Dusty on Homer

Dusty Baker wants everyone to relax a bit on Homer Bailey. In the short time, Baker's been around Bailey he's seen progress. He's willing to let yesterday's 2 1/3-innings, two-run, 59-pitch effort slide.

“I can go on the progress I’ve seen since I’ve been here. Yesterday was the first time that he wasn’t pitch-efficient since I’ve been here."

Baker elaborated a bit on the whole Bailey situation.

“It’s not easy being Homer. I’ve seen it a thousand times. It’s not easy being that Mr. Everything, Can’t-Miss Kid. . . I learned years ago that the most dangerous word for a kid is potential. If they don’t do great, then no matter what they do, they don’t reach that potential.

“Sometimes it takes longer to get than others. What is Homer 21 years old? This dude is barely drinking age. There are kids in college who haven’t signed a contract who are still pitching. Homer has this experience already. That’s the thing. Let’s not forget, his dude is three years ahead of whoever’s going to be in this year’s draft.

“He may not be where you want him to be, or where we want him to be, or where he wants to be, but he’s still ahead of the program. Two or three years from now, we might have another thought process.”