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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 37th year of covering the Cincinnati Reds, the longest tenure for any active writer covering one team. Counting spring training and postseason games, McCoy has covered more than 7,000 major-league baseball games, written close to 18,000 baseball stories and eaten enough hot dogs to give Babe Ruth indigestion.Home > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2009 > August > 10 > Entry
Another one bites the dust (Cueto)
WHEN WILL it ever end (Isn’t that a song?). If the Cincinnati Reds don’t have player injury insurance, they’ll be bankrupt by Thursday. Their players keep falling like tin soldiers in a tornado.
Another one bites the dust (Isn’t that a song?) Monday.
Pitcher Johnny Cueto ran halfway to first base after hitting a ground ball to second in the second inning. Then he stopped. He pitched the bottom of the second, then left. The diagnosis was a tight left hip flexor. He’ll be checked tomorrow.
This isn’t a baseball team, it’s a MAS*H unit. They don’t inhabit a clubhouse, they inhabit an emergency room.
WHAT A THING to ask, especially from a pitcher making his first appearance the day he was recalled off rehab for shoulder weakness.
The Cardinals had the bases loaded with two outs when Jared Burton trotted in from the bullpen. Who could blame him if he got to the mound, looked to see who was batting, and sprinted back to the bullpen.
Albert Pujols awaited. The scoreboard showed for all to see that Pujols was hitting .800 this year with the bases loaded and five grand slams. Five grand slams??? The entire Reds team has one (1) grand slam and it was hit by a guy sent packing, Edwin Encarnacion.
Burton retired Pujols on a fly ball to right on his third pitch, then probably sprinted to the dugout to vomit.
SOME QUARTERS are making a big issue out of the fact that the Reds placed pitchers Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo on waivers. And they are making a big deal out of them clearing waivers.
Most team put most of their players on waivers at some time, just to see if there is interest. If another team claims Arroyo or Harang, the Reds could pull back the waivers between now and Sept 1 and keep them. Or they could let the claiming team have them and their contracts would go to that team.
Or the Reds can trade them now with no fear of a team claiming them on waivers.
So it is not surprising that no team claimed either one. Too much money. A trade could still be made, but with Edinson Volquez out for next season, it is more likely the Reds will try to deal Francisco Cordero and his fat contract than Harang or Arroyo.
Just remember. The Reds placed Ken Griffey Jr. on waivers nearly every year he was with the Reds and he never went anywhere until last July, and that was not a waivers trade.
NOW THAT David Weathers is gone, nobody makes noise in the clubhouse. The veteran Weathers could stir things up now and then, but I was astounded how quiet it was in the Reds clubhouse before Monday’s game in St. Louis - and the Reds have nust one two of three in San Francisco.
The last time the team was in St. Louis, several players were seated around a table, laughing uproariously as Weathers quizzed 22-year-old Jay Bruce about players from the past.
“Do you know who Rob Deer was?” No. “Do you know who Charlie Leibrandt was?” No. “Do you know who Rob Dibble was?” Yes, he’s the guy on TV and radio. “Do you know who Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell were? No.
They made great sport of Bruce, forgetting he is only 22 and wasn’t born when most of those players were in the m ajors.
Bruce was in the clubhouse Monday, but there was no frivolity or jocularity.
Oh, the game? Yeah, the Reds lost, 4-1.
Permalink | Comments (45) | Post your comment |
Comments
By Wiz
August 12, 2009 10:45 AM | Link to this
Oh, OK Jack. Thanks ever so much. Could you please forward this to the Dimwit? He never seems to get the message.By Jack
August 12, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this
Wiz, I do get your point. CD is better than WT, and should be playing this year. I think a lot of us on here are already focused on next year and are hoping there is a third option.By Wiz
August 12, 2009 12:02 AM | Link to this
Although poor base running tonight by Chris Dickerson; had it not been for his stick, the Reds would not have won this game. Sure was nice to see our leadoff hitter hit line drives, instead of infield popups-and get on base, two more times, by way of base on balls! Too bad Baker had to weaken our defense late in the game, by putting our second best CFer in the game-and moving our best to RF,AGAIN! #1= CD!By Mike-Cinci
August 11, 2009 11:05 PM | Link to this
Dickerson is a #5 outfielder and not much of a baserunner. Will Hanigan get an RBI before September. I say yes he will.By Wiz
August 11, 2009 10:09 PM | Link to this
Twice in one game—I’d bench his dumb butt! Damn-you are playing on a major league team! It is impossible to be that stupid!By Wiz
August 11, 2009 9:43 PM | Link to this
No doubt.Ha.By RC
August 11, 2009 9:18 PM | Link to this
One more hit, and Dickerson will be on the bench tomorrow for sure.By Wiz
August 11, 2009 8:55 PM | Link to this
Two hits-I feel slightly better.Damn.By Wiz
August 11, 2009 8:23 PM | Link to this
Terrible. Idiotic. No excuse for that little league baserunning mistake. Damn. That is pure crap!Looked like the beginning of the year!That won’t get it-IN ANY LEAGUE!!!!By Wiz
August 11, 2009 7:17 PM | Link to this
My apologies to you RC-I did not see your excellent post until I was finished answering Jim T.’s.By Wiz
August 11, 2009 7:13 PM | Link to this
You are a smart fella Jim T., but those times you were speaking of were when CD was playing LF,and RF, not CF, where he is more comfortable. Baker never let WT get uncomfortable by moving him out of the CF position! Can you imagine how bad his angles would have been playing LF or RF, where he was less familiar? That is my entire point-CD wasn’t played in CF, where he belonged. I agree to disagree; on Hanigan,too-who last I heard was near the top in national league, or major league, one,in throwing out runners percentages.By RC
August 11, 2009 7:04 PM | Link to this
I’m gonna side a little bit with the Wiz here - I saw CD look awkward a few times in left, but in the games where he got to play CF, his position in the minors, he looked exceptional to me. You wouldn’t think there’s that big a difference between the outfield positions, and it was certainly the proverbial small sample size, but that’s how I saw it. I was impressed enough that, if I were managing that team, I’d plug him in CF for the rest of the season, and find out a little more about what we’ve got in that guy. But that’s just me.By jim t
August 11, 2009 6:39 PM | Link to this
Wiz, I guess will have to agree to disagree. I myself have been around a long time and have seen many CF play better D than CD. You may be forgeting those occasions earlier in the year when he over ran or flat missed balls in the outfield.He absolutely looked clumsey going back to the wall.I also was in attendence in Wrigley when he missed a ball in the first inning with Cueto on the mound that cost us a run.As far as hannigan goes no one with 8 rbi’s in 197 at bats can start on my team I don’t care what his OBP is. Hannigan is a back up catcher.By Wiz
August 11, 2009 6:30 PM | Link to this
Does anyone think getting Hernandez cheaper is a possibility, with the demand for catchers out there? heck, they even picked up ‘no-hit’ Bako last year.By Wiz
August 11, 2009 6:18 PM | Link to this
The one thing I do not agree on-no way is Dickerson a fifth outfielder. I was born years ago, and have not seen too many CFers who could go get the ball any better than CD. IMO, he’s vastly underated there. You guys have made great points; but I ain’t going down that road. Do not agree.If CD had two studly sticks on each side of him-in LF and RF, his offense would be irrelevant! In addition, Mike-Cinci, unless you are talking about bringing in to Cinci the St. Louis catcher, I disagree on Hanigan: he bounces around behind the plate, as well as, most I have seen, including Hernandez. All he needs is a solid backup like Hernandez, that’s all.By jim t
August 11, 2009 5:53 PM | Link to this
Wiz, I understand about CD, at one time I was thinking he could fill one of the outfield spots. That time has passed. Mike-Cinci, I think we painted a very bleak picture.Love the Foster comparision. Picked him up for a song from the Giants.And I agree a short sample size.I like moving BP to ss and playing one of the youngsters at 2nd. Don’t think we can fill all the needs so we may as well go young. I don’t know if I would unload both arroyo and Harrang. I would put Stubbs in cf and try to find another outfielder if you think Balentine isn’t the answer. The catcher I have know idea. I don’t like Hannigan but I can’t pay Ramon 8.5By Wiz
August 11, 2009 5:46 PM | Link to this
BUT-if you spend the extra cash on Hernandez, you won’t have to spend MORE on a LFer{like DYE}, because Votto or Balentien could play there. So you are actually saving money!And, he can play more than ONE position!By Wiz
August 11, 2009 5:30 PM | Link to this
Jack, funny explanation, cracked me up; however,I’m not casting dispersions on where you hang out, but fortunately, in my life, I have yet to see a 250 pound woman who looked good to me-I’d rather take batting practice, or a cold shower!By Mike-Cinci
August 11, 2009 5:16 PM | Link to this
I agree the Reds can neither afford the $ for Rios or the risk he may just be potential without production. Dickerson will be an OK 5th outfielder. Hanigan is a backup catcher. I don’t see the Reds keeping Hernandez unless he takes a much lower salary. I don’t know what to make of Balentein yet. Clearly Seattle gave up on him and no team but the Reds made a run at him. He has looked pretty good so far but our standards for outfielders have sunk pretty low. Based on his body of work in baseball to date Balentein is a spare part but stranger things have happened. Maybe he is a modern version of George Foster who was also obtained for virtually nothing. Let’s see how he does as the league’s pitchers get familar with him. The Reds need to unload some salary, get younger, find a SS, some outfielders, maybe a couple of starters, and a starting catcher. Think they can do it between now and next April?By Wiz
August 11, 2009 4:58 PM | Link to this
Let be be perfectly CLEAR, one last time: In the past year and a half, I have never once said CD was the ultimate answer-NEVER ONCE- I DID SAY, as long as he was on the Reds roster, Willy Patterson Taveras, should NEVER see CF!!!! Thank you Jack, for hearing me out! I hope Butts is the answer{but with a name like that should he not be playing with the pigskin?}Just saying… I enjoy the company on here…civil…well-spoken…Thanks.By Wiz
August 11, 2009 4:46 PM | Link to this
Damn Jack, beat me down when I am down!You are too cruel, my man.By Wiz
August 11, 2009 4:43 PM | Link to this
Jim T. you underestimate your ol’ buddy, Wiz. I haven’t ignored the CD injury habit-was just trying to make it go away!By Jack
August 11, 2009 3:45 PM | Link to this
Assuming Votto holds up mentally and physically, Yonder will be trade bait in a year or so. Would have much rather had Gordon Beckman (not 100%, but believe we could have drafted) who would be starting at SS today…well actually he would still be at Triple A because Dusty would never play him. Dickerson is not the future. If you really want him to play this year, fine, comparing him to WT is like comparing a 300 pound girl and a 250 pound girl. Next to the 300 girl, the 250 looks good, but standing alone, she quickly loses any appeal. CD is not very good and is maybe a fifth outfielder. So yes, better than WT, but that does not make him any good. RH is a nice luxory, but with so many other needs, it does not make sense to spend the extra cash on a catcher. Kind of like spending 12 million on a closer…oh wait a minute.By RC
August 11, 2009 3:10 PM | Link to this
Now if that whole “Votto to LF” happened, then I wouldn’t be too averse to plugging Hernandez in at 1b for a year or two until Alonso is ready. But it’s still a lot of cash, and I don’t see Votto moving.By Jim t
August 11, 2009 2:47 PM | Link to this
wiz, that is a good point because other than Rosales on this team if you wanted to give Votto a day off against a tough lefty who would you insert. I like Hernandez as a starting cather and back up 1st. Don’t know if he has the range for 3rd. Still 8.5 is a bit much. Lets compare Hannigans production at league min. or Hernandez’s at 8.5. I think we all know where that is going.By Jim t
August 11, 2009 2:34 PM | Link to this
RC, that is irony. lol You know one thing I have against CD others on here overlook is his inability to stay healthy. He has a history of not being able to play a full season. That is why I would rather have him as a spare outfielder instead of a everyday player. I think he is a little short on durabilty and talent. On Ramon I agree 8.5mil is to much but if we could get him a little cheaper for a extension. It might be worth the risk. I don’t think Ryan is a everyday catcher either. I also don’t see anyone in the minors close to being ready. If Stubbs can hit 270 and steal some bases and play his normal D I think he could be the guy. I know big ifs but he is a former 1st rounder and he has improved at every stop. He doesn’t have eye opening stats but he has held his own on every level and is great with D and has outstanding speed.He rates a look.By RC
August 11, 2009 2:03 PM | Link to this
Yeah, Jim, Rios’ contract is toxic - six years worth of toxic. And if his 2010 isn’t any better than his 2009, we most likely couldn’t even give him away like the Jays just did. Too high risk for and organization like the Reds. Regarding Dickerson, I’d be perfectly happy with his D in CF every day if we had two offensively productive corner outfielders. Barring that, I’d think it would be nice to get a little more offense from that spot than CD’s got. (Although CD would certainly provide much more offense than we’re getting at the moment). And re: Hernandez, I’ve been somewhat of a booster of his through the season, but while I think it would be nice to have him back next year, I think his price is too high. How’s that for irony: Wiz would bring him back, and I wouldn’t…By Michael in Monterey, CA
August 11, 2009 1:52 PM | Link to this
Weathers can quiz all the youngsters he wants in the Brewer’s clubhouse- just as long as he continues to give up walks, tape measure bombs and screaming line drives into the gap when games are on the line. Memo to Brewer management: invest in a defibrilator and make sure you have a nine run lead before using “Stormy” and then….maybe.By Jim t
August 11, 2009 1:43 PM | Link to this
Hey Wiz, I think if you compare the catchers defensively you will find that they both have done fairly well throwing out runners and eliminating passed balls. They both seem to call a good game but those numbers could be misleading because the staff is gosh awful lately. The problem I have with Hannigan is he doesn’t drive in any runners. He hasn’t had a RBI since the midddle of june and that is while he is getting plenty of playing time. He doesn’t have the speed to bat at the top of the order and he doesn’t have any power to speak of. He would be a good back up but I hesitate to give him the No.1 job.While Ramon doesn’t have the batting avg Ryan does but he will drive in runs and if you make a mistake he can take you deep. The problem with him is it will cost you 8.5 mil to keep him next year. I don’t think he is affordable.By Wiz
August 11, 2009 1:20 PM | Link to this
Sorry, but I forgot about Jim T’s other good points: Hernandez I like too. Because he can play first,catcher and probably third, if necessary. I especially like keeping him, because it is 162 games, and Hanigan will need help from a strength standpoint-it’s a VERY long season when catching. Hanigan is our best defensively, but will need rest, as you suggest.I’d rather have Hernandez multiple positions and good stick, then Dye’s limited positions and large salary!By Wizard
August 11, 2009 1:08 PM | Link to this
Jim T.: Bingo! I like your thoughts on Balentein. I liked his looks immediately-you describe him well, I believe. I hope you are correct on Stubbs. I suppose no one but me still has hopes for Dickerson-but I do. He has always been better defensively than Taveras, so I’ll never understand why he wasn’t in the lineup more in CF, this year. I still think he is untapped offensively-I saw him drag bunt once this year{and it really wasn’t a ‘drag’bunt}and he beat it out; and it never happened again. I still believe that could be a weapon, and if they could teach him to get a lead and steal…But, then again, if Stubbs already has those skills…I’m with you-winning beats the hell out of what we watched this year!Perhaps they will rid themselves of Nix and Gomes and use Dickerson late?By Jim t
August 11, 2009 12:32 PM | Link to this
Mike-cinci, I wouldn’t have touched rios with a ten foot pole for that amount of money. That type of money should be reserved for established players not those aspiring to be. I bet the jays are celebrating being able to get out from under that contract. You know they were trying to move him at the dead line with no takers.They literally gave him away. If the price was right for Dye I would take a shot. What is your thoughts on Ballentine. Small sample but he sure looks like he has a good feel for the strike zone and hits the ball where its pitched. Could he be that power bat in leftfield?By Mike-Cinci
August 11, 2009 11:43 AM | Link to this
Do you think it would have been smarter for the Reds not to have traded for Rolen but instead claim Rios on waivers? He’s in his prime but under achieving so far. he might be very good at GABP. The White Sox won’t resign Dye for next year with Rios on their team. Dye looks old enough and expensive enough to fit right in with the Reds in 2010. Do think he might want to play for the Reds or prefer to play for a team with a chance for the playoffs? Give him enough money and he might come to the river but do the Reds have enough money without getting rid of some of the other overhead?By jim t
August 11, 2009 11:16 AM | Link to this
Hello Wiz, I have to agree that Traveras has not played well offensively or defensively. With that said, I don’t think Dickerson is the answer either. I want to see Stubbs in Sept. get some playing time after a year in AAA. I think defensively he is ready and from a offensive standpoint I think his ceiling is higer then either of the above mentioned two. It also seems that Hannigan is in a free fall. I point that out because a lot of people seem intent on giving him the job next year. Its a 162 game season folks.I would like to see Rolen,Stubbs,Bruce and Hernandez in the line up for sept and see what our run production is then. Just a thought.By Wizard
August 11, 2009 10:04 AM | Link to this
Taveras—he is one of the worst defensive outfielders I have seen..rewatch the videos..he misplayed both balls, and had terrible angles! The second ball was hitting the fence in a catchable place, right next to him, while he was stupidly climbing the padded fence. Dusty takes a better angle getting to Taveras, than WT takes to the ball! Horrible signing! Horrible lineup card!By Bud E, Wizer
August 11, 2009 9:02 AM | Link to this
Back ‘when a man was a man’-pitched 150 innings, every start, and didn’t get hurt… Wussies.By Kyle
August 11, 2009 8:57 AM | Link to this
Aaron, not sure your chosen profession, but do you know the history of it? All the people who ever did it? Probably not. There are people in my building I hardly know.By Mark in Granville
August 11, 2009 8:52 AM | Link to this
What I noticed on Cueto’s “run” toward’s first was the jiggle of a large spare tire around his midsection. Don’t suppose being visibly overweight has anything to do with inury?By sam
August 11, 2009 8:00 AM | Link to this
The Reds remind me of youth/HS teams that I’ve seen play. The more they lose, the more”injured” they become. Mysterious, suspicious injuries seem to conveniently take them out of action. Obviously, some injuries are legit. But, it just makes me wonder if all their(injuries)are real and how many of them really want to play.By collards
August 11, 2009 7:36 AM | Link to this
hey old time How about Frank McCormick and Ernier Lombardi from them 40 reds. Remember Willard hersberger and how he died? Billy meyers , Lonnie Frey, Bill Werber, Mike mcCormick or Vince Dimaggio? Junior Thompson is hardly mentioned. Bill Mckechnie had a big role in that club. How bout the great Eddie roush or henie groh from the 1919 team. heck I wasn’t alive even close to those years, but a red’s fan should know these as much as Johnny Temple, Ed Bailey, gene Freeze, Vada, Robby, Klu, Edwars, greengrass, mcmillan and the great ewell blackwell. Eppa Rixey was pretty good. There are eight busts with reds caps on them in the Hall of Fame. name them.By oldtimer
August 11, 2009 7:08 AM | Link to this
Who knows Bucky Walters, Paul Derringer, Ival Goodman or Harry Craft? They were members of the Reds’ 1940 world series champions. Not surprising. An Ohio State senior bombed out on Jeopardy last night. She didn’t know what school Archie Griffin, Eddie George and Troy Smith played for.By JJ
August 11, 2009 5:16 AM | Link to this
You can’t expect a person who was’nt around at the time to remember these type of players-they had an impact on only one championship team.By Gary Maloy Jr.
August 11, 2009 3:11 AM | Link to this
I wonder… If I hadn’t bothered with baseball cards, having baseball trivia contest with other baseball geeks during lunch and recess, reading baseball history (did you all know that Jim Thorpe once played for the Reds?), and wasting my time on “unimportant” stuff like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, the ‘39-‘40 Reds and lots, Lots, LOTS more, maybe I would have had time to develop a picture-perfect swing like Jay Bruce’s - and maybe even made my high school team. Leave the kid alone (although I have to admit it is funny).By BrarHopper
August 11, 2009 12:34 AM | Link to this
Money talks and bullsh!t walks, er limps onto the DL.By Aaron B.
August 10, 2009 11:16 PM | Link to this
I know these guys are athletes and thus mostly physical minded, but I find it hard to believe someone playing baseball wouldn’t be interested in the rich colorful history of their sport. How hard is it to pick up a book and read about the past? Sparky Anderson managed the 1984 Detroit Tigers and they were a very memorable world series team. How can a player not know who Alan Trammel or Lou Whitaker were? I am not criticizing Bruce so much as just expressing my disbelief at his ignorance of the history of his chosen profession. No wonder David Weathers was amazed and kept quizzing him. And if he didn’t know that Rob Dibble was one of our key relievers the last time this organization won a world series than I don’t know what to say about that.