July 8, 200323 yr Cubs' Baker: Willis `next guy on my list' All-Star slight draws an apology BY CLARK SPENCER cspencer@herald.com Cubs manager Dusty Baker gave Marlins rookie Dontrelle Willis a big hug and told the pitcher he was ''sorry'' when the two crossed paths Monday during batting practice. Baker also said Willis is the ''next guy on my list'' to serve as a replacement if one of the dozen National League pitchers chosen for the July 15 All-Star Game decides to pull out. There's a strong chance Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Kevin Brown, who has an abdominal injury, will do so. Baker, who will manage the NL All-Stars, did not pick Willis for the team even though the left-hander is 8-1 with a 2.13 ERA. Statistically inferior Russ Ort?z of the Atlanta Braves and Kerry Wood of the Cubs made the team. ''If it wasn't for Russ Ort?z, I wouldn't be here to have this opportunity,'' said Baker, who managed Ort?z last season when the two were with the NL champion San Francisco Giants. Baker also cited the fact he has never seen Willis pitch. He'll have a prime seat today when Willis faces the Cubs. Willis, for his part, said he isn't bitter about the snub. ''If I was in his situation, I'd take one of his guys, too,'' Willis said, referring to the selection of Wood. ``I like Dusty. I can't say anything bad about him.'' Baker's wife, Melissa, is from the San Francisco area and attended a baby shower for Willis before he was born. Baker said his wife, a close friend of Willis' aunt, even received a no-hard-feelings phone call from her Sunday night after the All-Star team was announced.
July 8, 200323 yr Author i think when D.W. says "no hard feelings" he REALLY means "I'm going to throw a 2-hit shutout on your sorry-a$$ cubs for your retarted move" :jackass
July 8, 200323 yr i think when D.W. says "no hard feelings" he REALLY means "I'm going to throw a 2-hit shutout on your sorry-a$$ cubs for your retarted move" :jackass :lol :lol
July 8, 200323 yr Yea if a pitcher gets hurt DW will replace him. I heard it on Marlins on Deck. They said if Brown is still hurting he will be next. Lets see what happens with Brown first....
July 8, 200323 yr f*** that!!!!!!! im not buyin the s*** dusty said... and niether should all you..... the 32nd man voting..... the 5 guys on there 1.Louie "rightfully so" 2.Geof Jenkings "rightfully so" 3.Santiago "NO WAY IN HELL" 4.Orlando Cabera "right fully so" 5.Corey Patterson "NO" and his replacement on the List Kenny Lofton..... no where on this list is Dontrelle Willis..... he should have been on the list but he wasnt people such as B.Santiago and Corey Patterson and Kenny Lofton are there..... but the 1 guy who all the fans across america think that got snubbed not even a canidate
July 8, 200323 yr the 5 people you listed are all position players. Fans can't vote for pitching thats all up to the coaches.
July 8, 200323 yr Theres a reason. I don't agree with it, but pitchers can't be chosen by the fans. At all.
July 8, 200323 yr sry guys but an ESPN article gave me the wrong prespective... see In its usual wisdom, MLB neglected to ensure that its hottest commodity -- Marlins thrill-ride Dontrelle Willis -- made the National League All-Star roster. Then MLB compounded its problem by not putting Willis on its "32nd player" fan ballot (hitters only are listed, rather than "best players available"), where the Florida sensation would have been elected to play in a landslide the 1st paragraph to this link..... http://msn.espn.go.com/page2/s/shanoff/030708.html
July 8, 200323 yr ''If it wasn't for Russ Ort?z, I wouldn't be here to have this opportunity,'' said Baker, who managed Ort?z last season when the two were with the NL champion San Francisco Giants. Call me crazy, but I don't think a player's performance in 2002 should have any bearing on his selection to the 2003 all-star game.
July 8, 200323 yr Yea dusty said ifa postition player gets hurt he wil put a catcher in the list and that has to be Pudge...
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.