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Y! MyWebASK HAL
Dunn might not be done in Cincinnati
Saturday, July 12, 2008
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.
Q A pitcher's position is as dangerous as a catcher's, so why not require him to wear a helmet? — Russ, Fairborn
A Back in the old days, when I was middle-aged, nobody wore a helmet, not even the batter. And Johnny Bench was the first catcher to wear a helmet behind the plate. Catchers still are not required to wear helmets, but they all do. Pitchers? Not a bad idea. In fact, if all football players wear them and all hockey players wear them, why not all baseball players? And while we're at it, I've seen some infielders who should wear chest protectors and shin guards, too.
Q I keep hearing Arizona is hard-up for offense and it's apparent the Reds are going to let (Adam) Dunn walk at season's end for a draft pick. Why can't they get a deal with Arizona for Dunn? — Keith, Brookville
A It isn't that apparent to me the Reds don't want to keep Dunn. Actually, if he is signed as a free agent by another team the Reds get two No. 1 draft picks. Who knows if two draft picks can combine for 40 homers, 100 RBIs, 100 walks and 100 runs? It's a high-risk gamble. I recall once when Lou Piniella managed the Reds and a player he liked was sold for cash. In front of the writers, he pulled out a wad of cash, tossed in on the floor, and said, "How many home runs do you think this cash will hit for me?"
Q After a game last week I noticed a statistical rarity for a Reds pitching staff — all four with ERA's under 3.00 (Edinson Volquez 2.36, Bill Bray 2.67, Jared Burton 2.28, Francisco Cordero 2.43). When was the last time this team had four pitchers in same game with ERAs in the 2s? — Mark, Dayton
A Probably the last time those four guys appeared in the same game. I take zero stock in ERAs for relief pitchers because if they come into games and the runners on base score it doesn't go on their ERA. It is sort of like your little brother getting punished because he gave you the slingshot you used to break the neighbor's picture window.
Q Do the Brewers think that they have stolen the division title by trading for C.C. Sabathia? If he pitches in 13 games and wins them all, that is still expensive rent. They aren't expecting to be able to afford Ben Sheets, let alone C.C. for next year. — Bill, Villa Hills, Ky.
A They aren't worried about next year. They think they can do it this year with C.C. and Sheets and I'm not so sure they won't. You noticed they panicked the Cubs into immediately giving up four good prospects for Rich Harden. And it wouldn't surprise me to see the Cubs come sniffing around for Adam Dunn, the Wrigley Wrecker, if the Reds are interested in dealing him. If the Cubs get Dunn, they'll have to put screens over the brownstone windows across Sheffield and issue hard hats to the fans sitting on the roof tops.
Q The lost art of bunting seems to have gone into hiding again with the season-ending surgery on Norris Hopper. I hear that Dusty Baker wants to advocate small ball, but with the futility shown by Jay Bruce and Joey Votto, it will be a long time coming. If I'm Baker, I'm screaming at the minor-league system to teach bunting. — Don, Tipp City
A I've never heard Baker advocate small ball. He knows this team is built to fit Great American Ball Park, a twin to the Little League park in Williamsport, Pa. Before they can become the Go Go Reds, they have to sign players who can do it. You've seen the young players like Jay Bruce and Joey Votto try to bunt. Ugh. Right or wrong, when the Reds win they have to hit seven homers, as they did in Wrigley last week, and hold their breath that it's enough.
Q Did Austin Kearns get mad at Adam Dunn for flattening all four of his tires and putting peanut butter under the door handles when Kearns took his parking spot? — Debie, Dayton
A First of all, they're great friends and shared a condominium when both played for the Reds. When somebody pulls a gag like that, you don't get mad, you get even. When the Reds go to Washington in August, Dunn better sleep with one eye open because Kearns has vowed not to get even but to get ahead.
Q You defend David Weathers but always agree with the Bronson Arroyo bashers. Do you and your male readers just like to dump on Bronson because he's really cute and women like him? — Pat, Middletown
A How sexist, Pat. My wife, Nadine, doesn't think Arroyo is that cute, but then she married me. I merely applaud Weathers because he doesn't sing JTM commercials. As for Arroyo, I love the guy because he is a quote machine and writers love quote machines. I know, you think he is a love machine.
Q I love your passion for the game, but I think you are giving way too much credit to Wrigley, making people think that going to games there is amazing. Do you get excited to get beer poured on you and to hear every swear word imaginable and to almost get in a fight if you wear another team's hat? — Scott, Dayton
A Can't believe people would waste beer that way. I've been going there for 36 years and never had a drop spilled on me. The only cuss words I hear in the press box come when there is a rain delay or extra innings, delaying our tour of Rush Street. And writers haven't worn hats since Grantland Rice. Guess I should check out those bleachers, huh?
Q I went to high school with Randy Marsh, so I have always kept tabs on his career. He doesn't seem to be umpiring these days, but I haven't heard that he retired. Can you tell me what is going on with him? — Mike, Covington, Ky.
A During a routine physical early this year they discovered a slight murmur in Marsh's heart and he is on medical leave. Some people wonder if umpires have hearts, but Marsh is one of my all-time favorite umpires, both because he is a great person and a great umpire. I've never seen him miss one. At least he tells me he has never missed one.
Q When you are on the radio with Marty Brennaman and you are in the middle of a discussion and the inning ends, the conversation is ended even though the discussion hasn't been completed. It leaves the question or the conclusion of discussion up in the air. Why can't it be completed even though the inning is over? — Joy, Springboro
A It is amazing that when I'm in the second inning, the opposing team invariably goes out 1-2-3. One game not long ago the inning lasted four pitches and I was on 37 seconds. Bob Castellini should hire me to be on every half inning when the other team bats and they'd never get a hit. Hey, when the inning is over, they go to commercials — those pay the bills — and I go back to my press box seat before my coffee gets cold.
