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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 > 11 > Entry
Some more fun at the ol’ ballyard
Maybe this retirement stuff isn’t so bad (he sniffed).
Charley Gitto, owner of Charley Gitto’s (funny how that worked out) picked up my check at lunch today - first time in about 20 years of eating at his wonderful establishment.
During the third inning tonight, they put me on the DiamondVision scoreboard, hard at work in my bright blue shirt, and told of my impending retirement. Polite applause. Thank you, Cardinals fans.
Some of my favorite writers were standing behind me - Rick Hummell, Joe Strauss and Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Bob Nightengale of USA Today/Sports Weekly. I’ve always had a lot of great people standing behind me propping me up.
Strauss always has called me “Old Dude.” He’s right.
They were going to do it in the second inning, but my seat was empty. I was outside the press box door getting my Ben & Jerry’s ice cream fix - cookies and cream, two dips, waffle cone. Let the game continue.
I wasn’t in San Francisco, but I’m told they recognized me on the scoreobard there, too. Classy people. I appreciate it immensely.
Anyway, the Redlegs won a strange one tonight in Busch and Justin Lehr must pitch with a rabbit’s foot in each pocket, a horseshoe in the seat of his pants and maybe even Marge Schott left some Schottzie fur to rub on his chest.
Justin Lehr was in more trouble all night than little brother playing in big sister’s closet, but the Cincinnati Reds pitcher was a marvel to behold, an execution of escape by legerdemain.
Lehr was peppered and plastered for 11 singles in six innings, but somehow held the St. Louis Cardinals to one run and the Reds won, 5-4, in Busch Stadium.
All singles? Eleven singles?
“If you are going to give up hits, they might as well be singles,” said manager Dusty Baker.
And it began oddly. Watching from the Reds dugout, Aaron Harang had to be muttering, “Is that legal?”
The Reds scored three runs in the top of the first inning before Lehr threw any of his 89 pitches, something they never do for Harang, or any other pitcher.
Three runs in the first? They seldom score three runs in a game for Harang. Sometimes not in two starts combined.
Lehr, making his third major-league start after a complete-game shutout over the Chicago Cubs in his previous start, gave up at least one hit to everybody in the Cardinals lineup but Skip Schumaker and Albert Pujols — and how do you do that?
Somebody facetiously asked Lehr about being a slayer of first-place teams and his first utterance was a gutteral, “Huh,” at a loud pitch.
“You’ll never hear that come out of my lips,” he said with a laugh. “You’re never as good as your last start or as bad as your last start.”
About his eventful evening, Lehr added, “I had a good amount of baserunners, gave up a lot of small hits, but they never got the big hit.”
Lehr is a stand-in No. 5 starter for injured Micah Owings, who will make another rehab start before he is given consideration to return, but Baker supports Lehr.
“If the kid — well, he’s no kid, he’s 32 ‘ keeps pitching, it would be tough to take him out. He has battled to get to where he is and at 32 he has learned how to pitch.”
Laynce Nix poked a two-run double and Jonny Gomes pushed across a third run in the first with an infield single to give the Reds and Lehr a 3-0 lead.
The Reds made it 4-0 in the second on a triple by Chris Dickerson and a single by Joey Votto.
Then it was hang-on time for Lehr.
The Cardinals put two on in the first, two on in the second, scored a run in the third but left two more on and put two on in the fifth without scoring.
The Reds turned a doub le play in the second and a double play in the fourth when left fielder Gomes caught a fly ball and threw Yadier Molin out at home on a tag-up.
The last Reds’ run was driven in by Alex Gonzalez, a single in the eighth that was his fourth hit.
The Cardinals scored twice off Nick Masset in the eighth, including a homer by Pujols, his 37th, and once in the ninth off closer Coco Cordero before he closed it off for his 25th save with the tying run on second base.
“An exciting game, but I was having a little trouble breathing in the ninth inning,” said Baker.
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Comments
By Wizard
August 14, 2009 12:32 AM | Link to this
Well said by RC on fundamentals. Problem is it isn’t just bad in one aspect of the game, which proves to some extent Mike-Cinci’s point: Lots of bad players- Most of them have bad form bunting and cannot execute that skill/ Most damn sure cannot slide properly{it is a wonder there are not more broken ankles and legs} /BP knows little about making the proper pivot on a double play / calling out for a flyball doesn’t happen /and on, and on… But, we have what we have-so, we should play the best of the bad! Trading our pitching, or anyone else will not help! MOVE THE PIECES!By Jimmy1Time
August 13, 2009 8:11 PM | Link to this
Buy Dusty out. Fire the rest. And get Don Mattingly!!!By MAC
August 13, 2009 12:54 AM | Link to this
Having said all that, we all know Reds will continue hoping their young players develop. In that case, get a Mgr & coaches who will & can teach because even in the ML, young players still need to be coached and fundamentals need to be practiced and reinforced. DB isn’t overtly the problem, but I don’t see him being part of the solution either. I don’t see it happening, but they need a fresh start @ Mgr going into next season IMO.By MAC
August 13, 2009 12:48 AM | Link to this
We finally got around to it: the Reds don’t develop fundamentally sound players in their mL system, nor do they reinforce them (Dusty) once in ML! Real question is then why do so many here buy into the idea that we have to rely on our young players to turn things around when we all know (based on history) that the REDS don’t do a good job of developing good/fundamentally sound ballplayers???By Billy Reed
August 12, 2009 6:08 PM | Link to this
Hal, If I never thanked you for all the help you gave me when I’d show up to cover the Reds for one publication or another, I do so now. You always knew what was going on and you were incredibly kind and gracious to share with an out-of-town typist who only showed up now and then. I’ve been blessed to know a lot of wonderful guys from Dayton and you’re certainly one of the best. God bless you, my friend, and thank you for gracing our beloved, but dying, profession. Kindest regards, Billy ReedBy Mike-Cinci
August 12, 2009 5:52 PM | Link to this
Some players never learn the fundamentals because they are lousy players. When a big league player at 25 years and older does not play fundamentally good baseball it is his fault. You can’t blame his parents, his liitle league coach, his high school coach, his college coach, his minor league manger and coaches or his big league manager or coaches. If he can’t execute the fundamentals it is the player’s fault. Why do we always want to blame someone else when an individual fails to do the correct things? Bad players need to be replaced by good players. The Reds have a lot of bad players.By AA
August 12, 2009 5:39 PM | Link to this
The Reds are running a major league team out against the Cardinals tonight. How many in your opinion are AA/AAA players? Sutton, Tatum .220 in AAA, Dickerson, Balentin who cant hit a RH. The Reds are an embarrasment thinks to Jocketty/CastelliniBy BrarHopper
August 12, 2009 1:02 PM | Link to this
Hey Kenny, yeah, it WAS a great blog until you chimed in. Are you really as clueless as you come off to be or did you ask yer Uncle Stupid for help? Yer pretty hopeless, son.By bigdoc
August 12, 2009 12:54 PM | Link to this
Unbelievably lucky W—but take it. The grounder to BP/toss to 1b will be part of every ‘Blooper’ collection from now on.By hartz
August 12, 2009 12:39 PM | Link to this
The pain that we call a “season” is almost over for all of us. Please, someone give CD a refresher in Baserunning 101. He is more effective in CF not the corners. Hal, can picture my nephew getting into trouble right now for closet invasion. Lord knows we need something amusing to take our minds off this horrid season.By hartz
August 12, 2009 12:39 PM | Link to this
The pain that we call a “season” is almost over for all of us. Please, someone give CD a refresher in Baserunning 101. He is more effective in CF not the corners. Hal, can picture my nephew getting into trouble right now for closet invasion. Lord knows we need something amusing to take our minds off this horrid season.By Gary Maloy Jr.
August 12, 2009 12:13 PM | Link to this
Hey Brarhopper. Given your nick, you may have the answer here… You mention the blind HOG. I learned that it was a blind SQUIRREL. Is this the difference between Kentucky and Ohio, or maybe between the countryside and city, or? As far as Kenny who hasn’t heard the saying before, shame on him for not trying to analyze the saying. Pay attention Kenny - you might learn something reading us old-timers.By Jim t
August 12, 2009 11:58 AM | Link to this
Mac, I don’t think DB has lost the respect of the team. I think they enjoy playing for him. CD arrived here last year in August. He has had almost a full year in the bigs now. My question is shouldn’t he know how to run the bases before he got here. Fake throw and chase the runner on third is somethng we did in little league.Fact is when he is your best option you have know choice but to instruct and let him learn on the job. Here we have a guy who has ability but doesn’t know how to use it. Only way I know to get it is play him and let him learn from his mistakes. How about those first 2 at bats my Rosales I don’t think he swung at a strike.By RC
August 12, 2009 11:49 AM | Link to this
Without weighing in further on Chris Dickerson, and certainly not to defend Dusty in any way, but… It is NOT Dusty Baker’s job to teach players how to run the bases or how to cover 1st and 2nd base. That stuff should have been drilled into players in A ball, for cryin’ out loud. That’s why they call them “fundamentals”. Just another example of what I’ve been saying for a while - the Reds’ minor league system does not seem to be doing a good job of “developing” players. They hit the majors (when they manage to get that far) with pretty much the same skill set they had when they were drafted. Lest we forget, Homer Bailey learned the pitch that may have finally made him a major league capable pitcher from Justin Lehr, not from his coaches.By Jim t
August 12, 2009 11:40 AM | Link to this
Gosh, I just thought about what I wrote. When Agon was hitting 7th he was below the mendoza line for almost 2/3 of the season. Hannigan who bats eight has 8 rbi’s all year. Then the pitchers spot. Add Bruce’s 210 average to the 6th hole, WT’s 238 batting avg. and 270 OBP in the lead off spot. WOW, that is ugly.The pitching staff has fell off the cliff since June I’m wondering how we won as many games as we did. You think opposing pitchers aren’t dying for a chance to face our line up.By MAC
August 12, 2009 11:39 AM | Link to this
Agree on CD as well, but let’s look @ Vottos AB w/ CD on 3rd. Less than 2 outs and JV ahead 2-0 & he taps out to 3rd. What kind of approach did he take to the plate; why is he check swinging there…”fundamental”mistake as were CD base running errors! Big question is; “why do Reds players continue to make so many “fundamental” mistakes? Why doesn’t DB & staff have more discipline or at least influence over these young players? IMHO, they’ve lost the player’s respect & it’s likely to be the same problem next yr. CD (whom I like) should have been counsled after 1st blunder & fined & replaced after the 2nd. I just don’t see how things can improve next season w/ that same lack of influence permeating from the Clubhouse/Dugout??By Jim t
August 12, 2009 11:34 AM | Link to this
Mac, AG is a great defensive ss. He has great instincts and a good head for the game. As a hitter he leaves a lot to be desired. When he signed I think it was envisioned by those who signed him that he would hit 15-20 hrs hit 250 and make a difference defensively.After almost 3 years with the team due to family matters and injuries, he has not met expectations. Defiensively he does a nice job. With this team struggling offensively being one dimensional is not going to work. I like you, enjoyed the game he had last night but its is to few and he cost to much.Same thing can be said of Hannigan. over 200 at bats and 8 rbi’s that is ugly.By napoleon 2
August 12, 2009 11:33 AM | Link to this
Hal, same old same old with the current Reds, so I would rather hear about you. Just curious, who are some of the recognizable names who have called you to offer their support over the last week? Thanks.By Jim t
August 12, 2009 11:24 AM | Link to this
Martin, Love your enthusiasm for CD but he is not one of the best CF defensively in the game. After watching him hit and run the bases it is definitely his strong suit. Saying he is the best defensive cf on this team is also not a endorsement of his abilities either. if CD is in the starting line up for this team next year we are again in big trouble. While I admit he has atheletic ability fundamentally he is a train wreck. Just my opinion.By MAC
August 12, 2009 11:17 AM | Link to this
I totally agree w/ AG comments, but I didn’t want 2 be too negative considering it was a win. AG has shown recently he can be a better hitter when he is patient @ the plate & only swinging @ pitches he knows he can handle; that’s true of all the Reds & what’s been missing most of the season especially in critical situations!By Bruce
August 12, 2009 10:09 AM | Link to this
TAVERAS OK: Center fielder Willy Taveras crashed face-first into the wall chasing a ball on Monday night, but stayed in the game. He stayed in the game largely due to embarrassment, since a picture was taken of the ball hitting the wall right next to him-while he was mashing his face into the outfield wall! Duh.Our best center fielder? Not.By Greg in London
August 12, 2009 9:56 AM | Link to this
Hal..or somebody.. Help me out here. I only get to a few games a year, and I never see the pregame workouts. How often, if ever, do the Reds work on the fundamentals. I’ve thought that it doesn’t happen much after Spring Training. The 9th inning was a train wreck, mostly because of lack of fundamentals.By Florida Buckeye
August 12, 2009 9:47 AM | Link to this
Does anybody else find the irony of the Reds Scoring first tonight…and WT is NOT in the line up?!? I mean, it’s like - no matter where they play - the Reds always are the home team: Giving up three outs with nothing to show in the first is their calling card, ha!By Martin
August 12, 2009 9:43 AM | Link to this
For Mike-Cinci’s information, on this team, Chris Dickerson is the best, outfielder. In fact, we have seen few better than he is, on defense, in center field.By Bubba
August 12, 2009 9:25 AM | Link to this
That may be the worst baseball game I have seen in a while. First is the horrible baserunning by Dickerson then that Keystone Kops act in the bottom of the ninth. The Cards must be kicking themselves for losing that game.By Kyle
August 12, 2009 9:01 AM | Link to this
Kenny, I’m not sure what your problem is with an old saying. Very appropriate for the situation. Translated it means, everyone gets lucky once in a while. In other words, one four-hit night doesn’t make AG a hitter. He’s still miserable and only a .217 hitter. Couldn’t agree more.By Kenny
August 12, 2009 8:54 AM | Link to this
Brar, what is your point of that post? Blind HOG finds an acorn? sez? LOL? come on man. This is a great blog and a great place for Reds discussion, but we don’t need your senseless comments.By Jim
August 12, 2009 7:33 AM | Link to this
“Justin Lehr was in more trouble all night than little brother playing in big sister’s closet” Hal, Do you have an big sister and is there something you been wanting to share with us all these years? Good luck in your second career and God bless you.By BrarHopper
August 12, 2009 3:13 AM | Link to this
AG a good hitter? LOL! Even a blind hog finds an acorn. He’s so bad that a 4-for-5 night brings him up to .217. He’s terrible. His BA speaks volumes and sez it all. The whole team is pathetic with a whole bunch of flops batting in the mid-to-low .200s. Junk team. Pure garbage. Again. Red trash. Nice job AGAIN Liar Bob! Time for another of your BS corporate PR letters?By MAC
August 12, 2009 2:07 AM | Link to this
Nice Win; sad part is Reds could of scored a few more w/ better baserunning (Dickerson) & a little more patience @ the plate. Who knew AG could be such a good hitter - in a contract yr that is? Good to see CD swing the bat well & Nix come up w/ a big hit. However, Hannigan sure looked tired AB. Let’s hope Lehr can continue to be more than a 2 trick pony!