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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 > 20 > Entry
Lots of friends in Gotham
Since I was quick to pull the rip cord on U.S. Airways on my last trip to New York, during which I thought I’d find Dr. Livingston before I found Manhattan, I’ll tell them today what a nice job they did.
Departure: On time. Arrival: On time. Flight: Smooth, uneventful. Luggage: Waiting on the carousel. Hoo-ha.
And, yes, the Reds have confirmed that rookie Daryl Thompson starts Saturday and no matter what Reds Authority tries to throw against the wall, readers of this blog read it first LAST WEEK right here.
Thompson arrives tonight and goes directly to the hotel for some shut eye, if he can do it. No appearance at Yankee Stadium.
As I disembarked from the ‘D’ train at 161st & River Avenue, the first thing I saw was the outer concrete shell of the new Yankee Stadium. Outwardly, it looks like the Roman Colosseum.
The Yankees have won seven straight, the Reds have lost five straight and even though Edinson Volquez goes tonight, the Reds are facing Mike Mussina (10-4). So it looks as if the Reds Christians might get fed to the Yankee Lions tonight.
As many of you know, my last two trips to NY were packed with personal problems galore - torn meniscus in my knee, an eight-hour flight that should take 1:45, lost luggage, a wrong turn near Times Square and a lost soul (me) wandering the perimeter.
I found a shiny penny on the floor of the Dayton airport this morning, so maybe that’s why things have gone smoothly. I left my Blackberry on a concierge desk this morning and went back 30 minutes later and it was still there.
The Reds should have ample support tonight and this weekend. Half my flight from Dayton this morning contained folks wearing Reds gear, including one young lady I overhead talking about her dog, “Nuxhall.”
When she saw me laughing, she said, “Is Daryl Thompson really pitching Saturday, Mr. McCoy?” I said, “Yes he is. You going to be there?” She said, “Yes, my first visit to Yankee Stadium.”
I left early for logistical reasons because I haven’t been to The Bambino’s Home since the 2003 World Series.
As I walked down River Avenue toward a McDonald’s, a couple of blocks away from the stadium, somebody put their hand on my shoulder - scaring the bejeezus out of me.
“Mr. McCoy, we’re from Brookville (near Dayton), up here for the weekend series,” said one man, nodding toward his friend.
Man, it’s nice to be among friends when you are walking by yourself in The Bronx, even in the shadow of The House That Gehrig Didn’t Build.
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By Deaner
June 21, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
I was surprised to see so many Reds fans in the stands while watching the game on TV; That was nice to see. Since I just moved back to Ohio, it was also my first time watching the Reds on TV in quite a while (I usually follow them via XM radio), so it was very nice to see a Redlegs winner!
By Y-City Jim
June 21, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this
Hopper had to baby sit the kid - Dusty’s kid. :D
By AP-FLORIDA
June 21, 2008 6:33 AM | Link to this
OOPS, MUST OF BEEN A DREAM. I THOUGHT I SAW EXCITMENT AND ENERGY IN HOPPER..BUT RUSTY PLAYS CP! I MUST BE MISSING SOMETHING???? PLEASE TAMPA, TAKE GRIFFEY……AND BAKER!!!!!!
By Mighty Forego
June 20, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this
Hal, forget MacDonalds. Walk east another block and go to the Court Deli. Best Pastrami in NYC.
By Y-City Jim
June 20, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
Cabrera is going on the DL. The bone broke the skin. Ouch!!! They are talking activating Hairston rather than Keppinger.
By Y-City Jim
June 20, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this
It would have made sense to have activated Keppinger and used him as the DH but NO-OOOO, we have to reserve that for Junior. Does Dusty and the front office want to win or not? Put the best offensive team on the field. That means Keepinger DH’s and Patterson sits and sits and sits and sits and sits…
By JoeC
June 20, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this
It is great Daryl Thompson is pitching Saturday. I hope we see a solid outing. Now if the Reds can just get Jeff Keppinger activated. With a nine game swing in American league ballparks, I would rather see Keppinger at DH than any combination which puts Corey Patterson in the game.
By Cy Cueto
June 20, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
Please don’t ruin this blog as well…I only have a couple left where I don’t have to deal with the likes of you.
By Y-City Jim
June 20, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
But you forgot that Patterson got a hit in his PH role yesterday. That is like four hits in Dusty’s world. Can we take up a collection among Reds fans to buy out Baker’s contract? Let’s bring back Sparky Anderson, George Scherger, Alex Grammas, Larry Shepperd, and the ghost of Ted Kluszewski to run this team. No Dick Wagner allowed.
By ShockMonkey
June 20, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
I know for a fact I’m the first to post this nugget: Your friend and mine, Cory Patterson is in the lineup tonight. Playing CF and hitting 8th. If only Hopper had three hits instead of two last night he might have gotten a break from Dusty “I’m Clueless” Baker.
By Reds Fan
June 20, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
I sure hope Reds Authority is CORRECT about Jacoby any word on Dick(head) Pole. Neither strikes me as they could actually teach a youngster what to do or not to do. Every shot of Jacoby is by himself at end of Reds dugout and Pole just seems like a worn out old guy. Everywhere I’ve read if the Reds didn’t give Baker such a huge contract he might be on a short leash. I hope Jocketty makes some changes gotta change the stench of the losing ways of the Reds. I don’t have a very good feeling about this weekend. Even if Volquez pitches a perfect game the way the Reds have been they somehow lose to Mussina and Sat with a rookie and Sunday with a rookie. Hope I’m wrong things have to change I hope.
By Steve
June 20, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
Rusty- My apologies. I thought you were ripping Hal. I get fed up with those that don’t realize how lucky we are to have him doing what he does. Again, I apologize. Although that was one heck of a run on sentence!! :)
By SenorSportsAuthority
June 20, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
Great post as usual. And not nearly the sniping as on Fay’s blog.
By Steve
June 20, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
Rusty, Get a life of your own. And learn how to use a period from time to time. How many Hall of Fame inductions have you received? And the Shlitz H.O.F. doesn’t count.
By bigdoc
June 20, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
Great stuff from Hal as always! I suspect JR will get a nice welcome in The Stadium—maybe he can wake up! Go, Reds!
By Joe
June 20, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
Walt needs a short leash on Dick Pole too.
By rusty
June 20, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
reds authority give it a break your act is getting old and annoying ok so if brook jacoby is in trouble and does get fired what do you get for posting it on a blog ? thats what i thought nothing so just get a life dude
By Reds Authority
June 20, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
Reds Authority said it a few days ago (and FIRST!), but it bears repeating… Quite simply, Brook Jacoby is in trouble. I’m told he is on a short leash and the clock is ticking fast (& LOUDLY). A bad series with the Yankees this weekend and Walt will pull the plug. I’m told this will be the first of a myriad of changes he is about to make. Mark this post!