QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Q: Even though the Reds are in the thick of things, would you agree that the team overall has underachieved because I see SO much potential that isn’t being realized? — STEVE, VANDALIA
A: No, I wouldn’t. They lost their No. 1 starter for most of the season in Johnny Cueto. They lost their clean-up hitter for most of the season in Ryan Ludwick. They lost their left-handed set-up pitcher for most of the year in Sean Marshall. They lost their right-handed set-up pitcher for the season in Nick Masset and set-up pitcher Jonathan Broxton. Catcher Ryan Hanigan battled injuries all season. And you said it yourself — “the Reds are in the thick of things.” If anything, they’ve overachieved by overcoming adversity.
Hall-of-fame baseball writer Hal McCoy knows a thing or two about America’s pastime. If you’d like to tap into that knowledge, send a question to halmccoy1@hotmail.com.
Q: Do you and the other writers share a checklist of questions not to ask Dusty Baker so as to not get his dander up? — DAVE, MIAMISBURG/CENTERVILLE/BEAVERCREEK
A: Baseball writers share the time of day in the press box but in the clubhouse it is everybody for themselves. If you aren’t careful a camera jockey will knock you over jostling for position. It is difficult to get Baker upset unless one peppers him with foolish questions. He even suffers fools, but barely. You, though, would be considered insufferable.
Q: In the improbable but possible scenario of a three-way tie in the National League Central, how would it be determined who wins and how would the playoffs be? — MATT, DAYTON
A: Not improbable at all — very possible. If Cincinnati, St. Louis and Pittsburgh finish tied, then the team with the best record against teams in the division gets its choice, which means choosing first place. The team with the second-best record in the division gets the next choice, which would be the home team in the wild-card game. As of Friday, St. Louis would win the division and Pittsburgh would be the home team in the wild card against the Reds. The Reds just can’t catch a break, can they?
Q: For the money he makes, do you believe there is a better player in baseball right now than Jay Bruce, and how long is he signed through? — MARK, BLOOMINGTON, IND.
A: He is the bargain of all bargains and probably regrets signing the contract he signed. The Reds have him under control through 2017 because they have a team option that year for $13 million. Not many teams, if any, have a guaranteed 30 home runs and nearly 100 RBI from a player making that kind of money. But you’ll never hear Bruce complain. He signed it and he’ll keep quiet about it and hit his 30 homers a year, if not more, through 2017.
Q: Brook Jacoby has gotten an unfair share of heat for inconsistent hitting and run production. Who have been the best Reds coaches you’ve covered? — BRAD, GREENVILE
A: Pitching coach Don Gullett was a master at reclamation projects and current pitching coach Bryan Price is excellent with what he has done with Homer Bailey and Mat Latos and a mixed batch of bullpenners. I loved hitting coach Ted Kluszewski’s approach with The Big Red Machine (quiet encouragement). Jacoby takes the same approach and is one of the best.
Q: Assuming Shin-Soo Choo and Ryan Hanigan depart the Reds via free agency this winter, how about moving Billy Hamilton to shortstop to bat leadoff, put Derrick Robinson to center field and trade Zack Cozart for a catcher? — BOB, SPRINGBORO
A: While I respect your opinions and ideas, I’m glad you are not the Reds general manager. Hamilton was moved from shortstop because he wasn’t very good at it, especially throwing. Robinson has shown no aptitude for hitting major-league pitching. Leave Hamilton in center and utilize his speed. Devin Mesoraco is the catcher of the future so the team only needs a veteran backup. And Cozart is another reason they moved Hamilton to center field. You won’t find a much better glove at shortstop and he is showing he can hit if left at the bottom of the order. You might want to apply for the GM job in Houston.
Q: Everybody keeps saying Billy Hamilton is the first player to steal four bases in his first major-league start since 1920 but nobody bothers to mention who that earlier player was. Why not give the guy credit? — MARK, MOLNDAL, SWEDEN
A: There is nobody to whom credit is due. What should have been said is that Hamilton is the ONLY guy to do it since 1920. Why 1920? That is considered the first year of the live ball era, ending the dead ball era. We all should have said, ‘Hamilton is the only player in the live ball era to steal four bases in his first major-league start.’ And I would venture to say he is the only player to steal nine bases the first 10 times he was on base.
Q: What happens if the Reds and Washington Nationals tie for the second wild card spot in the National League? — MICHAEL, ARLINGTON, VA.
A: Nothing good for the Reds. There would be a one-game playoff on the Monday after the season and because the Nationals won four of the six games between the teams this year the game would be in Washington. And right now the Nationals are the hottest team in baseball, but it would take a complete collapse by the Reds for the Nationals to catch them. But, as we all know, collapses in baseball happen all the time.
Q: One thing I have not heard discussed about instant replay is the phantom tag when the ball beats the runner or the turn at second on a double play. Are we now going to see these plays eliminated and the fielders actually have to make the play? — ED, TIPP CITY
A: Only if the manager challenges the call. I would assume that since there will be video evidence on a challenge that a fielder will actually have to tag a runner and a fielder will actually have to tag the base while in possession of the ball for a force out. I never understood why umpires let fielders get away with those maneuvers when the rules clearly state what the fielder has to do to get an out.
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