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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 > June > 03 > Entry
The stench of a 9-21 record
After the game, the Cincinnati Reds clubhouse smelled suspiciously like an outhouse - or what a 9-21 road record possibly smells like.
A pipe broke during the game and the floor was covered with cardboard, a large fan was blowing and the Ammonia smell was gagging.
What else can happen to this team that came to Philly one game under .500 and giddy after a 5-1 homestand? The road. The road. The road to destruction.
The clubhouse smelled nearly as bad as my friend Jeff Gordon and his truck when he took me to the airport Monday. His dog got into an argument with a skunk in his backyard. Guess who won?
And are you ready for this??? We could see the return tomorrow of - ta-dum - Corey Patterson. Ryan Freel strained a hamstring running to first base Tuesday and returned to Cincinnati for an MRI.
Manager Dusty Baker said somebody will be summoned and don’t be shocked and surprised (I KNOW you’ll be angry) if it’s Patterson. The choices are limited. It could be Chris Dickerson, but he is hitting about .254 and is striking out every other at-bat.
And for you conspiracy theorists who believe Ken Griffey Jr. is sitting out the Philadelphia series so his family in Miami will have the opportunity to see him hit his 600th home run?
Well, he didn’t start Tuesday, but he pinch-hit in the eighth inning and drew a walk. Then Baker had to send in Bronson Arroyo to pinch-run, so Griffey IS hurting and IS still hurting.
On the positive side was the debut of 23-year-old slop thrower Danny Herrera. His fastball is 82 to 83 miles an hour. He throws pitches as soft as pin cushions, but he throws an assortment that includes a screwball.
Baker brought him into the game Tuesday with runners on second and third an no outs, the Reds trailing, 3-2.
He got a ground ball, the runners forced to hold. After an intentional walk to Chase (Utterly Fantastic) Utley to fill the bases, Herrera struck out Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell to keep it at 3-2.
Herrera has heard all the wisecracks and short jokes — from friends, from teammates, stuff like, “Shouldn’t you be on top of a wedding cake?”
Equipment manager Rick Stowe playfully said they considered giving him uniform number 2/16ths, “Because 1/8th already has been used (when Bill Veeck used 3-foot-7 Eddie Gaedel to pinch-hit for the 1951 St. Louis Browns).”
Herrera, 5-foot-6, 145 pounds, joined the Cincinnati Reds Tuesday, retrieved from Class AAA Louisville when Kent Mercker returned to the disabled list, this time on the 60-day.
The lefthanded relief pitcher is quite a story:
—The 45th round draft pick of the Texas Rangers in 2006 and sent to the Reds with Edinson Volquez in the Josh Hamilton trade.
—Attended Odessa (Tex.) Permian High School, the school in the book/TV series Friday Night Lights.
—Pitching for the Reds in an exhibition game this spring, he threw the last pitch in old Al Lang Field, now torn down.
Manager Dusty Baker was in wisecrack mode when he said, “When you see him, he’ll look like the batboy. But, hey, what a great story. He’ll be great motivation for people who hear they don’t have enough of this or enough of that or you’re too short or too skinny or too fat or too something. That’s the beauty of baseball. Those types have to be stronger mentally to make it.”
Herrera, 23, only throws 84 miles an hour and throws a screwball. He was 3-0 with a 2.55 ERA in 10 appearances at Class AA Chattanooga before he was promoted to Class AAA Louisville, where he was 0-1 with three saves and a 1.27 ERA in 16 appearances.
“I thought I’d be the last candidate to come up because of lack of experience, only a month in Triple-A,” he said. “Only my second year of pro ball. This early in the season I thought they’d want more experience.”
Of his screwball, a pitch used by Tom “Perfect Game” Browning, Herrera said, “It is my money pitch. I learned it my sophomore year of college (10-0 in 17 starts at the University of New Mexico). It is self-taught and developed over three years of trial and error with different grips.”
Mercker is most likely will announce his retirement - again - in the not too-distant future.
Permalink | Comments (47) | Post your comment | Categories: Dusty Baker, Ken Griffey Jr.
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By Broadway
June 4, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
Is Gus Bell still living?
By richmond red
June 4, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this
ABP-anybody but patterson. mid game he is batting under 200-surely letting go hatteburg shows. put janish at short-hairston in center
By ctownboy
June 4, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this
Mr. Rawlings, That is the trouble with the Reds, it is ALL about the MIGHTY Home Run!!!! I can see it now; Reds are behind by one Run in the top of the ninth Inning. There are men on First and Third with one Out and Baker sends King Griffey Junior up to Pinch Hit. KGJ then proceeds to hit a slow roller to an Infielder which, if he were healthy, KGJ easily beats out. However, since he is injured, the opposing team makes a Game ending Double Play. Thus sending the Reds down to defeat and another Game behind the Cubs (and everybody else) in the standings.
By Mr. Rawlings
June 4, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
Hal..you said that Griffey” was hurting and IS still hurting ” and there is no conspiracy to hold him till the Marlins series. Simply one question…if a player..any player is hurting to any degree..if you are a professional manager, why would you put that player ( Griffey ) into HIT last night, into harms way..and possibly make the injury worse that it was and jeopardize the player and the team as well? If Griffey got a single last night..was he going to hobble to 1st base? If the hit was in the gap..was he going to crawl to 2nd base? So, what is the upside except a possible HR which are few and far between now and his excrucuating pain as he tried to touch the bases? They worry about pitch counts so as “protect” the pitchers arm and over use..But, you take a sub par player who can’t run and you let him hit! INCREDIBLE…! What is Baker thinking? If a player is physically unable to perform to his highest level of performance..it’s bench or DL time period!
By Tom
June 4, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
Let Bruce play center AND right field and bat twice in the line-up.
By Reds Fan
June 4, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
Dear Hal: Please do all of us blogger’s a favor and ask baker/jocketty/Owner C and answer why the freak Patterson is batting 2nd tonight. If he has to play why not Bruce in the 2 hole while he’s raking and put Patterson 8th. Seriously this is so stupid only hope is Volquez pitches near perfect tonight.
By Kurt Frost
June 4, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
Patterson is batting second. Unbelievable.
By Jack
June 4, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
Trust me when I say I wouldnt want Corey Patterson playing for the Dayton Dragons, let alone the Reds. Not sure we have given Castelinni (sp) enough blame for this one. If he was unaware of the talent of the organization best player and/or Baker convinced him that Patterson was better…than blame needs to start at the very top.
By wizard
June 4, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
My thinking for making this change would only be for two reasons:To keep Patterson out of the lineup; and when Griffey does not play, it would add Valentin’s bat/power to the lineup. I am all for Hairston as well! Perhaps you have not seen Valentin’s recent game at first base—he isn’t bad there.Your points are good—I am not talking about permanent moves here, because I do like Votto at first—but as long as Rusty/Dusty continues to insist on Patterson—I’m going to look for alternatives to him.Thanks for your thoughts.
By Jack
June 4, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
Wizard, I would rather have Dunn, Griffey, or Bruce bat with men on….I guess I am a little confused on the need to move our first baseman to the outfield when there does not appear to be a need. In the games when Griffey does not play, and I think I mentioned this before, I would have Hairston in centerfield with Jannish playing shortstop. Still confused that you want Dunn, Bruce, and Votto playing the outfield. Edwin at third, Valentine at first? That could be the worst defensive line-up since a celebrity softball game. Valentin is a pinch-hitter.
By Y-City Jim
June 4, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
If Patterson is batting at the top of the order I am going to come unglued!!
By wizard
June 4, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
ctownboy: Great idea! I have been saying the same: we need good catching for our young pitching—I don’t think anyone is hearing us!!
By Y-City Jim
June 4, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
Jack - Votto played 41 games in the outfield for Louisville last year. In fact, he played six games for the Reds in left field last year.
By Poopsey
June 4, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
At the end of spring training Dusty said Jay Bruce was going down to work on some “things”. What that meant was that Dusty wanted Patterson in center field.A third of the way through the season it took a trip from Jocketty to actually see Bruce play to get him up here. Now we have Patterson back. What “things” did he work on down there?
By wizard
June 4, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
Hey Jack—who would you rather have at bat with men on base—Patterson or Valentin?
By Coach
June 4, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
Basically sir jack, the reasoning for the Votto/Valentin move was to eliminate the patterson return—which in fact would not weaken the offense{it would strengthen it} by getting Valentin’s bat in the lineup—instead of Patterson’s 200 average.Defense would not be much weaker either. How do you like me now?
By Jack
June 4, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
Patterson is officially back…
By Jack
June 4, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
Y-City/Rob, I believe you are correct about the rule, EXCEPT when an injury occurs, thus Patterson should be able to return. Votto is a first baseman, why does everyone think he can/should play outfield. What sense does it make to weaken TWO positions?
By ctownboy
June 4, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
For over a year now I have been saying (PLEADING) for the Reds to trade for Bengie Molina. The guy is a career .270 hitter (something Ross and Bako are NOT) who has power (something Bako does not) and who is GOOD defensively (he has won two Gold Gloves - something that Bako and Valentin are NOT). Molina would give the Reds a consistant Right Handed hitter who hits well agaisnt Left Handed Pitching. So, what do the Reds do? They continue with Ross and Valentin (the Designated Pinch Hitter) and THEN add another Baker boy in Bako. Thus giving the Reds three Catchers YET AGAIN!!! Wow. All Molina is doing this year is ONLY batting .328 with 6 Home Runs and 37 RBI’s; only a couple less than the “great” Adam Dunn.
By NJred
June 4, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
If KGJ is out, why not Votto in RF and Phillips at 1B? Or Hairston in CF with Janish at SS. Please no more Corey!
By John
June 4, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
Hal could you find out if Herrera throws or has ever thrown an eephus? Haven’t seen one of those in a while. As for this Patterson nonsense, Cabrera and Dickerson are both better options. Jocketty needs to make the right move and not give Dusty his toy back.
By rob
June 4, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
Like Jim posted Patterson has to be at AAA for ten days before he can be recalled. The only other outfielders on the 40 man (Dickerson and Anderson) both hit lefthanded and are not doing well in Louisville. That should exclude them from getting the call. Is Jocketty working on a waiver deal or a minor trade to bring in a righthanded OF?
By Mike
June 4, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
Unfortunately the Phillies have a better team. They have better players. Worse yet, the Cubs, Cards, Astros, and Brewers are better too. There is no near term help for the Reds in the minors either. I sure hope Volquez can pitch a good game tonight. The Reds and their fans need it.
By Coach
June 4, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
We don’t have to bring Patterson at all—someone is forcing this! Votto can play the outfield—and Valentin can play first base!
By Frank
June 4, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
From the moves that were made the first week of spring training it was obvious that this was going to be an interesting season not to mention any names. The political BS with Hopper, Freel and Bruce to introduce Patterson was a good indication this team was going to be on the loosing end. You can only pull so many rabbits out of a hat. Bob needs to buy out Baker and Patterson’s contracts and move on, AGAIN, or rename the team, Cincinnati Bros.
By Joe
June 4, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
…and the obiutary reads: The Cincinnati Reds 2008 season was officially pronounced dead last night in Philly.
By Billy B.
June 4, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
Everything happens for a GOOD reason. Sorry about Freel but we’re about to see some egg on some faces. Now, Rusty Baker can build this team around Patterson since that seems to be all he has left? Anyone could have had an injury at anytime no matter what your name is so as not to put the blame of Freel, there is Keppinger, Hopper, Jr. in the past and Gonzo.
By Reds Fan
June 4, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
No one is mentioning the fact Brandon freakin Phillips hit into 2 count’em 2 DP last night. He’s suppose to be our cleanup hitter in what league. He has the mentality of a Howard, Ortiz, and his plate discipline is terrible. Lidge was struggling last night and we give him a life preservor. Lidge wasn’t throwing strikes freakin incredible can’t wait him out. Bako is back to the back of baseball card. Man I would love a good catcher. For everything Jay Bruce has done in so little time that walk in 9th was impressive. Ken was absolutely right, Ryan Freel couldn’t wait on a count if he went to plate w/o a bat. What happens to this team on the road?? Any answers greatly appreciated even if Hal knew. They do fundamental things at home, wait counts, get on base, etc. This team has no swagger on the road. IF Reds go 2-6 on this trip it’s a success. Really has it came to this. I’m not one to give up hope for this year but if the Reds can’t win on the road what hope is there. Go undefeated at home at this rate still wouldn’t get to .500 this year. Any hope for tonight can’t see them hitting Hamels tomorrow afternoon!!
By Y-City Jim
June 4, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
Hopper can’t throw yet. Patterson cannot be called up since he has not been down at AAA for ten days. Will someone give Junior a freakin’ massage and some BenGay? General soreness? BS!!!
By Cait
June 4, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
BOB! Stop with the Hamilton whine. Yea, we all miss him. Yea, he would be huge in this lineup. But no, you don’t hang on to 5-tool OF’s when you can get a top-line young pitcher for them. It took Hamilton to get Volquez (& Herrera). It was a great deal for both teams - so far. Pitching and defense win consistently - offense comes and goes.
By Jack
June 4, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
Good call about Hopper? Where is he? I did not think the injury would take that long. Put Hairston in center if Griffey is still hurt and play Jannish.
By Bob
June 4, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
The stench of the road record is very much like the inability to get big hits for the entire 2000’s. While any Reds fan would agree that they are historically a poor pitching team; don’t overlook someone who can hit with men on base. Look closely; there is none; look even closer and you’ll see what Hamilton is doing. I now read more Texas websites than Reds and while my heart is broken because of the trade, I’m happy for him because the entire Texas organization love him. The impact he’s had on games is unbelievabe. He’s the American League MVP right now along with the Triple Crown. That’s why you never trade a 5 tool player for anyone. Volquez has influenced 7-8 games. Hamilton’s defense is 2nd to none and look at his line scores. I’m sure not one Reds media will agree, but the facts are there.
By michael
June 4, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
Not Patterson…well at least keep him out of the leadoff slot. Hit him 8th if has to play. He is a good defensive centerfielder.
By David B
June 4, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
Jolbert Cabrerra and Drew Anderson’s stats look good at AAA. Better than Patterson’s at least, mabye they should get the call….
By Ken
June 4, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this
I just hope Freel doesn’t come back. I can’t believe they his this guy 1st or 2nd, they should have left the lineup with Hairston hitting first, Bruce hitting second, move Votto into Griffey’s spot since he was hurt then Dunn and whoever is left behind them. Freel couldn’t work a count if he went to the plate without a bat.
By David B
June 4, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this
Herrera was good. Struck out Howard and Burrell. Pretty good stuff.
By bill
June 4, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this
Patterson? Corey Patterson? You have got to be kidding me!
By tom
June 4, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this
If Patterson is the best the Reds have to bring up then this team is even weaker than I first thought!
By MAC
June 4, 2008 7:26 AM | Link to this
What’s the true status of Griffey? If he’s able to play, I would think Harriston would go back to SS and Bruce would slide to CF…no Patterson until late in the game for Dunn IMO?
By VietVet
June 4, 2008 7:08 AM | Link to this
Surely, they can call up someone who is hitting better than .200, can’t they?Why does Dusty insist on force fitting Patterson in the lineup? Leave Patterson down there to work on his hitting. He hasn’t demonstrated that he can help this team yet.
By Stocc
June 4, 2008 6:47 AM | Link to this
The Reds should allow Chris Speier to manage the away games. His record on the road is 2-0. Crusty’s is 7-21
By MAC
June 4, 2008 3:57 AM | Link to this
We’ve all picked on a lot of different players this year and I for one can’t understand why more isn’t said about Bako? He’s suppose to be in the game for his Def, but against real base stealing teams/players, he hasn’t faired too well. More importantly, he can’t hit his weight, and that’s hard to swallow considering this team is having problems scoring runs! Javier may not be the best catcher in the world, but he’s not that bad either and he can flat out rake at the plate. I can’t understand why the guy doesn’t at least get a spot start every now and then all things considered?
By Elio Chacon
June 4, 2008 2:12 AM | Link to this
Patterson? Oh no! What has become of Hopper? haven’t heard squat about him. Herrera was simply lights out tonight…a 1st game befitting of Janish & Bruce. What a breath of fresh air Herrera will be out of that pen if he’s consistent…and his record from A-ball and college indicates he could be the real deal and tonight was terrific. And I should know…look at NY name!
By Benjamin
June 4, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this
That’s really too bad about Mercker going on the 60-day DL and probably retiring. He pitched really well for us and seemed to be a good person to have in the clubhouse.
By Deaner
June 3, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this
Can’t wait to see Herrera… dread seeing Corey Patterson in center again.