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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 > 23 > Entry
Votto’s return no help to punchless Reds
OLD NEWS: Reds lost, 7-5. Micah Owings can’t make it into the seventh again - hasn’t done it since May 12. The Reds lose for the third straight time and the eighth time in 10 games.
NEW NEWS: Joey Votto return, sporting some rust. But he had one of only three hits off Toronto starter Brian Tallet, who was pitching on only three days of rest and had a 4.86 ERA. Of course he held the Reds to no runs and three hits over six innings with one walk and seven strikeouts.
And Votto’s debut?
Votto admitted he was shaky early in the game, then settled in.
“The first few innings were a little tough, but from the fourth or fifth innings on I could be myself,” he said. “I could concentrate on what I could do to help the team. I hope today was one of the last days getting over the mental block. We’ll see.
“My swing felt good, but I missed some pitches,” he said. “I won’t say I’m rusty, but it’s a little different in front of a big-league pitcher instead of batting practice and A-ballers.”
Manager Dusty Baker was impressed.
“Joey swung the bat pretty good considering he hadn’t played in a while,” said Baker. “He is going to get better every day.”
When asked about the rust on Votto, Baker said, “Yeah, but he’s still better than most. And that rust won’t be there too long. He gives us more power, he is a run producer, an outstanding first baseman and he hits righthanders and left handers. And he is going to hit. He is going to hit a ton.”
The rest of the Reds hit about a pound-a-half.
BEFORE JOEY VOTTO started his tell-all chat with the media Tuesday, he looked squarely into the eyes of several Toronto writers and broadcasters and said, “Before we get started, I just want to let you guys know that I don’t want anybody talking to my family or friends or have anybody bothering them. I’d really, really appreciate it if you didn’t bother them. And if you do, then you’ll have to deal with me.”
WOW! MILD-MANNERED Joey laying the wood to the scribes and the mike guys. Then he began his long monologue on how his father’s death last August led to depression.
It was a heartfelt outpouring, Votto baring his scarred psyche to the prying media, who really had no business knowing his personal thoughts. But he gave them and he gave them well.
Now perhaps he can plays baseball and all the stupid, unfounded and made-up rumors can cease.
SOME MORE comments from Votto:
“The important people in my life, the close people in my life, have been taking care of me,” he said. “I hate to sound like a dramatic person, but these were serious things I was dealing with. To have somebody to talk to is really important.”
Votto came to Toronto from spring training this year to play for Canada in the World Baseball Classic and said, “It was such a breath of fresh air to be with my brothers and my family. I’m so by myself so much, I’m such a private person, I don’t have them with me much. I didn’t have a difficult time in Toronto at all. It was a great time.”
VOTTO IS READY to play full-time and as he said, “As long as I’m playing nine innings and contributing, I’ll be fine. There is nothing like health and I look forward to being healthy on a consistent basis.
“I played four games in the minors, two six-inning games and two nine-inning games,” he said. “I played two nine-inning games in Dayton. I know it’s low-A ball, but I was there in 2003-04 and it’s a pretty high-pressure thing - close to Cincinnati, lots of fans every game and high expectations. Getting through both those games and having a great time were good signs.”
Of his fight to get back, Votto added, “I was having such a difficult time getting through nights, as strange as it sounds. Once I felt like I could get through two or three nights of sleep without having the phone beside me to call the hospital, I felt I could play ball again.”
In early June, Votto called 911 at 3 or 4 a.m. for a trip to the hospital, “Because I really though I might die,” he said.
“It is difficult to talk to your family sometimes when they can remind you of what you’re feeling (his father’s death).”
SOME WONDERED if he was so stressed and so out of it, how could he hit .357 with eight homers and 33 RBIs when he did play.
“I think I’m a pretty good player, first of all,” he said. “I think baseball was my refuge. When I came on the field, I focused on that, did the best I could, then when I went home and was miserable. That was my routine every night.”
In summing it all up, Votto said with chin held high, “I’ve had a real struggle with my father’s passing. My biggest hesitation was coming out and letting people know. Especially my teammates. We’re supposed to be mentally tough and built to withstand all adversity. But this is real-life crap and I just couldn’t take it.”
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By ctownboy
June 24, 2009 11:22 PM | Link to this
Edited to say: Look at Toothpick Baker’s record from 2005 until now. Also, NOBODY has given a GOOD reason WHY Toothpick Baker was NOT brought back to be San Francisco’s Manager AFTER he took them to hte WOrld SEries in 2002. That was the first time in many years that a Manager who took a team to teh World Series was NOT that team’s Manager the following year. WHY? Also, if Toothpick was soooo great, then WHY did Chicago decide to NOT bring him back? I mean they went out and spent $200 million dollars on contracts and THEN brought in Piniella to Manage the team. WHY? If the players were the problem then WHY wasn’t Toothpick brought back to Manage them?
By ctownboy
June 24, 2009 11:15 PM | Link to this
Florida Buckeye, The ONLY time Toothpick Baker was successful was AFTER Barry Bonds STARTED using steroids and BEFORE the PED testing started and harsh penalties for failures was implemented (1998 - 2004). Look at his record in San Fran from 1993 to 1997 and then from 2004 until now. WITHOUT steroid abusing power hitters in the middle of his lineups to cover up his mistakes, Baker is HORRIBLE at decision making, judgement of talent, and use (misuse) of the pitching staff. His teams are fundamentally unsound and players who should NOT be playing get MUCH more playing time than they should (Neifi Perez, Corey Patterson, JHJ, Willy Taveras, King Griffey Jr in the three hole, etc). Pete McKannin took basically the SAME team that Jerry Narron had and had them improve by 20 Games in half a season. Toothpick Baker had an IMPROVED pitching staff (Volquez) and the additions of Joey Votto and Jay Bruce, yet he only managed to win two more Games in 2008 than the Reds did in 2007. Some people are jsut going to have to face it (Ca$htellini, Jocketty) Toothpick Baker is NOT a good Manager and is going to do more HARM than good (see Volquez and soon, I imagine Cueto).
By Ghost Of Allbutt The Fraud
June 24, 2009 6:37 PM | Link to this
And, how then would SD{rather, Allbutt the Fraud} explain the emergence of Hanigan{who he badmouthed forever; and Chris Dickerson who Allbutt the Fraud also disrespected}? How does a Purdue Grad, get so stupid? Could it be that he never really went there?Fraud,
By Florida Buckeye
June 24, 2009 3:26 PM | Link to this
First and foremost: Welcome back Joey Votto, and thank you for your honest, sincere, unneeded, but welcomed explaination for you absence. It’s refreshing in this era of denial, and subterfuge, to actually have a player be up front with what he’s dealing with, and I for one, completely applaud and respect him for it…as for the other posts today…I agree: Dusty is baffling to me…and I wonder if anyone can recall whether or not he ever had these managerial quirks while in SF, or Chicago? It’s mind boggling when you think of what happened last year with CP, Griffey cloggin up the three hole, and now WT, and playing Hernandez over Hanigan…but, it is hard to argue with his past successes and accomplishments, no?
By sd
June 24, 2009 3:06 PM | Link to this
Get well EE. Im tired of watching Rosales playing 3B. Some keep pushing for Janish. If he gets the ABs Rosales has had he will be around .210 also. You can get by with AAA talent for maybe a week or 2 but it finally catches up to you.
By ctownboy
June 24, 2009 2:51 PM | Link to this
Gee, Jim, let’s see. Hanigan is hitting .325 with an OBP of .411. On Defense, he has committed one Error, has two Passed Balls and has thrown out 47.8% of the guys who have attempted to Steal against him. Oh yeah, just like with Bruce in Rigth Field, guys are pretty much NOT trying to run on him anymore. Meanwhile, Raymoan is batting .239 with an OBP of .321. On Defense, he has committed one Error, with no Passed Balls and has only thrown out 31.3% of Attempted Base Stealers. Now considering Raymoan is only a career .261 hitter (with a career OBP of .326) and that over the last three years guys have stolen 222 bases while being cought only 86 times (a Caught Stealing rate of 28%) and also that he is 9 for 68 in June, I think I would START Hanigan.
By jim t
June 24, 2009 2:13 PM | Link to this
Ctownboy, after 2 months of the season I’m not quite ready to proclaim Ryan the next jason Kendall or Wade Boggs.Also if your going to say he is being pitched around couldn’t that contribute to his high OBP as well. I’ll ask again who do you catch Ramon or Ryan. Votto is on 1st and neither plays 3rd or the outfield.
By jIM t
June 24, 2009 2:03 PM | Link to this
Jack he had 26 dingers last year who is goiing to approach that level of run production on this years Reds team that plays 3rd base.
By ctownboy
June 24, 2009 1:40 PM | Link to this
Jim T, Continuing on. Jason Kendall, current Catcher for the Brewers, was the lead off hitter for the Pirates in 2004. That year he was 155 for 475, a .326 Batting Average and had an OBP of .404. Now, what would YOU rather have, a slow guy on base for Votto and Phillips to drive in or two Outs and the bases empty with Votto up?
By ctownboy
June 24, 2009 1:36 PM | Link to this
Jim T, The problem with YOUR logic is that EVERY eighth place hitter does NOT have the Pitcher, Willy T and A Gon (or JHJ) being the NEXT THREE “HITTERS” after him!!! As far as Hanigan goes, I would bat im second. He is currently batting over .300 and has an On Base Percentage over .400. THAT is what you call GETTING ON BASE. As far as being slow, WHO CARES? Wade Boggs was a SLOW lead off hitter but THAT didn’t stop him from getting into the Hall of Fame. dd w
By Jack
June 24, 2009 1:32 PM | Link to this
Jim T. “In 07 EE was our best hitter with runners in scoring position and 2 outs” -if you have to use EE’s stats from two years ago…you have a little problem.
By Matthew Daniels
June 24, 2009 1:27 PM | Link to this
Mr. McCoy, Have you had occasion to ask Dusty if he was aware that Ryan Hanigan could end up as Rookie of the Year if he were not once again banished to the pine?
By jim t
June 24, 2009 1:16 PM | Link to this
ctownboy, every 8th place hitter in the NL faces that dilemma.People are pitched around constantly.Where would you bat him? Look at this team’s offfense. You think we need a slow footed catcher being a table setter. We have no one besides BP driving in runs now. Let me ask you a Question if the score is 3-2 against the reds in the ninth inning who would you want at the plate Ryan or Ramon?If you decide to play Ryan everyday do you sit Ramon?
By ctownboy
June 24, 2009 12:40 PM | Link to this
Jim King, Yep, a runner on base and Hanigan at the plate, I am SURE the Pitcher is just going to throw a belt high Fast Ball right down the middle of the plate for him. This is especially true since the Pitcher, Willy T and A Gon were the NEXT three batters…
By Jim King
June 24, 2009 12:21 PM | Link to this
ctownboy: Exactly!!!
By ctownboy
June 24, 2009 12:17 PM | Link to this
Jim T, Also, with Toothpick batting Hanigan mostly in the eighth spot in the order (because, you know, THAT is where Catchers are supposed to bat) WHAT Pitcher in his RIGHT MIND would give him ANYTHING to hit when there WAS a runner on base?
By ctownboy
June 24, 2009 12:11 PM | Link to this
Jim T, I did NOT like the Willy T signing and said so ON THIS and other blogs. I also did NOT like the Reds WASTING money on Jerry Hairston Jr, Laynce Nix, Jonny Gomes, Jacque Jones and Daryl Ward. I WANTED Josh Willingham or Bobby Abreu for Left Field and, at worst, a platoon of Chris Dickerson and Norris Hopper in Center Field. I said Willy T was a Norris Hopper clone and asked WHY the Reds would make Hopper take a pay cut and send him to the Minors yet they were willing to give Willy T a two year, $6.25 million dollar contract when BOTH of those guys had only a good half a season in 2007 on their resumes? I ALSO asked WHY people thought Willy T was SO great if Jim “Leather Pants” Bowden was the ONLY GM willing to trade for him after the Rockies DFA’d him last year?
By Mark in Sun Valley
June 24, 2009 11:43 AM | Link to this
Even if Taveras is living up to the back of his baseball card, his OBP is .320 for his career. That is terrible for a leadoff hitter. It is a permanent flaw in Baker’s philosophy. He thinks great speed is the most important thing for a leadoff hitter, and does not respect high OBP. Patterson and Taveras (and even Hairston his 3rd choice for leadoff much of the time) shows this. Walt may have signed him, but you can bet Dusty encouraged it because he is EXACTLY the kind of player he likes leading off. Fast and free swinging.
By Jim T
June 24, 2009 11:25 AM | Link to this
Steven, let me say I like Hannigan but numbers don’t lie. My eyes don’tlie. I was at GABP Sat. and SUN and saw Ryan fail twice to get a guy home from third with les than 2 outs. I think he wil be the catcher next year and has a good future but he has problems producing runs when given the opportunity. These stats are calulated when he has men on base. He is not driving them in as well as Ramon.
By Steven Ross
June 24, 2009 11:16 AM | Link to this
Makes me laugh when some say Hanigan doesn’t hit with RISP. Tough to bring anyone in when few ever make it on base. You can make negative statements about any hitter if you dig deep enough.
By JimT
June 24, 2009 10:58 AM | Link to this
Jack at the end of May WT was hitting 320 and his OBP was around 380. He was on a 14 game hitting streak and the reds were 6 games over 500. Many thought he ws a good signing. Having a guy who hits 26 hrs nad drive in 70 will be a big help. You obviously don’t put much stock in run production.In 07 EE was our best hitter with runners in scoring position and 2 outs. I agree the pitching has carried us. But if you don’t think having Votto and EE back will help your wrong. I also think its Dicersons time. I hope he makes the most of it.
By Jack
June 24, 2009 10:39 AM | Link to this
Jim, not sure when anyone thought WT was any good. Nobody liked the signing and nobody likes him now. That one is on Jocketty though. Understand the wanting to find a speedy leadoff hitter, but Hopper could have put up those crappy numbers for a lot less. And as many of us have said since day one, this is not a good team. Dusty really does not have too much to pick from…but at least he could employ some common sense and bench a leadoff hitter who has no idea where first base is. Not even Votto’s return will help this team. They just can not hit. Great, great pitching early in the year helped, but absent shutouts, this team will continue to struggle…and the return of a career .250 hitter at third is not going to help either.
By Jim T
June 24, 2009 10:23 AM | Link to this
RC, You especially don’t hit for him when you need a base runner to bring the tying run to the plate. I think Dusty was saying enough is enough.
By RC
June 24, 2009 10:14 AM | Link to this
I don’t disagree with anything you said, Jim. But after last night, I don’t think anyone can justify continuing to hit him leadoff at this point. Because you can’t have a leadoff hitter who you feel the need to pinch hit for late in a close game. That. Cannot. Happen.
By Jim t
June 24, 2009 10:14 AM | Link to this
RC great point about hitting for WT. Actually that is the 2nd game in a row Baker hit for him. I think this indicates that we will see Dickerson until he either excels or fails.WT needs to go to the minors and find that apr-may stroke again. If you all remember CP was sent down last year but because Dickerson was doing so poorly and Freel and hopper were hurt they had to bring him back and use him We have a couple more options this year. I hope he gets back to the apr-may WT because when he is on base the pitcher is paying attention to him and that works well forthe hitter
By jim t
June 24, 2009 9:58 AM | Link to this
How about a little common sense.Since 29 may, when WT ws hitting 272 and OBP was 330 many on here thought he was the greatest thing since sliced bread. now less than a month later he is CP reincarnated. He is in a terrible slump no doubt. He is not helping the team. He is paid 2 mil this year and 4.5 next. Do you think WJ is going to eat that contract until they try everything possible to get him back to how he was playing in May and apr. Do you guys honestly think he is the sole cause for the demise of this team How about Bruce at 214,Nix has come back to his norm,Votto has been out,EE is out,Hernandez is not producing,Hariston jr is not producing.What about Rosales. If WT was hitting who would drive him in Hannigan has a high BA but his numbers with runners in scoring position are terrible.
By RC
June 24, 2009 9:45 AM | Link to this
Two things to say after last night’s game. First, I hate our left-side defense with Hairston and Rosales out there. HATE it. I get a bad feeling every time a grounder’s hit in that direction. Second, wasn’t last night’s ninth inning an admission of defeat on the whole WT issue? You pinch hit for your LEADOFF hitter in a winnable game? With Danny Richar?! How do you run him back out there tonight after that?
By SD
June 24, 2009 9:17 AM | Link to this
Im sure Walt is forcing Baker to play Tavaras. Jocketty needs most of the blame for this offense not Baker. He has done nothing to improve this club. Baker day in and day out is having to patch a line-up together full of minor league talent. The Reds headed to the cellar
By Diamond Dave
June 24, 2009 9:06 AM | Link to this
Great to hear Votto get everything off of his chest. As someone who went through panic attacks following a major life change, I know exactly what he’s been going through. And you do feel like you’re going to die. I thank God I didn’t have depression with it. Joey, you’re in my prayers, buddy. Okay, on to old business. I’ve been posting FIRE BROOK JACOBY!! for a little about two weeks now. And after watching the Reds win the 2 of their last 10 games with Eric Davis on the bench, I had hope that a change was imminent. Alas, no change has been made. I have put down my flag. Any change at this point would be too little, too late. Looks like the Rox, Giants, Brewers, Cubs, Cards, Mets and Phillies will be fighting it out for the Wild Card.
By Rockieredsfan
June 24, 2009 8:40 AM | Link to this
Hal: What are you hearing from the players, if anything, in regards to how this team is managed?
By fletch
June 24, 2009 8:16 AM | Link to this
get rid of right fielder, center fielder, shortstop,3rd baseman and the manager,promising young players couldn’t do worst.
By Sal Monella
June 24, 2009 1:59 AM | Link to this
Baker is obviously throwing games on purpose. Otherwise, please explain why a sane person would have the 4th worst hitter in the majors bat leadoff to make more outs than anyone on the team. All thos comments so far on this blog are dead-on. Baker is a fool and must go.
By Sal Monella
June 24, 2009 1:59 AM | Link to this
Baker is obviously throwing games on purpose. Otherwise, please explain why a sane person would have the 4th worst hitter in the majors bat leadoff to make more outs than anyone on the team. All thos comments so far on this blog are dead-on. Baker is a fool and must go.
By jim m.
June 24, 2009 12:25 AM | Link to this
I appreciate Joey.. He came out and told what he was going thru.. I as many will support him.. NOW with BAKER!! I’m tired of watching him let Mr. Out Making Taveras bat leadoff.. (Dickerson batting ninth, Mr out 1st, made me not even watch the game after hearing the lineup).. He says he wants to WIN, then why bat your WORST hitter leadoff so he can get more at bats to make more outs????? Its not Rocket Science Dusty!! Dickerson has earned the right to start and leadoff!!! NOT Taveras!!! he is another Patterson and why oh WHY would a manager want players that fail always play?? this isn’t AA league Dusty.. this is MLB and you put your best lineup out to help your team win.. I guarantee you, the players are saying “here we go again” “last year Patterson cant get on base, now Taveras” and HE plays!! Earlier he complained about the fans screaming for Nix.. well dusty WE can see who isnt getting the job done. WHY cant YOU?????? its common sense.. start acting like a manager and not the players who fail best friend!!
By Ann
June 24, 2009 12:09 AM | Link to this
Somebody needs to, you now, tell Dusty Baker to, you know, stop saying “you know” every 2 seconds. You know? What a jack*ss
By Ann
June 24, 2009 12:08 AM | Link to this
I gained a ton of respect for Joey votto after his “disclosure.” But Dusty Baker is the biggest idiot ever.
By Blogcopwatcher
June 24, 2009 12:03 AM | Link to this
I’ve never watched a manager make baseball so difficult to watch, because of so many examples of stubborn stupidity.
By dmcgee
June 23, 2009 11:53 PM | Link to this
Great to see Votto back. But tell Dusty he missed another win opportunity by leading the game off with a hitter that only gets on base .270 percent of the time. Toronto’s leadoff hitter gets on base .400 percent of the time. We have Dickerson, who gets on base .390 percent of the time, but he batted ninth. Oh well, another squandered opportunity. We’ve had so many of them get away from us.
By Harry the Horse
June 23, 2009 11:33 PM | Link to this
my respect level for Joey Votto went up 1000% tonight. This is a good kid who is having a rough time. I’m glad he spoke his piece and it cleared the air for all of us. Good Luck Joey in the game of Life. That’s what is most important…
By Laura
June 23, 2009 11:28 PM | Link to this
Hopefully this will shut up those who were dogging Votto. I have so much respect for him and how he handled this situation. He didn’t have to tell anyone what was going on, but he did it in a detailed, heartfelt manner. What a gift of sorts to us as fans. My prayers are still out there for him as he continues to fight this battle.