Pyramid Hill lights up
Women of Excellence Awards
16th Annual Music Festival
Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 36th year of covering the Cincinnati Reds, the longest tenure for any active writer covering one team. Counting spring training and postseason games, McCoy has covered more than 7,000 major-league baseball games, written close to 18,000 baseball stories and eaten enough hot dogs to give Babe Ruth indigestion.Home > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2008 > July > 11 > Entry
Call him Bad Luck Bailey
Homer Bailey says he is not a gambler, but when he arrived in Milwaukee early Thursday he went to the Potawatami Casino, close to downtown, for some entertainment and the removal of $200 from his wallet.
“It just shows I still have bad luck,” he said with a laugh.
What irritated him, a smiling irritation, was that he watched Milwaukee All-Star outfielder Ryan Braun walk up to the roulette table and place one $25 chip on ‘8.’
“That’s it. One bet. Twenty-five bucks on ‘8,’” said Bailey. “What happens? It hits. More than $800 for him. I never have that kind of luck. I’m donating money.”
What brought it up was that Bailey was talking about his luck, the lack thereof this season both at Class AAA Louisville and with the Reds.
I didn’t even get the question out, but he knew what I was going to say when I started my question with, “I know numbers are not that important in the minors, but how frustrating is it…”
I never finished.
“Very,” he said. “It is frustrating.”
I was going to ask him about the frustration of not winning a game in either the minors or the major since April 27. He knew the question.
“You are out there and you are throwing better than you have in a long, long time and there is a broken bat hit here, a missed communication there and you’re getting ‘Ls’ even though you’re feeling better than you ever have,” said Bailey. “You start questioning yourself.”
Bailey was in the clubhouse Friday, two days before he faces C.C. Sabathia Sunday afternoon and he appreciates that the Reds brought him in early this time.
“Last time they called me up it was a day game in Philadelphia and I got in at 1 that morning,” he said. “It’s much better this time and this way.”
When it was mentioned about his matchup, he laughed and said, “Oh, yeah. Doesn’t matter. Doesn’t matter.”
During spring training, every time it was Bailey’s turn to pitch it was against the New York Yankees or the Boston Red Sox.
For those screaming for the head of pitching coach Dick Pole on top of a base, Bailey is crediting him with a major turnaround.
“I’ve thrown a lot better since I went back,” he said. “I’ve cut down on walks and I’ve had more strikeouts,” he said. “I’m feeling a lot better about the way I’m throwing.”
And his velocity is up.
“Before I went down I worked on a few things with Dick Pole and that has a lot to do with it,” he said. “My off-speed pitches have been better, too. Dick and I worked on my balance and if you’re in balance I guess everything gets a little better.”
The last time Bailey pitched, he threw 82 pitches in six innings - an economical outing, but his bad luck persisted.
“I had a lot of bad luck the last inning, then I got pulled for a pinch-hitter because we were playing a National League team (No DH). We were down by one and it was my turn to bat so I was pulled for a pinch-hitter and I hadn’t even gotten loose yet.”
His luck certainly didn’t change when he drew Sabathia.
Permalink | Comments (30) | Post your comment |
Comments
By scoopyclasurl
January 13, 2009 5:28 PM | Link to this
Hi, I’m a new operator, solely registered on your forum. I assumption for your message, I chose the chide sector - this. fine nominate - www.fairfield-echo.com.By Rod Murch
July 16, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
Hal, Many have been upset about the winner of the All-Star game getting home field for the World Series. While I may not totally agree with the concept, I have one thing at the All-Star game that upsets me much more………… the homerun derby and how they have a final that has nothing to do with anything about one silly final. In my opinion there should have been no way Josh Hamilton should have lost that derby. Actually there is one way; the other finalist would ahve had to hit about 12-15 more homeruns than he in the final round to beat him in total homeruns. Just an opinion mind you…….. but many feel the same way as I do. Rod MurchBy Ryan
July 13, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this
Hey…Huber “Buddah” Tucky…lets hear you wisdom on the performance on Bailey this afternoon. Should the Reds keep him or package him in as deal with lets say Weathers? I’m awaiting to hear your wisdom “Buddah”…LOL….LOL!!!!By Ryan
July 13, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this
Hey…Huber “Buddah” Tucky…lets hear you wisdom on the performance on Bailey this afternoon. Should the Reds keep him or package him in as deal with lets say Weathers? I’m awaiting to hear your wisdom “Buddah”…LOL….LOL!!!!By Ryan
July 13, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
Hey…Huber “Buddha” Tucky…lets hear you wisdom on the performance on Bailey this afternoon. Should the Reds keep him or package him in as deal with lets say Weathers? I’m awaiting to hear your wisdom “Buddah”…LOL….LOL!!!!By Ryan
July 13, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this
HuberTucky…..Stick it!By Florida Buckeye
July 12, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
Please, oh please, let’s NEVER write, read, or hear the Name Coco Crisp as a trade rumor to the Reds on this blog again…The kids a punk, and I would hate to have his negativity in our dugout! Odd pitching move w/r to Bray coming in, and then getting replace by the black-majic man…but it worked, so I won’t waste too much time pondering…Major difference between the Reds/Brewers/Cubs, and other fundamental baseball clubs: We have no patience, or plate discipline…sad!By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
July 12, 2008 8:09 AM | Link to this
Hey Now, Wizard! My rock gut has two skinned apples in the jug to take off some of the bite. :)By brian
July 12, 2008 7:54 AM | Link to this
cp and magic keep coming back like bad dreams. Also, Isn’t there a minor league for announcers and can the nickname “cowboy” be stricken from the airwaves?By MAC
July 12, 2008 2:57 AM | Link to this
Hal, a simple question: are the Reds buyers or sellers before July 31? What move(s) would be reasonable in your opinion? IMO,there are some interesting trade prospects on MLB web site: Coco Crisp (switch hitting lead-off CF w/ good speed, avg, OBS, & age) Casey Blake (good avg, contact hitter w/ 51 RBIs, Royals catcher Olivie? (good numbers considering lack of playing time) & Marlins OF & x-Red, Cody Ross. All these guys have reasonable salaries and wouldn’t cost a lot to acquire; they have some nice stats as well. A plausable trade IMO might be David Ross to Marlins for Cody Ross and Reds promote AAA catcher Hanigan? I think the Reds really need some RH hitting OF help considering the injuries to Hopper & Freel, the likelyhood we lose Dunn and or Griffey next season and the fact Bruce continues to struggle and there is no one else close to being ready in the minors?By HuberTucky
July 12, 2008 1:55 AM | Link to this
Ahhh, the Ryan & Matt lovefest continues. All you do is continue to blow smoke up Matt’s butt, ya toad. Now try and pay attention, I did not say get rid of Dunn. Fo me, he’s a keeper. He simply needs to be exposed to high energy winners. And you-know-who no longer fits that category. Instead, he’s more of a high energy whiner…like the two most unobjective posters on this blog, Tweedle Matt and Tweedle DumbRyan.By MAC
July 12, 2008 1:29 AM | Link to this
Hal, thanks for the info on Homer & Pole; it’s nice to hear he was given something to work on and that things have improved for him. That being said, it’s easy to see his confidence is still shaken and because he is still working on things, I don’t see why they brought him back up? Most likely, the Reds will struggle against CC and no matter how well he pitches, there’s a strong possibility he’ll fall short in another ML attempt and be sent back down? How does this help him improve? IMO, Belise and Affeldt could have taken them through the 5th or 6th inning and then the rest of the BP could have been used which is likely to happen anyway before the All-Star break. This would have left Homer where he needs to be and given the team a better chance to win IMHO.By MAC
July 12, 2008 1:17 AM | Link to this
Nice win tonight; Fogg did a nice job and the Reds actually manufactured some runs for a change;-) As for Griffey, his AB in the 7th was very selfish; once again, he was swinging for the fences instead of trying to make contact and score the go ahead run. Ditto for Dunn; both guys were pulling off the ball & trying to go yard instead of putting the ball in play. Here again is why I say a significant trade needs to be made; these two are not going to change their approach no matter what and no coach seems capable of making them either? A good team can’t have that in the middle of their lineup and be any good. In contrast, it was nice to see Bruce & Phillips stay back and hit the ball the other way.By Matt
July 12, 2008 12:03 AM | Link to this
Hubertucky, my “house of cards” isn’t falling, because I haven’t built one. I have said more than once in this forum that Griffey should not be hitting third in that lineup. Should Junior be in the lineup? Yes. He still is productive enough to be in there. But, as Marty and Brantley said tonight, Griffey is not a number three or number four hitter any more. It’s unfortunate but it’s true. They never said he shouldn’t be on the team or be playing, they simply said he should not be batting third, and I agree with them!! What else you got there, smarty-pants?By wizard
July 11, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
Does Reds Authority drink the same rot gut stuff that Mr. Redlegs does?By wizard
July 11, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this
Great game tonight! Well-pitched game by Fogg—outstanding effort when they needed it. Go for two tomorrow with Volquez!By bigdoc1
July 11, 2008 11:43 PM | Link to this
Good win! Luck evened out for both sides. Gotta love Hairston! He’s been worth CP’s 3.5M—wonder what he’s making?By Y-City Jim
July 11, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this
Reds Authority, I heard it on Redleg Nation at 8:31 pm and on Fay’s blog at 9:07 pm. I guess since you posted it at 10:38 pm that we heard it here last.By Ryan
July 11, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this
Listen Old Huber Tucky or what other odd name you go by!!!! Lay off Matt for being a GRiffey fan! I personally would like to see Griffey go and resign Dunn. I know in your infinite wisdom you are going to come back with some comment that has been said a million times already. The Reds cannot sign a player with that type of production any cheaper. I just do not think Dunn is going to get the kind of money he wants on the open market. He could be a steal for the Reds at the right price. Lighten up!!!By Mike-Cinci
July 11, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this
On the good news front, Mike Lincoln, David Weathers, and Francisco Cordero pitched very nicely tonight vs. the Brewers. They have been effective all year. So have Burton and Affeldt. Wayne Krivsky did improve the bullpen. The Keppinger, Hairston, Phillips, Bray, and Hamilton/Volquez moves were not bad either. I’m hopeful Walt Jocketty will build on this but it will not be easy.By wizard
July 11, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this
Matt: Am I still ignorant? Huber Tucky took the words right out of my mouth—Guess I’ll have to rest my case! Your hero proved my points:offensively and defensively!By Brarhopper
July 11, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this
Reds win! Yee haa! Just gotta mention what Marty said. In the 8th, bases loaded, and the reds needed a run real bad. Dunn pinch hitting and hits the ball 3 feet in front of the place and forces the runner at 3rd. Marty says, “Griffey fails in the 7th and Dunn fails in the 8th. With runners on base, Griffey average is .230 and Dunn’s is .220” And that just ain’t gettin’ er done! And in the 9th, Griff strikes out AGAIN — for the game, 0 fer 5 and two Ks. Thank gawd for the other players on this team since the big guns don’t often git ‘er done!By Reds Authority
July 11, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
BREAKING: MLB & FBI (Yes, THAT FBI) are investigating Washington Nats GM Jim Bowen and Special Asst. to the GM Jose Rijo for their involvement in a growing financial scandal involving Dominican players. If implicated, both could face FEDERAL felony fraud charges. Remember: You heard it here FIRST! —Reds AuthorityBy HuberTucky
July 11, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this
7th inning, crusical situation…could very well be the game. Score tied 5-5, Reds men on 1st & 3rd. Brantley and Marty just commented that Griffey is NOT your #3 hitter for a club. A .238 batter that simply bats poorly with men on base (just over .200 w/MOB) , struck out on 3 straight 88-MPH fastballs from a mediocre pitcher (who pitched around Kepp to get to Jr.). They both honored Griffey as a certain future HOFer (as does Matt), but they both realize that this man needs to step himself down in the batting order and that if his pride won’t allow that for the team then perhaps he needs to move on. Those aren’t my words, Matt, those are HOF long-time announce Marty and former excellent reliever Brantley. Now waddya say, Matt? You gonna call THEM Griffey bashers and Griffey haters? Huh? What now, Matt? Your house of cards is collapsing (not only the majority of posters on this blog) but the majority of other pros around baseball are commenting more frequently about this man and his diminished skills.By mike
July 11, 2008 7:41 PM | Link to this
mlbtraderumors.com is reporting that the Yankees are prepared to sign the 33 yr.old Eric Milton. WOW!! Son of the Boss is going to have to learn the hard way as we did. But with our luck (as Homer) Milton will be a AL All Star next season with 13 wins by the ‘09 All Star break. Example see Lohse.By mike
July 11, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this
mlbtraderumors.com is reporting that the Yankees are prepared to sign the 33 yr.old Eric Milton. WOW!! Son of the Boss is going to have to learn the hard way as we did. But with our luck (as Homer) Milton will be a AL All Star next season with 13 wins by the ‘09 All Star break. Example see Lohse.By jkl
July 11, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this
Seems like a different tude from Mr. Bailey. Sure hope it sticks!By Pat
July 11, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this
Pitchers can’t control the wins and losses for the most part. They can only work one batter at a time and do their best. Bailey, the reds and all of us can benefit fromt the Serenity prayer, regardless of your religeous beliefs. grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.By Y-City Jim
July 11, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
Let’s hope that Homer Bailey shocks the baseball world on Sunday by outdueling Sabathia with a gem of a game. We wish you GOOD luck this time!By ncv
July 11, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this
Hal, I think you mean Ryan Braun, not Rick. Regardless, nice info. I really enjoy reading your blog.