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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2008 > April > 17 > Entry
‘V’ is for Votto, Volquez
It was a ‘V’ as in victory day for the Cincinnati Reds, the expunging of a five-game losing streak, thanks to first baseman Joey Votto and pitcher Edinson Volquez.
Votto, playing more and more each day, drove in the first five runs with a three-run double and a two-run homer as the Reds beat the Chicago Cubs, 9-2.
Volquez, despite expending too many pitches over five innings (112), recorded his second victory (2-0, 1.17). He did the dastardly by giving the Cubs a 1-0 lead when he walked opposing pitcher Ted Lilly with the bases loaded.
But Votto erased the 1-0 deficit with a three-run double in the fourth and added a two-run homer in the sixth to make it 5-1.
Ken Griffey Jr.’s 596th career homer, a two-run shot, gave the bullpen plenty of working room and enabled the Reds to come home with a road victory after losing five straight.
Their trip to Milwaukee (2-1), Pittsburgh (0-3) and Chicago (1-2) netted them a 3-6 record as they come home to play Milwaukee Friday night.
On the morning of a five-game losing streak in Wrigley Field, before the losing streak ended, the clubhouse sounded like a Rush Street bistro at 2 a.m.
Music, loud music. Music, bad music - at first.
The novelty song, Chacarron Macarron by El Mudo was playing at fever pitch and inside manager Dusty Baker’s office somebody said, “I hate that song.”
Said Baker, “Better than the morgue it has been out there.”
Turns out the music is courtesy of pitcher/musician Bronson Arroyo.
Baker said Arroyo came into his office a few days ago and asked, “May be play music in the clubhouse?” Said Baker, “Of course. I always have music in my office and up until now it has been the only music in the clubhouse.”
But Chacarron Macarron? Stupid song.
“Sometimes stupid is good,” Baker said with a laugh. “I don’t care if they play Sesame Street music. All I told Bronson - and he showed some leadership right there - is to have Equal Opportunity Music - novelty, Latin, country, rap.
As he talked, El Mudo filled the clubhouse and Baker laughed and said, “What happens if we go on a winning streak? Does that become the team song?”
Fortunately, other music soon filled the room - country, rap, rock.
Back in 1990, when the Reds had the Nasty Boys in the bullpen - Randy Myers, Rob Dibble and Norm Charlton - every time the Reds won, the song U Can ‘t Touch This by MC Hammer assaulted the clubhouse.
For the Reds, though, the sweetest music of all right now would be a few wins…at least one.
But, hey, even Chacarron Macarron beat what I endured Wednesday night on the cab ride from Wrigley to the hotel.
The cabbie said, “You like country music? I love country music. Even though I’m from India, I just love country music.”
He then proved it by turning the radio speakers full blast when a song by Lone Star came on. I like country music and Lone Star, too, but full volume in the back of a cab? I should be able to hear the person talking next to me pretty soon now.l
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By Kurt
April 18, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
Hal, it’s good to know your likes and dislikes in musical tastes. Any music too loud, when you’re not in control of the volume knob can’t be good… Lol. OK so the Reds have made a mess of things, in this latest road trip. I still have optimisim for our Team. It’s early in the season, so I’m not in a panic. BTW, is anyone tired of this months JTM ad with Bronson and Welsh, I understand there is more to come? It was amusing at first, but sheesh game? I’ve noticed that you and Marty are critical on Dusty and crew, when we’re down. I myself get that way too, from time to time. Perhaps this year, The Reds will win alot of home games, this would make alot of the home town fans happy for sure. From here on out, The boy’s in Red better pick it up or we won’t see post season play. GO Red’s!!!!
By Mike
April 18, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
I guess this might date me..but Chaccaron Maccaron sounds like something my wife might create for Sunday dinner with the neighbors..whatever..sounds like a song years ago called Chanson D’mour…by the way that’s French..not sure about Chaccaron Maccaron!!
By ohdave
April 17, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
C’mon Hal. We know you have Chaccaron Maccaron on your ipod.