DaytonDailyNews.com

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.

Q I would like to start a new career as a baseball writer. Can you point me in the right direction or offer any suggestions? — Dave, Miamisburg/Centerville/Beavercreek

A What, you don't like being a bouncer at a gentleman's club? You sound more suited to be a baseball agent. I've given my boss your name with the notation, "Don't interview." To be a baseball writer, you have to attend games and have a clue about what the game is all about.

Q The Padres are exploring the possibility of trading starting pitcher Greg Maddux. He has stated he would only agree to be traded to a contender and preferably a team in the National League. Would the Reds be interested in trading for Greg Maddux? — Anthony, Dayton

A Hey, Greg's brother, Mike, a former major-league pitcher and pitching coach for the Milwaukee Brewers, was born in Dayton. Don't think that would help, though. Have you checked the standings? Key word from Greg: "Contender." And the Reds are getting younger and Maddux would push the Reds toward Social Security status. I would say zero chance, with a capital 'Z' and an emphasis on, "No chance."

Q Tommy Lasorda used to have a theory that younger teams played better at home and worse on the road, while veteran teams were the opposite. He thought young players getting to new cities gave them too many things to do, while veterans preferred the road since it got them away from family matters for a while. Do you think that applies to the Reds? — Mark, Sun Valley, Calif.

A Excellent point, although Lasorda liked to get out of town to get free meals at every Italian restaurant in the league. You know the restaurant isn't very good if Lasorda's picture isn't on the wall. I do see younger players doing touristy things on the road while veterans hang around the hotel. Mostly, though, I believe it is environment — all players are more comfortable in familiar environs with supportive crowds and the all-important last at-bat.

Q I love Aaron Harang's work ethic on the field, but I especially admire him after a game when he loses. The Reds should be ashamed of their performance when he's on the mound. He pitches and they act like a bunch of sissies at the plate or mess up key plays. — James, Englewood

A He is the epitome of a class act. Never complains, never points fingers, even with a 2-8 record that should be 8-2. I'd love to see him lose that controlled temper in the clubhouse and make some threats. At 6-7 and 275 pounds, only Adam Dunn might argue with him, but Dunn, too, is a class-act nice guy. Maybe he should do it before one of his games: "OK, guys, the first one to let in a run on an error or strikes out with runners on second and third with one out, see me in the alley."

Q The error charged to Adam Dunn in Philadelphia is just another example of why baseball, a game that lives forever with statistics, needs to do something about the way games are scored. Isn't a ball lost in the lights or sun supposed to be ruled a hit? — Bob, Bellbrook

A Absolutely. That's the rule. Two days later, Ken Griffey Jr. lost one in the lights. Both happened in Philadelphia, but there were different official scorers. The second guy ruled an error on Griffey and said, "The other guy gave Dunn an error, so I have to be consistent." Why be consistently wrong? Both were nearly maimed by the ball when they lost it in the lights. Dunn never complained but said, "I never watch replays, but I watched that one. I looked like a monkey wrestling a football."

Q Batting .400 is a difficult feat, to say the least, so I've included the odds on Chipper Jones' chances of achieving this lofty goal, so please consider these odds for inclusion in relevant pieces you are working on. — Dan, New York City

A Sorry, Dan, couldn't include your web site. Gambling on baseball, you know, is illegal. Ever heard of Pete Rose? Anyway, I checked your odds and it is 95.65 percent against Chipper doing it. Put me down for $500,000 that he won't do it. What's that get me, $500,001?

Q Is it possible Ken Griffey Jr. could renegotiate his contract and accept less than the $16 million on his option for 2009, or do you feel there is a team out there that would give him that money? I see very little chance of him being a Red the rest of this year. — Ken, Centerville

A Oh, he'll be with the Reds the rest of the year. Remember, he has say on any trade and he has told general manager Walt Jocketty he doesn't want to be traded. After that? Well, I don't see the Reds picking up the $16 million option. Renegotiate? That's always possible, especially if he catches fire the rest of the year. If not, I see him taking it to the house to spend time with his family he adores so much. You think he needs more cash?

Q I am curious about Adam Dunn's, Ken Griffey's, Bronson Arroyo's and Aaron Harang's out-of-season fitness regimen and spring training work ethic. From your observations, did they come back as hard bodies? — Bob, Kettering

A It is the team's job to monitor its players. I have enough trouble monitoring my own diet of pizza, burgers and beer, with an occasional carrot. Hard bodies? Arroyo? How do you make a hard body out of a stick? Dunn works out in the Houston area with a slew of other major-leaguers. I know nothing of Harang and Griffey. Spring training? I watch them all do their daily exercise and workout routines. You and I couldn't do it for 45 seconds.

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