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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 > May > 16 > Entry
Hey, c’mon, I was distracted
All ye who pointed out my gaffe after Friday’s game: Yes, the Reds led, 3-2, didn’t trail 3-2 when Dusty Baker permitted pitcher Aaron Harang to bat with two on and two out.
That must have been when that sea gull flew over and left a memory on my keyboard. Or was it when that female streaker ran through the pressbox. Or maybe it was when Baker called my cellphone and asked what he should do.
Ah, shoot. None of that happened. I just whiffed. But I still think I would have pinch-hit for Harang.
SATURDAY’S LINEUP: Same as Friday’s, except Edinson Volque3z is pitching. Same battin order, too - Willy Taveras cf, Jerry Hairston Jr. 3B, Joey Votto 1B, Brandon Phillips 2B, Jay Bruce RF, Ramon Hernandez 2, Laynce Nix LF, Alex Gonzalez SS.
Adam Rosales did himself no favor by striking out on a bad pitch with two outs in the ninth on a bad pitch with the tying runs on base.
SO WHAT does a manager do when his 10-year-old kid is with him. Well, for one thing, you go into the hotel swimming pool. I was out by the pool this morning, just so I could smoke a cigar in a far corner while I read a book, wearing a jacket and long pants because, folks, it was chilly.
Suddenly Baker’s 10-year-old son, Darren, appeared and stuck his foot into the water. Baker was close behind and when Darren balked a bit, Baker said, “You wanted to go into the pool, so let’s go.” Baker went in, too, and when he later came to the side of the pool to chat I asked, “Isn’t that water cold?” Said Baker, “Freezing.”
But he was doing his daddy duties.
FOR THOSE who keep calling for the promotion of outfielder Jonny Gomes: He is hitting .267 with 30 strikeouts in 116 at-bats at Class AAA Louisville.
AND FOR somebody who asked: I love mystery novels and my favorite authors are James Patterson, James Lee Burke, Lee Child and Harlan Coben. Any of you know any authors of similar genre I should check out? Lots of down time in the mornings and early afternoons on the road and I can only drink so many Starbuck’s vente nonfat lattes.
TIME OUT while I watch the Preakness - and I don’t think the filly will win the race because she runs like a girl (no I’m not anti-feminist), but the last time I cashed a ticket at a horse race Secretariat wasn’t even born.
Now I’ll post this before the race so you won’t accuse me of, uh, past-posting???
Then we’ll turn our attent back to the ballfield and the Reds attempt to beat this bad Padres team.
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By scott from cincy
May 21, 2009 9:13 AM | Link to this
That’s a nice story about Dusty and his son. I get SO sick of people ripping him all of the time. He does the same things that most manager’s do—play by the book. If you have an expensive player on your roster, you have to play them. If the GM brings a guy North that isn’t producing, you have to still give him a chance. I think Dusty is doing a fine job, considering his lack of talent offensively and lack of a bench. He has managed the team chemistry great and handled the pitchers great so far.
By bill
May 17, 2009 12:49 PM | Link to this
I definitely recommend Carl Hiaasen, especially considering he is a longtime Miami Herald columnist. Newspaper guys gotta stick together.
By Mary
May 17, 2009 10:32 AM | Link to this
I would second the Connelly and Hiaasin suggestions and add Dennis Lehane and Randy Wayne Wright. Another guy who only recently started writing mysteries and is quite good (at the suggestion of his pal, James Patterson)is Marshall Karp
By Mary
May 17, 2009 10:26 AM | Link to this
“I love mystery novels and my favorite authors are James Patterson, James Lee Burke, Lee Child and Harlan Coben. Any of you know any authors of similar genre I should check out?” You may also like Dennis Lehane (his series takes place in Boston)
By Becky
May 17, 2009 7:09 AM | Link to this
Definitely Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (like Red said up there), but also when they write solo. Jonathan Kellerman, his wife Faith Kellerman, and John Sandford also write similar books to your favorites, which are mine too. You might want to check out the late Tony Hillerman also, for when a more relaxing mystery read is called for.
By Bill Lawrence
May 17, 2009 2:25 AM | Link to this
Hi Hal, Having fun in San Diego on a Saturday night? Homer should be called up and Nick put on the DL. Dusty should not mess up his starters like he did last year.
By wizard
May 17, 2009 2:03 AM | Link to this
Another stupid decision by Baker! Darnell .176; Janish .340 or whatever; Hanigan .300 plus all available to pinch hit—and guess who he picks? Lets see another game when Gonzalez goes 0 for 5—and has numerous chances to help win the game—and HE CONTINUES TO PLAY instead of Janish!!!!
By MAS
May 17, 2009 1:59 AM | Link to this
Brian Haig is one of my favorites. Also, Michael Connelly, Kyle Mills, Nelson Demille, and my dad loves Jeffery Archer.
By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
May 17, 2009 1:39 AM | Link to this
If you want to take a break from mystery, try Jeff Guinn’s widely acclaimed biop on Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow titled “Go Down Together.” It’s the 75th anniversary since their death in a hail of bullets and this book is an excellent look at their life of crime.
By Jeff
May 17, 2009 12:21 AM | Link to this
Nice call Hal, any tips for the winner of the Belmont (LOL)
By red in ky
May 16, 2009 10:46 PM | Link to this
Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child spin some pretty good tales, especially those containing Agent Pendergast.
By Decker
May 16, 2009 10:10 PM | Link to this
Jonathan Valin wrote great hard-boiled mysteries set in Cincinnati. They’re out of print now, but you can get them through libraries or at abebooks.com I’m also a big fan of Carl Hiaasen - kind of a twisted heir to John D Mac Donald.
By got milk
May 16, 2009 9:48 PM | Link to this
I’ve got a bookcase full of Frederick Forsythe, but be advised his plot lines are based on international intrigue.
By Steve
May 16, 2009 9:20 PM | Link to this
Hal, asking some of the people that can’t wait to pounce on mistakes made by others what mystery authors they suggest is useless. Unless you are into reading Donald J. Sobol’s Encyclopedia Brown.
By max
May 16, 2009 9:17 PM | Link to this
I like the “Rumpole of the Bailey” books by John Mortimer. It was a PBS series and they are collection of short stories. Rumpole has a lot of your traits, including a love of cigars, albeit the small, cheap ones. Hey, I see another MAx posting, please don’t get us confused. I will never complain about spelling or even errors in blog posts having done some of that myself some time ago for the Bearcats.
By Ryan-IN
May 16, 2009 9:16 PM | Link to this
OMG???
By AP-FLORIDA
May 16, 2009 7:20 PM | Link to this
Hey Hal, the filly won….
By Rick
May 16, 2009 7:01 PM | Link to this
You wrote “I love mystery novels and my favorite authors are James Patterson, James Lee Burke, Lee Child and Harlan Coben. Any of you know any authors of similar genre I should check out?” Try any novels by Ross MacDonald or John D. MacDonald (no relation), two of the best American mystery writers. Both were quite prolific & paperbacks should be easy to find. Ross MacDonald’s books are mostly located in L.A. & John D.’s in Florida. Highly entertaining.