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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 > 2008 > September > 26 > Entry
The ranks keep getting thinner
Left Dayton this morning at 6:20 a.m. and arrived in St. Louis at 6:30 a.m. (an hour time difference). Jumped a train from the airport to downtown and was at the hotel by 7 a.m. (Good job, American Airlines).
They even had my room ready, so I slept until noon at the Westin, my favorite hotel in the league.
Now I’m in Busch III for the the final three games of the season, wondering where the season went.
Just wondering. When rookie Johnny Cueto pitched this spring, and was lights out, he wore No. 77. Then he changed to 47, the number worn forever by pitcher/bullpen coach Tom Hume, until he was let go after last season.
Shoulda stayed with 77, Johnny.
Arrived in St. Louis to discover that the Reds are falling like trees in a tornado - and we know about that in Dayton.
Did you think Francisco Cordero was a bit, uh, overweight this year? Did you think Cordero was a bit slow running to cover first base? Did you think he walked too many this year and got into too many jams?
Yes, yes, yes, yes. And there was a reason.
Turns out the Reds’ $46 million closer pitched all season with a sore right foot and on Friday he had a bone spur removed.
Cordero was unable to do the normal running pitchers do to stay in shape and keep the pounds off.
Nevertheless he 5-4 with 34 saves in 40 opportunities and appeared in 72 games.
“It bothered him all year long and we were trying to keep him to use against teams that were in the playoff hunt,” said manager Dusty Baker. “He’ll be in a boot for four weeks, but should be ready for spring training. This thing has bothered him since spring training. He couldn’t run, couldn’t cover first base. He said some days it felt fine and other days it would kill him. That plays tricks on your head. And that’s one reason his weight was up. The bicycle is one thing, but running is another, especially when you are used to running.”
Asked who the closer will be for the last three games, Baker smiled and said, “We’ll see. Probably David Weathers. He has done it the most.”
Edinson Volquez, shut down from his scheduled Sunday start with a knee problem that has bothered him for several weeks, was back in Cincinnati to have it examined Friday.
Outfielder Chris Dickerson underwent surgery Friday to remove a bone from his left ankle.
JOEY VOTTAO woke up Friday morning with an extra triple. After reviewing the tapes, Major League Baseball reversed the official scorer’s call on a ball Votto hit to left field.
Ty Wigginton, normally an infielder, was playing left field and badly misplayed the ball, turning in different directions, but didn’t touch it. It was ruled an error until MLB changed it after the Reds appealed.
“It was a fair change,” said Baker. “The thing is, he is not an outfielder and you have to take that into consideration, too.”
In the same game, Votto hit a ball that thudded against a yellow line on the right field wall. Umpire reviewed it to see if it was a home run and ruled it was not. Since umpires reviewed that play, it is not eligible to be overturned by the MLB committee.
MICAH OWINGS, strictly a pinch-hitter now, plans an offseason of hard work on his troublesome shoulder so he will be ready this spring to compete for the one spot that appears available in the rotation behind Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto.
“I’m going to be doing a lot of exercising and shoulder isotonics, really stay on top of it,” said Owings. “I’m going to start throwing a little earlier in the offseason than I usually do to get ready for spring training. I usually start just before Christmas, but I’ll start earlier.”
Owings thought about pitching winter ball, but the Reds haven’t mentioned it, so it is on hold, “Although I’d do it if they wanted me to. With the two starts I had at (Class AAA) Tucson, I still had 115 innings. The most important thing for me is to stay with the stretching and strengthening.”
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By Alan
September 27, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
donb, if it appeared that Dusty wasnt trying hard to beat contenders, then the Commissioner might actually consider contacting him. In one of those “unwritten rules”, teams are expected to try and put their best players out there on the field to be fair for the teams that are also in contention that played the Reds earlier in the year. What Dusty has done is perfectly acceptable and frankly, encouraged.
By donb51
September 27, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
“It bothered him all year long and we were trying to keep him to use against teams that were in the playoff hunt,” said manager Dusty Baker. Hal, if I was the baseball commissioner, I’d have a talk with Mr. Baker. This ain’t right, I don’t care how anyone spins it. You don’t save your best people, at the expense of “those in the hunt” when you’re not in the hunt. This is unethical and downright unfair. He should have been put on the disabled list and had his foot fixed, period. I’m disgusted.
By Mike-Cinci
September 26, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this
Great report, Hal. 2009 has to be better. Let’s hope Reds scouts are researching prospects and improving the minor league system. Can the Reds find an undervalued, inexpensive but in the future a productive right hand hitting outfielder? The White Sox got Quentin from Arizona for peanuts. We need the same luck.
By Y-City Jim
September 26, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
Votto may be making a case for Rookie of the Year. He is almost dead even with Soto in HRs, runs, RBIs, and OBP but has almost a ten point advantage in BA. Two more games like tonight and he might pull it off.
By bigdoc
September 26, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this
Welcome back, Hal! Good to ‘hear’ your voice again. Votto is making your earlier post look great!
By Len
September 26, 2008 7:41 PM | Link to this
Hal, You’re the best.I’ll miss your comments until next February.Agree about Freel and Hopper.Attitude not very endearing to their ‘mates. I hate guaranteed contracts ! Len
By rob in stl
September 26, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
Stands to reason if Cordero’s foot was bothering him in spring training it was bothering him when inked his 4 year deal last winter. Hal, do you like the Metro Link train?