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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 > 29 > Entry
Chapman hits ‘105’ on the speed gun
It was mentioned to Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker that Aroldis Chapman threw two pitches 105 miles an hour in a one-inning appearance Friday for the Louisville Bats.
Baker held up a finger and said, “But…”
Before Baker could finish, he was told, “And they were strikes.”
“All right, that’s the key,” said Baker. “Were they strikes?”
And he he struck out the side on 10 pitches, six at 100 or more miles an hour.
Baker smiled and said, “Well, it said 105 on the screen (scoreboard).”
I told Baker that a witness in Louisville e-mailed me to say she saw Chapman’s two 105 miles an hour pitches and I e-mailed her back and said, “You didn’t see them. You heard them.”
Baker smiled again and said, “I don’t think the batters saw them, either.”
THE THING ABOUT Chapman throwining 100+ is that he is 6-foot-4 and all legs, meaning after his stride he is about 52 feet from the plate instead of 60 feet.
“That’s a key, too,” Baker added. “That’s why we hated facing J.R. (James Rodney Richard, 6-foot-7 Houston pitcher) in my day. He was throwing at about 50 feet. That’s where tall guys with leverage have such an advantage. You don’t have much time to react, make up your mind. A lot of guys came down with some mysterious injuries on the night J.R. pitched.
“Some guys would come down with J.R.-itis,” he said. “But Hank Aaron once told me that no matter what, no matter who is pitching, you have to limp out there and take your whipping. It gives a psychological edge to him if he thinks you’re ducking him. So you have to go take your beating. I limped up there against J.R. many a time.”
The Chapman Era most likely begins Wednesday when he is one of the September call-ups and he’ll probably be eased into non-pressure situations in September - if there are any.
BRANDON PHILLIPS was out of the lineup for the third straight game and Baker said he is getting close. But Phillips was observed taking infield practice early Sunday and several times shook his injured right hand after fielding balls or after throwing balls. And he hasn’t been around his locker to talk with the media for the past three days.
“He’s getting better, still not there, but getting better,” said Baker. “The swelling has gone down. He squeezes putty the entire game to get his strength back, get his grip. As a hitter, something you take for granted is your grip. No grip, no hit.”
Baker actually is playing three men short - Phillips (hand), Laynce Nix (ankle), Miguel Cairo (tight hamstring).
“Miguel came in early to get treatment and we don’t want to make it worse,” said Baker. “It’s not pulled, yet. Just tight.” Cairo felt his hamstring tighten when he ran out a key double late in the 12-inning 12-11 win over San Francisco last week.
“Nix is getting better, too,” Baker added. “He’s walking better and hopefully we’ll have him within a couple of days. Hopefully.”
SO BAKER’S Mix-and-Match lineup Sunday had Drew Stubbes back in the leadoff spot and Chris Heisey in left field in place of Jonny Gomes.
“Stubbs is swinging better and, again, without Brandon or Orlando Cabrera, this is the best lineup for the day,” said Baker. “I need somebody behind Rolen or they won’t pitch to Votto or Rolen if somebody is not swinging pretty good behind Rolen. I thought about Ramon Hernandez because he is swinging good, but late in the game I’d have to pinch-run for him and I don’t want a hole in my lineup.”
That was Bakerer’s way of saying why slump-ridden Gomes was out of the lineup and out of the No. 5 spot behind Votto and Rolen, replaced by Jay Bruce, suddenly swinging a torrid bat when he batted leadoff the last two games.
BRONSON ARROYO and several Reds are wearing gray t-shirts that say: Property of Waffle House Athletic Department.
Huh?
“I was eating in a Waffle House in Covington, Ky. one day when the CEO of Waffle House happened to walk in and see me,” said Arroyo. “Turns out that even though he is from Arizona he is a big Reds fan. So he sent me a box of these t-shirts.”
HOMER BAILEY is the latest clubhouse member to be carrying an iPad and he was showing its dynamics to Mike Leake Saturday.
“The more I have it, the more I like it,” said Bailey. “Lot of cool things. Lot of games. I play a sniper game and I’m wearing people out.”
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By Dino
August 31, 2010 4:18 PM | Link to this
I would just like to say two words on why the Reds are doing so well now…Walt Jocketty. I was expecting him to bring us a winner, but not this soon. He made a couple deals I was not sure of but they all have worked out, I think he is just outstanding. He is a baseball genius, no doubt. He not only made us a winner, he made us a contender, I remember last year people were talking about the Reds making it to a .500 club, I love me some Reds, and Thank you, Walt.
By Worn Cleat
August 31, 2010 10:36 AM | Link to this
Durability Doesn’t equal talent!
By Worn Cleat
August 31, 2010 10:29 AM | Link to this
Hey Maloy: Are you paying attention? We have graduated from walking wounded to MENTALLY WOUNDED in centerfield. You must be watching someone else—nice game for your hero last night:Baserunning/Fielding and bunting!
By Worn Cleat
August 31, 2010 10:12 AM | Link to this
Hey Maloy: Are you paying attention? We went from the walking wounded to the MENTALLY WOUNDED: Nice base running, fielding and bunting, last night, by your hero! Durability doesn’t equal talent!!
By Gary Maloy
August 31, 2010 1:31 AM | Link to this
Puhhleeeezzz!! I was so glad when the walking wounded was traded to Milwaukee. Was fairly certain I didn’t have to read the drivel about him being better than Stubbs. The guy plays for the enemy now, and we have Stubbs - one of the most exciting young players in the game. I’m glad Dickerson is gone. We have the better player. Stubbs’ career will be at least 10 years longer than Dickerson’s. Why? 1) durability 2) talent.
By null
August 30, 2010 9:15 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe someone was paid to write this. With that many typos I’d be surprised to even see it in a high school newspaper.
By dude
August 30, 2010 6:57 PM | Link to this
Who will be the next player or players who get diced up after Stubbs and Bruce? How about the job Valaika has done since he was called up? Any positives?
By jim t
August 30, 2010 5:56 PM | Link to this
Worn Cleat, I think we go with BP. I do think if Stubbs can make more contact and increase his OBP he is a guy who could steal at least 50 bases. With a OBP in the low 300’s it just isn’t possible for him to bat lead off everyday at this time. With Votto batting third you really want guys who get on base consistently. Right now Stubbs does not have that skill set. He has a real problem hitting deep in the count. To many swings and misses. But if he cuts that strike out rate a bit with his speed next year look out. Good pop,speed to steal bases,good defender and answers the bell everyday. Right now I think BP gives us a higer OBP and with Joey batting behind him that means more runs. I really think that Stubbs and CD have similar talents. Both have speed. Both above avgerage D. Both could stand to make better contact. Stubbs has more power and CD gets on base more. I really think the big difference was CD’s inability to stay on the field. I hope he does well in Mil. except when he plays us.
By Cleat
August 30, 2010 5:50 PM | Link to this
Lets keep track of how many balls hit the ground{that are catchable} in FRONT OF the Brewers center fielder{Dickerson} and the Reds centerfielder{Stubbs}! If the Brewers play their other centerfielder{Cain?}He’ll catch more,also, in front of him, than does Stubbs! Watch Stubbs give up on too many balls in FRONT of him that are catchable…just another man’s opinion.
By Cleat
August 30, 2010 5:13 PM | Link to this
Thanks JimT and Quintin. If Brandon comes back will Stubbs, or he, leadoff?
By jim t
August 30, 2010 4:56 PM | Link to this
Worn Cleat, I think your a bit off on Stubbs D but just one mans opinion. I’m stumped on Chapman. I think he’ll be here when the rosters expand. He has been lights out. Even if hes not here until Wed. he can still be eligible for post season by waiver from MLB replacing Mike Lincoln who was elgible but is on 60 day DL.He is throwing very well.I guess his Sept. performance will give the reds a chance to see how he does.
By Gary Maloy
August 30, 2010 4:18 PM | Link to this
Dare I? … The Reds magic number is at 29 before the Milw. Brewer series. Any combo of Reds wins and Cardinal losses equalling 29 clinches the division for the good guys.
By Red Rick
August 30, 2010 4:04 PM | Link to this
Quintin - don’t fool yourself into thinking Dusty has the say in bringing Chapman up to the bigs. If he has any say at all, it’s minimal. The front office staff - mainly Walt J. are pulling the strings on this and most travel between AAA and the big club. GO REDLEGS!!!
By Quintin
August 30, 2010 11:56 AM | Link to this
Do you even pay any real attention to Chapman or are you simply believing and repeating the same anti - hype press being used as an excuse for keeping him out of the rotor? News flash! Post All Star break the kid has been lights out. Perfect 4 - 0 with 8 saves. .087 ERA, 35 Strikeouts against 5 BB over a 20.2 inning stretch that he has only allowed 10 total hits, 4 total runs of which 2 were earned. For the record, 3 of the hits and both earned runs came on Aug 8 against Norfolk and to imply that he is walking too many, striking out too few, the wrong religion or, in any way, not ready is the biggest load ever dumped! He was the Reds best pitcher before the season, now, and would have been their best hurler during the season if given the opportunity. It’s time for Dusty baker and fans to recognize the fact that Reds seemingly impressive pitching stats is nothing more than a straw house built upon a scrawny division of spent airbags. But the wind, it be a comin’ and ahy hope of advancing in the post season relies on Chapman being prepared to anchor a Yankee like 3 man rotation with Arroyo and Cueto picking up the slack. Otherwise the Reds have just wasted both an entire year of this young man’s life and that portion of his $30 million contract. Maybe Dusty is afraid of being accused of destroying another arm or maybe he just isn’t paying attention. I don’t know the reason but please STOP repeating “I want to see more.” nonsense. Aroldis Chapman is ready.
By Worn Cleat
August 30, 2010 11:42 AM | Link to this
JimT, I sure do disagree about the bloops in front of Stubbs—he was slowing down, and the balls bounced ONCE before going into his glove—believe it, that CD would have caught them! And, as has been proven Stubbs often does figure eights going back on a ball—laterally, he’s OK; but there is still work to be done on his defense…In addition, there seems to be some discrepancy between what Some say about Chapmans accuracy and what is being reported through the media and sports casters—if he’s coming up on Wednesday, how can he be walking too many?
By Trey A
August 30, 2010 11:21 AM | Link to this
The bad teams beating the Cardinals have nothing to do with the Reds against them. All it does it help us get a little more breathing room at the top of the division. Also, since the All-Star break, we lost the St. Louis series and the San Fran series and tied the Washington series. People need to use their heads.
By Bob540
August 30, 2010 11:20 AM | Link to this
Mike: The Reds also lost the series to the Giants on the West Coast trip. I have been pleasantly surprised at how they have been playing
By Mike-Cinci
August 30, 2010 10:30 AM | Link to this
Regarding Chapman he is still walking too many. In MLB a reliever must throw strikes. Just remember how we all complain when Cordero, Volquez, and some others walk people. He is not the savior yet but he appears to have quite a fast ball. If the Reds pitching holds up I think they will be OK. Any team can beat them though and the Pirates and Nats proved it by how they knocked off the Cards. The Reds still have those 3 games with the Cards plus they play 4 vs. the Rockies and 3 vs. the Padres on the road. Last week the Astros beat the Phillies 4 straight in Philadelphia. Go figure! “It’s not over until it’s over.” That said, this team is playing excellent baseball. They have won every series since the all-star break except for the debacle vs. St. Louis. The defense is so much better than it has been in years past.
By Chris Speier
August 30, 2010 10:25 AM | Link to this
Arthur Rhodes appears to have a physical problem, something with his foot or feet. He should be given time to rest and recuperate. Dusty/Walt should bring Chapman up as soon as possible to be the left-hander specialist. Certainly not Bill Bray - he couldn’t get ME out.
By CallisonR
August 30, 2010 10:10 AM | Link to this
Just to say it’s a FUN YEAR to be a REDS fan!!!!!!!!!
By Jeff
August 30, 2010 9:58 AM | Link to this
The reds injuries are a cuase for concern. To me Rhodes is a huge concern with his foot. We need to get Phillips back and somebody has got to get in Gomes head and tell him to hit the ball to right field like he was earlier. He is yanking off everything. As for Harang, Brantly and Brennaman have been saying all along that we will need Harang by years end. Well here’s his chance. People forget that Harang used to be lights out for us. I know he is not that guy anymore but he deserves the chance. Frankly, he or Volquez are a toss up and we have to see if Harang can give us anything right now. Our rotation is hurting right now from wear and tear. We go Bronson, Cueto, Bailey, Wood(struggling), and ??. Maybe Lecure, Harang, Volquez it will be interesting…
By jim t
August 30, 2010 9:52 AM | Link to this
Worn Cleat, I watched the game and was thinking the same thing. This would be a perfect time to drop a bunt down. His double was a rocket down the 3rd base line. Ramirez had to be thinking about that. I don’t think Dickerson gets to either of the bloops Stubbs had land short of him. Its hard to make those plays from the DL which is where CD always seemed to be. We’ll just have to agree to disagree. I think CD is a talented player that can’t stay healthy. I wish him luck except when he plays the reds. You think he’ll be trying a little harder tonight playing against the team who gave up on him? I sure do. If Stubbs can make a little more contact he could easily hit 280 and steal 5o bases and still hit 15-20 bombs. The key stat for Stubbs to improve on is his OBP. If he can get it up to 350 or so the reds will be in business. Right now he is around 310. Which is very close to his lifetime avg.That is the one place where I think CD had a decided edge over Stubbs. The thing that got CD traded was his inability to stay healthy. If he can stay healthy the Brewers will have accquired a very good player.
By baseballfan
August 30, 2010 9:50 AM | Link to this
nolan ryan threw 100mile+ fast balls for many years and never hurt his arm.
By Bob540
August 30, 2010 9:26 AM | Link to this
Oops! Sorry for the multiple postings!
By Bob540
August 30, 2010 9:22 AM | Link to this
Joe,I was thinking the same thing regarding Chapman. He and the Reds should take a lesson from Stephen Strasburg. They won’t say that his hard throwing caused his elbow problem, but I think it makes sense that the human body can only take so much abuse before it starts to break down — even a gifted athlete’s body. He needs to learn how to pitch BEFORE he gets injured, not after.
By Bob540
August 30, 2010 9:19 AM | Link to this
Joe: I was thinking the same thing regarding Chapman. He and the Reds should take a lesson from Stephen Strasburg. They won’t say that his hard throwing caused his elbow problem, but I think it makes sense that the human body can only take so much abuse before it starts to break down — even a gifted athlete’s body. Funny how guys who throw gas and then get injured must learn HOW to pitch without relying upon velocity. Why don’t such pitchers learn how to pitch BEFORE they are injured, so that they can change speeds and hit locations and then throw in the occasional fireball? Makes sense to me.
By florence ky
August 30, 2010 8:59 AM | Link to this
I was wondering why Dusty was playing Valaika and not Cairo in Phillips absence. Cairo has been there ALL year and we need to win games. He has been huge but I guess hes not 100%. The Harang decision is terrible. The Brewers will hit pills all over the park. Harang is BP he needs to be in long relief and nothing else.
By Bob540
August 30, 2010 8:54 AM | Link to this
Joe: I was thinking the same thing re Chapman. He and the Reds should take a lesson fron Stephen Strasburg. They won’t say that his hard throwing caused his elbow problem, but I think it makes sense that the human body can only take so much abuse before it starts to break down — even a gifted athlete’s body. Funny how guys who are flame-throwers and then get injured must learn HOW to pitch without relying upon velocity. Why don’t such pitchers learn how to pitch BEFORE they are injured, so that they can change speeds and hit locations and then throw in the occasional fireball? Makes sense to me.
By Bob540
August 30, 2010 8:49 AM | Link to this
Joe: I was thinking the same thing re Chapman. He and the Reds should take a lesson fron Stephen Strasburg. They won’t say that his hard throwing caused his elbow problem, but I think it makes sense that the human body can only take so much abuse before it starts to break down — even a gifted athlete’s body. Funny how guys who are flame-throwers and then get injured must learn HOW to pitch without relying upon velocity. Why don’t such pitchers learn how to pitch BEFORE they are injured, so that they can change speeds and hit locations and then throw in the occasional fireball? Makes sense to me.
By Bob540
August 30, 2010 8:40 AM | Link to this
Joe: I was thinking the same thing re Chapman. He and the Reds should take a lesson fron Stephen Strasburg. They won’t say that his hard throwing caused his elbow problem, but I think it makes sense that the human body can only take so much abuse before it starts to break down — even a gifted athlete’s body. Funny how guys who are flame-throwers and then get injured must learn HOW to pitch without relying upon velocity. Why don’t such pitchers learn how to pitch BEFORE they are injured, so that they can change speeds and hit locations and then throw in the occasional fireball? Makes sense to me.
By Worn Cleat
August 29, 2010 11:31 PM | Link to this
With Sir Arthur struggling, we could have used Chapman today! He’s been throwing ‘strikes’ for several weeks now—what ARE they waiting on??? I liked the move by Dusty today—putting Stubbs in the LO position. And, after his second hit I said to a friend, ‘now it would make for a perfect day of hitting, if Stubbs laid down a drag bunt on his next at bat’—and FINALLY, he did it. Next time a little closer to the foul line, and he won’t have to risk starting a grass fire with his blazing speed! He can run a bit slower, if it’s close to the foul line. As it was, he made it easily. The guy could hit .300+ easily if he perfects that bunting—and continues to use it!!! I did think he once again showed his weakness{that CD still does better}in letting two fly balls fall in front of him, that CD would have caught. He’s very good at covering the outfield from side to side; but CD still goes back on fly balls and comes in on them better than Drew.It’s good to see him having a better idea of the strike zone—what a godsend if he can lead off successfully!
By Keemo
August 29, 2010 10:18 PM | Link to this
I’ve been a Reds fan since the days when Bell, Post, and Robinson were the outfield; but I’ve never seen a better group of over-achievers than this team. Even though the rookies (Woods and Leake) are gassed, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Harang and Chapman both move up and help us close. Read the Cards blogs, and their own fans are giving up on them. Who’d a thunk it?
By slightly right
August 29, 2010 8:09 PM | Link to this
What a year! 09 UC football,09 Bengals,2010 Reds,and even the West Side allstar LL team going to LLWS. Its amazing how people are calling in to sports talk shows and complaining about how Dusty manages the lineup etc., what the heck do they want? Check out the box scores people. I just hope that UC and the Bengals do well again,it sure makes winter more tolorable. I can’t wait to see Chapman come up. He should be as intimidating to hitters as Randy Johnson and J R Richard were.
By Gary Maloy
August 29, 2010 4:34 PM | Link to this
Oh yehhh - I agree, Joe. I’m salivating, thinking of Chapman blowing away Poohole with 315mph of cheez. Five games up. With the way St.Louis is playing, it’ll be 7 or 8 by the time we get to St.Louis. If we take two of three from them, their season is over.
By Joe
August 29, 2010 3:42 PM | Link to this
My concern is that throwing that hard isn’t good for the shoulder. That being said I can’t wait to see him blow away Pujols or Molina in St. Louis. As I a typing this in Sir Arthur just gave up a 2 runhomer to tie it. With LeCure pitching the way he is and Chapman not too far behind that doesn’t concern me too much.