Comments on: Dusty Baker won’t talk about his contract, which expires after this season http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/20/dusty-baker-wont-talk-about-his-contract-which-expires-after-this-season/ Baseball. Baseball. And then a bit more baseball. Sun, 19 May 2013 15:54:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: nineroutsider http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/20/dusty-baker-wont-talk-about-his-contract-which-expires-after-this-season/comment-page-1/#comment-261576 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:14:21 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=114544#comment-261576 This last time this happened to Dusty in San Francisco, he took the team to a 7 game World Series loss and was so upset about not getting extended that he wasn’t going to resign with the Giants regardless of what was on the table. Perhaps he has toned down, but if guides the Reds to the playoffs without an extension in hand, he may be inclined to walk again regardless of how things play out. Dusty says he isn’t bothered by it, but trust me it really pisses him off.

On the bright side for Cincy, perhaps the Reds get a playoff run out of all of this (until they face the Giants).

]]> By: megary http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/20/dusty-baker-wont-talk-about-his-contract-which-expires-after-this-season/comment-page-1/#comment-261540 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:14:14 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=114544#comment-261540 WAR (or wins above replacement) is a pretty nifty (if somewhat flawed) stat to determine the value of baseball players. I have never seen a stat, however, that tries to do this with a manager…you know, wins above replacement manager. I’m not familiar with any studies that have proved certain managers are worth more or less than others.

Dusty had great teams when he had Bonds and not so much since. Give LaRusa (or insert your favorite manager here) the same teams and I doubt the winning percentages would change much. Though I would love to hear arguments to the contrary.

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