Paul Daugherty: Changing Reds culture

Friday, April 25, 2008

Changing Reds culture

Walt Jocketty said at the press conference Tuesday a priority will be changing the culture in the Reds clubhouse, creating a winning environment, but he wasnt specific as to how that would be done. So here's the question:

How does that happen?

Move Dunn and/or Junior?

Demand more of players?

Make them more accountable?

What's it mean to you? I thought D.Baker was hired partly for his ability to motivate. Maybe that will be the case. For now, Baker's 9-14 looks like everyone else's. Reds can still appear lethargic, almost disinterested at times.

So go ahead, change the culture. What would you do?

33 Comments:

at 11:42 AM

Anonymous said...

Until Jr. and Dunn are moved, this team will not compete. Their lackadaisical leadership permeates through the roster. This is evident by the fact that Dusty Baker has had no impact on the mental make-up of this team. It is even more evident by Baker calling them into his office one week into Spring Training to ask them to hustle and be attentive. Why does a new manager have to ask this of a near 40 year old veteran who says he wants to win?

The success in 1999 was the confluence of many factors, but Greg Vaughn's leadership was the key factor.

Jr. won in Seattle because the M's had leaders in Jay Buhner and Edgar Martinez. Unfortunately, he didn't learn anything.

at 11:43 AM

Unknown said...

We all knew coming into this season that 2009 was the target date for a start of a good run. I wouldn't bring up Bruce until Griffey and/or Dunn are gone. Something about those two seems so lethargic these days. Bruce has the chance to energize this club (we've already seen this from Votto, Kepp, Cueto, and Volquez).

Make examples of players and the culture will change. Get rid of dead weight and the message will be sent.

at 11:46 AM

Anonymous said...

Doc
I guess when Bob C said he didn't want to lose anymore I guess he meant not any more than they are already losing. You know those business guys, you always have to read the fine print.

at 12:00 PM

Cheviot Sports Authority said...

It is also my thought that the main reason why Dusty Baker was hired was to change the atmosphere and attitudes to a winning won. When I saw Junior actually bunt for a base hit in one of the early games before the wheels fell off, I actually thought it might work.

But after only a short time we are right back to the same old lethargic, lifeless, boring bunch of losers.

Its time to BLOW IT UP. The entire starting outfield has got to go to start with. The pitching staff is half full of retreads and overpaid under producers, they have got to go and when was the last time the Reds actually had a real starting catcher?

Its going to have to involve a lot more contract munching for Mr Castellini to fix this mess. But he's the guy that let Krivsky give out a lot of those contracts, lets just hope he still wants to win badly enough to eat a whole lot more money.
St CSA

at 12:08 PM

Anonymous said...

Paul,
The only way to change the culture is to send a strong message that NO ONE is untouchable. Therefore, I would move Dunn and/or Griffey as fast as I can - by the end of June at the latest.
They are both slow, long-ball hitters, who don't fit into the National League, "small-ball & speed" division. Both of these guys should be in the American League where they can DH.
Additionally, both Dunn & Griffey take up too much of a Manager's time.
Dusty's abilities would be better spent with Younger, More Impressionable guys like Votto, Bruce, Bailey, Cueto, Volquiez... and, every other young player that is looking for a someone that can lead them as well as mentor them.
Griffey, Patterson, Dunn, Hariston, Hatteberg all are "who they are." Dusty is not going to be able to impact any of these guys in a manner nearly as meaningful as he can with younger players.
If I was a young kid coming up in the major leagues, Dusty Baker would be one of my top 3 managers to play for - Sparky Anderson and Tommy Lasorda would be my other two. Dusty's abilities are not being fully utilized with a roster full of verterans.
Move Griffey and Dunn to send a message and to make room for younger players who will listen and learn more from Dusty about the RIGHT WAY to play baseball!

at 12:09 PM

Anonymous said...

I don't know if Junior's part of the problem, but he aint part of the solution. He needs to go.

at 12:21 PM

Anonymous said...

Paul, start with moving Dunn to the American league for more pitching. The Reds don't need a guy who can hit a ball 500 ft in a ball park where 350 will do. I understand that he hits 40 home runs/year, but most are late in the games when it doesn't matter. Mr. clutch he aint'. And his 150 walks/year would be huge if he could steel 50 - 75 bases per year.

Build a team around pitching, speed, hustle, and a fearless, no-nonsense winning attitude. I think Dusty can do that if given the chance and if the ownership has the fortitude to make the hard moves when needed. The recent GM change is an indicator that maybe the owners are serious. We'll see.

at 12:26 PM

Anonymous said...

Watching EE lazily take groundballs between innings last weekend was an embarrassment. To me, that shows what kind of leadership this team has - it seems somebody should have stepped up and told him to practice like a pro. It doesn't matter that he's been on the field four hours before the game recently.

Paul, who on this team has the personality to fill the leadership void. Dusty is known as a player's coach, which never bodes well for taking an authoritative stance.

Brad

at 12:29 PM

Anonymous said...

You obviously have all the answers.

I'd say take all of your "suggestions" and implement them immediately. The team would become instant winners, free agents would beg to come here and the team would make money hand over fist.

My guess is if this happened, the team would lose more than it has, free agents would still stay away (Micky Mouse Ballpark), the team would lose tons of cash, and guys like you in your business would say, "I knew this would not work"....

at 12:42 PM

Anonymous said...

DEJ43D - agree with most until you lumped Hatteberg with the losers. He's always been a pro - fields very well & never "wastes" an At Bat. Class guy as well. I know Votto's the future but lets not trash a good guy like Hatteberg.

at 12:54 PM

Anonymous said...

I agree with a previous poster that BC is going to have to eat a lot more contracts to clear the deck and get rid of the deadwood. Then after the 600 HR mark is set as a Red, Griffey and Dunn are sent to he AL for pitching. The 08 season is a goner but we'll be ready to compete in 09.

at 1:02 PM

Anonymous said...

Did you know the Reds Team shop and Hall of Fame will be open and selling their wares during Matt Maupins funeral?
What a disgrace to try to make money off this beloved soldier.

at 1:06 PM

Anonymous said...

12:21 again with one more thought.

The Reds don't scare anyone. I can guarantee that opposing teams are thinking 2 out of 3 victories when they play the Reds, minimum. They need players with more swagger that will instill a sense of intimidation in the opposition, players who come out punching (not literally, but figuratively). I realize that opposing players are hardened pros, but they're only human and will flinch when the pressure is on. And a flinch is all you need at that level to make a difference.

Getting back to Dunn's 500 ft HR's in the eighth inning when the Reds are down 10-2. That does absolutely nothing to make the opposition fear the Reds. It only adds one more HR to Dunn's persuit of 500 career dingers. But if Dunn would do that in the first inning of the 1st game of the series, 90% chance of "game over" and the Reds winning 2 or 3 in a row. Lou E.

at 1:12 PM

Jaybee said...

But . . . here's the conundrum to all of you who want to move Dunn. The owner has publicly stated that he likes Dunn and wants to keep him here. So . . . how do you resolve this? (I agree - Dunn should be traded although it would be easier if he were hitting half his weight!) I don't have a problem with Griffey as he does still seem to be trying. He has made some really nice hustle plays in the field and his AB's aren't horrible. But if you can move Dunn (maybe package him with Arroyo for a bucket of balls and a couple of protective cups) then you can bring up Bruce and Bailey.

at 1:44 PM

Anonymous said...

How's this for changing the culture: Change the voice of the radio broadcast booth.

Things are about 35% as bad as Marty makes them out to be, and that constant negativity toward the 18-22 players on the team that he personally dislikes sets the mood, don't it?

I'm not posting this to be a jerk or to "challange you" to see if you'll print it. Fact is, a lot of people are sick of that act.

at 1:55 PM

Cheviot Sports Authority said...

I hope everybody realizes that the Reds are going to get very little for these guys. In fact Castellini is going to be eating a large part if not all of several more contracts. But they do have to go ASAP.

How many realize that the Reds owe Arroyo $9mil next season and $11.5 the year after that. Good luck moving him.
ST CSA

at 1:57 PM

Anonymous said...

Dunn only hits HRs when it doesn't matter and he doesn't scare people, huh. I guess that's why he's getting no pitches and leading the league in walks (oh, and 12:21, just getting on base is plenty good enough. You're clueless). He and Griff are the only guys in this lineup that scare anyone.

All of you people need to get over Pete Rose. That's what this really about - this, "They don't hustle, they don't lead." You fools are the reason we owe Freel $7 mil. over the next 2 years. There's only 1 Pete Rose. You can't get some guy that faux hustles or stupid hustles and then all of a sudden win a title.

And yes Jay, it was Martinez and Buhner's leadership that made the Ms into winners. It had nothing to do Randy Johnson winning the Cy Young, going 18-2 with a 2.50 ERA and 300 Ks. Or Martinez having an OBP of .480. It was leadership. Spare me.

The young pitchers are getting experience and showing to be pretty freaking good. With Cueto and Volquez and Harang, that's a good foundation. Hope that Bailey comes around and Arroyo goes back to serviceable, and we've got the makings of a good team. No change needed. Just seasoning.

at 2:06 PM

Anonymous said...

Does everyone just assume that ownership is doing their job correctly? I think the dude might be bonkers.

at 2:20 PM

Dave in Omaha said...

Doc - WAY of topic - but was reading your column on Nakamuri and was wondering if you had asked Lewis or any other NFL peeps what they thought of him and his potential to stick with a team. I'd be interested to know if he has a real shot...thanks

at 2:36 PM

mentalmidget said...

Most posters brought up some very good ideas and points.

I've always wanted to see Jr. succeed in his hometown. However, over the years, I've watched him under-perform with no sense of hustle/urgency. It seems Dunn has picked up on this and performs with the same attitude. THEY ARE LAZY!! The rest of the team picks up on this. They're not idiots!! It HAS to rub off. Those 2 MUST GO!! Move them for the best deals you can get ASAP.

Yes! Revamp the whole outfield. Bring Bruce up AFTER those 2 are gone. No sense Bruce picking up bad habits/attitude from those two. Speaking of Bruce, how much longer do our beloved Reds keep the 2007 Minor League Player of the year in the minor leagues? Is that what they're doing? Waiting to move the Lazy Duo? See if you can package one of the two with Freel. Hairston Jr. is now your utility guy.

Forget Belisle as a starting pitcher. He has proven over and over he can't do it. Bring up Bailey. He can't do any worse than Belisle or Arroyo. We can lose with Bailey or without him.

Arroyo? What do you with him? Swap him at starter with Affeldt? Why not? Fogg had his chance. Put Arroyo in long relief until he can straighten "things" out, whatever that may be. Until then, Affeldt starts. That's until another kid is ready to move up from the minors, which I hope is very soon.

Good points with our Reds: Keppinger. He has to play. He knows how to handle a bat.
Phillips. He's struggling right now but I feel he'll come around.
EE. He's come around, lately.
Bako. Playing good ball right now.
Votto. Let him play!

Outfield: Bruce RF, Hairston Jr. LF, and Hopper in CF.

If you're going to cut your losses, do it now! To me, that's a change of culture.

I'm like another poster, the heck with lefty, righty. E.G., Perez, Foster, Bench (all righties and batted consecutively in no particular order). You can either hit the ball or you can't. If you can't, then it's time to find another line of work.

at 3:36 PM

Anonymous said...

I would get rid of Griffey, Dunn, and Dusty. And start over with actual team leaders and a manager who will light a fire under this team and hold players accountable instead of making excuses for them. If you want changes, you gotta start on top.

at 3:45 PM

Bearcat Ben said...

Certainly they haven't won with the Dunn/Jr. combination and can't realistically move them either. If I were Reds management, I would be concerned that in a contract year Dunn isn't hitting. To me he is a two-hitter in a five-hitter's body. I say let them both walk, put Bruce in right and go sign a RIGHT HANDED bat for the outfield.

The rate of change is partially dependent on how many bad contracts the Reds want to eat. What about Cofey, Ross and Freel? If they eat them this year then next year may be great. Otherwise it may be until 2010. If the Reds trade Dunn or let him walk at the end of the season I will think they are serious about winning.

Dusty deserves criticism for the Patterson signing. Very bad. I would also make sure Keppinger gets 400 ABs.

at 3:59 PM

Unknown said...

Folks, we have two issues to deal with in this city. A losing baseball team, and new GM that claims he's going to change things for the better. We also have a football team that claims it isn't going to budge on their stubborn player who wants out. Solution, I see a two-for-one deal. Dunn for Johnson. I'm puttin it out there, but Dunn played football in college, albeit at quarterback, but he's still got his size. I'd bet he'd make a decent tight end.

And Jocketty and Baker think they can win...if only they had that missing piece. Chad wants to win, he's pretty fast, he can catch, we just need to see if he can hit. He can hot-dog more in baseball too, cause there are less players on the field. More attention. Plus he has to actually run less, so he can lolly-gag too. People in Cincinnati who liked one or the other aren't losing anything, they just have to go to a different venue, Jocketty keeps his word, and Chad gets traded...he didn't say where he wanted to go, just out. Everyone wins...I think.

Or at least that's how it worked in my head.

at 6:44 PM

anti-media said...

I agree with most others ...Dunn & Griffless must go asap !!Both are dumb,lazy,soft play for themselves pigs !! And like W.K. both are arrogant jerks !!We need real leaders not fat brats dragging the team down !!They have No value because they are WORTHLESS

at 9:01 PM

Anonymous said...

Dunn works lots of walks & therefore, his OBP is high.

So what >> he can't run or slide. If I'm pitching, _ell yes, I'll put him on first, where he can't/won't hurt me - and will probably be any easy double..

Good stat would be >> "Runs scored" vs OBP - bet our Dunner'd be at the bottom.

at 7:02 AM

Unknown said...

Play the best players. Whereever they're at, get them here and put them on the field. Novel concept.

If the team payroll is 75 mil with Dunn & Griffey playing, then it's still 75 mil with them playing from the bench....or from the minors.

It just might kickstart their attitudes. I'm sure no sane club would be so stupid as to hand out a contract with a "must play" clause in it, would they?

The truth is that I like Griffey. I think he doesn't hustle because he's too used to pulling a hamstring every time he's exerted himself over the last 7 years or so. The most compassionate and most financially beneficial thing for Junior is for him to be the DH for the Yankees.

Call Steinbrenner today.

Other than roster changes, you're left with Party Hats and balloons as your best option. (Maybe we could rearrange the chairs in the dugout.)

at 9:26 AM

matty buckets said...

I never understood people like DwntwnBrian who complain about Marty but listen anyway. If you are sick of his act, then don't listen. It doesn't make sense to listen to the broadcast and complain about how bad it is.

at 10:45 AM

Anonymous said...

So the Reds Museum is Charging people to attend during Matt Maupin's funeral?

I say we protest the Hall of Fame!!

Call them and let them know this IS WRONG!
(513)765-7923

at 10:46 AM

Anonymous said...

I actually agree with DwntwnBrian and stopped listening to Marty's constant bitching last year, I think a lot of people have stopped listening to the radio broadcasts for various reasons (including so many games on TV.)

The whole deal with Jr. cracks me up and proves that this is not a baseball town. People get behind a guy like Ryan Freel who doesn't have the fundamental baseball skill of knowing how to run the bases. While they bash Jr....a hall of famer and one of the greats of all time who is about to hit number 600.

at 1:44 PM

Anonymous said...

The fact is that the Reds are not going to win anything with Griffey so he should be dealt. That's not an indictment of him, just the reality. We have a good core of young starters, any dealings should secure even more pitching because that has to be the foundation. The same holds true for Dunn. Both of these guys should secure some arms for the Reds.

at 2:46 PM

Anonymous said...

A) Marty deserves a raise. He speaks the truth and expresses accurate frustrations and accurate complaints about a team and players that have now been terrible for 8 seasons in a row. Keep up the pressure and keep saying that this level of play is unacceptable. Marty's act never gets old. We need more voices like his.
B) If this is all there is to the 2008 Reds, then start the fire sale now. Bring up all the kids with high ceilings and let them play--Arizona lost 107 games one year, and two years later won their division. Detroit lost 119, and were in the World Series just a couple years after that.
C) Get rid of the dead weight. Didn't Jocketty already say he thought there may be players resigned to losing, and that those players had to go? Well--do it now.
D) Let's see--midweek night games in September this year will draw paid attendance of--maybe 7,500 or so. Sad. But well deserved.

Michael
NCH

at 8:25 AM

Anonymous said...

Maybe Marty does speak the truth, I just wish he'd speak the score every once and a while.

at 8:42 AM

Anonymous said...

Wayne Krivsky has more integrity than either Jocketty or Castellini have in their baby fingers. It is a real shame that when things improve, both of them will sit back and reap the benefits that Wayne Krivsky did. Shame on them!

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Friday, April 25, 2008

Changing Reds culture

33 Comments: