Dusting for Dusty’s return

April 14th, 2008 at 09:21pm Tony Garcia

The Chicago Tribune’s Paul Sullivan attempted his revisionist history for Dusty Baker’s return to Wrigley Field as manager of the Cincinnati Reds, beginning Tuesday night.

I don’t want to go point-by-point because recalling the Baker era since 2004 makes me yearn for an aneurysm. But this one makes me laugh: Baker was known as a player’s manager who coddled his team, unlike his successor. But Wood said they’re a lot alike. “There are not that many differences,” he said. “They both hate to lose.”

Wow. Both managers hate to lose? So they’re alike?

The difference is Piniella holds the players accountable. That’s why C Michael Barrett and SS Cesar Izturis, who would have been defended to the end by Baker last season if given the chance, instead were sent far, far away in the Lou regime.

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