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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2008 > April > 22 > Entry
Looking for No. 1
Anybody seen Norris Hopper?
I saw him early Tuesday, honest I did. He was taking early batting practice with Corey Patterson, Javier Valentin and Scott Hatteberg.
Patterson wasn’t batting leadoff Tuesday and playing center field. Ryan Freel, Monday’s starter, wasn’t starting, either. Does that mean it was Hopper against LA lefthander Hon-Chih Kuo? Wrong, hit-and-run fans.
It was Jerry Hairston Jr.
“Well, you know, Corey is struggling some,” said manager Dusty Baker. Some? How about 0 for 21 and 1 for 29? “We’re giving him some extra, extra, extra batting practice to get him back on track,” Baker added.
“And Ryan Freel, looking him up, historically has been better against righthanders than lefthanders,” said Baker.
“And Hairston has had the hot bat where he came from (.421 at Class AAA Louisville) and hopefully he can give us some of that heat while he is still fresh in here,” said Baker.
There was no mention of Hopper, a guy Baker talked about often during spring training. Hopper has started five times in the first 20 games - three in center one in left, one in right. He is hitting only .240, but he has not struck out in his 29 plate appearances and has hit safely in five of his last seven games (5-17, .294).
“We have to get something going at the top of the order,” said Baker, looking for a productive leadoff hitter. And his current No. 2 hitter, Brandon Phillips, went into Tuesday’s game on a 3 for 26 slide that dropped his batting average from .323 to .250 and he hasn’t homered since the second game of the season.
“We have Jeff Keppinger, Joey Votto, and Edwin Encarnacion swinging it good and Ken Griffey Jr. has been consistent,” said Baker. “We’re coming to life - one at a time they are getting well. I’d like to get stuff going early in the game because teams are jumping us and we’re playing catch-up.
“That can wear on you when it happens day after day after day,” said Baker. And it certainly helps erode your won-loss record.
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By Gary Maloy Jr.
April 22, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this
Steve T - May I forward a subtle request? Please use the English language when writing. It helps you communicate your ideas. Thank you. Sincerely,
By Buffalo
April 22, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this
If the talent level is such that we do not have “five starters”—why not go with FOUR instead,as in:Harrang,Cueto,Volquez,Bailey—Keep them all at no more than seven innings, or a certain pitch count—and use the bullpen to finish it. Why put a “body” on the mound who isn’t deserving of being there?
By Ryan
April 22, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
I saw Hopper about 30 minutes ago during Reds BP here at the park. He needs to be in this lineup, that’s for sure. He didn’t look happy today, and for good reason. Every day, more and more, this club seems like the Cincinnati Cubs with these AAAA ball players like Hairston.
By Steve T.
April 22, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
Hal, If you are looking for Hopper you will find him hanging out with other team 1st, take 1 or 2 and go to right field players. Oh! I forgot he is the only one on the team less maybe Kepp. Here is to more ab’s for Norris. Glad to see someone else sees that this team needs less if I can’t pull it then I can’t hit it.
By Will
April 22, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
Thats what you get with crusty dusty, a bunch of retreads. Oh well at least he hasnt shown any sign of blowing out any of the young arms.
By jake
April 22, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
Hal, what is his big problem with Hopper?! He never mentions him for some reason. It’s angering me. So far, I haven’t been impressed with Dusty. He’s remaining stuck on Patterson, and he won’t give Hopper a chance. It sounds as if you’re not too thrilled with Baker either, Hal. Like you were at the season’s start…
By jake
April 22, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
Hal, what is his big problem with Hopper?! He never mentions him for some reason. It’s angering me. So far, I haven’t been impressed with Dusty. He’s remaining stuck on Patterson, and he won’t give Hopper a chance. It sounds as if you’re not too thrilled with him, either, Hal. Like you were at the season’s start…
By broadway
April 22, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this
Hal is correct! Dusty IS Rusty.Baker is a Faker. Not really. It is painful to watch, for certain. Go Reds! 85 wins!