Be Nice

What’s the old saying?  Oh, right:  If you can’t say anything nice about a person, don’t say anything at all.  But at least let me mention Nationals’ manager Dusty Baker by name.  You know, the guy who looked lost in the Washington dugout throughout the NLDS taken by the Cubs in five games.

The White Sox supposedly wanted Nats’ shortstop Trea Turner last offseason.  Off his performance (.143 batting leadoff and an arm that looked less than accurate), I can’t imagine why.  The whole world is supposedly waiting for Bryce Harper to become a free agent after next year.  Off his performance (.211 BA while striking out to end the series), I can’t imagine why.  Washington starter Geo Gonzalez couldn’t hold a 4-1 lead.  Off his performance (6.75 ERA), I can imagine why the White Sox traded him not once but twice while a prospect in the organization.

The Cubs were obviously the better team, but better than what?  Oh, right, the Nationals “managed” by Dusty Baker.  Oh, well, there’s always the possible silver lining courtesy of Cubs’ manager Joe Maddon, who brought in closer Wade Davis with two out in the seventh inning.  Davis recorded his first-ever save of more than an inning, needing 44 pitches coupled with questionable Washington baserunning and coaching to do it.  All that extra effort could catch up with the North Siders when they face the Dodgers starting tomorrow night.

At least I hope it does.