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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 > 13 > Entry
What’s a manager to do other than cry, “Help”
READY FOR THIS one, Redleg fans?
The Saturday lineup/batting order is almost identical to the one that came up with three hits against Kansas City’s Luke Hochevar, he of the 1-2 record and 7.85 ERA, the guy who beat the Reds, 4-1, on 80 pitches.
There was two slight tinkers. Manager Dusty Baker flip-flopped Ryan Hanigan and Adam Rosales. Hanigan is batting ninth instead of eighth and Rosales is batting eighth instead of the ninth. And Jonny Gomes, who had two of the three hits as DH, is batting fifth instead of seventh.
Any brilliant ideas as to what alternatives Baker has - other Chris Dickerson for Willy Taveras, which I agree on? The lineup is below with some notations next to the n ames that reveals why the Reds are hitting .175 over their last eight games.
The order: Willy Taveras (0 for 28), Alex Gonzalez, Brandon Phillips, Laynce Nix (3 for 22), Jonny Gomes, Jay Bruce (5 for 47), Ramon Hernandez (0 for 18 and 2 for 29), Adam Rosales (3 for 32), Ryan Hanigan.
AMAZING WHAT you learn when they bring a tour group through the press box a few hours before the game.
There is a red chair (every other seat in Kauffman Stadium is blue) right behind home plate and a tourist asked, “Why is that chair red?” Said the guide, that’s the chair occupied by former Negro League star Buck O’Neill. He was a scout for us and always at in the chair until he died a couple of years ago. Now that chair is occupied by some fan who has done something for his or her community above and beyond and we recognize them by letting that person sit in that seat.”
At the time, some Royals players were taking ground balls and a tourist asked, “Who is that hitting the ball?” Said the tour guide, “That’s one of our coaches.” Just at that time, a fielder booted the ball and the tourist said, “Who just missed the ball?” Quickly, a fan wearing a Royals tee-shirt said, “That’s one of our, uh, alleged infielders.” Tough crowd.
JEFF BRANTLEY said he fulfilled a lifelong dream by catching a foul ball. He did it Friday night while broadcasting a Reds game.
In my 37 years I’ve caught two, ducked hundreds and was nearly skulled a couple of years ago when Jim Edmonds of the St. Louis Cardinals fouled one into the Great American Ball Park press box. I was looking at my laptop screen at the time when Reds Media Relations Director Rob Butcher yelled, “Look out!” I ducked my head and felt the baseball part my hair in the middle as it slammed into a back wall.
I did catch a foul ball in the booth in Yankee Stadium during the 1996 World Series, hit by Derek Jeter. Still have the ball.
The other was in Dodger Stadium and nearly cost me my 1976 World Series ring, which I used to wear. It was loose on my finger and when I threw my hands up in the air to catch the ball my ring flew off my finger and tumbled into the stands. I looked over the the pressbox railing and spotted where it landed. I hustled into the stands and the fans were passing it up a down the row looking at it. They gave it back to me with no argument and I was just lucky it didn’t skull anybody.
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By blogcopwatcher
June 16, 2009 12:32 PM | Link to this
Obviously, in looking at your sentence structure, your stay at Purdue was a short one. LOL
By Blogcopwatcher
June 16, 2009 12:25 PM | Link to this
What did you do sneek onto the campus, and break into a game? Purdue? LOL. I’ll talk baseball when your silly a$$ matures.You keep adding names to the list you claim is mine-I never talk about Rosales or Nix, dimwit. You are an idiot. Back off meathead, and grow up.
By ross
June 16, 2009 10:30 AM | Link to this
just post baseball remarks Dumb A. blogcop. your baseball knownledge is a joke. Janish, Dickerson, Nix, Rosales players you are screaming for are Terrible not everyday players. Thats why the Reds average about a deuce a night. Keep hoping your World Series is just around the corner. By the way Im 28 and played for Purdue so shut up with your idiot baseball remarks
By Blogcopwatcher
June 16, 2009 7:43 AM | Link to this
By Infielder June 15, 2009 5:43 PM ‘one kicked off, its time for u to move on blogcopA because you are about the same caliber on knownledge as the other guy that got booted’ Ha,ha! Hey diarrhea mouth, we’ll have to rename you AK 47 since all you ever do is shoot off your mouth, only to be proven wrong afterwards. What name are you going by today,ross? How old are you, 12? What an imbecile. Only YOU need to move on, little fat boy. Are your fingers too fat to hit the correct keys? Or, do you just have a problem spelling? You are really quite ignorant, you know; and it shows in every post.
By Wayne Lackey
June 15, 2009 11:30 PM | Link to this
Read a comment about Reds hitting coach.Do they really have one?Who is it? Reds need so much, Jocketty will do absolutely nothing.
By Scott
June 15, 2009 3:08 PM | Link to this
Awesome story about the chair. Seriously Buck O’Neil represented the game with more honor than anyone else I have heard of. It is a shame that the MLB HOF did not enshrine him while he was a live. I bet KC is a nice city to visit.
By ross
June 15, 2009 8:53 AM | Link to this
two things meaningful, the Reds are HORRIBLE and you are a Dumb A
By Blogcopwatcher
June 14, 2009 8:57 PM | Link to this
What’s new? I mean about you having diarrhea of the mouth…when are you ever going to say something meaningful?
By ross
June 14, 2009 12:16 PM | Link to this
Ive run my mouth to Detroit Tiger fans about how weak the AL Central is. I really look like an idiot watching KC kick the Reds around. Ive told Tiger fans that KC is also a AAA team, also the Twins/Indians. The Reds would finish last in that division. Ive said it since day one they will be battling the Bucs for 5th. AAA baseball in Cincinnati
By Steve
June 14, 2009 12:05 PM | Link to this
To Fla.AP: No one in their right mind. But maybe someone with a huge ego.
By Steven Ross
June 14, 2009 9:30 AM | Link to this
I’m on the same page as SteveM. Juggle the top of the order for cryin’ out loud. Tavaras is 0 for his last 32. Hello? Maybe Dickerson and Janish in to shake things up a bit? Makes too much sense.
By AP-FLORIDA
June 14, 2009 8:14 AM | Link to this
Who in their right mind would force DB to play Taveras?
By Wizard
June 14, 2009 12:39 AM | Link to this
How about: ” Finding a way to WIN”? How about playing your BEST players? How about playing Chris Dickerson, the best center fielder on your roster? How about playing Janish before his muscles atrophy? Remember when you were forced to play Hanigan when Votto left the scene? Remember, you didn’t want to do that either; but look how things can turn out, when you aren’t being stubborn! When an outfielder makes FOUR GREAT CATCHES, demonstrating great athleticism/ is out-hitting your Corey Taveras/ demonstrates a good eye at the plate—like taking walks, etc/ and gets BENCHED for his efforts—his manager is less than smart!
By Wiz
June 13, 2009 11:03 PM | Link to this
Ya crack me up Brar. Ya come upen with the dangdest good times I ever did see! i’m a thinin’ we otter ride them buggers into GABP and drag DB’s butt around them thar bases, and show them pliers how Dust bag can slide into them bases. Ifin’ he goes around a couple times without a chokin’ on his tooth pick, then we can let him go back in the dugout to screw up another lineup card.
By n50
June 13, 2009 10:54 PM | Link to this
The Reds…YECH!!!
By Steve
June 13, 2009 10:49 PM | Link to this
I’m in no way defending Baker. But could it be possible that he is being told to get Taveres in the game? Outside of Dusty being really bad I can’t think of another reason.
By BrarHopper
June 13, 2009 10:48 PM | Link to this
Wiz, I’m-a-gonna kickstart that b!tch and meet you up ta HuberTucky’s place on Brandt Pike and we can go riedin and terrorize that same trailor park we done laist yar but this time drag a dummy of Dummy Baker along with’n us! Whaddya thank, bud?
By Wizard
June 13, 2009 10:13 PM | Link to this
The ‘Brar’ strikes again!It’s about time for us to get on our Harley’s, don’t ye think? You got it right again, bigun’!
By Diamond Dave
June 13, 2009 10:07 PM | Link to this
What’s a manager to do?? FIRE THE HITTING COACH!!! (OK, General Manager. Just get it done!)
By BrarHopper
June 13, 2009 10:06 PM | Link to this
While Baker fights to get his Reds team into fourth place, the Brewers are 4-6 last 10 games and Cards are 3-7. Reds are 4-6 and about to lose again. The Royals who are kicking the reds azzes like the Nationals did, went 2-7 on their road trip and had lost 23 of 30 overall, in dire need of something positive in their first game at Kaufman Stadium this month. Enter the hapless Deads. Jeezus this team suks. And the idiot manager is the head sukee!
By Mark in Sun Valley
June 13, 2009 10:03 PM | Link to this
One other thing. A couple weeks ago, I commended Dusty for getting this team to play with confidence. In a few short weeks, the “leadership” of Brandon Phillips and predictions of Jay Bruce, turned that confidence into arrogance. There is a huge difference between a quiet well-earned swagger and being a self promoting blow hard. I’d like to see some leadership based on play on the field and not quotes. And the fact that Dusty has not corrected it shows again why he is not the man to manage this team.
By Mark in Sun Valley
June 13, 2009 9:49 PM | Link to this
Other than the loss of speed, the line-up almost looks better in complete reverse than the way Dusty has it. Hanigan needs to be higher in the order. Dickerson of course in CF. And getting Janish into the mix might be nice. Remember him Dusty? Why not put him at 3B if the precious A-Gon has to play every day?
By Wizard
June 13, 2009 9:09 PM | Link to this
Best I can figure-letting Dickerson sit forever, while Corey T. fails, merely causes Chris Dickerson to lose any feel he had for the game; and playing regularly helps that feel. Everyone in the universe, including Hal, thinks Baker wrong in playing Taveras. When someone makes four of the best catches, baseball fans will ever hope to see/ and is out-hitting Corey T.—and is BENCHED—his manager is an idiot! Corey T. has done nothing to warrant being in anyone’s starting lineup
By ME
June 13, 2009 8:54 PM | Link to this
Did anyone happen to see the terrible throw Taveras sent to the plate in the second inning? Half way up the third baseline when it got to the catcher! This guy has nothing to recommend him! Can’t bunt—he didn’t even square around to sacrifice earlier in the game. He tried to bunt for a base hit, instead. Who said this guy could bunt? He bunted right back to the pitcher, in a sacrifice situation! Wake up Baker.
By wizard
June 13, 2009 8:43 PM | Link to this
Playing Taveras demonstrates how inept and embarrassingly stubborn DB{dumb butt}is in playing ‘veterans’ and his corey Taveras’ favorites. Those who have called out DB before,have had many good reasons{some have not}, including myself. It is plain for all to see, what DB is about-and it ain’t about the best way to win! He has NO EXCUSE for not playing Dickerson! None. This isn’t about blaming Taveras for all the Reds problems-He’s just one big one, that DB won’t make go away!
By BrarHopper
June 13, 2009 8:31 PM | Link to this
What can a manager do, you ask? How about using his head for something other than a place to bark his Red’s cap? Only Baker is stupid & inept enough to bat his ONLY regular +.300 hitter 9th in the order. What is wrong with that fool!? Look at this terrifying bunch of flops #s: Taveras .232 Gonzalez .221 Phillips .271 L Nix .258 J Gomes .353 J Bruce .210 R Hernandez .250 A Rosales .218 Hanigan .317
By PTownFan
June 13, 2009 8:11 PM | Link to this
@All: With the team hitting as they are, why NOT put Gomes in LF and Dickerson in CF for several games to see what they can do? Gomes’ D can’t be bad enough to offset all the non-offense we’re not getting. And he’s doing just fine vs. RHP. Is it just the age old “money” issue? Serious question. Thoughts? Are they hoping to generate some mid-summer trade bait with all this coddling? Seems more likely to backfire at this point. @Jarrod: Hairston was 1-for-4 day before yesterday.
By Jarrod
June 13, 2009 6:38 PM | Link to this
Hey Hal, Is there any reason why Hairston hasn’t played the last two games? Is he hurt or sick?
By cris rucker
June 13, 2009 6:19 PM | Link to this
It seems to me that whenever the Reds are goin good everyone’s happy but when we’re stinkin things up everyon has a solutiu
By Steve M.
June 13, 2009 5:51 PM | Link to this
I’ll concede that Taveras is not entirely to blame for the Reds slump. But the ongoing decision to play him ahead of Dickerson and having him lead off really is insane. Hmm, how about moving the ONE hitter who has been at or over .300 UP in the lineup instead of down? Try Hanigan batting second, behind Dickerson. The last time the Reds #1 or #2 hitter scored a run was over a week ago against the Cubbies, in a game that Taveras didn’t play.