Reds Connection: Is Derrick Robinson like Ken Griffey Sr.?

Q: Does Derrick Robinson remind you of Ken Griffey Sr., especially from the left side of the plate? — Daryl, Cincinnati
A: Let's go to the video for this one. I can't remember if I brushed my teeth yesterday, let alone back to the days of The Big Red Machine. I know both ran very fast. Griffey had 37 infield hits one year. And Robinson is very fast. So, OK, yeah, he does remind me of Griffey as far as speed. But I doubt he'll become the star Griffey was or father a son who was even better.

Q: After seeing Mike Leake get three hits, including a triple, has any Reds pitcher, or any pitcher ever hit for the cycle? — ROGER, DAYTON
A: The real answer? No. Not the Reds, not the Cubs, not even the Red Sox when Babe Ruth was a pitcher. There is one trick answer and it happened in 1888, before the modern era. Jimmy Ryan played center field for the Cubs and hit for the cycle on July 28, 1888. He also pitched briefly in that game, but not all of it — a 21-17 win over the Detroit Wolverines. He is the only player in major-league history to hit for the cycle and pitch in the same game. By the looks of the score, he was a much better hitter than pitcher.

Q: How many teams have never played in the World Series in the modern era? — BRUCE, MASSILLON
A: Most fans probably believe it is the Chicago Cubs, but that's wrong. They played in the 1945 World Series, when most able-bodied players were doing something in World War II. And they still lost in seven games to the Detroit Tigers. Of the current 30 teams, only two have not been to a World Series, one in each league. The Seattle Mariners, born in 1977, have never been. The Montreal Expos, formed in 1969, were never in the World Series and still haven't been since they moved to Washington. Don't be shocked if the Nationals make it in the next year or two or three. Seattle? Not so much.

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