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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 > 28 > Entry
Brandon Phillips at his best (worst?)
May I borrow a phrase?
We have, “That’s Rickey being Rickey (Rickey Henderson).” And we have, “That’s Manny being Manny (Manny Ramirez).” And on Sunday in Cleveland we had, “That’s Brandon being Brandon.”
Brandon, a cooperative and delightful interview for most of the season, has his athletic supporter in a knot these days because all three Cincinnati Reds beat writers wrote about all the ramifications after he ignored a take sign in Kansas City.
With the bases loaded and two outs, Phillips had a 3-and-0 count. Third base coach Mark Berry flashed the take sign. Not only did Phillips not see it, he didn’t look for it, saying later that since the team was struggling at the time he was up there to make things happen.
What he made happen was a pop-up to end the inning and one angry manager.
FAST FORWARD to now. Phillips isn’t saying hello and cracking one-liners at the media as he was earlier this season. He is back to being sullen and answering questions like a wise guy.
Brandon being Brandon. Before Sunday’s game, Phillips was 1 for 16 and 0 for 12 with runners in scoring position. In the second inning, he banged a two-run single and in the fifth he ripped a run-scoring single - three hits, three RBIs, three runs scored.
It helped the Reds beat the Indians, 8-1, on a day the Reds had 15 hits after they had 13 on Saturday in a 7-3 win.
Now here is a transcript of Brandon’s post-game set-to with the media:
CLEVELAND WRITER: Nice day for your birthday.
BRANDON PHILLIPS: “Is it my birthday? Just another day. Another blessed day.”
REDS WRITER: “You didn’t know it was your birthday?”
BP: “Today is just another blessed day.”
CW: “Have you been feeling better the last couple of days? Any difference?
BP: “Why, do I look different or something?”
CW: “No, just … have you, uh, did you feel better than the last few days?”
BP: “When did it start? When are we talking about?”
CW: “You’ve been struggling a little bit lately …”
BP: “I’ve been struggling? Really?”
CW: “Well … I don’t know.”
BP: “Any positive questions? Anybody got a positive question?
RW: “Was it nice to do this against a former team?”
BP: “Yes, it is. That’s a positive question. It’s good to do something positive, a game like I had today, especially on my birthday, you know what I’m saying? Especially with a win for the team. I’m glad we won the game. We should have swept ‘em, but we’ll take two out of three.”
RW: “Nice to see the team get 28 hits in two games after …”
BP: “That’s another positive question. Yes, it is. We were hitting the ball where they weren’t, where they can’t catch it. Everybody came through. I got a key hit today. And Micah Owings, he did his thing today. It was all about M.O. He did his thing today. Probably was the best game he ever pitched.”
From there, Phillips loosened a bit, but it was both a humorous and uncomfortable exchange on a day Phillips should have been one happy guy, especially on his 28th birthday. Do I think he really didn’t know it was his birthday? Not a chance. It was part of his schtick right now - Brandon being Brandon.
OTHER THAN PHILLIPS, Ramon Hernandez had a triple, double and a single, a home run shy of the cycle. And he tried for it, swinging from his heels in the ninth and nearly fell down. He laughed and said, “I tried, man. I really tried.” He later filed deep to right.
During the six games of the Ohio Cup, Hernandez was 9 for 19 (.474) and won the Most Outstanding Player trophy. In case you care, the Reds won the Ohio Cup, four games to two. “I knew these two teams had something going on between them, but I didn’t know what it was,” said Hernandez. “But winning the award is cool. Really neat.”
Michal Owings won for only the second time in nine starts, but struggled - one run, five hits, four walks, one hit batter, 106 pitches in six innings.
WILLY TAVERAS had three hits, including a bunt single during a four-run second inning. Jay Bruce had two hits. Jonny Gomes hit a home run and did something no other player ever did on the Reds.
The Reds played nine interleague games on the road and Gomes was the DH in all nine games. No other players in Reds’ franchise history was ever the DH for every interleague road game.
“And I got at least one hit in all nine games,” said Gomes.
“Why did you tell him?” Bruce asked me. “Now he is going to have to find a bigger hat.”
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By Bruce
July 1, 2009 6:20 PM | Link to this
He’s immature. He was on Jim Rhome is Burning today. All you had to see and hear was his BSing another brother{can’t think of his name}to know BP is not a straight shooter—and to not put much stock in what he is saying, EVER.
By Mike
July 1, 2009 6:10 PM | Link to this
He’s no class act, he does what he wants when he wants. He can be the best if and when he wants but does not like being told what to do. Also Dusty Baker needs to go as his management is not good.
By joe
July 1, 2009 7:23 AM | Link to this
Sorry folks, after going to last night’s game, Brandon is a class act. He spent an unbelievable amount of time at the wall, meeting, talking to, and signing autographs for/with all the kids….to me thats a man who hasn’t forgot what it’s like to be a kid, idolizing the “big-league” players….just my 2 cents worth
By Jack
June 30, 2009 3:37 PM | Link to this
T, if you do not understand that Phillips was being a $%#% to the Cleveland writer, then probably need to read again. I think the point was that it was unnecessary, hence Brandon being Brandon. Was it a huge deal, no, but was it necessary, no again.
By Kenny G
June 30, 2009 3:05 PM | Link to this
T, I understand that most people have a repetitive job and that working for the Reds in my mind would be amazing. But working for the Reds or any other, I am sure that it is still stressful at times when Hal probably would love to write about the Reds getting to the post season again, or Marty would love to call that game winning hit to win the world series. I think we are very fortunate to have such a great media surrounding the Reds and I really hope Marty, Hal, and all of the fans get again what they deserve: a season that doesn’t end with our magnetic calendars on our fridge, but a chance to make a push to bring the series back to Cincinnati where it belongs.
By T
June 30, 2009 2:58 PM | Link to this
Dear kenny G, if every second of my workday revloved around the reds i would be living a dream. Being at the ball park everyday, hearing the sounds of the game. If hes really that tired of the Reds, you seem to know him personally, then he can retire. Besides most peoples employment involve doing the same thing every single day.
By Kenny G
June 30, 2009 2:28 PM | Link to this
“T” and “sick of it”, simply, please go away. We aren’t covering the Reds as a career. Imagine if your every second or your work day revolved around the Reds: they lose for 19 straight years, and you end up having to cover the same thing over and over again. Marty and Hal have done so much to keep Reds fans around over the years through the terrible teams. Now, these two icons to the organization are simply standing up and demanding something better than the last two decades. If they suck, I want them to say they suck, I don’t want Hal and Marty to say something that glosses over what is really going on in the clubhouse.
By t
June 30, 2009 12:35 PM | Link to this
So is there anything wrong with responding your blessed everyday so your birthday is just another day where you feel blessed. The reporter could not answer when this struggling started. I think Hal is the one who can’t get over himself
By Sick of it
June 30, 2009 10:29 AM | Link to this
When is someone going to write a story about guys like Marty and Hal getting more and more negative and bitter towards the world as time goes by? I can’t even listen to Marty anymore and Hal’s negativity is almost right behind him.
By ann
June 30, 2009 10:13 AM | Link to this
The ONLY reason the Reds aren’t out of the race is because they’re in the weakest division in baseball. They’d be 9 games back by now in a decent division.
By ann
June 30, 2009 10:09 AM | Link to this
I have never understood why people like this Phillips a**hole. He’s overrated and he speaks like he’s the least intelligent person in sports.
By Jack
June 30, 2009 9:47 AM | Link to this
Cueto or Phillips. Might depend on what Cueto does in the next few starts. Phillips should have pretty good numbers compared to other second baseman. Votto has no shot.
By Mark in Sun Valley
June 29, 2009 11:59 PM | Link to this
I have something. Who do you think will make the All-Star team from the Reds? Sure, we all feel Votto should go, but with his missed month and the numbers Pujols and Fielder have, he is 3rd choice at best. They usually only take 1 back up for each position, and if they did take 3 first basemen, Adrian Gonzalez in SD is also making a strong case to go. Someone has to go from every team, so some positions will get locked out. So who makes it? Phillips? Cueto? Cordero? If they choose to take a set-up man, I can even see Rhodes having a shot. I doubt the Reds will send more than one player, 2 at the very most.
By Kenny G
June 29, 2009 10:38 PM | Link to this
Kyle, Do you really think that it is good journalism to walk past a ball player who just had 3 hits in a game to help the team win and not get a quote from him? Sorry, this one has gone long enough, Hal- give us something else to talk about! Is EE really coming back tomorrow?
By Mike-Cinci
June 29, 2009 9:39 PM | Link to this
The job for a player is to not get along with the media though many (not our man Hal) judge a player on how good an interview he is. It’s a nice thing to do (smart PR & $ wise) but being a very good player is much more important if the team wants to win games. Phillips is a very good player. Fun to watch. The media conveys through their words or video what a player is like. Sometimes it is truth. Sometimes it is opinion. Sean Casey, a very popular Red, was wonderful with the media and we all loved him. The media adored Sean. I’ll take Votto at 1B and Phillips at 2B in my lineup any day ahead of him. I do like players who can be both media friendly and great players. They are very special. Phillips is the best we have had since Joe Morgan. Let’s enjoy it. After him it may be another 25 years.
By redsfandownunder
June 29, 2009 7:10 PM | Link to this
Count me as a BP fan. He is a gamer who plays with a broken thumb and is nearly player of the month doing so. Hits for power AND will hit the other way when needed. He hustles and plays hard 99.99% of the time. He’s fun to watch. I’ll forgive the .01% of time he has a bone head play or show boats too much. Happy Birthday BP!
By Kyle
June 29, 2009 5:52 PM | Link to this
And Hal, if he’s that bad of an interview, there’s gotta be at least 10 other guys on the 40-man roster that would love some pub. It can’t be that hard to walk past BP’s locker and go to someone else’s.
By Mark in Sun Valley
June 29, 2009 5:05 PM | Link to this
Thanks RC. This time you trumped me. Well put.
By scott from cincy
June 29, 2009 3:59 PM | Link to this
Does anyone remember what Chad Johnson was like in 2005? He started out being a media darling. He was fun, effusive, great to the press and fans….then….boom, his ego got so huge, he became a cancer. I am not suggesting that BP would ever get to this point. But, I was VERY concerned when I heard him declare this “his” team and that “he was the leader”. This is not something that you bestow on yourself. BP is a great player, and at heart, he seems like a great guy. But, so was Jr., and look what he did to the team’s overall attitude. Just beware….that is all I am saying. Whenever someone thinks he has a special set of rules (ala Dunn, Griffey, Bonds, Manny, OCHOidiot) it never ends well for the team as a whole.
By RC
June 29, 2009 3:27 PM | Link to this
There isn’t necessarily a different standard for a ballplayer. There is, however, a very different standard for a “leader”, which is what Brandon Phillips said he wanted to be this season.
By Scott
June 29, 2009 2:50 PM | Link to this
Kyle you stole my thunder. Well said.
By Kyle
June 29, 2009 1:44 PM | Link to this
43 years old and been a Reds fan the whole time. I’m just saying that in the last off season, Phillips was the only untouchable for me. If they traded him, then it was yet another “rebuilding” year that management wasn’t committed to. That’s all. But you’re also glossing over my point that for most bloggers on here, nothing BP does makes them happy. Smile and laugh it off, he doesn’t care. Get pissed and moody, he needs to grow up. We’re just fans following a team that hasn’t committed to winning for a decade. He plays the game every day on that same team. I know we don’t get paid what he does, but I bet some of you are paid very well for your job. You never lapse? You never daydream through a meeting and not give 100% Never call of sick to go do something personal? Why is there a different standard for a ballplayer?
By billy hustle
June 29, 2009 1:35 PM | Link to this
Give the guy a break. He’s friendly with the media 90% of the time. He might be a little too sensitive at times but the guy is not a robot - he likes to have fun and enjoys playing the game. So he doesn’t sprint out every at bat, name me one player that does. Even golden boy Rosales’s trot slowed down. The guy will play 140+ games this year some of which have been through a fractured thumb. He’s always smiling (sometimes too much) and is active in the community. Some of the comparisons are ridiculous. And I won’t even respond to those that suggested he be traded.
By Cait
June 29, 2009 11:52 AM | Link to this
I also ditto what Mark in Sun Valley said. I would add that some have complained about MLB not promoting its black players. It sure makes it easier to pump a guy up when he is cooperative with the media. Yea, the media can be annoying, but it’s the way most fans get to know players. Most of us don’t get a chance to actually meet and interact with players. So we read or watch what players say to the media and it goes a long way toward players being fan favorites - that and constant hustle on the field. BP is one of my favorites; I’m just glad I don’t have to interview him.
By Brian from Florida
June 29, 2009 11:48 AM | Link to this
2009 Line-ups: RH Pitcher Dickerson CF, Gonzo SS, Votto 1B, Philips 2B, Nix LF, Encarnacion 3B, Bruce RF, Hernandez/Hanigan C. LH Pitcher Taveras CF, Gonzo SS, Votto 1B, Philips 2B, Gomes LF, Encarnacion 3B, Bruce RF, Hernandez/Hanigan C. 2010 Line-up: Dickerson CF, Philips 2B, Votto 1B, TBA 3B, Bruce RF, Nix/Gomes LF, Hanigan C, TBA SS. They’ll have to look for a SS in the market. Gonzo leaves this year. Janish and Valaika not ready to hit in the majors. Not sure if Sutton can play SS. Hairston is a utility player. Anyone else? Let’s see how EE does at his return from AAA, I wouldn’t expect too much. His contract expires in 2010. Five outfielders, I’d keep Dickerson, Bruce, Gomes and Nix. Stick Janish at SS and look for an upgrade at 3B? Stick with EE at 3B and look for an upgrade at SS? Both?
By RC
June 29, 2009 11:35 AM | Link to this
I was about to post something regarding Mr. Phillips, but Mark in Sun Valley just said everything I was going to say, and in a lot fewer words than I’d have probably used, too. So… what Mark said.
By Mark in Sun Valley
June 29, 2009 11:11 AM | Link to this
I hope Brandon enjoyed his birthday. I have no problem with “Brandon being Brandon”. That is his right. But when he says he wants to be the leader of this team, he needs to understand that more is expected of him. He does wonderful with giving autographs, being good with kids. But his lapses of hustle and judgement set a bad example for kids and teammates alike. You can’t have it both ways, Brandon. To be a leader, you have to lead 24/7 and in a positive direction.
By Jonathan G.
June 29, 2009 10:26 AM | Link to this
Before I chime in, understand that Brandon Phillips is my favorite Red right now. He’s absolutely wonderful with fans — particularly with kids — and he’s been a great addition to the Reds. That being said, I do wish he would come off the “revenge on Cleveland” motif. Every I-71 series, he makes the same sort of comment. He’s made the point — repeatedly — not only in quotes but in a .371 BA thus far against the Tribe. If revenge for Cleveland “giving up” on him is his motivation, so be it. The comments were sort of cheeky and funny the first time or two we played them; now, he’s starting to sound like a jilted ex-girlfriend. The pouty thing besmirches his otherwise good rep. Brandon, we’re all with you and we know you want to win. All you have to do is keep lacing on your cleats, flashing leather and swinging a bat. No need to flap the ol’ gums, man — we need you to lead with class. Now pass me some Game Time Burgers! Go BP!
By Jack
June 29, 2009 9:33 AM | Link to this
As Mike-Cinci stated, Brandon is no way near guys like Bradley, TO, etc. He may make some silly decisions, but for the most part sounds like a good guy. Sounds like the Reds are indeed looking for a third baseman as they were in on the DeRosa trade.
By Florida Buckeye
June 29, 2009 9:11 AM | Link to this
Happy Birthday Brandon, now grow up! I’m tired of athletes acting like prima-donnas. If I screw up at the office, I get a talking to. Granted I’m not on TV whenever I work; but, it’s part of the job…IF you want to be Ham-and-egger, then you should have picked a different profession…on that note: I Agree with an earlier poster. IF he played professionally, and IF he did all the small things, and paid attention to fundamentals, and NOT his ego, he’d be the best 2nd baseman in the league…Lastly, I have to agree with Bill from Silverado, let’s go get a power hitting third baseman. Other than that…I like how this team bounces back…I expect us to make some noise w/r to the wildcard, and since we’re only 2.5 out, we could put pressure on, and fight til the end for the division as well…
By Hey Kyle
June 29, 2009 8:03 AM | Link to this
Kyle, Don’t you want to be able to read about how your favorite player felt about the baseball game? A player being your favorite does not mean rooting for him ONLY because of his play on the field. Talking to the media is not just a courtesy that Brandon Phillips should do, it is a required part of being a baseball player. Playing baseball is a little different compared to the 40 hour a week job. Baseball players have to be able to take criticism a lot more since their every mistake is published for the masses to read. And… you aren’t a real reds fan if you say that you wouldn’t watch the Reds if they would have traded BP. You must have not been a Reds fan yet when we traded Sean Casey.
By Scott
June 29, 2009 7:30 AM | Link to this
While this interview is a head scratcher for me I can’t say anything bad about him in respect for his birthday. Happy Birthday Brandon. Hopefully this will get the Reds on a roll.
By StuttgartTim
June 29, 2009 7:26 AM | Link to this
Hal, For my money/time, I’d rather read an interview from someone who is positive, himself, and respectful of others. If Brandon wants to be a jerk, I’d rather see the writers just move on to someone else, and leave him to entertain himself.
By Kyle
June 29, 2009 12:20 AM | Link to this
A lot of people on here telling BP to grow up who probably can’t handle criticism from their bosses, let alone criticism from every armchair manager and neverhasbeen baseball player. Leave him alone. I want him on this team to be Brandon Phillips the baseball player not Brandon Phillips the sparkling interview. If he laughs stuff off, you ride him. If he gets pissy you ride him. Happy Birthday, Brandon. Try to enjoy it in spite of the Reds fans. Brandon was the only player who, in my mind, was off limits for an off season trade. IF they had traded him, I wouldn’t have watched one game.
By JB
June 28, 2009 11:27 PM | Link to this
If BP would only run out every ground ball, get in front of every ground ball and not blow off signs he’d be the best second baseman in the NL.
By MisterRedLegs
June 28, 2009 11:03 PM | Link to this
Brandon being Brandon. I love it. Tough interview when they do this act but a great read. I have had several interviews that way and the memories made me laugh so much I threw up ink on my Reds press notes.
By Mike-Cinci
June 28, 2009 9:33 PM | Link to this
Brandon Phillips is a Saint compared to Zambrano and Bradley in Chicago. However being unfriendly to the beat reporters is not smart PR. You would think Brandon would have figured this out by now.
By Ty
June 28, 2009 9:10 PM | Link to this
Starting to sound like T.O. if you ask me. At least he wants to win but does he always have to point out what HE did?
By Floyd
June 28, 2009 8:43 PM | Link to this
Is it just me or is BP starting to sound like Ocho Cinco?
By BillfromSilverados
June 28, 2009 8:16 PM | Link to this
Is it time for the Reds to make a move for a big hitting 3rd baseman? Or, should we see what EE does when he comes back up? I know people are talking about going and getting a big hitting right handed left fielder but then Nix, Gomes, and Dickerson would sit. I would rather sit EE or Hairston
By Hawk
June 28, 2009 8:04 PM | Link to this
Playing in the Major Leagues,does not make you a man, nor intelligent, nor mature.
By Kenny G
June 28, 2009 7:36 PM | Link to this
I don’t understand why Phillips is acting this way… He should be able to take it like a man and understand that reporters are going to REPORT when he screwed up the way he did. Either way though, great game. Great TEAM effort. We need Micah to show up that way more often.