What Is He Good For? HUAH!

Dusty Baker opened his yapper yesterday and you have to wonder what Jim Hendry is thinking. When asked by WSCR's George Offman what Dusty can do to correct the shockingly poor, and continuously deteriorating, fundamentals his teams have displayed since his arrival here, Dusty said:

"We'll re-stress it (fundamentals) with some of the older guys who should know better. You can't do much different. They are what they are."

So, he can't do anything about it. Let's summarize Dusty's managerial skills:

He cannot teach fundamentals.
He cannot teach hitting (case-in-point Korey Patterson).
He makes out poor lineup cards (Neifi's X Abs in the two-hole last year).
He doesn't identify players in their roles properly (Glendon Rusch, Ryan Dempster,
and LaTroy Hawkins; Korey leading off).
He ignores large portions of in-game strategy (squeeze plays).
He overuses others (double switches).
He doesn't control his players (Kent Mercker, LaTroy Hawkins, Moises Alou, Sammy Sosa).
His teams have won fewer games and finished lower in the standings each year he's been here.

What the hell can he actually do?

Well, he can lead the BALCO Giants and their 'roid monsters to high win total seasons. Unfortunately for Cubs fans, that era is over.

So, too, would seem to be the era of Dusty as an effective manager.

Also, unfortunately for Cubs fans, the era of Dusty's contract still has 162 games to go.

If Jim Hendry is stupid enough to offer this man a contract extension, the first question Hendry must be asked is, "What criteria did you use in determining Dusty Baker deserved a contract extension?"

As of today, I cannot see a single criterion that would suggest Dusty be retained.