Alright crackheads baseball fans, we have our first lineup of the year! Dusty announced his lineup for the spring opener vs. Cleveland tomorrow, and though it isn't wildly bizarre, it's sure to cause a mild commotion (lookin' at you, KMiB...)
Lineup after the jump!
Brandon Phillips 4
Zack Cozart 6
Joey Votto 3
Ryan Ludwick 7
Jay Bruce 9
Scott Rolen 5
Drew Stubbs 8
Devin Mesoraco 2
Dioner Navarro DH
Mike Leake P
All in all, that's a major-league lineup. In the AL. Fayman (Master of karate and friendship. For everyone) gives us some hard-hitting analysis, saying "it may or may not be an indicator of things to come in the regular season," so at least we can all rest assured on that front. The interesting thing in Fay's piece, however, beyond the usage of Ludwick over Chris Heisey, is Dusty's comments when asked if this could be close to the opening day lineup (minus Leake and Navarro, obviously). To wit:
"I urge you not to read into stuff," Baker said. "It’s a possibility. You’ve got to start somewhere. I urge everyone: Please don’t critique my lineup. I’m going to get enough of that."
Followed by:
"I don’t care," he said. "Everybody can tell you how to do it, but very few have ever done it. . . I’m at the point where I don’t care. I really don’t care. That’s the last thing on my mind. I’m doing what I think is right every day. There’s a good chance with my background and experience that I know better than most."
Dusty has always seemed like an easygoing guy, but there's definitely some old man angst here. He's getting cranky!
No word yet on lineups for the intrasquad, if anyone hears otherwise, feel free to post it! Happy baseball!