Dusty Baker is known for having a serious blindness to the playing abilities of Corey Patterson. He had it when he managed in Chicago, and so it came as no surprise when Patterson joined the Reds shortly after Baker was hired.

No reason for Baker’s cluelessness about Patterson’s ineptitude as a player has ever been put forth. But if you were thinking it was because Patterson was banging Baker’s daughter, think again. John Fay has the details.

“She hasn’t even been to Cincinnati,” Baker said. “This is so far out of line. It’s hurtful to my wife and daughter. How can people stoop that low? I don’t know who started it. But I’ve been hearing from fans, players, announcers.”

So there you go. One reason checked of the list of possible reasons for Baker’s managerial incompetence. Still left in play: blindness, severe brain trauma, man crush, and toothpick wound.