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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 > September > 04 > Entry
Jottings on a quiet day
IT IS SO QUIET in this ball park that I can hear myself think, and that’s scary. And the second scariest part is that it is the first inning and it is so quiet you can hear a pennant drop (for the eighth straight year). I heard a fan whispering sweet nothings into his girlfriend’s ear.
SOMEBODY LOOKED at the lineup cards of both team before Thursday’s Pirates-Reds game and said, “Looks like they could be the lineup cards for the first spring training game in 2009 between the Pirates and Reds (one of about nine each spring).”
Maybe the optimism for this year’s team came from the fact the Reds play the Pirates so many times in spring training.
WHEN A MAJOR League scout heard that manager Dusty Baker was upset that rookie Wilkin Castillo missed a hit-and-run sign during Wednesday’s game, the scout said: “Get used to it. I’m sure that wasn’t the first sign he missed and I KNOW it won’t be the last.”
SAW KENT MERCKER sitting in front of his locker after Wednesday’s game. Dang if I didn’t forget he is on this team.
Reminded me of when Will McEnaney pitched for the Reds. The Springfield native had an identical twin and once in awhile he would have his brother walk into the clubhouse, put on Will’s uniform and have him sit in front of his locker. Not one person ever caught on until Will owned up to it.
THEY TELL ME the three Reds-Cubs games this weekend are nearly sold out. Oh, my. Welcome to Wrigley Southeast. Here’s a suggestion: Have the Reds wear road gray and let the Cubs wear home white.
FOR THE LAST time, Corey Patterson is NOT engaged to Baker’s daughter. They aren’t even dating. They aren’t even talking on the telephone. Put that one to rest.
I’M THINKING about changing my name to Tres Uno (31 was my baseball uniform number most of the time). Actually, that byline would look pretty cool, wouldn’t it: By Tres Uno, Staff Writer. But I don’t think The Real Uno really fits.
INSTEAD OF introducing the starting lineups Thursday, they should have had the players go into the stands and introduce themselves to the few fans who wandered in. And the Reds could have made it Guaranteed Foul Ball Day for fans in the stands.
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By ShockMonkey
September 4, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
Hal, that was one of your better blogs. Poignoint but then, sadly, the truth hurts. I try to look on the bright-side by saying it’s been nice watching Votto, Bruce, Cueto and Volquez but overall, this season was a disaster. I lost a ton of respect because Dusty’s propensity to play Patterson and Bako screamed mistake yet he never budged. So wrong. I hope it gets him fired.
By HuberTucky
September 4, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
Yeah, Mark, the fans would hit.290 against Fogg but ol’ Corey would still be below .200
By Cait
September 4, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
Mike-Cinci: I agree, based on what the Reds have right now. Hanigan may stick, but I’d still like an upgrade at catcher. They also need a right handed power hitter, like the Rockies’ Holliday. Maybe a trade can be worked. The Reds seem to have a couple of legitimate pitching prospects that won’t be able to make next year’s club (assuming Harang, Arroyo, Cueto and Volquez are back). Send a AAA pitcher or two and a position player for Holliday. That should leave 2-3 good candidates for the #5 starter spot. Then lock up Holliday for a few years.
By Bruiser
September 4, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
Surely this has to be the last appearance for Fogg! Why would the Reds just not release him and give someone else a shot. I mean, they are not retaining him to the end of the season because he’ll be a free agent and they might get a draft pick if someone else signs him—-are they?
By KR
September 4, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Hey Hal, remember when it was difficult to get Reds tickets? Between 1988 and 1990 you had to be resourceful to snag single seats. In the early 70s a ticket between the Reds and Dodgers was worth its weight in gold. Now they can’t give them away. It’s harder to get Dayton Dragons tickets. Whats the going rate on the black market between Reds and Dragons tickets? Two Reds tickets for one Dragons; maybe four to one? We’re aware that there is no family connection between Corey P. and Dusty. Just trying to rationalize why CP is in any thing but a AA uniform. I believe it was you that said the minor leagues are full of good outfielders who can’t hit. Remind you of anyone?
By Mike-Cinci
September 4, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
In response to bobs and before Hal responds here is my crack at the 2009 Reds lineup by position. Votto, Phillips, Gonzalez, Encarnacion, Dickerson, Freel, Bruce, Hanigan. There needs to be upgrades but who and how is the question. This group won’t get out of last place. Walt Jocketty needs to get busy.
By bobs
September 4, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
Hal, how have you not packed it in for the year, faked a season ending injury, and had Nagel report up from Louisville yet? Although I do thank you, because I found better things to do at night, then turn the Reds on, so you are my only source of information. My Ask Hal question of the week, look into your crystal ball and tell me the Opening Day line-up next year? If the Mendoza twins are anywhere included, I becoming a Tribe fan.
By Mark in Sun Valley
September 4, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
Two out and a drive by Keppinget down the line and EVERYBODY STANDS AND WATCHES! This team will never learn. Pathetic!
By margo
September 4, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
“…so quiet you can hear a pennant drop…” So sad but what a beautiful line. Keep up the great work, Hal.
By Michael In Monterey, CA
September 4, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
I actually thought it would be noisy at the ballpark with all the lumber Pittsburgh is throwing around. Has that company been put back together? No, wait- nevermind. Fogg’s on the mound. Five runs in two innings? Par for the course. Dusty, when you give him the hook exchange the ball for a suitcase.
By ApatheticRedsFan (formerly RampantRedsFan)
September 4, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
Damn, I was kind of hoping that they were engaged. If Patterson is not engaged to Baker’s daughter then Baker is just a plain out horrible manager, not just a family man.
By Mark in Sun Valley
September 4, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
I’m sitting at home, waiting for an air conditioner repair man. Still more desirable than watching this team play. Today’s promotion should have been every fan gets a chance to hit against Josh Fogg. My guess, the fans would hit about .290.