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Y! MyWebREDS NOTES
Baker: Valentin like two pinch hitters in one
Friday, July 18, 2008
CINCINNATI — Reds manager Dusty Baker saw and played with some of the best pinch hitters of all time, and he thinks Javier Valentin is of that breed.
"The thing about Javvy, you don't find the novelty of a pinch-hitter hitting both ways," Baker said Friday, July 18, in the wake of Valentin's big-time bases-loaded double in Thursday's game against the Mets. Unfortunately, that big hit went for naught when the Mets scored four times in the ninth to win the game.
"That's like two pinch hitters in one, especially if the sides are equal. Like last night, he was turned around to hit right-handed (and he came through). He takes pride in it. He stays ready. He stays in the game."
Baker said, "Every good team I've been on we've had pinch hitters. I've played with some of the best, like Lee Lacy, Vic Davalillo, Manny Mota and Jay Johnstone.
At one time, Mota held the record for major league pitch hits with 150 (set in 1979 and since broken) and averaged at least 10 pinch hits for six straight seasons. He hit .297 as a pinch hitter. Davalillo set the then National League record for pinch hits in a season with 24 in 1970 while at St. Louis. Lacy once hit three consecutive pinch hit homers for the Dodges in 1978 and Johnstone hit a big two-run pinch-hit homer for the Dodgers in the 1981 World Series against the Yankees.
Baker said the pinch-hitting job is, "for a veteran player who has had some success as a starter.
"For a younger player, going 0-1 and waiting for your next at-bat, it's tough. For an older player, he realizes the toughness of it, and is able to deal with it."
Edwin excellent
Third baseman Edwin Encarnacion entered Friday's game on a five-game hitting streak (11-for-20) and a .550 batting average in those games with three homers and four RBIs.
"It takes Edwin 200 at-bats to get started," Baker said, "to get your timing, to get your bat speed. Pitch recognition. It's getting to the time (of the season) where strong men are going to stand up. The big boys usually get hot about now, and Edwin's as strong as any man here."
Gold Glove bonanza
Scoreboard video confirmed a fans' vote on Ken Griffey Jr. and former Reds Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan as Rawlings all-time Gold Glovers during a 50th anniversary celebration of the award.
All three were honored prior to the game. Bench, a catcher, won 10 gold gloves with the Reds and second baseman Morgan was a five-time winner during his major league career. Griffey won 10.
Other members of the all-time Gold Glove team were Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente to complete the outfield, first baseman Wes Parker, shortstop Ozzie Smith, third baseman Brooks Robinson and pitcher Greg Maddux.
Current Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips put in his own bid for an award with a leaping catch of a line drive hit by Damion Easley in the second inning.
Quote of the day
"There's a big light at the end of the tunnel," Baker said. "Offensively, we haven't been as hot as we're going to get."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2157 or mkatz@DaytonDailyNews.com.
