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Ask Hal: Hard to believe Pete Rose would use cork in his bat

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By Hal McCoy, Contributing Writer 11:52 PM Saturday, June 12, 2010

Hall-of-fame baseball writer Hal McCoy knows a thing or two about America’s pastime. If you want to tap into that knowledge, send an e-mail to halmccoy@hotmail.com.

Q: Brandon Phillips reminds fans of Chad Ochocinco, so how long before Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker’s lineup card includes Brandon Cuatro? — Dave, Miamisburg/Centerville/Beavercreek

A: I’ve never seen Phillips dance (“Dancing with the Stars”) and I’ve never seen Ochocinco bowl (Phillips’ favorite pastime), so they don’t remind me of each other. Phillips did play high school football, but Ochocinco didn’t play high school baseball. So here’s the deal. I pitch your e-mail into File Trece. That’s 13, if you are Spanish-challenged.

Q: If Pete Rose really used a corked bat, isn’t this just as bad as using steroids to hit more home runs? — Mark, Bloomington, Ind.

A: I can’t believe Rose used cork, but then at first I couldn’t believe he bet on baseball, either. Rose wasn’t a home run hitter, so why would he use cork to gain distance? Would he want his line drives that fell in front of outfielders to go farther so they’d be caught. Don’t think so. Pretty soon they’ll be blaming Rose for the BP oil spill (and I don’t mean batting practice).

Q: Are catchers ever called for obstruction while blocking home plate, or are there separate rules governing catchers and infielders? — Rachel, Columbus

A: I took this one to former National League umpire Randy Marsh, and he said the rules are the same. Catchers can block home plate as long as the ball is in the air on its way to home plate. And, yes, infielders can block the bases, too, but as Marsh said, “Catchers are well-protected. Infielders aren’t, and risk getting spiked if they block the base.” Maybe the infielders should start wearing chest protectors, shin guards and masks.

Q: With the bullpen a glaring weakness, what can Dusty Baker do to play the right guys and what can Walt Jocketty do to provide the talent needed? — Keith, Fairborn

A: I’ve heard that there is no crying in baseball, but I’ve never heard that there is no praying in baseball. What can Baker do? Pitch the guys at his disposal. What can Jocketty do? Wear out his cell phone and use his powers of persuasion to dislodge a couple of good relief pitchers from other teams. Good luck with that one.

Q: I recently read that David Weathers would like to come back and pitch for the Reds. Do you see any chance the Reds might pursue this? — Jeremy, Warsaw, Ind.

A: Let’s see, Weathers is 40½ years old. The Reds traded him away last year, and nobody wanted him after last season when he was a free agent. He hasn’t pitched since last September, other than batting practice for his son’s team. That story emerged when a writer called Weathers and asked if he’d like to come back. What else would he say but, “Of course.” Are the Reds interested? That would be a big, fat no with a capital “N.”

Q: I saw pitcher Matt Cain get a hit and drive in a run for the Giants against the Reds off Nick Masset. Why can’t the Reds get the other teams’ pitchers out? — Dan, Dayton

A: Fans of other teams probably are asking the same thing about Cincinnati’s Mike Leake, who is hitting over .400, and Micah Owings and Bronson Arroyo, who have been known to drive in a few runs. Pitchers carry bats to the plate for a reason and swing them for a reason. As Arroyo once said, “I always swing hard in case I hit something.” All pitchers are not automatic outs. It just seems that way most of the time.

Q: Isn’t it time for baseball to review the rules for wins, saves and losses for pitchers after what happened to Bronson Arroyo in Washington? — Gary, Norway

A: That would be the game in which Arroyo pitched his initials off for eight innings and turned a lead over to closer Francisco Cordero in the ninth. Cordero blew the save, but the Reds won the game in the 10th, and Cordero got the win. I hate that rule. Absurd. If a pitcher blows a save, he should be ineligible to get the win. Yes, they should revise that rule. But they won’t. Why? Because it messes up statistics from the past, and baseball, of course, lives on its statistical past.

Q: Has Paul Janish done something to offend Dusty Baker? Why else would Baker not play him? — Gerry, Louisville

A: Not a chance. There isn’t a nicer guy in the world than Janish, and he wouldn’t offend Charles Manson. Here’s the deal. Do you want Orlando Cabrera’s offense and decent glove or do you want Janish’s sensational glove and offensive deficiencies. I would like to see Baker use Janish more late in games for defense. How about second base? To get Brandon Phillips to take a day off you have to break his leg — and that might not work.

Q: Who was the first Dayton Dragons player to make it to the Cincinnati Reds? — Cheri, Tipp City

A: That would be the quickly forgotten pitcher Brian Reith in 2001, who was 0-7 with a 7.81 ERA. He stuck around for parts of three seasons, was 4-12 with a 5.92 ERA and disappeared forever. That same season pitcher Jose Acevedo arrived, and he was 5-7 with a 5.44 ERA in 18 starts. He lasted through 2004 with the Reds, was traded to Colorado and pitched one year before he joined Reith as the long gone and quickly forgotten. The first two real impact players from the Dragons were Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns, both still chugging along.

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Question of the Week

Q: I read that the Reds owe Ken Griffey Jr. about $5 million a year through 2025. What? They’re paying him for 17 years after they traded him? Is that a typo? — Eileen, Dayton

A: No typo, Eileen, although the Reds wish it was a typo on the contract. When they signed him in 2000 to a $116.5 million contract, part of the deal was to defer $5 million a year through 2025. And they remain responsible for it. Griffey will be 54 when the Reds quit paying — a whole lot better than social security and pension, right?

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