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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 37th 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 > April > 14 > Entry
Owings will bat ninth, like most pitchers
All hail Miller Park and its roof, leaky as it is. Walking in the tunnels beneath the stadium is like walking in a subway tunnel — you’re dodging puddles every few steps.
But without the roof, these games right now probably couldn’t be played. It is so cold outside I saw a pigeon walking down Water Street with a scarf around its neck and booties on its claws.
My good friend Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel tells me that summer arrives on August 14 and leaves on August 15. I stuck my head out the door today, felt a blast of Lake Michigan’s hello, and went back in to a food court attached to the hotel. The pizza slice was so-so and the breadsticks and dipping sauce were so-so, but my fingers did not get numb.
Before Miller Park, the Brewers played in County Stadium, built around the same time as Wrigley Field. In later years, it didn’t have the charm and traditions of Wrigley. It was just one big toxic dump. They used to set off fireworks often at County Stadium, which was near a retirement center for veterans. I’m told the fireworks used to send them scurrying for cover.
MANAGER DUSTY BAKER isn’t permitting any slumps to fester. SS Alex Gonzalez, 0 for 16 so far, was on the bench for Tuesday’s game, replaced by Paul Janish. Catcher Ramon Hernandez (.063) was on the bench, replaced by Ryan Hanigan.
That’s surprising to me in that the Reds won their last two games and Baker doesn’t like to rattle with success. But I applaud the move. The bottom of the order is a vast wasteland right now.
THE BIG QUESTION? Micah Owings makes his Reds pitching debut Wednesday. We all know how he can hit. The question? Where will he hit? Will Baker bat him in the accepted spot for pitchers, the nine hole? Or will he be bold and bat him seventh? I would.
My lineup for Wednesday: CF Willy Taveras, LF Chris Dickerson, 1B Joey Votto, 2B Brandon Phillips, RF Jay Bruce, 3B Edwin Encarnacion, RHP Micah Owings, C Ramon Hernandez or Ryan Hanigan, SS Alex Gonzalez or Paul Janish.
We’ll see how derring-do the skipper can be. The question will be asked when the media has its pre-game meeting with Baker.
And so it was done. Owings will bat ninth. Asked about batting him elsewhere, Baker said, “No, not yet.” Not yet? Does that mean maybe later. “Don’t know,” said Baker. “I do know that he is a pretty good ace in the hole in the ninth spot.”
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Comments
By J, Cincy
April 15, 2009 9:40 AM | Link to this
I’m not so sure about Dickerson leading off. Did you see Taveras yesterday? Everytime he gets on base he is in the catchers and pitchers head.By MAC
April 15, 2009 12:23 AM | Link to this
It’s early; I’d give RH a little more time. Not many hits, but he has hit the ball hard & doesn’t K much. I like him in the 5 hole behind Joey V.By MAC
April 15, 2009 12:07 AM | Link to this
Funny, I was thinking about the batting order tonight myself. I’ve always thought BP should be in 1 of the top 3 spots w/ Votto hitting 4th.By Ryan K.-Madison, IN
April 14, 2009 9:56 PM | Link to this
IF HE FELL OUT OF A BOAT.By Ryan K.-Madison, IN
April 14, 2009 9:45 PM | Link to this
I know this is off the subject but Alex Gonzalez couldn’t hit water if he feel out of a boat in the middle of the Atlanic Ocean. Same goes for Hernadez. Same BothBy Wizard
April 14, 2009 7:30 PM | Link to this
A lot of good suggestions here; but, since I believe Dickerson is the best centerfielder on this team, as well as, the best candidate for the leadoff spot,I would have a different take on the lineup. Mind you, I know Dusty will never give Dickerson much opportunity to play everyday{vs lefties}. I agree with what Brennamen said last night in so many words, that: Too many people come into major League baseball and get a “label” that they can’t hit both right and left handed pitchers—before they are ever given a chance to do it. That is,imo, what Baker is doing to Dickerson now. Sure he is getting playing time; but he is a better outfielder than anyone Baker replaces him with—and for that reason alone, he should be given the chance to prove himself vs any, and all lefties. I’d love to see Dickerson start drag bunting down the first base line. I believe that would make each at bat, even more threatening—if he is capable of doing so.Taveras attempts at bunting, have been less than impressive—especially when considering the placement of the bunts. I thought that was supposed to be his specialty.By the way, my apologies to Get Real, and anyone offended by my previous post message—my intentions were good—but, it didn’t come off as I had hoped. Probably not a good decision on my part, as I look back on it.By FatherofSonofSonofBeast
April 14, 2009 6:40 PM | Link to this
Also, can Owings play short on his off days?By FatherofSonofSonofBeast
April 14, 2009 6:37 PM | Link to this
I agree that B. Phillips needs to hit in front of Votto. Taveras,Dick,and Phillips- nice speed on the bases infront of a .300 hitter. mAAlsoAlsoBy fatherofsonofsonofbeast
April 14, 2009 6:36 PM | Link to this
I agree that B. Phillips needs to hit in front of Votto. Taveras,Dick,and Phillips- nice speed on the bases infront of a .300 hitter. mAAlsoAlsoBy Steve M
April 14, 2009 6:03 PM | Link to this
How about this lineup: Hairston (vs LHP), Phillips, Votto, Encarnacion, Bruce, Owings, Hannigan, Taveras, and Janish. If we were playing vs. a RHP then Dickerson should lead off.By SonofSonofBeast
April 14, 2009 5:15 PM | Link to this
Hal- I think you were still flat on your back at the time, but I thought Dusty already had said Owings was going to bat 9th last Saturday before the Friday rainout moved his start to this Wednesday. That being said, I would go: Taveras(cf) Dickerson(lf) BP(2b) Votto(1b) EE(3b) Bruce(rf) Hairston(ss) Owings(p) Hannigan(c) That way you don’t send a bad sign to your um, cough, “Big” cathing aquisition in Hernandez and bat the kid Hannigan 9th. Suck it up, rookie. Anyone notice the bottom three last night, Gonzalez, Hernandez, Volquez, all ended in Z. As in put you to sleep…zzz.By Greg in London
April 14, 2009 4:55 PM | Link to this
Come on Dusty..Be bold, bat Owings 7th. If he makes it thru the 6th inning, you will be pinch hitting for him anyway, so you might as well give the pinch hitter something to work with. You KNOW that will be the only thing mentioned on sportscenter anyways.