Fire Narron...hire Sparky...they'll still be .500 at best...

You are correct on the motivation aspect. But they can be led. And if the leader is making irrational decisions that definitely will effect the leadees. Narrons decision making has led me to wonder if he needs to be checked out by a brain specialist or a shrink. The nuerons just aren't firing right:creepy:

What irrational decisions, are you referring to. I went back and looked through this thread, like you mentioned.

What irrational decisions, are you referring to. I went back and looked through this thread, like you mentioned.

There are many. I will reference one I mentioned a couple of weeks ago. Reds are in a tight game (tied I believe). Valentin pinch hits and Narroon leaves him in the game behind the plate. 8th inning Moeller pinch hits for the pitcher. Valentin still behind the plate in the 9th gives up a passed ball that pretty much loses the game for the Reds. Management insisted that Valentin's role was more of a pinch hitter and Moeller was here for his defense. And give GT credit for pointing it out, Castro pinch hitting for Hobbs suggest a mental imbalance. Should I gather from your inquisistion that you are in Baseball Guys corner?

There are many. I will reference one I mentioned a couple of weeks ago. Reds are in a tight game (tied I believe). Valentin pinch hits and Narroon leaves him in the game behind the plate. 8th inning Moeller pinch hits for the pitcher. Valentin still behind the plate in the 9th gives up a passed ball that pretty much loses the game for the Reds. Management insisted that Valentin's role was more of a pinch hitter and Moeller was here for his defense. And give GT credit for pointing it out, Castro pinch hitting for Hobbs suggest a mental imbalance. Should I gather from your inquisistion that you are in Baseball Guys corner?

I didn't know I was conducting an inquisition but rather asking a question. You're the one who mentioned in Post #13, you had pointed them out in this thread but I couldn't find anything, so thus my reason for asking.

 

I believe Hamilton has been struggling at times and when Castro hit for Hamilton, was it a left-lefty matchup or just because Hamilton, had been struggling.....I don't know.

 

Valentin's role may be to just PH, but if he's in the big show as a catcher, he must have some value.

 

Managers make decisions, based off the talent they have and situations. I've yet to see one, buzz up to the TV booth and say "here's the reason I'm making this change, so you can let your audience know"....Teams keep statistical match-ups on opponents, pitchers, scouting reports and etc.

 

If a Manager is not supposed to play the players on his roster, then why have them in the first place. Starters start, because they are supposedly better than those on the bench, but that doesn't preclude them from playing. I can also assure you, Narron is not the reason this team is woeful....because he hasn't played an inning this year.

You may be correct, about players perception of leadership but they are professional athletes, not amateurs and they're getting a salary, to play Baseball.

 

If in professional sports, athletes have to be motivated to play, then they truly don't give 100% effort all the time and don't need to be playing. Without question, a pat on the back and a raised voice, often bring out the best in any player, but motivation should not be an issue, for MLB talent.

 

 

I used to think like that too. It's easy to when you are from the outside looking in. However, these guys are playing 162 games in about 180+ days. They're traveling across the country overnight from one series to another. This sounds great to us, but if you really think about it, it has to take its toll on players both physically and mentally. And add in to the fact that they're losing, their motivation has to start to fizzle a little. The Reds are falling into that same rut the Bengals fell into during the 90's. This team needs a manager that can light a fire under their rear ends and become the face of the organization. Billy Hatcher seems like a great, great guy, but I don't think he brings to the table what this team (and city) need.

I used to think like that too. It's easy to when you are from the outside looking in. However, these guys are playing 162 games in about 180+ days. They're traveling across the country overnight from one series to another. This sounds great to us, but if you really think about it, it has to take its toll on players both physically and mentally. And add in to the fact that they're losing, their motivation has to start to fizzle a little. The Reds are falling into that same rut the Bengals fell into during the 90's. This team needs a manager that can light a fire under their rear ends and become the face of the organization. Billy Hatcher seems like a great, great guy, but I don't think he brings to the table what this team (and city) need.

You mentioned the Bengals, as they struggled....What did they do, yes they got a new leader but more importantly, they got different talent.

 

A Manager often gets blamed way too much, when his team struggles and gets way too much credit, when his team plays well.

 

Without question, I believe at the MLB level, Managers can make subtle moves to influence the outcome of games....Hit and run, bunt him over, pitch to this player or walk him, pitcher/hitter match-ups and set-up for the closer....At the same time, when you put professional baseball players, into these roles, they either produce or they don't. The only fault then, is if the Manager and staff, have not properly prepared them.

 

As for motivation, grown men, who are getting paid to play MLB, should never need motivation to run hard, get a bunt down, take a good angle in the outfield, run hard to first 4 times a day....they need performance incentive contracts and not long term.

 

I can think of the White Soz, Cardinals, Yankees and several others, who some experts agree, have very good Managers. Since they are struggling now some, is the fault of the Manager or has he forgotten how to coach, or could the answer be, the talent and other factors, with regards to what he has to work with.

 

Good players, can make you look smart and bad players....

You mentioned the Bengals, as they struggled....What did they do, yes they got a new leader but more importantly, they got different talent.

 

A Manager often gets blamed way too much, when his team struggles and gets way too much credit, when his team plays well.

 

Without question, I believe at the MLB level, Managers can make subtle moves to influence the outcome of games....Hit and run, bunt him over, pitch to this player or walk him, pitcher/hitter match-ups and set-up for the closer....At the same time, when you put professional baseball players, into these roles, they either produce or they don't. The only fault then, is if the Manager and staff, have not properly prepared them.

 

As for motivation, grown men, who are getting paid to play MLB, should never need motivation to run hard, get a bunt down, take a good angle in the outfield, run hard to first 4 times a day....they need performance incentive contracts and not long term.

 

I can think of the White Soz, Cardinals, Yankees and several others, who some experts agree, have very good Managers. Since they are struggling now some, is the fault of the Manager or has he forgotten how to coach, or could the answer be, the talent and other factors, with regards to what he has to work with.

 

Good players, can make you look smart and bad players....

Sounds like they don't need a manager then. Narron is screwing up fundamental base ball decisions. Did you read his reason for sitting Hobbs for Castro?

Sounds like they don't need a manager then. Narron is screwing up fundamental base ball decisions. Did you read his reason for sitting Hobbs for Castro?

I didn't see it. What was his reason or can you provide a link.

I didn't see it. What was his reason or can you provide a link.

Check the Track the Reds thread. GT posted it. Basically said he went with Castro because he wanted a righty against the lefty and Castro was 1-1 against the guy career. Winds up Castros 1 hit was 7 years ago, and left handed hitters have a higher avg against the A's reliever. Plus Hobbs had already gone yard in the game. Narron would have been better served to keep his mouth shut. His ignorance of the game is very apparent. Even to the layman.

You may be correct, about players perception of leadership but they are professional athletes, not amateurs and they're getting a salary, to play Baseball.

 

If in professional sports, athletes have to be motivated to play, then they truly don't give 100% effort all the time and don't need to be playing. Without question, a pat on the back and a raised voice, often bring out the best in any player, but motivation should not be an issue, for MLB talent.

 

I think the passion and desire to play, is missing in Baseball and not just with the Reds. How many times, have we all seen "some" players, who hit a groundball to SS or 2B, get thrown out by 20'±, because they are just strolling down to first....No respect for the game, no respect for their team and most importantly, no passion/desire to play.

 

The difference between this team and '99 are two things. A. The bullpen was much, much better. B. Vaughn and Casey had infected the clubhouse and the players liked each other and went out to win. We have a country club team right now. You've hit the nail on the head.

My pick is Joe Morgan!!!

B. Vaughn and Casey had infected the clubhouse and .

 

You mean G. Vaughn.

Unless Billy can leadoff, steal bases, be an effective middle reliever, close out games and be semi-consistent as a starting pitcher....It won't matter much.

 

The talent is lacking.

:thumb: Great observation and right on the money.

Remember when Baseball Guy took over for his predecessor and immediately commented that he didn't like how things had been run and he would make changes? We have not seen any changes. Despite the rhetoric, they are still not fundamentally sound.

 

I say this because I think its hard for a coach to assume the role of manager. I'm on record as not being a fan of Baseball Guy (he seems like a fine man) but I don't think hiring a member of the current staff is the answer.

So just because Hatcher is on staff he's out???