Fred Wilpon.

It took three and a quarter more years for the Mets to have the slow start to get rid of Johnson, and then another three years to get another job when he took over the Cincinnati Reds. He fought with Marge Schott and then Peter Angelos in Baltimore, only lasting a few years at each stop.

Now, Johnson is the man who is coming in to save the Nationals.

And frankly, this may be the best thing to happen to that beleaguered franchise.

If you think the Mets are cursed, try being a Nationals fan. No winning seasons, since moving from Montreal in 2005, and every time the club shows some form of life, bad things happen.

They bring up their savior Stephen Strasburg and he proceeds to get put on the shelf with Tommy John surgery. They sign Jayson Werth to be the backbone of the offense with an obscene contract and he’s hitting only .237 with 10 homers in his first year.

And then the Jim Riggleman decides to nuke his managerial career. Just when the erstwhile skipper has the team over .500 and playing its best ball since moving to the 202 area code, he promptly resigns because his contract is not picked up.

It makes business in Queens look downright efficient.

But the Nats seems to have done the right thing here in hiring the 68 year-old Johnson. They got a manager who has done nothing but win in his career. A 1148-88 (.564) record ranks among the highest of any active manager out there. He finished less than second only twice in 14 seasons – with one coming after taking over for Tony Perez 44 games into the season for the Reds in 1993 – and was only under .500 three times in his career – two of them during partial seasons (1990 and 1993).

“All I can say is they got a good man,” Mets first base coach Mookie Wilson said to Adam Rubin of ESPNNY.com. “That much I can say. We’ll see how they respond to him. I spoke to him in the spring and he was very energetic, like his old self. It will be interesting to see how it turns out.

“I think he’s up for it. I know he’ll do a good job. I played under him, so I know it. To be successful as a manager or a coach, you have to adjust from year to year and to your personnel. The key to managing or coaching is not actually managing the game, but managing personalities. Davey is a good judge of that. He’s known as being a players’ manager. So let’s just see how that all works out.”

With Johnson reportedly signed through 2012, he will have some time to put his mark on the Nats. With Strasburg coming back and Bryce Harper waiting in the wings, the Nats just may be turning the corner in the National League East.

Of course Johnson comes with some caveats. He hasn’t managed in the majors since 2000 when he helmed the Dodgers, which was the worst of his four stints and he does seem to wear out his welcome after a while with the Reds, O’s, and Dodgers all jettisoning Davey even with some success on the field.

But as we have seen with Buck Showalter in Baltimore and even Terry Collins with the Mets, old managers can change their stripes and maybe Johnson can too.

Heck who would have thought he would have been the stable internal choice to replace Riggleman, but he will be there starting on Monday.

And now the Nats will be a relevant watch in baseball.

Off-Season Baseball Awards

Bob Lazzari — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:30:31 +0000

As winter approaches and the ’09 baseball season fades into memory, we once again recognize/reward some deserving individuals:

*The first annual EARL WEAVER/FULL PACK Award: Chris Ray of the Orioles. Formerly an effective closer, the guy gave up 64 hits and surrendered eight HR’s in just 43 innings this year while pitching to an ERA of 7.27–giving Orioles fans more indigestion than any greasy crab cake you’d find along Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.  Yes, Weaver used to call former O’s pitcher Don Stanhouse ”Full Pack” due to the number of cigarettes he’d smoke while watching him pitch; I’m convinced that if the “Earl of Baltimore” was still managing, he’d nickname Chris Ray “Carton.”
*The GEORGE BRETT/PETE ROSE HONORARY THROWBACK PLAYER Award: CC Sabathia of the N.Y. Yankees. Though paid gazillions to play a kid’s game, he’s still a “gimme the ball”-type pitcher. And when asked about pitching on just three days rest come playoff time, he downplayed it–saying, “I don’t think it’s that big of a deal….this time of the year, you tend to cut down on bullpens anyway.” Yeah–my kinda guy.
*The LITTLE BUCKS/BIG NUMBERS Award: We’ll give this one to Kendry Morales of the Angels. The man played 152 games–hitting 34 HR’s and driving in 108–and was paid just over $1 million. From now on–whenever I hear that jingle “Don’t You Just Love A Bargain”–I’ll think of Kendry instead of the Christmas Tree Shops. Pablo Sandoval of the Giants finished second followed by the Reds’ Joey Votto.
*The BLACKSTONE/HOUDINI DISAPPEARING ACT Award: Aaron Harang of the Cincinnati Reds. After putting together back-to-back 16 win seasons in ’06 and ’07, he’s won just TWELVE games since then–sporting a combined record of 12-31 over the past two seasons. Garrett Atkins of the Rockies finished a close second as his HR and RBI total decreased for the third consecutive year.
*The ARSONIST OF THE YEAR Award: A ‘no-brainer’ as Phils reliever Brad Lidge pitched to a 7.21 ERA and blew 11 saves; the term “closer” took on a new meaning in the City of Brotherly Love as Philadelphia fans CLOSED their eyes each time Lidge entered a game.
*The BUM OF THE YEAR Award: No one came close to the Cubs’ Milton Bradley. A “cancer” everywhere he’s been, he was suspended in September for the remainder of the season after saying, “You understand why they haven’t won in 100 years here.” This is a guy who signed a three-year, $30 million contract before the season and hit just .257 with 40 RBI’s. Question: Who SHOULD have done the bad-mouthing here–the Cubs GM or Bradley?
*The HIT OR MISS Award: For the second straight year, goes to Mark Reynolds of the D’Backs. Despite hitting 44 home runs, he broke his own MLB strikeout record this season by whiffing a staggering 223 times. Rumor has it that AZ team officials will charge Reynolds for the large amount of grass seed that was needed to constantly repair the path that Reynolds made from home plate to the dugout throughout the season.
*The MAYTAG/DEPENDABILITY Award: Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki is automatically given this award yearly. In ’09, the guy hit .352 with 225 hits–and missed 16 games (he usually plays them all). And yes, folks, three things in life are certain:  The New England weather will disappoint, Christie Brinkley will NOT age, and Ichiro will win a Gold Glove; he won his NINTH in a row in ’09.
*The AVERSION TO WALKING Award: Goes to Miguel Tejada of the Houston Astros. With 635 at-bats to his credit, he walked just 19 times. This guy may become the first player to ever swing at a RESIN BAG if a pitcher mistakenly throws it a few feet in front of the mound.
*The GERITOL/AGE DOESN’T MATTER Award: Mariano Rivera of the Yankees. At age 39, the man had his best save total (44) since 2004; in addition, he gave up ONE earned run in 16 postseason innings. Yes, he may be called “Mo,” but I say that “Chateau Margaux” may be more appropriate due to his better-with-aging characteristics.
*The STAY AT FIRST Award: Awarded to Elijah Dukes of the Nationals. The man attempted to steal 13 bases and was thrown out TEN times. With a success rate of 23%, catchers don’t sweat too much when this guy gets on base.
*The TONY BENNETT/BEST YEARS BEHIND HIM Award: Randy Johnson of the S.F. Giants. Gave up 19 HR’s in 96 innings, spent a long stint on the DL, and no longer strikes out a batter per inning. Yes, at age 46, it’s TIME, Big Unit. Ex-teammate Ken Griffey Jr. was a close second.
*The BONNIE AND CLYDE/HIGHWAY ROBBERY Award: I know injuries are part of the game (as well as guaranteed contracts), but this one undoubtedly goes to Jason Schmidt of the Dodgers. He made just FOUR starts due to injury for L.A. in ’09–going 2-2 with a 5.60 ERA–and was paid more than $15 million. In fact, Schmidt has earned about $47 million since signing with the Dodgers before the ’07 season and has won a grand total of just THREE games for the team. Rolaids, Dodger fans? Alfonso Soriano of the Cubs finished a close second.
*The RODNEY DANGERFIELD/LACK OF RESPECT Award: Goes to Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers. Almost unnoticed was the fact that the guy hit .320 with 114 RBI’s. In addition, he played 158 games, scored well over 100 runs, stole 20 bases, and made just two errors in the outfield. Just goes to show you what happens when you play in the Midwest and your team finishes under .500.
*The PITIFULLY PUNCHLESS Award–for lack of offense: The S.D. Padres nailed this one. As a team, they were last in the majors in hits, RBI’s, total bases, slugging %, AND batting average.  Just like the altitude of Colorado results in better offensive production, the constant sunshine in San Diego must dry out bats–leaving them totally useless and ineffective.
*Finally, the DOLLY THE SHEEP/REASON TO CLONE Award: Derek Jeter of the world champion Yankees–with Albert Pujols of St. Louis finishing second. For the sixth straight season, Jeter played in 150 or more games while reaching the 200+ hit plateau for the seventh time. In addition, he won his fourth Gold Glove and added a NEW honor to his impressive resume–The Roberto Clemente Award–which recognizes the player who combines giving back to the community with superlative skill on the field. Quite simply, he’s the ‘Dudley Do-Right’ of modern-day baseball; wish we had more MLB players like Mr. Jeter.

Enjoy the off-season, everyone.

2008 Baseball Preview

Bob Lazzari — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:26:43 +0000

As the ’08 MLB season is now underway, we can finally put aside an off-season that featured talk of ‘roids, ‘roids, ‘roids–and even included a “Bride of Godzilla” surfacing in New York. Yes, time to play ball, folks; here’s how they’ll finish:

AL EAST
Boston Red Sox
N.Y. Yankees
Toronto Blue Jays
Tampa Bay Rays
Baltimore Orioles

AL CENTRAL
Detroit Tigers
Cleveland Indians
Chicago White Sox
Kansas City Royals
Minnesota Twins

AL WEST
L.A. Angels
Seattle Mariners
Oakland A’s
Texas Rangers

**Notes:
AL EAST- Yanks relying just a bit more on young pitchers than Boston while Manny Ramirez bounces back from a sub-par ’07 season–giving Boston even MORE offense; it could go either way but a pitcher like Delcarmen may prove to be the difference. Talented staff keeps Toronto very competitive, but will closer Ryan stay healthy? Rays strictly shooting for a .500 record; Orioles won’t be able to close games–and may have a legitimate shot at this division when Britney Spears becomes a great-grandmother.

AL CENTRAL- Tigers may BANG their way to 90+ wins, but RHP Bonderman MUST pitch better and I still question Jones as a “lights out” closer. Tribe’s bullpen is shaky; White Sox are improved but are simply stuck in a tough division. K.C. will have trouble scoring and closing games; questionable starting pitching and the loss of Hunter in the outfield seals the Twins’ last-place finish.

AL WEST- Torii Hunter gives L.A. some desperately-needed offensive punch along with terrific defense. Mariners bolstered by LHP Bedard, but they need better offensive seasons from Lopez and Sexson. A’s starting pitching can surprise if Harden remains healthy–but they lack overall power. Rangers’ team ERA approached SIX last season–and won’t be much better.

NL EAST
Philadelphia Phillies
N.Y. Mets
Atlanta Braves
Washington Nationals
Florida Marlins

NL CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs
Milwaukee Brewers
Houston Astros
Cincinnati Reds
St. Louis Cardinals
Pittsburgh Pirates

NL WEST
Colorado Rockies
Arizona Diamondbacks
L.A. Dodgers
San Diego Padres
San Francisco Giants

**Notes:
NL EAST- I just flipped a coin between the Mets and Phillies and the Phils won (yes, it’ll go down to the wire)–but closer Lidge MUST capture some past glory and avoid the gopher ball; LHP Santana obviously helps Mets, but they’ll be too injury-prone. Braves’ staff is too old and they’ll miss the OF play of Andruw Jones; Nats fans excited about a new ballpark, but that doesn’t help improve a bad starting rotation. The number of youngsters on the Marlins squad reminds me of an old episode of “Wonderama.”

NL CENTRAL- Cubs lack a legitimate leadoff hitter, but should score enough; the club might be wise to let Marmol AND Wood share closing duties to keep both fresh/healthy. Brewers lack left-handed hitting, but will be in the wild-card hunt; Astros rely too much on Oswalt’s arm and newly-acquired “steroid boy” Tejada may prove to be a distraction. Reds improved their bullpen and Dusty’s motivated team could beat out Houston. Mgr. LaRussa will wish he pursued a legal career as the season unravels in St. Louis; Pirates have some decent, young pitchers, but we must remember that they are–ummmmm–the Pirates.

NL WEST- A toss-up; RHP Haren–a Cy Young candidate–helps Arizona a lot, but Rockies’ power is tough to dismiss. Torre to miss the luxury of a $200+ million payroll in L.A.; Padres outfield (Jim Edmonds?–sheesh) will not produce enough. Good news and bad news for the Giants: Good news is that many players are relieved to be distanced from the “freak-show” known as Bonds over the past few years. The BAD news is that the team generated only 89 RBI’s from the clean-up position last year and they have NO bench; case closed.

*Postseason: Ah, SO many scenarios to be played out during a very long season–and going out on the yearly limb is always a crapshoot. I’ll say that a truly battle-tested Red Sox team makes it (possibly limping very badly) to the Fall Classic once again. The Cubs and Lou Piniella somehow emerge from an inferior National League. Will the Cubbies FINALLY erase a heartbreaking, century-long championship drought? Nahhh–Red Sox in 6.

Enjoy the season, baseball fans.