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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 > 2009 > April > 29 > Entry
Rosales and Nix: more, more, more
Don’t know which was the most exhilirating thing to watch Wednesday when the Cincinnati Reds beat the Houston Astros, 3-0.
Was it Edinson Volquez?
Was it Adam Rosales?
Call it a tie. A dead heat. It was almost as much fun as watching the poor grounds crew trying to cover the infield during an afternoon deluge with the wind whipping the tarp and created cave-sized gaps in it.
How do you explain it. You don’t. You can’t. The last time Volquez pitched he couldn’t find home plate with a road map, a GPS and a Native American guide. He walked seven, five in one inning that forced two runs home against the Braves.
Five days later he pitches a one-hitter, shutting out the Astros for eight innings in a 3-0 win. He gave up a first-inning double that almost was caught against the wall by Jay Bruce. He hit a batter in the third and he issued his first and only walk in the eighth and later scrunched his nose and said, “I didn’t want to walk that guy.”
So how do you explain it? Manager Dusty Baker said it best and after covering baseball for 37 years I know he is rightl “That’s baseball,” he said. “Hopefully he’s back on track. Is he 3-2 now? (yes) He was still trying to find it and he found it big-time tonight. He threw strikes, first-pitch strikes. His pitch-count was down and they put the ball in play. If you can take the sting out of the bat when you make ‘em put it in play - and I don’t think they hit any balls hard. If they did it was right on the ground to somebody. A masterful game. Masterful.”
It was a Picasso on top of a Rembrandt on top of a Vargas. OK, so scratch the Vargas.
Then there was Rosales, the guy called up from Louisville yesterday, where he was hitting .431, and installed at third base. This guy runs hard on every play, runs hard to first on a walk, runs hard to his position and probably runs to the bathroom even if it isn’t an emergency
How bad did he want to play this game? Early in the afternoon a downpour flooded Great American Ball Park because the grounds crew had difficulty tugging the tarp onto the field. Shortstop and third base could have hosted the Olympics swimming and diving events.
What did Rosales do? He was out there helping the grounds crew get the field ready. If the flight crew doesn’t show tomorrow for the trip to Pittsburgh expect Rosales to slide into the cockpit and transport his teammates.
The fans love him. He swung at the first pitch he saw and drilled it deep to center. Almost a home run. Not quite;. And he sprinted to the dugout as the fans gave him a standing ovation. He said that gave him chills.
Then he broke a 0-0 tie with a single up the middle in the fifth, walked in trhesixth and drove in the third run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth.
After the game his face was a perma-smile and he constantly giggled like a teenager. How can you not pull for a guy like this?
Then there was Laynce Nix playing left field. He had a triple, drove in a run, scored a run and had a single.
Rosales and Nix. What see ye Dusty. Will we see more of them. Let’s hope so. As Baker himself said, “It’s going to take a lot of players to help us win this thing.”
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By Jack
May 1, 2009 2:39 PM | Link to this
I could care less what his body language was, if at times he failed to run out a play, I just care that he has the talent to be a major leaguer. But, I dont see it, and truly have never seen it. Getting hot for a week does not make you a major leaguer (something for Rosales to keep in mind). Being a consistent pro makes you a major leaguer. And no timb, hitting 30 home runs does not make you a star, especially in Cincy, where 40 home runs gets you sent to Siberia. And for some of the posters below, what is exactly wrong with hustling? why is it a bad trait? I dont understand. People appreciate hustle. Does it make you a better player, not really, but it certainly does not hurt. Yes, we loved Freel for it, is willingness to go all out and dive into walls to try and make a catch, but not sure too many people had an issue when he was traded. So again, please tell us why hustling is such a bad thing? The fans will root for players that show skill or show that they care. EE has neither. Why should any Reds’ fan care about a player with no skill or who does not care?
By Mike-Cinci
May 1, 2009 2:22 PM | Link to this
Poor EE is getting more criticism than he deserves. Faulting him for body language is goofy. The problem I have with EE is he is not hitting and his defense is average at best. This guy would be OK if he played to his potential. Unfortunately he may not have what it takes. He is trying his best. It just may not be good enough. No pro wants or likes to do poorly. mself than any of us are in him.
By Sports Fan
May 1, 2009 1:45 PM | Link to this
Yeah Adam, it must be a race thing. Cincinnati fans would never be hard on a white guy with a demeanor similar to EE’s. Oh wait, I forgot about Adam Dunn.
By paul
May 1, 2009 12:06 PM | Link to this
Adam, why don’t you move if Cinti is such a bad place? Loser! Just be happy the Reds are in it, and have some talent.
By Russ
May 1, 2009 9:59 AM | Link to this
The reds have enough pitching(baring injuries)to do well in their division if they will continue to put hitters in the lineup.I am a huge BP fan but if he doesnt start producing he shoul be the next one sent to the bench.(and I dont care if he is pin)The Reds are talented enough to win inspite of Baker,who might be in my opinion one of the worst managers in baseball.This team needs more disipline and someone who doesn’t mind getting in a platers face when he constantly screws up(ie EE)Idon’t know why he even bothers to come out of the dugout when a bad call is made.He shows no anger or enthuisasum when arguring.When you are e arguringthe energy in which you do it with is suppose to show your team you have thir back,your not going out there to talk to the ump about how his family is doing.This team is a direct reflection of their managerlacadlackadasical no swagger,noconfidence just like the manager.
By Russ
May 1, 2009 9:46 AM | Link to this
There is no race issue here but there is a difference in watching players who hustle and show an interest in playing the game hard.I cant speak for anyone else ecept myself, but when you are not producing
By Jerome
May 1, 2009 12:43 AM | Link to this
No one cares what color these players are. The 90 World Series team was led by Larkin, Rijo, Davis, Hatcher, etc…no one cared back then and they don’t now. Edwin just shows no enthusiasm on the field. When your body language is bad and you aren’t producing it upsets fans. At least Rosales appears to be giving great effort and has some toughness. I don’t want to totally knock Edwin, but he doesn’t seem to be a mentally tough guy, and his lackadaiscalness (made that word up) brings this team down a bit.
By Ryan K. Madison, IN.
April 30, 2009 8:04 PM | Link to this
Rosales isnt even really white???? You f**king idiots..He’s got to have some Latino if his last name is R O S A L E S!!! IDIOTS
By Mutaman
April 30, 2009 7:48 PM | Link to this
“Edwin is a a lazy useless bum…his attitude is as lousy as Griffey’s.” You have no basis for saying this. EE has the rep of being a hard worker.
By Kyle
April 30, 2009 7:02 PM | Link to this
I’ve seen too many May Days come around with the Reds already out of it to complain too much about this team with them tied for 2nd. They are 11 and 10 in spite of Dusty not because of him. Take him out of the equation and they have a couple more wins.
By Tony DeRose
April 30, 2009 5:42 PM | Link to this
On Adam Rosales, Under Dusty Baker, Ha Ha If We See Him With More Than 5 Starts! He’s Not Dusty’s Boy! I Hope I’m Wrong But I Know I’m Not Wrong…
By RampantRedsFan
April 30, 2009 4:37 PM | Link to this
Under a normal manager one would expect Rosales to get a good amount of playing time since he has such a hot bat right now. In reality, I expect to see Hairston (Dusty’s boy) to get a good amount of PT and EE to be back ASAP to “help” the team.
By Katie
April 30, 2009 4:34 PM | Link to this
Edwin is a a lazy useless bum…his attitude is as lousy as Griffey’s. Rosales is a breath of fresh air. Now show me where race enters into this, Adam, except in your warped and twisted little hateful mind. I have no idea what race/color you are. Do you know my race/color?
By Deaner
April 30, 2009 4:19 PM | Link to this
I love the way Rosales digs into the batter’s box, like he’s searching for nightcrawlers or something.
By timb
April 30, 2009 3:34 PM | Link to this
by the way, Scott, the Reds have no official captain. And, whether BP was the captain or not, that would show more about what the PLAYERS thought and not the fans
By timb
April 30, 2009 3:32 PM | Link to this
He CAN probably turn it into a race thing, because it’s not exactly secret that Cincy fans AND media for some reason worship “scrappy” white kids more than their value to the team. Adam Rosales deserves to be on this team right now, but at 26 years old he’s not exactly a prospect and the 26 year old he’s replacing is far more talented. I love Hal, but in 37 years of covering the Reds, hasn’t he noticed that running out walks and sprinting to your position mean nothing about creating winning baseball? One more thing for Adam — they worship Votto because he’s hitting .500 with runners in scoring position. It won’t last, but that’s enough reason for anyone to love anyone on a baseball field. However, it is to laugh how Cincinnatians living a city with the most troubled race relations of the past two decades can be upset about a large measure of the population being racists. It’s just shocking! But, it doesn’t mean you are or anyone rooting for Rosales is. As far as the coaches go, the people of Cincinnati didn’t elect them, their owners hired them. Adam is too strident is his criticism, but he’s not wrong. The more the ghost of Pete Rose hangs over this team, the less successful it will be. Rose’s greatness was no more in his hustle than Ty Cobb’s was in sharpened cleats. Pete used that perception to make millions of dollars, but that’s not what made him a fine ballplayer for so long. The sooner marty and Hal and the old men stop talking about it all the dang time, the sooner we can concentrate whether Adam Rosales has EVER hit as many as HR’s at any level and EdE did last year. Hint: he hasn’t
By Jack
April 30, 2009 3:01 PM | Link to this
Okay, Adam, lets look at the past two games, actually three games. Volquez-12, 681. Harang –9,878, Cueto –12, 365. So I guess Cincinnati actually hates big tall white guys. But again, lets not let facts get in the way of a stupid argument.
By Scott
April 30, 2009 3:01 PM | Link to this
Great White Hopes?! Are you guys freaking serious? That’s why fans don’t come out? Because there are too many white players?! WTF? Last I checked Brandon Phillips was our captain and Dusty Baker was our manager, oh and the majority of our team isn’t white! How the hell could you make this nice article about a young, eager rookie (who was real fun to watch last night) into a race issue? seriously?
By nick w
April 30, 2009 2:16 PM | Link to this
how the hell can you turn this into a race thing. Both of the professional sports in this city have a BLACK coach. The first thing in the article is about how great a job volquez did, pretty sure he is not white. Do you really think that people are not coming to the games because their are to many white boys playing or too many black boys playing. No its because this team hasn’t won in so many years. or that people might not have the money to go to games as much as they use to. Do you think that if we had a team with all black players and they were winning almost every game and one the best teams in the league the stands would be empty?? No, Cincinnati fans are bandwagon fans they will come out and supprt the reds once they start winning. Look after the road trip there were 30,000 plus fans at the games. Then they went and lost 2 games and everyone started saying they sucked and they were the same old reds. So shut up, this is not about race this is about baseball we are all here black or white supporting this team. thought so..
By adam
April 30, 2009 1:52 PM | Link to this
living in the past, LIVING IN THE PAST!!!!! Are you frickn kidding me? That’s all you yahoos do is live in the past. It’s the reason Rosales, Bruce and Votto have become the great white Pete Rose hopes. Living in the past is the reason why “you would fall over if you saw EE helping the grounds crew”. Fall over for what? Because he helped roll a tarp out? Are you really that damn sappy? And as far as race is concerned. Of the media and YOU are ging to jump on the white athlete bandwagon. It’s not as if that hasn’t happened before. And then you have the nerve to try and act like we dont know what’s going on. Of course we do, of course Rosales, Bruce and Votto are going o be GWH for the media and fans. That’s Cincinnati!!! Has that changed in the last 30,40 and 50 years? It’s the same crap every year and the same sterotypes and generalizations that have caused people to turn away from baseball. Now if you dont believe me, go look at the attendance the last to games. Thought so..
By Tom
April 30, 2009 12:58 PM | Link to this
Nix looks and acts like a hitter. Let’s stop the lefty/righty business and leave this guy in leftfield. We need his bat.
By BrarHopper
April 30, 2009 12:38 PM | Link to this
If Edwin ever helped the grounds crew, people would be dropping over like flies from the shock. Two white players help out and you make it a race issue. Nimrod. You brought THAT into the discussion. And regarding Baker, stop living in the past. His contract and the huge $ he makes more than adequately honors his past accomplishments. We’re waiting for this great skill to show up and you can’t blame victory-starved fans for that. Yes, Adam, we get it, we understand, and we care…that’s why we comment. What we DON’T need here is another blog cop. We had that nonsense last year. You sound like the same guy, different handle.
By adam
April 30, 2009 12:18 PM | Link to this
Why does Rosales need to teach Dusty baker anything. Dusty Baker has forgotten more than you fools will learn the rest of your life. Unless i missed something, Dusty baker is a THREE TIME MANAGER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER. I believe Dusty Baker learned the game from Hank aAron and Willie mays. Who did you learn the game from ? Thought so.please Cincinnati, dont make Dusty baker out to be the Tubby Smith od Red’s baseball. Let’s face it, we all knew there was a certain percentage of Red’s fans who are “necks” but lets not start this crap with Orlando Tubby Baker two years into his contract, Please? can we for once not act like the most racist baseball town in America? One time people, just this one time? If you want to know why fans aren’t coming to games (especially black fas of baseball) it’s because of BS like this. Dont you guys get it? Dont you understand why your game is struggling? Dont you care? Stop with the good old boys “hustle and help the grounds crew crap”. If Edwin helped the grounds crew but did it with the same look on his face you guys complain about , does that make Edwin a “hustler or gamer”? Thought so
By adam
April 30, 2009 12:17 PM | Link to this
Why does Rosales need to teach Dusty baker anything. Dusty Baker has forgotten more than you fools will learn the rest of your life. Unless i missed something, Dusty baker is a THREE TIME MANAGER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER. I believe Dusty Baker learned the game from Hank aAron and Willie mays. Who did you learn the game from ? Thought so.please Cincinnati, dont make Dusty baker out to be the Tubby Smith od Red’s baseball. Let’s face it, we all knew there was a certain percentage of Red’s fans who are “necks” but lets not start this crap with Orlando Tubby Baker two years into his contract, Please? can we for once not act like the most racist baseball town in America? One time people, just this one time? If you want to know why fans aren’t coming to games (especially black fas of baseball) it’s because of BS like this. Dont you guys get it? Dont you understand why your game is struggling? Dont you care? Stop with the good old boys “hustle and help the grounds crew crap”. If Edwin helped the grounds crew but did it with the same look on his face you guys complain about , does that make Edwin a “hustler or gamer”? Thought so
By adam
April 30, 2009 12:17 PM | Link to this
Why does Rosales need to teach Dusty baker anything. Dusty Baker has forgotten more than you fools will learn the rest of your life. Unless i missed something, Dusty baker is a THREE TIME MANAGER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER. I believe Dusty Baker learned the game from Hank aAron and Willie mays. Who did you learn the game from ? Thought so.please Cincinnati, dont make Dusty baker out to be the Tubby Smith od Red’s baseball. Let’s face it, we all knew there was a certain percentage of Red’s fans who are “necks” but lets not start this crap with Orlando Tubby Baker two years into his contract, Please? can we for once not act like the most racist baseball town in America? One time people, just this one time? If you want to know why fans aren’t coming to games (especially black fas of baseball) it’s because of BS like this. Dont you guys get it? Dont you understand why your game is struggling? Dont you care? Stop with the good old boys “hustle and help the grounds crew crap”. If Edwin helped the grounds crew but did it with the same look on his face you guys complain about , does that make Edwin a “hustler or gamer”? Thought so
By BrarHopper
April 30, 2009 11:45 AM | Link to this
If nothing else, Adam’s enthusiasm is SUCH a wonderfully refreshing breath of fresh air compared to the cadaver masked as Edwin. Man, just what this team needs is a spark plug. Nobody else has been willing to assume that role. I’ve never seen such a bunch of morose deadpan young guys in my life! Bring on the smiles and enthusiastic attitude, Adam. Maybe you can make up for T-Pick’s managerial incompetence.
By george bruns from union ky
April 30, 2009 11:25 AM | Link to this
Why does it always become a race thing you are so stupid!
By Mutaman
April 30, 2009 11:24 AM | Link to this
“Face it folks, we in Cincinnati would love the Reds more if the team was all white.” Shhhhh. We don’t talk about that.
By Terrel
April 30, 2009 11:18 AM | Link to this
Face it folks, we in Cincinnati would love the Reds more if the team was all white. All this talk about Rosales, Freel, Steins, Votto and Bruce connects directly to them being white athletes and white athletes are Kings in this City.
By Terrel
April 30, 2009 11:17 AM | Link to this
Face it folks, we in Cincinnati would love the Reds more if the team was all white. All this talk about Rosales, Freel, Steins, Votto and Bruce connects directly to them being white athletes and white athletes are Kings in this City.
By Mark in Sun Valley
April 30, 2009 10:47 AM | Link to this
I like Rosales a lot, but we do have to face it. He is straight out of the mold of Brady Clark, Chris Stynes, Ryan Freel, Jeff Keppinger… All gritty players who know the game well, but do not have all the physical talent in the world. In an organization like the Reds where fundamentals do not seem to be stressed, I fear eventually he will be replaced by someone with “great potential” and no knowledge.
By Brian from Florida
April 30, 2009 10:24 AM | Link to this
Good to see changes, first when they got rid of Dunn & Griffey and now by including Rosales and Nix. I still think Baker is not our man.
By Bill from Florida
April 30, 2009 10:22 AM | Link to this
A better line-up: Taveras CF, Philips 2B, Votto 1B, Hernandez C, Bruce RF, Rosales 3B, Nix/Gomes LF, Janish SS.
By Bill from Florida
April 30, 2009 10:19 AM | Link to this
Good to see changes, first when got rid off Dunn & Griffey and now including Rosales and Nix. I still think Baker is not the man.
By Mike-Cinci
April 30, 2009 10:14 AM | Link to this
Volquez in his last start and Cueto in his last 2 starts have been fabulous. First pitch strikes and getting ahead of the hitter works. These guys will be big winners if they keep that up.
By Jack
April 30, 2009 9:41 AM | Link to this
Hal, ask EE if he knows who Wally Pipp is? Cant go that for yet, but refreshing to see someone who acts like he wants to be out there. Stay hot while you can.
By ross
April 30, 2009 9:11 AM | Link to this
Albert..I cant stand the Cardinals..but I cant argue how bad the Reds offense is..a bunch of no names..I hope the Cubs hamper you and I dont like the cubs
By albert
April 30, 2009 9:07 AM | Link to this
Nix, Rosales, Dickerson, McDonald..wow that team wouldnt intimidate my sons little league team..that could be the worst offensive team Ive seen I hasve
By Jonathan G.
April 30, 2009 8:57 AM | Link to this
Ummm … it’s LAYNCE Nix, Hal. Technical media foul — you owe the man a root beer.
By miller
April 30, 2009 8:43 AM | Link to this
OMG, will you guys stop it please. I like what Rosales did lastnight but let’s stop with the “GREAT WHITE HOPE TREATMENT”
By Old Kiser Coach
April 30, 2009 7:59 AM | Link to this
Toothpick, get Janish in the lineup with Rosey and Nix. Then the Reds will have a good, hustling team. I bet Nix will sit tomorrow.
By Richard
April 30, 2009 7:31 AM | Link to this
Steven, you took the words right out o my mouth.God forbid they would play tomorrow night, after playing the way they did Wednesday. night
By steven ross
April 30, 2009 6:25 AM | Link to this
Rosales and Nix will probably find themselves riding the pine next time out. Dusty rarely rewards bench/role players who do well with back-to-back starts.
By Jon
April 30, 2009 1:43 AM | Link to this
And another thing,i’m tired of acting like a baby when certain guys make an out,like throw your bat,this is getting really old.
By Tim H
April 30, 2009 1:40 AM | Link to this
Roseales is refreshing to watch. Fits well with Votto, Bruce and pitching staff. EC’s time could be short.
By Jon
April 30, 2009 1:28 AM | Link to this
Nate,AR doesn’t swing at every thing like JB,so far that is,he just needs to adjust to the pitchers,JB is still learning that
By Nate
April 30, 2009 12:30 AM | Link to this
A real joy to watch that game. Rosales reminds me of Hunter Pence. Doesn’t look like the most talented or smooth player but plays hard. Expect to see him to go through some rough stretches throughout the year as Bruce did after his torrid start last year. Hope he provides a much needed offensive spark while EE is out. Pleasantly surprised with the team’s April performance.
By Henry
April 30, 2009 12:06 AM | Link to this
bye-bye Edwin, we won’t miss you….
By Max
April 29, 2009 11:59 PM | Link to this
I love Electric Edinson Voltron.
By nick owens
April 29, 2009 11:44 PM | Link to this
Hal, It’s Laynce Nix, not Trayvis
By Matty G.
April 29, 2009 11:37 PM | Link to this
If nothing else, Nix and Rosales proved they need more than the occasional inning/night to show what they can do. And way to go Edinson - that was electric tonight!