Ask Hal: Reds leave wool uniforms in the closet

Hal McCoy gets a break from baseball this week as the All-Star Game takes center stage. He’s looking forward to doing a little shopping with Nadine. Well, maybe not, but he’ll go anyway.

Q Why do the Reds wear those hot, heavy red jerseys on Sundays and holidays when the other team wears gray, light uniforms? Bill, Villa Hills, Ky.

A Marketing and merchandising. Many teams have three and four sets of uniform tops and all are available for purchase at the team’s gift shops. And I’m told the red jerseys are very light and well-ventilated, not like those old all-wool uniforms teams used to wear that caused players to lose 10 pounds a game during an August day game. And, you, too, can own a red Reds jersey — for $100.

Q The Reds have plenty of young talent in Louisville that could help down the stretch while the Reds hang close despite their erratic play, so what are they waiting for? — Dave, Franklin

A Walt Jocketty, Louisville manager Rick Sweet and the Reds’ scouting department know more about their players than you or I. There is more to a major-league player than his batting average. When they believe a player is ready, he’ll be called up. Don’t you think they want to win, too? They aren’t about to hold anybody back.

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