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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 > May > 16 > Entry
Good Johnny, Bad Johnny
Johnny Cueto has been very good and very bad in different games this season.
On Friday night in Great American Ball Park, he was great and he was awful in the same game.
For five innings he held the Cleveland Indians to no hits. He had a perfect game through eight hitters before he walked pitcher Jeremy Sowers
He had a 3-0 lead thanks to a two-run home run by Brandon Phillips and a solo shot by Adam Dunn.
Then came the sixth and Cueto became unglued quickly by the bottom of the Indians’ order. No. 8 hitter Corey Blake homered onto the grass behind the center field wall - ending the no-hitter and the shutout.
Travis Hafner, normally the DH (but they aren’t using the DH in Cincinnati), pinch-hit for Sowers and cracked a home run off the right field foul pole.
Cueto retired a hitter, then Jhonny Peralta unloaded the third homer of the inning, tying the game, 3-3.
The next inning, Cueto was gone - The Good Johnny and The Bad Johnny.
The bullpen saved it - no runs over the final three innings - and after Dunn walked with the bases loaded in the eighth for the Reds only run after the second inning - Francisco Cordero struck out the side in the ninth for the 4-3 victory.
Now a few words about Bad Homer Bailey and Good (Very Good) Jay Bruce.
And we’d all better shut up (me included) for now about bringing up Homer Bailey. He got beat up for the second straight time Friday night, walking six in five innings.
Our man who covers the Dayton Dragons, Marc Katz, visited Louisville recently and he asked Homer one question: “Have you learned anything down here.”
Homer’s answer was, “No,” and he walked away. End of interview. And that’s why Homer is still in Louisville and may remain there for a long time - or be traded.
Another story. I got this from two scouts and another impeccable source who saw it. On the day before a pitcher starts, he sits in the stands and charts the pitches of his team’s pitcher that night. It was Homer’s turn to chart that night, but he was reading a hunting magazine most of the time and paying little attention to what was going on on the field.
Another scout who has watched him said his fastball is down three to four miles an hour and he can’t throw it by anybody - in TRIPLE A! “I saw him two starts ago and he acted as if he didn’t care,” said the scout.
Homer, we hardly knew ye.
But I shall not shut up about Jay Bruce.
A rival scout’s assessment of Bruce after watching him several times in Louisville: “Why isn’t he in Cincinnati?
“I’ve seen very few balls jump off the bat they way they do on Bruce. I saw him pull an inside fastball from a left-handed pitcher over the right field fence. I saw him hit a slider into the left field seats. I saw him hit a change-up that was still on the rise when it cleared the center field fence.
“I had been told he couldn’t play center field. He can, better than anybody they have now. He can play all three outfield positions. He has everything but speed and his instincts are so good he gets great jumps on balls.
“I never saw a ball go over his head and stay in the park and I never saw one fall in front of him and he caught everything in the gaps,” he said. “He’d be playing center field for my team right now and we have a good center fielder.”
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June 16, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
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By Coach
May 18, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this
It didn’t seem to wear on the defense today when Volquez walked several! And, don’t tell me Weathers doesn’t strike out people when he pitches—generally two an inning. You are buying the cool aid at the end of this season!
By Kyle
May 17, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
Coach, Coach, Coach, you and Thom need to make a trip to the bathroom, put the finger in the throat and upchuck the Stormy Weathers’ kool-aid. He consistently puts men on base or gives up the big dinger. Night after night of that kind of stress has to wear on the defense.
By Coach
May 17, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
As was brilliantly pointed out on radio today—Most of the pitchers of note, who are being succesful on other teams today—are at least 24 years of age—that means physical AND mental maturity over someone of Homer’s age! Keep Homer—unless a package deal can be made for something we cannot afford to pass up—like Hamilton for Volquez!
By Jeremy
May 17, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
It sounds like Homer needs a visit from Crash Davis.
By Coach
May 17, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
Interesting how pitchers have a less-than-perfect outing, and some would claim they are NEVER good. Once again—33 saves—is not terrible/horrible. It was ten saves less than Cordero had last year. Essentially, you have, this year, two closers back to back in the 8th and 9th holding an impressive 77 saves— as recent as last year! Who else has that in the major leagues? Weathers experience is invaluable. He knows HOW to pitch—and will prove it throughout this season! Stay tuned. It’s still early!
By ShockMonkey
May 17, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this
Love affairs with Weathers, Dunn, Griffey and Patterson. Only Dusty. Awful! The sooner Walt Jocketty unloads Whiffey and Dunn Nothing, the better off we’ll be.
By Kyle
May 17, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
Weathers is horrible. Just gave up a homerun to Fransico. CAN WE PLEASE GET OVER the love affair with Weathers?
By Ron
May 17, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
Homer Bailey’s time is done. Homer, we hardly knew you. I look at the Red’s farm system and other pitchers are on the horizon as well. Daryl Thompson will be knocking on the GABP door before the year is over if needed. Travis Wood is putting up good numbers. Sean Watson looks awfully good. Homer is trade bait now. Package him with Griffey and we may get something. As for Dunn, what are you people thinking. We should keep him and sign him for a few more years. I like 40 HR’s every year. We would have an outfield now of Dunn, Hopper and Bruce if I had my say right now. Hopper is hurt and Freel is fine until he gets back. Cory Patterson…what is he doing on the team??
By ShockMonkey
May 17, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
Ricky said: He’s hit 40 homers and drawn a 100 walks four years in a row! That’s an absurd statement. No it’s not. Dunn is awful this year. Hitting .206 in the middle of May is terrible for someone taking home $13 mil a year. With RISP, he’s even worse. Without the short porch in Right at GABP, he’d be lucky to hit 30 a year. No thanks…I’m tired of his act. Besides, I’m not paying him $13 mil to take walks.
By rob yontz
May 17, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
Hal, Why are you jumping off the Bailey bandwagon? If memory serves, you weretouting him for a promotion in 2006 when he was terrorizing the minors. Some of his antics are youthful indiscretion but he is only 22 and I wouldn’t give up on him any time soon.
By ShockMonkey
May 17, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
Doco: I know what you’re saying. We’re winning so I can ride Dusty’s same lineup for now. What I don’t understand though is how Dusty can keep Hatty on the bench. He’s a very good hitter who’s wasting away. He hit .310 last year! Once in awhile, throw Votto in Left or Right with Hatty at first. Neither Dunn or Griffey is doing a darn thing.
By Ricky
May 17, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
“Don’t wait for a trade, just sit Dunn. He’s never been a good hitter or defender and never will be.” Adam Dunn’s never been a good hitter? Are you serious? He’s hit 40 homers and drawn a 100 walks four years in a row! That’s an absurd statement.
By Doco
May 17, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
Shockmonkey. I agree with your points except the last that Dusty needs to mix up the lineup. Just recently I’ve been appreciating that he’s been more consistent with it. I contend that you need to have your starters and stick with them. Let each player know his role. Also, Homer sounds like the typical premadonna with a poor work ethic. Super talented kid who was praised too early and too often and pouts when he doesn’t get his way. And Bruce is a no-brainer. Don’t wait for a trade, just sit Dunn. He’s never been a good hitter or defender and never will be.
By Jimmy1Time
May 17, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
I really thought we had somehings going when we got Homer. But its very clear he is a head case. Throws fits while on the mound. Why? Because he got built up bigger than he really was. MAybe let the Cowboy teach him a thing or two. Jeff Brantley said what was wrong with Bronson. Keep your weight back. I agree with who ever said it. SHip Dunn and Bailey together. BUt it sure is nice to win 4 in a row!!! Go Cowboy & Thom Show!!! Can Walt firer Welsh???
By Jimmy1Time
May 17, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
I really thought we had somehings going when we got Homer. But its very clear he is a head case. Throws fits while on the mound. Why? Because he got built up bigger than he really was. MAybe let the Cowboy teach him a thing or two. Jeff Brantley said what was wrong with Bronson. Keep your weight back. I agree with who ever said it. SHip Dunn and Bailey together. BUt it sure is nice to win 4 in a row!!! Go Cowboy & Thom Show!!! Can Walt firer Welsh???
By ShockMonkey
May 17, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this
Fellas, do your homework. The Reds hold huge arbitration rights by keeping Bruce in Triple A until AFTER June 1st. We’re almost there so be patient. As for Bailey, I’m not surprised. Package him with Dunn for a right handed power hitter which we desperately need. Yes, Dusty’s propensity for rolling out the same lineup every stinkin’ day is bothering me too. You gotta get Hatty some AB’s…sheesh.
By HuberTucky
May 17, 2008 3:16 AM | Link to this
Pardon me for repeating myself, but as stated before, the Reds organization seems to have a propensity for either attracting headcase young pitchers or turning them into headcase. Now it’s Bailey. What I’m hearing is that this young man has tremendous potential (can’t fail prospect, remember!?) but he has an obvious don’t-give-a-shite attitude. So where did THAT come from. BTW, it was nauseating to watch Griffey and his mild weak don’t care infield tap outs and to see him lope down to first. He’s lazy & I’m sick of seeing him. Seems that Homer caught Griffeyism. Get rid of the Griffey cancer ASAP! He’s toast and cares not a bit. Truly, a faded star. Bring up Bruce NOW!
By MAC
May 17, 2008 2:10 AM | Link to this
Great news on Mr. Bruce. I say bring him up and sit Dunn & Griffey as needed. As for Bailey, it sounds as though he’s another Tomko or Jack Armstrong: all power and no pitch; the typical young Red’s pitcher. And like Tomko, he’s not coachable? I’d suggest Cincy stop trying to make him a SP when he doesn’t have the additional pitches to handle the job. What he can do right now is throw peas better than 1/2 the guys in our BP so bring him up and let him work out of the pen. Funny he doesn’t see it’s the change up, not the fastball that have Cueto and Volquez in the MLs!
By Jeremy
May 17, 2008 12:38 AM | Link to this
This is a disturbing trend. Dusty had a team of veterans in SF come close to a championship…they fail…and the team has been mediocre ever since trying to get rid of older players. He goes to the Cubs, almost wins, and then left them struggling with some older players that they didnt need. So here he is in Cincinnati, relying on his veterans……… I really hope they are just waiting for arbitration purposes solely…that or waiting for the trade deadline to come so they can get more for Griffey or Dunn.
By Steve
May 16, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this
This is so ridiculous. Jay Bruce should have made the team out of Sarasota. Look at how much the other young players have added to the quality of the team and the excitement. If Bruce’s defense is really that great, I say we ditch Patterson. If not, we ditch Hopper or Freel and keep Patterson for defense, although Freel is a RH hitter, which we need. Grr.
By Coach
May 16, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
Four wins in a row! Terrific. Go Reds! Go Reds—trade Griffey—for two reasons: One,he should have been on second base{had he not been loafing}, when the throw from right wa sthrown over the head of the cutoff man; and Hairston was tagged out at the plate. Griffey jogged to first base, barely getting there when the tag was made at home! Two: Apparently,the Reds will not bring Bruce up, because with Dunn and Griffey playing—Dusty would have to play Bruce in Center everyday—in front of Patterson—and Patterson would have to depart. So then, if they get rid of Griffey, they can play Bruce in right, and keep Dusty’s lifetime .258 hitter in Center! What kind of logic is this??? Wonder what would happen if Bruce said “play me, or trade me”!
By got milk
May 16, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this
Jay Bruce had a very nice second game in the doubleheader tonight. 2 fer 3 with a 2-run homer (his 9th) and a stolen base (his 8th).