Seth's 50 Centers

Borrowing part of a phrase from Terrell Owens, I react to the hiring of constant tooth pick toting Dusty Baker by the Reds.

We had about five days to get used to the idea before Monday’s press conference, which officially announced Baker as the man to lead the Redlegs for at least the next three seasons.

My initial reaction when I heard he was the leading candidate was that of great disappointment. I didn’t care much for Dusty as the Giants manager, but I guess I didn’t really have much vested in how I felt. As the Cubs’ head guy, however, I had a very strong opinion. I didn’t like the way he ran his pitchers out there and seemed to hang them out to dry.

On the Cincinnati.com message boards just hours after it was announced that the Reds had interviewed Baker, I counted 93 posts on the subject, nearly all of them bashing the guy. I let that, plus the feelings I already had about the guy, eat at me all weekend, making me feel very negative about the situation.

Monday afternoon 700 WLW had a host of guests on the air to talk about the hire, and none of them were negative. Whether that was something passed down from the Reds, I don’t know. Some good points were made, like the fact no other incoming Reds manager has had the kind of previous success Baker has.

Baker is also a three-time manager of the year in the National League. He knows what it takes to win with an NL style of play, and he’s worked with two huge superstars — Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa — although Ken Griffey Jr. hasn’t acted like a superstar much the past few years, even coming to grips with moving from center field to right field this past season rather quickly.

End of the day, if Baker can do in his first year with the Reds what he did his first year with both the Giants and Cubs — while his 1993 Giants didn’t make the playoffs, they did win 103 games, which now that there is a wild card and there are three divisions would never happen now — all the worrying of the past week will be forgotten.

Bengals still lost

Baker’s hiring has softened the blow of the Bengals’ recent failures, as far as the buzz around Cincinnati goes.

It’s gotten to the point where I’ve talked about the issues on the defense, the offensive line, the running game and special teams until I’m blue in the face.

Nothing changes. Not after a bye week, not after being embarrassed on Monday Night Football, nothing.

I agree with my friend Matt. I’m never going to stop being a fan. I’m going to watch every game like the playoffs are on the line, but hopefully soon the pain begins to lessen.

NFL Picks

Jessica lucked out to win the week going away. She dominated Sunday’s 1 p.m. games and never looked back. Suffice to say the sports writers will have to do something about this!

Jessica 10-3
Seth 7-6
The CPA 7-6
Brian 7-6
Big Game 6-7
Nick 8-5
firedoor11 9-4

Overall standings

Jessica 61-28
Brian 61-31
Big Game 53-36
The CPA 53-37
Seth 51-40
Diesel 32-26
Nick 23-20
firedoor11 20-21
Will Will 7-7

Week Seven

Baltimore (4-2) at Buffalo (1-4)
Minnesota (2-3) at Dallas (5-1)
Tampa Bay (4-2) at Detroit (3-2)
New England (6-0) at Miami (0-6)
Atlanta (1-5) at New Orleans (1-4)
San Francisco (2-3) at NY Giants (4-2)
Arizona (3-3) at Washington (3-2)
Tennessee (3-2) at Houston (3-3)
NY Jets (1-5) at Cincinnati (1-4)
Kansas City (3-3) at Oakland (2-3)
Chicago (2-4) at Philadelphia (2-3)
St.Louis (0-6) at Seattle (3-3)
Pittsburgh (4-1) at Denver (2-3)

Monday
Indianapolis (5-0) at Jacksonville (4-1) Pts._____

Picks

Jessica
Baltimore
Dallas
Tampa Bay
New England
New Orleans
NY Giants
Washington
Tennessee
Cincinnati
Kansas City
Philadelphia
Seattle
Pittsburgh
Indianapolis 42

The CPA
Baltimore
Dallas
Detroit
New England
New Orleans
NY Giants
Washington
Houston
Cincinnati
Kansas City
Chicago
Seattle
Pittsburgh
Indianapolis (51)

Brian
Need to get back on track…..I refuse to lose to Jessica, no matter how fashionable she may be. Not to mention a fabulous cook (especially with taco-related dishes).
Ravens
Cowboys
Lions
Patriots
Saints
Giants
Redskins
Titans
Bengals
Chiefs
Bears
Seahawks
Steelers
Colts: 40

Seth
Baltimore
Dallas
Tampa Bay
New England
New Orleans
NY Giants
Washington
Tennessee
Cincinnati
Oakland
Philadelphia
Seattle
Pittsburgh
Indianapolis 49

Big Game
Baltimore
Dallas
Tampa Bay
New England
New Orleans
NY Giants
Washington
Tennessee
Cincinnati
Kansas City
Philadelphia
Seattle
Denver
Jacksonville 45

Make your own picks by submitting them to the Comments section, or click ‘Contact’ at the top of the page to send thoughts or ideas my way.