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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 36th year of covering the Cincinnati Reds, the longest tenure for any active writer covering one team. Counting spring training and postseason games, McCoy has covered more than 7,000 major-league baseball games, written close to 18,000 baseball stories and eaten enough hot dogs to give Babe Ruth indigestion.Home > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2008 > July > 07 > Entry
Chicago: Italian, pizza and steak
Chicago, my kind of town — with appropriate apologies to Frank Sinatra.
Kobe steak at The Saloon, my favorite steakhouse in America. The first time I walked into the place George Clooney and Joe Nuxhall were seated together at the bar.
Italian at Papa Milano’s, just off Rush Street. Not my favorite Italian place — that goes to Mama DiSalvo’s in Dayton and Charley Gitto’s in St. Louis.
And good ol’ Wrigley Field, baseball’s monument to old-school baseball, flappers doing the Charleston and Al Capone.
It isn’t the best place to work, but it is to watch baseball. There are no elevators to the press box. To get there you walk up the ramps, then up two flights of stairs. It didn’t hit me too much until last year when I was on crutches after having half my left knee removed.
After the game, to get to the clubhouse, you go down the ramps — with the egressing crowd, most of them Cubs fans singing about how much they love Chicago. They are entitled.
For the Cincinnati Reds, the next three days isn’t about pizza and steak and Italian. It is about Wrigley, though. It is work time.
They’ve won 10 of their last 16 to climb out of the NL Central cellar into the almost lofty heights of fourth place. Mostly that’s because Pittsburgh and Houston are in free fall and the Reds took advantage of the crippled and anemic Washington Nationals.
Give the Reds credit, though. They did what they should do. They beat up on the bad team, as they need to do and didn’t do earlier in the season.
They’re still 10 1/2 games behind the Cubbies, though — not much ground gained there. But now is their opportunity. They have three games Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday against the first-place Cubs.
And if that’s successful, they can pile up more hay with three games in Milwaukee against the second-place Brewers.
If they can go 4-2 — 2-1 at each stop — they can go to the All-Star break feeling good about themselves as they play golf, fish or hang out with the kids.
If they blow this one — if they go 0-6 or 1-5, pack the bats and balls and work toward making this team better. Now. Don’t wait. If they can get within, say, seven games of first place, then the games after the All-Star break might actually mean something.
Don’t be delusional, though. They did lose two of three to the Pirates at home before sweeping four from the Nationals.
As one scout told me, “That’s a bad team when everybody is healthy. With all the injuries they have, about half the team doesn’t even belong in the majors.”
He was talking about the Nats, not the Reds.
So it starts Tuesday with Aaron Harang against Ryan Dempster, another of those many former Reds pitchers who have resurrected their careers in other uniforms. Dempter is 9-3.
What concerns me (and privately some of the Reds) is the fact that Harang had to miss Saturday’s turn to give a tight forearm two days of extra rest. They say it is of no concern, that he had this two years ago and a skipped turn solved it.
Harang, though, hasn’t pitched well recently and who knows if two extra days will cure what ails him. Without him the second half, well, pack those bats and balls. Harang is 4-1 for his career in Wrigley, so that’s a plus.
Johnny Cueto faces Carlos Zambrano, also 9-3, on Wednesday. For some reason, as good as Zambrano is, the Reds have beaten up on him many times, so that’s another plus.
At least Cubs fans won’t aim most of their venom at the Reds. That honor will belong to Marty Brennaman, the broadcaster who called some Wrigley fans morons during an April visit.
When Adam Dunn hit a home run, not one baseball flew back on the field — as is the custom in Wrigley. About a dozen baseballs flew onto the field. Brennaman went into an on-the-microphone tirade.
He received tons of hate e-mails. Marty loves this stuff, though, and is unconcerned and said, “In fact, I’m looking forward to going there.” He has appeared on Chicago radio and TV since then and has praised Chicago fans as great and knowledgeable fans, “except for the morons.”
Hey, should be fun. On to Chicago. Big decision, though. The Saloon first, Papa Milano’s first, or Chicago-style pizza? I might even take my laptop with me.
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July 8, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
Perhaps our manager or hitting coach could point out to our centerfield/right fielder, Jay Bruce, that he should “slow down” when in the batters box! He acts like he is in a hurry to get it over with—hardly ever steps out of the box for any length of time. Also, when he is waiting for the pitch his body/head and eyes are moving up and down—he can’t possibly be seeing the pitches well!Has he always done this?By Matt
July 8, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
Michael, let me say this yet again. I too believe that Junior is not a number 3 hitter at this stage of his career. He belongs either in the 6th or 7th spot definitely. But to say he has contributed nothing to the Reds is preposterous. If it hadn’t been for his bat and defense, we would have lost a lot more games than we have the past several years. What has he done for the Reds? Anybody remember the inside-the-park home run a few years ago? Some of the walk-ff shots he has hit? That’s home runs and base hits, mind you. The game-saving or game-changing plays he has made with his glove? Numbers 400, 500 and 600 home runs? I could go on and on and on. Griffey is in the twilight of his career, no question. But he still has gas in the tank and he still brings quite a bit to the table. Just his presence in the lineup causes other teams to have a different strategy than they normally would. And saying he is a “cancer” to this team or making him out to be some monster is uncalled for, and simply false.By michael
July 8, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
Matt doesn’t get it. I don’t really see where anyone is “bashing” Griffey. Griffey was great, but he shouldn’t hit 3rd just because he is Ken Griffey Jr. As for what he has done for the Reds since he arrived…please fill me in! We have not competed and he has missed a lot of games and hasn’t been an 8-14 Million dollar player. Get over it Matt, I don’t hate Griffey, I just think he is holding up the 3 hole and a lot of $$$. Like I said, I had to get over it when Pete Rose retired, and I still get defensive when people talk smack about him.By Charlie
July 8, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
I believe the statement quoted regarding Dunn said something like this: “It is hard to concentrate when we know that the break is coming soon.” My thoughts when I saw that statement was, “Why does the break cost you any concentration?” My belief is that any game, no matter where it is in the scedule is important and as a pro who is paid quite well, he should not have any concentration lapse because a real pro is doing everything they can to win each game, no maatter what!”By Charlie
July 8, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
I believe the statement quoted regarding Dunn said something like this: “It is hard to concentrate when we know that the break is coming soon.” My thoughts when I saw that statement was, “Why does the break cost you any concentration?” My belief is that any game, no matter where it is in the scedule is important and as a pro who is paid quite well, he should not have any concentration lapse because a real pro is doing everything they can to win each game, no maatter what!”By Steve
July 8, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
I still get goose bumps when Jr. takes that never changing, free flowing swing. I still shake my head at the ‘fans’ that don’t realize how lucky we are to have him come home. We still give Pete well deserved respect, why not Jr.? I know fans in St. Louis or Chicago would NEVER treat one of their own this way. Gives a great baseball town a bad name. Sad.By Mike-Cinci
July 8, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
It is do or die for the Reds. Realistically most experts expect them to return to form and lose 4-5 games this week. Personally I don’t think they have the overall talent to compete with the Cubs and Brewers but I hope I’m wrong at least for a week. It would be great to see the Reds rise up and win 5 or 6 games this week. Winning 10 in a row going into the all-star break would be fun but probably just fantasy.By NR
July 8, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
I hope Harang does well and that Cordero has a chance to save… I am starting both on my fantasy squad. That said… it will be interesting to see if the “little bears” come out fired up. The signing of CC to the Brewers has to have gotten their attention. Hopefully the Reds can steal a few victories… but I don’t see either the Brewers or the Little Bears letting up. … it makes one wonder how Lohse and Dempster were after thoughts in the nati… and solid starters elsewhereBy Shawn in the ATL
July 8, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
Considering the pitching we’ll be facing, I bet the bats go silent again. We’re also facing good hitting, which is in contrast to the Nats. I put the over-under at 1.5 wins for this trip. Hope I’m wrong as I’m headed to Wrigley on Thurs and Milwaukee on Sun.By HuberTucky
July 8, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
That’s okay Jack, you don’t bother me anymore that some of the other Dayton riff-raff. Funny how you so easily stepped into the name-calling pile that you so loudly chastized just a post or two ago.By Jack
July 8, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
Wow, HuberTucky, white trash at its finest. I shall leave you alone with your thoughts and only bother the other sane posters.By HuberTucky
July 8, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
Matt, don’t lecture me about Junior. I lived in Seattle during his heyday and saw him hit tons of HRs sitting right there in the Kingdome. I moved from there in 99 to Colorado then Arizona where I watched TONS of fun and enthusiastic baseball. The Griffey that I’m talking about now is the 2008 version. Can you try to wrap your head around that and stop being so incredibly defensive? And Jack…did you realize that as an American you have something called freedom of choice? Don’t read comments of others if you are only interested in blowing wind up your skirt. Hit the delete button. Take a nap or a Prozac… whatever floats your boat. Besides, nobody’s talking to you.By Jack
July 8, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
Matt, Barhopper, Huber…we come to hear Hal’s words and have intelligent (mostly) talk about the Reds. Can you all stop? Looking at the numbers for tonight’s game, it doesnt look good. Cubs home record (33-10). Reds away record 17-28). Dempster’s record (9-3, 3.24). Harang (3-10, 4.47). I think the Reds go down badly, and then once again everyone will be off the bandwagon. Cubs win 10-3…although Dunn homers. Harang will then go on the DL.By Nick W
July 8, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
i think all this griffey stuff is crazy i no he hasn’t had a great year and he wasn’t as good as he was in seattle but he is still one of the greatest players that ever played and i think we should respect him cus years from now were gonna realize that we got to see one of the greatest players in person and that right there should be an honor because not alot of people can say they went to a game where they honored a player who hit 600 homers and i went to that game and i will keep that ticket forever i have the full page picture from the newspaper of griff’s 500 and 600 homers and i put them in a frame and will also have that forever and matt brings up a good point griffey wasn’t perfect in seattle he had a lot better team then he did here at one point he was with arod randy johnson and Edgar Martínez four hall of famers and they didn’t do anything so we had way to high of expectations for griffey that he was gonna save the team and the players that we sent to seattle ended up winning 100plus games that year and then he started to get hurt and it was over from there i think he is an amazing player and i would love to see anyone play right field almost everyday and bat and run with ur hamstring attached to ur leg by a metal rod it don’t believe it would be easy at all so give the man some respect..i believe he will be traded to an AL team and play DH and hope he finally gets his ring cus i don’t think he is gonna get it here and his time is running shortBy Matt
July 8, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
Hubertucky, I have admitted that Junior is not the player he once was. I have also admitted he shouldn’t be batting third in the lineup. That’s not the issue here. The issue is people saying that Junior hasn’t done anything significant since coming to the Reds. That’s simply not the case. The issue is people saying Griffey is a “cancer” on this team. A complete falsehood. People making Griffey out to be some two-headed monster that should be either ran out of town or relegated to riding the bench. That is simply outrageous and irresponsible, foolish talk. There are certain “fans” of this team that will accept nothing less than perfection from Griffey, and that has been that way since he came here in 2000. Griffey wasn’t perfect in Seattle, and he hasn’t been perfect here. Pardon me if I think that a man with 13 Gold Gloves, 604 career home runs, MVP awards deserves some respect. He is no question one of the best players to ever put on a Reds uniform, and what he has done off the field has been fantastic too. And it’s high time some of these so-called “fans” (brarhopper, Hubertucky others) give him the credit he deserves, period.By kingsing1
July 8, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
In regards to Dunn’s comments about the break, uh, who cares? how many of you start counting down the days before vacation? i would love to see how you would deal with it if someone criticized you for looking ahead to a vacation when you still have a week left of work. a 162 game season is taxing on the body. dunn plays hurt all the time. do you think he is the only player from any team that thinks about the break like that? people tend to forget that these players are human, something easy to overlook considering how we like to turn them into superheroes. Hal, great blog. i live on waveland avenue, and i will proudly be wearing my Reds hat in the bleachers in center field tonite and tomorrow nite. i will be a bright, red spot in a sea of blue, happy to be able to watch my team, and wondering if this is the last time i will ever see griffey in a reds uniform.By HuberTucky
July 8, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
Peter Mackanin, Jr. was a fine manager. Worked wonders with what he was handed as an interim. He inherited a team with a league worst 51 losses (Jerry Narron’s record was 31-51) and played out to a 41-39 record. That got him a quick one-way ticket out the door. Shoulda kept him and focused on the required re-build that is what, 7 or 8 years now? He did a fine, honorable and commendable job. And the players liked him a lot. That’s the business world of baseball, or so they tell us…you can do a fine job and still get iced in favor of hiring a big name. And Matt, you’ll just never be honest with yourself. You lack objectivity and seem stuck on the past Griffey and honoring everything from his past. The rest of us are talking about the 2008 version of a once outstanding superstar player…who’s greatness is a thing of the past. Live there in the past if you so desire, but many of us have moved on and are living in the present. And ranting and raving and name calling and accusing us of being “Griffey bashers” is just so much hot air. Keep avoiding the truth if it makes you happy.By Mr. Baseball
July 8, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
If the Reds are going to climb back into contention in the NL Central race, they will have to do it with pitching. There is one bright spot on the Reds pitching staff that some may have overlooked. The Reds’ bullpen has the 4th best ERA in the National league at 3.63. This may not sound very good, but most teams have weak bullpens. And the Reds have the best bullpen ERA in their division. Cordero has been solid, but he has had limited save opportunies and they have come in bunches. So he sometimes has been ineffective when coming in in non-save situations and in third-day-in-a-row situations. If the Reds can provide him more consistent opportunities, he can find a rhythm in the second half and be lights out. Burton is a lock-down 8th inning set-up man,the unsung hero of the pitching staff so far. Weathers is the key to the bullpen in the second half. He’s been inconsistent at times, but we all know how good he can be when he’s really good. If he can be the lock-down guy in the seventh, then the bullpen can be wickid tough. The Reds starting staff needs to improve in the second half, but they can do it. They have a collective ERA of 4.83, 13th best in the league. Every Central division rival except Pittsburgh is ahead of them. Mr. Baseball thinks they can improve and the key to this improvement may be …. Josh Fogg. Fogg has been a consistently mediocre big-league pitcher, but that’s all we need out of the fifth spot in the rotation. If he can get us 6-7 wins in the second half and keep us in games he starts — not cause the bullpen to blow up — that may be good enough. Expect Harang to return to form in the second half. He might rattle off 9-10 wins. Arroyo is Arroyo, but he can be very effective at times. You’ve got to believe his ERA will come down and as it does, he’ll win more games. Volquez will probably not maintain the great level he has in the first half as the league catches up with him, but he wont’ tank either. He might win 20 games. Cueto had a little slump a few weeks ago, but seems back on track now. In other words, Mr. Baseball believies that if the Reds bullpen continues to pitch as it has and the starting staff pitches up to its potential, the Reds might make a run. Nothing heroic, everyone has to perform up to their potential and Reds can climb back in it. One more thing, the Reds don’t necessarily have to finish first to make the playoffs. There’s a good possibility that the wild card will come from the Central division this year. So although the Reds are 10 1/2 games out of first, they are only 7 1/2 games out of the wild card. As Tug McGraw said, “Ya gotta believe.”By Nick W
July 8, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
i don’t think dunns comment means that he doesn’t want to win or he is not a leader he did say we can make up some ground the next six games and then we have a break so they do know how important this road trip is and griffey said he was glad he didn’t make the allstar team cus he wants to go to the bahamas with his family does that show he doesn’t want to win no that shows he is ready for a break and they need one cus the reds have had a lot of long stretches this first half so i don’t think it shows that they don’t want to win just that they need a much desereved break for 3 days..i think this team wants to win kent mercker was on fsn i think sat or sunday and he was talkin in the booth about the team and how much they do want to win and he said that the team is there they just need to play together longer and they will start winning and i think this past couple weeks they have started to show that and with hairston leading off we are a very good team and they no that and hopefully we will see that winning attitude come out this week and change this season around!!By Amy
July 8, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
I agree with Matt, less bashing and more positive thinking. Anyone who has every played team sports knows that you have to have a positive attitude. It is a long season and anything can happen before the end. As Kent Mercker said on TV Saturday, this team has all of the parts to be a winning team, he wouldn’t change any of them. Dunn and Griffey are team players and want to stay in Cincy. I say we should keep them! Beat the Cubs!By Mark from C-bus
July 8, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this
I too am disturbed by what Dunn said—it seems he’d rather take his break than grind toward winning. I’m not saying he doesn’t want to win—hell, everyone wants to win. I’m just saying he doesn’t show the kind of leadership a veteran ought to show at this stage of the game. And I’m sick of hearing what a great clubhouse guy he is…who cares? That isn’t important. The Reds have been full of great guys, and they’ve sucked for years. Personally, I’d rather see a bunch of prima donnas like the BRM, or the Yankees from the late 70s. They bickered, broke down into factions and backbiting, and WON.By Matt is a whinebaby!
July 8, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
Can anybody tell me how to work the “block Matt” button on my computer? It doesn’t seem to be working.By Matt
July 8, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
Hubertucky, you can think whatever you want. I’m not “whining”, I am speaking the truth. You and your friend brarhopper seem to think it’s OK to come on here and trash a future HOF who has done a great deal for the Reds, as well as the city of Cincinnati. If you two and the rest of the Griffey bashers on here had any merits for your trash that you talk, it would be a different story. The fact is, quite frankly, that the stuff that has been brought up by the Grifey bashers (which brarhopper is king of)is simply unfounded and most are flat-out lies. So no, I will not stop standing up for Griffey. You guys spread lies if you want, and I’ll keep spreading the truth about him.By Steven Ross
July 8, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
The Saloon is a classic! Only steakhouse I’ve been to which serves a Bone-in Filet!!! Incredible food and wonderful service. I have a soft spot for Gene and Georgetti’s too. Can’t believe you mentioned The Saloon Hal. As George Grande would say: Hal, you’re a Hall Of Famer! Great blog!By Votto 4 Pres.
July 8, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
For the past several seasons, I keep hearing rumors about these possible trades of some of our “better” players, (i.e. Dunn, Griffey, Arroyo…) Obviously some changes need to be made to make us a playoff team, but I haven’t heard about us being interested in any specific players… Who are some good young prospects, or an older veteran who will chew out some younger players for bad habits, that would be possible to trade for, as well as help our struggling team??? Your thoughts???By Nick W
July 8, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
matt i agree with u on baker..he hasn’t been the best manger this year but he is better then any other one we have had in the past years..this is his first year and no manger i don’t care how good they are came to a team that hasn’t had a winning season in years and turned them into a playoff team so give him a couple years and let him get settled in and i believe he can turn this team around and make them a contender for years to comeBy Nick W
July 8, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
matt i agree with u on baker..he hasn’t been the best manger this year but he is better then any other one we have had in the past years..this is his first year and no manger i don’t care how good they are came to a team that hasn’t had a winning season in years and turned them into a playoff team so give him a couple years and let him get settled in and i believe he can turn this team around and make them a contender for years to comeBy HuberTucky
July 8, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
Matt, why don’t you concentrate on making an intelligent comment rather than focusing on what Brarhopper says? Getting real sick of hearing your continuous whining! Just because he’s right about Griffey and you disagree, you do nothing but harp and b!tch at the man, over and over and over. It’s getting real old and boring. Gads, give it a rest, chump.By Matt
July 8, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
Brarhopper, do you sit back and analyze every word that Adam Dunn and Griffey say? They sure seem to be your favorite targets. If they look at the news camera the wrong way during an interview, I’m sure you’ll have something to say about it. They would have to be perfect to satisfy you. As far as the comment from Richard about how “the manager sucks”, I agree that Dusty Baker isn’t perfect. But he sure is light years ahead of our previous bunch of managers. Would you rather have Baker, or Bob Boone? Baker or Narron? Baker or Miley? The man is a 3-time NL Manager of the Year. He has a win-loss record of 1,200-1,086 and has won wherever he has managed, so he must be doing something right. We have a great manager, a great GM and a great owner. Now, if the team on the field could be tweaked a little bit, then we’ll have something to be excited about and cheer for for a long time.By Richard
July 8, 2008 7:54 AM | Link to this
Arron, that is the problem, there is no leader and the manager sucks.By Aaron B.
July 8, 2008 4:01 AM | Link to this
Re: Jim Bowden… I remember reading the unauthorized biography of Marge Schott, and it is pretty clear JimBo licked boots and backstabbed his way to the top of the corporate ladder. Perhaps he has blackmail files on the Nat’s Execs or something. He’s a serpent. I think Majewski is still on his payroll and is the team MOLE. Please investigate. As for the Reds, now is the time to put something together. If they have anything — any kind of willpower to simply win at all costs, now is the time for them to summon it and make it happen. Otherwise I think we all can agree that we are gonna tune out for the rest of the season and maybe just read the recaps and the blog entries. Maybe take the kids down for one or two games, but just to entertain them, no playoff fever whatsoever. I seriously don’t know who the leader of this team is. Is it Brandon Phillips? That would be great. A guy ike Dunn makes a poor leader because no one has his skillset. No one should be emulating his game.By HuberTucky
July 8, 2008 1:10 AM | Link to this
Hal, I second rickr’s comment…I, too LOVE this blog and just can’t believe how much I look forward to checking in to read your latest missives and the comments you elicit. This is just great fun! Interesting discussion, solid give-and-take, plenty of passion, informative, educational, and just fun. Thanks for doing this, Hal.By rickr
July 8, 2008 12:38 AM | Link to this
Hal I love this blog it keeps me in the game..I hope we have a good seriesBy Brarhopper
July 7, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this
In Ha’s column about the Reds having their work cut out playing in Wrigley, Adam Dunn was quoted saying, “We want to play the second half the way we think we are capable of playing,” Dunn said. “We’ve started great and we can make up some ground in the next six games, then go enjoy ourselves at the break. The break isn’t here yet, and it’s hard knowing the break is almost here and we still have six games left.” Man, that last comment sounds like something Griffey would say.By Wade Wiley
July 7, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
Hal, try Rosals in Chicago. It is in the real little Italy of Chicago. You can’t go wrong here…By Mike-Cinci
July 7, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
Excellent perspective from Hal on baseball. His views on food need further analysis. Is Harang OK? If not, things don’t look so good. Is Volquez tired? Maybe! Can Arroyo put a couple of more good games together? It’s a surprise if he does. Has Cueto turned the corner? Is Mario Soto on this trip? Is Fogg good enough for another nice outing? The Reds must win 4….probably 5 or 6 on this trip to have any chance. History this year says they will fall short. Is the pitching and hitting consistent enough? Results to date say no. We will find out the truth when they play the games. Don’t bet the farm on the Reds chances but stranger things have happened.By Nationals Fan @ Fire Jim Bowden
July 7, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
Excellent question. How is JimBo still employed? Come give us some love at FireJimBowden.blogspot.com. And Hal we’d loooooove to have your name on the Fire Jim Bowden petition—http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/fire-bowden.By Floyd
July 7, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
Can we hypnotize Dempster and make him think he’s pitching in Cincinnati?By Jimmy1Time
July 7, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
Y-City Jim, dude who does Bowden think he is? Wonder how much it cost him to afford that wife of his? Smoking hot MILF! Out of all the Reds I think I would like to see Bronson go the most. He never really left Boston, I think. I wish he would focus more on being a Red and pitching. Instead of music. Dunn I go back and fourth on. Hal when did you see George? During the E.R. days? Wonder if he still follows the Reds. I know he is a huge Bengal fan. Anyway Go REDS! P.S. I sat in the diamond club seat the other night. I really think everybody should do it once. Great seat!!!By ohdave
July 7, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this
The key to what you said, Hal, is that if the Reds make a deal it should make them better in 09, not in 10, 11, 12, or 13. How much longer do the fans have to wait? If Dunn or Arroyo is dealt for a couple of A-level prospects the fans won’t be happy. The fans have waited too long to be told the team is rebuilding once again.By Reds Fan
July 7, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this
This is a tough road trip before the All-Star break! 4-2 would be gravy going into it after the break. With Brewers getting CC today we face Dempster,Zambrano, Lilly, CC and whoever else in Milwaukee. I hate to put pressure on Hairston but boy do we need him to set the table and Keppy has to get it going. Those 2 getting on base the entire 6 games is crucial!! IF Reds get the pitching they did against the Nats that would be big granted it was the Nats. Just take 1 at a time love to see Harang go deep and long into it tomorrow night. The 3 keys to a winning trip: Pitching, Getting Keppy going and EE is going to have to swing a hot bat. Either by next week Reds fans will be upset looking forward to football or hopefully putting a hurtin on the Mets after the break!!By Pat
July 7, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this
Charley Gitto’s is a favorite of mine too. Love toasted ravoli. The Reds road trip just got tougher, since they have to face Sabathia on Sunday.By Y-City Jim
July 7, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this
Even going 3-3 over the next six would make most happy. Incidentally, how is Jim Bowden still employed?