Question of the Week
Q: Scott Rolen reminds me of the days of Buddy Bell at third base. Do any of the 2012 Reds bring back memories of past Reds players for you? — Craig, Fort Loramie
A: Rolen/Bell is a great comparison, on and off the field — both good hitters, great defenders with a strong, silent type of leadership.The closest I can come is Brandon Phillips/Joe Morgan, except Morgan was a much better hitter and Phillips is a much better defender. Maybe Morgan could have done some of those behind-the-back or through-the-legs flips and tosses, but Tony Perez would have taunted him by saying, “Get to those balls so you don’t have to showboat,” whether he was showboating or not.
Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy knows a thing or two about America’s pastime. If you’d like to tap into that knowledge, send a question to halmccoy1@hotmail.com.
Q: Will it be a bad year for baseball if Ryan Braun wins the MVP and Melky Cabrera wins the batting title? — Dave, Miamisburg/Centerville/Beavercreek
A: You mean, of course, because Braun and Cabrera are linked to banned substances. Remember, though, Braun was exonerated because of possible evidence contamination (nod, nod, wink, wink) and Cabrera on Friday took himself out of the running. But it wouldn’t be anything new. They didn’t take away the home run titles from Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire.
Q: Can you envision a Reds playoff roster where they include three catchers? — Dave, Lake Loramie
A: You must be a Devin Mesoraco fan. No, I can’t. They survived five months with two catchers and Mesoraco was one. But he lost that spot to Dioner Navarro, a switch-hitter who can be valuable off the bench as a late-game pinch-hitter. With only 25 roster spots, three catchers is a luxury, unless the third catcher can play other positions. Mesoraco can’t.
Q: When Dusty Baker misses games due to illness or suspensions, do the results of the games he misses go on his record? — Mike, Arlington, Va.
A: Yes, they do. And Baker owes his bench coach, Chris Speier, a big, fat, juicy T-bone. Speier has managed six games for Baker and he is 6-0. That’s six wins and no losses on Baker’s record when he wasn’t in the dugout. And before anybody asks, no, Speier won’t manage the playoffs.
Q: Jeff Kent hurt his knee on the first 15 minutes of the TV reality show “Survivor.” Does this mean baseball players aren’t in shape? — Bill, Villa Hills, Ky.
A: It mostly means they should stay away from goofy reality shows, or get their own like Pete Rose that stays away from physical activity. But Kent always was the macho type. Remember his dugout shoving match with teammate Barry Bonds? Kent was terse with the media and when a reporter once introduced himself with, “Hi, I’m so-and-so from the AP,” Kent mumbled, “Wow, this must be my lucky (bleeping) day.” Quite a guy.
Q: Are infielder Didi Gregorius and pitcher Tony Cingrani eligible for the 25-man postseason roster even though they were not on the 25-man roster by midnight August 31? — Mark, Centerville
A: Technically, they are not. But they could be if the Reds wanted them to be. It is doubtful, though, that the Reds want them to be. There are always loopholes to rules. The Reds could add those two, but Gregorius would have to replace an “injured” infielder and Cingrani would have to replace an “injured” pitcher. I know, I know, you want Wilson Valdez and Logan Ondrusek to fake injuries, right?
Q: With what he has done, or hasn’t done, during the season, do you think Miguel Cairo deserves to be on the postseason roster? — Hank, Flagstaff, Ariz.
A: If it were only numbers, no. But contrary to some so-called modern thinking, baseball isn’t all numbers. There is more than the eye can see. Cairo is a leader in the clubhouse, mostly to the Latinos. If they don’t include him there might be a revolt. In addition, Cairo is a veteran who has been there and done that in the postseason and he won’t be intimidated or lost in paradise.
Q: With the season winding down, who are your picks for National League MVP and Cy Young? — John, Vandalia
A: We can only vote for one category and I have been selected to vote for National League MVP. We also are sworn to secrecy. But I’ll tell you. I haven’t voted. Haven’t made up my mind. As for Cy Young, Johnny Cueto probably lost out when he lost three in a row after winning his 17th and it is a toss-up between R.A. Dickey and Gio Gonzalez, although Gio has meant more to the Nationals than R.A. has meant to the Mets.
Q: Can you please tell the TV announcers where that annoying yowling came from that Reds fans do so they’ll quit asking? — Richard, Cincinnati
A: If I knew, I’d tell them. And I hate it, too. I’ve heard that they are mimicking female tennis players who yowl when they strike the ball. I’ve heard it began the night of a Bark in the Park and they were mimicking the dogs who were howling in the stands. I’ve heard that it is the byproduct of a certain liquid refreshment. Whatever the birth history is, let’s hope it has a short life.
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