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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 > 29 > Entry
Cueto cuffed by Cards
When the media arrived in front of Johnny Cueto’s dressing stall Tuesday night, his clothes were gone and that meant one of two things:
ONE - Not only did the St. Louis Cardinals beat the bejabbers out of him on the Busch Stadium grass, but they stole his pants, too.
TWO - He had no hankering to rehash a personal train wreck.
It was the latter and there are only so many ways in Spanish to say, “I got mugged.”
In only 1 2/3 innings, shortest work day of the year by a Cincinnati Reds starter, Cueto gave up seven runs (six earned) and eight hits en route to a 7-2 defeat.
Cause for concern? How about a bit of dismay?
Since he held the Arizona Diamondbacks to one hit and struck out 10 in his major-league debut April 3, Cueto is 0-3 in his next four starts with a 6.74 ERA.
Not good, not good.
I didn’t mean to do it, but I started a war in the Brennaman family during the second inning on the radio when I pointed out that Cueto has not been good in his last four starts.
Young Thom jumped to Cueto’s defense, saying he is young (22) and that he shouldn’t be on a short leash just because this team wants to win this year, that he should be given a full chance.
Old Marty (Marty and I are very old) agreed with me that he should have a short leash. Don’t let the dogs eat him alive. Protect him, if need be.
Marty and I agree that if Cueto stays in the rotation regardless of what happens because he is young and learning, than the Reds can’t do it both ways. If they are going young, then where is Homer Bailey and where is Jay Bruce?
Reports indicate that Bailey still is too inconsistent and that Bruce is striking out way too much (21 times in 90 at-bats). But if they are going to stick with Cueto and make the major-league experience a learning experience, then Bailey and Bruce should be learning up here, too.
As I said to Marty, and he agreed, “You can’t have it both ways.” Thom was in the throes of apoplexy and Marty said, “Settle down, son. You’re going to have a heart attack.”
Maybe Cueto will settle everybody down and throw a gem next time. He has enough pressure on him, being a 22-year-old who speaks no English and was pitching at Class A Sarasota at this time last year.
To me there is added pressure. His best friend, his compadre, the guy he is always with, Edinson Volquez, is 4-0. Cueto sees that and wants to do as well. More pressure.
Maybe Edinson stole his pants.
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By got milk
April 30, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Bailey had a good outting this afternoon. 7IP, 5H, 3ER, 2BB, 10K 108 pitches Bats won 4-3
By Kyle
April 30, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this
No doubt Cueto was a victim of that lovely baserunning of Dusty’s favorite son, Patterson. That stuff carries over. He has to go.
By Rob
April 30, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
Completely agree with Hal and Marty. Things just spun a little out of control for Cueto last night. Funny how much momentum is involved in baseball. Bonehead baserunning carried over to frustration on the mound in the bottom of the inning. Does this Jay Bruce ordeal have anything to do with service time? Who cares if he strikes out too much right now? Half the Reds lineup has struck out too much the past 4 or 5 years. Dunn to Tampa Bay!
By Steve
April 30, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
Hal is completely right about Cueto, and has been right about Bruce since March. Homer is a step behind Cueto so I don’t feel as strongly about that, but I wouldn’t wait much longer to bring Homer up if Belisle struggles. If we had named Bruce the starter out of spring training he’d already have a month of MLB experience behind him. Hal is the only major writer to call out Dusty on this one. Patterson is a fine back-up #4 OF for defensive purposes. Adam Dunn is basically unwatchable, at the plate and in LF.
By Mandy
April 30, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
Hal, I enjoy reading your insight and love your sense of humor. Thanks!
By Broadway
April 30, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
Excuse my error—previous remark directed to Brian—but I also agree with Mike.
By Broadway
April 30, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
As I was saying numerous times… Mike, you are correct,also, in everything you said.It seems Patterson for everything he does well, he will do two things incorrectly. His first movement leading off third base, when contact was made by the hitter, should have been a dive back to third base—the ball has to go through to the outfield before he takes any steps toward home plate, in that situation.I do like his defense,however. Dunn is the Coffey of the starting lineup, I’m afraid.
By Ryan
April 30, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
I remember hearing how bad Volquez was last year with the Rangers, and now he is lights out. Cueto will be good, name one great pitcher who did not have a rough start or two.
By hij
April 30, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
I agree with Vin Scully in how the game has changed since expansion and some teams & players would not even be in the majors in years past. Johnny Cueto is good enough to be here. Whatever ever happened to a well rounded outfielder (run, catch & THROW) not just hit solo homeruns when it’s not critical.
By Steven Ross
April 30, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
I agree with Brian on Dunn. He has to go. A chimp can play better “D”. What frosts my backside is his lack of production when we needed most. He always hits when it’s a meaningless cause. Griffey has lost some bat speed but I can live with him for this year. Guess it’s just me but I don’t mind Patterson. He’ll help us in the long run. Honestly, he isn’t hurting us but Dunn sure does.
By jarrod
April 30, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
the thing to remember is that while cueto has not been stellar he hasn’t been bad until last night. talk of sending him down is a little premature and in fact i think his last start was pretty good. now if he were to have another bad outing or two…and to comment on your last thread hal, the regulars know what a blog is. if someone whines about grammar let a few of us regulars politely fill them in on how a blog works rather than you taking the chance that youre actually making someone with a personality disorder’s day by responding to them.
By NR
April 30, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this
I think you have to let him pitch. The reason Volquez and Cueto made the cut and Bailey didn’t was command and control. Cueto has lost a little command here lately, but every pitcher does from time to time. As a young pitcher he is going to have to learn to “tinker” with mechanics etc etc… that said i don’t know when enough is enough… they don’t pay me the big bucks to make that decision.
By Mike
April 30, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this
Give the kid a chance. The major problem is the offense. When was the last time the Reds were in a shoot out. Why can’t they score 8 runs and bail the young pitcher out. Another thing their outfield defense is horrible. Single becomes doubles. Doubles become triple and inside the parkers. They have bigger problems than young Jonney Cueto.
By Pete
April 30, 2008 7:35 AM | Link to this
I can’t add or say anything differently than Brian just did. Hey Hal…. you & Marty are right on! It’ll be interesting to see if anyone starts jumping (well, maybe leaping) off the Johnny Cueto train real soon like.
By Chad
April 30, 2008 7:30 AM | Link to this
Hal, I heard you prodding Thom and starting the Brennaman scuffle. Nice work—that was radio gold! Kidding aside, I agree that Reds should not tap dance with building for the future—It cannot be done (well) halfway. And, thanks a million for taking the extra time for this blog. In addition to the pleasure of discovering “The Real McCoy,” I thought that it must add to the already tremendous amount of work that you do.
By Brian
April 30, 2008 4:12 AM | Link to this
The reds need to get rid of the dead weight in the middle of the lineup. Dunn is a joke. Always has been. I don’t care how many HR’s he hits he can’t do anything else. Griffey’s about done. He’ll be gone after this year. The biggest waste of money (other than Milton) the reds have ever spent. Freel is upset because Baker had to bring in one of his ex-cub rejects Patterson. What a joke. Hopper or Freel should be leading off but there not going to play because Baker’s got to get his boy in there swinging at anything.
By Reds Authority
April 30, 2008 12:29 AM | Link to this
Did you check his head? ‘Cause I think he was scalped, too!