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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 36th 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 > 2008 > August > 07 > Entry
A view from the outside
A man I have known a long time, a scout for years and years who has watched the Cincinnati Reds, asked me a question before Thursday’s game:
“Have you ever seen a Reds team so lifeless, so dead, so disinterested?”
I answered honestly: “Never. This team looks like nine mannequins, nine fire hydrants, nine pine trees at Christmas time, nine que-tips in a stand-up box.
It’s the old which comes first, the chicken or the egg? In this case, which comes first, the losing or the lethargy? The lethargy or the losing? When you lose 11 of 13, you not only look bad, you ARE bad.
Actually, these days the Reds play like chickens with egg on their faces.
The long-time observer said, “I saw Homer Bailey three years ago and thought good things about him. Iee him now and there is no fire, no consistency and no sense of confidence. He used to have the hammer - a big, breaking curve. That’s gone. The last time he pitched he threw it for one strike. One.”
Another guy in the know, from out of town, said he couldn’t believe the abuse Adam Dunn gets. He hears it when he sits in the stands.
“Now that Ken Griffey Jr. is gone, if they let him go those same people are going to whine about it,” he said. “They better keep him. They need his power and they need him because they have so many young players.”
And another wrinkled his nose when Brandon Phillips was mentioned.
“Nice talent, but I can’t stand the guy. Don’t like his attitude. He does things to make the other team mad. And I couldn’t believe the stuff he said last week about wanting to be the face of the team, the captain, the leader. Very next game he didn’t run out a ground ball. Some leader.”
And so it goes with the intreprid warriors on the banks of the Ohio.
A defeat Thursday was a given. Roy Oswalt. 20-1 before the night began and 21-1 after. The Reds can’t beat him when he is ordinary, and he is ordinary this year and was very ordinary tonight. The Reds got nine hits off him in seven innings, but one run.
What the heck is it, anyway?
The question of the night: How did he lose the one game?
Asked how one pitcher can be 21-1 against his team, manager Dusty Baker said with a shrug, “A 5-0 lead doesn’t hurt? Psychologically, he knows he can beat us, psychologically his team knows it and, probably, psychologically our team knows it. Plus a lot of great pitching and a lot of luck.
Mostly great pitching, but on this night he was eminently beatable.
It isn’t only Oswalt Syndrome that infects this Reds team — losers in 11 of their last 13, 12 games under .500 and 17 1/2 games behind the Chicago Cubs.
Although rookie Jay Bruce doubled in the sixth, extending his hitting streak to 11 games, he went 1 for 5, dropped a fly ball for an error and inadmisably tried to go from second to third on a ground ball and was thrown out.
“A tough night for Jay,” said Baker. “A tough night once in the field and a tough night once on the bases. Call it youthful exuberance and he was as upset as anybody. He knew he made a mistake and you won’t see him make it any time in the future because he is a smart ballplayer. Sometimes you have to learn the hard way.”
Oswalt usually downplays his mastery over the Reds, perhaps fearing he’ll jinx it, but did issue an indictment with the Reds are often charged.
“I threw a lot of pitches in the first inning, but when we scored a lot of runs it seemed they began swinging early in the count,” he said.
Gee whiz. Where have we heard that one before? Oh, about every night.
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Comments
By michael
August 12, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
The Reds just opened up the starting LF job for Patterson. This is the break DB has been waiting for!By Babs
August 11, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
The Red’s will never get rid of Patterson as long as Dusty Backer is manager. Patterson is engaged to his daughter. He was the one that insisted on the Red’s hiring Patterson and he will keep him. So, that trade will never happen.By michael
August 11, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
Is BP all showboat? I happen to think he just really enjoys playing the game of Baseball, and its good to see one Reds player that shows some emotion on the field. He does get carried away at times.By wizard
August 10, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
Well, sure MAC, I thought of that—but I think what the Reds should be looking at, is not whose feelings might be hurt, in making certain moves—but, what moves will improve the TEAM! No doubt you are correct that BP plays a helluva second base—but, I often get the feeling what he is most concerned with are his personal goals—no real proof—just feelings I get watching him. Unless the Reds somehow come up with a better fielder and arm at SS—he’d be my SS. Your points are well taken—but we aren’t talking about the Yankees,Red Sox here—we don’t have unlimited talent anywhere in this organization—and need to use whatever talent we do have propitiously.By MAC
August 10, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
Yes, Phillips came up a SS and at some pt and time MLB personnel moved him to 2nd; I don’t know why, but I know he’s damn good at it. Moving him to SS might decrease his offense and worsen his Def; ever think of that? Of course, I doubt anyone would trade for Gonzales so the Reds will have to cut him and eat the money or more likely play him because of the money they are paying him? Frankly, Kepp and Hariston haven’t killed the team Def @ SS; I don’t think SS has been the Def problem. Long story short, the Reds need a stud lead-off type player in FA; Mr. C has already stated they won’t trade any of the young guys. Only question remaining then is will they open the check book and who might they go after and get?By wizard
August 10, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
Look at every other team—their best player is at SS, not second base:McMillan-Temple—Rizzuto-?—Reese-?—Ozzie Smith-?—Furcal-? Phillips has played SS, if I remember correctly.By wizard
August 10, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
MAC: That is my entire point—it matters less who plays second base! It isn’t as important as shortstop. Keppinger can’t cover as much ground at ss, as can Phillips—I would play him at second, or Hairston, at second. Why wait any longer on Gonzales? I don’t think he is better than Phillips anyway; especially with his injury—if he can still play trade him for a catcher. In my opinion, you wouldn’t be weakening two positions—you would be strengthening them.Thanks for your opinion,though. In addition, it was proven once again, that Valentin could become a first baseman—if we wanted to have Bruce in center{where he prefers to play}and Votto in right {if we are keeping the train wreck in left}.Velentin looks comfortable there to me.By MAC
August 10, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this
I can’t think of too many players that switch positions @ the ML level; it just doesn’t happen too often. Typically there is a reason a player was “trained” at a certain position in AAA. But, let’s suppose Phillips switched to SS and played well there, who’s ready to step in @ 2nd and play to Phillips level?? Perhaps the kid in the Sox trade might be that guy? My guess is it would make us weaker at 2 positions instead of one and what do you do w/ Gonzales (if he comes back) and Kepp?? If the Reds were going to switch player positions, Dunn to 1st base would have made the most sense IMO, but I think it’s too late for that as well? So, the dilemma continues.By wizard
August 9, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this
Great observation Todd Jackson—although I believe he should be our SS, you are absolutely correct about BP. Too much hot dog in him!If he was a leader he’d be playing shortstop—right now!He covers more ground than anyone we have—Look at every baseball team and tell me where their best athlete plays on the infield—BP is in the wrong position! I saw an interesting piece on TV about Carl Yastremski. It seems he was put on a locker room wall by some Redsox pitchers early in his career, for not hustling on the bases. Late in his career—he was getting booed by the fans—he went to Curt Gowdy and asked him why they were booing him—Curt said “because you aren’t hustling on the bases”!So, maybe this is a trademark for HOF players who think their previous accomplishments somehow give them the right to “coast”.Tough-minded managers,with balls, won’t allow it!By Az Abyss
August 8, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this
I prayed to god for a .500 record for the Reds and it didn’t happen. So, actually, god did fail me :^( I prayed the other day that one of the lotto tickets that I spent $450 of my $700 paycheck on would score me a WINNER where I could retire and pray for a home for retired Russian female gymnasts would open next to my house. That didn’t happen either so now I can’t pay for my daughter’s meds (stupid health care in this country!) and my wife is mad because I made her call our bank and get this month’s payment on the Grand Am deferred (she’s better at those things than me). Luckily god has another chance at our poker game on Thursday. I’m praying to take home the paper And for the agency to send the red head. Pray for me.By Brarhopper
August 8, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this
I just read the comments of franklin preacher and robert of nashville. and som of you on this blog thought I was ignorant! I’m gonna have to change my handle…those guys are the TRUE brarhoppers…and more ignert than Ieven I thought possible! From now on, I’ll be SpongePants SquareBob.By Another Losing Season
August 8, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this
Good to see someone else calling Phillips out for a change instead of me all the time. I’ve been all over this guy since last year. His antics are the traits of the self absorbed athlete. He simply doesn’t understand what leadership is all about and just wants to play the part. He’s nothing but a poser.By bigdoc
August 8, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
Just a few reminders as we endure the current grimness: a while back, this was an exciting team—Hairston leading off; Kepp raking; Votto learning; Dunn banging (until August!); two fine young arms (Volquez and Cueto). I’d hoped for .500 this year—won’t happen—but I can’t recall a youngster with the talent of Bruce (please get off him for the baserunning mistake—I’ve seen vets do the same thing all year all over MLB), not the ‘young arms’. Has Harang, Burton, Hairston, not gotten injured—different story. Teams appear to have little energy when they don’t hit. Kepp’s inability to hit since the injury means early scoring is almost impossible. Will it change before the season is over? Probably not. But when it’s a cold night in November, we’ll all miss the Reds!By Robert in Nashville
August 8, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
Amen, preacher, amen! In heaven, none of this will matter anyway!By preacher,franklin,ohio
August 8, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
put faith and trust in god not reds they wil fail you god never will fail or leave you geter done for jesus god bless you all love in chirst preacher.By Robert in Nashville
August 8, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
The good news - If the Reds keep losing at the pace they are on now, they will have the worst record in baseball and will get the #1 pick in next years amateur draft! Yippee!By Todd Jackson
August 8, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
Concur w/ Rick. Also tiring of Phillips being the hotdog. Yeah, he’s good but his cutsie showboat act is very tiresome. Brandon, did you learn the slow run to frist from Griffey? Didn’t you see how that played out to the fans? We disliked it from a superstar (which you are NOT) and don’t want it from you. Just play hard and you’ll be all right. Also, your lobs to first are getting a little too close for comfort. Yes, we know you’re good, but start acting like a man instead of some thug punk rapstar wanna be. It’s getting old and playing thin to lots of us Reds fans.By Rick
August 8, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
Not crazy about the cheesy analogies, but totally agree with the content. Dunn probably needs to stay and I’m tired of Phillips showboating and laughing it up with the fans while we are losing. Not a leader. Hey Brandon, when you hit the ball….RUN!By Steve
August 8, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
Many have pointed out the lack of motivation. That has NOTHING to do with talent and EVERYTHING to do with leadership. Yes, these guys should not need to be motivated. But they have shown they do need it, and they are not getting it. That blame goes straight to Dusty, Brook, and Dick. Period. As far as Dunn goes, he is a luxury, not a need. Great power hitter. Does not do the little things to put his team over the hump. In this market, the only way to win on a regular basis is with small ball, defense, and solid pitching. See the Twins, Marlins, A’s, Angels, and Diamondbacks. They all are ‘in it’ most years or at least are not out of it by July. Someone steal the blueprint and get this ball rolling! Let’s not pretend like this is rocket science. Play hard, play right, or don’t play.By HuberTucky
August 8, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
Lest we not forget that Pete Mackanin got the shaft. He had a winning record with the Dreads (80 games, 41W and 39L, a WP of.513) but Castellini wanted a big name. So how’s that working for ya, Bob?By RG
August 8, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Wow, following the Reds is getting sooooooo painful! Remember Narron and Mackanin? What if one or the other of those guys were managing the Reds right now? Everybody and their grandmother would be demanding their heads. Why is Dusty Baker getting a pass? OK, he inherited some duds, so the argument goes, but there is a lack of fire on this team and it seems to stem from him. Someone needs to stick a torch under the team - and under its manager, too. And, Hal, I know you think Dusty is great because he treats reporters well and has a lot of baseball savvy, but the team has a lot of talent that he seems unable to tap into and it looks like you’re giving him a free ride. Just how many big ol’ fat Cubans has he given to you to write “not unseemly” things about him?By RG
August 8, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
Wow, following the Reds is getting sooooooo painful! Remember Narron and Mackanin? What if one or the other of those guys were managing the Reds right now? Everybody and their grandmother would be demanding their heads. Why is Dusty Baker getting a pass? OK, he inherited some duds, so the argument goes, but there is a lack of fire on this team it seems to stem from him. Someone needs to stick a torch under the team - and under its manager, too. And, Hal, I know you think Dusty is great because he treats reporters well and has a lot of baseball savvy, but the team has a lot of talent that he seems unable to tap into and it looks like you’re giving him a free ride. Just how many big ol’ fat Cubans has he given to you to write “not unseemly” things about him?By HuberTucky
August 8, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
redfuture, thanks for bringing that up. When I watched Bruce make that elemntary boneheaded mistake, I thought to myself that this guy’s head is not in the game. It should be programmed deep in any major leagurer’s DNA by now that when you are on second like that you do not automatically go on contact. It is reflexive and should not even require thought. You wait, especially on a grounder hit to your right. I like Jay Bruce a lot, but lately his brilliant feats have been offset by equally juvenile mistakes. But it’s not Jay, it’s the atmosphere on this team of zombies that is truly asleep at the wheel.By redfuture
August 8, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
I like Bruce but you can’t tell me that he has never tried going from 2nd to 3rd with a ball hit in front of him in several minor league games. So how can Dusty fluff it off so easily by saying that “he will never do it again” ?By michael
August 8, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
I don’t think Dunn is either the reason they win or lose. He is simply a pure power hitter on a lousy team. He does not get enough credit for his OBP. He strikes out a bunch, but he gets on base a lot too. If Dunn was surrounded by the right guys, he would probably make a difference.By Hilliard Dave
August 8, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
So far this team keeps rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Just a little side story here. I live in Columbus and read the Dispatch (which carryies Hal’s column) and of course I read about the Reds all the time. I also look in the obits everyday because I confuse it with the sports section as to where to look for news of the Deads. In today’s obits, and this is sad, a 68 year-old man died and his family wrote about the close bond he had with his son, “…the events they had attended together and those ‘sorry’ Reds.” There you go Reds fans, our team is even being called sorry in the obituaries. R.I.P. Cincinnati Reds. Deads?By Jim Anthony
August 8, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
When a team is in such bad straits as the Reds you know you can’t replace all the players. You start looking at the manager.By Bob
August 8, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
Everyone keeps saying if Dunn goes , how are the Reds going to replace the offense? I have a question for them, how has this offense translated into wins since he’s been here. That’s right it hasn’t. Arizona is always in the thick of it and they don’t have Dunn’s offense. It just goes to show that offense is grossly overrated. Pitching, defense, and timely hitting wins championships. Not 40 hr guys that constantly misjudge fly balls and make errors. If you take away the runs given up from his total offense then his numbers aren’t that good at all. But that being said Dunn isn’t the only problem. He has a lot of company. I love the Reds but they really p**s me off.By Howie Feltersnatch
August 8, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
Go Bengals! Go Bucks! Face the facts, The Reds just s**kBy Steven Ross
August 8, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
Hank wrote: I’ve been a Reds fan since the mid-1960s, but watching this has become very frustrating. My goodness, I have company! Me too Hank. Welcome to the club. Yeah, watching this team is about as bad as it gets. What bothers me are the consecutive years we’ve stunk. Keep moving the pieces but the results stay the same. Will next year be any different? We’ll see.By Post Office Dean
August 8, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
HuberTucky you said it perfectly, I cannot agree more, I cannot watch my Reds anymore, I took up quilting to fill the void left by my useless, once beloved team.By Jennifer
August 8, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
I’m not sure how anyone could say that about Brandon Phillips. He plays hard every single day. Once in a while he tries to be a hot dog, but those times are few and far between when you look at the outstanding plays he makes. And, if the fans sitting in left are anything like the heckling jerk sitting by us last night, it’s no wonder Dunn appears to not care about anything. It’s one thing to take abuse when you’re on the road, but in your own ballpark? Unacceptable!By Jennifer
August 8, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
I’m not sure how anyone could say that about Brandon Phillips. He plays hard every single day. Once in a while he tries to be a hot dog, but those times are few and far between when you look at the outstanding plays he makes. And, if the fans sitting in left are anything like the heckling jerk sitting by us last night, it’s no wonder Dunn appears to not care about anything. It’s one thing to take abuse when you’re on the road, but in your own ballpark? Unacceptable!By Nate
August 8, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
There is obviously a lack of fundamentals and accountability being practiced by this ball club. I don’t remember where I heard it, but the Marlins (who in case you haven’t noticed are young too and much better off in the standings) regularly take spring training style fielding practice as a team PRIOR to taking BP. It’s not optional either. With the number of young players this would be a good idea for Dusty to do, but do they? I haven’t heard of it. As for the accountability, Dusty says all the time he is tired of losing or “it wasn’t (insert players name) night” when someone has a poor fundamental game. It may not help to get on a player about a poor game, but has he done it? Very doubtful with the personality Dusty has. It is often said that the worst parents are the ones that try to be friends with there children and not parent them. This is exactly what I see going on with this baseball team. Dusty is trying to be the “good manager” that everyone likes and not make this team better. This team needs a drill sergent or someone with the personality of Ozzie Guillen, Mike Soscia, Joe Girardi, or Tony LaRussa. Forget being a “players manager” it’s time to put down the gauntlet and raise the expectations above the lackluster defense, effort, and attitude displayed by anyone, rookies to vetrans, on this team. I’d let everyone of the 13 free agents go and replace them with guys that want to play the game and that are going to give 110% every second of every game. Send the message to the guys that are signed what type of players you expect them to be and not assume they will just become what you want.By Pete
August 8, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
I went to the Dragons game last nite. Ya know, I saw the same, exact crap going on there that I’ve watched w/ the Reds this year. Pitching stinks, fielding stinks, baserunning stinks, no one gives a crap about what’s going on…. blah, blah, blah. I’m wonder if the entire organization is laced w/ apathy cause it sure as hell appears that way.By Mike
August 8, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
Tony Perez was fired after 44 games.By Diamond Dave
August 8, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
To use a famous line from Major League: “They’re shi&&y.”By Ben Lynch
August 8, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
I love the Reds, and was excited about Dusty becoming our manager. During the season I have become frustrated with him for not being a leader. We have a young team, and that type of team needs someone to push them. What did Ozzie do when the White Sox weren’t playing well? He called them out. What did Jim Leland do? He called them out? He says that he hates losing, but I haven’t seen any proof. If you see Junior not hustling then take him out. He didn’t deserve to be batting 3rd. If you are not going to win at least try. If he got a full effort out of the players, and they lost then I would be OK. Bruce energized the whole team when he came up. Now they have infected him with their its OK to lose attitude. He can’t go out and bat or field, but he does create an atmosphere in the clubhouse. He lets them get away with a mediocre effort. We have the talent to play better than we are now. There needs to be a leader, and if its not going to be a player then at the very least it should be Baker.By michael
August 8, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
No thanks. I am a Reds fan and will keep going to the games. I don’t think you can afford to hire guys like Baker and Jocketty if you don’t intend to fix the team. I am not saying they are the right guys, just saying that there seems to be some effort from the ownership. They are terrible, but they are still my Reds.By No longer a fan
August 8, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
Rick has it right on the nose. This organization stinks. When a business makes a “product” as bad as this one, it goes under from no sales. For some reason the mongrels in Cincy still keep paying the freight, from taxes to build the hulk known as GABP to tickets to keep the crap going. Hey mongrels-STOP GOING. Castellini and the other penny pinching billionaires who own this nag will pay attention to less profit and nothing else.By Austin Red
August 8, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
We were 9 & 12 under Krivsky this year (43% winning percentage) - So bad it got Krivsky fired. We’ve been 43 & 52 since (45% winning percentage) - The losing hasn’t really stopped much at all, has it?By Hank
August 8, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
Rob, I thought the same thing. As I watched Valentin’s ball slice into left field, kick away from the Astro fielders, bounce at the base of the stands, back past one of the Astro fielders, and finally get picked up, I thought, “Great! Finally something good happens! Runners at 2nd and 3rd with the top of the order coming up.” Imagine my surprise when the cameras revealed Ross barely pulling into 2nd base. Not a word from the TV announcers about yet another base running “mistake”. Contrast that with Bako’s hustle earlier to get to 2nd base when the left fielder was a little too casual returning the ball to the infield. I’ve been a Reds fan since the mid-1960s, but watching this has become very frustrating.By wizard
August 8, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
Indications that they don’t want to win: Their best short stop is still playing second base;and their worst left fielder, is still their left fielder!By Steven Ross
August 8, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
We still have seven LONG weeks left in the season so bad to worse is definitely possible. Ugly thought! By September, you’ll see all the “kids” playing. Take a good look at the roster because half these guys won’t be back next year. That includes Dusty and many coaches.By Mike-Cinci
August 8, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
The defintion of a bad baseball team: lousy scouting, poor player development, bad trades, dumb player contracts, over rating talent, failure to create a culture of winning, paying $3.5 million to a man to manage a last place team, paying $12 million for a closer on a last place team, terrible hitting, pitching, and defense, no speed, poor fundamentals, lifeless, no bench, stupid mistakes, regularly lose to other bad teams, no apparent hope for the future. This team will compete with the Nats and Padres for the right to be called the worst team in baseball. Are the Reds at rock bottom yet?By Bob
August 8, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
Oh well, at least I can look forward to the Colts beating the cheatin’ Patsies soon. Walt has lost more games than Krivsky now hasn’t he?By Steve
August 8, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
Well the good news is the Bengals start soon. B-R-U-T-A-L. Maybe CJ and BP can get together and tell each other how ‘flossy’ they are.By rockieredsfan
August 8, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this
The Rockies could be willing to deal some high quality players in the off-season. A very good 3B in Garrett Atkins, Avg 298, OBP 335, SLG 472, or Ian Stewart (although the Rockies plans are to use him at 3B if Garrett is traded), Ian in limited games Avg 284, OBP 378, SLG 509. Outfield help could be the veteran Willie Taveras struggling this year and has been hurt so this may not be a good fit, but he is a great leadoff hitter and has stolen 50 bases. Better yet is Seth Smith a very good outfielder but plays here in a limited role. Avg 274, OBP 338 and SLG 435. At SS, a great pickup Clint Barmes. Tulo is here to stay for years so Clint is available. Great hands, fast feet, can cover the infield and go deep in the hole and with a strong arm toss em out. Avg 295, OBP 378 and SLG 509. The Rockies need a starter and Arroyo has been mentioned (I would hope not), my loyality is to the Reds and any of these players would IMO be an asset. Although I would prefer Seth Smith over Willie T in the outfield. But as leadoff hitter Willie is good.By rob
August 8, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
How is Ross not on 3rd after Valentin blooped a two out single down the left field line? Houston even kicked it around a little and the guy is still on 2nd with the play in front of him. For me, that is a perfect illustration of the losing culture Jocketty has mentioned. Somewhere in Ross’ gray matter he knew his team was going to lose; so why take an extra base?By Rick
August 8, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
This isn’t just a team in disarray— this is an organization in disarray. They don’t scout well, they don’t draft well, they don’t move players up their minor league system well, they don’t teach fundamentals in their minor league system well. You don’t have to believe me— just compare this organization to small market Oakland and Milwaukee— watch how much harder their scouts work, how much better they draft, how much faster they move players through their systems, and how much better the fundamentals are at all levels. This organization has a lot of work to do to be competitive at the major league level. The good news— they have some real talent at AA and A. They have a shortstop in Valaika and they have multiple third base prospects. There is no legitimate center fielder or catcher. Thanks goodness we have Hal and Marty.By Steven Ross
August 8, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
“Have you ever seen a Reds team so lifeless, so dead, so disinterested?” Actually, no. In fact, while being swept by the Nats, I kept thinking: this team has no passion, life or interest. One really has to question if Dusty is the answer to motivate this bunch. I seriously doubt he returns next year. Jocketty will let him take the fall then retool.By Sad fan
August 8, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
Hal, why is Dusty getting no heat for the “this is not my team” comment? It hasn’t even shown up in your column, or Erardi’s, or Fay’s. Why’s he getting a free pass on this? The team heard that comment too, and it’s helped the rest of them throw in the towel. Let us know your thoughts on this.By Bob
August 8, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
I think Phillips has morphed into the player Cleveland traded away; a showboat. A homer gets the Jeffrey Leonard wing down trot and after his good season last yr. and batting cleanup, he don’t look like the same hitter. Stars have gotten in his eyes. Compare his behavior to Utley. All hustle, consistency and no showmanship. No comparison. Some of the Reds think Phillips hung the moon. It is rapidly sinking.By jeff
August 8, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
If I was Bob Castellini I would have a serious talk with Dusty Baker. This team is a reflection of Castellini and they are playing so unfundamental DUSTY has to get the blame. From the get go he was not the right manager for this team. They need a bully, someone who won’t put up with not running out a ball, jogging, showboating a groundball, they need a fiery personality. Dusty seems like a nice guy but HE IS NOT RIGHT FOR THIS TOWN OR TEAM. He will be gone after next season mark my words. Pole and Jacoby need to be gone as well. I think Ted Powers has earned the major league pitching job as for hitting coach you couldnt pay me enough to work with this team, their approaches at the plate are terrible.By jeff
August 8, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
If I was Bob Castellini I would have a serious talk with Dusty Baker. This team is a reflection of Castellini and they are playing so unfundamental DUSTY has to get the blame. From the get go he was not the right manager for this team. They need a bully, someone who won’t put up with not running out a ball, jogging, showboating a groundball, they need a fiery personality. Dusty seems like a nice guy but HE IS NOT RIGHT FOR THIS TOWN OR TEAM. He will be gone after next season mark my words. Pole and Jacoby need to be gone as well. I think Ted Powers has earned the major league pitching job as for hitting coach you couldnt pay me enough to work with this team, their approaches at the plate are terrible.By Mike
August 8, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this
There is a mystery to all this. 27,300 fans showed up last night to watch this lousy team. Why would they attend a game to watch a bunch of underachieving men go through the motions? But they did. In fact, 10,00 women got a pink hat. But,some people drive hundreds of miles, spend hours on the highway going home after the defeat, and have to refill thier tanks at about $4 a gallon. Over 100,00 fans attended the games on this homestand so far this week. Apparently, they don’t give a damn what kind of team they watch, how much they travel, or how much they spend at the game ( which is a fortune if your’e an average guy with a family )! Mr. C & Mr. J have given Reds fans a big pill. They said” Here take this, this will ease the pain and your frustrations. Trust in us, mr. J is evaluating and our goal is to go 82-80. If we can do this you will feel lots better. Now get some rest ( but not to much, please come back tonight at 7:10 we play Houston..oh and by the way, bring your money ! ) You can call the Reds management, pied pipers. Want proof? Good bet that tonight another 25,00 fans will gather to watch this exercise in futility. Wouldn’t it be a shock, if they looed in the stands and only 8,000 showed up??By michael
August 8, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this
I usually watch the games on TV, but went to the radio last night because I just wanted to hear Marty. He is the only star on this team.By ROGER DOTY
August 8, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this
NO MOTIVATION. NO FIRE.TOO LADE BACK. OF COURSE I’M TALKING ABOUT RUSTY MAKER. START AT THE TOP AND CLEAN HOUSE.WALT YOU MAY AS WELL RESIGN, BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO ONE TO TRADE.IF YOU HAVE NOTHING YOU GET NOTHING.By Hal fan
August 8, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this
Hal I know you want to switch places with me and work an 8to5 job instead of watching this reds team! No thanks, one inning on tv, a look at the lineup with phillips batting 4th and its time to watch fox news. You should get paid to watch this mess and get reimbursed for mileage but even then I feel soory for you.By Hal fan
August 8, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this
Hal I know you want to switch places with me and work an 8to5 job instead of watching this reds team! No thanks, one inning on tv, a look at the lineup with phillips batting 4th and its time to watch fox news. You should get paid to watch this mess and get reimbursed for mileage but even then I feel soory for you.By Joyce
August 8, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this
Votto, Bruce, Phillips, Dunn, Encarnacion. Those guys are worth watching. The Reds really need to get a good catcher, center fielder and shortstop to go with them.By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
August 8, 2008 7:41 AM | Link to this
I simply can’t recall a Reds team more pathologically boring to watch. Yes, there have been bad teams along the way, but usually there is a reason to watch—a young player, someone fighting for a role, a stats goal, a team storyline … something. But this group? Nothing. Zzzzzzzzz.By AP-FLORIDA
August 8, 2008 7:13 AM | Link to this
I’m still watching but usually listening to the other teams announcers. They praise Bruce, Votto, Dunn, Encarnacion, and Phillips for the most part. I enjoy watching these five also, although they make their mistakes. I still believe that the coaching or lack of, has been the biggest let down of the year. I am not a Rusty fan, as you know, but he has had no help of any kind from his coaching staff. Why didn’t he bring in his own staff? Could it be that this was the only job offer he had and had to keep the current staff, so mgmt could save money? I say give the manager’s job to spiere(?) and keep hatcher and replace the rest…Walt needs to find 3 starters to go with this fab five!!!! GO REDS in 2009….By ohdave
August 8, 2008 6:22 AM | Link to this
Hubertucky, you’re right. My blood pressure goes up every time I watch this horrible team. Hal, two things you mentioned in this post point to leadership: Lifeless? Why isn’t a skipper lighting a fire under someone? Do you think either of the Chicago managers would tolerate the lifeless play the Reds display? And jumping at pitches: It’s been happening all year, which indicates to me that they’re being coached to do it. It isn’t working. This team is a disgrace to the uniform.By bruiser
August 8, 2008 4:38 AM | Link to this
I wonder if those comments about Griffey and Phillips were really from some guy named Hal McCoy. Are you trying to say Griffey played hard and Phillips doesn’t? Or that the Reds should have retained Griffey for his influence over the younger guys? Come on Hal—-maybe it’s time the News traded you!By Y-City Jim
August 8, 2008 2:17 AM | Link to this
Which came first? The lifelessness or the losing?By HuberTucky
August 8, 2008 1:53 AM | Link to this
It’s beyond frustrating to watch the Reds play, it’s infuriating. Their lack of passion is nauseating. Their seeming lack of care is disturbing. Their results, offense, defense, base running gaffs, head not in the game, screwing up basic fundamentals from little league is disgusting. They not only play as if they don’t care, they play as if they could care less about the rest of the season and as if they’d just as soon be traded away to other teams. There is practically no cohesiveness. Where does the manager and coaching staff enter this picture? I know they aren’t the players, but maybe this team with the league-wide reputation of a “laid back clubhouse” needs a major butt-kicking wake up call. It remains extremely painful to watch night after night for this long-time Reds fan. And they sure as hell aren’t doing anything to endear themselves to future and potential fans. There, I’ve said my piece. End of sermon.By Matt
August 7, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this
Amen, Hal! Bring on the offseason, and hopefully the changes that need to be made to produce a winning team in ‘09 and beyond.