Reds Dusty Baker Says MLB Should Let Teams Fight

Got a problem? Yo, he’ll solve it – with a fastball to gut (or toothpick to the jugular).

That’s the mentality of long time MLB skipper Dusty Baker, who’s never been one to hold back his feelings or punches, dating back to his playing days.

The long time San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds manager told Mark Sheldon yesterday that Major League Baseball should take a step back from playing big brother and let teams solve their disputes by themselves, on the field.

With punches, of course.

"Baker then recalled a time when things like this were handled differently.“I just wish, just put them in a room, let them box and let it be over with, know what I mean?” Baker said. “I always said this. Let it be like hockey. Let them fight, somebody hits the ground and then it’ll be over with. I’m serious about that.“I come from a different school. Guys didn’t talk as much. You just did it.”"

Baker’s comments stem from yesterday’s game between his Reds and the Chicago Cubs where Reds ace Johnny Cueto buzzed the head of Cubs’ outfielder David DeJesus. The Cubs weren’t happy about it obviously, especially starter Matt Garza who said the Reds should be lucky “retaliation” isn’t in the Cubs’ vocabulary, but later suggested “we’ll see him again”:

"He’s lucky that retaliation isn’t in our vocabulary. You play each game like it’s a new one. That’s [nonsense] on his part — just total immaturity. If he has something to say about it, he knows where to find my locker, and I’ll definitely find his.…“We’ll see him again down the line.”"