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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 > June > 02 > Entry
Bet on it: Maloney starts Saturday
Who will pitch Saturday for the Cincinnati Reds against the Chicago Cubs and Edinson Volquez’s stand-in? Lefthander Matt Maloney. Book it.
Homer Bailey pitched eight innings of shutout baseball Tuesday to beat Pawtucket, but he would have only three days of rest. No problem. Maloney pitched a complete-game shutout Monday, a three-hitter, to beat Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. His next turn would fall on, ta-dum, Saturday. Nice.
Maloney, 4-2 with a 2.00 ERA, will be the first lefthander to start for the Reds since Andy Pettyjohn started the last game of last season.
NOT MUCH TO say about Tuesday’s game, a 5-2 clunker defeat to the St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati’s fourth loss in five games on this trip. Snippets about the game are sprinkled throughout the rest of this blog.
LOVED THE VENDOR walking in front of the press box just before game time Tuesday who was yelling: “Everybody else has cold beer. I have ice cold beer.” Now that’s a salesman.
Then Bronson Arroyo gave up a run in the first inning, the sixth straight game in which the Reds’ starting pitcher gave up runs in the first inning. That’s called getting off on both a bad foot and a wrong foot.
THE FOOD WAS so bad in the Busch Stadium media dining room before the game - but only $5 - that I took a couple of bites out of something called pecan chicken and vacated the premises. I went to a concession stand and bought a cheeseburger for $5.95. The pecan chicken was better.
AND HERE’S a little known tidbit - Reds catcher Ryan Hanigan has the highest batting average (.333) and highest on-base average (.420) of any rookie in the NL. Hanigan probably won’t play enough to qualify for Rookie of the Year.
Speaking of Rookie of the Year, pitcher Scott Williamson was the last Reds Rookie of the Year. One of my favorite stories about Williamson was the time the Reds played an interleague game in St. Petersburg against the Tampa Bay Rays.
We stayed at the Renaissance Vinoy, a hotel that supposedly is haunted. Williamson believes. He told teammates that during the night he saw somebody standing at the end of his bed and when he straightened up, they disappeared. Said a teammate - probably Kent Mercker - “That probably was Tampa Bay’s leadoff hitter and he couldn’t wait to get into the batter’s box against you at the ball park.”
Dodger pitcher Chad Billingsley swears he heard his toilet flush several times and he was the only person in the room. Wow, a ghost with bladder problems.
Other major leaguers and former major leaguers who have been spooked at the Vinoy include Jim Fregosi, Cito Gaston, Billy Koch, Gerald Perry, Jay Gibbons and Brian Roberts. Some Pittsburgh players were so frightened that they checked out of the hotel and stayed with a teammate’s family when the Pirates were in town six years ago.
For the Pirates, those were probably Ghosts of Losses Past.
ANOTHER TIDBIT: Kent “Dream” Weaver of FoxSports Ohio was passing around an interesting stat in the press box Tuesday: Entering Tuesday’s game, the Reds had 217 RBIs and 97 came with two outs.
Said Weaver, “Jim Day isn’t on the trip and he was sitting around the house in his underwear, feeling lonely, and looked it up.”
ONLY IN ST. LOUIS would this happen. Skip Schumaker struck out and got a standing ovation. In most parks he would have been booed, but the Busch fans acknowledged that he made Bronson Arroyo throw 14 pitches before he struck out.
YOU KNOW THINGS are going well for the Reds when plod-footed catcher Ramon Hernandez steals second base, his first theft since May 6, 2007, against the Indians when he played for the O’s. Of course, this time second baseman Schumaker had the ball waiting for Hernandez but failed to make the tag. Still, a stolen base.
AFTER THE REDS scored two runs in the fourth inning against the Cardinals Tuesday, the guy splitting hot dogs buns (hot dogs arrive in the fifth inning) said to me, “The Reds are a scrappy little team.” Thanks, man, now slap a wiener between a bun and hand it to me. Nah, I wasn’t mean. What I said was, “Pass the ketchup, please.”
ALBERT PUJOLS. El Hombre, is a great player and doesn’t need any help, but the official scorer gave him a gift RBI when his doubled tied Tuesday’s game, 2-2, in the fifth. Schumaker scored from first on the double, but wouldn’t have scored had left field Laynce Nix not kicked the ball around in the corner. Should have been double, run scores on the left fielder’s error, no RBI.
NIX LED THE sixth inning with a walk. Alex Gonzalez up. A bunt, right? An absolute sacrifice situation. No ifs, ands or buts - just bunt. Gonzalez did not attempt to bunt on the first two pitches and on 0-and-2 he grounded into a double play.
Then Arroyo gave up three runs in the bottom of the inning. Game over.
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By Jimmy
June 11, 2009 3:48 PM | Link to this
Just came back by and saw the online version was revised to remove references to “Scott” Schumacher. Appreciate the DDN reading and reacting to the comments! And love ya, Hal!
By drunkenhopfrog
June 7, 2009 7:21 AM | Link to this
“you’re” obviously.
By drunkenhopfrog
June 7, 2009 7:19 AM | Link to this
Not how your used to rolling, but my wife and I satayed at the Capitol Skyline - about 3 block away from Nationals Park - last year during the Cherry Blossom Festival. http://www.capitolskyline.com/ It was $65 a night - but that was through priceline.com Not an all-star place, but clean quiet and comfortable… and a 7 min walk to the stadium.
By jt
June 4, 2009 12:21 PM | Link to this
Bring Maloney up!! He is not only a great pitcher, he is a great person and would add alot to the great players that are on the REDS team already..We need talent and he sure has it!!! Go REDS!!
By Florida Buckeye
June 4, 2009 12:19 PM | Link to this
Great post Hal, and dont worry, I put ketchup on dogs as well…however, one thing: WHY doesnt Baker make people bunt in those situations? IT seems to me to be a basic tennant of Baseball…and yet, that game, and the game against the Brewers were both ‘decided’ upon a situation, late in the game, when no bunt was attempted…at times, Baker’s decisions baffle me…
By wizard
June 4, 2009 9:53 AM | Link to this
Seems Jocketty Strap is getting a bit testy this AM. It must have been painful for him to have to watch Wizard’s backups last night prove the Wiz correct, once again. Or, perhaps he’s just uncomfortable with a Jocketty Strap that is too large?
By Jimmy
June 3, 2009 4:56 PM | Link to this
Does Skip Schumaker have a brother Scott on the Cards’ roster?
By wizard
June 3, 2009 3:50 PM | Link to this
ADS: Ain’t it the truth. We need more offense. I believe what you post is very accurate. I’ve been thinking it;and thought I said what you did—only you have said it much better. Thanks.Perhaps others will now see, I’m not alone in my thinking.
By wizard
June 3, 2009 3:42 PM | Link to this
And Mike-Cinci: How can anyone ever beat your excellent blogs?
By wizard
June 3, 2009 3:39 PM | Link to this
Nick w: I think you are, and will be, correct, also. I like Ramon’s presence at catcher and first, too; all I want is a decent amount of playing time for Hanigan—don’t let him waste away on the bench! Good post, Nick.
By wizard
June 3, 2009 3:32 PM | Link to this
Amen-Jimmy1Time! Right on, bigin’!
By wizard
June 3, 2009 3:29 PM | Link to this
I certainly agree with you, Jack. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
By Brian Altenburger
June 3, 2009 3:13 PM | Link to this
Lets get to Lohse early instead of STL getting to Cueto vice versa. Hope JHJ can play need Bruce to do something.
By Tom
June 3, 2009 2:52 PM | Link to this
Could be worse; at least we’re beyond Memorial Day without feeling ‘the season is over.’ Not running on all cylinders but three over .500 with four months to go is not bad. Now if Bruce can stop trying to pull everything and poke that outside pitch to leftfield, things will pick up. Nix plays a nice defense and we need his bat in there everyday. Hernandez and Hannigan have given this team a real lift.
By Mike-Cinci
June 3, 2009 1:34 PM | Link to this
Reds miss Votto. Hernandez has been excellent as catcher, first baseman, and hitter. Hannaigan has been very good as the back-up catcher. Phillips leads the team in RBI. Dickerson has only 2 doubles. Taveras is not doing much. Nix leads the team with 11 doubles. Hairston is a contributor wherever he plays. Bruce can’t hit lefties and he has no clue about the strike zone. am in doubles with 11.
By Andy
June 3, 2009 12:38 PM | Link to this
Hal, you put ketchup on a hot dog??? Haven’t you seen Dirty Harry? Nobody I mean nobody puts ketchup on a hot dog!
By Jimmy1Time
June 3, 2009 12:21 PM | Link to this
If you played, if you just look at stats like Buster Onley you have to agree with one thing. PLAY YOUR HOT BATS, EVEN IF A RIGHT-HANDED PITCHER IS THROWING! Gomes needs AB’s. I dont buy into siting a guy because a righty or lefty is throwing. Jim Leyland did it to llyod McLendon in the 1992 NLCS. The guy was 8- 11 and Jim benched him because a righty threw that day. Dusty is smart. But sometimes I think he over thinks. Jay needs a break. He isnt ready to lead or carry a team. Janish can play. Gonzo tries to hard. Watch him at the plate, alot of drama when he pops up or gets a out. He wears me out. Hal is it time for Stubbs? Marty said last night Willey is a liability. Maybe he just isnt a everyday player. I’d like to think this team isn’t smoke and mirrors right now. Kinda like how Paul Wilson pitced. UNtil he got his clock clean by Kyle Farnsworth!
By Kyle
June 3, 2009 10:35 AM | Link to this
I’m still telling you: trade Bruce while everyone thinks he has an upside. He is Austin Kearns all over again, but throw in all of Dunn’s strikeouts. I know he’s young. I don’t care. Get something for him before the entire league figures out that he isn’t The One.
By nick w
June 3, 2009 9:49 AM | Link to this
Great blog Hal, even after a tough lose u still find a way to make us laugh. Now to the reds, i think dickerson should be starting. He has been hitting the ball good and probably would have made that play out in center that taveras mis-judged and then couldn’t catch up to it. Instead of getting out of the inning with just one run scored they scored three, two on that play. I agree with Jeff, why was Bruce batting in the 2 hole last night. Normally if someone is in a slump you dont move then up in the lineup. It is a tough situation at catcher because both are playing so good and deserve that spot. Once votto comes back i dont see hanigan getting the spot over ramon, which is not to bad because ramon is playing very good now and hasn’t done anything wrong to lose the starting catcher spot.
By Jack
June 3, 2009 9:47 AM | Link to this
Wizard, I hear you, but RH has actually played pretty well and with Votto out, Hanigan is getting a lot of playing time. Saw another great stat last night, team is under .500 when Dusty’s dream infield plays, 21-14 when the others play. This is my complaint with Dusty, just a little stubborn to play certain guys. With third and short, just play the guys who are hitting. Some days/weeks, that will be Gonzo, sometimes Hairston, sometimes Jannish. Just because Gonzo makes more money doesnt mean that he has to play everyday.
By Greg Zimmerman
June 3, 2009 9:27 AM | Link to this
Hal, can you use your clout to get one of those fancy stat services to tell us who leads the league in warning-track fly balls? I bet Jay Bruce is far-and-away the league leader.
By Wizard
June 3, 2009 9:27 AM | Link to this
Is there something wrong with this picture? AND HERE’S a little known tidbit - Reds catcher Ryan Hanigan has the highest batting average (.333) and highest on-base average (.420) of any rookie in the NL. Hanigan probably won’t play enough to qualify for Rookie of the Year.
By Bill from Florida
June 3, 2009 9:07 AM | Link to this
I think the line-up needs a make-up, sit Taveras, Bruce and Gonzo, include Dickerson, Gomes and Janish. Hairston 3b, Dickerson CF, Philips 2B, Hernandes 1B, Gomes LF, Nix RF, Hanigan C, Janish SS. Also, about last night game, Baker had to take Arroyo out after Thurston single in the 6th with one out, Molina in 1B and about 100 pitches. He’s been using the starters too much, if the Reds have such a fine bullpen, well, use it when need it!!! I guess that Fisher`s wild pitches and Burton and Lincoln lack of commamd is because they need more work. They have in the roster LH Herrera and Rhodes, RH Weathers, Lincoln, Burton, Fisher, Masset and Cordero. Starters Arroyo, Harang, Cueto and Owings. Pending on roster move for Saturday LH Maloney, according to sources, will replace Volquez in DL. Owings should me moved to bullpen or a stint in minors, he’s lack of command at the beginning, not endurance and power. About DL situation I hope we’ll have back Votto, Volquez and Encarnacion soon. Really worry about Bruce, I don’t think it’s just a slump, I think he needs to step back in AAA to adjust swing and learn to hit break balls.I think the line-up nee
By Jeff
June 3, 2009 8:53 AM | Link to this
And now for my daily Baker Bash. Ok ok I realize this team is 3 above .500 so dusty needs to get some credit. But boy ol boy does he make some head scratchers. In his defense he has a lot of injuries but moveing Bruce to the 2 hole??? Why? So he can see more pitches because phillips is behind him. Philly is not Pujols so its not like people are shaking about Brandon. Bruce is hitting .220 and severly struggling this year. He needs to hit 6th or 7th. Especially when he is struggling. The fact is this team is coming vback to earth and they will finish with 76-80 wins.. We all need to understand that. And bruce lets remember is only 22 before we start comparing him to Dunn.
By BRAD
June 3, 2009 8:36 AM | Link to this
WILL ANYONE EVER BE ABLE TO GET GONZALEZ, BRUCE AND PHILLIPS TO take A FEW PITCHES - THEY SEEM TO MAKE UP THEIR MINDS BEFORE THE PITCHER EVEN GOES INTO THE WINDUP - THEN THEY SWING AND MISS AT anything! DESPITE THEIR DEFENSIVE PLUSES they stink BEgoine…SWING SO MUCH AT BALL
By down 20
June 3, 2009 8:31 AM | Link to this
Hal, I would like to book that bet on Maloney, but i’m still down 20 on the Dye deal.
By AP-FLORIDA
June 3, 2009 7:26 AM | Link to this
Hal, ketchup on a hot dog?
By JJ
June 3, 2009 7:15 AM | Link to this
Need to give Bruce a breather-he looks totally inept at the plate.
By Ridnaway
June 3, 2009 7:13 AM | Link to this
Is Jay Bruce the new Adam Dunn? Yeah I know… he’s a much better outfielder with a cannon for an arm and he’s got speed. But he strikes out about as much as Dunn and takes fewer walks. How can a guy walk when he swings at everything thrown up there except strikes? Another thing reminiscent of Dunn is that Bruce refuses to cut down his swing with two strikes. Is this great 5-tool player just another overblown bust? Can you say “Paul Householder?”
By Jon
June 3, 2009 2:51 AM | Link to this
Do you know what one it is?
By Jon
June 3, 2009 2:45 AM | Link to this
Hal,just last week on WHIOTV.com they had an blog about an haunted hotel in downtown Milwaukee.It said that some MLB players won’t stay there because it’s haunted,can’t recall the name though,but it’s downtown,it’s been there for over 100 years
By ADS
June 3, 2009 1:05 AM | Link to this
Hal, Gonzalez’s lack of offense is really starting to bug me. This bugged many people when he played for the Marlins, and Jack McKeon said (to paraphrase) that he is so good on defense that he can let the others do the hitting. As we just saw, I think Gonzalez squanders as many runs as he saves in the field. Second, the ‘03 Marlins had much more pop than the Reds do, so they could afford to have a mediocre 8-hitter. I’d rather have some offense right now. Thoughts?
By claude
June 2, 2009 11:22 PM | Link to this
hal, is this kid, maloney, any relation to Jim Maloney, the former reds pitcher? doesn’t matter as long as he can pitch like his namesake did.