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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 36th year of covering the Cincinnati Reds, the longest tenure for any active writer covering one team. Counting spring training and postseason games, McCoy has covered more than 7,000 major-league baseball games, written close to 18,000 baseball stories and eaten enough hot dogs to give Babe Ruth indigestion.Home > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2009 > March > 30 > Entry
Jacque Jones one of three Reds’ cuts
For those of you who were willing to bet their stashed-away cash that Jacque Jones would start the season with the Cincinnati Reds just because he formerly played for manager Dusty Baker, well, you better concentrate on your NCAA brackets.
You lost this one.
Jones was one of the three cuts made by the Reds today. Jones was re-assigned to minor-league camp, but was told there may not be room for him.
Meanwhile, outfielder Norris Hopper and pitcher Darryl Thompson were optioned to Class AAA Louisville.
It was a tough time for Baker. This is the facet of his job he hates most, calling a player into his office to tell him he isn’t wanted. Baker says he wants them all, but there just isn’t room.
Jones, a great guy who always wears a wide smile, was wearing one when he accepted condolences from his teammates and when he met the media. He knew what was coming. His .089 batting average told him like a legal document.
“No surprise, I didn’t hit,” he said. “I went to Mexico this winter, had a good time, did some hitting, but it didn’t carry over to here. I wanted to do well to justify a slot with the team and I just didn’t do it.
“Dusty was great and gave me opportunities, a lot of at bats (45) and I just didn’t do anything with it,” he said.
And now what does he do? He isn’t sure other than, “I’m going to stick around awhile.” It is probably too late to hook up with another organization and for the Reds it is a matter of if they can squeez him onto the Louisville roster.
“We’re trying to see if there is room or not - hopefully so he can do what Jerry did last year,” said Baker. Jerry is Jerry Hairston Jr., who didn’t make the team out of camp and began the year with Louisville, then was called up and played six positions and hit .326.
“Hopefully, he can work with Smoky Garrett (Louisville batting instructor), who I respect a lot,” Baker added. “We have some good prospects down there, so there may not be room. We’re trying to figure it out.”
Hopper was not offered a contract after last season, becoming a free agent, then quickly re-signed with the Reds at a lesser salary. But he hit only .132 this spring.
There are now 33 players in camp - still six outfielders, Jay Bruce, Chris Dickerson, Willy Taveras, Jonny Gomes, Laynce Nix and Darnell McDonald. Seven if you count infielder/outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr., who could be at shortstop if Alex Gonzalez isn’t ready.
He still isn’t playing with the big team. Nor is Edwin Encarnacion. Both were scheduled to DH in minor-league games today.
“We have to try to get them ready for the season,” said Baker. “It’s that time. Everybody always says you have plenty of time, all of a sudden you’re on a crash course of an accelerated program.”
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Comments
By AmericanSoldier
April 4, 2009 11:07 AM | Link to this
Jenkins could help on the bench, playing to rest a regular, Etc. Strikes out a lot for his at-bats, though. I seem to remember fans losing patience in Dunn’s K’s, despite the HR’s, RBI, & Bases on Balls. Jenkins has K’s, less HRs, RBI, & BB. His career BA is higher, but that’s based on what he’s done in years past. How much will he cost the Reds?By james bradley
April 1, 2009 5:14 PM | Link to this
~ perez ~ si~ habla ~ espanol ~ (insert inverted question mark here) ~ LOL ~By Perez
April 1, 2009 2:55 PM | Link to this
James..did you get picked on in school..if so Im soo sorry Jim-BoBy Perez
April 1, 2009 2:41 PM | Link to this
Jimmy or Jamie..this is a baseball blog quit trying to take your frustrations out on here…By Scott
April 1, 2009 9:42 AM | Link to this
Wow…there is hope. Unless he was cut to make room for Sarge Jr. I just read that in the paper today, and to be honest with the outfielders we have why would we want another one? I’ll be honest I’m not familiar with Gary Matthews Jr’s stats, and I wonder if his stats have declined since the link to steroids surfaced with him. That catch he made with Texas before the All-Star game a few years ago was awesome though.By Sal Monella
April 1, 2009 2:07 AM | Link to this
Pretty lame comeback, b!tch! LOL, I got you good and now you’re whimpering like your mommy did.By Get Real
March 31, 2009 10:18 PM | Link to this
Cause she told me you had to nail her 4 time to get to $10 …By Sal Monella
March 31, 2009 10:11 PM | Link to this
$10 is correct, get a life! But how’d you know I pay $1 an inch unless your mom told ya?By Get Real
March 31, 2009 10:06 PM | Link to this
Sal - I didn’t write that the blog needed to pretend I could spell Jack’s last name correctly, I only posted that your dumbass should. Next time you have one of your prostitutes read you something, pay them a little extra on top of the usual $10 and have them read it to you correctly. Ok, pumpstickBy James Bradley
March 31, 2009 5:09 PM | Link to this
Nice baseball post there Perez. Oh, please note that this is not a “For English Press 1” blog… we all speak English here when posting. Have a nice day and don’t let the border patrol hit ya on the @ss as you sneak back into Mex on your way home. Go Reds.By Perez
March 31, 2009 4:09 PM | Link to this
this is a baseball blog..u cares about grammar..u guys and lady are the ones who start everythinBy Sam Monella
March 31, 2009 3:53 PM | Link to this
Excellent post, “get real.” BTW, why should we have to pretend that you can spell? Get it right and we won’t have to correct your hilarious insights. How’d you ever get out of 6th grade with those spelling and grammar skills (sic)? You are such a deep thinker. LOL! 4 a terd, that is. McKeown loves ya!By Get Real
March 31, 2009 2:31 PM | Link to this
Hey Sall Monella - pretend I spelled his name correctly and have someone read it to you again you dipshitBy Boxter
March 31, 2009 1:49 PM | Link to this
Who cares? The Reds have “fast Willie”. Too bad you can’t steal first base.By Sal Monella
March 31, 2009 12:20 PM | Link to this
Getting quite a kick out of the childishness and playground level name-calling on here. Yeah, it’s hard to take seriously some doofus criticizing cdouble13 and others or demeaning Jack McKeon when he can’t even SPELL McKeon correctly. I mean, c’mon “Get Real,” you misspelled McKewon THREE times! So who’s the idiot? Thou art.By Jeanine
March 31, 2009 11:52 AM | Link to this
Jim T and Get Real are the same person…you can tell by the constant and on-going and numerous flaming personal attacks, attempted biting wit and drippy sarcasm, not to mention spelling, grammar and capitalization blunders. Is s/he also Buster and Boxter? They all sound the same and all have the common theme of the personal attack.By Northern Red
March 31, 2009 11:17 AM | Link to this
Walt, Sign Sheffield!By bobs
March 31, 2009 10:27 AM | Link to this
I thought I read in the Cincy paper that they are going to try and work in Mercker for some games this year.By ross
March 31, 2009 10:25 AM | Link to this
UK basketball fans are the worst…Im a UK fan but I can see why most people cannot stand the Cats…need big years from Harang, BP, EE, Votto, and our bullpen..hoping Volquez/Cueto are as good as most people think they areBy Mitch
March 31, 2009 8:15 AM | Link to this
Did you see the PR stunt on the Reds site. Bray has not even turned it around yet. I hope Walt does not let Dusty have his way about keeping Herrera off the opening day roster. Hal we would appreciate your respected opinion?By Get Real
March 31, 2009 7:28 AM | Link to this
CDouble13 - keep posting as you are making everyone else appear smarter when your idiotic posts are on the board.By CDOUBLE13
March 31, 2009 4:48 AM | Link to this
Get Real…Jack Mc was great in the clutch in 2003. He called some great games…He hit some big home runs…Oh that’s right, that was Pudge! Without him, the Marlins would have finished last. Jack Mc did a good job as a mid season hire to settle the organization…but, Davey Johnson, Jim Leyland or yes, Dusty Baker could have done just as well with that talent and a manager on the field like PudgeBy Arnie
March 30, 2009 11:50 PM | Link to this
When is Harrang pitching this week, in a minor league game Wednesday?By BrarHopper
March 30, 2009 10:34 PM | Link to this
BEST QUOTE OF 2009: By dhagoreds March 25, 2009 8:27 PM Jim t is an idiot. Who cares what he has to say.By dhagoreds
March 30, 2009 8:34 PM | Link to this
reread the post and see it is Taveras they are talking aboput. I like the taveras signing.By dhagoreds
March 30, 2009 8:34 PM | Link to this
reread the post and see it is Taveras they are talking aboput. I like the taveras signing.By dhagoreds
March 30, 2009 8:30 PM | Link to this
Greg, no kent is’nt a permanent analyst. He is doing 4 games this week.Mike great post. I agree with all you said. I saw a couple posters say we had wily back? tell me it isn’t so.By get real
March 30, 2009 8:00 PM | Link to this
CDouble13 = your post on Jack McKewon is about as dumb as it gets … you can’t really be that stupid can you? Not only did McKewon take over 2003 Marlins in mid-season that was going nowhere and lead them to a World Series title, the Reds haven’t has a winning season since McKewon was fired …By kurt
March 30, 2009 7:07 PM | Link to this
The Reds run their show just like Art Modell ran the Browns—-500 ball is good enough as long as 25,000-30,000 suckers show up to pay through the nose—-a real circusBy Greg in London
March 30, 2009 4:10 PM | Link to this
Can someone fill me in….I was only able to listen to about 30 minutes of the game….Is Merker a permanent anylyst this year?By Parker In Cincinnati
March 30, 2009 3:12 PM | Link to this
Jones seems like a nice guy, to bad he can not hit! Hopefully they can find a spot for him in the minor leauges and he can join us in cincy later in the season, To be honest, I don’t think the reds are going to have anything to lose come june.By CDouble13
March 30, 2009 3:11 PM | Link to this
All I can say is Reds and Bengal fans will feel very salty when Dusty Baker and Marvin Lewis either win or lead other teams to a world series or a super bowl while the Bengals and Reds are talking about yet another 3 to 5 year plan.By CDouble13
March 30, 2009 3:09 PM | Link to this
Jack McKeon was made to look like a genius in 1999, but he did not have to do anything on the Reds as Greg Vaughn motivated the team to play hard, ask Bret Tomko(how’s your neck from Greg Dangling him by his throat?). In Florida, it was Pudge Rodriguez that led that young pitching staff to the title, not Jack. Just like in San Fran, Dusty had Matt Williams, Reggie Sanders, Kenny Lofton, and Jeff Kent who were leaders…who is a leader in the Reds current locker room does the team fear having to answer to? That’s why the Reds won in 1990, those kids had grown up answering to Dave Parker and Danny Jackson was no punk either.By CDouble13
March 30, 2009 2:54 PM | Link to this
Cincinnati fans booed Eric Davis when he was still struggling with the effects of a lacerated kidney in 1991, backed Pete Rose until it was blatently obvious he was lying…Ryan Freel got in trouble off the field and could not make a logical decision on running the bases and I read on CincinnatiReds.com, Reds fans criticize Edwin Encarnacion for not being intelligent?By CDouble13
March 30, 2009 2:49 PM | Link to this
I see why players want to leave Cincinnati and never wish to come. Whether Bengals or Reds,Cincinnati fans are some of the worst in all sports when it comes to negativity. Cincinnati fans would criticize Jesus if He were a manager or coach in Cincinnati. Dusty Baker won 100 games with Solomon Tores as his ace…made it to a world series with Russ Ortiz as his ace,won the NL central with no bullpen and Joe Borowski, I did say Joe Borowski as his closer and a load of crap in the bullpen…Heck, I would have rode Kerry Wood and Mark Prior with that as my option…By Jim F
March 30, 2009 2:47 PM | Link to this
Hmmm, wonder if Bobs will attend any games when this team shows that it is better than any with the slackers Dunn and Griffey? Monster trucks and WWE sell tickets very well, maybe fans who miss the “entertaining” Dunn and Griffey can buy tickets for these events instead.By bobs
March 30, 2009 2:24 PM | Link to this
Mike-cinci, I agree with about 90% of your post. The future is the farm system, but, the Reds also need to make a little money. People, kids, ….etc. went to the games last year to see Griffey, to see Dunn. They sell tickets. (Again, not saying I want Griffey/Dunn back). You have to give people a reason to come, nobody on the team has that persona that Dunn/Griffey had. I would (and did) pay money to see the Reds last year, they were killed, but the game was at least entertaining. This year, I have zero interest in attending games.By Jim T
March 30, 2009 2:18 PM | Link to this
brarhopper, Yeah I’m sure Dusty was adament about keeping Jones because he had a personal relationship with him. Walt probably confided in you that Dusty did everything he could to keep jones.I’m sure in your world Dusty wants a organization made up of old friends. Should Walt never sign a player who played for Dusty? A former 2 time manager of the year couldn’t possibly know anything about baseball could he. Here is your signBy JIm T
March 30, 2009 2:09 PM | Link to this
Mike-cinci, excelllent post. This club will live and die with the young kids. A huge investment in player development was long overdue. Latin America is being scouted and the farm system is starting to produce. I’m very comfortable investing in players who will not only get better but be here longterm. Marge ruied this farm system and O’brien started the rebuilding process.By Yippee
March 30, 2009 12:51 PM | Link to this
It’s been said a million times, but a team that bats Brandon Phillips in the clean-up spot will not play over .500 ball. Votto is now the best run producer we have, but who will bat ahead of him for protection? This offense is as bad, if not worse, as it was last year…By mike-Cinci
March 30, 2009 12:30 PM | Link to this
So far Jocketty and Baker are making all the right moves. Investing big $ in old players like Abreu, Dye, etc, is a waste of time and money. They won’t make a difference and they will be finished in a year or two. The Reds would not win the Central with A-Rod let alone Abreu and Dye. Did you notice the Sox did not win with Dye last year and Abreu was let go by the Yanks who finished 3rd. Finding an inexpensive left hand hitter who can come off the bench would be a nice addition. Maybe something will be on the waiver wire. The future depends on the farm system and the drafts over the next few years. If you want to criticize the Reds do it by looking how their draft choices do. Teams in small markets must build through the draft, develop players who contribute through the first 6 years of their MLB careers, then sign a long term deal or get traded for prospects. Some will become free agents. If they are any good they will leave and go to the highest bidder. That’s why you keep EE now. If he plays to his potential he will be worth keeping or he will be worth something in a trade. Unfortunately the Reds can afford no more than a $75 million payroll. Over paying for aging free agents will doom this franchise forever. How did Junior work out? How did signing Larkin to a 3 year deal at the end of his career work out? The only thing that works is pitching, defense, and a robust farm system. Trying to out bid the big market teams for free agents is bad poker and signing aging players to big contracts that no one else wants is plain stupid.By Ryan in Chicago
March 30, 2009 12:08 PM | Link to this
Are the RSS feeds from DDN down? Chick’s and Hal’s blogs have failed to load on my end since saturday. You all having the same problem?By BrarHopper
March 30, 2009 12:02 PM | Link to this
I hear ya bob s, and agree with you. I not only worry about people not getting on base, but when they do, undisciplined goofballs like EE & BP & JB swinging at everything while their batting averages tumble. I still challenge this teams windbag commitments and that hollow PR fluff letter last year…where was that big RH OF stick you said you were gonna get? Oh yeah, it’s Willy T who hit .251 in hitter-friendly cavernous Coors Filed last year?? LOL!By bobs
March 30, 2009 11:47 AM | Link to this
Wow, this team is going to be even worse then I expected. A possible line-up with Wily, Gonzo, and EE makes me very nervous. I know EE’s signing for two years was to bridge the gap for Francisco or Frazier, but now looks like a costly mistake. Not sure how much you can rely on Gonzo, I would rather cut bait and have a consistent starter, Hairston or Kepp. Wily was a signing no one liked. For those that wanted small ball, here you go. Will not be much fun when no one can get on base.By BrarHopper
March 30, 2009 11:41 AM | Link to this
Yeah, some of us just figured that old dog dusty would live up to his old tricks. Not everyone is right all of the time, right old buddy? Now let’s not say anything more about sure thing, you-can-take-it-to-the-bank Reds new left fielder Jermaine Dye. Ooops. Anyway, I’ll bet sending Jones away was Walt more than Toothpick.By Mark in Sun Valley
March 30, 2009 11:20 AM | Link to this
Reading between the lines. Walt - “You do not expect us to waste a minor league slot for an old washed up player”. Dusty - “PLEASE! After a few more weeks he will be great and I have to have him.” Other teams would have sent him packing March 3rd. I still hold this is a good sign for Laynce Nix. Either he or Castillo needs to be a reserve to have a left handed bat off the bench.By Pete
March 30, 2009 11:13 AM | Link to this
Hmmmm… wonders never cease. Yesterday’s defensive debacle & the way that the lack of offense has once again reared its ugly head still doesn’t give me a good feeling about this team going into the season. Still gonna stick w/ this team NOT being @ or above .500 for 2009. & once again, I hope that I’m wrong.By JIm T
March 30, 2009 10:38 AM | Link to this
OMG, Dusty cut a guy who previously played for him. I can’t believe he didn’t say the heck with winning and keep jones anyway. After all he did play for him. How could Walt J let this happen.