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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 > October > 02 > Entry
So when do the Reds make the playoffs?
Some thoughts about the early playoffs:
QUESTION: Why did they play the White Sox-Rays game in the afternoon in Florida under a roof and make Cubs fans sit in frigid weather for a night game in Wrigley Field?
ANSWER: That’s easy. Television. And what TV wants, TV gets.
QUESTION: When do the Cincinnati Reds play their first playoff game?
ANSWER: 2011. Maybe.
Did you see Ken Griffey Jr.’s throw in the AL Central playoff game that preserved the White Sox’s 1-0 win over Minnesota that punched their ticket to the playoffs?
Reminded me of the throw George Foster made for the Reds in the 1975 World Series against the Red Sox. Foster, who thought defense was something mandatory you had to do before they let you bat, made a catch near a high wall down the left-field line and when Denny Doyle tagged and tried to score, Foster threw him out.
Have to admit I’m torn over the White Sox-Rays series. I’d love to see Griffey get his World Series ring. But I also love that fact the Rays, with a payroll about the same size as the nearest McDonald’s franchise, have a chance to show the baseball world you don’t have to spend like the Bank of America to win a championship.
Afterwards, Foster said, “I’ve been saving that throw for the right moment. I never had to make one like that before.”
THIS IS ONE that bugs me so much I need insect repellent to watch the ninth inning of some games.
Philadelphia’s Cole Hamels is scything down the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1, no runs over eight innings. And he was barely over 100 pitches.
What does manager Charlie Manuel do? He brings in closer Brad Lidge, who gives up a run and nearly blows the game. Why oh why oh why do managers think just because they have a closer they HAVE to use him? Hamels deserved to finish. The Phillies deserved to lose that game just for that reason.
ANOTHER ONE that bugs me enough to squirt two cans of insect repellent on my personage:
The Brewers have Philadelphia pitcher Brett Myers in deep do-do. He has thrown six straight balls. His walk loaded the bases with one out. Up steps Corey Hart. He swings at the first pitch. The first pitch! After Myers can’t find home plate with GPS!! And he swings at the first pitch!!!
And he hits into an inning-ending double play. Sometimes you wonder if even major-leaguers need to go to a school called Baseball Strategy 101.
The Brewers went to the well one too many times. It was a sure-thing that using C.C. Sabathia on three days of rest four straight times was going to exact a toll. His 3 2/3 innings against the Phillies in Game Two showed that.
ISN’T THAT the Chicago Cubs just being the Chicago Cubs? The guess here? The Dodgers go to the World Series with Manny being Manny.
There is Eva Longoria and then there is Evan Longoria — the best player nobody outside of Tampa and St. Petersburg never heard of.
Reds fans, bet you don’t remember Australian Grant Balfour. He spent one entire season with the Reds without throwing a pitch. Former GM Dan O’Brien signed him as a free agent when he had a bad shoulder. He rehabbed all year.
Now he pitches for Tampa Bay and did you see him on the mound Thursday? He recorded a strikeout and made a fist-pumping gesture. The next hitter, Orlando Cabrera (Jolbert Cabrera’s younger brother), kicked dirt toward Balfour on the mound when his first pitch was wide of the plate and shouted, “Throw the ball over the plate.”
Balfour then struck him out, punched the air again, and yelled at Cabrera, “Go sit down.”
Love it. Couldn’t the Reds used some of what the feisty Aussie shows?
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By Kevin
October 17, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
It really s@cks that the RAYS lost that game last night if for no other reason than ESPN will have thier mouths and hands wrapped firmly around Bostons unit for the next two days….GO RAYS!!!
By brian
October 13, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
The Reds are better situated than they have been in a long time. They have more good starters and some good young position players. They need a RH hitting outfielder{jason Bay} a major league catcher and perhaps a LH starter; and please, let stormy rain on someone else’s parade!
By Carl's Little Brother
October 13, 2008 12:43 AM | Link to this
Hey Hal, I love ya but did you just retire for the rest of the year and start again in the spring? We need you and miss you. Englewood is a very boring place to live so don’t stay pent up there all winter, please comment.
By Y-City Jim
October 12, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
Would it be correct to assume that Yonder Alonso will be in the MLB camp even though he will likely start the year at either Sarasota or Carolina?
By George
October 10, 2008 1:46 AM | Link to this
Hey Hal, don’t go out on a limb with the 2011 prediction. Ridiculous. Question: is there a team in MLB that is more than THREE years out from making the playoffs? “The Reds are a bad baseball team”—another high risk Hal statement. Hal, let’s look at the Tigers, Rays, Cubs and Dodgers. They were all teams that went from “bad” to good in one year. What is it about the Reds that will take 3 years to contend? Are they that off the track? Do you think that little of Dusty? You maybe right if that’s the thinking. But with a first tier manager, the Reds are very close by the estimation of most baseball professionals.
By Y-City Jim
October 9, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
Bring him back at the league minimum. $3.3 million is too much.
By Kyle
October 9, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this
Love it. “the Reds are going to make a serious effort to bring back reliever David Weathers.” Are you freakin’ serious?
By Wizard
October 9, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this
Florida Buckeye: I saw the catch too—it was a great play—and I thought the same thing you did. Why couldn’t he have done those things on a more regular basis in Cincy. I heard people say for quite a long time that he did not hustle, and I agreed—but my point to his defenders was: “If he can’t do it any more due to injury—then step aside! Apparently, he’s willing to play harder when it means more to his legacy.
By Florida Buckeye
October 9, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
Hey did anyone else notice the ‘great catch’ that Jr had in the final game against the Rays? I saw it, and it was like a slap in the face…IF he’da played and hustled that way with the Reds on a day to day basis, he probably wouldn’t have worn out his welcome, and the Reds would have been a better all around team…
By Y-City Jim
October 9, 2008 6:53 AM | Link to this
True but it also depends on who they are stuck with when the revolving door stops.
By Jammin
October 9, 2008 5:55 AM | Link to this
The Reds make the playoffs when they stop the revolving dooor of managers and GM’s and quit panicking from year to year and settle down.
By BrarHopper
October 8, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
Wow, no CP next year? Maybe they’ll make room for my brother, Norris! Seriously, what was wrong with Norris all year that he didn’t play? Will he be back? he was terrific last year for the Reds. Will they platoon my cousin Norris Hopper and that beer guzzlin’ wild man Freel in center? Remember how Freel gave Paul Janish a bloody nose in Paul’s first game with the Reds? Freel is crazy! A total loose canon. Anyway, inquiring minds want to know. Especially the intellectually challenged mind of ol’ BrarHopper!
By crosley
October 8, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
Ramon Hernandez might be available from the Orioles in a trade although he is a little expensive—-$8 million. He’s only 33 and should hit 20 plus homers and has a lifetime caught stealing rate of almost 30%. Of course the Reds would only make such a deal if they were “really” serious about competing!
By Greg
October 8, 2008 12:03 AM | Link to this
Hal, Walt Jockerty told John Fay that the Reds will not be bringing back Bako or Patterson. Any clue who they will go after on the catching front? If you had a guess! :) I hope you are having a fine start to your off-season, full of rest, cigars, and hopefully a rising Dow!
By Pete
October 7, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
Huber…I’ll disagree on one small issue about Junior — he’s not done. HE’S D-U-N! :-D & PRAISE THE BASEBALL GODS!!!! Corey Laugherson won’t be back!!!! Could we possibly get so lucky as to see Walt J fire Rusty during the off season?
By Y-City Jim
October 7, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this
Rejoice!!! Patterson is not returning. The Jockmeister has spoken!
By Mike-Cinci
October 7, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this
Baseball is still a great game. The Red Sox do it right. They have a great farm system and bring up young players to replace those in decline. They have an abundance of talent to trade when they need to fill a weak position. Tampa is a very good young team with speed, defense, and pitching. The Angels are excellent but they can’t beat Boston when it counts. The White Sox look like a better version of last year’s Reds. They are slow and live and die by the long ball. They died. The Dodgers have a great future. They have a wealth of young talent. The last 4 playoff teams, Dodgers, Phillies, Red Sox, Rays have built their success around player development in their own system. The Reds need to follow their model.
By HuberTucky
October 7, 2008 3:18 AM | Link to this
What many of us said about the once great Griffey all year was, once again, proven right. He struck out 3 time in Chicago’s final losing game last night and was 2 for 10 in the short failed series. Time for him to hang it up. Stick a fork in him — he’s done.
By Bob
October 6, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
While many are rooting for Jr.; have you noticed where Ozzie plays him. On the bench or batting seventh; not third out respect, i.e. Baker. I have no respect for his managerial abilities.
By Pete
October 6, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
& IN TODAY’S WHO REALLY GIVES A CRAP FILE….. Kirk Saarloos was outrighted to the minors by the Oakland A’s. Anyone other than me recall his “It’s not my fault” whining when the Reds sent him to the minors? I see some sorta pattern here. Wonder if he was kickin’ & screamin’ on his way outa Oakland. Just glad he’s no longer w/ Reds. Some others still on the roster need to join him.
By Don
October 6, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
2011…I think that is a reasonable estimate.
By Rick
October 6, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
Hal— Thanks for a great job again this year. I agree that a blog several times a week this winter would be nice for us baseball junkies- just to keep us in the loop. Have a great winter.
By rob in stl
October 6, 2008 12:12 AM | Link to this
Jim, Frazier is a legit prospect but likely won’t see Cincinnati until mid 2010, at the earliest. He’ll move off short and play third or left in the majors.
By Jim LeMoine
October 5, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
What does the near future look at SS for the reds? I’ve been following a recent draftee of the reds…Todd Frazier drafted out of Rutgers. It seems that if the reds want to be in contention, they should bring up their good young players. With Bruce and Frazier at top of lineup, that would be a good place to start.
By DALE 78
October 5, 2008 6:28 AM | Link to this
I agree Hal, the Reds hitters never seem to work a pitcher .It seems like a walk is a bad thing . I too like the Rays they know how to draft players well .Unlike the Reds who cannot seem to draft very well at all. The minor league draft is the key to sucess in baseball ,grow your own .
By rob in stl
October 4, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this
To Crosley in Tampa, if I did live in a refrigerator I would not go hungry!
By crosley
October 4, 2008 6:36 AM | Link to this
I am a life long (almost 60 years) Reds fan who has lived in the Tampa area for 40 years. The beauty of being here is that I can still be a NL reds fan while also being a rabid AL Rays fan. To Rob in Stl, if you can’t get excited about the Rays this year, you must be living in a refrigerator! How could anyone who knows and loves baseball not be excited about their season?
By rob in stl
October 3, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
Can’t get into the Rays, Hal. I hear you with the David/Goliath analogy but something about MLB in Florida. Fans of a particular team go back generations and with all the transplants and the Rays only 10 years old it’s hard for me to get excited.
By Ridnaway
October 3, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this
I agree with the gentleman who said Cory Hart swing at the first pitch is what Reds hitters did all year long. It seems almost as if the Reds have done everything they could to draft a bunch of dullards! There’s more to hitting than just talent. Maybe someone should teach Votto and Bruce how not to swing at sliders in the dirt and how to use the pitch count to their advantage. If they bring Ron Oester back into the fold he would do just that.
By Michael In Monterey, CA
October 3, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
Look, just because a few suspect pitchers had a good year or pitched a few good innings in the post season doesn’t mean the Reds gave up on them too soon. If anything, they hang on to them too long (Wilson, Haynes, Milton). Lohse had a good year and was rewarded with, what, a three or four year contract? Anyone want to bet the Redbirds regret that deal?
By Randy
October 3, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
I still love baseball, but I can’t get excited about it anymore. Maybe the “Big Red Machine ” set the bar too high. There’s no romance in the game anymore. Players can’t execute basic baseball fundamentals. It’s no longer America’s favorite past time. The Braves, Indians, and Cubs make the playoffs. In a perfect baseball world, there’s no way they make the playoffs. Young boys don’t put baseball cards in their bicycle spokes anymore. Hell, you can’t even get them on a bike. They’re vegetating with their computer games. No more daytime world series games. Pitchers can’t or aren’t permitted to pitch 9 innings. Roger Clemons was the last true baseball pitcher and he was branded a misfit. Like General George Patton once said, “It’s a shame the world had to grow up”.
By Steve
October 3, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
This blog thing works well, a couple times a week during the post season would be nice. As for JR, he looks done as a productive player, the swing is so slow, almost like he is dragging the bat through the zone. Cuz his stroke is still so sweet, when he does connect it looks nice but that seems so rare now. And the throw, that was short center, almost sad to see him 2-hop it to the plate.
By Arizona Pat
October 3, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
I’m rooting for Griffey and the Sox too. All the Rays are going to do is convince some fans that you can win with a low payroll. It’ll be another 10 or 20 years before the Rays make the playoffs again and they’ll be playing in another town. I wish baseball would either have a payroll limit or put teams in divisions/leagues based on market size.
By redfuture
October 3, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this
Hal, that Balfour timeframe was 2006. There is a far more aggregious roster error than that. In June of 2006 the Reds selected Stubbs at #8 and at #10 the Giants took Lincecum! I and many others thought Lincecum was a major talent even back then. Stubbs might (hopefully) turn out to be good as well but Lincecum was a no-brainer selection.
By bigdoc
October 3, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
Hal, I hope you keep blogging occasionally throughout the bleak, grim off-season. Thanks for this season!
By mike cahill
October 3, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
Hal, your column makes The DDN worth buying. Your blog is a great service and an enjoyable way to keep up with the Reds and occasionally vent. Thanks to you and to all of you who participated this season.
By Steven Ross
October 3, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
For years, the Reds picked pitchers off the scrapheap hoping they’d find a miricle. Dempster was one, Balfour another. We always gave up on them too soon. The list of former Reds sprinkled thoroughout the “bigs” could field a team.
By Air Force One
October 3, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
Yesterday Griffey 0-4 with 2 K’s batting .000! But let’s not forget the great throw. What a waste of the White Sox or Reds money whoever is paying.
By Florida Buckeye
October 3, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
Hal, thanks for making it a point to say Tampa Bay, and St. Petersburg: It really raised a stink down here when TBS was calling them the Tampa Rays, and that they were going live to the Trop in Tampa…As far as 2011 being the first year the Reds make the playoffs: Hmm…why so long? The Rays were losing games in just the same fashion as the Reds last year. They dropped the deadweight, dropped the all-about-me players, added a few key pitchers, and here they are. I live in the Clearwater and the Trop is ten minutes from my house: And, trust me, at the beginning of the year, all the locals in the KNOW, had the Rays struggling to be a fifty fifty squad…you just never know what young hunger can do for a club!
By Alan
October 3, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
Hal, thanks for mentioning the connection between the Reds and Balfour. When I saw him come in the game yesterday I thought he had been a Red but baseball-reference.com didn’t show any stats for him with the Reds and I figured I was just mistaken. I remember the rehab connection now.
By Nathan, Richmond, Ind.
October 3, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
Hal, I was wondering if you could do a post about what you think the Reds could do, personnel wise, to become a legit contender next year. Thanks for all your posts all year.
By Cait
October 3, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
Can’t disagree with anything you wrote, Hal. I am hopeful the Reds will see the playoffs before 2011. I think an outfielder, catcher and maybe SS are critically needed. I think if Jocketty can come up with a RH power bat at one of those positions (probably OF) this off-season, the Reds could sneak next year if the pitching holds up. Too optimistic?
By Mike-Cinci
October 3, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
Excellent observations Hal. Agree with some of John’s comments on big game pitchers but Roger Clemens was not one of them. He often came up as mashed potatoes in big games. The Brewers are not fundamentally sound. The Dodgers have been very good over the last month and you have to love their young position players and pitching. They will be good for a long while. The Reds could be contenders in 2011 but they will need to have a few more good young players come out of the farm system and have the funds to keep their best talent. With everything going right on the Reds end the Cubs, Cardinals, Brewers and Astros will need to fall back. The teams in the playoffs have developed their players and they’ve done it better than those teams who are finished for the season.
By Pete
October 3, 2008 7:33 AM | Link to this
Sabathia looks tired, the result of four starts all on short rest. He left a lot of pitches up yesterday & that’s not his MO. Corey Hart swinging @ the 1st pitch is exactly what we watched Corey Patterson (notice a correlation here?) & the Reds do ALL YEAR LONG! Brewers oughta feel lucky that they even backed into the playoffs. Bottom line…. they’re D-U-N.
By John
October 3, 2008 5:49 AM | Link to this
Hal, I love your blog and hope to see it next season. please don’t jump on the C.C. Sabathia bandwagon. He cannot pitch in the “big games” including the post season. Speaking of, has anyone compiled a list of the best “big game” starting pitchers of all-time? My guess would be Clemens, Pettitte and Schilling would be at the top of that list. Hal, thanks again for all you do making a very painful decade of bad Reds baseball enjoyable to follow. My best to you and your family this off season. John Grove City, Ohio
By Wizard
October 3, 2008 12:05 AM | Link to this
I sure do agree with you on leaving the starter in the game, Hal. It drives me crazy everytime they take them out. You’d think the starter would raise hell about it—especially on recent Reds teams!