Harang’s golf cart gift goes over big

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By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer Updated 6:18 AM Friday, September 18, 2009

CINCINNATI — Aaron Harang is a guy who respects the little people — little people but important people.

On Thursday afternoon, Harang asked the clubhouse staff, led by equipment manager/clubhouse manager Rick Stowe and his guys, to step outside the clubhouse doors and into the tunnel and encircles Great American Ball Park.

When they walked through the doors they encounted a huge golf cart, an eight-seater. Red, of course.

On the front were the words, ‘Clubhouse Staff.’

Harang ordered the Mercedes-style all-electric golf cart from Jake Sweeney, a Cincinnati auto dealer, paid for it and handed it over to the clubhouse personnel. And they took it on a trial run around the underground circumference of GABP.

Why, other than Harang is a great guy?

“I’ve been thinking about doing this for a while,” said Harang. “These guys do so much for me and for the other players.

“They don’t have their own cart,” he added. “Whenever they need to take us out to the bullpen or haul stuff around, they had to go hunting for a golf cart and borrow it.”

Said long-time clubhouse manager Bernie Stowe, now clubhouse manager emeritus, “Who is going to drive that thing to San Diego?”

Soup for Cueto

Johnny Cueto was the scheduled starter Thursday, but flu-like symptoms left him with bench-like symptoms. He was replaced by lefthander Matt Maloney.

Asked if the plan was to just skip Cueto’s turn, manager Dusty Baker said, “Depends on how he feels, but we’ll see how he feels. I went my Izzy’s today to pick up some motzah balls, chicken soup, rice and noodles. The chef is going to fix it up for Cueto to get him better.”

It is likely, if he is up to it, that Cueto will pitagainst the Marlins instead of scheduled pitcher Kip Wells (1-4, 5.23).

Thinking of Janish

Paul Janish doubled in the first inning and was in the middle of a three-run rally – his sixth double in five games. And his average is creeping higher and higher.

“I was thinking about Janish this morning when I was watching ESPN,” said Baker. “I was watching Detroit shortstop Adam Everett. He is has come in to his own lately as a hitter. He was initially there because of his defense.

“I saw Everett get a couple of hits last night and I was saying, ‘Hm, maybe Janish will be there some day, too.”

Everett is hitting .244 for Detroit, after hitting .213 for Minnesota last year and .239 for in 2007.

High school pals

Reds starter Matt Maloney and Marlins leadoff hitter/center fielder Chris Coghlan played together in college at Ole Miss.

Coghlan won Round One Thursday when he singled to right field leading off the game, but didn’t score. Then he made it 2 for 2, leading off the third with a double, then made it 3 for 3 with another double in the fifth — three of the seven hits off Maloney.

“We watched video on Maloney and I just told the guys that he pitches,” said Cofhlan. “He doesn’t really have anything overpowering but he pitches to both sides of the plate, throws everyhthing for strikes and keeps the ball down.

“You don’t get to the big leagues not having success,” Coghlan added. Everywhere he has pitched he has had success. Guys who know how to pitch can stay in this game for a while.”

Quote of the day

“The Mayor always has to give a speech. He’s a good man, made for TV.” — Dusty Baker, talking about Sean Casey’s long, rapid-fire scoreboard tribute on Hal McCoy Night.

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Any chance that Mr. McCoy can keep writing the "Ask Hal" column once he retires? It's a nice read on Sunday mornings.

Tony Williams
8:38 AM, 9/20/2009

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I am going to miss reading your columns so much, Hal! Reds baseball won't be Reds baseball without you. God bless you and your family!

Rachel in Columbus
12:57 PM, 9/19/2009

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And hmmmmm...maybe, just maybe Dusty Baker will grow a brain some day. His comments about Janish are so very little and soooo very very late. Wiz and i have been saying that Janish deserves a shot ALL YEAR! Baker just gets more ******** every time he opens his big fat stupid mouth.

BrarHopper
2:54 AM, 9/18/2009

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