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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 > 19 > Entry
No Votto? How about Gomes?
Life without Joey Votto isn’t fun for the Cincinnati Reds. It is the Phillies without Ryan Howard. It is the Indianapolis Colts without Peyton Manning. It is Abbott without Costello. It is Adam without Eve (well, that one might have worked out better if they stayed apart).
Who knows when Votto will be back. He has undergone more tests than a law student at Harvard as the Reds try to discover why he gets dizzy and can’t focus.
ANOTHER QUESTION. Can the Reds win with Alex Gonzalez at shortstop? He is 2 for 12 since coming back from his side injury and one was an infield hit in the ninth inning Tuesday of the team’s 4-3 loss to the Phillies.
And they certainly can’t win with leadoff hitter Willy Taveras on a 0 for 18 slide to oblivion - this after a 14-game hitting streak in which he was hotter than a pot-bellied stove on a farm in the winter time.
“How do you explain it? You can’t,” said manager Dusty Baker. Taveras came up on the ninth against Phillies closer Brad Lidge with the tying and winning runs on base. He flailed miserably at two, maybe three, sliders out of the strike zone. He struck out on a 3-and-2 ball four and as Baker said, “He walked at least twice on that at-bat, maybe three times.”
THEY WASTED another excellent performance by young Johnny Cueto. He was 4-1 coming in and in his last four starts, all wins, he had gone seven or more innings and never given up more than one run. But he gave up a home run to Ryan Howard and was touched for three runs in the sixth. He still went seven innings.
“When you hold that team to four runs in this ball park, that’s pretty good pitching,” said Baker. “They send some big bats up there, one after another.”
AND WHY IS Darnell McDonald still on this team? Nice kid. But there is a reason he has played only 42 major-league games (half of them with the Reds this season) after he was a No. 1 draft pick by the Orioles 12 years ago. TWELVE!!!
Because the Phillies started lefthander Cole Hamels, the right-handed hitting McDonald was in left field and he went 0 for 4 and is now hitting .189. McDonald played well this spring and is outstanding on defense.
But what the Reds need now - especially facing four lefthanders in a six-game period, is a solid power hitter from the right side.
Do I hear the name Jonny Gomes? He has hit safely in 13 of his last 16 games at Class AAA Louisville, raising his average from .238 to .280. And he has 9 homers and 27 RBIs, plus 11 walks.
Hey, Jonny, come on down (or up).
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By W.Va. Fan
May 21, 2009 9:21 AM | Link to this
My goodness, bring up Gomes and cut McDonald so he can get a job at McDonalds. The front office makes some bonehead moves. And bring up Homer Bailey. Find out if he can do as well as he did in the spring. If not, then he can be trade bait. And Nix should be in the lineup every day. Dickerson can pinch hit and play once in a while. Let’s hope Votto gets back soon !
By JJ
May 21, 2009 6:42 AM | Link to this
Poor Mgmt. You don’t go into a season with no backup 1bman. Gomes should have been with the big club from the get-go.
By gb
May 21, 2009 2:53 AM | Link to this
Dusty is going to keep McDonald around until he’s eligible for the MLB health coverage. It’s 40 games of service or something like that.
By BrarHopper
May 20, 2009 9:04 PM | Link to this
Good news for the Reds is that they got rid of Matt Belisle. Just watched a few minutes of the Braves/Rockies game, Matt came in to relieve and just needed one out. Bases empty. 5 batters later, still no outs, 1 walk, 4 hits, 3 more runs scored and two on. I turned it off. So glad that he and Coffee are gone. And Fogg. And Patterson (although he lives on in Toothpick’s mind as McD and WT).
By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
May 20, 2009 8:20 PM | Link to this
Hey look! The sad, pathetic get-a-life professional troll has yet two more fake IDs and email addresses. But he’s still got the same syntax, punctuation and mindless dribble. Move along, Dobie. You’re taking up valuable ether.
By Wizard
May 20, 2009 7:33 PM | Link to this
Hairston is best at defense when a ball is hit directly at him; therefore he should NOT play SS-he should play the “Hot corner”, where the majority of balls hit his way, will be DIRECTLY AT HIM. Therefore, the ONLY possibility for SS, if Gonzalez is not playing, is Janish! Play Janish, as long as you did Gonzalez, at SS—and I guarantee better results!
By nick w
May 20, 2009 7:22 PM | Link to this
look who is starting in left field tonight…good ole’ mcdonald. Amazing.
By Reality
May 20, 2009 6:51 PM | Link to this
The game certainly was lost because of lineup construction “Original dip stick”. Can you say “GONZO”, “Original” dumb person?
By Daryl B.
May 20, 2009 5:57 PM | Link to this
Hey Hal, how about this? What about signing Sean Casey? He can play first and can still hit for an average until Votto comes back, and then, is still a better hitter coming off the bench than everyone combined- including the joke we have starting at shortstop!
By Mr. Redlegs, Sr. (the original one)
May 20, 2009 5:24 PM | Link to this
How long is it gonna take now? No more Gonzo’s, EE’s or McDonald’s…
By Mr. Redlegs, Sr. (the original one)
May 20, 2009 5:23 PM | Link to this
How long is it gonna take now? No more Gonzo’s, EE’s or MsDonald’s…
By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
May 20, 2009 4:52 PM | Link to this
Oh, Salsa, btw, how many IDs do you have using variations off mine, going from blog to blog and even making up IDs to comment to yourself? You just revealed yourself with that “Original Recipe” line. Seriously, who’s a punk and who’s a pathetic troll?
By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
May 20, 2009 4:46 PM | Link to this
Hey Salamander, how do you really feel? I’ll give you Owings, but considering Owings had never faced Lidge’s wicked slider, or his fastball, or his changeup … like ever … and Taveras was career 1-for-3 with a walk against him, perhaps that’s why the move wasn’t made. Who knows? But the game wasn’t lost because of Taveras. The game wasn’t lost because of substitutions or lineup construction. The game was lost because the Reds were 0-for-7 with RISP. So when you’re finished laughing at yourself, you might want to consider some factors of the game that apparently you are not versed. Humility comes to mind.
By Nick W
May 20, 2009 4:38 PM | Link to this
I don’t think much will change if we bring up gomes. He will be better then mcdonald but he is going to be playing maybe 2 games a week and pinch hitting. I think Nix will be starting everyday in leftfield until somebody gets hot and earns that spot over him and i don’t see that happening anytime soon. EE is going to get his spot at 3rd back because rosales isn’t looking like a everyday 3b yet. So that puts hairston at short and gonzo on the bench. So we put down rosales when EE gets back and put down mcdonald and bring up gomes. He will make our bench better with janish, dickerson, gonzo, and gomes but i dont see the need to rush him up here to have him sit on the bench.
By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
May 20, 2009 4:35 PM | Link to this
Yeah, Jack, it’s completely non-sensical to keep an outfielder who can play all three slots, can run, and who clearly beat out the guy who can’t field one slot, can’t run, can’t hit righties and didn’t do squat while facing MLB pitchers. But you come on back the next time you want a lesson in baseball logistics. We’ll give you a free eye exam, too.
By Sal Monella
May 20, 2009 4:35 PM | Link to this
Okay, Mister Deadlegs Original Recipe (your head looks like that clown mascot). You are the bonehead, punk! Baker could have batter Owings, remember him? ANYONE but Willie. You are such an azz and think you know everything. You’re a posturing fool. I laugh at every one of your stupid posts because you always step in a pile. LOL.
By RC
May 20, 2009 4:27 PM | Link to this
Well, I was attempting a little sarcasm when I said “blessed event” - I’m not a big EE fan in general, although Rosales’ Vegas-quality juggling act at 3B had me missing the days of EE whistling a throw or two a week into the stands. (He does also make the head-scratchingly brilliant play from time to time, too.) But just like when AG returned, EE will be the starting 3B when he gets off the DL, and certain blogger heads will explode all over again. Just wondering when the spectacle will begin…
By Jack
May 20, 2009 4:04 PM | Link to this
Great stuff as always Redlegs, lets keep McDonald because he can do…..wait a minute, what exactly can McDonald do well? Again, it is not that Gomes will make us so much better, but it gets McDonald out of here, who did not deserve to be here from the start, let alone still be here. At least Gomes has a little bit of a history of success in the major leagues, but under your theory, getting hot for two weeks in the spring means that McDonald earned his way to the major leagues. Like the majority of your posts, just does not make a lot of sense. On EE, are we really missing EE?
By Steve
May 20, 2009 4:01 PM | Link to this
What is Baseball America’s opinion of the Reds farm system?
By Steve
May 20, 2009 3:57 PM | Link to this
Mike, I was merely using an example. Holliday is starting to hit much better after switching leagues and moving out of Coors. He will test the free agent market, next year. Reds could have signed for a one (or shorter) and done, much like Brewers / Sabathia. Last I check Milwaukee was not Boston, NY, etc.. Just making a point that Walt is working with what he has. Much like Dusty.
By RC
May 20, 2009 3:36 PM | Link to this
That all may be true, Mr. R (O), but you have to admit - we really could use a few guys who can hit lefthanders right about now. Rosales will be back in Louisville when EE comes back if not before. Speaking of which, I haven’t heard when that blessed event (EE’s return, that is) is expected to happen. Anybody kept up more than I have?
By Michael In Monterey, CA
May 20, 2009 3:29 PM | Link to this
Send down McDonald and Dickerson and send up Stubbs and Gomes.
By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
May 20, 2009 3:20 PM | Link to this
Hal McCoy was a 1b during the Roosevelt administration. Teddy Roosevelt. But on this day, with a cigar in one hand, a laptop in another, and barring Chris Sabo’s googles, he is a better 1b than Jonny “Cooperstown’s Calling” Gomes. He is NOT in the big leagues because he’s getting screwed by Baker, because of McDonald, because of the 40-man roster or the afteraffects of 40 Days and 40 Nights. He’s not on this roster because he is a 1/2-dimensional player. He can hit lefthanders. That’s it. There is absolutely nothing else he can do on the field. And we saw that as spring training progressed, the regulars came back from the WBC and he started facing MLB pitchers getting ready for the season instead of batting around minor-leaguers and non-roster invitees. But hey, the cries for Gomes rises like June humidity, just as those same cries for Adam Rosales to be the 3b, SS, 1b, OF—whatever he can be—all because of some numbers he put up at Louisville and he hustles. You jokers will never learn. Never. The Reds’ baseball people know a little more about the stuff than a group of fantasy-leaguers.
By Mike-Cinci
May 20, 2009 3:11 PM | Link to this
Steve, Matt Holliday is hitting .268 with 5 HR’s in Oakland. Scott Boras is his agent and he will be a free agent after this season. Boras has said Holliday will test the free agent market and ask for $100 million+. The Reds can afford a $70 million payroll. The Reds are not in NY, LA, Boston, or Chicago. It isn’t the money it is the lack of talent in the farm system. this goes back 20 years.
By Steve
May 20, 2009 2:56 PM | Link to this
I don’t understand the critism of Walt. Yes, he puts the team together. However, he does not write the checks. It starts at the top. You think he didn’t want Holliday? Unless Walt starts paying salaries, his hands are tied by the man who refuses to lose.
By timb
May 20, 2009 2:45 PM | Link to this
If Gomes keeps the hustling utility player on the bench and plays 1B, then I say bring him up. If, however, he gonna do Darnell’s job, i.e., play once every two weeks and get called on to bunt, then I say leave him at Louisville
By RC
May 20, 2009 2:14 PM | Link to this
Oh, and while I, too, am in favor of bringing Gomes up, but keep one thing in mind - just like AG’s return and Hairston’s hot streak put Janish on the bench, Gomes will likely be playing 1B (sans Votto, of course), which puts Hernandez behind the plate and Hanigan sitting next to Janish most nights. Which is kind of a shame… not that I’m as big a booster of those two guys as wiz, but they have earned some PT.
By Jack
May 20, 2009 2:03 PM | Link to this
Billy and RC, shared your thoughts about Gonzo…about a month ago when everyone was discussing Hernandez…and Gonzo. Still give him a little more time, but not much. Redlegs, no one is calling or claiming Gomes to be a savior, but he cant be worse then McDonald who has no business being in the major leagues right now. Perhaps neither does Gomes, but would like to see. It certainly can not hurt.
By billy hustle
May 20, 2009 1:55 PM | Link to this
I agree with RC. AGon has been a struggle to watch at the plate but I think he should get another few weeks to find his swing before they give up on him. I’ve never been sold on Jannish. I’m trying not to jump on/off the bandwagon the first sign of a streak. McDonald doesn’t belong but please stop using the Patterson reference. It’s gotten old.
By RC
May 20, 2009 1:31 PM | Link to this
Lord knows I don’t want to be the guy defending AGonz around here, especially considering the puddle of goo he’s been at the plate so far. I just want to remind folks that very bad things were being said on this here blog regarding one Ramon Hernandez a few weeks ago - now he’s come around, and is an important bat in this lineup. Gonzo, in the past, was capable of Hernandez power with a BA 20 points higher. I don’t know how much longer you give the guy to get it together, but I imagine Dusty doesn’t want to throw that potential away lightly. And I’m not sure he’s wrong about that.
By Roho Radio
May 20, 2009 1:24 PM | Link to this
Old McDonald needs to go….ee ay ee ay oh. Don’t care who replaces him in the big show….ee ay ee ay oh. Come on Walt? Dusty? What’s the delay?
By Jack
May 20, 2009 1:00 PM | Link to this
Good Blog today. While I have no love for Wily T., not the easiest thing to hit a Lidge slider. Baker certainly shares the blame with Jocketty, Baker has input on the roster. Baker wanted McDonald. That experiment has failed. Move on. If you actually like him, no one will pick him up, send him to Triple A. Yes, very similar to Corey Patterson situation. Interesting stats with Gonzo when he plays and does not play (and yes Barry, your question has already been answered within the blog). Of course, Baker goes by “feel” and “instinct” so those kind of stats will never concern him. Bring Gomes up.
By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
May 20, 2009 12:57 PM | Link to this
Why should Votto be DLed when they still don’t have a diagnosis? What if the doctors come back and say, “Take two Dramamine for a week and you’ll be fine?” And Votto is ready to play by Friday? And when you say the season will get longer if they don’t bring up Gomes, what does that statement actually tell you about the season from the get-go? Who in their right baseball mind ever figured Jonny Gomes would be the savior of the Cincinnati Reds?
By Rider Buck
May 20, 2009 11:45 AM | Link to this
It is a long season, but it will be alot LONGER season if the Reds do not make the following obvious moves with their roster at this time: 1) Votto should be placed on the DL, 2) Bring up Gomes and platoon him with Nix in left or play him at 1st base while Votto is out, 3)Start Hairston at 3B, Janish at SS, and move AGon to a late inning defensive replacement, 4)Begin rehab assignment for EE at Carolina and when he is ready to be activated DFA McDonald.
By jim m.
May 20, 2009 11:35 AM | Link to this
Thanks Hal for speaking up about this issue.. I was so upset last night watching the bottom of the 9th. Watching Mr. Out McDonald batting against Lidge!! That is the perfect spot to batNix@!! Then for the ninth spot since he will in no way sit Gonzo, Owings should have batted ninth!! Owings just hit a tieing homerun the last game against the Cardinals at home.. does Dusty forget that? or is it his name isnt McDonlad or Patterson??? Gomes needs to be in the lineup tonight!! DFA McDonald and help this team.. They dont know how long Votto will be out, so get a power bat up here in Gomes.. he is having a hot streak and ride it, Just like he should with Hairston at SS. Gonzo is a waste of a roster spot.. he isnt the same player anymore and Dusty doesnt know how to put the right players where they should.. Dicerson did a good job walking in his pinch hitting, he should have stayed in the game batting ninth and getting McDonald out of there (at least this move would have made sense and Nix would have led off the ninth!!). I am frustrated that Walt wont do soemthing to keep this team from playing short of players.. And Taveras should ahve been told TAKE a STRIKE.. not swing at 4 pitches out of the strike zone!! that was a terrible at bat!!ke
By ross
May 20, 2009 11:20 AM | Link to this
some keep screaming for Janish/Dickerson to be everyday players..those guys are .230 hitters at AAA..bottom line is Jocketty has not give this coaching staff a chance to be competitive over a full season
By ross
May 20, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this
I agree Jock is the issue..he has put together a team full of minor league caliber players..I didnt say a word when they had a good stretch..they are headed for another 90 loss season and a date with 5th or 6th..I think the Bucs are better…Jocketty will be one of worst GMs this franchise has seen..and thats saying something
By Barry
May 20, 2009 11:14 AM | Link to this
no I asked what the Reds record is with him in the lineup vs him not in the line up, not just the past 4 games. The issue is that when things are going right don’t mess things up.
By Mark in Sun Valley
May 20, 2009 10:49 AM | Link to this
We are blessed with pitching that can keep us in most games this year, a real change from the past decade. The thing is, in tight games, strategy becomes more important, as well as having the right pieces to get that extra run that makes the difference. Right now, we have several weak players (A-Gon, McDonald, etc) being asked to perform, and others (Hanigan and Janish) who stand a better chance to make the difference sitting on the bench. There ARE time you can use your extra catcher as a pinch hitter, Dusty. It’s a risk, but seriously, how often do catchers get hurt mid-game? The risk is lower than made out, and since Dusty has shown he does not mind letting a catcher work 14-16 innings a night, why not use what you have. Still Walt must share in this. Player moves need to be made. Right now, Dusty has a 1/2 empty gun, and tends to shoot with the empty chambers.
By Nick W
May 20, 2009 10:46 AM | Link to this
This team is obviously going through a bad stretch of games but it is all long, LONG season. The cardinals did the same thing last week. I agree that gomes should be called up but just because he is killing the ball in AAA does not mean he will do the same in the majors. Rosales was hitting good in the minors and we were saying the same thing and now that he has been up here a couple weeks we see he is not ready to be an everyday 3b in the majors. Another thing gomes is playing everyday in the minors he won’t be if we bring him up he is going be used as a pinch hitter and a utility player so thats going to be a big difference. I stil think he would be alot better then mcdonald i couldn’t beleive when i saw him playing last night. Until votto or edwin comes back gonzo is going to play but when votto comes back rosales can move back to third and hairston should be at short. We did face two of the best pitchers in the league the past two games so we just got to get through the rough stretch and hope we dont get to far away from the brewers. Going to the game tonight 4-0 so far this year for me, maybe i should start going to every game..
By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
May 20, 2009 10:07 AM | Link to this
“Jocketty owns the roster.” Exactly! He’s the one people ought to be screaming at, especially over this short-handed crap. He sat on his a*s last May and June as the team was ripped apart by injuries. Then, after spring training, he was the last GM in baseball to make a roster change when the Reds already had depth issues. Guarantee Krivsky would not have sat so idly.
By Mike-Cinci
May 20, 2009 10:03 AM | Link to this
I can’t blame Dusty for every problem. Jocketty owns the roster. He gives Dusty the players. Jocketty could send McDonald down today. I’m not sure why he doesn’t. He must think McDonald has more upside than Gomes. I don’t see it but Jocketty is the expert. Gonzalez is killing them at bat. Since this is the last year of his contract I would bite the bullet and see what Janish can do. If he is a bust then it is clear the Reds need to find a SS for 2010 and beyond. Taveras is either in a slump or he has no clue about the strike zone. I fear the latter. I’m amazed how few times Taveras has tried to steal. If he does not run, then except for defense, he does not help this team very much. Rosales is fun to watch but he is over matched when he faces MLB pitching. He appears to have a slow bat. Long term he can be a valuable utility player. Hernandez has been a pleasant surprise. This team really misses Votto.
By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
May 20, 2009 10:03 AM | Link to this
“Baker’s pride has cost us a lot of games since he has come in” WHAT? Pride? Lost games? Uh, yeah, sure. You let us know when you have that game-by-game list of games lost because of “pride.” Talent and roster construction would have nothing to do with wins and losses, nope. It’s all about pride because the man has almost 1,300 careers wins. Must be because of pride, as well.
By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
May 20, 2009 10:00 AM | Link to this
“Oooops…looks like the kool-aid pitcher got knocked over!” Ha, this is hilarious, and true. Fairweathers and bandwagoners, your Cincinnati Reds fan base. Just ridiculous.
By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
May 20, 2009 9:57 AM | Link to this
“We’re 0 & 4 since Gonzo returned.” Hmmm, when did one player bat in all nine slots and play all nine positions? But this is a common yet moronic consensus by a wide portion of the increasingly common and moronic Reds fan base, who just a week ago were sticking out their chests after beating the crap out of the pitiful Diamondbacks. Today, this team is a bunch of bums. Here’s a thought: Jake Peavy and Cole Hamels, two of the five best pitchers in the NL, have a little to do with this team’s slump, no matter who is hitting.
By Barry
May 20, 2009 9:54 AM | Link to this
Anyone know what the Reds record is with Alex Gonzalez in the lineup and what it is without him, I am pretty sure there is a huge difference
By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
May 20, 2009 9:51 AM | Link to this
“Why in hell did Baker NOT pinch hit for Willie in the 9th?” Okay, pinch-hit with whom? Janish is on base, Dickerson and Nix have already been used, Rosales and McDonald started, Votto is out, you don’t use your No. 2 catcher. So, really, who’s the bonehead? Your own manager of the year award can be picked up at the KMart lay-away counter.
By Brendan T
May 20, 2009 9:51 AM | Link to this
I have no problem w/ Taveras, he’s in a slump and that happens in baseball. It’s a tough sport. My problem is with Gonzalez. The Reds are 9-15 when he plays and 11-3 when he doesn’t. In those 9 wins, he’s batting .147 (all singles) with 1 RBI, 0 BB’s and 8 K’s. How can Baker keep putting him out there? He looked like Johnny Bench circa 1983 trying to beat out that grounder last night.
By Brian A
May 20, 2009 9:44 AM | Link to this
I for the life of me can’t figure out Baker as rest of you can? The DBacks series was great, then SD he tinkers and look at that and last night. I know losing Votto is HUGE!! But, are we going to wait 12 days to DL Votto. Its time for Hairston at SS split with Janish, Nix and whoever in LF, DFA McDonald and Gonzo can be off bench. Looking at last night its really a miracle only to get beat4-3. With McD,AGon and pitcher that’s 3 auto outs with Taveres slumping the only threats are when JHJ,Phillips,Bruce and Hernandez get up. Against Hamels ain’t going cut it. Cueto pitched good minus 1 bad inning. Roster changes need to be made but no one will listen to Hal or anyone of us on the board. Probably a 3-6, 2-7 homestand is immenent to get us out of contention. To win the next 2 vs Phils is an understatement it really is the season no matter how much Rusty Dusty can’t manage.
By Steven Ross
May 20, 2009 9:31 AM | Link to this
Dusty defies logic on a daily basis. We’re 0 & 4 since Gonzo returned. Not all his fault but this guy is damaged goods. McDonald over Gomes is a crime. Jocketty needs to step it up. Why do the Reds always wait so stinkin’ long to make obvious roster changes? Hal? Well?
By Steve
May 20, 2009 9:17 AM | Link to this
Every team has bad slides at some point in a season. Usually more than one or two. I think we win at least 1 in SD and last night if Votto is Votto. And has anyone noticed that even when play is subpar they STILL have a chance to win. They no longer get whipped on a regular basis. No complaining here.
By Steve M.
May 20, 2009 9:01 AM | Link to this
Right on everything today, Hal. Don’t forget that Alex Gonzalez other hit was the soft fly ball that Giles lost in short right field in SD. Taveras is a TERRIBLE lead off hitter. Zero strike zone awareness, slow to steal bases, poor AB, no power. Ugh. The Reds swept the DBacks with basically the same lineup over three nights and then have never again played that lineup. Common denominator? Alex Gonzalez. I’d have Chris Dickerson play CF on a regular basis and have Hairston/Nix platoon in LF and get Hairston some other starts, say at SS. Also play Janish regularly at SS instead of AG.
By ross
May 20, 2009 8:56 AM | Link to this
reds are headed home..going south for the summer.. neighbors with the Pirates..a pretty decent 6 weeks..too bad the season is 26 weeks long
By Brad65
May 20, 2009 8:39 AM | Link to this
Oooops…looks like the kool-aid pitcher got knocked over!
By Ridnaway
May 20, 2009 8:37 AM | Link to this
Tavaris’ at bat in the 9th last night was his worst AB of the year. He swung at at least 4 balls wayyyy out of the strike zone. If Lidge had decided to roll the ball up there Willy would have swung at it..
By Ridnaway
May 20, 2009 8:36 AM | Link to this
Tavaris’ at bat in the 9th last night was his worst AB of the year. He swung at at least 4 balls wayyyy out of the strike zone. If Lidge had decided to roll the ball up there Willy would have swung at it..
By Mike
May 20, 2009 8:15 AM | Link to this
If Baker isn’t going to adjust, then Jocketty needs to step in and DFA McDonald and do something with Gonzales regardless of what he earns. Baker’s pride has cost us a lot of games since he has come in..It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that when a lineup is doing well, you keep things the way they are. Pete might not have been the best manager but he was consistent and he didn’t tinker with a good thing. They should have won 3 of the last 4 games they lost, and if this keeps up,we can forget about being competitive in this tough division.
By Monty
May 20, 2009 6:07 AM | Link to this
Someone needs to put Dusty’s feet to the fire, and ask him, why oh why does he continue to make the same mistakes that he does, like McDonald, just like last year with Patterson? I would hate to think that it has anything to do with race, but you have to wonder sometimes. McDonald, or Gomes? Dickerson, or Nix(finally!). Patterson last year numerous chances. Janish, or Gonzo? You be the judge!
By fitz
May 20, 2009 4:48 AM | Link to this
Hal, you expressed my concerns about both about Gonzo and McDonald. It is time to DFA McDonald and call up Gomes or Stubbs. Stubbs is .300 but no HR. I’m happy with JHJ or Janish at short and don’t see that Agon is an advantage and he certainly isn’t helping at the plate.
By Sal Monella
May 20, 2009 1:28 AM | Link to this
Sorry Hal, you’re just making too much sense. They won’t listen. They’ll keep running these failures (McD, A-Gone, Corey Traveras, and the rest out there just like they did last year with Patterson until it’s simply too late to make a difference. This gets really really old really really quickly…if you call year after year after year quickly. As exciting as this team was a few weeks ago, they’ve again settled into a humdrum boring same old mediocrity. Why in hell did Baker NOT pinch hit for Willie in the 9th? ‘Cause he’s a bonehead who NEVER learns, in spite of his big deal 3 useless MOY awards. Gomes up; McD & Gonzo DOWN! And take lazy dolt EE with em.
By wizard
May 19, 2009 11:38 PM | Link to this
Sure would be interesting to see how many times Gonzalez was up this year, with a chance to do damage to opponents, with runners on base—only to fail each and every time, for a month and a half! Just needed a few singles from him, I am certain,to win at least, several more games—AT LEAST! Janish should be starting at SS; and he should have been inserted a month ago!