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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 > 2010 > August > 18 > Entry
Janish to the rescue (again)
Unsolicited observations from the lonely Man Cave - all by myself because it is too late for my friends, too late for my wife (who gets up at 4 a.m. to run on the treadmill before going to her teaching job) and too late for my puppies, Cooper and Paige - sound asleep in their crate.
Say what you want about Brandon Phillips, whether he should have or should not have made public his feelings about the St. Louis Cardinals, he is a man of honor. He is paying for pitcher Johnny Cueto’s fine for Cueto’s part in the last Tuesday’s game when the Reds and Cardinals went Mike Tyson-Muhammad Ali on the baseball field.
PROBABLY THE best thing to happen Tuesday was that the Cincinnati Reds scored three runs in the top of the ninth, giving them a four-run lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks instead of a one-run lead.
That took away all the drama of Coco Cordero pitching the ninth inning - a four-run lead instead of a one-run lead, eliminating the necessity for the Reds to hold their breaths. It wasn’t a save situation. He has 32 saves this season, but only seven times in save situations has he pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
With the four-run lead Tuesday, he pitched a 1-2-3 ninth as the Reds increased their NL Central lead to two games over the Cardinals.
BRONSON ARROYO recorded his 13th win, despite a shaky start. The first hitter he faced, Chris Young, doubled. The second hitter he faced, Kelly Johnson, homered and the D-Backs led, 2-0, before Arroyo recorded his first out.
Arroyo buckled it up after that, going 7 1/3 innings, giving up just the two runs on six hits.
With the Reds leading, 3-2, in the eighth, the D-Backs had a runner on second with one out. With two left-handers due up, manager Dusty Baker brought in lefty Arthur Rhodes and he struck out Adam LaRoche and Miguel Montero.
It didn’t look good for the Reds in the first three innings against Arizona pitcher Daniel Hudson. Of the first nine outs, eight Reds struck out.
But the Reds put together three straight hits in the sixth to tie it, 2-2. Then came the big blow - another key hit by a stand-in player. Paul Janish, subbing at shortstop for disabled Orlando Cabrera, broke the 2-2 tie in the seventh with a home run.
SO WHERE would the Reds be without Janish, Miguel Cairo and Laynce Nix, guys who come off the bench when needed and play not only like regulars, but like stars. And, of course, Sir Arthur Rhodes.
THERE WERE A couple of blemishes, though. Drew Stubbs apparently scored from first base on a Janish double in the Reds fifth. But the Diamondbacks appealed and Stubbs was called out for missing third base - a Little League-type blunder.
And Jay Bruce hit into not one, not two, but three double plays. Three.
THE REDS made an adjustment in their overcrowded pitching rotation. Homer Bailey, back from the disabled list with an excellent outing Sunday, stays in the rotation and Travis Wood returns to the rotation Thursday in Arizona.
Odd man out? It’s Mike Leake. He is being moved to the bullpen, an expected move because he is fast approaching the innings limit the team placed on the rookie right-hander. Manager Dusty Baker said, “His last three or four starts shows he may be a little spent. He warms up quickly and this gives us more depth in the bullpen.”
SO WHAT am I going to do with this $100 gift certificate to Donovan’s Steakhouse in Phoenix? I enjoyed dinner at Donovan’s twice in one week during spring training and devoured two of the best steaks I ever had. I sat in a booth with a gold nameplate on the wall that said ‘McCoy.’ Wasn’t for me, though. It was for Al McCoy, a legendary Phoenix sports broadcaster.
HAS ANY team ever had three players who have brothers on other major-league teams, as do the Diamondbacks? They have Justin Upton, brother to Tampa Bay’s B.J. Upton, they have Adam LaRoche, brother to Pittsburgh’s Andy LaRoche and they have Stephen Drew, brother to Boston’s J.D. Drew.
SOME INTERESTING news about footwear, as relayed by Reds pitcher Aaron Harang.
“The economy has hit the athletic shoe industry, too,” he said. “Reebok cut back their free shoes to 90 per cent of the players who wore their shoes. Coco Cordero was an All-Star the year before and he got cut. Adidas cut their list by 50 per cent, including me, and I’m wearing Nike now, as do most players.”
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By Bud Wizer
August 24, 2010 10:46 AM | Link to this
Why are we not seeing Maloney? Didn’t he pitch extremely well in the Big Leagues last year????
By Bud Wizer
August 24, 2010 10:46 AM | Link to this
Why are we not seeing Maloney? Didn’t he pitch extremely well in the Big Leagues last year????
By Bud Wizer
August 24, 2010 10:44 AM | Link to this
Why are we not seeing Maloney? Didn’t he pitch extremely well in the Big Leagues last year????
By pharmacy tech
August 23, 2010 3:14 PM | Link to this
Great site. A lot of useful information here. I’m sending it to some friends!
By forex robot
August 22, 2010 1:21 PM | Link to this
Wow this is a great resource.. I’m enjoying it.. good article
By Believe It
August 19, 2010 11:27 PM | Link to this
Dickerson is still the best center fielder in Cincinnati, but doesn’t play here.
By Greta
August 18, 2010 11:06 PM | Link to this
Russ Springer gets fined for getting on the field during the brawl while on the DL, but Orlando Cabrera doesn’t for being a batboy?? Am I missing something?
By Steven Ross
August 18, 2010 7:06 PM | Link to this
Bob and I are on the same page with regard to Dusty. He buried Janish to the point where it was embarrassing. Thank goodness OC got hurt. It allowed Janish to prove this guy flat out wrong. We win in spite of Baker. It’s our pitching and defense that have carried us. With a better Manager, we’d be 10 games up. What’s incredible is that we’ve won without any OF production. Yeah, just keep rolling Gomes-Stubbs and Bruce out. Sheesh.
By bob
August 18, 2010 6:45 PM | Link to this
There’s not a chance Dusty will not return Cabrera to the lineup or leave Bruce out. The man is a proven idiot. Three yrs. ago - Patterson everyday, Taveras everyday and Jr. batting the 3 hole everyday. History always repeats itself. Too bad Dusty can’t be history in ‘11.
By RC
August 18, 2010 4:43 PM | Link to this
Cabrera is eligible to come off the DL in the next couple of days, but I believe that I read somewhere the he himself said he wouldn’t be ready then. If I wasn’t so lazy, I’d go findout where I read that… I totally agree that the catching tandem has worked beautifully this season. I wouldn’t be terribly surprised to see it continue in 2011, with Hanigan taking the Hernandez role, and Mesoraco taking the Hanigan role…
By Jack
August 18, 2010 4:07 PM | Link to this
Not sure why anyone has issue with the catching situation, both are getting good time, plenty of rest, and the numbers show. Whatever Dusty is doing, keep it up. Janish is a stand in player until he keeps this pace of play up. If he does, let him keep starting. Janish will dictate his own play. Unless someone saw something I did not, I was not expecting Cabrera for a few more weeks.
By Mike-Cinci
August 18, 2010 4:00 PM | Link to this
The Hanigan and Hernandez combination has been excellent. Why complain about either player? The same can be said about Cabrera and Janish? Why complain about either of them? Stubbs has provided unexpected power and provided expected good defense. I wish he made more frequent contact though. Bruce has provided excellent defense but has been a disappointment with his hitting. I hope this is not a long term problem because the Reds are counting on him to be a much better player. Gomes, after a good start, has tailed off. Is he reverting to the back of his baseball card? I hope not. He hustles but he needs to hit better over the next few weeks. Phillips is the best fielding 2nd baseman in the league, has done OK in the leadoff spot and was selected to the all-star team. Rolen and Votto have been outstanding and were also all-stars. The pitching has been very good. The bench led by Cairo, Nix, Heisey, and Miller have made major contributions. The team is in first place and that is what really matters. Winning teams need contributions from all 25 players and the Reds are getting it. Enjoy it while it lasts. It has been a long time since we had a team this good to support.
By RC
August 18, 2010 2:31 PM | Link to this
Catchers ERA is not a particularly relevant stat - if a pitcher ain’t got it on a particular day, no amount of finesse on the catcher’s part is going to fix him. But given that, last year, over the course of a full season, our two catchers’ cERAs were pretty close - 4.43 & 4.26. This year it’s 4.57 & 3.33 - and Hernandez is trending lower of late after a bad start. Heck, if cERA is your biggest criterion, fire ‘em both and put Corky in full time. 3.14 last year, 3.08 so far this year.
By wrc
August 18, 2010 1:37 PM | Link to this
I have to laughed at those who think Hernandez and Cabrera are so great.Granted Hernandez is having a good season,but to think his averaged wouldn’t have dipped or that he is better defensely or pitch calling is a laughable.Only reason is he doesn’t have to carry the load as his game calling leaves everything to be desired,check the ERA when he catches it is higher.As far as Stubbs an Bruce are concern the Reds have put themselves in a bad spot come next year as neither has a clue on hitting and sending either down won’t be a option next year.Bruce caused of his contract,Stubbs caused of lack of another CF and his speed an power.Heisey going to end up like Janish an Hanigan as according to Dusty line of reasoning they’re to good of bench players to earn starting everyday spots.
By zeke
August 18, 2010 11:12 AM | Link to this
Dont forget that OB strikes out less than any player in MLB. so he always is a threat to move runners and put the ball in play.
By Bruce
August 18, 2010 10:45 AM | Link to this
“If he was a regular…”was an often used phrase last year for detractors of Janish and Hanigan. Well, Mr Janish isn’t hitting .250 or less, he’s at .283! He is bigger physically, demonstrating more POP; and his counter part, Mr. Cabrera, has trouble running all the way to first base on an infield grounder! Is that what experience demonstrates?
By Florida Buckeye
August 18, 2010 10:34 AM | Link to this
Hey All, I disagree with making Janish the full time starter. And here’s my logic: IF Janish is the full time SS, it limits the options coming off the bench later in the game…I’m not saying, keep the better player on the bench; rather, I’m all for having options later in the game, and gaining experience (for younger players) from the bench, and coming in at various different situations, and positions…That’s all…I think Dusty is using his talent to the best of its ability now…and this is coming from someone who was ready to lambast him for the last couple years for playing Patterson, Taveras, Griffey, etc.,waaay too much… Go Reds!
By Bruce
August 18, 2010 10:32 AM | Link to this
Just because Jocketty and Dusty decide to play someone doesn’t make it the correct thing to do: as in, Stubbs,Patterson,Taveras,Gonzales.
By Believe It
August 18, 2010 10:20 AM | Link to this
Playing EXPERIENCED players, because they are EXPERIENCED would qualify for todays lineups:Pete Rose/Tony Perez/Joe Morgan/John Bench and lots of others who cannot do it anymore…
By ohdave
August 18, 2010 10:14 AM | Link to this
Actually Hal isn’t Harang the odd man out? Or is he just the forgotten man? I keep expecting to hear that he’s been claimed on waivers by the Yankees or one of the other contenders… except the Cards! (who ironically need him the most)
By Rob
August 18, 2010 10:10 AM | Link to this
Sparky used to say that if you let your extra players play enough, they will show you why they are extra players.
By Worn Cleat
August 18, 2010 10:05 AM | Link to this
If you cannot make the plays you once were able to make, your ‘experience’doesn’t mean a thing. Play the best players; not somebody’s favorite.Play Janish at SS,period. Hanigan is a much better defender than Hernandes. Defense and pitching win games.
By Bill
August 18, 2010 9:52 AM | Link to this
Cabrera has neither the same strength of arm, or range, that Janish has. He also was dropping quickly in hitting average. So what exactly does his ‘experience’ offer, that isn’t trumped by Paul Janish? There is nothing that Cabrera does that Janish doesn’t do better;therefor it is clear who should be playing SS, and who should be bat boy.That is, unless one wants to stubbornly try to lose…
By florence ky
August 18, 2010 9:16 AM | Link to this
I agree with B-Ho. Janish is a fill in guy who has done a good job. Cabrera is one of main reasons the Reds are in first. He has been a clutch guy most of season. I don’t mind seeing Janish play from time to time. Hanigan is a punch and judy. His average has dipped big time and if he was the regular catcher he would be a .240 guy with ZERO pop. Hernandez is a RBI guy. Hanigan is a #2 catcher. See you Dickerson
By David
August 18, 2010 8:29 AM | Link to this
Harang and Cordero make millions for playing with a little white ball, and they are worried about free shoes? Give me a break.
By B-Ho
August 18, 2010 8:24 AM | Link to this
Janish has been great, and I love watching him play, but Cabrera’s experience will be monumental down the stretch. I still have doubts as to whether Janish can sustain his hitting over long stretches, and think he is best used in the spot role. He should certainly stay warm and ready on the bench though
By Kyle
August 18, 2010 7:54 AM | Link to this
17 games over 500. Wow. I know this year has had its frustrations for fans, but, seriously, enjoy it. We’ve been waiting a long time for this.
By Pat Monahan
August 18, 2010 2:21 AM | Link to this
You can spend that Donovan’s gift card next year when you’re in Goodyear. Or you can send it to your favorite Arizona Realtor. The Reds looked great tonight. I bet the cards would love to have Cairo or Janish.
By Bud Wizer
August 18, 2010 1:58 AM | Link to this
Hal: I was just wondering—How many of the TV and radio announcers for the Reds do you think would consider Janish the backup SS now? I agree with Wizard, Janish is the best we have.
By Matt
August 18, 2010 1:43 AM | Link to this
Hal, with regards to your question about the three players with brothers in the majors, take a look at the Reds roster from just two years ago. By my count, the 2008 Reds had four players with brothers with major league experience. At the time, Corey Patterson’s brother, Eric, was with the Cubs/Athletics, Jerry Hairston Jr.’s brother, Scott, was with the Padres, Jolbert Cabrera’s brother, and current Red, Orlando, was with the White Sox, and Javier Valentin’s brother, Jose, spent many years in the league with several teams and retired in 2007. Not only that, but three Alou brothers all played in the outfield for the Giants in 1963. I’m sure there are other examples, but I just wanted to point out a few noteworthy instances. Thanks for burning that midnight oil and posting this late! Always a pleasure.
By Wizard
August 18, 2010 1:03 AM | Link to this
I’m sure glad I didn’t call Paul Janish a ‘stand in’player! He is the best Hitting and fielding SS on the Reds roster. Yep, it was last year that I recall saying to a bunch on here that Paul Janish and Hanigan should be playing more…Lots of comments came back about them being career minor league players…hmmmmm, don’t hear much from those folks anymore. Play the hot hand, Dusty…When Cabrera comes off the DL tomorrow, it will be interesting to see whether or not his best SS AND HITTER{that would be Mr. Janish} stays in the starting lineup. And, I will still take Dickerson over Stubbs and Edmunds today.