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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 36th year of covering the Cincinnati Reds, the longest tenure for any active writer covering one team. Counting spring training and postseason games, McCoy has covered more than 7,000 major-league baseball games, written close to 18,000 baseball stories and eaten enough hot dogs to give Babe Ruth indigestion.Home > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2008 > May > 21 > Entry
Please stop the music
If I hear that song, “I Love LA” one more time I’m going to spit in the ocean.
Of course, the only way not to hear it after a game in Dodger Stadium is for the Cincinnati Reds to win a game here in Dodger Stadium so they don’t play it.
Not likely to happen. They don’t play it when they lose, but the Reds know nothing about that.
The Reds have lost here eight times in a row and it is to the point where it is like the Washington Generals vs. the Harlem Globetrotters - no matter what happens, the Trotters win.
Like it’s scripted.
Much-maligned pitcher Matt Belisle (deservedly so) finally cranked up a really good one Tuesday night after pitching coach Dick Pole got in his face and said something like, “Do it or you’ll be going away.”
Belisle gave up two cheap runs in the second inning, then retired 13 in a row, but all he got was another big fat ‘L’ next to his name, his fourth loss in five starts, this time by 4-1.
Had he tossed in another stinker klinker, I’d say ship him out to Louisville and bring in somebody from the Bats - and there are a plethora of candidates, with Homer Bailey only No. 4 on the list.
Starting pitchers’ records at Louisville: Tom Shearn (6-1, 4.14), Andy Pettyjohn (4-0, 4.71), Matt Maloney (5-2, 4.91), Justin Lehr (4-2, 2.41) AND Homer Bailey (4-4, 3.88).
Belisle, though, deserves another chance. Amazingly, with his back bowed and his mind focused, Belisle attacked the strike zone - 85 pitches, 67 strikes.
While talking about help, how about this kid named Jay Bruce. Anybody know about him? The statistics say over the last two weeks (14 games) he is hitting .529 (27-51) with five homers and 15 RBIs.
But it is as if he is a figment of some PR flak’s imagination. “There is not really a Jay Bruce. We’re just making him up.”
He IS for real. I know for sure. I saw him in spring training. With my eyes, as bad as they are. Hey, even I could see how good this kid is.
I’m not sure anybody with the Reds is aware of this, or why would he not be here, especially after watching another feeble offensive effort Tuesday - one run, four hits over seven innings against Chad Billingsley, who came into the game with a 3-5 record and a 4.34 ERA.
On the lighter side, and some levity is needed at this point: The first six pitchers to appear Tuesday night all had last names beginning with ‘B’ - Matt Belisle, Bill Bray, Jared Burton, Chad Billingsley, Jonathan Broxton, Joe Beimel.
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Comments
By Coach
May 22, 2008 1:01 AM | Link to this
Hell, Krivsky could have been doing NOTHING, Jockety strap!!!!!!!!!! Patterson sucks! So does the rest of the outfield! Our best outfielder/hitter is in Louisville!!! HELLO???By smitty
May 21, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this
After contacting Mr. McCoy, I am confident that he meant no disrespect towards Ronald Reagan when he referred to his “forgetfulness.” Mr. McCoy is very sensitive to anyone with disabilities, including those suffering from Alzheimers Disease.By Roy Bowman
May 21, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
Hal, I so much look enjoy to your chats with Marty in the 2nd innings. Maybe it’s an age thing, but you get on and talk baseball and REDs, not what music or bar you enjoy going to. I always feel I learn something from you that I didn’t get anywhere else. I would like your assessment of rookie pitcher Cory Wade of the Dodgers if he makes an appearance. Here are excerpts from an e-mail I sent my brother a few weeks ago about him and the apparent attitude of the REDs organization. “I may have gone on a rant telling you I tried in vain to contact the Reds Scouting Dept last fall and this spring from their website about this guy from Indy that Blake (…my son) played with before high school. The Reds website had no contact info or even an e-mail address. It’s clear they are too arrogant to want to be bothered by ya-hoos like me who they think wouldn’t know the difference between a potential prospect and a pitchfork. I was simply going to suggest the Reds might pay some attention to him. I had noticed beginning last summer that as a middle reliever he began to be getting some traction at AA Jacksonville, played winter ball and was promoted to the Dodgers 40-man roster.” I then included the link to the Jacksonville Club’s website with the press release announcing Wade had been called up by the Dodgers on Apr 24th. Wishing you much continued success in your craft. A FanBy Y-City Jim
May 21, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this
10 more days until Jay Bruce!By Jack
May 21, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
Hal, please tell us that the Reds are just waiting until June 1st to call up Bruce. I can live with that (sorta). But, I can not live with waiting until someone gets hurt. They made a mistake in paying Patterson 3.5 million, own up to it and release him. Bring up the better player, bring up someone who can either help you this year or at least get the experience when he will be starting somewhere in the outfield.By Mike
May 21, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
Patterson/Janish have to be the worst lead-off and #2 batters in the majors. Look at the batting averages of players in what you hope are productive positions: 1B Votto(.265), 3B Encarnacion (.248), LF Dunn (.234), CF Patterson (.227), RF Griffey (.252). This is not good.By Cait
May 21, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
Glad to see Belisle have a nice game. I support keeping Valentin. I like Hatteberg, but I deal him for whatever we can get. Valentin would be a RIGHT HANDED backup first baseman and of course, a backup catcher. And he is a better pinch hitter from both sides of the plate than Hatteberg. Put Hatte and Patterson together and take anything anyone will give us. Hatte has to be worth something!By Reds Fan
May 21, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
I think everyone is getting carried away with Valentin and Hatteberg. I think they are good players but with Votto getting the majority of time at 1B what do you do w/ Hatteberg. He’s been a great Red in short time with team but like we’ve come to see he isn’t going to get job done with 100 Ab’s a year. He needs 4-500 ab’s a year and will hit around .280-.300 range. The main issue is we need RH power bats off the bench and to give a spot start. Getting rid of Patterson is priority #1. As much as the next guy would admit aninjury to him would have been a nice luxary compared to Keppy. Feel free to comment if Dunn’s attitude might or could change once Griffey is gone? A nice young hustling full of intensity would be fun to watch and might win something in the process.By Jerome
May 21, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
There’s a couple guys Baker has mismanaged on this team I think. Javy Valentin is probably the main one. Bako has done a great job overall, so I can’t blame Dusty for playin Bako. But Valentin should be getting those spot starts over Ross in my opinion. Valentin isn’t great defensively by any means, but he can hit, and is a clutch hitter. I think they will need his bat in these next few weeks. You can’t win a ton of games with the old Cub-trio of Bako, Patterson, and Hairston Jr. starting games. Dusty’s biggest mistake was his pushing for Patterson. I think he’s kind of hamstrung himself with forcing the Reds to get Patterson. But, I think Dusty’s done allright overall. Giving Patterson the nod in center is his biggest mistake, but a lot of the early offensive woes were from lack of hitting from Dunn, Griffey Jr. and Phillips. They really need to win one game tonight!By Craig P
May 21, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
Dear Hal, Your mention of Chad Billingsley’s ERA/stats, with some disdain, in the opener of your story on last night’s game made me wonder if you know anything about him? Besides being from Ohio, Billingsley is considered one of the top young pitchers in all of baseball. He’s got fantastic stuff, he’s just had some control issues some of the time in his young career. He’s also already been a 12 game winner. He’s one of the strikeout leaders in the NL. He’s got 4-5 good pitches. He was a first round pick. I can go on. In short there’s no great shame in the Reds having some trouble vs. him, even if, yes, it goes with their struggles overall at Dodger Stadium. Still, Billingsley’s the real deal. Thank you. Carry on.By Dustin
May 21, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
I’m not a big fan of Patterson. I want to see Jay Bruce as much as the next Reds fan. I also want to see if stay when he’s called up. So I hope the Reds are keeping him down right now and “not rushing” him as they say rather than waiting til June to save a few dollars 3 years from now. If the kid is ready bring him up. Let’s not let him waste away in Triple A over a few dollars.By Steven Ross
May 21, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
I do not understand the disdain of Javy Valentin. It is amazing that he has not lashed out to the media about a lack of playing time. What about Hatteburg? My goodness, talk about wasting away on the bench as one of our best hitters. He hit .310 last year and now, NEVER plays. Stupid! Look, Votto’s the man next year and beyond but why not use Hatty once in awhile. I’m losing faith in Dusty.By daedalus
May 21, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
“There is not really a Jay Bruce. We’re just making him up.” Ha, ha. It seems that way, doesn’t it? And they use this excuse “We don’t have room for him.” Um, that guy who normally plays centerfield, you know, Dusty’s favorite son? He stinks. He always has. Why should Bruce be punished for Wayne’s giving in to Dusty? Why should we all be punished? Haven’t we been punished enough in the last seven years? It’s funny how up until a week ago, everyone was saying how great was Votto’s defense. Now he makes a couple errors and he’s public enemy number two (behind Patterson, who warrants the criticism.)By Jeremy
May 21, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
Of all things I on this board, I do not understand the disdain of Javy Valentin. It is amazing that he has not lashed out to the media about a lack of playing time. He was one of the Reds best clutch pinch hitters last year and has always been a guy that can bring some excitement to the team. I say if the Reds deal a Hatteberg come the trading deadline Javy will be valuable because he can play first base along with catching. Maybe the Reds do not need to carry 3 catchers but I dont think he is someone to blame for this mess. Say they designate him and bring up Bruce, the Reds still have a ton of outfielders fighting for playing time. I for one would like to see Javy get more of a chance to help contribute.By Reds Fan
May 21, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
I think winning cures alot of things but the true fans know Patterson should be either on the pine or DFA. I say for tonight do whatever you can to finally get a win in LA. Maybe Cueto will be like he was vs D’backs in game 3. Still think a couple of things: this team is close but need to get rid of 3 catchers it is a mess and Valentin is terrible and we need RH power off the bench, Ross and Bako aren’t answer either. When June rolls around bring up Bruce, DFA Patterson,DFA Valentin bring up Phillips, and please find the answer to win on the road.By jarrod
May 21, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
yes freel needs to play five to six times per week at this point. we know he’s not an every day player but ride the bat right now and then reduce his time when bruce comes up in june. and with bruce it is dollars and (non)cents and shows how the reds are not 100% committed to winning because he is the best outfielder in the organization.By Andy
May 21, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
Just a quick correction … I think you mean Jay Bruce has a 1.588 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage). A 1.588 on base percentage would mean he gets on-base over one and a half times per plate appearance.By steve t.
May 21, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
Does anyone know what the true backlash contractualy would be to bringing Bruce up know. I know it some how would affect his arbitration status but not quite sure how that works. This can be the only reason Reds brass has not promoted him yet. I mean Patterson or Bruce is it really even a decision based on ability? Has to be a dollars and cents issue here.By Joe Fan
May 21, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
Please Dusty, do not tell me you are doing everything you can to win, while Patterson is here and Bruce is not. Do not tell me that. Also, if I were Ryan Freel, I would be very, very upset. He is very valuable to the team, and so much better than Patterson. Dusty is not stupid, he knows that. Does Patterson not have a bubblegum card? Also, how about some long term catching help.By Steven Ross
May 21, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this
Billingsley’s record is deceptive. He started poorly but is now 4 & 1 in his last five starts. For once, Belisle pitched well but the 2nd inning was a microcosm of the Reds season. Basic fundamentals elude this team. Can Ross ever catch a ball thrown from the OF or, in last nights case, a perfect throw from EE? He drops everything. It’s mind numbing. Give him a firstbasemen’s mitt. Speaking of, Votto may be the future but his “D” is suspect. Simply put: a crass display of basic baseball cost us two runs. Typical Reds on the road.By Reds Fan
May 21, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this
Last night with our fan favorite Corey”flyout to CF” Patterson we had another fine performance. Like everyone is saying enough is enough bring up Bruce. He can’t do worse and even if he’s a rookie let him take his lumps. He’s the future maybe the face of the franchise. Any shot of pulling one out of getaway day we need Freel in tonight leading off and some production. EE and Votto are absolutely stinking up LA if that’s more possible. If the Reds lose tonight they need to sweep SD to avoid another losing road trip. At this point I’d take anything the Reds could do to get a win in LA. It’s not like the old days in the NL West. The Reds only go out there once a year maybe we should plan accordingly and figure we’ll lose our 3 or 4 games out there and move on. Kind of like minimizing your losses at a blackjack table. With the way the economy is going it’d save alot of airline, hotel, food etc. Better than having optimism and getting swept every year. At least 2 good things Griffey is swinging well and this series is in May not Aug/Sept.By Bob
May 21, 2008 7:34 AM | Link to this
To start each game with Corey Patterson leading off and Jay Bruce down in Louisville is an example of the poorest judgment I’ve ever seen. It’s more like a high school player whose father is booster club president getting preferential treatment. I would fire Dusty Baker on the spot for such blatant disregard for ownership, players and fans. He has absolutely no reason to even have Corey on the team. He seems on TV to be a nice enough guy, but history doesn’t even support Baker asking Krivsky to sign him. Every player on this team and for the past seven years should not be over 28-30 yrs. ago. This has been a 8 yr. rebuilding program with over-the-hill veterans and a egotisical former star. I hope they continue to stink it up until someone wakes up.By Chad fan
May 21, 2008 6:46 AM | Link to this
Chad Billingsley had a rough April but is considered one of the best young pitchers by many folks. He’s been on a roll in his last four starts and could lead the league in strikeouts in a season or two. (None of that excuses the fact the Reds can’t win on the West Coast.)