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Hal McCoy, the hall-of-fame baseball writer for the Dayton Daily News, knows a thing or two about America's pastime. If you want to tap into that knowledge, send an e-mail to hmccoy@DaytonDailyNews.com. For more Ask Hal, log on to DaytonDailyNews.com/reds.

Question of the Week

Q Do you think the Reds are going to trade Griffey and Dunn? And if so, to what teams? — Geoff, Dayton

A Do you mean now, or ever? Right now? Doubt it. If the teams starts winning, probably no trades. If not, well, who do you think would want a 38-year-old outfielder with bad knees making $12.5 million. Seattle? Maybe. Dunn might go at the trade deadline (if the team isn't winning and he doesn't come alive — as he usually does). Cubs GM Jim Hendry loves Dunn and Houston would like to bring him home where he could also quarterback the Houston Texans.

Q Is Walt Jerketty having second thoughts? — Dave, Miamisburg/Centerville/Beavercreek

A The guy hasn't done a negative thing yet and you're calling him Jerketty instead of Jocketty? Why didn't you call him Wilt Jerketty? Anyway, second thoughts about what, the way he combs his hair or the shoes he wears or the way he eats his eggs? If you mean taking the general manager's job, why should he have second thoughts? The team has seven straight losing seasons and he can do nothing but improve it. He has nothing to lose, except the rest of his hair.

Q I was at Sunday's game in Atlanta and Tom Glavine was running out of steam and loaded the bases. Adam Dunn doesn't take a pitch or work the count. He swings at the first pitch, fly ball, inning over. Why? — Greg, Atlanta

A You were either checking out something in the next section or slathering mustard on a hot dog. Dunn didn't face Glavine. Atlanta manager Bobby Cox removed him and brought in Royce Ring. Yes, Dunn swung at his first pitch and popped to left, which surprised me for such a disciplined hitter. Right now, though, Dunn is so mixed up he thought he was facing Condoleezza Rice, "And how hard could she throw?"

Q Why hasn't Homer Bailey been called up yet? Are the Reds punishing him from some comments/actions in spring training? — Dustin, West Carrollton

A No punishment, although some eyebrows lift every time he walked into the clubhouse with a six-inch Bowie knife hanging in a sheath off his belt. Maybe he thinks he needs it for a cut fastball. They are looking for consistency, lower pitch counts, better command of his off-speed stuff. Be patient, he'll be up at some point. And don't expect him to be Edinson Volquez or even Johnny Cueto. That isn't going to happen.

Q Owner Bob wants to win now and it isn't going to happen. Call Mark Cuban and see if he will buy the Reds. — Roger, Louisa, Ky.

A Of course Owner Bob wants to win right now. You think he enjoys spending hard-earned cash to see what he is seeing? His name, by the way, is Castellini. Cuban wants to buy the Cubs, and let them have that distraction. Cuban purchased the NBA's Dallas Mavericks in 2000. Know how many championship the Mavs have won? Zero.

Q After we ship Ken Griffey Jr. out, why not put Adam Dunn at first base, then have Joey Votto, Ryan Freel and Jay Bruce in the outfield so there are some strong arms? I still miss Josh Hamilton. — Roger, Riverside

A Where will UPS ship Griffey? You talk as if that's a foregone conclusion. It isn't. Do you realize a first baseman makes more plays — and much more difficult plays — than a left fielder? Bob Boone tried Dunn at first base. Didn't work. And Joey Votto is extremely good at first base. Why mess up two positions? If they don't trade Hamilton, they don't get Edinson Volquez, and where would the Reds be without him? Deeper in last place, that's where. I like Hamilton, too, but they didn't win with him last year and everybody howled for better pitching. Wayne Krivsky made one whiz of a trade in that one.

Q Do you think Barry Larkin will be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame? — John, Fort Wayne

A If not, I'll be picketing the front doors — well, maybe not. They might remove me from the writer's wing. But Larkin qualifies because he was the best offensive and defense shortstop of his era. But, then, so was Dave Concepcion and he doesn't budge the voters. If Larkin and Concepcion played in New York, they'd be shoo-ins. Both are better than Phil Rizzuto and Peewee Reese, who are in the Hall.

Q You mentioned that you had Wednesday off and both you and Marty Brennaman sat the bench. Who or what determines your days off — contract, health (resting your eyes), how the Reds are playing, or where they are playing (who wants to go to Milwaukee?)? — Craig, Fairborn

A I don't have a contract; I'm a very old free agent. Rest doesn't help or hurt my eyes (some of what I see hurts) and I make every trip — no time off during trips. And, hey, I like Milwaukee. I hate days off, always fearing I'll miss something big, like the Reds hitting seven homers. Before I was the No. 1 beat writer, I got to cover Rick Wise throw a no-hitter at the Reds because the beat writer took a day off. But my boss, Brian Kollars, likes me to take a couple days off a homestand to recharge the old battery (pacemaker), and if I don't accept it he and my wife, Nadine, get together and conspire against me to choose the days I take.

Q Do the Reds have a blow-up doll in their clubhouse? — Pat, Middletown

A You are, of course, referring to the blow-up doll in the Chicago White Sox clubhouse, a gag that stirred up the multitudes, including manager Ozzie Guillen, a man of a few thousand words. As far as I know, there is no blow-up doll in the Reds clubhouse, but if there was one and it could hit with runners in scoring position, Dusty Baker would have it batting fourth.

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