Hal McCoy, the hall-of-fame baseball writer for the Dayton Daily News, knows a thing or two about America's pastime. If you want to tap into that knowledge, send an e-mail to

hmccoy@DaytonDailyNews.com.

For more Ask Hal, log on to DaytonDailyNews.com/reds.

Dear readers,

The leadoff spot is always occupied by the inanities of Dave from Miamisburg/Centerville/Beavercreek, but he was not heard from this week, meaning he took his own All-Star break. That or one of the thousands of readers who plead for his exclusion found his computer and tossed it into the Great Miami River. Or, like many others, he probably couldn't get through because my mailbox filled up while I vacationed. To everybody but Dave, I'm sorry.

Q I've heard you and Marty Brennaman talk about how awful Shea Stadium is and wonder what is so bad about it? — Bill, Villa Hills, Ky.

A You have to argue with the rats over your popcorn. The place stinks like, well, New York. They pump the decibels on the sound system higher than jet-plane engines. And that's because it has to be heard over the jets that fly just above the light towers on their approach to LaGuardia Airport. Don't even think about listening to your tape recorder, even with earphones, when they are playing music. Impossible. Marty and I are playing rock-hammer-scissors to see who gets to push the plunger when they implode the place next year.

Q I just heard of a trade rumor of Ryan Freel, Scott Hatteberg and David Weathers going to the New York Yankees by the end of tonight. True? — Jeff, Dayton

A Since your e-mail arrived nine days ago, I'd say you need a new purveyor of rumors. Sounds to me as if you've been listening to a talk-show host, and most of those guys throw more garbage against the wall than an irate chef. It wouldn't be surprising if the Reds trade any or all of those three. Let's start our own rumor. Freel, Hatteberg and Weathers to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows for Ichiro's brother.

Q Can you explain the effect of the spitball on the rotation of the ball? — Bill, Dayton

A I spent the All-Star break in Las Vegas because I love the smell of money (and I lost enough of it to buy three neon signs for The Venetian). I haven't had time to consult a scientist about baseball rotations. I do know that saliva and other foreign substances make the baseball sink drastically, sort of like a split-fingered fastball, only wetter. The pitch is illegal, you know, but when Gaylord Perry threw it and a batter made contact, the umpire had to pull out a handkerchief and dry his face.

Q I wonder if we'd be hearing the same amount of grumbling about the Reds' trade with Washington last year if the Reds hadn't simply dumped Brendan Harris? — Chris, Lebanon

A Yours is the first complaint about the Reds acquiring, then dumping Brendan Harris. Nobody cares that they've dumped Royce Clayton or that Bill Bray has been hurt most of the time since he came to the Reds from Washington. Mostly they complain about Gary Majewski's glass shoulder or the trading of Austin Kearns and/or Felipe Lopez. The Reds might have done better to trade for Walter Johnson, even though he's been dead since 1946.

Q Will the Reds be in a trading mode before the July 31 (non-waivers) deadline, and doesn't it seem likely that maintaining the status quo would be suicidal for the professional career of General Manager Wayne Krivsky? — Mike, Hamilton

A If you see Wayne Krivsky at a flea market near you, he is practicing. Let's hope he acquires more than fleas when he begins moving bodies, which should happen. Even he can't win with the current characters. If he does, he should be Executive of the Year. If the team remains status quo in the standings, which is status low, then I'd say trouble is ahead. Krivsky not only needs to rattle some cages, he needs to open some doors and let some of them just run away.

Q As much as he dislikes Tony La Russa, what would Marty Brennaman do if the Reds hired him to manage? — Ted, Dayton

A He would probably say, "And this one belongs to the Reds," a lot more than he did the past few years — if La Russa brings Albert Pujols with him. Brennaman isn't a one-man band when it comes to people who don't like La Russa's managing style, but Marty is a pro's pro and would adjust. We've all had to make personal-preference adjustments in the recent past in dealing with the Reds. It's part of the job description.

Q Why don't they bring Bobby Livingston from the minors to pitch in the majors? — Larry, Dayton

A As a personal service to you — shazam — we got it done. Bobby Livingston arrives from Louisville on Monday to pitch against the Atlanta Braves. Well, actually, the decision was made last week. Once again, though, he probably won't stay. It's his third "emergency" start. He has done well in his first two plug-in starts, then was shipped back to Louisville. It isn't like he is dominating Class AAA with his 3-4 record. But he has done well with the Reds, and instead of wearing uniform No. 37 he should wear 9-1-1 on his back.

Q Does the team have a captain? I can't remember seeing one since Barry Larkin. — Tipton, Dayton

A No captain, no sergeant, no lieutenant. Very few baseball teams have captains. The title usually goes to a guy who has been around a long time, and it is ceremonial. Larkin had an extra wishbone-C on his chest, but he didn't need it. Everybody knew he was the team leader. Right now I'm not so sure anybody would want to be the captain of this bunch.

Question of the week

Q Several of us were trying to figure out what several players, one being Josh Hamilton, had in their cheeks, since tobacco was outlawed in both the minors and the majors? — Steve, Clayton

A What you see is smokeless tobacco, and several players keep some pinched between their cheeks and gums. It is outlawed in the minors, and fines can be imposed. It is discouraged in the majors, but not outlawed. When Jack McKeon was managing the Reds, he couldn't smoke his cigars in the dugout, so he turned to chewing tobacco and was adept with his aim. You knew which writers he liked and which he didn't like. If you saw a writer with tobacco juice on his shoes, well, you knew where he stood with Trader Jack.