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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 > April > 08 > Entry
Shouldn’t Gomes play every day?
FRENCH LICK, Ind. — Still here and still haven’t seen Larry Bird, but I just want to throw in a big ol’, “I told you so,” about Jonny Gomes.
Nadine and I were just off a scenic train ride from French Lick to Cuzco, population 25, when we turned on the radio to catch the ninth inning of Thursday afternoon’s game - just in time to hear Jonny Gomes hit his game-winning home run.
Isn’t it about time Gomes is given a chance to play every day? The story is that Gomes can’t hit righthanded pitchers.
Well, on Thursday he fooled them all, including St. Louis manager Tony LaRussa, Mr. By-The-Book.
Gomes tore every page out of that book and tossed it in La Russa’s lap.
It was 1-1 going into the bottom of the ninth and La Russa brought in left-hander Trevor Miller to face left-handed Jay Bruce. He popped out.
Then LaRussa went to his book and brought in right-hander Jason Mott to face right-handed Gomes. On a 1-1 pitch, Gomes deposited the next pitch into the left field seats. Game over.
Gomes showed this spring he can hit right-handers and he made several astounding defensive plays, really good plays for a guy who is supposed to be a defensive deficient.
Give him a try as the every day left fielder, just as the Reds should make Drew Stubbs the every day center field.
With Chris Dickerson and Laynce Nix sitting in the dugout, it gives the Reds outstanding depth, too.
ANYWAY, on our first night at the French Lick Resort & Casino, Nadine and I were awakened at 1:30 a.m. by an announcement.
“There has been a report of a fire, please vacate the hotel immediately and do not use the elevators.”
We scrambled for our clothes as the announcement continued over and over, then scurried down the steps from the top floor (six flights) on the crowded stairwell.
“I feel like I’m on the Titanic,” said Nadine. It was slow going on the narrow steps as 443 rooms were evacuated.
We gathered on the front veranda, some women in nightgowns and slippers and some men shirtless.
It took the French Lick fire department 20 minutes to get there and the station is, oh, across the street.
One small engine arrived and two firemen, one wearing shorts, trudged into the hotel, a hose wrapped around the shoulder of one fireman.
At 2:15, the fireman with the hose wrapped around his shoulder walked out the front door and said, “All clear,” the hose still wrapped around his shoulder.
We never did discover if there really was a fire.
ON OUR second night we jumped in the car and drove 11 miles to the little town of Paoli because we heard there was a very good Mexican restaurant there, “The best in southern Indiana,” said the Indianapolis Star.
Said I, “Are there two or three Mexican restaurants in southern Indiana?”
The Star wasn’t wrong about the El Compadre restaurant on the town square. I had the best Mexican meal I’ve ever had this side of the Rio Grande. I had two chicken chimichangas that were outstanding. And the margaritas were yummy.
THE TRAIN ride was a 10-mile excursion on the tracks of the old Southern Railway and included the second longest railroad tunnel in Indiana, nearly a half-mile long.
There were no lights on the passenger cars and no lights in the tunnel, so we had two minutes of complete darkness.
We also passed the original home of Larry Bird, now vacant and for sale. It is a small wooden house and there is a basketball backboard hanging on the detached garage, the hoop missing.
The moderator told us Bird built another home in West Baden, a town that is adjacent to French Lick, Indiana’s version of the Twin Cities.
“That house is empty, too, and also for sale,” he said. “It has an eight-car garage and is priced at $1.2 million.”
Nadine and I thought about buying it, but what would we do with seven empty garage stalls?
WE ARE returning home tomorrow so I can attend the Saturday and Sunday games against the Chicago Cubs.
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By Ralph
April 12, 2010 12:01 PM | Link to this
I’ll try that one again with better spelling: I’m with you Hal. Gomes and Stubbs needs to be in every day. Dickerson needs daily play too - bench Bruce and let him pinch hit until he can show he belongs in the line up again.
By Ralph
April 12, 2010 11:58 AM | Link to this
I with you Hal. Gomes and Stubbs needs to be in every day. Dickerson needs daily play too - bench Bruce and let him pitch hit until he can show he belongs in the line up again.
By baseballguy-1
April 11, 2010 12:46 PM | Link to this
Ditto on Jay Bruce. Can you say Austin Kearns? Paul Householder?
By Believe It Or Not
April 11, 2010 10:11 AM | Link to this
Oh,Oh—Dickerson’s back in the picture. Who will we love today? Will the real ‘Mick’ please stand up? Platoon them.
By Kyle
April 11, 2010 8:02 AM | Link to this
When is everyone going to get tired of Bruce’s act out in right? Sure he’s a nice kid, but this is getting to be a broken record every year. So, we gonna send him down to get his swing straightened out every season? Trade the Austin Kearns imitation.
By Jim M.
April 10, 2010 3:23 PM | Link to this
Hal!!!! Will you please get a explanation why BAKER bats a career utility player with 28 career homers, when he had NIX, Gomes and even Owings on the bench???? Thats a hell of a way to thank your #1 pitcher!!! Pinella or Larussa would get a guy able to hit one over the fence, not like Baker!! Thats why as a Reds fan it bugs me he does the managing ways he does.. what happns the next inning? a Pienella bats a guy who has 2 career homers names Baker and he hits a homerun!!
By Believe It Or Not
April 10, 2010 12:11 PM | Link to this
Yep, I still agree with Mac. Give a guy one good game at the beginning of the season, and the multitudes think he is Mickey Mantle. A week or so ago, everyone was saying that Dickerson deserved the starting CF job. You are all a bunch of moronic bandwagoners. Get a life. Quit switching from day to day.
By Monroe
April 10, 2010 11:52 AM | Link to this
As previously pointed out by a brilliant reader: Gomes v. Righties in his career: .224/.310/ .448. That’s terrible. He’s also a butcher in the field. Over 150 games, he’ll cost you 25 runs out there. Come on Hal, just because you like the guy is no reason to root for the team to fail by misusing him. There’s a reason not one single team wanted to give Gomes a major league deal this off-season. The man has platoon / pinch hitter written all over him.
By michael
April 10, 2010 9:15 AM | Link to this
Don’t think Platooning allows hitters to stay sharp. Play JG. Would like to see Francisco somehere in that Lineup, if only to move around and spell Votto, Rolen, and the outfielders. He could play alot by doing that.
By MAC
April 10, 2010 4:58 AM | Link to this
Redsfansdownunder has it right IMO; all of our OFs need to be platooned - they’re simply not consistent enough to play everyday including Bruce! $$ prevent this from changing much; baseball in Cincy continous to be an experiment: try this guy, that guy or another rookie audition. I agree w/ sending Francisco down; he needs to play everyday. IMO, platoon CD & Stubbs in CF & let Gomes get the Lion’s share in LF.
By Worn Cleat
April 9, 2010 9:49 PM | Link to this
Yeah Stubbs!!!! Great bunt Dickerson!!!!Great team win!!!!My idea of Dickerson/Cabrera/Stubbs/Votto/Bruce/Rolen/…is sounding better!!!!Base runners ahead of power!!!
By Tom
April 9, 2010 7:53 PM | Link to this
I’m for stability and don’t like platooning. Make the outfield Gomes, Stubbs and Bruce with Dickerson and Nix in reserve. Go with that until one or the other can’t get the job done. Southern Indiana has it’s own charm but I’m a little prejudice as an IU alum.
By michael
April 9, 2010 7:50 PM | Link to this
Yes, JG should play everday. As for SS, Cabrera has done his job at the plate but he hasn’t looked impressive on the D. Janish would have made several plays that OC hasn’t even been close.
By jim t
April 9, 2010 6:37 PM | Link to this
Worn Cleat,CD is swinging and missing a lot right now. Ever since the first 2 weeks of ST Stubbs and CD have been heading in different directions. Arroyo and Hannigan were terrific. If you remember many wanted us to trade Bronson. Hannigan does a good job, if he continues to hit when given the opportunity I think he will get more PT.I think his struggles with runners on last year kept him from getting the everyday job. Him and Ramon form a good pair.CDs off to a slow start. He needs to take advantage of his chances to get back in the line up. Francisco is probably going to Louisvlle on sunday.Did you pick up that they sent Alonzo to AA and have him playing LF? Well nice chatting I have to go to dinner.I’m going to the games Sat. and Sun.
By Believe It
April 9, 2010 5:34 PM | Link to this
How long will Baker SIT Janish this year,before he gets a chance to keep a hot spring going? LAST YEAR HE HAD TO WAIT ALL YEAR, for Agon to be sent packing-and Boston didn’t want him this year. So far Janish’s replacement’s glove ain’t even close to Janish’s. And, need I remind, he’s also hitting better.
By Brien Jackson
April 9, 2010 4:56 PM | Link to this
I don’t think I’ll ever understand the hostility people have a guy with a .380 OBP over 400 PA’s, considering how badly the Reds are lacking hitters who get on base consistently. On the entire 25 man roster, that category is limited to Dickerson, Rolen, and Votto.
By Worn Cleat
April 9, 2010 4:48 PM | Link to this
JimT: I suppose you COULD say that—if you wanted to compare what took Gomes seconds to do{after a couple SO failures}compared to what it took Bronson hours to accomplish—or what it took Hanigan hours to accomplish, calling the game, no one stealing on him, getting a key base hit for Bronson to drive him in! All depends upon your prejudice, I suppose.I’m still a CD fan! He doesn’t allow balls to drop in front of him like many of our players do—he catches them,and seems more in charge.It wasn’t long ago, that everyone was singing his praises—a very fickle group we have on this blog—we’ll hear from them again, when Dusty sees fit to play him in his rightful position in the lineup. Since CD is the equal of Stubbs in center, I’d be fine with them platooning,while Gomes and Francisco do the same in left.CD’s power is not near as important as him getting on base, which he does better than anyone we have at the present time—that should be one of Dusty’s and Jocketty’s highest priorities—not home runs. We need baserunners!Although I can agree on BP hitting lower in the lineup—I’m not sure that cannot be done, and still move phillips. It’s in his head now, that he’s a HR hitter—why I do not know. He isn’t and never was.Another option might be: Leading off Dickerson/Cabrera second/Stubbs third—just to try to get base runners on in front of Votto and company. I’m sure there are better alternatives than what we are forced to live with everyday from U-NO-WHO! Just try something else…like DRAG BUNTING! I’d also have Hanigan in the lineup a helluva lot more, especially when Hernandes is not hitting.He has a higher percentage of throwing out runners/blocking pitches—and presently is hitting right with his supposed superior. Here’s hoping Bailey has a great game tonight; and whoever starts out hits the Cubs.
By Tips
April 9, 2010 1:17 PM | Link to this
Hal, I was in French Lick 2 summers ago playing music for a bankers convention, and there was a fire alarm that night as well. It sounds like they have a bit of a problem at that hotel / resort. Hope you have agreat time there, regardless. Thanks for your many years of great sports writing.
By nllspc
April 9, 2010 12:36 PM | Link to this
Dang it, Hal! I wish I would have caught you sooner. After logging all your restaurant recommendations, you finally get to an area where I could’ve given you one and you’re leaving. If you ever make a trip down in that area again, you need to go to a german restaurant called Schnitzelbank in Jasper. It’s about 25 mi southwest of French lick and I think you’d really enjoy it.
By JLC
April 9, 2010 12:18 PM | Link to this
I, too, prefer Gomes in LF, Stubbs or Dickerson (interchangeable for now) and Hanigan as the catcher. Give it a shot!! If it doesn’t work, go back to the same ole, same ole. What can it hurt at this point? It’s early yet and they’re already 1-2. If they’re going to lose 66% of their games, why not try? haha! Kinda kidding ‘cause I do LOVE my Reds!
By worn cleat
April 9, 2010 12:13 PM | Link to this
I just posted a response—something is wrong. It did not post. I am leaving for the afternoon, and will respond later in the day to your post Jimt…
By jimT
April 9, 2010 11:00 AM | Link to this
Worn Cleat, I guess you could say Gomes was the hero for the day. I think He provides a element that the others can’t that is power. I don’t know if that is enough to keep him in the line up everyday. CD is good at times and other times he is either hurt or not effective. He also doesn’t offer you that power I mentioned. Its quite a dilemma. I would perfer to have a power hitting LF who would enable us to move BP out of the 4 hole and down in the order. Maybe at the trade deadline if we are still in it. As you know I’ve never been a big CD fan. I think he is a 4th or 5th at best.While Bruce isn’t setting the world on fire his approach is much better. He has hit the ball hard at least 3 times without a hit. Stubbs is playing well working deep in the counts and his K’s seem to be on the decline. All this is just over a 3 game period but I’m bored so I thought I would post it.
By Kenny
April 9, 2010 10:53 AM | Link to this
I would also like to see Stubbs and Gomes every day. Might not work but I sure would try it. I don’t think you get the best out of anyone with this constant shuffling of the lineup. Dusty seems locked into this lineup-of-the-day thing. That opening day line-up was just dumb. He should pick a starting 8 and run them out there a couple of weeks or so. It’s the only thing he hasn’t tried.
By Believe It Or Not
April 9, 2010 10:48 AM | Link to this
Don’t need too many stats produced to see that Hanigan is the better catcher, period.Just watch the games: He throws out more runners, calls a better game, stops more pitches in the dirt—and is right there with the other guy, when hitting the white thing with stitches on it.
By Worn Cleat
April 9, 2010 10:35 AM | Link to this
And, how many times did Gomes strike out prior to the pitcher hitting his bat??? And, wasn’t it just a short while ago, that all the bandwagoner’s were calling Chris Dickerson the second coming…??? Fickle comes to mind. “Never give up”—“Real fans, NEVER give up”!
By MisterRedLegs
April 9, 2010 9:37 AM | Link to this
Gomes can hold the spot or earn it until Frazier/Heisey/Alonzo/Fransico can take it. He/Gomes is the best option the Reds have now but he will never be an all star. All the minor leaguers above have a better upside.
By Ebes
April 9, 2010 9:29 AM | Link to this
Way to go Gomes. The Reds have some fine backups this year,will need to play them all so we can be sharp during the playoffs! Hope to see you down there Saturday, don’t be surprised if I fall all over myself like a little kid.
By tb
April 9, 2010 9:27 AM | Link to this
Gomes will get his chance if he keeps hitting. Relax they have only played 3 games. However when he does get his chance, don’t be surprised when you see why no one else wanted him. This MLB not your kid’s little league team. As for the pitchers and hanigan, i challenge wrc to find a stat proving hanigan’s game calling abilities outweigh his lack of offense since Hanigan only catches Arroyo.
By Brien Jackson
April 9, 2010 9:09 AM | Link to this
“since gomes has (in my mind) proven he can hit righties.” I really shouldn’t do this, but curiousity has gotten the better of me; in what way has Jonny Gomes “proven he can hit righties.”
By Brien Jackson
April 9, 2010 9:07 AM | Link to this
So even though Gomes is a .224/.310./.449 hitter over roughly 1,000 career plate appearances against RHP, you want to throw all that out because he hit one home run off of a below average middle reliever in the first week of the season. Come on Mr. McCoy, you’ve been around long enough to know better than that.
By Jack
April 9, 2010 8:57 AM | Link to this
Hal, stop making so much sense. Yes, Gomes will strike out some, but he will also deliver. Stick him in left and he will produce 30 HR and 100+ RBI’s. wrc…i believe Hannigan is Arroyo’s “personal” catcher.
By Jim t
April 9, 2010 8:31 AM | Link to this
Hal your on dangerous ground. Start Stubbs and Gomes everyday. Boy, the Dickerson supporters will be all over you. I couldn’t agree more. The only problem I have with that thinking is why did we cut Ballentine. Seems we would have two leftys on the bench and no rightys.If we can get the bull pen back on track we can win some games. Harrangs outing wasn’t bad,if Cueto can be as good as he was in game 2,Arroyo picked up right were he left off. The hitters are hitting just not getting a lot of breaks. Bruce has hit the ball hard 3 o4 times with nothing to show. His approach is much better he will get hot. BP started slow last year and got rolling. Votto is Votto and Rolen is looking like he could break out. OC is getting started. Should be a fun Cub series.
By redsfandownunder
April 9, 2010 7:10 AM | Link to this
I’d agree on Gomes if he didn’t strike out 32% of his AB’s over his career. Given a chance, I think Juan Francisco could provide the same all or nothing production if you put him in LF. Stubbs has a ceiling a mile high but it has to concern a manager that he only hit .270 in the minors over 4 seasons. Dickerson shows excellent promise every now and again….. Reality is everyone in the outfield is an “IF” player. If I’m in Baker’s position, I would keep plugging in different guys to see which ones stick. At any rate, I’m more concerned when Jay Bruce faces a left hander than I am about Gomes vs a right hander.
By wrc
April 9, 2010 7:01 AM | Link to this
Hey Hal!What about the difference in pitching when hanigan catches compared to the other guy.Is it me or does it seem that the pitchers throw better when hanigan catching.Nothing against the other guy but the pitchers seem to throw a better game when he catches.But like Gomes,Hanigan will sit and our pitchers ERA will grow as Dusty will never realized this.Another season of watching Dusty mess up way of managing if you can called what he does managing.Dusty an the Titanic in the same story,both has bad ending,only Dusty is a reoccuring event but the same outcome.
By marty
April 9, 2010 4:38 AM | Link to this
you’re right… gomes should get the chance to play every day. will he? no, because dusty baker seems to have his head stuck in the same book that “mr. baseball” does. sometimes I think dusty has his head stuck somewhere else… but I’m trying to be kind. I’m sure there is some merit to the lefty-righty matchups sometimes, but every once in awhile you have to go out on a limb and throw the book out, especially since gomes has (in my mind) proven he can hit righties. wake up, dusty!