Insert Foot Into Mouth

Baker isn't new to making stupid comments. And today is no different.

"I think walks are overrated unless you can run. If you get a walk and put the pitcher in a stretch, that helps. But the guy who walks and can't run, most of the time they're clogging up the bases for somebody who can run."

Hmmmm that must explain why he keeps putting Alex Gonzalez in the #2 slot. He doesn't walk, thus he isn't clogging up the base paths for Sosa. Which of course means Sosa has less runners to drive in. Which means reduced offensive output for the team. That's just brilliant thinking Dusty! No wonder I never thought of it!

I guess Baker has never realized that walks, especially lead off walks have a HUGE chance at scoring. In addition walks increase the pitch count of the opposing pitcher and walks help other hitters get a longer, better look at the opposing pitcher.

Rickey Henderson was probably the best leadoff men in the history of baseball not because he hit HR's and stole bases, but because every team that he has ever played for said his best addition to the team was his ability to work pitchers. Henderson even said himself, that my job is to get the pitcher to throw all of his pitches and try and get me out, so the rest of the lineup could see what kind of stuff that pitcher had that day.