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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 > 21 > Entry
The Dirty Dozen (losses) ends in LA
UNSOLICITED OBSERVATIONS from The Man Cave while swatting moths and remembering the night when Hugh Hefner walked into Dodger Stadium with six of his buxom beauties that distracted the entire male populations of Los Angeles County.
IN EARLY JULY, during a pre-game appearance on Reds Live with Jim Day and Jeff Piecoro I boldly, and probably stupidly, stared into the camera and said, “I think the Reds will win the division by four or five games.”
I could hear Day gasp and Piecoro looked at me as if I’d lost my head and it was rolling around on the desk.
How am I looking now?
By beating the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday night, 3-1, the Reds own a 4½ game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Reds have won seven in a row and the Cardinals have lost five in a row - and my oh my how the high and mighty have fallen.
The Reds have won eight straight road games and maybe it’s time to roll out the nickname I slapped on the 1999 Reds - The Big Road Machine.
Going into Friday’s game, the Reds had lost 12 straight games in Dodger Stadium, three each in the last four years.
THE DODGERS have fallen on hard times and the Reds took advantage of it, thanks to Homer Bailey, who appears to be right back where he was at this point last year when he finished the season with a 6-1 record and an ERA below two.
What a heavenly lift that would be if Bailey matches that streak. On Friday he held the Dodgers to one run and four hits over seven innings, walking two and striking out five.
The offense was all Brandon Phillips - three hits in his first three at-bats, driving in all three runs as the Reds won their fourth straight on this nine-game west coast trip. Catcher Ryan Hanigan had two hits and scored twice.
While sweeping three games in Arizona, the Reds piled on runs late to put all three games out of reach and make closer Coco Cordero a non-factor.
He was a factor Friday. First Arthur Rhodes took over for Bailey in the eighth and Mr. Automatic breezed through a 1-2-3 inning.
Then it was Cordero time and although nobody in the Reds dugout will admit it, nerve-wracking time.
Cordero struck out James Loney, but Matt Kemp blooped a 0-and-2 pitch into right field for a single and Casey Blake came to the plate representing the tying run.
But Cordero coaxed a 6-4-3 double play for his 33rd save in 39 opportunities.
SO SAD TO see Dodger Stadium half empty on a Friday night, one of baseball’s finest venues, a park built in 1962 and remains an outstanding facility that is so clean you can see your reflection in the concrete floors.
But they’re still doing The Wave, which is about as outdated as leisure suits and platform shoes.
AND YOU never know who is going to show up at Dodger Stadium. One night I was hard at work on deadline when somebody sat down next to me in an empty press box seat.
He began asking me questions about the Reds, Barry Larkin in particular. Because I was busy I gave him short, cryptic answers and he finally said, “Would you like a cup coffee?” To get rid of this annoying dolt, I said, “Yeah, two Sweet ‘n Lows, please.”
The guy left to fetch the coffee and a guy seated two chair down leaned over and said, “Do you know who you are ignoring? That’s Charley Sheen.”
My face was as red as the Reds’ caps.
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By Bruce
August 21, 2010 9:53 PM | Link to this
How is it missing the boat to disagree with Dusty, when tonights lineup has no Chris Heisey? Gomes and Stubbs are still playing. Neither deserves to be in the lineup tonight ahead of Heisey!!! Oh, maybe we are playing Stubbs and Gomes so we can TRADE THEM. Clever Dusty. I want to complain here about all of the people on here who are always complaining about those who complain about Dusty’s errors!Please get on the list of those who do not buy his BS. The Reds should have a better record; and they do not because of Dusty’s decisions on his lineups…
By Ken
August 21, 2010 6:28 PM | Link to this
I have been a Reds fan since 1974 and even with all the changes over the years this season gives me a lot of pleasure because of the great collection of players young and with some great experience. Their spirit to compete even when behind as they have done comes from the top. Dusty needs to stay here and be given the credit for their success. Thanks as well Hal for your many years of quality observations. To the negative fans go find another team to not root for. GO REDS!!
By Paul
August 21, 2010 5:49 PM | Link to this
Get on the band wagon baby. And redeculous? The hell, try and get out of the trailer and go to the library.
By Babs916
August 21, 2010 5:03 PM | Link to this
20 games above .500, 4 1/2 games ahead of the Cardinals and players praising their manager. Will the unfounded Dusty bashing finally end? For more player praise of Dusty check out quotes from Arroyo, Gomes and Phillips at https://mail.dbbc.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://sports.gnom.es/uncategorized/if-torre-leaves-should-dodgers-be-heading-down-dustys-road Just be sure to return to Hal’s site when u r done.
By Mike
August 21, 2010 4:17 PM | Link to this
Just a fan wrote “And I do,too, know how to spell strategy.” … great … now go work on how to spell ridiculous.
By Sportbuff99
August 21, 2010 3:41 PM | Link to this
I remember when you said that Hal, and I must’ve had a strange look on my face staring at the TV as well. I’ll admit, you’ve been saying it since April and I’ve been disagreeing. I think they’ll get their 82 wins to end that streak of non-winning seasons, and they might just get a wild card. But, win the division? You look more right than I do right now, and I hope it stays that way. As far as celebrities, I spotted on at the game on TV last night. It was Larry King in the 3rd row behind the plate with his wife. He was wearing a Dodgers jacket - I think he grew up in Brooklyn - and left in the late innings.
By ohdave
August 21, 2010 2:27 PM | Link to this
One more thing: The Reds after getting swept by their rival have gained five and a half games in the standings. Dusty never lost confidence in his team and didn’t push the panic button. He has to get some credit for that. Personally I am not a huge DB fan either, but how on earth can you criticize a manager whose team is 20 games over 500 with the worst offensive outfield in baseball?
By ohdave
August 21, 2010 2:24 PM | Link to this
The people who rip Dusty for his game decisions are really missing the boat. Any manager can be second guessed for decisions. If you are going to rip him you also have to give him credit… the way recent lineup moves have gone his way, the brilliant suicide squeeze by Heise and so on. But what Dusty has done well is manage his players and keep them focused and positive. His players clearly support him. I also love how he stuck with Bailey through seven last night even though his pitch count was high. He is building Bailey’s confidence and I loved it.
By just a fan
August 21, 2010 2:15 PM | Link to this
And I do,too, know how to spell strategy.
By just a fan
August 21, 2010 2:08 PM | Link to this
Anyone who says “Dusty has done a terrific job” has not been paying attention. The Reds are winning in spite of his stratety blunders and rediculous lineups. Giving him a contract extention is the worst possible move.
By bob
August 21, 2010 1:49 PM | Link to this
The winning is still surprising with Bruce and Stubbs having so many non-ABs with all the K’s. Contact always has chance to find a hole or create an error. Dusty, please don’t replace Janish. Just night before last, they got a big DP just because of the cannon arm.
By Kyle
August 21, 2010 1:27 PM | Link to this
Anyone know a good Cardinals’ blog to visit?
By joe
August 21, 2010 1:27 PM | Link to this
I still say the Reds will not make the playoffs.
By Steve F
August 21, 2010 12:36 PM | Link to this
Charlie Sheen is a huge Reds fan and owns the most prized piece of baseball memorbilia…Babe Ruth’s 1927 World Series ring.
By George
August 21, 2010 11:30 AM | Link to this
It’s just that some don’t get enough chances to contribute—you know, they have to sit on the bench night after night watching Dusty’s and JimT’s hero, Drew Stubbs, strike out three times!Play Heisey!Go Reds!
By Mike-Cinci
August 21, 2010 10:39 AM | Link to this
Good to see Hanigan, Votto, and Masset support extension for Dusty. Hanigan said “he loves playing for Dusty”. Masset said it was great when Dusty gave him encouragement and support when things were not going good earlier in the season. Dusty has done a terrific job. The team hustles, plays solid fundamental baseball, and everyone has a chance to contribute.The team seems to have very good chemistry and that starts with leadership at the top. Bailey was outstanding again! Very impressive!Phillips got 2 clutch hits. Go Reds!
By oldtimer
August 21, 2010 10:27 AM | Link to this
Let’s not get too excited yet, remember the 1964 Phillies. They blew a 6 1/2 game lead with 7 games to go in the season.
By Tino Delato
August 21, 2010 10:07 AM | Link to this
The Reds are 20 over .500. 10 over at HOME and 10 over on the ROAD. Go Figure!!! Big Road Machine. Good One Hal.
By Florida Buckeye
August 21, 2010 8:54 AM | Link to this
Hal, I’ve often wondered about the veracity of the “stories” we’ve all heard about Charlie, and the crazy parties, complete with strippers/hookers and drugs, that he used to host for the Reds…Hmm, I wonder: Did those have anything to do with their dreadful West Coast Swings?!? Go Reds!
By JG
August 21, 2010 5:33 AM | Link to this
haha, did charlie bring you that cup of coffee
By Randy
August 21, 2010 5:01 AM | Link to this
Suprising Sheen has time to do that AND beat women!