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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 > July > 31 > Entry
Red don’t go ‘all-in’ on the trade front
The non-waiver trade deadline was two hours away, as was game-time, and Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips was skillfully dribbling a basketball around the clubhouse - going behind his back and through his legs.
“Did you sister teach you all that?” somebody asked, referring to Brandon’s sister, Porsche, who played college basketball at LSU and the University of Georgia.
“Yes, she did,” said Phillips, smiling broadly at the lie. Phillips himself was offered several college basketball scholarships. Football, too.
Phillips held the basketball for a while and glanced at a clubhouse television, watching the trades by other teams scroll by.
When somebody said they hoped the Reds didn’t make a trade, that the team, as constituted, is good enough to win, Phillips said, “I feel you. I feel what you are saying. I feel the same way. We can win with what we have.”
MEANWHILE, in manager Dusty Baker’s office, it was trade talk galore - but not the Reds.
Baker was astrounded when he heard that the St. Louis Cardinals traded outfielder Ryan Ludwick to aqcquire Cleveland pitcher Jake Westbrook.
“What? Ludwick? I really like him. Didn’t he hit 37 homers a couple of years ago and win the Silver Slugger Award? Man, I love that guy. Who is going to take his place in the Cardinals outfielder (Jon Jay)?”
Baker, too, was surprised to hear that Houston first baseman Lance Berkman will no longer be around to torture the Reds, that the Astros traded him to the New York Yankees. “Where is going to play?” asked Baker. Designated hitter. And he was surprised that the Yankees also acquired former Reds No. 1 draft pick Austin Kearns. “Where will he play?” Utility, bench, pinch-hitter.
ASKED ABOUT a possibility of the Reds making a deal before the deadline, Baker said, “I haven’t seen (GM) Walt Jocketty all day. I’m sure he is somewhere with his cell phone glued to his ear.”
Phillips, though, got his wish. No trades. Same team. And Baker wasn’t displeased.
“You always want better, but if you know me, I’ve never complained about who I have,” said Baker. “You never heard me complain and say, ‘Give me this or give me that,’ because I always think I can do well with whatever I have. That’s part of the challenge of managing. So I challenge myself to try to get the most out of who I have.
“Plus if you talk about how unhappy you are with what you have and that you need to get some more, then if it doesn’t happen I have to turn around and go tell those guys in the clubhouse, ‘C’mon, boys, let’s get together and give me all you’ve got.’ How many expletives are they going to be uttering behind my back?” Baker added.
SPEAKING OF handling the team, let’s re-visit Friday night’s game and permit Baker to explain himself about one move he did not make.
It happened in the eighth inning of the Reds’ 6-4 10-inning loss to the Atlanta Braves. The score was tied, 4-4, and Scott Rolen was on third base - the winning run - with one out. Jay Bruce was due up to face tough left-handed pitcher Jonny Venters. Wouldn’t this be a good spot to send up right-hander Chris Heisey?
Baker permitted Bruce to bat and Bruce struck out. Then, in the top of the ninth, Baker double-switched to bring in pitcher Coco Cordero and put Heisey in right field to replace Bruce. Why didn’t he use Heisey to pinch-hit for Bruce in the first place?
“I didn’t think about using Heisey because I knew I was going to use him later in the game,” said Baker. “If we had been on the road, possibly I might have. But at home we have the last at-bat. We’re trying to get Jay some confidence, too, because this year he has been hitting left-handers better than he has in the past. And it’s tough when you think about using one younster for another youngster.”
And about the Bruce at-bat?
“Jay is being over-anxious, not getting good pitches to hit,” said Baker. “Those balls he swung at were in the dirt and that Venters is a tough left-hander, a guy who is tough on left-handers. Jay has to be patient and get better pitches to hit.”
That, fans, has been a season-long mantra.
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By beenthere
August 12, 2010 4:29 PM | Link to this
Why does J.Bruce have bat up ready to swing before the pitcher even gets his sign from the catcher? Seems like a long time holding the bat up and possibly losing concentration.
By Spoon
August 12, 2010 2:05 PM | Link to this
First I am very surprised that a hall of fame writer only printed half of what Brandon Phillips[arguably the teams best player who never misses a game unless he’s really hurt]then to use locker room talk for the whole world to see shocks me.I for one have lost respect for Hal, bring back the good old days when you should at least protect your own players,or do you like Brandon? This should never have been printed for the entire sports world to see.
By YMC
August 12, 2010 9:46 AM | Link to this
Note to Phillips & the Reds: All mouth no game. Next time come to play and STFU. Love, YM & the Cards
By DaleG
August 3, 2010 4:58 PM | Link to this
Dusty is going to do it again.He is is tring to manage. I have to take my hat off to the team,they are winning in spite of O’l Rusty(sic). As far as not trading FOOY. Any team that can get this far with Durty Will make the play off’s. Unless DB leans on the plunger and blowes the team to smithereens. I sure have every thing crossed that I can cross to help the Reds finish on top. Go REDS
By Worn Cleat
August 2, 2010 10:17 PM | Link to this
Sure hope Cabrera isn’t hurt seriously; and hope Votto did not hurt his Hamate bone like Dickerson did. They were both trying to hold up on their swings. It does make light of the fact that Dusty is stubborn about his veterans. He needs to read the Cleats posts—perhaps the Dud will mention that to him.
By Herman The German
August 2, 2010 4:07 PM | Link to this
Frankies girl pay attention August 1, 2010 11:15 PM To silverquill, and other blog cops, who do not know anything about bunting:In tonights game, the “Cowboy”in announcing Cueto entering the batters box, suggested “…we have seen him {Cueto}DRAG bunt, and we have seen him PUSH bunt…” In case, you don’t know it—Cueto only bats right handed; which therefore makes the previous comments YOU made that only LH batters can drag bunt,one more ignorant comment from YOU, the “all-knowing”{you wish} blog cop on the game of baseball. Right handed hitters, bunting down the third base line, are drag bunting; and down the first base line are push bunting! Please try to know more about what you are talking about on the game of baseball, before you make yourself an arrogant spectacle!
By Bluto
August 2, 2010 3:05 PM | Link to this
I don’t know which is funnier, saying “Please try to know more about what you are talking about on the game of baseball” to someone you’ve just called a “blog cop”, or accusing them of arrogance after your customary spewing of arrogant twaddle - Eh, why decide, they’re both hy-larious!
By Frankies girl pay attention
August 1, 2010 11:15 PM | Link to this
To silverquill, and other blog cops, who do not know anything about bunting:In tonights game, the “Cowboy”in announcing Cueto entering the batters box, suggested “…we have seen him {Cueto}DRAG bunt, and we have seen him PUSH bunt…” In case, you don’t know it—Cueto only bats right handed; which therefore makes the previous comments YOU made that only LH batters can drag bunt,one more ignorant comment from YOU, the “all-knowing”{you wish} blog cop on the game of baseball. Right handed hitters, bunting down the third base line, are drag bunting; and down the first base line are push bunting! Please try to know more about what you are talking about on the game of baseball, before you make yourself an arrogant spectacle!
By Kimmy
August 1, 2010 1:37 PM | Link to this
If the Reds don’t win the NL Central, it will be Dusty’s fault because the division is weak and St. Louis is not even close talent-wise. Outside of Pujols and a couple starting pitchers, that team is a mess. Sticking with slumping outfielders seems to be Dusty’s weak-link.
By Frankie's girl
August 1, 2010 10:09 AM | Link to this
Bobbies girl - you are soooo smart. But for your information I was sitting up straight watching the game, right behind home plate where I’ve been watching the Reds for 50 years or so. And where were you? Stubbs actually didn’t drag bunt since he bats from the right, but a great attempt at a bunt never-the-less. Great to see him try it-keep practicing.
By Worn Cleat
August 1, 2010 9:38 AM | Link to this
Well, wonders never cease…Did you see it? The bunt. The drag bunt! Stubbs actually tried one exactly as it should be done. Finally. I guess he has been working on it. It was down the third base line—almost fair—but not quite. Damn near perfectly done—that is what I’m talkin’ about!Now, if he’ll keep doing it, it will help him become an offensive force, as the Reds head to the playoffs-I garauntee it! Beautiful!
By Bobby's girl
July 31, 2010 11:43 PM | Link to this
“I wanta be Bobby’s girl, I wanta be bobby’s girl…” They should make a song… It is Baker and his decision making that is getting old! We’d prefer that HE get it right, or else, HE will have to go away. I see you DO recognise that he has made many decisions that haven’t worked out-that is all you need to know little girl…Now, sit up straight and watch the same game that WE are!
By Frankie's girl
July 31, 2010 11:22 PM | Link to this
Dusty infuriates me. Neither Stubbs nor Bruce is hitting. If he refuses to send one of them down, or even sit them once or twice a week to give Heisey or Dickerson playing time basis, then why in the world are they hitting back to back? It is almost a certain 2 out combination. Why not put the catcher, Hannigan or Hernandez in between to break up the two certain outs of Bruce and Stubbs. Could help us score a run or two. I see no downside to this except having to change the lineup card.
By JBabs08
July 31, 2010 10:28 PM | Link to this
You Dusty critics are getting old. All you do is second guess every decision that doesn’t work out and ignore every decision that does. If he’s as bad as you all think he is quit watching the Reds. This guy has played in or managed more major league games than any of you will watch in a lifetime. I’ve got to believe he knows a little more about managing than any of you ever will.
By bkoeb
July 31, 2010 9:12 PM | Link to this
The Reds desperately need a lead off hitter. Bring up Dickerson and send Stubbs down until he can learn to put the ball in play. This kid’s confidence must be at an all time low.
By billwill
July 31, 2010 9:10 PM | Link to this
I guess in Sept we’ll still be hearing about Dusty wanting to give Jay Bruce confidence Pure and simple Jay Bruce can’t hit.I have confidence that the reds won’t make the playoffs with Bruce playing everyday.
By Worn Cleat
July 31, 2010 8:17 PM | Link to this
Baker is an idiot. The Reds are winning in spite of him! So you have one out, Rolen on third, score tied, and you want to work on Jay Bruce’s confidence? How did that work out for you and Jay, Rusty Dusty? Who has demonstrated a better propensity for having contact with the baseball Chris Heisey or Jay Bruce? Dusty-go check up on how many stupid decisions you have made this year and last, to keep your baseball team from winning. You’re killing me—and, YOUR TEAM!!!
By colgar
July 31, 2010 4:38 PM | Link to this
The funny thing is the Reds are winning for the first time in what 11 years. They are within a half game of first place by the end of July. If someone is paying Dusty to keep the Reds from winning, they are wasting a lot of cash. Keep it up Dusty, the kids are getting it.
By What the ????
July 31, 2010 4:05 PM | Link to this
What the heck??? Would have used Heisey if it were on the road but not at home? Who is this guy and who is paying him to keep the reds from winning? This has to be a conspiracy, right? Please tell me there is more to this than it is “ok” to get beat at home but on the road we will try to win. Sorr Dusty, you are out of your gord.