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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
Journalism 101 from Brandon Phillips
The sun was peeking brightly over the Great American Ball Park grandstands in mid-afternoon. Suddenly, a deluge. The Houston Astros were taking early batting practice and they sprinted off the field, soaked before they could reach the dugout.
The grounds crew hustled to get the tarp on the field but it, too, was quickly soaked and became heavy before they could cover the field. Twice it got stuck. Twice relief pitcher David Weathers raced onto the field to help tug the tarp.
No saves for that, Stormy.
The field was inundated. Shortstop looked like Lake Superior and third base looked like Lake Ontario. Fortunately, they had four hours to dry it out - if no more rain showed up.
MEANWHILE, inside the clubhouse there was a bizarre interview with Brandon Phillips, who was given his first day off Wednesday after he homered and doubled Tuesday. It was pre-ordained that Phillips would get Wednesday off and with the team off Thursday it gives him two days off.
Let me pretty much give you the full text of what Phillips said.
“I’ve been reading up on what you all say (write) and it’s funny stuff,” Phillips told the beat writers. “I’m not doing your jobs, but I’ll tell you-all one thing. You know what the funny thing is? I love you guys and I have nothing but respect for all you guys. But you know ever since you-all been writing about me not hittting, we haven’t been winning?
You-all know that? So you see, I hear a lot of people on my team and they’re worried about me. They’re worried about me and Edwin Encarnacion, instead of worrying about the team. I’m going to hit. That’s how confident I am. That’s the type of player I am.
“At the beginning, everything was flowing, everything was about the team,” he continued. “It was all about winning. First thing you know, everybody is writing about Phillips not hitting and Edwin not hitting. Everybody started paying attention to me and everybody started paying attention to Edwin and everybody lost focus about winning.
“I think we should start again writing about the Reds winning instead of writing about two players,” he added. “You should do that. But I love reading all your articles. I read them all the time. They make me laugh. But it’s real, all the stuff you write. You guys do a great job, especially Hal - you do a great job (Well, thanks, Brandon).
“We were winning, but ever since you guys have been calling people out on the team, worrying about me instead of worrying about the team winning. You can write whatever you want about me. It don’t bother me. Me and Hal talked a couple of times last year about what he wrote, but it is a matter of respect. I respect him and what he does.
“You can write anything you want about the bad things, just make sure you don’t write it real big, make it the big issue. We have a young team and they read that and they starting asking, ‘Brandon, you OK? Brandon, you OK?’ There is no point in people asking me if I’m OK because we’re winning and I’m a happy man. It’s all about us winning, because I AM going to produce and I am going to hit. I’m just happy it happened to me instead of one of the younger guys who is new to the team. I tell them, ‘Don’t read the papers,’ because it gets to their heads. In my case, I laugh about it, because I’ve been through.”
I loved it. It was quite a journalistic journey. I love it. Brandon Phillips as my Perry White, Clark Kent’s editor. But don’t ever, Brandon, ask me to put on those red and blue Superman tights.
I’m not sure I follow his logic, but he believes it and as he said about me, “I respect him and I respect what he says.”
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By ????????????
May 2, 2009 9:40 PM | Link to this
???????????
By albert
May 1, 2009 11:52 AM | Link to this
blogcop..I have nothing to worry about..the Reds are in the same division..we may finish 5th a year or two..but you know where the reds will be..LAST and thats Albert the Great to you weasel
By wow
May 1, 2009 11:11 AM | Link to this
it is absolutely amazing to think that none of you guys that post on this site have figured out that nobody care what you think.
By Blogcopwatcher
May 1, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this
Fat Albert: We have seen your kind before…all talk, until they get embarrassed—then, they are nowhere to be found. Keep talking fatso…your time is coming.
By albert
May 1, 2009 9:09 AM | Link to this
The birds visit great american bandbox next weekend to play your AAA/AA team I cant wait to bury those clowns in early may..when Larussa and the birds leave town the reds will be done about 9 out…how does it feel for baseball season to be over every may
By albert
May 1, 2009 9:01 AM | Link to this
wiz..with those AA AAA players you might win 77 thats 7+7 14 games..Janish a .200hitter, Hanigan a .200 hitter, Dickerson terrible The Cards are off and Albert is the best hitter of all time..no doubt
By Wiz
April 30, 2009 11:30 PM | Link to this
Only 77 games from 88 wins!Go Hannigan, Janish,Dickerson, Nix, Hairston, and ol’ McDonald!
By Professor
April 30, 2009 11:23 PM | Link to this
Frank Robinson,Vada Pinson, Joe Morgan, Barry Larkin, Don Newcomb, Jackie Robinson… didn’t hate baseball! It’s possible they disliked some peoples attitudes, and ignorance, but they loved baseball; and baseball was very good to them. Best more blacks be encouraged to love the game like they did.
By Sal Monella
April 30, 2009 12:51 PM | Link to this
Oh here we go with the Cincinnati mantra…poor us! Terrell, last time I looked there are a lot more faces of color on the Reds than white ones. Considering the population of the USA is about 21% black & Hispanic, I’d say non-whites are inordinately represented. Reverse racism? Bengals? pro basketball? So shut YOUR racist mouth, man up and get real. And yes, when Brandon or Edwin acts like Griffey, expect comments and comparisons. We dislike bums of all colors. A bum is a bum is a bum.
By Greg in London
April 30, 2009 10:25 AM | Link to this
I agree with the comment that Phillips is taking pressure off of the other players. Thats a veteran, mature thing to do. But, he needs to work on what he is saying. As Crash Davis told Nuke LaLoosh…It’s time to work on your cliche’s..Know them, love them..
By Scott
April 30, 2009 9:50 AM | Link to this
Does he just read the papers or your blog as well? I guess he doesn’t understand he is the cleanup hitter, the “star” veteran, and the potential ALL-STAR each year. Plus he was involved in a big trade years ago (Colon from the Indians to the Expos) so perhaps that has something to do with the spotlight as well. At least he’s honest
By ross
April 30, 2009 9:31 AM | Link to this
jocketty is a clown…do something to this punchless baseball team..this is one of the worst starting eight Ive ever the Reds run out on the field
By albert
April 30, 2009 9:22 AM | Link to this
b-hopper…a team to watch with nix, rosales, hanigan..hey throw in Mcdonald you are right..thats a great bunch of of players hahaha
By Cait
April 30, 2009 9:16 AM | Link to this
Fans have to have something to complain about. BP and EE are the best right handed bats this team has. Except they aren’t performing that way. I’m with BP, though. I understand what he’s saying. It’s important for the younger players not to get too caught up in what the media and public are saying. All we want is a winner. It’s been so long for us Reds fans that we’re out of patience. This is the Reds - one of the greatest franchises in baseball. We demand respectability and we haven’t had it in more than a decade. We see the team playing better, but then they have a bad stretch and we figure it’s the same ol’ same ol’. We love you BP, we’re just frustrated.
By Terrel
April 30, 2009 8:47 AM | Link to this
i knew it wouldn’t take long. Now all of the sudden Brandon Phillips is the Griffey Jr. and Barry larkin of the 2009 Reds? Now i know why my black freinds hate baseball and cant stand the Reds. It’s the same crap every year. But we just love Rosales and his “hustle”.
By Florida Buckeye
April 30, 2009 8:33 AM | Link to this
Hmm…Write about the team?!? Okay, the team needs a third baseman & a 2nd baseman that can actually hit the ball, when the team needs it!
By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
April 30, 2009 1:22 AM | Link to this
Brandon Phillips, real man of genius. What a clueless dope.
By Jon
April 30, 2009 1:15 AM | Link to this
What happens if AR has a big month of May?,and i think he will,what do they do with EE?
By BrarHopper
April 30, 2009 12:05 AM | Link to this
Sadly, Brandon’s gibberish makes about as much sense as the daily flow of gibberish from T-Pick. And to listen to him, you writers better stop that crap because you are causing the team to lose.
By enuffisenuff
April 29, 2009 11:39 PM | Link to this
Hey Brandon you hit in one game and you think you can hold court in the lockerroom? Keep it real Bra, hmmmm?
By Sal Monella
April 29, 2009 10:54 PM | Link to this
Mister RedLegs: Yes, Brandon wrote about you but the censors caught it in time.
By Harry the Horse
April 29, 2009 10:48 PM | Link to this
I believe Brandon will hit.. There is no reason to believe he will not hit. Brandon is a good kid. But he has to realize Dunn is gone. Junior is gone. And when he starts out slow of course that will be a topic. EE always gets off to a slow start. gets hot so will EE… Negativity is the name of the game in SW Ohio… Losing teams have to be reported on. If the Reds win the columns will get nicer…. Hang with them Brandon!! We still are on your side
By BrarHopper
April 29, 2009 10:31 PM | Link to this
So far Traveras is quite an improvement over Patterson. Now about those 100 steals. Better get moving, bud. LOVE seeing Rosales high energy and LOVE seeing Nix given his chance. I am totally tired of Edwin. Tiring of A-Gone. And what’s with Baker’s philosophy of playing the hot hand/bat? BP doubles and homers last night and T-Pick sits him? Shoulda sat him after that styling hot dog BS this weekend, NOT today! Hairston is looking weak. Great game tonight. Excellent pitching by Edison and even Coco. Fun game to watch. Keep it up Nix, Adam, Joey, and get Hannigan in there. Now with these guys we have a team to watch! Now we can 86 Error Edwin.
By Professor
April 29, 2009 9:47 PM | Link to this
Great lineup tonight, except for the absence of Janish and Hannigan! Go Laynce!
By Jimmy1Time
April 29, 2009 9:02 PM | Link to this
SOMEBODY TELLS GONZO TO STOP WITH THE DRAMA ALREADY!!! Just lay the bat down and go to you postion. God I’m getting tired of him. I wouldn’t care what he does it he hit. But damn he can’t stay consistent!! Bring back Larkin
By Jimmy1Time
April 29, 2009 8:54 PM | Link to this
NIX! NIX! Starting to be a fan fav! I hope they keep feeding Rosales REDBULL! Love this kid! Way to take the presure off others BP! Class, class. Way 2go Hal
By Mark in Sun Valley
April 29, 2009 8:45 PM | Link to this
FINALLY! He steals. Now I wanna ask everyone something. Why do so many people think Jerry Hairston Jr. is the “sparkplug” that will drive this offense. All I see is an almost 33 year old journeyman utility player, who was a regular only one season and is a career.250 hitter. He is a nice bench player, who had a career year last season (in 80 games mind you). Why does he get so much playing time instead of the “younger” players we are supposed to be building around, IE Janish?
By ohdave
April 29, 2009 8:05 PM | Link to this
Have to agree with Mark in Sun Valley. Tavares has been on twice and hasn’t even looked at second base.
By Javier
April 29, 2009 7:53 PM | Link to this
Watching some of the Reds position players makes me feel sad, ( tear). I was born in 1983, and have only seen the Reds in the postseason twice. I have a feeling we can trace all of these problems to a weak farm system in the 1990’s, but its frustrating. How much longer can this team go without a productive right-handed hitter? I think a good start is finding a way to get some talent in left field and third base. I don’t think the Reds have enough talent in the minors to go out and trade for a big name at those positions, but I hope someone is working on that.
By Mark in Sun Valley
April 29, 2009 7:28 PM | Link to this
When in the %#$& is our “speedy” lead off man even going to TRY and steal a base? Speed and defense indeed.
By Wizard
April 29, 2009 6:45 PM | Link to this
If it’s about the TEAM why didn’t Brandon offer to sit down, or move down in the lineup, while he wasn’t hitting?
By Mister RedLegs
April 29, 2009 5:10 PM | Link to this
Did Brandon Phillips mention anything about me? I wrote about him several times.