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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 > 11 > Entry
The Real McCoy, Ask Hal (To be continued)
Retirement is for the birds, except I’ve never seen a robin or a sparrow sitting in an easy chair wearing a T-shirt and boxer shorts while eating Fritos.
I don’t officially retire from the Dayton Daily News until October 31, but with baseball season over for those with leanings toward the Cincinnati Reds (no playoffs - again) I have had a week’s dose of watching sports on TV until my eyes are bleary and my posterior is numb.
My fingers, though, are itchy. I need the laptop on my lap and hopefully I can keep the Fritos from between the keys.
If you read the Dayton Daily News this morning (Sunday), you already know I’m going to continue doing some writing for them. I won’t be an employee of the DDN, but I’ll be a free agent, a contractor, a contributor.
The DDN and I have come to an agreement whereby The Real McCoy remains alive. During baseball season I’ll do at least five blogs a week and I will continue doing my Ask Hal questions and answers from the fans that appear in the paper every Sunday and online.
In the off-season, I’ll do a couple of blogs a week (and if you know me, probably more) and a few special assignments.
No, I won’t be traveling with the Reds as a baseball beat writer. Anything I do comes out of my own pocket. But I will make some cameo appearances at Great American Ball Park to gather some inside information and do some interviews to take you inside the clubhouse and dugout.
The DDN provided me with a driver last year, a fine gentleman named Larry Glass. He lives in Fairfield and loves baseball, has been involved in the game all his life, including coaching national championship youth teams.
Get this. Larry lives in Fairfield, at least an hour from my home in Englewood. Because of my vision problems, I can’t drive. For nearly every home game last season, Larry drove from Fairfield to Englewood and picked me up. He then drove down to Cincinnati and stayed with me at the games, sitting next to me in the press box.
After the game, he drove the 1:15 from Cincinnati to my home, dropped me off, then drove the hour back to Cincinnati. That’s about 4 ½ hours of driving every day, leaving his home shortly after noon and getting back to his home after games sometime near 2 a.m.
Amazing. And he did it all for just gas money and a press pass. Even more amazing, he has agreed to drive me any time next season when I want to go to Great American Ball Park.
While I won’t be in the inner circle as a traveling writer, I know I can entertain and inform you with 37 years worth of experiences and I can utilize contacts I’ve made through the years.
While we’re at it, Ask Hal continues for the next three weeks, so keep those great questions coming.
In addition to the work for the DDN, I have a couple of other things going that will keep me attached to the baseball world and I’ll let you know if and when those materialize.
So I’ll be doing more than emptying Fritos bags and burning up cigars in my Man Cave. I look forward to keeping in touch with all you great, great fans who have supported me through the yeas.
In the meantime, pass the Fritos.
Permalink | Comments (41) | Post your comment |
Comments
By Ray and Dolly
October 16, 2009 4:54 PM | Link to this
We are ecstatic that you will still be writing some and we will get to read it. You are tops! We know that other things will develop for you. God bless. Ray and Dolly
By JC
October 15, 2009 5:59 AM | Link to this
Always enjoyed your interviews with Marty. You’d better buy your driver friend a very nice christmas present. Fritos have too much sodium, better watch that.
By judy
October 13, 2009 8:15 PM | Link to this
Hal—So glad you will still be blogging for the DDN. So glad I didn’t have to go to the Enquirer for Reds news. Looking forward to reading your book—I do hope you’ll be writing one.
By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
October 13, 2009 11:56 AM | Link to this
Hey, nice remaking of the “Hal McCoy” brand. I’ll be your agent for 5 percent of the gross.
By Keith
October 13, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this
Hal, have you considered syndication? I’m sure Reds fans in Louisville, Lexington, Indianapolis, Columbus and Cincinnati would be just as entertained as we have been in Dayton these many years, and the papers would each pay less. Or have you already been appearing in some of these papers, like we are seeing articles from the Cincinnati Enquirer now?
By Kyle
October 13, 2009 11:04 AM | Link to this
That’s great news. Looking forward to a new pitching coach. What about Homer’s coach from Texas? Seems like they ought to be talking to him. If not, I hope Soto has the inside track ahead of Duncan. Now, head coach and hitting coach left to move.
By Kat
October 13, 2009 5:41 AM | Link to this
Yippee !! What great news and what a nice guy your driver is. I bet ya, after all these years, he has stories too.
By StuttgartTim
October 13, 2009 4:20 AM | Link to this
As Monty Burns would say, Excellent!
By marty
October 12, 2009 10:43 PM | Link to this
hey hal… while I’ve read your storie in the DDN and middletown journal for years, I only started reading the blog a few months ago, so I’m pretty late to the party. still, it’s great news to find out that party is going to go on. thanks so much.
By jrwbaseball
October 12, 2009 8:51 PM | Link to this
HAL,THANKS WHAT GREAT NEWS YOU HAVE MADE THIS A BETTER DAY…………… JRW
By ED
October 12, 2009 8:45 PM | Link to this
A little Hal is better than no Hal! This is great news!
By ED
October 12, 2009 8:44 PM | Link to this
A little Hal is better than no Hal! this is good news!
By Tom
October 12, 2009 8:30 PM | Link to this
Sounds like Larry Glass of Fairfield is a real class guy. Certainly glad you and your blog are staying with us, Hal.
By freddyboy
October 12, 2009 5:56 PM | Link to this
this is great news !having you doing your blog stories and insight,it wouldn’t be baseball without it.Hal,this is great news!Oh,by the way Goldfish are my typing snack of choice.
By Doug
October 12, 2009 4:43 PM | Link to this
Hal, this is the greatest news Reds’ fans have gotten since Stormy Weathers was shipped to Milwaukee! Your writing has been blessed by the Muses — and I don’t mean Muses Malone or Muses Alou.
By Susan
October 12, 2009 2:40 PM | Link to this
Hal, Glad to hear you’ll still be sharing your knowledge and insights with us. I’m a Phoenix based Reds fan and if you need rides in Goodyear, I’d be happy to do so. Just email me! My thanks to you (and Larry) for your articles and blogs.
By MisterRedLegs
October 12, 2009 1:42 PM | Link to this
Enough with the good byes. Welcome Back. On to next year. Hal, can the Reds get by with the same team (without injuries) or does LF, SS, CF need to be addressed?
By Jack Ecstatic Reds Fan
October 12, 2009 11:55 AM | Link to this
Before yesterday, I was watching the playoffs and was was totally bumbed out. Summer disappearing, our yard birds departing, cold gray winter moving in no Reds in the playoffs (should be used to that by now) and Hal McCoy departing from the Reds’ scene. With the great news about you continuing your Reds commentary in part, our prayers are answered in that area. Don’t know what the next Reds season will hold, (usually more promise than deeds) but at least we will still hear your thoughts on what happens. The Real McCoy, Ask Hal and Blogs are more than we can expect. Wish you and Nadine the best going forward in your semi-official-retirement. Jack Beggs, Tipp City
By HollyJ
October 12, 2009 11:52 AM | Link to this
Hallelujah! I couldn’t imagine a baseball season without Hal. It would be like navigating through Europe without a map! Whew, what a relief! Thanks, Hal!
By Cecil
October 12, 2009 11:11 AM | Link to this
Any chance Dusty does not return? I think a change is needed.
By bob
October 12, 2009 10:45 AM | Link to this
Hal, I’ve had an opinion for years re: umpiring and the fact that they always run toward the play to get a better look. In my opinion, that is just the opposite of what they should do. Even when I was young enough to run, I knew the best way to get a better view of anything was stand perfectly still and focus on what I’m trying to get a better view of. If you are standing still how can anyone miss a glove coming over the wall and catching a ball that was declared a homer in the Yankee series a few years back or the call against the Twins.
By Nedra Spears Black
October 12, 2009 10:36 AM | Link to this
Glad to hear you’ll still be writing, Hal. One of the good things about retirement: you should be able to attend our 55th H.S. class reunion — if it actually occurs. Take care.
By ironmyke
October 12, 2009 9:30 AM | Link to this
Delighted to know we will still be able to read your work! Good move by the DDN. Although I decided to continue my subscription for now, I didn’t know how long I was going to stay interested with the apparent loss of both you and Chick Ludwig.
By codakatz
October 12, 2009 8:56 AM | Link to this
I’m a Pringles fan myself, but agree that sitting around munching gets old after awhile. I enjoy your insights so much, I’m happy to hear that they’ll still be there for our reading pleasure. Will the DDN still email them to those of us who have email subscriptions? I can’t get the actual DDN where I live, so I have to rely on the WWW.
By Rick
October 12, 2009 8:28 AM | Link to this
Thanks Hal for your great years of service to all of us! I for one know, that I am far better for reading your column and look forward to your continuing efforts. Quick question: what do you think the possibility of getting Dave Duncan as a pitching is? I feel he would really help our team. Thanks Rick in Indy
By Scott
October 12, 2009 7:15 AM | Link to this
correction to prev note: chew not check
By Scott
October 12, 2009 7:14 AM | Link to this
If you eat regular Fritos, then check Big Red gum, you get a taste as if you just ate a hand full of Apple Jacks. Seriously, try it.
By Decker
October 12, 2009 6:59 AM | Link to this
Great to hear Hal! Do you think the Reds ought to move Coco in the off season and use some of that salary to lock up Gomes for a LF platoon?
By old dude
October 12, 2009 1:47 AM | Link to this
Cant do the fritos and cheetos anymore, but glad to hear you are gonna be around during the week. If ever you need a ride give me a ring, live about five minutes north of you. Wouldn’t need a press pass. Hotdog sure sounds good. excuse me be right back!!!
By old dude
October 12, 2009 1:43 AM | Link to this
Cant do the fritos and cheetos anymore, but glad to hear you are gonna be around during the week. If ever you need a ride give me a ring, live about five minutes north of you. Wouldn’t need a press pass. Hotdog sure sounds good. excuse me be right back!!!
By Sam
October 11, 2009 11:07 PM | Link to this
Hal, you made my day with the news that you will continue to write 5 blogs/week during the season and at least 2 in the off season!! I’m thankful for Larry and his love of baseball and willingness to transport you to and from Red’s games. Now I won’t have to go through “Hal” withdrawal. I haven’t posted previously to let you know how much I enjoy your interesting articles and blogs because it was difficult to type with tears clouding my vision. I felt like I was losing a great friend. You are by far the best sportswriter I have read. And you do it with class.
By Sam
October 11, 2009 10:34 PM | Link to this
Hal, you made my day with the news that you will continue to write 5 blogs/week during the season and at least 2 in the off season!! I’m thankful for Larry and his love of baseball and willingness to transport you to and from Red’s games. Now I won’t have to go through “Hal” withdrawal. I haven’t posted previously to let you know how much I enjoy your interesting articles and blogs because it was difficult to type with tears clouding my vision. I felt like I was losing a great friend. You are by far the best sportswriter I have read. And you do it with class.
By Joe B.
October 11, 2009 10:23 PM | Link to this
Hal, does this mean we may see you in Goodyear? Great news on your new assignment. Enjoy your winter.
By Benjamin
October 11, 2009 10:04 PM | Link to this
This news just made my entire weekend! I’m so happy.
By Reinstate Pete
October 11, 2009 10:00 PM | Link to this
Who did the reds get from the Brewers to finalize the Weathers trade? I have not seen anything about the trade.
By econprof
October 11, 2009 5:02 PM | Link to this
Hal, Here’s a question that’s appropriate for your past few days and for your future: What does a sportswriter miss most in watching a game on television vs. seeing it livefrom the pressbox? I’m not referring to the opportunity to talk w/ players and the managers. Is there anything that you lose in observing a game on tv vs. seeing it live? I’m also not referring to the opportunity to buy hot dogs!
By Jim M.
October 11, 2009 3:37 PM | Link to this
Awesome news Hal!! Now maybe you can be the first to check on a report out of the chicago Tribune that Bob behind the scenes wants LaRussa and Duncan here!!
By vick
October 11, 2009 1:36 PM | Link to this
Hal, that is fabulous news!
By Lee
October 11, 2009 12:43 PM | Link to this
I hoped DDN would keep a good thing going. And I think Larry Glass is the luckiest ball fan in the world.
By Lee
October 11, 2009 12:42 PM | Link to this
I hoped DDN would keep a good thing going. And I think Larry Glass is the luckiest ball fan in the world.
By Jacki
October 11, 2009 12:37 PM | Link to this
Hal, I’m so glad that the blog is still alive and that you will still be sharing your stories and insights! I prefer Cheetos even though they leave quite a mess on the keyboard and the remote.