Fire Dusty Baker!

[NJ Ave]

I can't find the stats for MLB players, but in the NFL, 88% of those drafted last year played more than one sport.

There's an interesting presentation out there - the link doesn't translate - that shows that like 83-85% of players on CFP playoff teams over a 4-year period were multisport athletes. But - a HUGE BUT - 90-95% of those players were multisport in track or basketball. Less than 10% were baseball players.

Baseball players are specialized, and probably profit less from playing multiple sports because the skillsets are so different.

[Natsinpwc]

There's an interesting presentation out there - the link doesn't translate - that shows that like 83-85% of players on CFP playoff teams over a 4-year period were multisport athletes. But - a HUGE BUT - 90-95% of those players were multisport in track or basketball. Less than 10% were baseball players.

Baseball players are specialized, and probably profit less from playing multiple sports because the skillsets are so different.

Cmon lets be honest. It's racial. Black kids play football and basketball. White kids play baseball. Just look at MLB rosters.

[tomterp]

Difo's Hispanic.

One can be both Hispanic and black.

[bluestreak]

Cmon lets be honest. It's racial. Black kids play football and basketball. White kids play baseball. Just look at MLB rosters.

This is saying nothing though, we are trying to figure out what changed and why that is. Black kids used to play baseball even though football and basketball existed back then. I agree with whoever said that baseball has a huge investment in Latin America, which is why there have been a huge surge in Latin players. And that's because someone realized years ago it was a rich, untapped source of talent. Someone smart is going to do that in the inner cities here. Or at least they should.

I am convinced football is dying and making the NBA is hard. There is no reason that poor black kids shouldn't be playing baseball more other than institutional factors. Seems dumb to let a potential talent source unused. 

[DPMOmaha]

Someone smart is going to do that in the inner cities here. Or at least they should. 

Isn't that what the RBI program is attempting to do? And things like the Nats Youth Academy?

[spidernat]

One can be both Hispanic and black.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Alberto Fujimori says "hola"

One can be both Hispanic and black.

[skippy1999]

One can be both Hispanic and black.

ay yi yi this makes my head hurt.  Not to throw this completely off the track but I'm pretty sure the poster who said Dusty gets along better with black players meant American black players. 

[mitlen]

May I add Roberto Clemente'?

[whytev]

Difo's Hispanic.

He's Afro-Carribian though.

[bluestreak]

Alberto Fujimori says "hola"

Or pretty much anyone in the Philippines..

[whytev]

Or pretty much anyone in the Philippines..

They would be more likely to be Hispanic and Asian.

[spidernat]

May I add Roberto Clemente'?

ABSOLUTELY

[bluestreak]

They would be more likely to be Hispanic and Asian.

I know. I was responding to the Alberto Fujimoro comment. I assumed it was illustrating that you can be hispanic and any other race.

[baldkid]

if he is, I'm hoping he's admiring a ring.  Maybe getting the stones appraised in case the Lerner use zirconium instead of diamonds.

The Nats could win it all and Rizzo and Lerners will not bring him back, he's way too well liked to suit this crew

[tzinc]

best managers this year in order: dusty, dave roberts, aj hinch

[aspenbubba]

Alberto Fujimori says "hola"

Wouldn't that be Tagalog instead of Spanish?

[aspenbubba]

This is saying nothing though, we are trying to figure out what changed and why that is. Black kids used to play baseball even though football and basketball existed back then. I agree with whoever said that baseball has a huge investment in Latin America, which is why there have been a huge surge in Latin players. And that's because someone realized years ago it was a rich, untapped source of talent. Someone smart is going to do that in the inner cities here. Or at least they should.

I am convinced football is dying and making the NBA is hard. There is no reason that poor black kids shouldn't be playing baseball more other than institutional factors. Seems dumb to let a potential talent source unused. 

I was always led to believe that inner -city youths didn't have the facilities nor equipment to play baseball. I also believe that the majority of inner -city youths being raised by a single mother contributes to the lack of kids playing baseball.

[bluestreak]

Wouldn't that be Tagalog instead of Spanish?

Fujimora is from Peru.

[aspenbubba]

I don't think I have weighed in on this discussion except to occasionally post that the difference between a great manager and a bad manager is only 10 games a season. I cannot help but admire the job Rusty has done with a DL list littered with front line players (Eaton, Werth , Turner) and their replacements getting injured like Taylor, Raburn and Heisey. Yes, you have to credit the emergence of Goodwin ( whom I stated would never make it to the bigs) and Difo. Can you imagine sending out our BP on a nightly basis prior to July 16th and 31st and awaiting the expected disaster? Remember that we were counting on Kelley, Glover , Solis , Blanton and Treinen this season to anchor the BP. Who else could have done the job that Rusty has? 

[bluestreak]

I don't think I have weighed in on this discussion except to occasionally post that the difference between a great manager and a bad manager is only 10 games a season. I cannot help but admire the job Rusty has done with a DL list littered with front line players (Eaton, Werth , Turner) and their replacements getting injured like Taylor, Raburn and Heisey. Yes, you have to credit the emergence of Goodwin ( whom I stated would never make it to the bigs) and Difo. Can you imagine sending out our BP on a nightly basis prior to July 16th and 31st and awaiting the expected disaster? Remember that we were counting on Kelley, Glover , Solis , Blanton and Treinen this season to anchor the BP. Who else could have done the job that Rusty has?

And how much is Dusty responsible for the emergence of Difo and Goodwin (and maybe even Taylor)?

[aspenbubba]

And how much is Dusty responsible for the emergence of Difo and Goodwin (and maybe even Taylor)?

None , other than allowing them to play and showing confidence in them. I never stated that Dusty was responsible in anyway and gave credit to the players solely.

[aspenbubba]

Or pretty much anyone in the Philippines..

Fujimora is from Peru.

I took your comments that he was from the Philippines.

[bluestreak]

None , other than allowing them to play and showing confidence in them. I never stated that Dusty was responsible in anyway and gave credit to the players solely.

Oh, I think he probably is responsible to some degree. It’s just another check mark in his favor.

[whytev]

I don't think I have weighed in on this discussion except to occasionally post that the difference between a great manager and a bad manager is only 10 games a season. I cannot help but admire the job Rusty has done with a DL list littered with front line players (Eaton, Werth , Turner) and their replacements getting injured like Taylor, Raburn and Heisey. Yes, you have to credit the emergence of Goodwin ( whom I stated would never make it to the bigs) and Difo. Can you imagine sending out our BP on a nightly basis prior to July 16th and 31st and awaiting the expected disaster? Remember that we were counting on Kelley, Glover , Solis , Blanton and Treinen this season to anchor the BP. Who else could have done the job that Rusty has?

He deserves some credit for keeping morale at least somewhat up when the bullpen was at its worst.