Tuesday, July 22, 2003

Is Dusty Serious?


Just when i was about to go to bed i picked up this on Chicagosports.com......

Now Dusty Baker is re-considering his plan to play Choi over Karros against most right-handers.

"I've wrestled with that," Baker said. "I'm going to make a decision there soon. It depends on how Choi does. He hasn't been the same since he came back [from his concussion]. Eric is one of our hottest hitters and it's getting late. We have to win ballgames. So I'm going to have to make a tough decision soon."


I understand Karros is hitting .330 and were in a division race by default. But this is the year Choi was supposed to get most of the PT at 1b. And he still should in my opinion.

Baker gets criticized sometimes for sticking with struggling players, such as Lenny Harris and Troy O'Leary, but he hasn't let it affect the way he uses them.

"What are you going to do?" Baker said. "You can't beam 'em up from outer space. Yeah, you have to stick with them. Older guys I've noticed are better second-half players than [younger] guys."


Tell me Baker didnt say that. What does that mean even more Lenny Harris? He goes from saying a decision will be soon on who plays Karros or Choi and then says vets play better in the 2nd half than younger players. His mind is already made up, Karros is soon gonna get the nod as our everyday 1st baseman.
And for Choi? He will end up watching most of the season from the bench and learn next to nothing. You can look at all the video you want and talk about the art of hitting until your blue in the face but nothing is better than real game situations.

WORST NIGHTMARE: Due to Karros and Mark G hitting so well, Hendry may feel the need to resign them both thinking their seasons werent a fluke. Thus falling into the Gaetti, Fassero, Alfonseca nightmares.

UPDATE: The Cub Reporter agrees Choi should play...
So does The Clark & Addison Chronicle...
Most damning of all is The [Untitled] Cubs Page where he suggests Baker should be fired.