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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 > 2009 > July > 01 > Entry
A meeting in a crowded office
Manager Dusty Baker’s office is a spacious place, about 20 by 20 - big enough to accommodate maybe a dozen people.
But 25?
That’s how many were in there early Wednesday afternoon - all 25 members of the Cincinnati Reds. A team meeting. Lasted about 20 minutes.
Baker wouldn’t say what it was about, but one can be certain he wasn’t passing out special achievement awards and taking measurements for World Series rings. Most likely it was a wake-up message, especially after the lethargic 6-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday.
“Sometimes a crowded room breeds togetherness,” said Baker. “Anybody comes from a big family knows how a crowded room is. We were just talking. That’s all.”
Baker admits he hasn’t had many team meetings and said, “Maybe a couple of times. You can’t have too many because then they lose their effectiveness. How do I know when I need to have one? Just a feeling.”
Asked how the team took it, Baker said, “As long as you look and listen with your eyes - at least fool me that you’re paying attention. That’s all. And sometimes you need to use your office more than for just to chastise.”
THE REDS made a roster move, sending relief pitcher Jared Burton to the minors and calling up infielder Drew Sutton for his major-league debut.
Burton was not a happy man.
When approached, he said quietly, “I have nothing to say. I’m not trying to be rude. I’m just not happy right now. Go ask Dusty about it, if you want.”
Burton was not in the team meeting. He was packing for his trip to Louisville.
Said Baker, “I told him I didn’t want him to be happy. I don’t expect him to be happy. If he is mad at me, Dick (pitching coach Dick Pole) or Walt (general manager Walt Jocketty), pitch like it. If he’s happy about it, he doesn’t belong here. And he belongs here. He’ll be back.
“I told him he was getting close to the Jared Burton that we know,” Baker added. “We need him to come all the way back. He is throwing better. He’ll be back. The good thing about this is we have 12 days before the All-Star break, then we have the three days of the break and we’ll make another decision at that time.
“I told him to go down there and do his thing because we have high hopes and big plans for him. We’ve seen what he can do last year,” said Baker. “We hope this is just a temporary booster shot.”
And where does Sutton fit in? He was acquired the last week of spring training from Houston for infielder Jeff Keppinger.
“I have to see him first,” said Baker. “I talked to Jose Cruz (Astros coach) and some Astros guys and they liked what they had in him. I’m going to take a couple of days for Chris Speier (infield coach) to look at him at different infield positions and for Billy Hatcher (outfield coach) to look at him and work with him at the corner outfield spots. We’ll see.
“This is his first taste of the big leagues - another one for us,” Baker added. “And he gives us a switch-hitter with some speed.”
HAD A heart-to-heart chat before Wednesday’s game with Brandon Phillips. A clear-the-air sort of thing. He has been short with the media and we’ve pretty much ignored him since the incident in Kansas City where he ignored the take sign on a 3-and-0 pitch with the bases loaded and two outs. He popped up.
As I said earlier, until that time B.P. had been great with the media, full of good quotes and good analysis.
Both sides were wrong - me included. Especially me. The media should have gotten Brandon’s side on the issue of a fine, but we didn’t. And as it turns out, he WASN’T fined. It was a misunderstanding when we talked to Baker about it. He didn’t deny that he fined him. But he didn’t confirm it, either. But we all ran with it.
Now the air is clear. Brandon and I shook hands and he thanked me for approaching him and apologizing. Then he said, “I respect you. I have to because my mom respects you.” Thank you Brandon’s mother. And I do respect your son’s fantastic ability, big-time, and his willingness to talk things out.
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By tedd nicholas
July 6, 2009 10:56 AM | Link to this
how long are mgmt. going to put up with E.E.s enept play? is his i.q.higher than his uniform no.? he don’t act like it.
By timb
July 2, 2009 3:35 PM | Link to this
Reds fans start to go after the new minority star with the same complaint? Tell us, Silverquill, does any “colored” player hustle enough for you? A rare, rare, rare opportunity for me to agree with blogcopwatcher. BP is good people, but he is not perfect.
By blogcopwatcher
July 2, 2009 12:31 AM | Link to this
Silverquil: Of all the posters on here, Mike Cinci would rank in the top two or three easily. You should probably be the earliest poster leaving. Bye.
By Bruce
July 1, 2009 10:53 PM | Link to this
“Dusty will give him a chance to get out of that slump, and his players love him for that.” Says Timb. Hey timb:I rather believe Dusty’s players prefer winning; more than loyalty to a non-producing CFer, who has been given more than enough chances. And, I also believe that Castellini and Jocketty aren’t blind to the fact that Chris Dickerson is definitely out-performing their chosen CF!
By redsfandownunder
July 1, 2009 10:48 PM | Link to this
The greatest names that have played up the middle for the Reds over the last 50 years - Concepcion, Morgan, Larkin and - IF he can continue his performances over the last 3 1/2 years - you can insert the name Brandon Phillips. For those who do not appreciate his talent(offence and defence)I have no understanding for your point of view - I can only pity you for not appreciating how good he really is.
By Florida Buckeye
July 1, 2009 10:32 PM | Link to this
I think I almost choked when I saw someone say that Phillips could be the Red’s next Barry Larkin: Are you kidding me?!? Leadership and respect is earned, not given, or assumed just because a player says he’s gonna be the team leader. And, you’d never have seen Larkin loaf, not try to move a runner over, sacrifice, showboat,ignore signs or keep telling people that the Reds are better than teams that just beat them…I honestly want BP to succeed and the Reds to have a great season; but you cannot compare Larkin and Phillips…two completely different players.
By Wizard
July 1, 2009 10:17 PM | Link to this
Well now, Mr. Timb, Chris Dickerson wasn’t the difference between winning and losing last night…But, he was tonight!!!! Nice timing on your comments. Haha. Never underestimate the Wizard’s post’s; or the CD’s or Janish abilities. Pay closer attention, Timb! Call me out again!
By Jimmy1Time
July 1, 2009 7:57 PM | Link to this
I watched B.P. on Jim Rome today. I was cool, collected. They tried to get him to bash the Indians. And other players, and you know what. HE DIDNT! This guy cares, he is a class act. Get off his back, becasue he wants to win. He said the reds need a bat. But he also gave props to Johnny Gomes. Bruce and Stormy. This guy plays hard even with a broke finger. So I’ll be damned if you guys will keep bashing Brandon. He could be the next Barry Larkin at second base. So if you want to keep him around get off his back. Becasue the guy reads blogs and other beat writers. Yes we need a bat. Hal do we have enough to get a Matt Holiday type player? Maybe package Stubbs and a pitcher? I think this team needs a new spark from a BIG NAME type player. Hal thanks for all your hard work!!!
By Mark in Sun Valley
July 1, 2009 7:16 PM | Link to this
Three obsrvations. 1) Arroyo has seemed shakier in his last few starts, ever since Dusty had him throw to Hernandez instead of Hanigan, who he said at the beginning of the year he prefered to throw to. Why would Dusty not listen to his starting pitcher on this? 2) With Sutton coming up and EE missing a rehab game, there is obvously something else going on with Edwin. Trade? Another set-back? Or is his injury worse than believed? 3) Fines used to be done my a kangaroo court, run by the players on their peers. This helped establish leadership as well as keep players who missed signs, etc from doing it again by “shaming” them among their fellow players. Does this exist on the Reds? I know Seattle has talked about Griffey and Sweeney doing there and it creating a better team atmosphere (if not more wins)
By nllspc
July 1, 2009 6:39 PM | Link to this
It is not the job of a reporter to loved by players. Is it? Judging from Brandon’s past comments and his actions on the field, he’s unreasonable and a hotdog. He’s a Terrell Owens waiting to happen.
By nllspc
July 1, 2009 6:35 PM | Link to this
It is not the job of a reporter to loved by players. Is it?
By Cheviot Sports Authority
July 1, 2009 6:28 PM | Link to this
Hal, what good does it do to fine players these days with all the money that they are making? If I were manager and Brandon Phillips pulled that stunt, I would yank him out of the game immediately. That would embarrass the hell out of him if nothing else and he probably would be pissed at me. It is not the manager’s job to be loved by the players. Is it? CSA
By silverquill
July 1, 2009 5:51 PM | Link to this
Mike-Cinci - Who appointed you Mr. McCoy’s keeper. I notice almost every blog you either criticize him or act as if you know more than he does. The man is at every game, with the team, and sees what is going on. Yet you constantly post comments as if you are there instead of him. How can you defend Brandon Phillips, a guy who loafs on ground balls and is all for himself. We all want to know what Mr. McCoy sees and thinks and hears. We don’t want your half-baked opinions. Go away.