Aramis Ramirez’s claim Tuesday that Cubs hitters are being given a disproportionate amount of the blame for the team’s collapse was a matter of “frustration,” manager Dusty Baker said.
Ramirez’s comment was perceived as finger-pointing by some, but Baker was not upset.
“I don’t blame him, especially because he didn’t have a very good game [Tuesday],” Baker said. “We’re all frustrated, and like he said, it’s [everyone’s] fault. We’re not passing the buck or blame on anybody.
“We’re not exactly tearing it up in any department–offensively or pitching-wise. One thing, we’re playing good defense. We’re not getting timely hits and we’re walking too many people and giving up too many home runs.
“These [numbers] are on the stat sheets. You can look them up.”
Blame game
Baker addressed rumors that some of his coaching staff may be on their way out the door along with him.
“That’s whom I probably feel the worst for,” he said. “Because the finger-pointing is getting longer.”
The blame for Corey Patterson’s development in Baltimore and lack of such with the Cubs is falling on Baker and two of Patterson’s hitting coaches in Chicago: Gary Matthews and Gene Clines.
“I’d be willing to bet that some of the things Corey is understanding now, he was told before,” Baker said.
Baker thinks Patterson probably felt more pressure playing in Chicago than he does in Baltimore, not a town that traditionally boos its players when they struggle.
“There’s more pressure here, as much as anywhere in baseball,” Baker said. “Like in New York and Boston, except it’s different pressure.
“Their pressure is to continue to win, and our pressure is to win initially. . . . Is it the instruction he’s getting now, or is it Corey understanding it and applying it?”
Extra innings
Milwaukee reportedly has inquired about the availability of Greg Maddux. His brother, Mike, is the Brewers’ pitching coach, and former Braves coach Ned Yost is the manager. . . . Wade Miller will skip his next rehab start at Class A Peoria after incurring shoulder fatigue. He threw only 85 m.p.h. in his last outing, and there are some doubts he’ll ever pitch for the Cubs. Does Miller believe he will? “I hope so,” he said. “I really don’t know.”
