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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 > 30 > Entry
Cueto close, Masset injured (slightly)
God bless Continental Airlines. It is so nice to find an airline that still cares, still gives service and doesn’t gouge.
Flew Continental from Houston to Dayton Friday, No extra charge for luggage. Left on time. They served ham sandwiches, drinks and plain M&Ms. No extra charge. Arrived early. My luggage was the SECOND off the carousel and the one wheel that United left on my luggage on the trip from Denver to Houston was still there.
One complaint. How about some peanut M&Ms? Just kidding. I managed to spill my Diet Coke all over my lap and the flight attendant was ready with mucho towels and a whole new can of Diet Coke.
Service. What a concept.
SOME NUGGETS:
Johnny Cueto played long toss before Saturday’s game and all went smoothly. The plan is for a couple of bullpen sessions to test his elbow, then a decision.
“He’s chomping at the bit,” said manager Dusty Baker. “If it wants to pitch and he is OK to pitch after the two bullpen sessions, why not let him pitch?”
I can think of quite a few reasons why not. He is 22. He has pitched 155 innings this year after 30-some in winter ball and after 20-some in spring training. He is approaching 200 innings, maybe already past it.
Now I check the standings and what do my wondrous eyes see? Twenty-seven games to go and 26 games out of first place. Why? What take a chance on a 22-year-old pitcher who has been exposed to enough big-leaague experience this year to know what it’s all about. He doesn’t need any more this year, does he?
TO MAKE ROOM for Saturday’s pitcher, rookie Ramon Ramirez, the Reds sent infielder Adam Rosales back to Louisville and Baker said, “He’s going back to help them win the playoffs, then come back to re-join us.”
Rosales says it is a win-win situation for him: “If I stayed here I’d be exposed to the big-league experience, the learning experience. That’s good. But I’m going where I get to play every day and hopefully I can help bring a ring back to the Cincinnati organization.”
Told that he had a great attitude, Rosales said, “Always, man. Always.”
RELIEF PITCHER Nick Masset was not available Friday or Saturday after he banged his pitching hand on something when he was involved in an accident.
It happened as he was driving home from the airport when the Reds returned from Houston Monday night and he was within 500 yards of his home.
“A young woman pulled out of the Kenwood Mall in front of me,” he said. “I was two minutes from home. Everybody is OK, but my car (Lincoln Mark LT) may be totaled. We probably won’t get the verdict until Tuesday when the insurance company gets to it. The front end is smashed really bad.”
Masset said he thinks his pitching hand is good enough that he plans to throw on the side Sunday, “And I may even be game ready. The man is just a little bumped up. My car? Much, much worse.”
Said Baker, “My mom always told me accidents happen within a mile of your house. I believe it. So the closer I get to home, the more careful I am and the slower I drive.”
Said one media comedian, “A friend of mine heard that most accidents happen within a mile of home, so he moved.”
The story, as I heard it, is that Chris Dickerson is a nephew of former NFL running back Eric Dickerson. Wrong. A myth.
“That got into some bio the first year of my career and it has never stopped,” said Dickerson. “We’re not related. I get asked all the time - when I sign autographs, by members of the other team. The legend continues.”
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By timb
September 2, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
Hal, dead on on Cueto. I would love to see he and Aaron shut down for the season and Volquez on a strict diet of 90 pitches (20 wins? with this line-up, he’d need to pitch into December to get his 20th). Dusty claims to have learned the lesson of Wood and Prior (who refuse to blame Dusty) and he’s done a good job, generally, of not running up the kids’ pitch counts, but enough is enough. Tell dusty I said so, he always listens to me.
By MAC
August 31, 2008 1:05 AM | Link to this
No doubt, Harriston had a very good streak, but so did Freel before he became injuried. Likewise, I believe Freel is still under a hefty contract? Problem is, neither one of those guys can stay healthy for a whole season. I like Hopper a lot; he was very effective last season; very similar to what Dickerson is doing now, but can HE stay healthy? Can the Reds keep them all and still find a place for Kepp and Gonzales if he returns; somehow I don’t think so? Things still seem very merky for the Reds next season IMO.
By BrarHopper
August 31, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this
If Dickerson needs a righty counterpart to swap off as CF in 2009, wouldn’t Hairston be the logical candidate? He’s been so awesome for the Reds this year. And I know folks worry about his duarbility as an everyday player. Hair is a MUST on the 2009 Reds IMO. His attitude, absolute 110% hustle, passion and versatility are all needed. He is a natural by-example leader and is so into the game at every moment, even when he doesn’t play. The Reds need this positive dynamo on the team.
By MAC
August 30, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this
No doubt, Dickerson has been impressive; have the Reds found their CF and lead-off hitter for next year? He seems to struggle against Lefty’s, who will be his RH counter part?
By HuberTucky
August 30, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this
I’m concerned. Is Nick Masset another Todd Coffee? Just asking, just wondering. Also, more base running stupidity tonight with Bruce and Patterson. Who is their teacher supposed to be about base smarts? Whoever it is gets a D— this year.
By Mike-Cinci
August 30, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
I was at the game tonight. Ramirez did a nice job. Dickerson and Votto were impressive. EE made a wonderful defensive play and produced 2 runs. Patterson got a key hit and to his credit he can cover ground in CF. Concerns: Bray sometimes is frustratingly ineffective.. Patterson could have scored on the Valentin double play ball which was a force at first and a tag at second if he had run hard from third and beat the 3rd out tag at second. Unacceptable!! The Giants are in the same spot as the Reds…some good young players but not enough good players on the roster. They have some speed but that is about all. They have some good young starters. (Lincecum, Cain).
By Nebraska
August 30, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
Please continue your blog. Red’s fans that live out of state depend on your blog to keep up to date on Red’s baeball. I never read the comment section. If technically possible, cut the comments out and keep on writing for true Red’s fans.
By Nebraska
August 30, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
Please continue your blog. Red’s fans that live out of state depend on your blog to keep up to date on Red’s baeball. I never read the comment section. If technically possible, cut the comments out and keep on writing for true Red’s fans.
By Y-City Jim
August 30, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
How much will Patterson be fined for not running hard from 3B and costing the Reds a run?
By BrarHopper
August 30, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
This is great news to hear. Since Patterson pulled his average above .200 tonight, I hope that contract extension also includes a hefty merit raise for a job well done…giving the proverbial 110% for his boss. Besides, it’s hard to put food on the table for a paltry $3 million a year. Gee, I hope they hurried and inked that contract during this brief window of perfomance for the young man…better hurry, he might drop back to .197 next time out there. Hot damn, more Corey to look forward to!
By Mark in Sun Valley
August 30, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
Patterson’s average “climbs” to .201! Baker says “I knew it all the time!” Reds announce Patterson contract extension. Boy, do I feel bad for the kids Ramirez. He really deserved to win his first big league start.
By Y-City Jim
August 30, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
Shut Cueto down for the season. There is no point in running him out there. I still think FSOH should carry Bats broadcast in lieu of the Reds games.
By rob in stl
August 30, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this
LOL….your friend moved because most accidents happen less than a mile from home. Along that same line, baseball should move first base back 10 feet to eliminate all close plays.
By Florida Buckeye
August 30, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
Hal, please take this as a sincere compliment: At times your blog reads like a “You know me Al” piece, and I loved Ring Lardner…thanks for your stories, insights, and a place that we can all share baseball memories and opinions
By ohdave
August 30, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
How much is Continental paying you? Kidding. Attitude is everything. The Reds need more gamers like Rosales.
By ohdave
August 30, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
How much is Continental paying you? Kidding. Attitude is everything. The Reds need more gamers like Rosales.
By Michael
August 30, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this
Hal, finally a good travel experience … well, except for spilling the drink.