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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 > August > 13 > Entry
Of Owings, Korea, Dickerson
Somebody said to manager Dusty Baker, “So, you’re getting Micah Owings from Arizona in the Adam Dunn deal?”
Before he thought, Baker said, “Yeah.” Then, realizing this stuff hasn’t been announced yet, he added, “Really?”
But the flash in his eyes said it all.
Then he was told that there is a report that the Reds can’t get Owings right now — because he had to clear waivers and Washington general manager and former Reds GM Jim Bowden put in a claim for him.
That forced Arizona to withdraw Owings from waivers and now the Reds can’t get him until after the season.
“Bowden was just doing what he could to help his club,” said Baker, another smile on his face while responding to hearing about what Bowden allegedly did.
There is a report that Arizona has not yet placed Owings on waivers, so no team could have claimed and blocked any deal, but another source insists Owings was on waivers.
Baker said before Wednesday’s game, “There is some problem with the league concerning the Owings trade.”
Nevertheless, Owings is coming to the Reds at some point.
If Bowden or anybody else claimed Owings, they might have done the Reds a favor. If Owings arrived right away, the Reds might be tempted to use him. And he might not be usable right now.
After AAA Tucson on July 29. In his first two starts there, he was 0-2 over 11 innings with a 4.09 ERA.
The big thing, though, is that he was supposed to start tonight but was scratched due to shoulder discomfort.
Oh, boy.
SEVERAL REDS were watching the U.S.-South Korea Olympic Games baseball game in the pregame clubhouse, a game started by J.K. Bong for South Korea. Bong briefly pitched for the Reds and spent most of his time injured.
“Is this live?” asked Jerry Hairston Jr., looking at the TV.
“No, they all died,” said Francisco Cordero. Is that Dominican humor? Well, the U.S. team died, losing on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth.
And speaking of Korea, the Korean Professional League folded recently and two pitchers from the Reds system are back in the States. Tom Shearn, though, is pitching in the Minnesota system. Justin Lehr returned to Class AAA Louisville.
AFTER MAKING his major-league debut Tuesday in left field, batting leadoff, Chris Dickerson was on the bench Wednesday under the BPA — the Baker Protective Agency.
“Pittsburgh starter Paul Maholm (a left-hander) is really tough and Dickerson had a little problem with left-handers in the minors,” said Baker. “As I promised, I’m going to protect him, not ruin his confidence, protect his confidence by playing him where he has a better chance to succeed. He’ll be back in there Thursday against Ian Snell.”
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By BOB DUERSTOCK
August 17, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this
It took the white sox 3 weeks to find out that Griffey can,t play center or right field and is no #3 hitter!!!!It took the reds 9 years!!!!
By wizard
August 14, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
How does one determine a player is not the answer at a position{Valentin}: when he hasn’t been given a fair opportunity{yet} to play there regularly; when, during the short opportunity he has had, he has looked exceedingly good defensively? Percentage-wise he has delivered more often in the clutch, driving in runs than Dunn ever did—so who is to deny he may be the answer? Doesn’t he deserve at least as much chance as Dunn had, to fully demonstrate what he can do “in the long run”?
By michael
August 14, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this
Valentin is not the answer, and I don’t think anybody really disagrees with that. I do think he is a fine hitter coming off the bench and every good team needs a clutch pinch hitter. I say keep Javy for that role.
By MAC
August 14, 2008 7:44 AM | Link to this
Pete, I think most of us agree w/ that to some extent. I thought Valentine and Ross did a nice job spliting the catching time; they had good productivity from that spot until Baker brought in Bako. I’m all for improving it, but there aren’t exactly a lot of options out there in FA. Perhaps Hannigan & or Castillo may be the ticket? I do question the lack of activity w/ our FA bullpen pitchers? Many have been very good, but it looks as though they will let most of them go?
By Pete
August 14, 2008 7:26 AM | Link to this
Yo… PO Dean…. Valentin isn’t the answer @ 1B, & he’s not the hitter that you build him up to be. He’s a hack, plain & simple. Yep, he has a good game here & there, hits a HR once in awhile. But he’s definitely not in the future of the Reds. PEOPLE LISTEN UP!!!! For those who keep wishing & whining that the Reds would keep &/or build around certain players…. take a REAL GOOD LOOK @ the players still here. Better yet, PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT THEY’VE BEEN DOING FOR THE REDS — specifically the ones who are doing pretty much of NOTHING!!!! Time to clean house, let the kids prove what they can or can’t do, & remove the dead weight! & that includes some of the coaching staff as well!
By MAC
August 14, 2008 2:00 AM | Link to this
Granted, I’m sure the Reds and the fans wanted to recv more for Dunn than 2 broken down pitchers. Well, Wilken Castillo might be the last piece and best player in the deal? An internet search will show that this 23 yr-old is a good catching prospect who is a very good athlete and capable of playing a number of other positions as well; he originally started his pro career as a SS. Likewise, don’t forget the Reds could try and resign Dunn in the off season? I’m not suggesting they should or will, but they could?
By Taterhead
August 13, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this
Hey, did anyone pick up David Ross? Does anyone know what happened to Scott Hatteburg?
By Rick in Ky.
August 13, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
Not to get off the subject too much, but was the Korean league that folded the same one Jerry Royster was managing in? I read a piece about him earlier this season in the Atlanta paper and how he was enjoying being there but trying to bring a harder edge to their “polite” style of play.
By Joe
August 13, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
Thank you Hal for writing a very nice piece on Adam Dunn. It is good to verify what many (unfortunately not nearly enough) Reds fans did know about Dunn - he worked hard and he wanted to succeed. It seems as though if a guy doesn’t run to first after a walk, he is damned right off by far too many fans in Cincinnati. I hope Adam rakes the next 7 weeks and helps the snakes win the NL West.
By Post office Dean
August 13, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this
The Dunn deal stinks, why do the Reds think they have to have every pitcher that has had Tommy John surgery? Now it looks like the other player named later is Micah Owings and he has shoulder problems, maybe the third player will be fully mission capable, let us hope so. I like the new look Reds, but I would keep Javier at first, that dude can hit.
By Mark in Sun Valley
August 13, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this
Cabrera in Left. And good old CP in center. After his 2-4 yesterday, I was half expecting to hear Patterson had been resigned to a new 4 year-3o million dollar contract.
By Y-City Jim
August 13, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
So who is playing LF if not Dickerson?