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January 8, 2010 11:27 PM | Link to this

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January 8, 2010 11:27 PM | Link to this

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January 7, 2010 9:52 PM | Link to this

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September 15, 2009 7:02 AM | Link to this

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By RonnieO

January 26, 2009 9:29 PM | Link to this

Lookit - I’m not saying that Dunner is Doubleday’s gift. Where this conversation started was with a whole bunch of y’all going on and on about Adam being half a notch above worthless. Did I say Abreu blows? No. But Dunn ain’t “garbage”. He’s a WAAAY above average offensive player and his defense is what it is. Which is average - no more, no less. Pujols has played well and earned about $72mm over his career. Abreu? $92mm over his career. I would hope these guys are better than Dunn, who has been paid far less (under $36mm) than these guys. But to the point, Dunn hit twice as many homers as Abreu last year, and finished way ahead of Abreu in OBP and OPS. Abreu scored a lot more? I’d hope so. The Yankees batting order has guys like Giambi, Matsui, Damon, Rodriguez, and Cano all with over 70 RBI and 130 games played. Who do you have in the Reds lineup? Votto and Phillips and that’s it.

By michael

January 25, 2009 3:26 PM | Link to this

Trade Cordero? Then what…bring back Mike Stanton or use David Weathers? We tried that…didn’t work too good. I know we have Burton but he hasn’t proved he can close yet and if you trade Cordero, you just have another hole in the Reds armor…we were screaming to get a legit closer and now you want him gone? Not me.

By ryan kahn-madison, indiana

January 25, 2009 12:34 PM | Link to this

Mr. McCoy. I owe you an apology. My last blog was very negative and I’m sorry. I owe you the respect that you deserve and I’m sorry. You are an amazing talent and I hope you understand that I am just very frustrated by the Reds play in the past and the front office for not bringing in at least one big bat for us. I am a die hard Reds fan and I always stick up for them when someone is pounding them the way some people do. You are an ambassador for my team and when you write things about them like that it makes me feel sad. If you won’t support them…who will? So, my apologies. I don’t want you to choke on your next hot dog and yes, i know they are bad for you. I showed my father, who is a long time Reds fan and fan of yours, my last blog and he slapped my hat off my head and continued to tell me “that your a sports writing legend and i should show some respect.” Please God…send us to the playoffs this year.

By Rosey Red

January 25, 2009 1:45 AM | Link to this

Hey Hal, someone took my name so I’ll have to change to “Rosey Red” Do the Rosey Reds still exist? Anyway, I found Castellini’s “State of the Reds Address” encouraging. I think they’ll put a winning package on the field this year. I agree, I feel Jared Burton is ready to “Close”. If Alonso’s bat is as good as predicted maybe we should try him “Out Yonder” in LF. Pardon the pun. Have a good trip to Florida.

By Wizard

January 24, 2009 11:45 PM | Link to this

I am curious—why does our closer insist on pitching every batter he faces, away? Why does he do that? Does not most every closer worth his paycheck, dust some people off the plate, to keep them off balance? I believe it is true when I say: Cordero never did this last year!

By Bill-Georgetown

January 24, 2009 11:33 PM | Link to this

Hey Kevin: whose talking about the Reds and pinstripes? Duh.

By James A

January 24, 2009 9:14 PM | Link to this

Batting average- .236, 2B-23, Hits- a whopping 122 Runs-79..not even close to the 100 people say he had. SO-164…swing batter, RBI- 100..didnt I just say he had 40 homers? wtf. slg pct-.513 walks-122…. All or nothing all this for 13 million? give me a break. Ronnie0 check the stats hes garbage. The errors might not be there but he misplays more flyballs than anyone in the game they hit the ground so it wouldnt be an error. Thats the stats now how can anyone defend that.

By James A

January 24, 2009 9:10 PM | Link to this

Dunns amazing 2008 stats….. Batting average- .236 2B-23 Hits- a whopping 122 Runs-79..not even close to the 100 people say he had. SO-164…swing batter RBI- 100..didnt I just say he had 40 homers? wtf. slg pct-.513 walks-122….All or nothing all this for 13 million? give me a break. Ronnie0 check the stats hes garbage.

By ctownboy

January 24, 2009 9:03 PM | Link to this

Ronnieo, Statistics prove that Bobby Abreu had a better year than Dunn last year. So did Michael Young. Statistics also prove that Abreu has been better than Dunn over the last five years. Over that tiem period, Abreu has scored more Runs and driven in more RBI’s than Dunn and accomplished this even though he Walked 52 fewer times and hit 101, yes, ONE HUNDRED AND ONE, fewer Home Runs. As far as Defense goes, you people are laughable. You get on Keppinger for NOT having enough range and allowing Hits and Runs to score because of it THEN just use Errors as a guide to how much Dunn hurts the team. As an example about how Errors are nto the only guide to how bad Dunn’s Defense is, look no further than the Game at Wrigley Field last year where there were two Outs and Fukudome hit a Fly Ball to the wall that Dunn misplayed. That was NOT an Error but it allowed a Run to score and then two more to score afterwards. Welsh called it a catchable ball and a bad play by Dunn right away. But, of course, good ole George “rose colored glasses” Grande didn’t see it that way at first. Then, after a couple of replays where it was OBVIOUS the ball was catchable and Dunn MISPLAYED it, even Grande had to agree that Dunn messed up. Right after DUnn misplayed that ball, teh camera showed Cueto being VISABLY upset on the mound. Also, last year, Prince Fielder scored from Second Base ON A SINGLE TO LEFT FIELD. Not only did Fielder score but Dunn’s throw was neither close nor accurate. Finally, Wayne Krivsky now works for the Orioles. A couple of weeks ago it was reported that the Orioles would ONLY be interested in Dunn if he were a full time DH.

By James A

January 24, 2009 8:58 PM | Link to this

Ronnie0 for one I was being sarcastic when i said Dunn hit “32 solo shots” but it was probably pretty close. Second Bruce was playin in his first season and he doesnt even play the same spot as Dunn so your comparison makes no sense.

By RonnieO

January 24, 2009 7:01 PM | Link to this

Sorry - I didn’t realize this was a “Would I rather have Pujols than Dunn?” discussion. I was just trying to make the point that Dunn doesn’t suck. He’s actually quite good. True though, his arm is terrible. You could about roll the ball in as good as he can throw. Sure, Albert’s a lot better - but if we can’t afford Dunn we surely can’t afford Albert. But heck, if money is no object, let’s go get that A-Rod guy too.

By Mike

January 24, 2009 6:49 PM | Link to this

A team looks good on paper, and then the season begins. After 162 games,all versus other MLB teams, plus the injuries,and the travel, the season ends. That good team on paper from the spring before usually, does not make the playoffs. Once, in a great while a team like the Rays end up in the play-offs. Or the Marlins win it all. Now, look at the Reds roster. It’s not very good. If every player on the Reds have a year comparable to their best year in the majors, have few injuries, and most of the close calls go our way, the 2009 Reds will not make the play-offs. Hal is not pessimistic, he is realistic…and a good scribe.

By Mike-Cinci

January 24, 2009 5:14 PM | Link to this

Dunn is an interesting player. He has good power. When he hits ‘em they are hit a long way. He has hit over .250 once in the last 4 years. In 3871 MLB AB’s he has struck out 1256 times. His life time K % is .325. His lifetime BA is .247. In those lifetime AB’s he has had only 21 sacrifice flys. He has 201 lifetime doubles. One manager wanted to bat him leadoff. Another liked him #2.Rarely did he bat cleanup. He spent a good portion of 2008 in the 6th spot. In the same 8 seasons as Dunn with 600 fewer at bats Pujols has almost 50% more RBI (977), 70% more doubles (342), 60% fewer K’s (506), 123% more sacrifice flys (47) and a lifetime average of .334 vs. Dunn’s .247. Adam is slow, he has no range in the outfield, his arm is awful, he has no speed on the bases, he can’t move runners over, except for HR’s he has no extra base power, he can’t bunt, he refuses to move to 1B. He did not help the Reds win and Arizona after watching him for 1/3 season did not try to sign him. The Toronto GM said he would never want him on his team. Adam Dunn might be the nicest guy in the world but that does not mean he is a player who can help a team win. He has too many holes in his game. Some team will sign him.

By napoleon 2

January 24, 2009 4:30 PM | Link to this

Y-CityJim, you speak the truth. Josh Hamilton recently wrote a book that I saw in a bookstore. He spoke of difficulties he had with the Reds, and said it was attributed to Brandon Phillips(not Dunn and Griffey).

By RonnieO

January 24, 2009 4:08 PM | Link to this

I love it when people exaggerate erroneous information so often the actually believe it to be the truth. Of Dunn’s 40 HRs, 32 were solo shots? And he’s not clutch? Okay - then you can’t have it both ways. That means then that he managed 60 RBIs on his other 80 hits? If your first point is true then he sounds freakishly clutch - get a run in damn near everytime he gets a hit. Or maybe he does hit his share of multi-run shots? But while we’re on that hypothetical, why is Dunn a bad ballplayer because the guys ahead of him couldn’t do their job and get on base? James, I checked your “lack of clutch” stats and posted them for you to see yesterday. Adam Dunn with runners in scoring position and two outs - in 37 AB’s - Dunn hit 6 HR, produced 20 RBI, scored 15 R, picked up 13 BB, and had an OPS of 1.183. His “flurry” of missed balls netted out to eight total errors last year. Over 162 games. That’s one error every 20 games. One error every 180 innings. Once again, please define a “flurry” for me. Some of this stuff is just goofy.

By RonnieO

January 24, 2009 3:22 PM | Link to this

I’ve never understood all the angst about the “how” when somebody makes outs. Dunner stikes out a lot - sure. Would the world be better place if he grounded out to second more? How about a shallow fly to center instead of a strike out? An out is an out is an out. At least he’s not grounding into double plays when he’s striking out. Can any of the Dunn haters here tell me who had more GIDP last year, Bruce or slow slow slow Adam Dunn? the answer is Jay Bruce. Bruce grounded into more double plays than Dunn. And Bruce did it in 100 fewer at bats. How about Donkey’s terrible defense? Who had a better fielding percentage? Dunn - and it wasn’t close. .968 to .955 for Bruce. I hope everybody who’s been on the “Dunn is a defensive liability” kick hold Jay Bruce to the same high standard. My friends, if Jay Bruce gets the same number of plate appearances in 2009 that Dunn had in 08, but Bruce strikes out at the same rate he did in 08 - you will have to redefine what a “K machine” is - but he’ll still not get within 50 points of Dunn’s slugging percentage or 100 points of his OBP.

By Y-City Jim

January 24, 2009 2:27 PM | Link to this

James, I didn’t say Phillips was lousy. I said he is overrated. The Gold Glove is nice but I sure want to see more than a .261 BA and a .312 OBP from my 2Bmen. A lot of the HRs from Bruce, Votto, and Encarnacion will be solo shots if the team’s inability to get runners on base continues. They sure didn’t acquire anyone that looks to improve that, and that’s where they will miss Dunn, who should have been the team’s no. 2 hitter. The speed guys Patterson and Taveras have never scored 100 runs in a season but the “slow” guy Dunn has done it three times and his career 162-game average is 100 runs scored per game. Maybe the Reds’ answer at manager needs to be a young guy who doesn’t do things the old way.

By JC

January 24, 2009 2:03 PM | Link to this

I also thought that Hal previously had a “doom and gloom” article. My point is that there was no legitimate assessment of all of the facts (present condition of the farm system, economy, etc.). Find out all of the information you can on what “smoke” you claim they are blowing in your direction. If you find (like I have)to give them the benefit of the doubt for only “one” more year then do so. You complain about them making excuses but do not offer a viable answer to the Reds dilema. We all observe from a distance and do not have all the facts. If Castellini says the Reds lacked a winning attitude (throughout their system) and he also desires to build for the long term, then find out if it is really true about his claims. Then see if he is trying to pull off a “smoke and mirrors” job on the Reds fan base. To simply react negatively based upon years of futility is not an entirely accurate assessment when progress is being made.

By sun deck lover

January 24, 2009 1:55 PM | Link to this

Although Bob is backpeddaling quicker and less gracefully than Dunner on a misjudged fly ball, at least he has the baseballs to address the fans and media when they call him out-unlike other Cincinnati franchise owners! He probabaly realized now that he made some rash decisions (especially with Krivsky) and proclomations early on. With ticket sales likely nose diving due to lack of “money to waste” in anyones pocket, there is likely no hope. What baseball has to have is a salary cap in order for the Reds to ever consistantly compete again. But then again, the other team in town has somehow managed to avoid success even in a system designed for it.

By Mike-Cinci

January 24, 2009 1:47 PM | Link to this

RonnieO is on target about the Reds need for offense but I fear he over rates the contributions of Dunn and Griffey. The Reds will miss their RBI but these guys were in the middle of the lineup and should have done even more. Their defense and lack of speed did not help either. Dunn was a K machine. All of that said RonnieO is right to worry about the offense. The Reds need Votto, Bruce, Phillips, and EE to live up to their potential. Unfortunately this could go either way. The pitching might be better but there are several “ifs”. Harang needs to make a healthy comeback, Volquez needs to pitch like he did the first half of last season all year in 2009, Arroyo must become more consistent, Cueto must learn to throw strikes and cut down on the gofer balls, and they need to find a fifth starter. It would help if Cordero pitched like a $12 million closer. Other than these uncertainties things are fine.

By James A

January 24, 2009 1:44 PM | Link to this

RonnieO..True they lost that production from Griff and Dunn of last season but thats exactly what that was…last season.. Griff will be lucky to hit 10 homers this season so Bruce is a majot upgrade over Junior at the plate and in the field. Dunn is good for 100 walks 100 runs 90 RBI 40 Homeruns “32 being a solo blast”, never coming thru in the clutch, check the numbers, a 245 average and 200 strikeouts not to mentiona flurry of baseballs mis-played in the outfield. We will miss his power thiss eaosn thats it but I think our lineup can generate runs in other ways. We should have 4 guys with 25 plus homers. Eddie, Joey, Jay and Phillips. Im being optimistic about my posts on here I know but lets look at the Bright side of things seeing the season hasnt started and give them a chance until they prove other wise. I recall the Rays making ther World series with only one big run producer. Our pitching is better than most people give credit for goin into this season. We have to remember the gained exp last season and will be better. In the division I only see the Cubs with a better staff. Dunn is better off where he is. Unsigned. There is a reason teams are reluctant to sign him. Its going to be a good season. You mentioned the standing up when he hits a homer, yes that will be missed but I wont miss the trip up the stasirs after he has struck out to end 30 ball games.

By James A

January 24, 2009 1:29 PM | Link to this

Over-rated Brandon Phillips? Maybe you should check last years stats then when our done with that see who won the Gold Glove at second base……ignorant

By Mr. Redlegs (Original)

January 24, 2009 12:21 PM | Link to this

Hey old-timer, this was an awesome read. Glad to see the ol’ fire and spit after a winter of hot-dog gluttony!

By Y-City Jim

January 24, 2009 12:13 PM | Link to this

I hope Dunn signs with an AL team so we don’t have to hear Marty whine on about him every time the Reds play the team he plays for. As for Hamilton’s comments about certain Reds players, I believe he was referring to the overrated Brandon Phillips.

By RonnieO

January 24, 2009 12:03 PM | Link to this

James, don’t get me wrong - I’m the biggest Reds fan I know and I desperately want them to do well. But I don’t understand a couple of your points. Pitchers don’t win ball games all by themselves. Somebody has to drive in some runs (somebody like a Griff or a Dunn) during the game in which they happen to be pitching. I question the Reds current lineup’s ability to produce runs as well as last years opening day roster. Second, even if I assume the upper end of all your win totals, I only get to 68 victories. Don’t you think you’ll need at least 22 more for a sniff at the post season? Last year’s crew only mustered 19 wins out of the pen. And assuming those victories is a huge IF. Harang has never won more than 16 in his career, Volquez won 17. You’ve got them both significantly overachieving. I don’t know how unless we’re scheduling the Pirates and Padres only when they start. And I love me some Cueto, but unless somebody instructs the young man on how to mix his pitches better, he might not get to 10 wins. Slam Dunn and Griff all you want, but you just gave away their combined 171 2008 RBIs with Bruce/Gomes/Dickersons combined 88 RBIs. That’s 90 runs you gotta make up somewhere. 90 runs your rotation will need in run support to get a couple of 20 game winners. All in all, the projected 2009 starting day roster is a significantly worse offensive team than last years - You better hope that rotation wins a TON of 1-0 decisions. But I doubt it, because the rest of the Central hits the ball pretty good at GABP.

By Kevin

January 24, 2009 11:53 AM | Link to this

Havaclu….Great name! I dont think theyve missed thier chance on moving Cordero. Well probably see him moved at the trading deadline. The FA closer market was glutted this offseason with quality people ,and as always happens a contending team will have a closer whos either ineffective or injured during the course of the season. I can see him being moved, and theres a good possibility well also move either Harang, Arroyo or both for a talented young shortstop and maybe even that right handed power hitting leftfielder we covet so much. Those three pitchers alone could bring a tremendous amount of young talent to this team!

By Mike-Cinci

January 24, 2009 11:47 AM | Link to this

Great blog by Hal and a very realistic assessment of the Reds. Hal was not negative. He gave an open, honest opinion. I agree with him. The outfield is a question mark. He is right about the GM moves and the Cordero signing. I also don’t like losing players to free agency or needing to trade them because of impending free agency but small market teams have no choice if the player wants to leave or look to see how much he is worth. The Indians have lost Albert Belle, Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome, and CC Sabbathia for just the same reasons. I hate it as much as Hal. He’s right about Dickerson. Who knows how good he will be? I worry about Jay Bruce. Is he as good as the hype? Dunn was not the problem but he was not the answer either. He wanted to test the market. At 28 this will be his last chance for a huge contract. The economy has put a monkey wrench in that plan. On the downside he has negatives that make him unattractive to many teams. He will play somewhere. The Reds will have a $75 million payroll. With Dunn it would be $85-$90 million. I don’t think this would get them into contention. They need better players in several places. Pitching and defense win. Casey is retiring. He is a smart man and was a fine player. He knows when it is time. Some other players don’t. The Reds should hire him in the organization.

By Kevin

January 24, 2009 11:40 AM | Link to this

No disrespect James, but thats a perfect example of being unrealistic. Believe it or not we DO NOT have three starters that anyone can honestly predict winning 17 to 20 games. They wont have nearly enough offense support to post those kind of wins.

By HavaKlu

January 24, 2009 11:35 AM | Link to this

I agree with Hal on at least one point—Cordero. He was signed because the owner thought the Reds had a legitimate chance to compete. Now that the chance to compete is slight and the emphasis seems to be developement, they missed a golden opportunity to trade their most marketable guy—Cordero. He could have brought a hitter and a prospect at least.

By RonnieO

January 24, 2009 11:31 AM | Link to this

I know - thank goodness Dunn is gone. I got really tired of putting down my beer to cheer when he hit a blast. I’m so tired of that. And they way he got on base to extend innings - that’s too long to wait between brat breaks. And Griff, too. Man, I was sooo tired of his leave it ALL on the field, I don’t shoot ‘roids routine. Goody-two shoes! And neither one of them ever got in any trouble - I really can’t stand those good citizen types. Good Riddance!

By Kevin

January 24, 2009 11:26 AM | Link to this

As this roster stands right now I dont believe theyll have a winning record. At the same time I really dont want to see them gutting the farm system of younger players by trading them in an attempt to achieve a .500 record. Lets just accept 09 for what it is....a bridge to the future. BTW...if Bob came out publicly and said what I just did hed be strung up on fountain square. Most Reds fans expect to win every year which is unrealistic.

By James A

January 24, 2009 11:21 AM | Link to this

I think the Reds will win in 09. We were 74-88 with alot of young players. They will have more expierince this season and will be even better. I think Cueto is going to win 15-17 games this season. Mix that in with Volquez and harang who will be around 20 each. Bronson will be good for 12-15. Owings will end up being a solid 5th or relief help. Our bullpen is upgraded Rhodes is a solid lefty out of the Pen. Burton will set up. Not to mention the fella we got from Chicago For Griffey. He is also solid out of the Pen. Herndazez gives us a catcher with a little pop and some decent defense. Over-all the defense will be much improved with Griffeys slow legs out of right field and Dunns Adventures in left. Taveras gives us D and speed and if he can lear to get bunts down and keep the ball on the ground he will be a good pick up at the plate. Would be a Pure-leadoff hitter. Votta and Bruce will both be better with the expierience. All in all I can see where Bob Says this.

By ShockMonkey

January 24, 2009 11:12 AM | Link to this

Hal, you’re closer to the situation than any of us so-called thread experts but I’m with you on leaning towards “if’s” and negativity. How can you not be? The Reds will need many thing to go right in order for them to be competitive. Thankfully, Dunn and Griffey are GONE!

By Kevin

January 24, 2009 10:54 AM | Link to this

I have more faith in Castellini than I ever did in Linder or Marge. I did like Marge, her heart was in the right place, but the woman knew nothing about how to run a baseball team.

By HuberTucky

January 24, 2009 10:49 AM | Link to this

Dusty better be listening. Bob CastelLindner said, “We’re gonna win this year. We’re gonna have a winning record this year…” THAT is a warning to Dusty. Win or back to ESPN for ya! CastelLindner also said in his intervie by Cunningham, after some nudging by Cunningham, that the 2009 Reds will have a winning record, which would be the first in his tenure as owner. Cunningham: “And you’re gonna win?” Castellini: “You betcha.” Now Bob sounds like his hero Paris Palin!

By Marge

January 24, 2009 10:42 AM | Link to this

With all this attention and negativity towards the Reds it sounds like the team could take all these “soundbites” to motivate them. Remember “Major League”, but IMO Dusty is no where near the motivator that Lou Brown is. Remember the team takes the personality of the coach. Dusty are you awake.

By RonnieO

January 24, 2009 10:30 AM | Link to this

Good catch Bill, let me be specific. I’ll bet Adam is wearing blue pinstripes. As in Cubbie blue. As in move Soriano to the other outfield corner and let Adam rip the tar out of pitching at Wrigley, and as an added bonus he gets to come to Cinci a few series every year and try to knock one of the smokestacks down. I don’t know about y’all - but one of the things that I HATE about being a seasons ticket holder is that you have to go to six games a year where GABP is like a home game for the Cubs! You think it’s bad now - wait until Hendry figures out how to sign Dunn - GABP will be a sea of blue!

By Kevin

January 24, 2009 10:13 AM | Link to this

Hey Bill……The Reds dont have pinstriped unis anymore. When was the last time you actually watched a game instead of listening to Marty”the king of spin”Brennaman?

By Mo

January 24, 2009 10:11 AM | Link to this

Hal, the day you retire is the day I stop picking up the DDN. Nobody covers any baseball team or any other sport like you do. Avoid the hot dogs, eat lean meat and stick around.

By Bill-Georgetown

January 24, 2009 10:08 AM | Link to this

Ronnie-O if Dunn comes back in pinstripes it would be as a lower-salaried DH, because they wouldn’t want him knocking down their new stadium walli NY. You are ignorant!

By Bill-Georgetown

January 24, 2009 10:00 AM | Link to this

Well, now we know Bullet Bob Castellini reads our blogs. Where else would he know all the negativity is coming from?

By Kevin

January 24, 2009 9:58 AM | Link to this

RonnieO- You shouldnt even waste your typing on ctownboy. Ive seen this guys ramblings(his posts are normally novels!) for months now and Ive never seen him post one positive thing! Some people just live to b!tch and moan.Personally, I loved Dunner. His defense wasnt nearly as bad as people made it out to be, and talk about consistant numbers! Most people forget that when he first came up he was hitting not only for power but also average. I think the plethora of hitting coaches really messed up his approach at the plate. Having said that, even with the strikeouts I`d welcome him back with open arms!

By RonnieO

January 24, 2009 9:49 AM | Link to this

Dunn couldn’t hit in the clutch? In 37 AB’s for the Reds last season where there were 2 outs and a runner in scoring position, Dunn hit 6 HR, produced 20 RBI, scored 15 R, picked up 13 BB, and had an OPS of 1.183. I don’t know what your definition of “clutch” is, but two outs and runners on is good enough for me. And the numbers say the dude PRODUCED. Dale calls him a stiff, just like Daugherty and the rest of the bleeting idiots who can’t be bothered to check things out. Dunn made 8 errors for the Reds last year in left. say each and every one of them let in a run or two. That’s 8 to 16 of your “he lets as many in” as he drove in how many? 100? Follow me here, Cletus - 100 is a bigger number than 8 or sixteen. Here’s something to chew on, Dale78 - picture Dunn in a Cubs uni next year. I don’t care if you don’t like him. But the idiots who actually believe Adam Dunn is not a good baseball player and then say stupid things that turn out to not be true to prove their supposed point might want to check the numbers. Adam Dunn is in fact very good at baseball. The statistics prove it. And all the so called situational challenges you mention prove it. I’ll bet you Dusty’s bloated paycheck that if Dunn comes back here in 09 wearing blue pinstripes you all will be shreikin’ from the freakin’ and oinkin’ from the boinkin’. Then the blog thread of the day will be how we have to get Dunner back and how could we have let him get away.

By Bob

January 24, 2009 9:24 AM | Link to this

Hal, you and your buddy marty should both move on along. your negativity is getting old. let someone who ENJOYS covering the Reds get those big paychecks.

By Old Kiser Coach

January 24, 2009 9:13 AM | Link to this

I have followed the Reds for a long time, the 40s. There is one reason fans have the feeling about Dunn they have. It is Marty. He did the same thing to Paul O’Neill. You spit out the same garbage long enough and persons of limited mental power believe. Look at Dunn’s stats. I’d love to have him back and a new announcer on radio.

By michael

January 24, 2009 8:36 AM | Link to this

Hal, appreciate the comments but the Reds were better without Griffey. They lost the most immediately following the trade and then played some solid baseball after the numbness of the trade wore off and they settled down. I know you like JR, but he never did anything to help the Reds win. I agree with signing Coco because Stanton and the boys blew so many games over the last few seasons and we had no chance in close games. Most Reds fans were screaming for a solid closer. Casey says he would play in the right situation…what better situation?

By ExactlyEsasky

January 24, 2009 8:30 AM | Link to this

Hey Hal, I agree that the “we’re outta money” proclamation is incredibly deflating. This is buy-low time in baseball; you can’t tell me that the Reds can’t go into debt a little on the short-term in order to build a winning team that’ll, oh yeah, put fannies in seats. We’ve really done virtually nothing this off-season, and there are cheap options for quality players on every street corner. Castellini has shown himself to have poor baseball judgment, in my view: the statements about winning, the firing of farm-oriented GM’s, the overpaying of Dusty, the basic lack of comprehension of how a winning baseball franchise is built. The Reds really aren’t that far off, with good SPitching and some good young regulars; this should have been an off-season where the other parts could’ve been scored cheaply. Instead, we get Old Man Rhodes and Ramon Hernandez.

By Randy

January 24, 2009 8:27 AM | Link to this

RonnieO is on the right track! TOO much $$ for the mgr not to mention the numerous overpaid players

By DALE 78

January 24, 2009 6:12 AM | Link to this

Hello Hal . I disagree Adam Dunn is a stiff ,he probably lets in as many runs as he drives in .He cannot hit in the clutch. If Mr Dunn is such a hot commodity why is he still unsigned .

By JJ

January 24, 2009 5:04 AM | Link to this

Hal, Keep up the good work-there is a difference between looking at the Reds through rose-colored glasses and stating the facts-the fact is that there has been little improvement. And Dunn, like him or not, put up decent numbers and put fannies in the seats, which ties into the revenue piece. If you looked around the ballpark on any given game the two jerseys you saw most were Dunn and Griffey-both gone-just like the Reds attendance will be.

By nyc

January 24, 2009 2:44 AM | Link to this

fact…reds will have another losing season….fact…their season will be over by june….fact..the reds stink……

By MAC

January 24, 2009 1:24 AM | Link to this

Hal thanks for telling it like it is. I can’t tell U how refreshing your article was after a week of double speak out of DC! Of course, if the Reds stay injury free and everyone performs @ a high level, I could see the Reds finishing w/ a winning record. However, I think doing that is unlikely; the team is ML young & typically that typically leads to inconsistency. I would echo the comments on DB; many of his moves defy logic and when asked about them, his remarks reveal little clarity. What’s even more frustrating w/ the Reds/DB (is DB calling all the shots?) is their unwillingness to manage w/ common sense. Case in pt would be the overuse of an unproductive CP last season. It sounds as though we’re in for another round w/ Willie T in 09? Along those same lines why not BP @ SS and Joey V in LF; it would seem EASIER to many to find adequate replacements for 2nd and or 1st base??

By RonnieO

January 24, 2009 1:00 AM | Link to this

ctownboy, wtf?!?!? Uh, yeah - I did read a Neil Thompson column (Columbus) where I think he quoted Josh Hamilton as saying Adam’s a good guy in the clubhouse and probably misunderstood because he’s so easy going. And your “one tool” slam is HYSTERICAL! Take that, Dunner - all you do is hit 40 homers every year and drive in a hundred and have an out of this world OBP. You worthless piece of cow flop - YOU’RE ONE TOOL!! All you can do is get on base and lead the league in OPS and not make outs and hit the ball hard. Here’s neat factoid for all you “one tool” haters. You know where Dunn ranks all time among MLB players in home runs per at bat? FIFTH!!! The only jokers ahead of him are named McGwire, Ruth (yes, that Ruth), Bonds and Thome. Everybody else who you can name who ever played major league baseball for a paycheck is WORSE than Adam Dunn in that category. EVERYBODY. Last time I checked, the point of the game for your team during one half of each and every inning is to A.) not make outs and B.) score lots of runs. And Adam Dunn is better at that than anybody else you can name. And you might not like his other tools, but he had a better fielding percentage than Jay Bruce (.968 vs .955), and had fewer errors than Jay Bruce (8 vs. 11). You might want to look that up before you start saying stupid stuff.

By ctownboy

January 24, 2009 12:20 AM | Link to this

Ask Josh Hamilton how “great” King Griffey Jr. and Adam “ONE TOOL” Dunn were in the clubhouse.

By RonnieO

January 24, 2009 12:15 AM | Link to this

Fair enough - but I think a manager asking Adam Dunn to sac bunt (twice) before he gets down 0-2 and then does what he’s ‘sposed to do - blast a bomb, shouldn’t be mentioned in the same breath with Sparky. I think a manager who is completely unaware of his hitters averages vs. righty/ lefty couldn’t carry Sparky’s ball (baseball, that is) bag. My problem is more than what he takes out in salary - it’s that he’s not a real good manager. True, it’s not a real good team. But I’d bet an average to decent manager with that same not very good team would net a better win total at the end of 162. I love Mark’s post on Casey. It is a sad/interesting commentary on the state of affairs. Adding these two thoughts together - I’d (if I were king of the Reds) pull a Marge and bring back Sean Casey as a player/manager.

By Kevin

January 23, 2009 11:44 PM | Link to this

Youre not foolin me my friend. A Hall of Famer like yourself has to be pullindown the big bucks. Id bet my 93 dollar unemployment check its brats and kraut soaked in stadium mustard or nuthin forol Hal!

By Mark in Sun Valley

January 23, 2009 11:41 PM | Link to this

A .302 career hitter who is only 34 retires. Casey is not the prototypical first baseman, but his influence on his teammates and the game in general was always at superstar level. I can’t help but wonder, if this and the recent crop of unsigned freeagents signal a new trend of mid high to middle players who have played themselves out of work due to high salary. I could see a lot of people retiring early. Why sign for 1-2 million on a weak team when you have made plenty of money on a previous contract. Will the league soon be a handful of superstars and lots of cheap “potential” stars?

By Don

January 23, 2009 11:22 PM | Link to this

They tried the cheap manager route and that didn’t work, either. A manager can get you some extra wins but doesn’t make a bit of difference if the team stinks. Remember, Casey Stengel once lost 120 games in one season. So the point is, yes, they’re overpaying for Dusty. But they hired him thinking a big name manager would prove they’re serious about winning. Sparky couldn’t win with this team.

By RonnieO

January 23, 2009 11:08 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the thoughts Hal, but I couldn’t help but notice you very diplomatically avoided field and game management issues. I’m sure Dusty is great guy. I’m sure he has nice kids. Can’t argue with his baseball playing exploits and accomplishments. But for $3.5 million, we might be paying a bit much for a guy who has been a thoroughly average manager. I ain’t saying he doesn’t work hard - he may be the hardest worker in the manager biz for all I know. But why do the Reds have the second richest managers contract in baseball? When a guy like Joe Maddon works for $550K?