YBS: 2008 Butler County Fair
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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 > May > 04 > Entry
Out of it by Mother’s Day
Can you call the 2008 Cincinnati Reds the worst team in baseball?
You certainly can, and you won’t be by your lonesome. One veteran national writer who sees all the teams watched the Reds recently and said, “I thought San Francisco had the worst team. But this is the worst I’ve seen.”
They fooled me. Completely. Coming out of spring training I thought, for once, for the first time in seven years, that a Reds team had a chance to not only finish over .500 but to compete for the title in what is a weak division.
I should have listened to one of the players who told a friend DURING spring training, “We stink.”
Yep, they fooled me completely. Instead of a contender, what we have here is another team that can’t even stay in the race until Father’s Day. They’re done by Mother’s Day.
No hitting, no consistent pitching, collapsible defense. What else is there?
How about golf and tennis? How about NASCAR?
A 14-7 loss to the Braves Sunday was abysmal, only worse. Starter Bronson Arroyo pitched as if he wished he were sailing in Boston Harbor instead of pitching for the Reds — which he might very well have been thinking.
Whatever, he lasted only 1 1/3 innings, shortest of his 166 starts, and gave up seven runs and seven hits, looking totally disinterested while doing it.
Manager Dusty Baker said he is at a total and complete loss with Arroyo and said the team is going to have him checked out because it could be something physical.
How bad is it when your No. 1 and No. 2 starters are a combined 2-8? Aaron Harang and Arroyo both are 1-4. Arroyo’s is deserved (8.63) ERA. Harang’s isn’t (2.98 ERA).
The Reds were down 8-1 after three, then pecked away and got it back to 8-6 and had the bases loaded with two outs in the fifth. The Braves brought in left-hander Royce Ring (a named without a familiar ring) to face Adam Dunn. He swung at the first pitch and flied meekly to left.
Then the Braves scored four more in the fifth off Josh Fogg and Bill Bray.
So the Reds limp and wobble and trundle home with a 3-6 record for their stops in San Francisco, St. Louis and Atlanta — the 18th time they’ve come home with a losing record on a road trip in the last 19 times they’ve paid visits to other towns.
Not only are the Reds firmly ensconced in last place in the meek and mild National League Central, resembling the worst baseball team in the majors, they are doing it statistically, too. Their 12-20 record IS the worst in the majors.
Happy Mother’s Day.
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Comments
By Brian
May 6, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
JRed…Brian is not a pseudonym for Hal. If he felt the need to respond, he wouldn’t hide behind some made up name. I happen to be the father of the grandson that he has mentioned in previous blogs. Get the picture! I am pretty sure that I know him as well as anyone. Have a great day.By Diamond
May 6, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this
Maybe it’s the curse of the Big Red Machine. The Machine Room at GABP used to be my favorite place to visit because of all the memorabilia. There were signed photos of all the Machine members scattered throughout the room, on the walls of the booths and by the standing areas of the bar. Guess what? In the offseason, the Reds REMOVED the walls and all of these wonderful pictures! They said it opened up the Machine Room so fans can see the field, no matter where they sat. That’s bull, because you still have to have a table next to the window to see the field itself. Although, you can see the empty seats in the VIEW LEVEL no matter where you sit. The ambience of the Big Red Machine is gone, and it’s just another promise reneged on by the club who desperately wanted a new ballpark. Beware the Curse of the Big Red Machine!By Joe
May 5, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this
As a matter of fact, lets think about the whole deal. My wife can’t understand why I have anything to do with sports; say’s its not meaningful entertainment. My argument is that movies are your entertainment and sports is my entertainment.By Joe
May 5, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
It’s human nature to try to achieve fame and fortune. The problem is that once a person believes he or she has reached their goal, they are no longer “hungry”. THERE ARE A LOT OF FULL PEOPLE ON THIS TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!By Y-City Jim
May 5, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this
I think the Reds need to trade for some new fans. You hear raves about Red Sox fans, Mets fans, Yankee fans, Cubs fans but never about Reds fans. The Indians fans blow Reds fans out of the water.By JRed
May 5, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
I thank you for your response, Hal, under whatever pseudonym. “You can’t compare the Reds to the Indians. The Indians will right the ship while the Reds will continue to sink (you forget the Tribe made the playoffs last year). ‘Hal is paid to write about the Reds not the Indians. He was an Indians fan as a kid, but likes the Reds and Indians equally now. Trust me, he hates writing about a loser.’ I do not doubt the last assertion. But as an astute Reds fan—I think he should tone it down a few decibels. And notice the Indians’ many warts before pronouncing the Reds foibles fatal.By JRed
May 5, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
Keep your pants on, guys—there are 130 games left. And Piniella’s Cubs are not the ‘27 Yanks.By Jack
May 5, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
I do not want this to sound like I blame Dusty for everything that has happened, but I think his first and biggest mistake was Patterson and Hairston. He brings in two of “his” players late into Spring Training. Almost immediately, Patterson becomes the starting centerfielder. I cant imagine how this plays out in the clubhouse. The players all saw last year how Hopper played at the end of the season. Over .300, stealing bases…etc. Now, he has no chance to prove he can play because the manager has a favorite player, unemployed, who has never performed up to expectations. Why would anyone on the team from last year have any respect for Dusty?By Dunn/Griffey = Cancer
May 5, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
Can we please get rid of these two bums already. Why Castillini is obsessed with Dunn is beyond me. And Junior is starting to look like Willie Mays at the end of his career. Please retire. Trade Dunn, get a few prospects and maybe we will have something by 2013. This team sucks.By heartburn
May 5, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Bring up the triple A team, christen them the Cincinnati Reds,and promote 1-A to 2-A, 2-A to 3A, make the 2008 Cincinnati Reds a 1A team. Those players who have made millions won’t be motivated by speeches, it has to come from within. If it isn’t there,they can afford to have a bad attitude. Poor JTM. Not exactly the greatest spokesman there. Just hearing the commercial gives me heartburn, why would I want to ingest the product? “Gettin Hammered Again” I think Castellini really cares about winning, but the way the Reds are going, he will have to slash ticket prices and hope to make it up on concessions and trinkets that recall the bygone days.By heartburn
May 5, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Bring up the triple A team, christen them the Cincinnati Reds,and promote 1-A to 2-A, 2-A to 3A, make the 2008 Cincinnati Reds a 1A team. Those players who have made millions won’t be motivated by speeches, it has to come from within. If it isn’t there,they can afford to have a bad attitude. Poor JTM. Not exactly the greatest spokesman there. Just hearing the commercial gives me heartburn, why would I want to ingest the product? “Gettin Hammered Again” I think Castellini really cares about winning, but the way the Reds are going, he will have to slash ticket prices and hope to make it up on concessions and trinkets that recall the bygone days.By Brian
May 5, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
JRed…You can’t compare the Reds to the Indians. The Indians will right the ship while the Reds will continue to sink (you forget the Tribe made the playoffs last year). Hal is paid to write about the Reds not the Indians. He was an Indians fan as a kid, but likes the Reds and Indians equally now. Trust me, he hates writing about a loser.By Bob540
May 5, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
Usually, the Reds start tanking a couple weeks before the All Star break. Getting an early start on “next season” this year. The Reds made some good pitching acquisitions under Krivsky, but there are too many holes to fill within a couple of years. It will take time. Money (low payroll) got the Reds in this fix. Only time, smart moves and a willingness to pay competitive money will resurrect the Reds.By Another Losing Season
May 5, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
This team stinks becasue it’s basically the same as last years only the best player was traded for a starting pitcher and it has a manager that cannot logically fill out a lineup card among other things. It gives me no pleasure to be the one that said I told you so but why would anybody think this team was going to be any better? I took a lot of heat from many many fans for posting my opinions before opening day on John Fay’s blog. Additionally, I said if they didn’t win Friday’s game against the Braves they would be swept. This team is so easy to figure out, I have made a small fortune betting against the Reds now for the last two plus years. The biggest one to blame is Castellini and the weak ownership group he has put together. Not a single baseball man between them.By JRed
May 5, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
Steve T.: In defense of Dusty, Hopper has been on the DL for some days now with a bum elbow. When healthy I’ll take him over any prospective CFer on this team except young Mr. Bruce.By steve t.
May 5, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
How can it be that it took so many so long to see that this team has real issue. No leadership and bad examples being set by the bigger contract players. This is the most individualistic minded team in the majors with the dumbest manager. Just how long can you play Patterson with Hopper sitting the pine. Jockety, you can win me over by cleaning house and cleaning it now. lowest point in my 34 year fanhood.By JRed
May 5, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
There is a reason why Hal is a Hall of Fame writer. He writes an obituary for the Reds, barely a month into the season, and we all start yelling and stomping, and venting. His job is to get a reaction. However, Hal’s favorite team, the Indians, have a sub-par record only slightly better than the Reds. As a fan of the Tribe, he probably will not be writing their obituary quite so fast.By Eric
May 5, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this
Maybe the dReds need to take a page from the Bungals and let Dunn and Griffey sit out the rest of the season. Pay them their large salaries and bring on the kids that are enthusiastic to play and show what they can or cannot do. What’s it gonna hurt…we lose a few games…well guess, what we’re losing more than a few now. Go Dragons!By JRed
May 5, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
Red, I liked Gullett, too. And wouldn’t have dumped him. But I’ll take the current rotation over the 1999 rotation—with an asterisk next to Arroyo—who is fooling nobody—and may have contracted Danny Graves syndrome—tipping his pitches. Long-term, I am more concerned about ‘baseball IQ’ among position players. Freel and Dunn particularly seem prone to cluelessness. Freel in the field and on the bases and Dunn at the plate.By Phil Man
May 5, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
As long as they’re charging $8 for a beer, and we pay for it, they don’t care if they win or lose.By Doco
May 5, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
Those stupid JTM commercials are dragging this team down! Bronson is suffering from “the curse of the worst commercials ever”! Other than that, Kyle hit it on the head. Not one batter on this team is feared by the opponent. Not ONE! That creates comfort and confidence in the other pitcher and defense. At the same time Dusty promotes discomfort and lack of confidence in his dugout by having 32 different lineups in 32 games. Baseball is all about comfort and confidence. Ask any baseball player. They want to know where they’re playing, who they’re playing with, and that their team and coach have confidence in them. Constant lineup changing destroys that. Hal, can someone research number of different lineups this year per team? I’m sure the Reds have the most.By Red
May 5, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
JRed, The pitching has been going downhill since they fired Don Gullet. Jeff Brantley seems to have a better grasp on the game than Dick Pole.By JRed
May 5, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
Calm down, folks. The team has been playing erratically since the opening homestand, when they were 6-4 against playoff teams. The players need to quit pressing—and so do the fans—and the owner needs to calm down. Castellini’s impatience adds mightily to the tension and may be the number one cause of the pressing and losing, of late. This team is not the Big Red Machine, but the rest of the league is not exactly the 1927 Yankees, either. There is plenty of time to right the ship.By mickshockley
May 5, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
You are right again Hal!There are 3 things that would help.Get pitching,hitting,and someone who can catch the ball and we will be ok.By Steven Ross
May 5, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
Dusty, RISP and two outs against a lefty, BAT FOR DUNN. Can’t argue with that wisdom. My thoughts exactly. So what’d he do? Swings at the first pitch! All he does is take pitches and walk or strikeout so he swings and pops out. That’s our Dunn! Classic. Somebody wake-up and admit he’s nothing but a DH…period!By Dave Mosher
May 5, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
Good article, Hal… Sad but true..And I am a firm believer in turnabout being fair play…I still say it goes back to Krivsy reneging on a promise to give Pete Macanin fair consideration for the managerial position last year… The promise was bro- ken, or very possibly not even considered.. And look where the Reds are now…I believe the two happenings are tied together.By Sad
May 5, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
I wonder what Joe Nuxhall would say.By Cait
May 5, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
I’m staying loyal to the Reds. They’re my team no matter what, but this is ridiculous. There is no emotion on this team. It’s like the players don’t want to be out there. I have tickets to the June 22 game at Yankee Stadium. We decided last night that while we will root for the Reds, we won’t wear our Reds gear to the stadium. I won’t put my emotions into this team if they won’t do the same for me and other fans.By Sam
May 5, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
You have two huge albatrosses bogging this team down - Griffey and Dunn. Their lack of hustle, nonchalant attitude, leadership, and now their lack of production, has polluted this team. Move them quickly.By Jack
May 5, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
How many more games to we have to lose before someone, antone realizes that it would be much better to lose with young guys then it is with this current team? Hal, when will we see the young guys? I might actually go to the park to see Bruce, Baily etc. I will not go and see this team.By Pete
May 5, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
Hey Bob, ya might just wanna take a look @ some of the past blogs here — maybe starting during Spring Training. I’ve said all along “MARK IT DOWN. THIS TEAM WON’T FINISH AT OR ABOVE .500 AGAIN THIS YEAR.” So yeah — I’ve been paying attention…. longer than you OBVIOUSLY know.By null
May 5, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
i have watched the reds go down hill since the middle of march after the siningg of corey [DUSTY’ BOY] PATTERSON . LET ME KNOW HOW TO GET A MESSADE TO RON SANTO.RONBy null
May 5, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
i have watched the reds go down hill since the middle of march after the siningg of corey [DUSTY’ BOY] PATTERSON . LET ME KNOW HOW TO GET A MESSADE TO RON SANTO.RONBy Mark
May 5, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this
Why does Dick Pole get a free pass in all of this conversation? The whole pitching staff stinks and the commonality there???? Every night I hear Jeff Brantley comment during an opposing AB, 0-2 don’t throw a (insert pitch x here) and here comes pitch x, and there it goes. Tonight Dempster (ex-Red) will show that good coaching will beat the Reds, againBy tom
May 5, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this
DUSTY BAKER DOES NOT HAVE A CLUE. AND HE NEVER DID!By Rob
May 5, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this
This type of play is why losing hockey here in Columbus gets more of my money than the losing Reds do, despite my 30 years of fandom. This team has turned into a joke. Chipper and the boys were having a good laugh after he yanked that softball pitch into the seats in right. I want to see SMART grinders out there. I can take a loser every now and then, as long as they can do it with class and hard play. I want to buy tickets and merchandise and root for a decent Reds team. But a few guys in this group make me sick to watch. Until then, I’m with Jim M.; my dollars are being spent elsewhere. Hear me Mr. Castellini?By Rev
May 5, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this
And yet showing the Reds bench they were laughing and clowning around like they were winning the game. If they don’t care, why should I?By Rick Burkart
May 5, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this
It would appear the Reds did fine until the Cleveland Browns and the “Paul/Mikey Boy Brown” gang arrived in town and took over the sports scene in the area, so until Cincinnati rids itself of this circus act, the Reds can forget it. In the meantime, go watch a Dayton Dragons game, if you can get tickets!By Bill
May 5, 2008 7:44 AM | Link to this
Hal, Say it ain’t so. This is getting very ugly.By Bill
May 5, 2008 7:44 AM | Link to this
Hal, Say it ain’t so. This is getting very ugly.By Bob
May 5, 2008 7:40 AM | Link to this
Obviously Pete hasn’t been paying attention (this year or the previous seven). I’d love to be optimistic about this team, but they just don’t deserve it. Maybe it’s time to see what Homer Bailey and Jay Bruce can do?!By donb51
May 5, 2008 7:38 AM | Link to this
Hi Hal, Let’s do the math fairly so that Jockety and Castellini can see the truth for this year. Starting right now, if the Reds played .500 ball the rest of the season, they would finish .500 77-85 The Cardinals right at this moment are playing at a .625 Win rate. If the Reds played at that rate the rest of the way, they would finish .625 93-69 This could make us contenders if the other teams in the Central collapsed. If we played like the Diamondbacks the rest of the way, we would finish at: .677 100-62 Arguably, the Reds could play .600 and finish: .600 90-72 This would be a good season, but based on all the performance statistics over the last seven years, and given the other teams are going to maintain around their current performance levels, the Reds are already out of it - barring a miracle - which I, for one, still believe in. Bottom line if I were King, start building a team that has chemistry and GOOD attitudes - and get a manager capable of building on that team spirit.By joe
May 5, 2008 7:36 AM | Link to this
On opening day I warned you all not to get your hopes up! But you didn’t listen.By Pete
May 5, 2008 7:32 AM | Link to this
Is it just me, or do I NOT see anyone on this blog still saying, “Be patient. It’s still early?” Hmmmm…. the bandwagon sure got awful empty real quick!By Brian
May 5, 2008 3:30 AM | Link to this
Orroyo’s hurt. Well he must have been hurt for the last 2 years then. Translation: He sucks and thats not going to change. Anybody could throw that wiffle ball up there he throws. Baker is clueless. His main concern is to get his boy Patterson in there who the Reds had absolutey no reason to sign. The last thing the reds needed is another “players manager” who no matter what happens just sits there and says nothing. Griffey and Dunn need to go ASAP. There a cancer on this team. You can replace them with cheap young players who hustle and want to win.By Null
May 5, 2008 12:27 AM | Link to this
Anyone want to buy a brand new hat with a “C” on it? Real Cheap?By Y-City Jim
May 4, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
Just what is Brooke Jacoby’s philosophy of hitting instruction?By MAC
May 4, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this
Different day; same sorry results & lack of effort. If that’s not bad enough, the Reds continue to fail w/ the most basic of fundamentals. Most notably today was Arroyo’s inability to get out of the inning. W/ 2 outs & facing Glavin. BA speeds up a slow bat by throwing a 76 mph backdoor breaking ball (missed his location) w/ 2 strikes which easily allowed Glavin to slap into LF for a hit. Bad location is one thing, but the poor pitch selection is completely inexcusable. The Braves played fundamental baseball all 3 games, not only showing an ability to physically execute, but a willingness to “play the game the right way.” Have an approach and have the discipline to stick w/ it, display some baseball savey and above all else: at least make your mistakes hustling…have some pride in being a ML player!By Kyle
May 4, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
Dusty, RISP and two outs against a lefty, BAT FOR DUNN. There isn’t a player on this team that an opposing pitcher fears. It is just expected that no one will deliver. Walt, do your job.By Jim M.
May 4, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
Thanks Reds players for helping me decide its best to save my money than pay good hard working dollars to watch millionaire baseball players that could care less if they win or lose because they still get their paychecks!! I will go watch the Dayton Dragons and see players that hustle, hit, care and HATE to loose!!By Kemo
May 4, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this
The next two people who need to be greeted with the rath of Bobby C. that I have witnessed firtshand are Dusty and Walt. They are the next two on the bubble because if they can’t fix it, they need to move on others who will. I thought Dusty was a good hire…experience, guts, pedigree, etc. But he is clueless. Cox, Pinnella, even Sparky would have an idea what to do beyond just tweeking the lineup. Time for a BIG change, and chaulk up this season to missed opportunities and perceptions.By Mike
May 4, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this
This is a lousy baseball team and possibly the worst team I’ve ever seen. I’m not sure I would call Bruce up until Griffey and Dunn are shipped out. They may ruin the young guy.By Wayne L
May 4, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this
The Reds do stink and it seems they could care less. Need the young guys-Bruce-Bailey-Frazier- and who ever else is availible that want to play, and play to win.I don’t know how management can do it, but the whole roster needs to turn over. I thought last year’s team was bad, but this one is pathetic.By Oskar the Grouch
May 4, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this
Folks, this team really stinks on ice. Griffey is and has been finished. He won’t be here next year and probably will be out of here soon after he hits #600. He needs to be traded but who really wants him and his attitude and his moribund attitude. Yet even without a trade, the passage of this season will bring that situation to its inevitable conclusion. He’ll be out of here. However, the Adam Dunn debacle continues to plague the Reds. He is an imposing fellow and puts together some decent stats but he does not hit in the clutch and there’s no denying that. Get him out of here this year to the American League where he can park his glove in his locker. Swap his power for a more athletic outfielder who can bring some runners in with a clutch hit hopefully more than once in a while. And then let Jay Bruce develop into Griffey’s replacement. Viola! The Reds will be better. Instantly. Pitching you say? Well Homer and all the rest of the hopeful hurlers, both in the majors and minors, are a different story for another day. And without the clutch hitting that the current Reds are without, it really won’t make a difference whose names are on the backs of the Reds’ hurlers’ jerseys.By Mike
May 4, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
Today, the score got to 7-0 and the TV cameras found Walt Jocketty, the new GM sitting in his luxury box having a conversation with someone off camera..and he was laughing and smiling. Whatever the topic was, the joke or the conversation..it’s certainly was misplaced when his team is getting the brains beat out and becoming the worst team in baseball. There is nothing to laugh about. He should have a stern look of concern and his wrath would be forthcoming..especially getting beat by a football score..14-7!.Think this was bad..wait till the Cubs get hold of the this bunch tomorrow. You can change the line ups, have team meetings and run the same bunch out there each game..bottom line..they are BAD! Don’t want to hear..”it’s early..don’t panic”.Fact is…12-20 & in last place..is suffocating the team and the fans alike. Get the tombstone out..it’s time!By Dan
May 4, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
If we are going to play as if its still spring trainging, why are we not inviting Bruce, Bailey & co.? Is it just that we don’t want the stink to rub off on them?By HuberTucky
May 4, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this
The Deads have been AWFUL since they got Griffey. I remember a few years ago when he was hurt so much and was on the DL. The young Reds played with passion and won. But AS SOON as he returned they played like they’re playing now. He seems to be a cancer of negativity and defeatism on this team and his lousy no-hustle attitude is rubbing off on the rest of the young players. Same with Donn. You’re right, Hal — out by Mother’s Day, er by Kentucky Derby as Ken wrote and a “losing culture” as Helm so aptly added.By Jim
May 4, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this
WOW, Now they want to get Arroyo checked out!!.. Gesh i went to two games he pitched and he was throwing sidearm and with no velocity. I could tell he is doing his “Milton imitation..”Im not hurt”.. and is hiding something.. he isnt fooling anybody and his curve ball is not the same as it was last year… Also one thing I have noticed.. with any manager that is hired, Miley, Boone, Narron, Mackinan and now Dusty Baker.. ALL HAD to keep losing coaches from past managers.. Also a non named manager or a Dusty, you have the same lazy players.. Dunn and Jr REFUSE to hit the ball where a fielder isn’t (the shift) and Phillips swings at the 1st pitch no matter where its thrown.. He didn’t do it like this last year. Also no emotion when this team loses.. I would be angry.. i dont accept losing.. Plus why doesnt dusty have this team at the ball park at 11AM for fielding, hitting etc and tell them they are going to keep doing this till they show the manager they have fixed this mess and proved it on the field.. No exceptions!! Its sad, The Bengals and Reds players dont care if they lose just if they get paid.. It sucks being the laughing stock sports town with both teams.. Heck of a way for the Reds to also remember Joe huh?? You would think they would step it up to win it all for Joe Nuxhalls Memory.. And I hope Jockety can get some good scouts to go find players like Puhols.. he hates to lose. Or Jeter, and Berkman, these players also hate losing.. The Reds need more players that hate losing instead of accepting it!!By Helm
May 4, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this
I thought players had big years in their “walk year” so they could get a giant pay-day…guess Dunn and Griffey didn’t get the memo. Maybe it’s the clubhouse culture causing the losing and the two guys that have been here the longest (Dunn and Griffey) and contributed the least on the field(Marty and Thom talked about hitting w/ RISP the other night…3,4,&5 stink) and most in the clubhouse over that time should be held accountable for the losing culture and not someone in the front office or managing the team. Trade them both and play the young guns who are hungry to win before they also become tainted with the losing culture.By Ken
May 4, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this
You should have just wrote they were out of it by the Kentucky Derby. I’ve never been more disappointed and frustrated in a Reds squad in my 35 years of following them. I feel terrible for Bob Castellini. He’s going to lose a lot of money because people aren’t going to come out to the ballpark this summer. When do you throw in the towel after wasting millions of dollars on a bunch of losers??? The Reds do have a few holes, but should be a .500 ball club or better. I’m not blaming this on Dusty Baker, though. This time, unlike past years with the likes of Ray Knight, Bob Buffoon, Jerry Narron and Dave Miley, it is on the leadership and the heart of the players. I’m really disgusted with Dunn and Griffey. They are both killing the team right now. Phillips could be better if he didn’t swing for the fences so much. Bako, Votto, Freel and Keppinger are doing a great job. Encarnacion is also coming around, especially defensively.By Y-City Jim
May 4, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this
You don’t just make changes for the sake of making changes. The main change that must occur is to stop playing bench players as starting players. That means Freel, Patterson, and Hairston. Call up Bruce because he is a future star. I don’t care if he is ready or not. He has more of a right to start in CF than the three forementioned players.By Rusty
May 4, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this
this team needs a huge makeover and i think it starts with brooke jacoby and dick pole im sure they are nice guys but maybe they have worn their welcome out. votto needs to be on 1st every game. we have to trade griffey and get bruce up here and let him go through his lumps this year and be ready by next year. dunn needs to go and we need a catcher who can hit and field pretty good ( yea bakos hitting like 300 but who expects that to keep up. my lineup by september goes as follows keppinger 3b valaika ss phillips 2b votto 1st ee lf bruce rf stubbs cf bako / ross c if we are not going to win this year you got to see what the young guys can do so you will be ready for next year and see what moves you will need to make in the offseasonBy concerned fan
May 4, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
Bring in the replacements,call up all of the Louisville Bat’s , wait can’t do that half our current big leaguers are rehabbing there. Ok call up the Dragons, nobody will be able to tell a difference!!!By Tom
May 4, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
This Reds team has to cahange. Get rid of Freel (nothing going for him above the shoulders; he is the Reds version of London Warren; runs into walls and get picked off with regularity). Get rid of Junior. He plays a big role on losing teams. Get rid of Done, I mean Dunn. He cannot hit the ball or catch the ball.