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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 > September > 22 > Entry
Votto: .300 is just a pretty number
You want somebody to put everything in its proper place, like a cleaning lady replacing knick-knacks after a quick dusting? You want somebody to put things in perfect perspective, like a guy who has wrecked his new BMW but walks away without so much as a tear in his new jeans?
Then Joey Votto is your man.
If Votto can keep his batting average above .300, believe it or not, he’ll be the Reds’ first .300 hitter since Sean Casey hit .312 in 2005 and Ken Griffey Jr. hit .301 in 2005.
With nothing much else to play for in this Lost Season, you’d think .300 would be something constantly on Votto’s mind. It isn’t. In baseball, .300 can be a selfish statistic and Votto is not a selfish baseball player.
While Votto admits a number above .300 on your resume is nifty, it isn’t what he is all about.
“There is a pride thing that goes along with hitting .300,” he said. “But I really did my best this year to try not to pay attention to my average because it fluctuates so much that it is pointless.
“I take a lot of pride in driving in runs,” he added. “And I want to get on base as much as possible and score a lot, do what I can to help create runs, which helps the team win.”
Votto, a philosophical guy who can break the game down to its important components, did an excellent dissection after Tuesday’s game.
“Most players realize (that .300) is one of those pretty stats that a lot of guys take a ton of pride in because ever since baseball started, it has always been a benchmark,” he said. “So I’m no different than anybody else, but I do realize it’s definitely not the most important stat.”
But .308? Yeah that’s a pretty-looking number.
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Comments
By Aloe Vera Distributor - myflp.org
September 29, 2009 2:15 PM | Link to this
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September 23, 2009 9:22 PM | Link to this
Great comments by everyone. Can’t wait until Spring Training to see who gets better. The pitching looks good.We need to see the Reds play better ball in June/July when the good teams establish themselves. The Reds fell apart this year. Injuries hurt. I like how the Reds are playing now but late surges by teams out of the running can be a mirage. There is hope…I hope.By Wiz
September 23, 2009 8:59 PM | Link to this
I have been giving you my opinion of who I think is the best, at this point, in CF. It would surprise me however, if I see CD starting in CF with Baker managing next year. I say that because of how Baker handled the situation with WT and CD this year. Obviously, if he wouldn’t play CD in center, until he was forced to do so—he won’t play him there with Stubbs making his improvements—because Stubbs is better already than Taveras. I love Stubbs speed/his bat control gets better and better/and, I will be completely in his corner, when I see him making the diving catches that Dickerson has already proven he can make!So, I guess it is your opinion that Miller calls a better game than does Hernandez? I like any idea that allows Gomes to be in the lineup frequently—for his offense.One last question I have on Dickerson, which has not been answered to my knowledge is:Why is he still on the DL? Is he one who did not work very hard to get back; or was his injury worse than was thought, initially? My best to you, and your’s.By jim t
September 23, 2009 4:15 PM | Link to this
wiz I’m not disappointed just trying to keep the blog on the topic of baseball and not insults. As I said I enjoy the debate with you. Greg’s comment of bringing back Hernandez made no mention of renegotiating his contract.My thought is that for me to assume that it did would be putting words in his mouth wouldn’t you agree? I’m also not claiming to be a saint, far from it actually. Also I’ll make you a friendly wager that CD is not the starting CF next year. How about a milk shake.DS is rapidly justifying why the reds made him a first round draft pick. It took a little longer than expected but it is happening.If it would help the team to platoon Bruce so be it. My thought is for the long and short range benefit of this team it is imperative that Bruce start living up to his press clippings.Here is another thought How about Gomes trying a little 1st base. Couldn’t he spell Votto? I believe he did that in ST.Also i think the 2010 outfield will be Gomes in LF unless a better option is not obtained DS in CF and bruce in RF. The catchers will be Hannigan and Miller. I don’t think it is coincidence that the staff is pitching very well when Miller calls the game. Especially Bailey. have a good dayBy Wiz
September 23, 2009 3:47 PM | Link to this
“Hope Springs Eternal”, Mark! I’d sure like to think that our pitching will be better-if for no other reason than, having less injuries. Improvement is sure to come from a full season of Rolen at 3rd. Stubbs or Dickerson in center/Bruce or Gomes in RF/perhaps a surprise or two in LF/ a return to form of some disappointments in our bullpen. Hang in there, bigin’! We are going to surprise some folks!By Mark in Sun Valley
September 23, 2009 3:28 PM | Link to this
I am amazed how many people believe this team can compete with this personel in 2010 because we have managed to beat up on the Pirates lately. These are the same guys that can’t hit in key situations, can’t get a decent OBP and against decent pitching, frequently can’t even make contact. The only saving grace, solid pitching will keep this club in games, but the inability to hit and Dusty’s lack of strategy in close games will make them a lot by 1-2 runs. Stay away from the Kool-aid guys! Same players - same management - same ownership = same results.By Wiz
September 23, 2009 3:24 PM | Link to this
Sure sorry to disappoint you Jim T.. However, nothing irritates me more than a dimly lit light bulb! Getting a new one seems to be in order, I would say; but no one is correcting the one big problem this team has—Dusty Baker! I’m just a bit more graphic in my feelings than you and others. A bit of rye humor hurts no one, IMO. I’ll try to impress you better, next time. Meanwhile don’t be too hard on the Brarhopper. He has a good heart, I am certain. A lighter tone could be beneficial to many on a blog, for sure. Judging people on a blog cannot be considered an accurate science, I am,also,certain. More importantly, I don’t believe Greg, or anyone else is saying that Hernandez should be offered 8.5 million—I suggest you are putting words into his post, that were not there. Of course, we ALL make errors in judgment, or mis-speak on occassion, don’t we? I think, also, if Mickey Mantle can alternate with Jackie Jensen in right field{until Dimaggio retires}; then Jay Bruce can alternate with Jonny Gomes!By JIM T
September 23, 2009 1:58 PM | Link to this
Greg, no disrespect intended but if you think they are going to pay hernandez 8.5 mil to be one of 3 catchers and a sometime backup 1b I have some swamp land I would like to sell you.Also if this team is to be sucessful Bruce, who this team has 1st round money invested in will need to be the regular RF and fullfill the promise he exhibited when he first came up. Has the power, D, needs to be more selective at the plate.I could live with Janish at SS if he hits 250. Wiz I love the debate but your insults as they pertain to Dusty are out of line. You can disagree, as we do but insults are more Brarhopper. I certainly have more respect for your comments than his. You lose credibility when you resort to that behavior. Not preaching just trying to improve the blog and I enjoy exchanging ideas with you.By Wizard
September 23, 2009 12:46 PM | Link to this
Greg: Excellent points you make. I agree with your ideas. Very reasonable; and they create competition! They also eliminate the need for Dusty Dimwit to have to think!By RC
September 23, 2009 10:17 AM | Link to this
All this will be spelled out in Dan Brown’s next big novel, “The Big Dead Machine.” Tom Hanks will play Robert Langdon in the movie, of course. Harrison Ford as Lindner, Delroy Lindo as Dusty Baker, and Chris Tucker as the ultimate fall guy, Willy Taveras.By greg
September 23, 2009 9:31 AM | Link to this
I feel the Reds are very close to something huge! We still need to produce timely runs and I have a plan. Platoon Gomes and Bruce in right field. With this platoon, right field will put up big numbers. Neither of these guys can hit same side pitching however the kill the oposite side pitchers. Dickerson and Stubbs fight it out in center field, my guess is that Dickerson wins the position. Left field, you go out and get a run producer similar to what Rolen has done for us. The likes of Taveris, Nix can not get it done on a regular basis and may not even make the team next spring. I really like McDonald as an extra outfielder as well as Stubbs or Dickerson, whichever don’t win center field. I think you can afford one light hitting player on the team and only one. Therefore, I would give Janish the SS position and live with whatever offensive numbers he can provide. His defense is excellent and I would bat him 8th. Catchers - I keep three, Hernandez, Hannigan & Miller. They are all three excellant receivers and Hernandez can spell Votto at first when he needs a rest. I think they have enough quality arms to fill all pitching spots. (pretty good problem to have). If a quality left field run producer is aquired, this is a World Series bound team in 2010.By jim t
September 23, 2009 8:35 AM | Link to this
Maybe if Adam would have considered getting into the best shape of his life while he was here and being paid millions instead of waiting to have to take a cut in pay to 10mil a year, he would still be here. The comment about him getting in shape was his by the way. Could we have used his production, certainly, would it have been a risk worth taking money wise or the effect it may have played on a team looking to get younger probably not. It is nice to know that after drafting,developing and paying millions, he waits to he leaves town to get in the best shape of his life.By Deap Throat
September 23, 2009 1:42 AM | Link to this
Aaron B., I would come after you, but I am on a hot lead in locating the shooter from the grassy knoll. I got this lead from the easter bunny, who said his informant is Santa Claus. I can’t go into more detail because I see black Helicopters circling outside my window and need to log out ASAPBy Bud
September 23, 2009 1:29 AM | Link to this
Marty: Had Dunn been willing to play first, he might still be here; however, his salary, like most of the major league players, was way out of sight. No one is worth that much money—certainly not someone timed with an hour glass, on defense. Nice guy. Unworthy of 20 Million.By aaron B.
September 23, 2009 1:24 AM | Link to this
Gee, I don’t know where they could have the money to sign Dunn since Lindner is one of the wealthies banking families in the United States and since Chiquita banana is a front for a CIA global cocaine distribution network. Cincinnati is the perfect back water burg to pull this operation off without raising much attention… if you guys win too many games people might start looking into the backgrounds of the ownership group. So I am absolutely convinced this team is designed to lose and be a smokescreen for the South American operation that is occuring. Over-the-Rhine is one of the most obvious CIA-operated points of cocaine distribution I have personally witnessed. From there I suspect they ferry Coke down the Ohio river to other major cities which is why those ferry boats fly Pirate flags. Its all a big joke and yet you folks sitting right on top of this believe your ownership group can’t afford to pay as much salary as the St Louis Cardinals. Please wake up folks and due some research. Google “Carl Lindner Illuminati” as a starting point. And btw if anyone wants to come for me for stating what is obvious I’ll put a hole thru your head in a second flat no hesitation. Just try me.By Mike
September 23, 2009 1:10 AM | Link to this
Marty, where would the Reds have come up with the 20 million bucks to resign Dunn?By marty
September 23, 2009 12:49 AM | Link to this
.279 with 38 homers and 103 ribbies, that’s how Dunn is working out for them. you can’t pin 100 losses on him, and the Reds sure don’t have anyone putting up those numbers. they never should have traded him.By Reds Authority
September 23, 2009 12:10 AM | Link to this
Also, Washington is on the brink of a 100-loss season losing their 99th game tonight. How’s Adam Dunn been working out for them?By Reds Authority
September 23, 2009 12:08 AM | Link to this
Apparently it’s been lost on everybody, but with the Houston loss tonight, the Reds have moved into fourth place in the standings. Up next: Milwaukee!!!By josh
September 22, 2009 11:42 PM | Link to this
Love this guy.