By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

From the moment the Reds drafted him last month, Ryan Wagner's professional life has been on fast-forward.

The 21-year-old relief pitcher, called up by the Reds earlier this month after nine minor-league appearances, got his latest lesson about life in the major leagues today when the team fired its general manager, manager and two coaches.

"This is a business," Wagner said. "But I talked to some of the guys and they're not even used to managers and general managers getting fired. I'm just kind of taking it in."

As is the case whenever a general manager or manager is fired, players felt they were partly to blame for the demise of the others.

"When you're struggling there's always a search for answers," pitcher Ryan Dempster said. "Is it the pitchers or the hitting? Is it the coaching or the way the team is put together?

"There are all kinds of questions. I think it was just a combination of everything."

Emotions in the clubhouse ranged from guilt to sadness, hope to disbelief.

"You feel for Bob Boone and Tim Foli and Tom Robson," closer Scott Williamson said. "You feel for those guys. They worked their butt off. They're great people.

"I think if they weren't, it would probably be easier to see them go. But they're such great people. It's disappointing."

Outfielder Adam Dunn said: "That's the first time in any sport that I've ever had a change. This is a business and I guess they felt there needed to be a change."

Hampered by injuries to key players all season, Cincinnati was 101/2 games out of first place in the National League Central before today's 6-5 win against the Phillies.

The pitching staff's ERA was the worst in the NL. The defense led the major leagues in errors. And the offense led the majors in strikeouts and was 14th in team batting average.

"Obviously we haven't been playing up to our capabilities," Dempster said. "That's the tough part. The coaches, GM's and managers are always the first ones to blame. But we haven't been doing our jobs."

It was clear that losing - the Reds had dropped 23 of their past 33 before today - was beginning to wear on some.

"When we're losing and not doing well, this (finger pointing) happens a lot," Dempster said. "The pitchers sit there and say, 'Well, if we had more runs.' The hitters say, 'Well, if the pitchers did their jobs.'

"It's tough. When you're winning everything just seems to flow. When you're losing, especially at this level, it's tough. Everybody wants to win. It's a frustrating time, but I definitely think everybody wants to succeed here."