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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 > 03 > Entry
Bruce batting fourth? Uh, why?
I’m no hitting coach, but when I saw tonight’s Cincinnati Reds lineup I did a double take. Jay Bruce is batting fourth. So far on the trip Bruce is 1 for 20 with eight strikeouts. Why would he be batting cleanup?
Manager Dusty Baker has another odd twist. Jerry Hairston Jr. is batting leadoff, with Chris Dickerson second. Also, Paul Janish is at shortstop in place of Alex Gonazalez, who is not hurt or ill. His bat, however, is in critical condition. And he had started 11 straight games and, actually, he is hitting .300 over his last 13 games. His glove, though, has been magical.
GREAT STORY at lunch from George Grande. When he was with ESPN he was in the New York Yankees clubhouse when Deion Sanders was called up for the first time. In his inimitable way, Neon Deion said out loud, “Hey, clubbie, you know I want a single-digit number, right?”
The “clubbie” was a long-time equipment manager who nearly bit the stub of his cigar off when Sanders said he wanted a single-digit number. Said the so-called clubbie in a loud voice so everybody could hear, “Would you like No. 3? Ever heard of Babe Ruth? Would you like No. 4? Ever heard of Lou Gehrig? Would you like No. 5? Ever heard of Joe DiMaggio?”
Nearly every single-digit number for the New York Yankees is retired, but Sanders didn’t understand.
WAS SITTING outside the hotel after midnight Tuesday night, puffing my cigar and reading a book by the light of a street lamp, when four guys walked by. Two were wearing Reds jerseys, one a Cardinals jersey and one a Dodgers shirt.
As they started by, one stopped and said, “Hey, guy. Guess who this is? It’s Hal McCoy.” We all shook hands and chatted about the Reds for about 20 minutes and then the guy said, “You probably don’t remember, but about 15 years ago I sat next to you at the blackjack table at the Casino Queen. And you were very nice to me. Never forgot that.”
Well, uh, no I didn’t remember. I’ve probably sat next to enough people at a blackjack table to match the population of Bombay, India. If I was nice to him, it must have been one of those rare nights when I actually won a couple of bucks.
ON MONDAY, it was 92 degrees in St. Louis. Right now, as I sit high above Busch Stadium in the press box that is in danger of getting hit by an incoming American Airlines flight, it is 61 degrees. Are we back in Milwaukee? On the field, Edwin Encarnacion is taking ground balls at third base, Wilkin Castillo is taking ground balls at second base and Adam Rosales is taking ground balls at first base. Where’s Jonny Gomes?
FOR THOSE passing around rumors that Joey Votto’s problem is something authoress Erica Jone wrote about years and years ago, A Fear of Flying, it’s not true. Like a lot of us, he might not LIKE to fly, but he doesn’t have a fear of it to cause stress anxieties.
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By Wizard
June 4, 2009 6:19 PM | Link to this
Hanigan leads all National League rookies in hitting (.319) and on-base average (.412).Just in case dumb people like Jocketty Strap missed this!
By jt
June 4, 2009 11:55 AM | Link to this
I really don’t understand the all the rules of baseball..I just see that there is alot of talent on the REDS. Why don’t they use them all?..I say give them all a fare chance..Why search and pay for higher players with big egos!!! Go Reds!!
By Wizard
June 4, 2009 9:30 AM | Link to this
Jocketty Strap YOU are the only CLUE I need! I automatically believe the opposite of anything your lack of talent judgment says. What was the score last night, with all the ‘Backups’ playing, Jocketty Strap?
By jocketty
June 4, 2009 9:12 AM | Link to this
dickerson .238 is a joke..Janish will find .220 if he got regular AB’s..Nix has been pretty good..the ones that can’t play are the TWO u keep on and on about..Janish/Dickerson..get a clue wizard of oz
By Jim
June 4, 2009 1:37 AM | Link to this
I agree Nix should be batting cleanup against righthanders, with Hernandez batting 4th against lefties. Bruce should be 6th or 2nd. Batting second, Jay would see more fastballs.
By tim from st. louis
June 4, 2009 12:27 AM | Link to this
yes, hal it’s me again. i was one of the guys in the red’s jersey and had a blast talking with you again. you gave me your email 15 yrs ago at the blackjack table and told me to write u any time
By Wizard
June 3, 2009 11:03 PM | Link to this
Excuse me: 9-1! Hit a HR with a broken thumb! No talent on this team it has been said—by some dummies!
By Wizard
June 3, 2009 10:57 PM | Link to this
“wizard is estatic dickerson, janish, hanigan, and nix are in the lineup..are we in dayton or st louis.” And the score after two HR’s by the ‘untalented backup’, Nix, and his other career ‘backups’,Hanigan{.300+}, Janish {.300+}, Dickerson patrolling center like it belongs to him: is 7-1, in the eighth inning. You gotta love these pseudo judges of talent…!
By Jimmy1Time
June 3, 2009 10:53 PM | Link to this
Gomes strike 3!!! Maybe he needs more AB’s! Bill from Florida what do you mean?Zim got a new deal a month ago. DO you mean the Reds are going to trade for him?????? Never happen. They just gave that kid big money. IF your going to take on pay roll why not go after Peavy? Pitching, Pitching, Pitching. Ask Jack Mckeon. Ken Jr. would have never been a Red if it was up to him.
By Richard Loy
June 3, 2009 9:56 PM | Link to this
Cueto is pitching this year like Volquez .was last year. Volquez seems to be coming back stronger after early struggles. Harang may complain about lack of support but his own ERA is rising
By Bill from Florida
June 3, 2009 9:49 PM | Link to this
I hope the deal with the Nats will be closed soon, Zimmermann for Bailey, Ramirez and Burton.
By Big Hawaii
June 3, 2009 9:40 PM | Link to this
I think what Hal meant was that Johnny Gomes should take some ground balls at first base already, and where he was. It’s on Mr. Gomes, not on Dusty.
By Jimmy1Time
June 3, 2009 6:39 PM | Link to this
Gomes? Gomes? Sounds like a baseball players name alright. The guy can hit. SO DUSTY WHATS THE PROBLEM DUDE? Oh a righty is throwing. Well there was always more righties growing up than left handed pitchers. Hell its a baseball, hit it! Why not JErry at shortstop. Adam at 3B. I dont get it. Hope Paul goes 4-4!
By jocketty
June 3, 2009 5:41 PM | Link to this
I can tell you why..its out of default..when you are short on talent its just a crapshoot..wizard is estatic dickerson, janish, hanigan, and nix are in the lineup..are we in dayton or st louis