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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 > May > 18 > Entry
Gomes finally gets it ‘right’
The rap on Jonny Gomes was that he didn’t have a clue against right-handed pitchers. If that was the case, just call Gomes Sherlock Holmes because he more than has a clue these days.
And it is why he is playing left field nearly every day, whether the pitcher be left-handed, right-handed, both-handed or no-handed.
Gomes credits a few discussions with manager Dusty Baker as the reason that he is hitting .280 against right-handers with three homers, three doubles and 17 RBI. Against left-handers he is hitting .324 with two homers, three doubles and seven RBI.
“Yeah, I’ve changed,” said Gomes. “I talked with Dusty and he said the main concern was making it simple. It’s not anything with my swing, nothing mechanical. It was just, ‘Flat out lay off the off-speed balls. That’s all. If the crap is in the dirt, don’t swing at it.”
Baker said he told Gomes, “Think RBIs, not homers.”
Of Gomes’ production, Baker said, “Through his career he struggled against right-handers. Maybe he has found a formula. We’ve stressed to him that he doesn’t have to pull, doesn’t have to hit the ball in the air, as strong as he is. He is not just a slugger, he can be a hitter with power, not just a slugger.
“We talk to him in terms of RBIs,” Baker added. “If you are thinking RBIs, you’ll take a single up the middle, a sacrifice fly, put the ball in play versus trying to hit the ball out of the ball park. Guys who just try to hit the ball out of the ballpark are just like three-point shooters in basketball. When they’re hitting ‘em they’re helping you but when they aren’t they’re killing you. You need some lay-ups sometimes.”
THIRD BASEMAN Scott Rolen and center fielder Drew Stubbs were not in Tuesday afternoon’s lineup, for different reasons.
“It’s more of a day off for Rolen than Stubbs,” said Baker. “It was more about Chris Heisey playing (in center field in place of Stubbs and leading off). And when we get to Atlanta we’ll play Stubbs because they have a massive outfield to cover.”
Heisey was leading off and playing center field, Janish was at third base batting eighth. Gomes batted fourth in place of Rolen and Orlando Cabrera was dropped from first to fifth.
AN OUT-OF-TOWn writer asked Baker what his biggest surprise is this season and he said, “I go to spring training with an open mind for a surprise player and this year it is Mike Leake. You don’t want to set your roster because you hope there is somebody that you were not counting on that comes out and forces us. We weren’t counting on Leake.”
PITCHER HOMER BAILEY was downing his pre-game power drink at 9:55 as he sat at his locker: a V-8.
AFTER THIS two-game series with the Brewers concludes this afternoon, the Reds head for Atlanta for another two-game series.
“You know who these two-game series is the toughest on?” asked Baker. “The umpires. The crew here flew in from Los Angeles for two games then they move on. If I’m them I don’t even unpack. Those guys don’t have home games. Always on the road.”
THIS MAY BE the fastest I ever wrote a blog. Jeff Brantley drinks Mexican Coca-Cola. It is bottled in Mexico and comes in glass bottles. The difference is that it is made with pure can sugar. Coke sends it to him. And if you think Mountain Dew bounces you off walls, just try a few sips of Mexican Coca-Cola. I feel like Speedy Gonzales right now.
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By MAC
May 21, 2010 5:09 AM | Link to this
I have to agree w/ the play Heisey, Hanigan, Janish, Gomes & Nix more crowd. Hanigan should be catching 1/2 of the games; his performance has earned that. I’d start Nix in RF over Bruce more and use Stubbs and Janish as late inning Def subs who may get a bat or two @ the end of the game to stay sharp & try to prove themselves. Bruce & Stubbs aren’t performing well enough on a consistent basis to be “GIVEN” positions.
By Believe It Or Not
May 20, 2010 2:17 AM | Link to this
Jack: No I do not consider Stubbs a veteran—but Dusty and Jocketty are treating him like he’s a veteran! He has not, and is not, doing anything worthy of claiming the center field position. Play him there? Sure. Give him the positon? Why? I have seen Heisey impress me with his glove and bat, more solidly than I have seen it from Stubbs.If the major league Reds team is going to be a training ground for center field, why not Short Stop? Who are you, to say Janish won’t hit, if given playing time? The end of last year proves nothing about Janish; just like it proved nothing about Hanigan. And, another mistake that has been made: tonight Stubbs made his first REAL attempt to bunt for a base hit—FIRST ATTEMPT! THAT is a big mistake by Baker and Jocketty! They should be demanding that he bunt for base hits; not ask him to “be on the lookout” for opportunities to do so! That is ludicrous. A cheating of this baseball team. Using his speed should be happening NOW—not when he feels like it. Should have been the first and last thing he worked on in ST! How many years has this kid played baseball? And is just now learning to bunt for a base hit??? He didn’t just, all of a sudden, get FAST last year!!!!Oh, and our best center fielder{who doesn’t play TOO DEEP}will return shortly.
By Believe It Or Not
May 20, 2010 1:30 AM | Link to this
Mike-cinci: My disagreeing with you makes me a whiner? I rather think, it makes me correct-since I think no one has made you King Speaker of this blog, yet. First, I am as much of a Reds fan, as are you, and probably for a lot longer; however, being a Reds fan does not mean I have to agree with who is playing…if you think otherwise, that sounds like a personal problem to me. Since Mr. Heisey proved himself again tonight-regardless of how long he’s been up with the Reds-I say start him in center, give him 100+ AB’s like was given your Mr. Stubbs, and my prediction is there will be a new center fielder who doesn’t strike out every other at bat! And, he can play the outfield as well as, or better than Stubbs can. In addition, since Cabrera cannot field anything not hit directly at him, replace him with Janish, at least every other game, with Heisey leading off, when Janish is in the lineup—and I’ll bet we don’t miss Cabrera even a little bit. If I recall correctly you bubble gum card watchers were against playing Hanigan and Janish last year, and the beginning of this year—because of their bubble gum cards—how’s that prediction on Hanigan working out for you this year? Gee, I wonder what might occur if my idea of playing Janish more this year, were to happen? Cabrera, whether he is hitting, or not hitting,makes our defense weaker at SS. Just because he won gold gloves in each league-IN THE PAST-doesn’t mean he still has the same skills! Anyone who observes his performance, and still has their eyesight, can quickly agree-that is, if they have any idea of what is expected of a major league SS. Seems he is slacking a bit on offense, if one has watched the past couple of games. I appreciate what he has done for the Reds; I just donot feel Janish is playing as much as he should be.Baker having the team playing well, doesn’t mean mistakes are not made. It’s just that some of us are willing to suggest them, and some of you are not.
By Mike-Cinci
May 19, 2010 4:22 PM | Link to this
I like Heisey as a player very much but he has less than 20 AB’s in the majors. Right now Stubbs is the center fielder. He won the job in the Spring. I have no concern about his defensive skills and his speed. So far I think he strikes out too much and hits too many fly balls that do nothing to take advantage of his considerable speed. In time he will win keep the CF job or lose it based on his results. Teams have got to give young players a chance and the Reds are giving Stubbs that chance. Heisey will get his turn in time. It seems the whiners complain about playing too many veterans and then complain about sticking with rookies. I guess whiners love to whine. It’s in their DNA. Cabrera has been fine at SS. Complaining about him seems to border on complaining about a 79 degree day because it is not 80 degrees.
By Jack
May 19, 2010 12:35 PM | Link to this
Believe, were you implying that Stubbs is a veteran? Not sure he has 50 games in yet. Also, he was not drafted by Jocketty. This one does not make sense. I do not care for Baker either, but if you can not admit he has the team playin well, then there is no use arguing with you.
By Worn Cleat
May 19, 2010 12:35 PM | Link to this
Exactly how does playing every three weeks, keep you ‘fresh’? Playing your worst SS defender at SS, instead of at 3rd base,yesterday, is not using the roster wisely! Heisy and Janish should be playing much more than they are playing. Heisy has demonstrated he can be effective leading off; and, he can play anywhere in the outfield, with speed and good defense. Therefore,he could very easily play everyday—especially, CF, where we have yet to play a ‘can’t miss’.
By Believe It Or Not
May 19, 2010 11:46 AM | Link to this
By Believe It Or Not May 18, 2010 11:55 AM So, Heisy can play center field here, but he can’t play it in Atlanta—BS Baker! Your convoluted,moronic justifications for playing people you and Jocketty decided were can’t misses, is REAL TIRED! In addition, by playing Janish at third instead of Cabrera, means you have that one incorrect, as well! Your playing the SS with the best range, in the position where less range is necessary—that’s clever. Does this, once again, have anything to do with “veterans” always getting preferance? Would you please fire yourself, since no one else is smart enough to do it. Your team wins, in spite of your idiocy!
By Mike-Cinci
May 19, 2010 11:43 AM | Link to this
Dusty is doing a fine job. It is clear his players enjoy playing for him. They are enthusiastic and they hustle. Dusty is using his roster very smartly. He is getting Heisey and Janish playing time when he can do so to keep them fresh. His patience with Cueto, Bailey, Harang, Bruce, and Gomes is starting to pay dividends. He is giving Stubbs every opportunity to take hold of the CF job. Jocketty deserves credit for getting Rolen and Cabrera, retaining Hernandez, and drafting Leake. Cabrera went into yesterday’s game with a 10 game hitting streak. Phillips is playing good defense and his fine play in the 8th inning yesterday saved 2 runs. Votto is proving to be a special player and Arroyo continues to be an innings eater. Teams win when they get contributions from the full 25 man roster and the Reds are getting that this year. While it is early Dusty is in the running for his third manager of the year award. I’m not sure if this team can keep it up but they are beginning to make believers out of more than a few of us.
By Zeke
May 19, 2010 9:26 AM | Link to this
I second the Gomes taunt. He owes Stubbs some Mont. Inn porkchops. Technically Baker did NOT put a winning lineup out there. Bringing in Rolen won the game (but he did need the rest). But he wanted to keep CH hot, and Gomes and Bruce are really hitting well so no need to sit them. Will they ever sit BP?
By Jack
May 19, 2010 9:06 AM | Link to this
Baker should be getting his due. Whether it is because he is in a contract year or he is actually listening to people, he has changed his approach to the players. Leake in recent years would have never been giving a look in Spring Training. He is playing Gomes because…well he should be playing Gomes, whose numbers against right handers was not that bad last year. He moved Phillips in the order…well moved him where he should have always been, but he did make the change. Slowly but surely Baker is making the right moves. In years past, he was far slower then he has been.
By dude
May 19, 2010 8:52 AM | Link to this
Some of you people who comment on here just slay me. It’s apparent that what ever Baker does it will never make you happy. This team is in first place. Baker is the manager. You can’t stand to see him be successful? Good grief, he put another winning lineup on the field yesterday. What more would you want? I dont care who he plays or where he plays them, they all are producing in their own way. All Cabrera had done for the last two weeks is played lights out. get off your negative node and start enjoying some good baseball for a change.
By Kyle
May 19, 2010 7:46 AM | Link to this
What was the tale of the tape on Votto’s homerun? I’ve never seen one hit up there. Apparently, neither has the cameraman.
By rob in stlouis
May 18, 2010 10:22 PM | Link to this
Does Brantley eat anything healthy?
By nancy
May 18, 2010 9:32 PM | Link to this
Ron — it was my guess that Marty was talking about his “friend” Jim Bowden.
By nancy Light
May 18, 2010 9:30 PM | Link to this
Ron — it was my guess that Marty was talking about his “friend” Jim Bowden.
By ron
May 18, 2010 9:13 PM | Link to this
Marty mentioned today that it was someone’s b-day today that he steadfastly refused to say their name over the airwaves. who as this and what is the story?
By napoleon2
May 18, 2010 12:54 PM | Link to this
I really like Gomes, and he has shown in the past that he can hit righthanders. My only gripe with him is a short-term one. He stood there and watched his homerun too long. Coffey did what you are supposed to do by hitting Stubbs. Therefore, Gomes should be apologizing to Drew Stubbs for “setting him up.”
By napoleon2
May 18, 2010 12:51 PM | Link to this
I really like Gomes, and he has shown in the past that he can hit righthanders. My only gripe with him is a short-term one. He stood there and watched his homerun too long. Coffey did what you are supposed to do by hitting Stubbs. Therefore, Gomes should be apologizing to Drew Stubbs for “setting him up.”
By Believe It Or Not
May 18, 2010 11:55 AM | Link to this
So, Heisy can play center field here, but he can’t play it in Atlanta—BS Baker! Your convoluted,moronic justifications for playing people you and Jocketty decided were can’t misses, is REAL TIRED! In addition, by playing Janish at third instead of Cabrera, means you have that one incorrect, as well! Your playing the SS with the best range, in the position where less range is necessary—that’s clever. Does this, once again, have anything to do with “veterans” always getting preferance? Would you please fire yourself, since no one else is smart enough to do it. Your team wins, in spite of your idiocy!
By Jarrod
May 18, 2010 11:47 AM | Link to this
It’s called improvement Brien. Gomes is one of the reasons this team is in first place. Don’t be a jerk and enjoy the ride.
By stan
May 18, 2010 11:15 AM | Link to this
Good to see Gomes getting it done.. and not only getting it done but looking strong and confident doing it: the look of a winner. Mexican Coke: it’s the ticket! You can buy it at Kroger, btw, so Jeff might be able save some of his millions by shopping locally!