Winning In Spite of Dusty Baker?

Reds' Manager Dusty Baker has a 380-366
career record with the Cincinnati Reds, but
has only one winning season to his credit.

The Cincinnati Reds have bounced from manager to manager without any success since Jack McKeon took his 291-259 record as a Reds skipper and went down south, capped off by winning the World Series with the Florida Marlins in 2003. Since McKeon left in 2000, Reds managers have turned in losing season after losing season, going a combined 514-620 and losing 90 games in a season three times in the process. Dusty Baker, whose first season was in 2008 for the Reds, didn't change things overnight. He endured two losing campaigns before breaking through in 2010 with a 91-71 record and the Reds' first playoff appearance in fifteen years. It seemed as though Dusty Baker brought his winning ways to the baseball-starved city of Cincinnati.

Dusty brought something else, too: the perpetual criticism of his managerial style.

Before anyone writes me off as a Dusty Baker apologist, I assure you that's not my intention. No, I am as critical of Dusty at times as any other Reds fan. However, I think any critic of Dusty Baker must prove their credibility by giving credit where credit is due.

Dusty Baker went into the 2012 season coming off of what was possibly the most disappointing season in the last decade of Reds baseball. With high expectations, the Reds struggled to a 79-83 record. Much of this blame was placed at the feet of Dusty Baker. It's common for coaches to receive blame for their team's failings; in fact, some might say that's part of a coach's job, but Baker has never seemed to get credit where it is due. I want to examine some areas in which Dusty Baker should receive some credit this season.

1. Little Experience, Much Responsibility

The six Reds pictured here have a combined
16 years of experience in the Major Leagues.

Between the six rookies that have taken the field for the Reds this season, they have played in a combined 246 games. Rookies Zack Cozart has started in 92 games and Todd Frazier has started in 72 of those games.The Reds also have six players with no more than three full seasons of experience under their belt, including two starters (Leake, Latos), a setup man (Ondrussek), their starting centerfielder (Stubbs), and their closer (Chapman). The other player in that category, Chris Heisey, is one of the most valuable hitters off the bench of any team in the league. These rookies are expected to contribute equally to this team's success. Take Devin Mesoraco, for instance, who is charged with the task of scouting opposing hitters, pitchers, and calling the game from behind the plate for two starters in the Reds rotation. A lot of weight has been given to these youngsters and much of that should be seen as a reflection of the trust that Dusty Baker has given to them to help this team not only win but win consistently. Give Dusty credit.

2. Forming an Identity
Dusty Baker knows that the strengths of his team are pitching and defense. Some questioned why he would bring the infield in in the bottom of the 1st inning against a woeful Houston Astros ball club, but he knew what he was doing. He knew that the lineup he put on the field wouldn't be able to put up a lot of runs. As it turns out, he was right. The Reds won on a 5-3 comeback off of former Reds closer Francisco Cordero after a Logan Ondrussek meltdown in the 8th inning. Despite this, I argue that Dusty has formed an identity for this team. They know their calling cards are pitching and defense. Not only is it pitching and defense, but it's the some of the best, if not the best, pitching and defense in the league (last night notwithstanding). Dusty is maximizing his team's ability to pitch and defend well with little things that are barely noticed: defensive substitutions late in the game, defensive shifts according to the situation, and timely moves to the bullpen. I argue that 90% of having an effective bullpen is putting the right guys in the game at the right time. The Reds have had the best bullpen in the league all season. Give Dusty credit.

3. Injuries
Before the season even began, closer Ryan Madson's had ended. Reds' right-handed setup man Nick Masset hasn't pitched all season. Left-handed specialist Bill Bray spent considerable time on the disabled list for stretches of the season. Joey Votto has missed 12 games and is expected to miss at least ten more. Brandon Phillips has missed seven games this season. Drew Stubbs missed about fifteen games due to injury. Scott Rolen has missed significant playing time this season, playing in only 53 games all year. Despite this, the Reds are only 1 game back of having the best record in all of baseball, which currently belongs to the New York Yankees. Give Dusty credit.

4. Chemistry
The Reds look, play, and act loose when they're on the field. They're comfortable with each other on and off the field. Brandon Phillips is always sporting a smile and keeping a positive attitude. The Reds' starters have been pushing each other all year to outdo one another. Homer Bailey specifically has cited Dusty Baker's positive attitude in the clubhouse as part of the reason his year has been so successful. Dusty has always been known as a player's manager and team chemistry doesn't happen by accident. Give Dusty credit.

5. Winning
As I noted earlier, the Reds are one game out of having the best record in all of baseball and are just half a game back from having the best record in the National League. Even for a team that made the postseason two years ago, this is uncharted territory. Dusty has put a lot of responsibility on the young players of this team -- part of which is sticking with them despite their struggles -- and his investment in them has paid dividends. Make no mistake, this is still a team with major needs, especially on offense. But Dusty's ability to rally this group of young guys together to lead the Central division has been impressive. Dusty deserves some credit for this success.

Trivial Stat: Ever wonder why Ryan Hanigan always enters the game to catch Aroldis Chapman? Part of the reason might be that Chapman has posted a 3.55 ERA when Devin Mesoraco catches him as opposed to the 0.77 ERA he has posted when being caught by Ryan Hanigan.