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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 > 28 > Entry
‘Cincinnati, YOU have a problem’
As Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker talked to the media after Tuesday’s 8-3 loss to the Houston Astros, a member of the media relations department laid a copy of the stat pack on his desk - a box score, play-by-play and up-to-date statistics.
Without looking at it, Baker wadded it into the size of an official baseball and fired it hard into his trash basket.
Who could blame him? Another home loss to the Houston Lastros, the Houston Disastros - the last place team in the NL Central, a team the Reds beat three out of four games in Houston just a week-and-a-half ago.
But when it comes to playing in Great American Ball Park, the Astros don’t treat it as if it is their own home, they treat it as if it is their own castle - complete with a moat and spikes across the top of the walls.
In the last three years, the Astros - who bear no resemblance to the 1927 New York Yankees or the 1976 Cincinnati Reds - are 16-1 in GABP and tonight’s win was their 11th straight here against the Reds.
Embarrassing? It’s downright mind-boggling.
“Hey, man, I mean everybody likes to come in here and hit here,” said Baker. “They all talk around the batting cage about how they feel comfortable and confident playing here. Maybe they are confident.”
But wait? Don’t the Reds play here, too?
Yep, they do. But if they ever knew how to hit - anywhere - they’ve forgotten.
Houston starter Wandy Rodriguez is 2-2 this year. Both wins came against the Reds and in 14 innings they’ve scored one run on nine hits. On Tuesday they scored one run on five hits over seven innings.
In addition, the Astros stole four bases in four tries and the Reds made three errors. Whatever happened to the New Era — defense, pitching and manufacturing runs? The Reds are manufacturing runs like GM is going to manufacture Pontiacs. And they brought in catcher Ramon Hernandez for defense. Four stolen bases. No, it isn’t always the catcher’s fault, but he didn’t come close to throwing anybody out.
“Defense? That’s the most frustrating thing is to look up there and see we have three errors,” said Baker. “We work so hard on it and are so conscious of it. We need an errorless streak and that would help everybody.”
A win over Houston tonight, the final game of this three-game homestand, might be nice, even if they make five errors.
And does anybody really care? Only 9,878 paid their way in, one of the smallest paid gathering in the seven years of GABP. You could hear the guy in the first row behind the dugout whispering sweet nothings into his girlfriend’s ear.
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Comments
By Wizard
April 29, 2009 6:31 PM | Link to this
I agree with Cait, Walt and some others with good points here. My problem with this mgr. is what someone else said better than I could—he isn’t a good mgr. for this team. He refuses to play people who deserve to play—bench players some called them{erroneously, IMO}. When veterans are not producing- and you have able bodied, and often their equals sitting, they need to replace them—at least long enough, to see if they respond, or not.I agree with Cait, Nix should be starting in LF. At the same time, I still believe Dickerson is the best CF on this team—regardless of his bad game the other night. It is his natural position. Just because Dusty wanted Taveras, does not mean he’s the best we have. Many of my opinions will never see the light of day, because our mgr. is the wrong guy for this team—and he won’t allow Dickerson that chance. Dusty has already branded him as someone who cannot hit lefties—unfairly, IMO, since he hit lefties @ a .286 clip last season. So how does he justify that branding? IMO, he cannot.Dickerson is better than he has shown; and better than Dusty says he is.IMO. I liked his comeback defense the other night prior to his injury.Really bad timing for that injury.I believe what frustrates people the most, myself included, is that higher salaries always rule—I hate that! It causes failure on a lot of professional teams. It’s a terrible reality. One reason I prefer collegiate teams over pro’s.By Boxter
April 29, 2009 3:36 PM | Link to this
9000 people and everyone is shocked? $50 for a good seat to watch a bad team? Thought this team was going to be the best ever after Dunn left.By Clint
April 29, 2009 2:23 PM | Link to this
Everyone is scared off because of the swine flu. No but really there might not be a baseball season if they dont get this thing under controlBy Scott
April 29, 2009 1:52 PM | Link to this
People were not out last night because American Idol was on. It’s a sad state of affairs when the Reds pull as much as the Dragons doBy get real
April 29, 2009 11:58 AM | Link to this
The Reds have alot of bad hitters.By Jack
April 29, 2009 11:20 AM | Link to this
Tis the nature of the job, the manager gets the blame, but without players, no manager can do well. I say the same thing I have always said about Dusty. Is it his fault we are losing, no, but is he the right guy for THIS team, no. If Dusty was managing the Dodgers I think they would have a similar record as they do. The problem is Dusty doesnt relate/trust…whatever you want to say with his young players. He will play a crappy veteran over a young guy 97% of the time. He is comfortable with these players, but when you have a young team and one that will only get younger, he is not they guy.By Mike-Cinci
April 29, 2009 10:53 AM | Link to this
Why do fans always want to blame the manager? Teams lose because they don’t have enough talent. The Reds are playing 500 baseball. If they play it the rest of the season they will win 81 games and have a much better year than I thought possible. This team needs better players. they must draft better players.By Old Kiser Coach
April 29, 2009 10:19 AM | Link to this
Toothpick will let Rosales sit till he cools off. Hanigan, Nix and Janish should play. Dickersan, Hairston and McDonald are benchers. Gonzo, Ramon and Toothpick should sit and talk about the good old days. RamonBy Cait
April 29, 2009 10:18 AM | Link to this
Eeewww! Sorry about all the cliches in my previous post!By Cait
April 29, 2009 10:16 AM | Link to this
I’m with you, Walt. Doesn’t mean this team isn’t driving me nuts, but unlike Huber and some others, I’m not a fair weather fan. I’ll keep watching. Guess I’m a glutton for punishment!By MIKE
April 29, 2009 10:12 AM | Link to this
Can someone please explain to me what constitutes a concussion? I have been told previously, that EVERY head collision creates a concussion—it is a matter of how bad a concussion was sustained. If this is so, why does Rusty Dusty keep saying there is no concussion to Dickerson? If there was no concussion—why is he OUT until Friday?By Walt
April 29, 2009 9:59 AM | Link to this
The Reds are a better team than last year. Dusty can’t be afraid to “sit” unproductive players. Hey, THEY ARE PROFESSIONALS!By Jimmy1Time
April 29, 2009 9:45 AM | Link to this
Will the Reds sign Joey V to a long term deal. We can’t lose him. Aaron got stole on last night becasue he is slow to the plate. Not Ramon fault at all.By Wizard
April 29, 2009 9:42 AM | Link to this
Exactly, Sal. My thoughts were the same as yours. He keeps wanting to get seven innings out of everyone—to save his pen. BS. If they don’t have seven innings, or five innings, get them outa there, NOW! Why wait and fall further behind? Waiting for Rusty Dusty to figure out what is happening, is maddening. I am continually amazed at how soooo many people, in sooooo many professions—get jobs they should have never gotten!By Gary
April 29, 2009 9:38 AM | Link to this
Has anyone wondered like me that maybe Mr.Jocketty is getting paid under the table from the Cardinals to make sure the Reds don’t overtake his old team. I mean look at his off-season aquisitions. None of them are helpng outside of Rhoades…By Greg in London
April 29, 2009 9:36 AM | Link to this
Hernandez being thrown out by 3 steps at 3rd? I couldn’t disagree with Thom and Cowboy more. When a ball hits the wall he SHOULD try to go from 1st to 3rd. Lee made a great play, from the way he positioned himself, to the one handed grab, to immediately firing to 3rd.. Maybe a pitcher should not have tried it, but I was glad to see Hernandez try it.By Jimmy1Time
April 29, 2009 9:35 AM | Link to this
anybody notice BP just running around the base path last night. Like he should.Instead of his shoulder in trot? Awful trot that was. Nix can hit. PLAY HIM!By Tim
April 29, 2009 9:32 AM | Link to this
We do care. But as long as the Reds keep getting re-treads like Willie T and Ramon H, why bother?By Sal Monella
April 29, 2009 9:31 AM | Link to this
Watching last night’s game, I wondered why it is that I could tell Harang didn’t have it and would’ve pulled him after giving up 4 runs but that Dusty stayed with him? What’s it take for this man to have a moment of clarity? He keeps trusting his “gut” or voodoo or whatever and is consistently wrong. He talks about giving his team a chance and about playing the hot bat and he consistently doesn’t. I guess I’m a better gut manager than T’Pick. BTW, see ya Huber…I don’t much blame ya. ‘Bout there myself.By Rick
April 29, 2009 9:31 AM | Link to this
The fundamentals on this team are terrible. Dusty is not the right manager for this team. Why isn’t Hannigan playing?By Jack
April 29, 2009 9:27 AM | Link to this
Thankfully, they shelved EE with an “injury.” The same should be done with Dickerson. Although EE is not the only problem, we have a line-up that could not compete in Triple A. Not impressed with Jocketty and certainly not impressed with liar Bob. They built a team with no hitters (save Votto). You cant win in a small park with no hitters, or actually anywhere. This team is built for Petco, not Great American. The future is still a few years away, but at least put a product that is a joy to watch. This is not a fun product.By RampantRedsFan
April 29, 2009 9:25 AM | Link to this
Ramon for defense? If the reds front office believes that he’s a defensive upgrade then they are drinking the same “like the way it sounds off the bat” cool-aid that dusty drinks. A throw out % of 30 on the career and 20% last year is not what I call good. On top of that he averages one pass ball every 16 games caught, and does a sub-par job stopping wild pitches.By JJ
April 29, 2009 6:55 AM | Link to this
The lack of mental sharpness and fundamentals is causing more damage than anything.By steven ross
April 29, 2009 6:39 AM | Link to this
HuberTucky and Aaron B are the ying and yang of my feelings toward Dusty. Dude drives me nuts. Maybe you should looks at the stats Dusty! He never changes.By Joe
April 29, 2009 5:59 AM | Link to this
It’s time to see if we can get that right-handed power bat by dangling Harang out there. He definitely is not the same and we have enough arms in this organization to take that chance.By MAC
April 29, 2009 4:08 AM | Link to this
On a positive note, it’s nice to see Phillips hitting the ball hard. I could tell in the Braves series he wasn’t far away. He was being patient, selective and staying inside the baseball…going the other way. When he’s disciplined & has a solid approachBy MAC
April 29, 2009 4:04 AM | Link to this
Frustrating to say the least. W/ the injuries one would think Nix and Rosales should get some playing time? It would be nice to see Harriston spell AG as wellBy Wordman
April 29, 2009 2:48 AM | Link to this
Why did the Reds go out and get Willy Taveras … to improve their running game? Why does Willy stand on first base? Isn’t he supposed to steal? Or is Dusty hoolding him back?By HuberTucky
April 29, 2009 2:04 AM | Link to this
I solemnly swear to stop following the Reds as long as Dusty Baker is manager. I’ve had it. Honestly. So long until after they fire him. I’m done waiting my time on HIS Reds. (Plus, this “new” format the DDN uses is the worst ever). Ta ta.By Aaron B.
April 29, 2009 12:14 AM | Link to this
Maybe if Dusty would take a look at the statistics instead of only trusting his ears and how the ball sounds coming off the bat, he’d manage the lineup better. He’s been in a state of stubborn denial all season long, running out the same lineup practically every night no matter who is slumping and where. I wonder if Rosales will even get a shot at starting even though he is swinging a super hot stick. If anyone knows how to cool him off its Dusty.By CT
April 28, 2009 11:35 PM | Link to this
I think people care and want the Reds to win but until they prove they can win and can be entertaining people are going to find other things to do. I live halfway between Cincy and Dayton and would rather go see a Dragons game than a Reds game. Its cheaper and I just enjoy the games more.By Y-City Jim
April 28, 2009 10:57 PM | Link to this
Reds need to go with a Nix/Gomes combo in LF. Gonzo and Hernandez need to sit.