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Arroyo's singing a better tune these days
Saturday, July 26, 2008
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 Is Dusty Baker that ashamed of this team so he sends Billy Hatcher out with the lineup card? — Dave, Miamisburg/Centerville/Beavercreek
A So the one game you attended in the last five years happened to be the day Hatcher took out the card? If you paid attention, you would see Baker takes the card out many times. If the Reds lose that night, a different coach takes out the card the next game. If they win, that same coach takes out the card the next night. He continues until he loses and then it passes on to somebody else. It's the same thing as players/manager/coaches never stepping on a foul line when they cross it. Superstition, my friend, superstition.
Q How valuable are off days like Thursday after a day game on Wednesday, followed by a night game? — Rob, St. Louis
A For writers, not so good. It's mostly catching up on the honey-do list, plus we never have a true day off — off-day stories to write, blogs to write. Moan, moan, moan. The players, though, relish them. Golf to be played, fishing to be done. As for the team, mostly it benefits the bullpen, which is always overworked. Just a day or two off and the arm bounces back, if it isn't ready to fall off.
Q Just because Bronson Arroyo is finally paying attention, what gives him the nerve to say, "Honestly, if they trade me, they're saying, 'That's it, we're not going to build a winning team here'? " The guy pitches like a total jerk at the beginning of the season by not preparing in the off-season, doesn't take his job seriously, embarrasses himself, his teammates, and the oldest professional baseball organization with his debacle in Toronto, and now has the gall to make this statement and plead to stay in Cincinnati? — James, Clayton
A Man, you must really hate his singing. Who said he hasn't paid attention, wasn't prepared, doesn't take his job seriously? I'd dispute all three charges. Arroyo is a guy who says what he thinks, no words barred. Ask him a question, he empties his brain. Everybody ripped him when he said how much he loves Boston and how he'd like to go back and now that he says he wants to stay in Cincinnati he becomes a leper. And since his 10 runs in one inning in Toronto, he is 5-0. I'm sure Dusty Baker would take one inning like that if he wins five in a row every time afterward.
Q Any chance of getting Eric Bedard from Seattle now that he is on the DL? Homer Bailey, Joey Votto and Ken Griffey Jr.? Getting Bedard now would ensure a contending club next year. — Michael, Dallas
A Are you advocating trading Bailey, Votto and Griffey for Bedard? Wow, your trade might eventually go down as one of the worst in Reds history. I wouldn't trade Bailey for Bedard straight-up. Or Votto. And for the millionth time, Griffey can't be traded without his permission and he doesn't want to be traded. The Reds are well-stocked in young starters and adding one doesn't guarantee anything — even CC Sabathia to Milwaukee.
Q Now that the Brewers have had success with C.C. Sabathia, after he changed his name to CC Sabathia, do you think it would help the Reds if they had C.A. Jones on their team, with an updated name of CA Jones? — Walt, Centerville
A With or without the periods CC (C.C.) is a great pitcher, period. As for C.A. (CA) Jones, I assume you mean Chipper Jones, except his real name is Larry Wayne Jones Jr. (LW Jones). And to get him from the Atlanta Braves the Reds would have to send them 42 Skyline Chili franchises and 33 UDF franchises, plus half the team.
Q In the not-too-distant future, you will have the opportunity to vote for Barry Larkin's entrance into Cooperstown. Will you vote for him and how do you assess his chances? — Ken, Oakwood
A If he makes it, I hope his acceptance is shorter than the one he gave last week for his induction into the Reds Hall of Fame. Fidel Castro's speeches are shorter. Thanking Wilson and Nike was a bit much. But, yes, I believe Larkin belongs in Cooperstown and yes I will vote for him. His chances? Close call. If Dave Concepcion can't come close, I wonder about Larkin. If Concepcion had played in New York and had not been overshadowed by Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez and Pete Rose, he would be there now.
Q Is Greg Maddux the greatest pitcher you've ever covered? — Mark, Bloomington, Ind.
A Some people believe I covered Cy Young, Christy Matthewson and Walter Johnson, but since I didn't (I just missed them) I eliminate them. The best pitchers I've covered on a daily basis in 36 years of following the Reds are Don Gullett and Tom Browning (being left-handed, I'm prejudiced, I guess, since both are left-handed). As for pitchers on other teams, Maddux wins. As one scout put it recently, "Maddux feasts on dumb teams," and there are a lot of dumb teams out there.
