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StumbleuponDunn doesn't let trade talk affect his game
COMMENT: Who should the Reds try to trade before the deadline?
Sunday, July 20, 2008
CINCINNATI — Trade talk doesn't affect his job, but Adam Dunn said the July 31 deadline does keep his name in the news.
"It does not weigh on me at all," Dunn said after Sunday's 7-5 loss to the New York Mets. "You get tired of hearing about it. You get tired of hearing your name being brought up.
"It gets old; the questions every day. Other than that, it's definitely not going to affect my play on the field."
On Sunday at Great American Ball Park, Dunn hit his 28th homer — an attractive number for any team seeking a power hitter.
While the Reds are in the second level of National League Central teams, Cincinnati holds out hope for a post-break run. Dunn admits any cold stretch could tilt the Reds front office into selling mode.
"It probably all depends on how we play," Dunn said. "If we play good, then ownership probably has some tough decisions to make. If you don't play good, you probably make it pretty easy for them."
Rough defeats
There's losing and then there's losing after you have a lead and make uncharacteristic gaffes. The Reds split with the Mets to start their season's longest 10-game home stand and felt perturbed about the two losses in a 2-2 series split.
"They do gnaw at you, just like the one the other night," Reds manager Dusty Baker said of Thursday's 10-8 defeat. "We're in and out of trouble, like all day. You can't keep getting in trouble."
Dunn, though, said the irritation is a good sign.
"It's frustrating," said Dunn, who has homered 10 times in his past 18 games.. "We had opportunities to come away with all four games. It's good that everyone's feeling like they're feeling. That's the kind of attitude that we've got to have the second half."
Bad angle
Since the infield was drawn in, Edwin Encarnacion's throw (and error) to second base in the 10th inning was more difficult than normal. After looking Mets runner Robinson Cancel back to third, Encarnacion zinged the ball into center field past the outstretched glove of Brandon Phillips.
"It's a tough throw for Edwin and a tough play by Brandon," said Baker, adding that it's enticing to go for a double play in that no-out scenario. "It's just a situation where you had to go back on an angle versus coming toward Edwin. That was a tough play all the way around."
Three honored
Scout Gene Bennett, clubhouse manager Bernie Stowe and late Reds executive Sheldon "Chief" Bender were recognized as the first Powel Crosley Jr. Award winners.
The Reds Hall of Fame and Museum announced the honor, meant to recognize individuals who have exemplified the Crosley spirit of dedication and devotion during extended Reds careers of service and achievement.
Bender worked from 1967 until 2005 in most player personnel and development departments. On his watch, the Reds farm system produced Johnny Bench, Dave Conception, Ken Griffey Sr., Don Gullett, Mario Soto, Tom Browning, Eric Davis and Barry Larkin — big contributors on the World Series teams of 1975, 1976 and 1990. Bender died Feb. 27. His grandson, Eric Muller, accepted the award.
Bennett, a Reds minor league starting in 1952, became a scout in 1958. In 1975, he became the scouting supervisor for Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan and Indiana. His most notable signings were Gullett, Larkin, Paul O'Neill, Jeff Russell and Chris Sabo.
Stowe, the clubhouse manager since 1968, began as a clubhouse boy in 1947. Stowe makes sure the equipment and uniform needs are met. He's been honored as the equipment manager for four National League All-Star teams. The Reds clubhouse at Great American Ball Park is named for Stowe.
Quick hits
• Jay Bruce has a nine-game hitting streak. . . . Ken Griffey Jr. hits his 492nd double and 1,134th extra-base hit, placing him alone in 11th all-time and one ahead of Tris Speaker. . . . In his last 29 games, Edwin Encarnacion is hitting .337. . . . Brandon Phillips has four of the 62 left-field bleacher-seat homers in the six seasons at GABP. . . . The Mets stranded 14 runners Sunday, but still improved to 8-4 in extra innings. . . . There was a triple in each of the four games this series.
Dream job
Four Reds fans are among 48 nationwide contestants in the 2008 MLB Rookie Reporter Showdown. The winner will work alongside the MLB.com studio team during the World Series.
The four Cincinnati representatives, unnamed in a press release, will compete today in trivia, delivering a report while avoiding fan distractions and improvising a story based on the in-game situation.
The challenges will air on local Reds telecasts beginning Aug. 25. Fans can vote for their favorite at www.mlb.com/GilletteReporter.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951 or mgokavi@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Comments
By statewaterheatercensibleSl
August 19, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this
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By scott
July 22, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
just put together a lineup that can beat the sub-.500 teams. where would the reds be if they won 60% of the games against the bad teams?
By Jason Stephens
July 21, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
Who is David Conception. I think you mean Concepcion.
By Jason Stephens
July 21, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
Who is David Conception. I think you mean Concepcion.
By DD
July 21, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
Wes, the Reds won the deal with Washington for Kearns & Lopez - those two are terrible. Bray is having a solid year with ERA under 3 and Majewski is finally healthy. Lopez can’t even hold onto a starting job for the pathetic Nationals!
As for this year’s team, trade Weathers, Affeldt, Griff and any of our catchers if there are any takers. And, Jerry Hairston! He’s had a career year, but is a career journeyman as well who can’t stay healthy. He would get us a better prospect than anyone else.
By Chuck
July 21, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
Marty & Thom Brenneman to Atlanta for Skip Caray.
By david westendorf
July 21, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
weathers gone, JR gone, ross gone i agree with, keep dunn, keep harang, build on the young team that is turning out to be pretty good. in time i think they will be able to tear through the national league. bailey needs more time. bruce needs more time.
By Jake
July 21, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
Teddy, who do you expect to play after these people are “gone”? The entire Louisville roster? Do you expect to get something for all the “nothings” that you want to trade away? Have some sense.
By Wes in Louisville
July 21, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
Trade Griffey because he isn’t the player he used to be but you’re gonna have to pay him like he is. Trade Harang. His value might get you a young talent in return. You can’t trade Dunn if you trade Griffey. Cincy’s ballpark requires power hitters. Bruce, Phillips and Votto can’t carry the power numbers this team needs to compete. Cincy mngt scares me to death. I could see them trading Griff, Dunn and Harang and not getting anything in return? Remember the Lopez/Kearns deal?
By david westendorf
July 21, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
first off, i have read everyones comments and some make sense and many do not. at this point we have to accept our stature in the national league but don’t give up on the reds at all, for they have a young foundation that is being built up for baseball glory. i agree that a catcher is needed who can hit and play deffense, but under the circumstances sometimes a deffensive catcher is all you can get. JR. is gone no if ands or buts. keep dunn for power, build pitching staff.
By James
July 21, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this
Griffey gone. Harang gone. Weathers gone.
By ross
July 21, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
The Reds should not even consider trading Dunn…they are struggling now but with Griffey/Dunn gone they would be worst team in baseball..Bruce cant carry Dunn’s bags
By Teddy
July 21, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
Outfield first: Dunn, gone. Griffey, gone. Bruce, either back to AAA or he gets smart at the plate. Infield: Encarnacion, gone. Hairston moves to third. If the first round draft can learn first, Votto goes to outfield. Ross, gone. Bako, gone. Pitching: Weathers, gone. Affeldt, gone. Cordero keep but if the deal comes up, trade him. Keep other starters but on a very short leash. If you have nothing, you lose nothing by trading. Oh, and Baker/Pole/Jacoby-See ya! Maybe a purge helps.
By Cait
July 21, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
They have a catcher who can hit - Valentin - but Dusty won’t play him. His defense is not bad, it’s average, and Ross and Bako have not played great defense so far. (Witness Bako’s mishandling of a good throw from Jr. yesterday.) Who to trade? I’m for keeping Dunn, but if the right offer comes in, I’d let him go just like we did Hamilton. I think Weathers would help a contender, but other than the young guys, I don’t think the Reds have a lot to trade - and we need to keep the young nucleus.
By bill
July 21, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
I don’t think EE is a winner, at least he does not show it. They need a catcher who can hit if there is one out there. Can’t afford to carry a catcher for defense only, Not enough other hitters in lineup that you can count on in pressure situations
By bill
July 21, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
I don’t think EE is a winner, at least he does not show it. They need a catcher who can hit if there is one out there. Can’t afford to carry a catcher for defense only, Not enough other hitters in lineup that you can count on in pressure situations
By bill
July 21, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
I don’t think EE is a winner, at least he does not show it. They need a catcher who can hit if there is one out there. Can’t afford to carry a catcher for defense only, Not enough other hitters in lineup that you can count on in pressure situations
By bill
July 21, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this
I don’t think EE is a winner, at least he does not show it. They need a catcher who can hit if there is one out there. Can’t afford to carry a catcher for defense only, Not enough other hitters in lineup that you can count on in pressure situations
By Jeff from NC
July 21, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
Griffey, Dunn, Weathers, Ross and I’m on the fence about EE. Can Keppinger play 3rd down the road? The Reds defense is awful and they need a change in the clubhouse.