Fairmont vs. Mt. Notre Dame
Miami Valley styles
'Tis the Season Festival
ASK HAL
Once-promising Coffey no longer hot
Saturday, September 22, 2007
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.
Extras
Q Is Ken Griffey Jr. about to set a record for the number of seasons finished on the disabled list? — Dave, Miamisburg/Centerville/Beavercreek
A And wouldn't you be the one to jump on him for not playing with torn hamstrings and an assortment of injuries that would fill a medical student's future to-do list. Griffey hasn't escaped injury in September since 2000, but he always does it on the playing field and, hey, usually by September the Reds are so far out of it they don't need him anymore.
Q I thought Todd Coffey was the future closer, but he has been a disaster this year. What are the Reds' options for next year? — Jeff, Dayton
A With the season nearly over, Coffey is an afterthought in the bullpen, a guy once filled with promise now looking for his fastball in all the wrong places. Mr. Coffee or Juan Valdez have a better chance of being the closer next year. Actually, David Weathers has another year on his contract and wants to try closing in 2008. With 32 saves this year, why not?
Q I realize the Reds are looking to next year by playing Joey Votto at first base and I think that's great. But what happened to Scott Hatteberg? It's like he has completely dropped off the team. He was a quality, stand-up guy for this struggling team all year and now it's like he doesn't exist. — Chris, Dayton
A Ever try to play baseball, or even the piano, with a sore oblique muscle? Hitting D-flat major is excruciating, as is trying to hit Roy Oswalt's slider. That's why Hatteberg hasn't played. What's an oblique muscle? It is located between the fifth and 12th rib on the anterior wall of the abdomen, and when it's sore Tylenol doesn't help. You are correct about his contributions this year, contributions he will be making for another team next year when Votto becomes the everyday first baseman.
Q What player has worn the largest Reds uniform over the years? I seem to remember a relief pitcher a few years ago that required a special order on uniform pants. — Bill, Villa Hills, Ky.
A You are half correct. It wasn't a pitcher, it was a first baseman in 2001 and his name was Calvin Pickering. His legs and upper thighs were so big the Reds had no pants that would go over his knees. Equipment manager Rick Stowe went to Koch's Sporting Goods in Cincinnati and found a pair for sale that closely matched the pinstripes the Reds wore at the time. By the time Pickering pulled on those pants he was headed for another team. Stowe sold the pants to an America's Cup yachtsman and they serve as either a mainsail or a jib.
Q What is the deal with Griffey not running? Is there a mutual understanding that he needs to protect his legs or is he just not hustling? It seems bad for team morale. — Ralph, Dayton
A He was running very hard Wednesday when he suffered a season-ending upper abdominal strain trying to throw out a runner. Morale? Guys not running hard is not what lowers spirts. Losing seasons year after year after year is what crushes morale. And if you watch baseball closely you'll notice an epidemic of guys who run down the line as if the first baseman is a perturbed IRS agent — and that's on championship teams, too.
Q Where is Josh Hamilton? Please don't tell me there has been a relapse of his drug abuse. — Mark, Rockton, Ill.
A You aren't paying attention to your friendly neighborhood baseball writer or you'd know Hamilton is out with a sore hamstring. It has been oft-chronicled. And why is it every time Hamilton misses a game my e-mail box fills with drug abuse questions? Give the guy plaudits. He has turned his life upside down, trading the needles and dime bags for the Bible, family life and baseball. I haven't seen him eating apple pie, but I'll bet he does.
Q What got me to write is your assertion that dumping the salaries of Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn is no guarantee of getting good pitching. Nothing guarantees good pitching except actual results when they become Reds. But $27 million to shop for pitching raises the likelihood, doesn't it? — Doug, Dayton
A Two words: Eric Milton. How'd that work out? The Reds spent $25.5 million for Milton. Who's to say if they dump Dunn and Griffey and their combined 70 home runs and 183 RBIs for a pitcher that it won't happen again. And on today's market, $27 million isn't going to get you much in the way of pitching, probably another Eric Milton. I'm against trading solid, everyday players for a pitcher who appears once every five days. The best way to get good starting pitching is on the free-agent market, but the Reds don't have deep enough pockets to compete for No. 1 pitchers on the bidding blocks.
Q C'mon, Hal, I appreciate your vast baseball knowledge and love of the game. However, if you can't see that Ken Griffey Jr. chooses his spots to hustle, something is wrong. — Chuck, Dayton
A A lot of my vast knowledge comes from Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.com and my love of the game comes from backyard play-catch sessions with my dad. And you've probably hit on something there. He probably does choose his spots to hustle. He doesn't give false hustle, but does hustle when necessary. As manager Pete Mackanin says, "I have no problem with any of my players as long as they get the base they are supposed to get."
Q With the way he has pitched since his call-up, has Tom Shearn earned at least an invitation to spring training next year to make the rotation? —Rob, Louisville
A Not only will he get an invitation, it will be gold-embossed. He should be given a shot at No. 4 or No. 5 behind Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo and maybe Homer Bailey. Shearn shows you don't have to throw 95 if you know where your pitches are going and can put them in the right place at the right time. Too many pitchers walk to the mound knowing where some of their pitches are going — over the fence. After 12 years in the minors before his first chance, Shearn appreciates what he has right now and you couldn't wipe the smile off his face with a mouthful of Pine-Sol.
Q How do you see the off-season unfolding? With all the outfield additions, it makes me believe Ken Griffey Jr., Adam Dunn and/or Ryan Freel may not be back next year. And if Johan Santana isn't back with the Twins is there any chance the Reds might make a play for him? — Michael, Tullahoma, Tenn.
A I see the off-season unfolding with a trip to Boston and ol' Cape Cod, then lots of football on TV. Oh, you mean the Reds? With a surplus of outfielders, something has to happen and the guy most in jeopardy is Freel. Norris Hopper does everything Freel does, only better. Question: Hopper or Josh Hamilton in center field next year? That's the dilemma.
