The Rise & Fall & Rise & Fall Of Dusty Baker

In light of the Reds recent run of success and the fact that we’re 2 games out of first I can’t help but notice the absence of articles calling for Dusty Baker’s head on a silver platter. Mind you, I’m not complaining about that lack of reading material. But it does make me wonder about what Reds Nation will ask for if Dusty can take us to the promised land of the playoffs this fall. After all, Marge sent Lou Piniella packing after a sweep of the then "dynastic" Oakland A’s.

I can see it now after the final game of the World Series, “Dusty Baker, you and your Cincinnati Reds have just won the World Series, what are you going to do???”

Dusty replies, “Well,  folks, I was handed my walking papers before I left the dugout to celebrate so I’ll be heading home to lick my wounds and then search out another team to inflict my managing skills upon next year,” as he smiles and runs out to the pile at the pitcher’s mound of 20 and 30 something year old kids to join in the revelry.

Dusty has been ripped upon heavily this year and probably deservedly so at the time but now that we’re 2 games out of first as of this writing and the playoffs are not such a far-fetched notion anymore, how do you possibly justify rocking the boat by setting Dusty adrift in a sea of despair? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?

I’m not expecting to see anything come forth asking for Dusty to hit the bricks, that his services and losing ways are no longer required at this office. Mind you, I’m not by any stretch ripping anyone who’s written articles asking for just this. I’ve commented back and agreed and even participated in the mock trials that proclaim guilt and complete blame on Dusty for the team’s woes. It’s the way of the world, if you’re not winning and you’re a manager and can’t find that combination on the bench that produces day in and day out, you’re the first to go and everyone in the city is there with the traditional mob items to run you out of town.

Right now, Cincinnati is a good place to be with the Reds winning, the Bearcats still staring down National Championship possibilities in football, the Cyclones on the verge of winning another Kelly Cup and the Bengals having a realistic chance at the Super Bowl again.

For the time, Dusty Baker is safe in his employment at Great American but when the wheels fall off, who will we be looking at to run out of town???

You guessed it…….

Dusty Baker.