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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 > 14 > Entry
Kansas City is Sweep City - against the Reds
AS BAD AS it was in Washington, as far as the Cincinnati Reds looking for hits in all the wrong places, at least they won two of three in the nation’s capital.
In Washington, they had nine runs and 19 hits in three games and actually won the first two and gave away the third one in the eighth inning.
In Kansas City they lost all three, scoring only five runs on 14 hits. When the Reds came to town, the Royals were in last place. And they hadn’t swept a series all season.
Pathetic? Gruesome? Terrible? Hopeless? Hapless? Fill in your own description.
Two errors, one in the first and one in the third, both by third baseman Jerry Hairston Jr., who hadn’t played for two games, led to five unearned runs charged to Johnny Cueto. The Reds scored an unearned run in the first on two hits and an error, then had three hits the rest of the way.
Pathetic, Gruesome - yeah all those words.
BEFORE ADDRESSING the Issues of the Day before the game - Brandon Phillips and Willy Taveras - let me say the Kansas City experience was awesome. The park is fantastic and the people who work it are wonderful folks.
Several Reds fans stayed at the same hotel as I did and they all talked about the beautiful park that is so fan-friendly and the polite and helpful people working there.
Then I had a personal example. I was at the end of a driveway entrance to the Truman Sports Complex, where Kauffman Stadium is, about a half-mile from the entrance. The previous two days I walked it. Good exercise. On Sunday, a Royals employee in a golf cart saw me and stopped.
“Where you going?” he asked.
“Gate D,” I said.
“Hop in,” he ordered me. And despite the Cincinnati Reds credentials dangling around my neck, he hauled me to the gate. His name is Ernest and when I told him my name and said, “I cover the Reds, you want to take me back to the street?” he said, “Naw, as long as your guys keep losing to us.”
Now the baseball stuff.
Manager Dusty Baker was in a discussion mood before Sunday’s game, addressing two major issues of the day:
Brandon Phillips and Willy Taveras.
Phillips ignored a take sign on a 3-and-0 pitch Saturday, then tried to defend why he did it.
Taveras, on a 0 for 32 slide to oblivion, was not in Sunday’s lineup and Baker discussed him at length.
On Phillips, who Baker fined for missing a sign, a sign he never even tried to see, although he wouldn’t reveal the amount:
“I collected a lot of money in fines last year. Most of it was collected from a few players. You wish everybody thought like him (trying to do something to win a game). The thought process wasn’t wrong. You want everybody to think like that. I thought like that. It’s like being in the military, you still have to follow orders and that’s what it boils down to. You don’t want to take the thought and desire away.”
Phillips said he didn’t even look for a sign on the 3-and-0 pitch after Kansas City pitcher Kyle Davies had walked six in less than five innings, including two ahead of Phillips in the fifth. Phillips said he was trying to make something happen, trying to score some runs.
“I heard what he said and I talked to him,” Baker said. “Some people are wrong and they talk to try to justify being wrong. That’s the first time it happened to me, that somebody swung away when I gave them the take. I’m the manager and it’s the last time it is going to happen . End of subject. The more you talk, the worse it sounds. So it’s over.”
Willy Taveras, 0 for 32 and the target of much ire from the fans, was not in Sunday’s lineup and Baker went into a long discussion about the situation.
“I’m going work with him person-to-person, go over a few things, let him listen to a different voice saying the same thing. When we got Willy, everybody knew we got an unrefined. Willy has a lot there. But let us do our job to help refine him and help him get better. If he wasn’t unrefined he wouldn’t have been at a couple of places in a short period of time.”
Before the Reds signed him, Taveras played at Houston for two seasons and Colorado for two seasons.
“Sometimes you want it right now, but sometimes it takes more time than people are willing to give that person to be refined. This is where the teaching part comes in.”
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By BrarHopper
June 16, 2009 8:17 PM | Link to this
BUSTED!!! Interesting how Albert the Great, Gold Glove SS, and ross all have the same email address of dross@fruit.com. So you been on vacation, huh Albert? You lying scum bucket. How many personalities do you actually have? Who else do you think you are? Something wrong with a guy who likes to argue with himself publicly. Before Reagan cleared out the mental wards, that person would be in one! 3 names on this blog strand alone. The guy is truly sick.
By BrarHopper
June 16, 2009 7:59 PM | Link to this
Hey Albert, I see while you were gone your almighty Tards were swept by the last-place Rockies! LOL! And those same Terds even had a worse record during that 10-game stretch than the team you love to come on here and flame. Your Curds were actually worse than the Reds! LOL! You are seriously the Great Loser, AlbHurt! But we all sure missed your convenient absence while your team was gagging! Truth hurts.
By Doctor Octogon
June 16, 2009 6:50 PM | Link to this
Reds need Volquez, Votto and EE back ASAP or they will drift away like Dobie Gray - they simply can’t generate enough offense day in day out to win consistently - Votto in the 3rd spot is the key. Also, Taveres is like “0-the gestation period of a large mammal” - and they also need one more hitter even when Votto and EE come back. Looks bleak with the lack of movement over the winter but you never know what can happen in July with trades.
By Bruce
June 16, 2009 3:59 PM | Link to this
Where the hell is Volquez?
By Albert the Great
June 16, 2009 2:49 PM | Link to this
When we add Holliday and get Glaus back every other team in the Central is playing for 2nd. You guys are playing for 5th like you do every year. The worst Offense in baseball. Albert best of All Time
By Albert the Great
June 16, 2009 2:46 PM | Link to this
Ive been on vacation. I see where the Reds got swept by the great KC Royals. It looks like we will be getting Glaus back and may add Matt Holliday long term to go with Pujols, Ludwick, Ankiel. Who you guys playing Rosales, Dickerson, Tavaras, Janish and the great Jay Bruce who said “we will come home in first”. The Cards to make a move like they do every year while your team will stand pat
By jim T
June 16, 2009 2:43 PM | Link to this
Jack, how do you know how hard these players work. You think Dusty is weak because he doesn’t call his players out in public. Would you like your boss to call you out in public? I wouldn’t. This roster without EE and Joey is severely challenged offensively. Bruce is pressing and so is Wily T. Agon has been hot lately. They are over achieving with the injuries. I hope they get their players back soon.Fillling Key roles with Gomes, Nix, hariston and Rosales is not going to cut it. especially Bruce. e oftest hitters lately
By Jack
June 16, 2009 2:22 PM | Link to this
Dusty reminds me of Romeo Crennel. All the players loved him because they knew he would not work them hard and would give loyalty to the veterans. Would rather see a Mike Tomlin type coach (as a Browns’ fan, really hard to write that). Make them respect you by being tough, but fair. Players earn positions, they are not given positions. Just cannot understand what motivation Wily T. has to get better, if he continues to play night in and night out…same for Gonzo, same for Bruce.
By Michael in Monterey, CA
June 16, 2009 1:00 PM | Link to this
These guys have to start sacrificing in no out situations with guys on first and/or second. If they don’t do it they will continue to lose.
By The Professor
June 16, 2009 12:38 PM | Link to this
Keep writing in Janish’s name on the blog. Baker takes a couple of days before he reads all this stuff, then he knows who to play, and where they should play.
By BrarHopper
June 16, 2009 11:29 AM | Link to this
Bring back Eric Davis as some form of coach… hitting? bench? Last year the Reds woke up when ED was around. This team needs a fleet enema or something. Too listless. They are all starting to act and play like Deadwin.
By Terry Prall
June 16, 2009 10:02 AM | Link to this
After a week or so of brain-cramps, bobbles and bad throws at 3rd base, with little offense chipped in - and since “everybody plays” [according to Dusty] why not start long-forgotten and never used Paul Janish at 3rd, he couldn’t do much worse than the current duo.cdo muthan the
By jim m.
June 16, 2009 1:33 AM | Link to this
Also for Baker to say patience?? that means he has a guaranteed contract for next year, because if his contract was up after this season, he would be yelling for better players by now!!!! He needs better coaches and Walt to go get a bat before its to late and then we hear from Walt and the Reds front office “Sorry fans we just cant afford to go after players at the deadline because attendance is down” more or less blaming the fans for their failed job. I am a fan sick of losing.. watching Taveras make 4 outs per game leading off and nothing is done, ticked me off! GET RID of the hitting coach!! any time Baker has to do a one-on one with Bruce, then now Taveras, that tells you its the hitting coach isnt doing his job.. time for new blood there
By jim m.
June 16, 2009 1:33 AM | Link to this
Also for Baker to say patience?? that means he has a guaranteed contract for next year, because if his contract was up after this season, he would be yelling for better players by now!!!! He needs better coaches and Walt to go get a bat before its to late and then we hear from Walt and the Reds front office “Sorry fans we just cant afford to go after players at the deadline because attendance is down” more or less blaming the fans for their failed job. I am a fan sick of losing.. watching Taveras make 4 outs per game leading off and nothing is done, ticked me off! GET RID of the hitting coach!!
By jim m.
June 16, 2009 1:26 AM | Link to this
If Baker has to go one on one with Bruce, and now Taveras and prb Edwin later, what does that tell you?? the hitting coach has to be replaced!!! I want Kevin Mitchell here as the Reds hitting coach!!
By Mike-Cinci
June 15, 2009 8:18 PM | Link to this
Nats won’t give up Zimmermann. He is signed to a long term deal. Holliday’s agent is Boras. He will be a free agent this off-season and will only sign for top $.
By Jack
June 15, 2009 4:02 PM | Link to this
Why do people keep mentioning Ryan Zimmerman? The Nationals signed him to a long term deal to be their franchise guy. He is not going anywhere. Anyone else on that roster, Dunn, Kearns, Dukes, etc, yes, but not Zimmerman.
By Scott
June 15, 2009 3:17 PM | Link to this
The Reds need to make a deal for either Matt Holiday, Ryan Zimmerman, or both. The “Natinals” are going to blow their team up anyway so why not go after a quality right handed 3B?
By steve
June 15, 2009 2:44 PM | Link to this
They all need to watch tape of Boggs, Gwynn, and Jeter hitting the ball the other way and getting hits.
By Jack
June 15, 2009 1:58 PM | Link to this
Bruce…I think most people have wanted Jannish to get some playing time. Reds certainly need to make some moves if they want to stay in this thing. Luckily the rest of the division is not any good either. Bring up Stubbs. Give Jannish a chance at third. Heisley and Frazier are playing the outfield and not on the 40 man roster, so bringing them up would be more difficult.
By RC
June 15, 2009 1:57 PM | Link to this
The “minor league guys” look the same as they always have. Some folks long ago suggested that Janish play over AG at short. Dusty stuck with AG, who has played exemplary defense, and whose bat has been coming around of late. On the other hand, our defense has cost us games recently, and given our penchant for close, low scoring games, it will continue to cost us. Hence, a guy with a good glove and a good arm at third might be called for. And I like Janish - he has done everything he’s been asked to do this year, and he might well get a for-reals chance to prove himself next year. But if it makes you feel better, OK, ya got me.
By Indy
June 15, 2009 12:41 PM | Link to this
Hal or anyone, anybody heard anything on bringing up Stubbs for leadoff or the Heisley (spelling) kid? I would say Roseales and Gomes or Nix or Janish (I hate to see young guys come up and sit so much) could go down. I don’t mind watching Bruce trying to learn the game up here.
By jamandaria
June 15, 2009 12:35 PM | Link to this
I hear that very, very bad news about the future of Joey Votto’s season is imminent. Let’s all keep our fingers crossed.
By jamandaria
June 15, 2009 12:35 PM | Link to this
I hear that very, very bad news about the future of Joey Votto’s season is imminent. Let’s all keep our fingers crossed.
By Bruce
June 15, 2009 12:24 PM | Link to this
Oh, I see, now the minor league guys are looking better to you…seems like that Janish guy was recommended for playing time, long ago…lets see who was that?
By RC
June 15, 2009 11:19 AM | Link to this
Regarding WT, I really have nothing constructive to say other than that, if he’s going to play, he should be fined every time he makes a fly ball out or fails to get a bunt down. In general, though, if we’re gonna play “small ball” (a near-suicidal concept in GABP to me, but whatever), one aspect of this is quality defense. Which means that Hernandez is probably not the answer at 3B. Nor is Hairston. Nor Rosales. I’m beginning to think that our best current option at 3B might be Janish.
By Reds Fan In Canton
June 15, 2009 10:44 AM | Link to this
A sweep at the hands of the Royals? Here endeth the season. At least it lasted until June this year.
By scott from cincy
June 15, 2009 10:44 AM | Link to this
Indy, I think it would be a good idea, but the only issue is, if you move Rosealas down, then you need to make sure Gomes can play 1B. Hernandez can’t play there all the time until we wait for Votto. But, we need to do something…..or Walt does.
By TB
June 15, 2009 10:39 AM | Link to this
I can’t believe the NL Central is now separated by 4 games from top to bottom. It really is anyone’s division to win.
By Indy
June 15, 2009 10:39 AM | Link to this
What does anyone say about bringing up Stubbs to try leadoff or the Hiesley (SP?) kid from Carolina. Stubbs has been doing well lately and the other kid has been smoking all year. Both have some SB and the latter 13 HR and 37 RBIs. Any thoughts Hal? Anybody else? Please don’t start with any idiot comments, just tell me what you like or don’t like about it? Time to move some guys back down (Roseales and Janish (only b/c he plays so little up here)
By scott from cincy
June 15, 2009 10:36 AM | Link to this
One more thing…too bad Castellini is too cheap to get Zimmerman or DeRosa, or even Dye. If this team had Votto at 1B and Zimmerman at 3B, would anyone care what we did with EE and Alonso? I wouldn’t…..
By scott from cincy
June 15, 2009 10:30 AM | Link to this
Jack, you nailed it! Add the worst Jockety signing of all—Lincoln. He has blown several games. Walt needs to go shopping in Baltimore or Colorado (Hawpe, Atkins, Wiggington, Markakis, or my favorite—Ian Stewart—he plays 3B, RF, and LF).
By Don in Colorado
June 15, 2009 10:27 AM | Link to this
“This is a young Team” “We’re building for the future”. All great excuses for losers. How long do the Red’s faithful have to wait?
By Gold Glove SS
June 15, 2009 10:26 AM | Link to this
Jocketty needs to go. He has done nothing to help this team compete. I cant believe the Reds are at .500 with the talent Baker has too play
By Jack
June 15, 2009 10:12 AM | Link to this
Many issues: 1. Wily T. He is not going anywhere with a three year big money contract, but some bench time would be nice. The person who it screws the most is Dickerson, because he has to be sent down if Stubbs comes up. Which is fine, because Dickerson is not a real legit MLB player anyway. 2. Yes, no manager would win this talent (but have you seen the Cardinal’s talent these days, not much better. Dusty is not to solely blame, but he does get blame when he plays the same guys over and over. 3. Talent. We have 2 legit starters on this team, Phillips and Hernandez. Thats it. Your pitching can only take you so far. If we had not had GREAT pitching this year, the Reds would be 10 games under .500…..which is the direction they are headed. 4. Liar Bob and Jocketty take fault as well. Liar Bob said he would make the Reds a winner, but when you refuse to spend money on a slugger (Dye), then words are meaningless. Jocketty, building for a future is fine, but why the mistakes signing EE and WT to big money contracts. Cant recall a single poster who thought WT was a good signing.
By BRAD
June 15, 2009 9:53 AM | Link to this
WE HAD A NICE RUN - THE SCRUBS AND ME.. THEN REALITY CAUGHT UP AND WE REALIZED WITHOUT OUR STARTING 1b AND 3b WE WERE IN TROUBLE.
By bill
June 15, 2009 9:22 AM | Link to this
Tavaras is in the majors only because he can run fast. That works in the NFL but not major league baseball!
By ross
June 15, 2009 8:58 AM | Link to this
mike cinci, I agree with you 100%. the team has no talent. KC showed them how much talent they do have. KC they are beasts. headed to the cellar as I have said all year. guys on here like blogcopA thought they could win the division. plus he runs his mouth ALL the time and has no clue about baseball
By jeff
June 15, 2009 8:54 AM | Link to this
we all need to understand that this is waht this team is supposed to be. I even got caught up inn the hyp early but now we need to remember this is a 74-78 win team. They are building this tream for 2010 and2011. Also, I think Jockety is good but I thought Krivsky got hosed. krivsky was let go because of some of his bad signings, Jockety has done just the same. Lincoln, Taveras and really nithing else. At least Krivsky built up our minor league system. Also Jacoby needs to go, this teams hitting approach has been terible all year, they cant hit the ball the other way/ 85% of the pitchees they see are on hte outside of the plate
By Mike-Cinci
June 15, 2009 8:36 AM | Link to this
I continue to be amazed by those who think the Reds problem is Dusty Baker. It is not Dusty…it is the lack of sufficient talent. The players are not good enough. Torre, Cox, LaRussa could not win with group of players.
By Mike-Cinci
June 15, 2009 8:36 AM | Link to this
I continue to be amazed by those who think the Reds problem is Dusty Baker. It is not Dusty…it is the lack of sufficient talent. The players are not good enough. Torre, Cox, LaRussa could not win with group of players.
By Randy
June 15, 2009 6:53 AM | Link to this
API NEWS ALERT…..We are issuing a all points bulletin for a white male who goes by the alias of “Joey Votto”
By AP-FLORIDA
June 15, 2009 6:24 AM | Link to this
Oops, wait a minute, now Rusty is going to teach!!!!! Wow, and for the same money he is paid now? No bonus? What a man!!
By AP-FLORIDA
June 15, 2009 6:21 AM | Link to this
Diamond Dave-I agree but take some others with him
By JJ
June 15, 2009 5:20 AM | Link to this
We will be done by the end of June as usual-when does pro football start??
By Diamond Dave
June 14, 2009 9:46 PM | Link to this
I’m gonna say it every day until it happens: FIRE BROOK JACOBY!!
By kenton clint
June 14, 2009 7:56 PM | Link to this
Isn’t time that somebody told us something about Votto? This is getting old, not to mention we really need his bat back in the lineup. Well any bat would be nice.
By StuttgartTim
June 14, 2009 4:39 PM | Link to this
Pitching going to H? Tonight,Cueto,Herrera and Masset have given up no earned runs.For the month of June they have the fourth best ERA in the NL. Errors!ErrorErrors!
By Jimmy1Time
June 14, 2009 4:27 PM | Link to this
Drew Stubbs? Is it time? .299 avg. 2 homers. 20 SB’s. Hal is it time for him yet? 0-32 is a big slump. In your time have you ever seen a everday player funk it up this bad ? I wonder is it time to see what Drew has. D
By BriarHopper
June 14, 2009 3:54 PM | Link to this
The writing is on the wall for CastelLiar, Jockety, Baker…the comatose Reds can’t hit and their pitching is now going to h#ll…as they are losing their 3rd straight to last place KC and racing for 4th place and beyond. Their All Star break swoon is a month early this year. The Cubs just fired their hitting coach. HELLO!!!!! Anybody home in the executive suite?
By BrarHopper
June 14, 2009 3:44 PM | Link to this
What Baker is talking about teaching WT is supposed to be learned in Class A, AA, AAA…you know, the minors. This guy is supposedly a pro and make huge dollars as a pro. It is not too much to expect him to perform at a professional level. Sounds like the Reds are running a mental institution and Dr. Baker is failing miserably as the chief shrink…Votto? Bruce? WT? BP? The others? Baker needs to be Clint Hurdled.
By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
June 14, 2009 3:24 PM | Link to this
Baker is talking about sending messages, but he sends the wrong one: Regardless of the team’s offensive struggles, benching Phillips today would have reverberated throughout the clubhouse—no matter the player or situation, there is one set of rules for everyone and these types of ongoing mistakes are not going to be tolerated, regardless of the game at hand.