The Adam Era needs to Be Dunn and Gone

I heard this story on the radio, and I had to respond to it. It was on 1530AM HOMER today on the Lance McAllister Show, which prompted me to call in and voice my opinions on the air.

The Cincinnati Reds have been in a terrible swoon lately. They went in a three week period, from being tied for first in the Division, to being six games out of the Central and 4.5 games out of the Wild Card. One of the chief suspects in the swoon is Adam Dunn. One thing most fans are thinking about is if the Reds have the mental makeup, if they have the mental drive to get it going again. With his words and actions, Dunn proves he is not worthy of the Reds uniform or the number 44. From the Dayton Daily News:

The other day Hatteberg questioned if the Reds — who haven't had to play for anything in recent Septembers — still have guys who think they don't have to show up every day.

Is resolve giving way to resignation?

Dunn shrugged at the questions: "I have no idea. We're just playing bad at the wrong time. There's nothing we can do. I guess we could take extra batting practice, but that's not really going to do anything ..."

But as he left the clubhouse, the big outfielder showed he was going to get some swings in.

He picked up the golf bag by his locker, slung it over his shoulder and, with clubs rattling, headed for the door.
Might as well start working on the game he'll be playing when the postseason starts.

Adam Dunn has talent. He wouldn't have made the majors without it. He wouldn't have had a football scholarship without it. However, what separates the talented from the Great is the extent to which you work hard to get better. Adam Dunn, with his words and actions here and on the Jim Rome Show a few weeks ago, show that he doesn't want to get better. He doesn't want to work harder to improve his poor batting average, or his dismal performance with runners in scoring position. He does nothing to work on his abysmal fielding in left field, and refuses to learn how to play first base. He says coaches meetings don't help, and batting practice doesn't help.

Basically, what we have here is someone with an ego problem. See, ol' Adam knows chicks dig the long ball. As long as he can make googly eyes at the girls in their "git er dunn" shirts and occaisionally hit the ball, and of course get his pay check, that is all that matters. He doesn't care about winning. He doesn't care about improving his game. He doen't care about improving himself or his abilities. Oh, and you Dunn apologists, where are those 55 HR and 135 RBIs he was on pace to hit? Where is the 240 average you said was acceptable? Hmm? He cares only for the money and the fame. Yet, even as he engages in his own largesse and is showing himself to be a lazy sack of goo, he whines to another reporter about how no one likes him.

He is unworthy of the uniform that men like Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Frank Robinson, Gus Bell, Dave Parker, and Eric Davis wore. They cared about helping the team and improving their own game. Adam Dunn cares only for his libido, his fishing, his golf, and his money. He obviously doesn't care about the team doing better. He makes predictions about going to postseason but God forbid Captain Lazy actually work to make it happen.

Scott Hattieberg is right. There are too many guys on this team with the phone it in mentality, and it starts with Adam Dunn. He should be traded this offseason, preferably for someone who doesn't have such a fragile ego, and who has a smaller hole in their swing than Mt. Everest. Most of all, the person should be a gamer. Which Dunn is not and never will be. Say what you will about Aurillia, Hatteberg, and even Freel--you know they are bringing it all the time. YOu know they are working hard to get it done. They bleed to win. Dunn just shrugs his shoulders and lollygags after yet another ball he misplayed or takes his bat and trudges back to first. He is a disgrace.

Say what you will about the last star to wear 44 in Cincy, Eric Davis. No, he never lived up to the promise that was set for him, but he worked very hard. He left it all on the field. He gave up a kidney for the team. He fought cancer and beat it just for the chance to play ball again. He sacrificed his body to make a play. Dunn doesn't sacrifice breaking a sweat.

Get this clown out of my team's uniform, out of my ballpark, and out of my city. Better to have a 250 hitter with heart than a home run slugger with no heart and no desire to better himself.