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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 > 12 > Entry
Royals’ Hochevar barbecues the Reds
ANY OF YOU remember a song by country singer Ferlin Husky called, “Since You’ve Gone?” OK, even I’m too young to remember Ferlin Husky, but my dad was a country singer and he used to sing that song.
Now the Reds can apply it to Joey Votto. Since he’s been gone, the Reds have scored 37 runs in 13 games - 2.85 game. And they are 5-7. It could be worse.
But it couldn’t be much worse than what happened Friday night in Kansas City. Some guy named Luke Hochevar took a 1-2 record and a 7.85 ERA to the mound. With the Reds flailing at everything he threw up there, he needed only 80 pitches for his complete-game three-hitter.
SIX PITCHES in the first inning for three outs. Six pitches in the second innings for three outs. FOUR pitches in the ninth for three outs. The Reds acted as if they had to catch the last bus out of town and they weren’t about to miss it.
Of the three hits, two were by DH Jonny Gomes (and Hochevar is right handed), a double and a home run. Gomes has 10 homers in 68 at-bats against the Royals. But he couldn’t help his friends.
“I’ve got no magic formula for the rest of the guys,” he said.
THE REDS are not going to win with Willy Taveras at the top of the order with a 0 for 28 on his work sheet?
THE REDS are not going to win with Jay Bruce on a 5 for 48 slide.
THE REDS are not going to win with Adam Rosales on a 3 for 32 skid.
THE REDS are not going to win by scoring 10 runs in their last four games.
OK, enough babbling about what isn’t happening.
THEY PUT $225 million into renovations on Kauffman Stadium and I say, “Why?” this ballpark was built in 1973 and they did it correctly from the start. It is just like Dodger Stadium, a gem that is kept so clean you can eat pudding off the floors.
The fountains and waterfalls help take away how bad the Royals are. Watch the water, ignore the Royals - except, I guess, when they play the Reds.
But as one Royals official said, “It is like a nice home that is 37 years old - the plumbing goes bad.” Well, maybe I won’t eat off the floor.
Cincinnati Reds media relations Rob Butcher’s brother, Pat, works in the Royals box score producing the box score and the statistics for Major League Baseball. With Pat sititng near Rob, he only has to account for eight other brothers and sisters.
Did I ever tell you Rob’s mother, Rita, makes the best strawberry pie and chicken dumplings in America? Yeah, I know I did - a hundred times. Just want to make certain I’m not forgotten when the pie and chicken appear in the press box.
MATT MALONEY’S no-hitter and shutout disappeared in the first inning Friday when Royals first baseman Billy Butler hit a 422-foot home run that nearly landed in one of the cascading water falls in left-center.
The Reds went out 1-2-3 in the first two innings Friday and a Kansas City writer said, “‘Twelve pitches in two innings? This guy has no command (pitcher Luke Hochevar). Guess the Reds don’t believe that a walk is as good as hit?” Well, c’mon fella, the Reds did get one walk.
WHERE ELSE but Kansas City would they have BBQ-flavored sunflower seeds in the clubhouse and dugout?
FORMER Kansas City infielder Frank White, one of baseball truly nice guys, is now a Royals broadcaster and he introduced himself to me in the Reds clubhouse beofre Frikday’s game by saying, “Somebody was just telling me about you.” Then he was distracted by somebody else and never told me what they were talking about. Maybe they saw me wandering aimlessly outside the stadium trying to find my way in when I tripped over a garbage can and ended up with a dirty paper napkin on my head.
FORMER CINCINNATI broadcaster Steve Stewart now works in Kansas City and the players aren’t too happy with him right now. On a trip coming out of Toronto something was wrong with Stewart’s passport and the entire Royals traveling party was detained. What was wrong with it? Stewart takes so long to tell a short story that nobody let him finish.
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By blogcopwatcher
June 16, 2009 9:38 PM | Link to this
I guarantee you, that you could never touch what I have done in athletics! In addition, since we now know you are a fraud, hiding behind several names to make it look like others agreed with your stupidity; I suggest you run along now sonny—and dream up some other Walter Mitty fantasies. Phoney.
By ross
June 16, 2009 4:09 PM | Link to this
blogcop I guess you think he’s a gold glover you idiot. I made a baseball comment. Quit acted like a teenager unless you are. Quit blasted everything because I bet you never played the game maybe coach pitch and you hide behind your insecurities
By blogcopwatcher
June 14, 2009 9:04 PM | Link to this
Sure Ross, we all want to listen to the ‘wisdom’ of someone who is nearly illiterate.
By AK
June 14, 2009 12:08 PM | Link to this
wizard, Hernandez cant play 3B. another one of your stupid ideas
By wizard
June 13, 2009 9:43 PM | Link to this
Ryan Hanigan has earned the right to be our regular catcher{much to the chagrine of poor forcasters}; and Hernandes has earned the right to be our regular first baseman, or third baseman
By silver quill
June 13, 2009 1:55 PM | Link to this
Hey Aaron B: No conspiracy theories on Votto today? Anyway, if you weren’t so lazy, you’d know the Reds lead the NL in sacrifice bunts. Not that it does any good with the lame bats these days. Mr. McCoy did not advocate Dusty B as Manager of the Year. He merely said that if the Reds, a bunch of overachievers right now, continue to stay clost to the top, Dusty could be manager of the year. He didn’t say he deserve it. Don’t blame him. He just stated fact. Right now Dusty probably could better than most of them.
By Aaron B.
June 13, 2009 1:09 PM | Link to this
Branyan is not the answer. He is having a breakout season at the age of 34? OK, I am too lazy to look up his age but this guy has been around the block a few times and the knock on him has always been if you let him play a full season he will strike out 240 times. Yes he has power but if we dealt for him he’d quickly return to mediocre form. Dusty does not know how to construct a lineup or ride a hot hand or bench a cold bat. Everytime you reporters start mentioning manager of the year award this team falls flat on its face and Dusty shows just how little in-game management ability he has. How many games has he pulled the right strings to manufacture a win? The wins are typically when the starter goes 7 or 8 innings strong and the managing is on auto-pilot. Everytime we try to play smallball it blows up in our face: baserunning miscues, inability to lay down bunts, etc. Without Votto this team is going to sink like a stone, and the fans are still patiently awaiting some kind of explanation from Joey to explain his prolonged absence.
By jim m.
June 13, 2009 11:35 AM | Link to this
Without Joey hitting in our lineup, this team is struggling to score runs. The Nationals are terrible and we play them like they are the 90’s Braves and cant feast on their terrible pitching!! The Royals are not good either and same thing. When will Walt improve this team?? wait till its to late and the Cardinals and others get offense help, till we do? Time to get a big bat now!! take a Branyan or Dye and get this team over the top. AND DL Taveras.. he has to be still hurt as he looks not aggressive at the plate and doesnt hit!! why let him bat when Jerry Hairston JR is right now our best leadoff hitter. Let Dickerson play CF and NEVER bat Gonzo 2nd!! i rolled my eyes seeing that!! Come on WALT!! dont let games now that are not won cost this team at the end of the season!!The time is NOW to do something.. Heck get Kevin Mitchell as the teams Batting coach. When a pitcher can get out of a inning 3 times with 6 pitches or less, thats a HUGE issue!!
By Jim
June 13, 2009 10:50 AM | Link to this
Dusty’s pride is killing this team. This isn’t Little League!!! Play the hot hands!!! Cast needs to have a talk with him, and be blunt on who’s team this is.
By david in dayton
June 13, 2009 10:19 AM | Link to this
embarrassing
By Brian A
June 13, 2009 9:19 AM | Link to this
Anemic and pathetic. Those bats last night looked like little league with 9 yr olds swinging at everything. If I was pitching staff I kill the offense and bat myself all game what’s the harm
By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
June 13, 2009 8:01 AM | Link to this
Hey Hal, even with the central time start, Hochevar (or the Reds’ bats) is the first time you’ve been able to hit deadline all week! Thanks for nothing, Washington weather.
By AP-FLORIDA
June 13, 2009 7:29 AM | Link to this
WT 1st, Agone 2nd?????
By Steve
June 13, 2009 2:10 AM | Link to this
I guess the scouting report said swing early and often. No focus tonight. Make the kid work for crying out loud.
By Steve M.
June 13, 2009 1:01 AM | Link to this
You put your finger on the issue, Hal - the Reds do not have quality AB’s. It is embarrassing to let that guy throw an 80 pitch CG. But when you have your leadoff hitter seeing 6 pitches in 4 AB, that kind of sets the tone. Speaking of BBQ - don’t forget to look into LC’s for lunch one day when you are there. You won’t regret it. Just be really hungry when you go.