Special kids get chance to play
Benefit held for crash victim
WSU vs. Milwaukee
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 > August > 18 > Entry
Leake, Boxberger play ‘Meet The Press’
The new boys were in town today - Mike Leake and Brad Boxberger, the No. 1 and No. 2 draft picks this year. They are signed, sealed and about to be delivered to Sarasota, where they will work out with the Gulf Coast Rookie League Reds.
They won’t immediately pitch. They’ll be worked out and evaluated and worked with, then pitch in a fall league or in an instructional league, said general manager Walt Jocketty.
Leake is listed at 6-0 and 180, but admits he is closer to 5-10 and knows he needs to put on some bulk before attacking professional hitters.
Leake, a good-looking kid who has spent some recent time in San Diego surfing on the longboard, when he wasn’t working out to stay in shape, said all the right things.
Asked what he thought about coming to Cincinnati, Leake said, “I look a forward to the chance to actually be here some day. I’ve been treated with A-plus first class and I have to work hard to get to this point (Great American Ball Park).
“I’d like to be here as quickly as possible, do my job and do it well. It’s all on my shoulders and hopefully if I do well I’ll be moved up quickly,” he said.
When Jocketty included pitching prospects Josh Roenicke and Zach Stewart in the trade with Toronto to acquire Scott Rolen, Jocketty said he wasn’t worried because the team had Leake and Boxberger on the hook.
“They are quality pitchers from quality programs (Arizona State, Southern California) and they should be able to move up quickly,” said Jocketty.
“I know I’ll have to keep up my stamina for a whole year, stay in shape,” said Leake. “I definitely have to get bigger, gain some weight in my lower half and get some more arm strength.
“I know I have to be patient and work with them, because they’ll want to work with me,” Leake added.
Leake and Boxberger actually faced each other last year, but Leake smiled and said about the outcome, “We’ll just keep it a secret.
“I’m flattered the Reds wanted me because I’m not typical, not at 5-10,” he said. “I’m glad they had the trust to pick me and hopefully I can do something special here. I’ve been trying to get back in shape, mostly doing long toss.
“I have to get ready for four days rest instead of six days rest and they’ll help me doing that,” said Leake. “We played half the season they play, so I have to get ready for that.”
Leake said he knows more about Reds tradition (from long ago) then he thought he did and said he gave all the wrong answers the first time he was asked about it. He’s learning fast.
“I’m aware of the background and the rich tradition they have,” he said. “Hopefully we can be a part of re-inventing The Red Machine.”
Uh, Mike. It’s The BIG Red Machine. But he’ll learn.
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By Bill Bartmann
September 9, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this
This site rocks!
By Blogcopwatcher
August 20, 2009 6:03 PM | Link to this
Dunn strikes out a lot/he is less than mediocre on defense, wherever he plays/he never worried about getting a proper lead, when on base/he wasn’t willing to work at playing first base, {in order to improve our outfield}/he didn’t hit to the opposite field often enough{tried to pull everything, leaving LOTS of runners on the base paths}-just like Griffey}For these reasons we are glad he is gone. No home runs and RBI’s; but, also, no primadonnas!
By napoleon 2
August 20, 2009 9:27 AM | Link to this
Hal, before you post your opinion on where this organization is headed, based on your conversations with the front office, please DEFINE exactly who/what you mean by “front office.” The reason I say this is because last week, within a few day span, Daugherty mentioned twice and John Fay mentioned once, that most Reds “higher ups” are not on the same page as Bob C. Please elaborate. Thanks.
By Worn Cleat
August 19, 2009 12:21 AM | Link to this
Another bad angle going after a fly ball by WT. He’s terrible on defense, and worse on offense. But, he still plays. Taveras obp: .275-Dickerson obp: .365. Willy is getting stronger,though-Now his popups are reaching 20 feet into the outfield grass. “Mild strain in his rt.quad”-Bull Sh**! Watch how Baker holds him out for one or two days, before he jerks Dickerson out of CF again. It’s a sham.
By BrarHopper
August 18, 2009 7:21 PM | Link to this
Enjoy those nice big signing bonuses, boys. And know your careers are now mortgaged into reverse by joining the 5th place Deads. And if you’re REAL good, you might get to meet and play under Dusty Baker and Dck Pole. How sad to see fresh young careers ruined so quickly.
By vick
August 18, 2009 7:02 PM | Link to this
“Do you think Adam Dunn’s critics in Cincy noted his .764 OBP during the weekend series and Laynce Nix playing left field for the Reds, then regretted their decision to run him out of town? Probably not. Because, see, he strikes out a lot! And striking out a lot negates everything else! ” (CBS Sportsline Power Rankings/Aug. 18, 2009)
By Steven Ross
August 18, 2009 6:21 PM | Link to this
After a decade of losing plus seeing way too starting pitcher hopefuls go under the knife, I truly hope one or both of these kids makes it. Goodness knows, we need a lot of help ASAP.