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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 > 27 > Entry
The tarp rules over Phillips, Encarnacion
Former Reds GM Wayne Krivsky, now a scout for the Baltimore Orioles, walked into the pressbox, looked down on the field, then said, “I’ve seen more tarps this year than players.”
Yes, my friend, you have. The tarp covered Great American Ball Park Wednesday when the Reds were supposed to be taking batting practice - spoiling what Brandon Phillips and Edwin Encarnacion were supposed to do.
Phillips was supposed to take batting practice and field grounds ball to test the hairline fracture on his right thumb. And Encarnacion was supposed to take ground balls for the first time.
In fact, Encarnacion had a big smile on his face in the clubhouse before he realized the tarp covered the field. He had a glove on his right hand and said, “This is only the second time I had a glove on since I hurt my wrist (April 27).”
The first time was Tuesday when Encarnacion and Phillips played catched in front of trhe dugout and got a bit carried away, playing burnout. They kept get closer to each other and throwing hard, seeing who would cry, “Uncle.” Neither did.
Manager Dusty Baker hoped Phillips could take batting practice and ground balls and pass that test so he could play Friday in Milwaukee. Now it’s a wait-and-see thing.
EDINSON VOLQUEZ threw either 78 or 87 pitches, depending upon who is dyslexic, in the bullpen Wednesday and pronounced himself ready to pitch Monday in St. Louis in the opener of a four-game series.
Volquez says he threw 78 or pitching coach Dick Pole said he threw 87 and Baker said, “Volquez probably was counting in Spanish.”
The most important thing is that Volquez felt no pain in his back and said, “I am definitely ready to go and I’ll pitch Monday in St. Louis. Today was like a full game, except I didn’t rest like it was between innings. I threw 78 pitches (or 87) and I just kept throwing fast, like crazy. I’m tired of being on the DL, tired of being in the swimming pool 30 minutes every day and lifting weights. I’m tired of that. Real tired.”
CATHCER RAMON HERNANDEZ was not in Wednesday’s lineup, but it was a routine day of rest and Baker said, “I think he needs it. He’s beat up pretty good. He has played more than he wanted but he has been so hot you hate to take him out. But by giving him Wednesday off, with Thursday an off day and Friday a night game, it is almost like giving him three days off.”
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By Florida Buckeye
May 29, 2009 4:23 PM | Link to this
Hmm…I never said that I wanted anyone to stay hurt - just on the bench. And yes, body language is one part of my job and I am very good at reading it…dont get personal, and if you’re opinions differ from my, post them; dont attack others…this isnt your blog!
By timb
May 28, 2009 11:10 PM | Link to this
You mean, blogcop, how long will it take him to do what he did last year? I would estimate….last year. How long will it take Adam Rosales to demonstrate why he’s a utility player? Probably the last three weeks since he’s started playing. Why don’t you get a different hobby, because you just can’t handle your self-anointed role.
By Reds Authorities Observer
May 28, 2009 7:38 PM | Link to this
You betcha timmy. And, how long will THIS hero of yours take to do all these predicted things? Will he be into winter ball, or next season? Why don’t you take your silly rants elsewhere. You’re boring.
By timb
May 28, 2009 5:31 PM | Link to this
No, Jim, don’t you know Reds fans like the chemistry of a .250 hitting, less than .400 slugging utility player because he “hustles,” except after one of his many strike outs…no running then. As far as Edwin goes, I’d taker the .260 hitter with the 25 bombs from last season, let alone the way he hit in 2007. But, he’s the wrong color of guy and doesn’t jump and down and these people need someone to hate on. Originally it was EdE, Gonzo, and Hernandez, but, since the other two are hitting, we just get folks who mistake seems to be playing through injuries (as we know, he could never do that, because he wasn’t hustling through injuries!). EdE will be back and add some much needed pop to this line-up and Marty and the rest of town will continue to try to get rid of him.
By napoleon 2
May 28, 2009 5:08 PM | Link to this
Hal, since you mentioned Wayne Krivsky, I know its early but at what point will there be a story about how the overwhelming majority of this teams success is from players that Krivsky and Obrien acquired/drafted? Even Votto is a Bowden draft and Harang is a Kuhlman trade. This is NOT a knock on Jocketty, its just to say sometimes you get lucky. I know the Reds haven’t won anything yet this year, but one of the classiest things I have seen is when the Phillies won the WS, and the first thing out of new GM Pat Gillick’s mouth was to thank Ed Wade for putting that team together. Here’s hoping Jocketty has the same humility.
By Jim t
May 28, 2009 9:58 AM | Link to this
florida buckeye, I think you’ve been in the sun to long. Let me try to understand your logic. Lets hope one of our players remains hurt, so to not mess up team chemistry.Oh, I mean because you never liked his Chemistry. all this because you, an exprt on body language has come to the conclusion that he is a problem. How about this, we root for him to return to 07 form and add a quality bat to the team. The thought being you can never have to much talent.If you think Dusty made no sence re-read your post.Stay in Florida and root for the Marlins.
By sun deck lover
May 28, 2009 9:57 AM | Link to this
I hope Edwin didn’t have a glove on his RIGHT hand, he has enogh trouble throwing the ball across the infield as is.
By Florida Buckeye
May 28, 2009 9:03 AM | Link to this
Hal, let’s hope EE stays on the bench for the rest of the year, and or, they deal him…I’ve never liked his chemistry, and we havent seen any bad body language, or pouting since he has been off the field…one last thought: Did Baker actually say that a player was playing more than he wanted to?!? That makes NO sense!
By JB
May 28, 2009 12:53 AM | Link to this
Is it just my PC,or is DDN site very slow,anybody else have a problem?
By JB
May 28, 2009 12:47 AM | Link to this
Glad your back Hal,just 1 day and it seemed like a week.Nice win tonite,BA was on,JB was great also.
By george
May 27, 2009 9:37 PM | Link to this
A big 7 days ahead of this team, and it appears that the “bench” players prove again and again they can and want to play.