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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 37th 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 > 2009 > October > 05 > Entry
Don’t shake hands with Bailey
I’m typing this blog with one hand today because I made the mistake of shaking hands with Homer Bailey when I said good-bye Sunday.
Anybody who has ever slammed a hand in a car door knows what it is like to shake hands with Homer Bailey. His grip is so strong he probably can squeeze a baseball into an oval and make it look like a hard-boiled egg when he throws it plateward.
I swore after the first time I shook hands with him and heard bones shatter that I’d never do it again.
But I had to do it after watching his shutout of the Pirates Sunday and his amazing finish to the 2009 season, culminating in him being named NL Player of the Week.
IN ALL MY years of covering baseball I have never seen a better turnaround in a career that what I saw from Homer Bailey and when I shook his hand I told him, “You’ll win 20 games soon and maybe a Cy Young award.”
I believe that and I have to say it.
The two previous seasons I thought (and wrote) that Bailey was a lost cause, that he would never be a major-league pitcher, re-enforced last year when he was 0-6.
The thing that was worrisome was that he didn’t seem to enjoy the game, didn’t seem to enjoy life. He was sullen and tight-lipped all the time, gave nothing but cryptic and smart-mouthed answers to the media. He walked past you and stared straight ahead. Not a word.
Then the first week of spring training this year I was walking up the sidewalk toward the front door of the complex when a voice behind me said, “Hey, Hal, what’s happening? How ya doing?”
I looked around and the only person I saw was Homer Bailey. Couldn’t have been him. Had to be somebody else. But it wasn’t. It was Homer. Nobody else was around except a sniffing Labrador who I was certain couldn’t talk.
From that day on he was a sheer delight. A complete 180-degree turnaround. He was personable. He smiled. He told raunchy jokes that had bad punch lines. He gave great interviews.
He didn’t make the team out of spring training and the first time he arrived this season he still struggled a bit. But he smiled and persevered. The second time he came up, he was a Major League pitcher and the metamorphosis was complete.
EITHER MATURITY hit him between the eyes or somebody got to him and explained the facts of life and what it takes to succeed in the world. Whichever, I found myself pulling hard for the guy every time he pitched.
For two years I advocated that he should be traded, for anything - broken bats, used resin bags, muddy bases and a cracked batting helmet.
Now the Reds should put him on their Eliot Ness list - an Untouchable.
But if you ever run into him, keep your hands in your pocket. If you shake hands, he’ll crack three fingers.
AFTER 162 games didn’t decide the American League Central championship, the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers stage a playoff game Tuesday night to determine the division champion.
Not much in baseball can be more exciting than that.
I was in Boston at Fenway Park in 1978, covering the one-game playoff game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees for the American League East championship. That was the famous game where light-hitting shortstop Bucky Dent hit a home run to help the Yankees win.
Incredibly, the Red Sox had a 14½-game lead in the division on July 19 and frittered it away, gave it away like your neighbor passing out Snickers on Beggar’s Night.
Dent later was a bench coach for the Cincinnati Reds when Jerry Narron managed and Dent said, “That’s all anybody ever remembered me for, hitting that home run. I could have found a cure for cancer and they’d still meet me on the street and say, ‘Bucky Dent? You hit that home run in the 1978 playoffs.’ And if they were Red Sox fans, they’d drop the f-bomb on me.”
The only other one-game playoff game I covered was the 1999 playoff game in Riverfront Stadium (I could never force myself to call it Cinergy Field) between the Reds and the New York Mets and it was for the wild card spot.
The Reds finished the season at Milwaukee, needing two wins to clinch the wild card. They lost the first two and HAD to win Sunday to force the playoff.
Rain delayed the start for nearly six hours and I set an intercollegiate record for consumption of brats and metts in the press box. Then they began play with the outfield under water. A ball was hit to right field and Dmitri Young, a rather large man, belly-flopped trying to make a catch and caused a tsunami. He slid on his belly from right field to the second base dirt.
The Reds won, 7-1, then flew home to face the Mets in the one-game playoff in front of 52,000, a full-house. New York’s Al Leiter threw a three-hit shutout and the Reds lost, 5-0.
And they haven’t come close since.
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Comments
By Wiz
October 9, 2009 11:02 AM | Link to this
Thanks for your input, Jim.I suppose if you are a SS who can hit and play ‘D’—you are an untouchable!By jim t
October 9, 2009 7:59 AM | Link to this
Wiz,I think Houston after finishing 4th in our division would love to move Tejada. I think you will see them in some sort of salary dump this winter if it can be done.What I don’t see is them taking on any player for a vet like Tejada that isn’t younger and cheaper.If the Reds were willing to take on Tejada’s salary He could be had for very little. The Astros confuse me. There line up on paper looks good but they stunk it up last year. I think Tejada would add some muscle to the line up but weaken us defensively. His price would be impossible to take on. Don’t see it happening.No one will be taking Traveras without us eating some of his salary,Hernandez is to expensive at 8.5,Janish would be a back up on most teams and Cordero is owed 25 mil over the next 2 years.If Walt and Dusty can work around those financial land mines as well as field a winner in cincy.President Obama should hire them to balance the budget and reduce the deficitBy Wiz
October 8, 2009 9:31 PM | Link to this
Here is a question for Jim T., and anyone else, to ponder—mind you I am somewhat aware of the history of the man—but here is my question: Is there a trade package that Cinci could propose to secure Tejada from Houston? For example: Cordero/Hernandez/Janish/Taveras/whoever{make your own package} Think of this lineup for offense: Dickerson/Stubbs/ Votto/Bruce/ Tejada/Phillips/Rolen{or Francisco}/Hanigan Many of you would have more knowledge than myself on what might be possible here—Doesn’t Houston need a closer? How much does Tejada make? Would the Reds not want to trade Cordero to a team in the reds division? Something like this would seem to solve many dilemas for the Reds. Tell me if any thing like this is feasable.By jim t
October 8, 2009 6:16 PM | Link to this
Wiz, all I can say is I hope next year I’m writing this saying you were right and I was wrong. I do think that the reds will let Hernandez walk unless he accepts a reduced contract.I also think that if the right offer came along they would move Cordero.I hope Lincoln rediscovers his curve ball if Cordero is traded or Burton regains the form he displayed in 2008.Here is my wish list for 2010. Resign Hernandez,Janish at SS, let Dickerson play left field and bat 2nd,Stubbs in cf and leads off, Maloney or Wood take charge of the 5th spot in the rotation.Last but not least, offer Gomes Arbritation and sign him for a year and let him platoon in Lf and RF against tough lefties. He could also workout at 1st this spring and spell joey on occcasion.Hopefully Francisco or Heisey will be ready to assume a outfield role if anyone fails. Frazier can also be used as insurance in the infield and out field if needed.This will be hard to do for the reds because it means adding payroll.That said, I think they could contend if they did which may mean more fans in the park.If it doesn’t work they still have the opportunity to dump salary at the trade dead line.Also I did give Bob C money this year by attending about 35 games this year. I even took a trip to Wrigley courtesy of my kids for Fathers day.Best trip I ever took.I’ll probably take a trip to Goodyear this spring. I love the desert and have lived in Tucson a few years back.As I mentioned earlier its been nice exchanging ideas with you, may be in the next life we will come back as GM’s.Of course I would be the reds and you could be the pirates. lolBy Wiz
October 8, 2009 3:07 PM | Link to this
Now Jim, I can say that my mind isn’t made up on whether to trade Cordero-I agree with you, I think. Because I remember a couple years ago when our pen KILLED us. I wouldn’t want to re-live THAT! So you are probably correct there…This team just needs more money! I think it would be nice if you’d contribute—that way we could keep Cordero and Hernandez. Jim, a HEALTHY Lincoln’s curve ball was one of the best in the league,and that was my point. Another point: we went into a lot of 6th,7th and eighth innings this year, with only a minimal number of base hits, not to mention minimal runs on the board. That means WHOMEVER hit in front of Hanigan wasn’t making much contact, during his first two or three AB’s, in each of those games that he got into the lineup, replacing Hernandez. Remember he didn’t get to play much in the first half of the season; and the REDS played a lot of, low scoring, close games, with few hits.That trend carried over into the second half, when he played more. The point you make about: “in todays game you may be able to hide one bat but not 2.I just don’t see how they could win with 7,8,9 being Hannigan,Janish and pitcher.That would be a load for this pitching staff to over come for a whole season”. My retort to that would be that you forget about all of the help Hanigan gave his pitchers on defense with his great arm in throwing out runners! As the word spread around the league about him—fewer players attempted steals, into scoring position because of that. He was near the top in throwing out people with an excellent percentage. That and blocking pitches in the dirt, IMO, add greatly to his offensive abilities, from a defensive point of view, if you know what I mean.He hit .263 this year, with a .361 OBP. I’ll take that average; and the OBP was 3rd best on the team, if I’m not mistaken. Not somebody most would feel a need to hide, me thinks.And, he will get more and more comfortable in the starter’s role. So, I don’t agree with your suggestion that we have two guys to hide. Janish, maybe; but not Hanigan. He has a better future than you are giving him credit for; and he’s a lot cheaper than Hernandez’and has better knees.By jim t
October 8, 2009 12:57 PM | Link to this
I enjoy your thought provoking posts.Roy Mc. Wow, you may be as old as I.Hannigan batted behind Gonzo and Traveras the guys hitting in front of him were better OBP guys then those two. I will concede that he was pitched around a little with the pitcher hitting behind him. I also think if you look at his avg when he had opportunities you may get sick. His OBP was helped along by 15 IBB’s. I would like to think these guys could overcome there hitting problems but to much watching baseball through the years led me to think it isn’t going to happen.As far as Lincoln, Bull pen sessions are one thing pitching to Albert,Fielder,Lee,Manny and others is another.Trading Cordero could be a disaster.The pen was a bright spot for this team. That is why they were in so many of the games. Hate to tamper with that.I understand it may be necessary. I still hate it.Wiz in todays game you may be able to hide one bat but not 2.I just don’t see how they could win with 7,8,9 being Hannigan,Janish and pitcher.That would be a load for this pitching staff to over come for a whole season especially with the roles occupied by young unproven guys already being counted on.I’ll tell you what look at the teams who qualified for the playoffs this year and tell me if there 7 and 8 hole hitters were this bad offensively.I don’t think they are.The worst part is the way we are configured salary wise. We can’t even trade some of are minor league talent to acquire players if it means taking on payroll. Walt will have to be very creative this off season.By Wiz
October 8, 2009 10:56 AM | Link to this
I forgot. Janish: Never said he’d be good hitter. I say his defense would make him bearable, whatever he hits. How many years did the great Roy McMillan play the position, without a bat?By Wiz
October 8, 2009 10:48 AM | Link to this
Well, Jim T. you always have good points. And, you are always insulting enough to make me keep coming back for more.LOL.On Hanigan: isn’t it true, that he had to follow some terrible hitting this year? So how do you get RBI’s if no one is getting on base,ala, Willy, Gonzo and the boys? I don’t see how you eliminate or disparage his offense, when it certainly wasn’t helped by his teammates. Lots of heads could turn, if he were catching for the Cardinals,Yankees or Dodgers. Yes, I know, they have their catchers…I’m just saying…My comment on Lincoln was based on what I read that management said about his recent throwing: Suggesting that he was free from pain, and doing well. Pain free can do wonders for a lot of us…you know, like not having to read your questionable selections for the Reds roster…hahaha…love your erroneous ways. You know I am kidding???? You do keep me alert. Who knows what might transpire this off season? Thanks for your insight.By jim t
October 8, 2009 10:14 AM | Link to this
Wiz, Lincoln had a bulging Disc problem this year, in the past I think he did have Tommy John Surgery. Would you really want to entrust the 8th inning to a guy who was out almost the whole year and when he pitched he was not very good. Also he was injured and out of ball for at least 2 years when the reds signed him the year before. A bit risky for me.Some of what you said I agree with. I find that odd because your not right often but your heart is always in support of our reds. LOL Also sort of jokiong. You are definately a glass half full sort of guy. I guess as you get older reality sets in. Hannigan is not a everyday player. Offensively he is not going to get the job done.11 RBI’s in over 250 at bats is terrible. Worse than terrible it stinks.He is very good defensively and would be a good back up.Janish has to hit more than 215 and for the life of me I can’t understand after looking at all the stats on janish including minor leagues what on earth makes you think he will become a good hitter. Since he has been in Professional baseball NOWHERE does his performance indicate he will hit.I do think Bruce will get better. Rolen will be an improvement over EE but he is reaching the age where his numbers will start to slide and he will need rest.Votto is a player and if you put some guys in front of him that can get on base and run he will drive in a lot more runs.BP is a player. Not sold on Gomes but I think he could be turning the corner especially if used right and give you solid numbers. Not much D though.Stubbs and Dickerson have shown flashes but you have to play the whole year not just parts of it.They could get bettter they could fall off. As I said if you give me Hernandez in the line up I’ll be patient with Janish. If you give me Marco Surtaro at SS I’ll live with Hannigan.But both I don’t think so.By Allen
October 8, 2009 1:30 AM | Link to this
Hal, could you teach John Fay to write like you? I like Fay but he just relays info. He doesnt add any personel stuff to his writing. Im gonna miss your stories Hal. John, plz plzincorporate more stories into your writingBy Wiz
October 7, 2009 11:09 PM | Link to this
I believe Mike Lincoln will prove to be the bullpen addition they were hoping for, originally. Didn’t he have Tommy John surgery?By Wiz
October 7, 2009 10:51 PM | Link to this
Sorry, I was speaking about LF and RFer’s in the playoffs today. Also, they talked tonight about the fact that Maurer was only a singles-type hitter for a number of years before he “learned the league” and this year hit 28 HR’s. Perhaps Hanigan will do likewise.By Wiz
October 7, 2009 10:36 PM | Link to this
You know, I brought it up over a year ago, and it still might be the best option: Brandon Phillips could solve the problem of no stick at SS. If it is that painful to have a weak stick there; perhaps that is a change that would help the ball club. Why not bring it up to him? If he would agree, it could open a number of options up—including, but not limited to,some of our other minor leaguers who could play good defense,at 2nd base, and demonstrate more offense than does Janish. That is a possibility; but I’m still positive about being patient, and hitting Paul 8th. I just have a hard time agreeing with your assessment of a Hanigan/Janish in our lineup together. I get the feeling that your opinion on that, is because you are still thinking our other players will still stink, offensively, as badly next year, as they did this year! I think those two will both hit better next year; moreover, I think the rest of our starters will, as well. Therefore, it is my guess that, even if Hanigan/Janish hit as poorly as this year-they will be protected by better offense from others. We hopefully won’t be dealing with Taveras/Bruce will be greatly improved/Stubbs, Gomes and Dickerson will continue improving/ Rolen and Votto, and perhaps Hernandez, will be here a full year/.You may be correct in your views; but, that would be the first time this year that you were right, and I was wrong. Just kidding. Sort of… I am VERY optimistic that the baseball gods will smile on the Reds next year.We can’t get worse luck than this year…and the chemistry will be improved…all looks better to me, except for the absence of Volquez.One more thing: as I look at the offensive numbers for the regular season, of a lot of these LFer’s and RFer’s, catchers, etc. their numbers aren’t all that special… and many could be home watching the Reds we already have next year. Seriously, look at some of their offensive stats.Just some opinions.By Pete
October 7, 2009 2:54 PM | Link to this
I said in ST that the Reds wouldn’t finish @ or above .500. OK, 1 for me. Also said Weathers & Rhodes were wasted signings. 1 for Rhodes because he definitely lived up to the signing. Stormy, on the other hand, was the same Ol’ Stormy — ya just didn’t know who’d show up. That’s a wash. I see many good points as far as changes are concerned for next year. If some of those critical spots aren’t addressed, we’re gonna miss a helluva lot more than Hal’s writing next season.By jim t
October 7, 2009 2:45 PM | Link to this
Jack, your probably right on R.Hernandez. Actually it is only 7.5 mil because we have to pay a 1 mil buy out if we don’t pick up the option. 7.5 is still probably to much unfortunately.A lot of people are advocating trading Cordero and letting Massett close. I think Massett could close but the 8th inning would worry the heck out of me.Many games are saved in the 8th inning. Burton is shaky and Rhoades is over 40. I don’t think Fisher or Lincloln can handle the role so who else is there?Please don’t anyone say Owings. Don’t forget we have to get to the 9th inning. Most of our starters are 7 or less. We are in a lot of close games because our offfence is still lacking.If we trade Harrang who fills his spot. His record wasn’t good but I feel he suffered from lack of run support and could have been better.Arroyo is a guy who since 2005 has pitched 200 innings every year but 1.Who replaces him? Don’t see how we can make the jump to contender without spending bucks.Walt has his work cut out for him.By bob
October 7, 2009 2:28 PM | Link to this
Hal, I never did understand why you had to beat aroung in airports and experience all the delays when you could have flown the team charter. Makes absolutely no sense to make you road trips miserable. It would also have defrayed DDL costs and maybe you could have stayed on the beat.By rick
October 7, 2009 1:27 PM | Link to this
There were enough of us that didn’t think Homer could make it to fill GABP— he couldn’t throw his hook for strikes, his change up was terrible and his fast ball didn’t have enough movement and we know what his attitude was— to his credit he’s matured along with his pitches and looks to be a dependable front line starter— and as my wife reminds me that is why I watch games from my recliner instead of the GM’s box.By Jack
October 7, 2009 12:07 PM | Link to this
Yes, Marcus Scuturo I believe. He is about the only real good shortstop on the market so he may be priced too high for us. Glad to see Homer picth well for us and I will admit I was wrong on the kid. Wanted him traded for Dye. Happy to be wrong. Jim, to pick up Ramon’s option would cost 8.5 million…NO WAY that is ever happening.By jim t
October 7, 2009 11:36 AM | Link to this
Wiz, I’m all for patience at times. I also have to rely on our talent evaluators and performance. I might point out that janish and Hannigan wouldn’t be the first great defensive players who didn’t make it because they couldn’t perform offensively. I think we could carry one such trail case but not two.Especially with our lack of run production and other question marks thoughout the line up. I chose Janish because we still have a opportunity to retain Hernandez.Hannigan will have to be a back up. One other possibility is we could sign the Toronto SS. Sorry his name escapes me for half of what Hernandez’s option is and keep Hannigan. I think his name is Suctaro His obp is nice and his ba is also good. He could bat 2nd.Walt will be busy this off season. Many big decisions. Hey, I like Francisco as well but the sample size is very small and he needs to play left field.By Wiz
October 7, 2009 10:32 AM | Link to this
Jim T. your point about 1& 2 in the lineup being @ or above .350 OBP, I totally agree with—that is why it is difficult for me to see any players other than Dickerson and Stubbs or Gomesin those spots{although Stubbs was only .323 and CD was .370-I think Stubbs will raise that, if he cuts down on K’s}. Gomes was.338/Brandon .329/Francisco .520{great potential}By Wiz
October 7, 2009 10:18 AM | Link to this
Mike-Cinci’s comments are exactly why I think patience is needed for Hanigan and Janish being in the lineup together. They are both terrific on defense—@ two of the most important positions, where defense is a must. Patience is needed for their offense to come around. The upside of waiting is: They are both cheap.By ShockMonkey
October 7, 2009 6:29 AM | Link to this
I agree with BrarHopper on Baker and Jacoby but Old Dude, that’s the post of the day! Had me laughing because I can picture it.By John Ockomon, Indpls
October 6, 2009 11:45 PM | Link to this
HAL.. HOST A GET TOGETHER IN DAYTON FOR ALL YOUR FANS BEFORE NEXT SEASON. I WILL COME FROM INDY I WILL BUY YOUR FIRST DRINK OR WE CAN MEET ON THE OHIO RIVER BOATS?By jim t
October 6, 2009 5:43 PM | Link to this
Mike Cahill I know this may be off topic but did you grow up in golf Manor with a mom named Jeri and a sister named Cathy?By Mike-Cinci
October 6, 2009 5:04 PM | Link to this
Hal’s comments on Homer Bailey is a reminder we all can make bad judgements on young players. Sometimes young players, especially pitchers take a few years to learn their trade even if they have great stuff. Hitters need to learn the strike zone. Often it takes time and experience. The best GM’s understand it. While this seems so obvious as a way to do business it is rare when ownership, GM’s, and fans have enough patience to wait. Most of us want results right now. Given the lack of success by the Reds in recent years I hope the current group of young talent is ready to produce now. Some good news is needed. It’s time. The Reds future will be decided by how good the players are. It’s that simple.By mike cahill
October 6, 2009 3:07 PM | Link to this
Hal, I’m looking forward to your book and anything else you decide to do.It’s really cool that you got to see how much you are appreciated and admired. You did it right and people will always like it when they get to witness someone who is talented and ethical.By Jack
October 6, 2009 11:53 AM | Link to this
Retirement and now a Five Guys near you Hal! Now we see where you retirement savings went. Nice work! Actually looking foward to next year. Thought we got rid of some dead weight this year and as along as we do not see WT starting next year, I will be happy. Understandably, not many were happy with the Scott Rolen trade, but what was the record when he started? …and yes, the key will be to keep him healthy, but as always, you have to trade talent to get talent.By Moises Alou
October 6, 2009 11:18 AM | Link to this
After reading the headline & first paragraph, I thought this story was going to take on a Moises Alou-type theme, if you know what I mean…By Jim t
October 6, 2009 10:43 AM | Link to this
Wiz, I can see 88-90 wins as well if a few thing happen. 1. Bruce has to live up to his potential 2.starting pitching has to be more consistent throughout the season. Bailey has to be the same guy in apr-july as he was in Aug/sept 3.Hernandez must be resigned or brought back. Can’t have Janish and Hannigan in the line up together 4.Gomes must be offered Arbritation Players 1 and 2 in the batting order have to have at least 350 obp. Whoever those guys are they have to be on base consistently for Votto,BP ,rolen or Bruce.By flipper
October 6, 2009 9:45 AM | Link to this
If he did that to me I would kick him in the groin.By ironmyke
October 6, 2009 9:00 AM | Link to this
It will be a heart breaker for the beleaguered in Detroit if the Tigers let this get away like they did the lead they had in the standings going into last weekend. Back in ‘78 I could pull for the long term no luck Red Sox even though I don’t follow the American League. In recent years the Yankees and the Red Sox are all that ESPN thinks exists. I’m terminally bored with both. Interesting story about the transformation of Homer Bailey. He’s become an excellent pitcher. Hope he doesn’t get hurt.By wallyp
October 6, 2009 8:24 AM | Link to this
Hal: Way to man-up on your assessment of Bailey. It reminds me that fans as a group tend to make long range decisions on players based on short term performance. A couple of years ago a career minor leaguer was called up to pitch a crucial game and pitched lights out (wish I could remember the name). He was going to be the next (insert name of your favorite recent hall of famer) until the next game or so when he showed why he was a career minor leaguer. Last year, there was sentiment to waive the five year HoF rule for Jay Bruce after his amazing start, and now there are those ready to send him back to Dayton. Next year can be something special if everyone simply plays up to potential. The starting four (Harang, Arroyo, Cueto, Bailey) may be the best in baseball IF THEY PITCH UP TO POTENTIAL, and if all the 260-275 hitters (which, realistically, seems to be everyone after Votto and Rolen) can simply meet that standard, the team should contend for the post-season.By goetta
October 6, 2009 12:53 AM | Link to this
You should get a nice rubber hand Hal you have to keep your paws in shape.By old dude
October 6, 2009 12:27 AM | Link to this
Bad carma that day. I skipped work, lost 8hrs pay and walked right in my boss at the concession stand and reds lost 5-0.By BrarHopper
October 6, 2009 12:25 AM | Link to this
Predictions? 2010 will be a terrible horrible year of sports coverage for Daytonians with Hal McCoy missing. That said, 2010 will be a better year for the Reds but ONLY if Baker is no longer managing. Dumping Pole was a good start. Retaining Jacoby shows terrible judgment. 86’ing Baker would be very convincing of ownership’s serious intent. Otherwise it’s the same load of crap as their infamous BS PR letter at 2008 season’s end. Frankly, I expect another season of blah blah blah.By Wiz
October 5, 2009 11:49 PM | Link to this
Speaking of miscalculations, I predicted 88 wins this year, too. Pretty close considering the explosion of injuries. I will predict 89 for next year—if they get rid of Taveras; and stay healthy!