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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 > August > 01 > Entry
What happened to Homer?
Just when it appears that Homer Bailey found a personality, he misplaced his talent.
On Wednesday night in Houston, he was standing stark naked by his locker right next to Adam Dunn’s. Dunn hit two homers that night and a TV camerman switched on his lights.
“Wait a minute, wait a minute,” said Bailey. “Let me put on my pants. I don’t want to end up on some video or on YouTube.”
On Friday afternoon, I was sitting in the hotel lobby when a pert young lady walked by, a real head-turned. So I turned my head. Natural, right.
Bailey was walking the other way and saw me and said with a big smile, “What are you looking at?” As if he didn’t know.
Not exactly back-slappers or gut-splitters, but it shows a personality that didn’t exist outwardly last year. Progress.
If he could only show that on the mound, but right now he is regressing. What to do? What to do?
After giving up five runs (four earned) and 15 hits in his previous start against Colorado in 4 2/3 innings, he last only two innings Friday, giving up five runs and seven hits in only two innings.
And this was against the Washington Nationals, a team that had lost nine straight and were 21 games out of first place.
Back in the days of Vaudeville (even before MY time), the Washington Senators were bad, bad, bad and the on-stage gag was: “Washington: First in war, first in peace and last in the American League.”
Only the league and the nickname has changed: “Washington: First in war, first in peace and last in the National League (39-70).
And Bailey can’t get past the second inning, is now 0-5 and is probably Louisville-bound. Again.
New arrival Nick Massek replaced Bailey, one of the two players the Chicago White Sox pushed on the Reds for Ken Griffey Jr. He has been a starter, but his job description has been relief pitcher lately.
That could change. Quickly. He pitched three innings and gave up no runs and one hit. Coiuld he start in Bailey’s place next time through the rotation? Well, he needs stretched out. He was mostly pitching one and two innings in relief for the White Sox.
For his part, Bailey remains upbeat and mentally defiant.
“I was putting it on the tee for them,” he said. “I’m sure there were some good things to take from this and I know there is a whole lot of bad things - including the line score.
“What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger, unless they cut your arms off,” said Bailey, flexing both arms. “They’re still attached. You know what? I’ll wake up tomorrow, get in here, bust my butt and keep pushing forward, one way or another. I don’t give a damn. I’m not going to let a couple of bad outings knock me down. I’m going forward no matter what it takes.”
Said manager Dusty Baker, “He is not hitting the corners. He is over the heart of the plate. Those are low percentage spots if you are going to get hitters out at the big-league level. A lot of those balls were down the heart of the plate and they got a lot of hits again in a short period of time.
“They tell he is great in the bullpen and hitting his spots, but he has trouble to transferring it from the bullpen to the mound. I don’t know what that is. A lot of time it is mental when you have it down there and when the game starts you don’t have it.”
Uh, yeah. Ken Griffey Jr. was 2 for 3 with two RBIs in his White Sox debut.
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Comments
By Tom
August 7, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
Living in Chicago I have never been a Dusty Baker fan and it is only worse. Did Dust say he did not want to rush Harang back because he could not give him enough innings and mess up his bullpen. Yet Fogg and Bailey don’t make it through 5. Bako contiunes to play yet Valentin was a platoon player under Pete Mac who was .500 in his tenure. Too bad Castellini did not pull the trigger on Sweet Lou. I would feel so much better. Dusty is a loser.By Tom
August 7, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
Living in Chicago I have never been a Dusty Baker fan and it is only worse. Did Dust say he did not want to rush Harang back because he could not give him enough innings and mess up his bullpen. Yet Fogg and Bailey don’t make it through 5. Bako contiunes to play yet Valentin was a platoon player under Pete Mac who was .500 in his tenure. Too bad Castellini did not pull the trigger on Sweet Lou. I would feel so much better. Disty is a loser.By michael
August 7, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
Good point, except we did Volquez for Hamilton. Not sure how that will play out, but I would rather have Hamilton in the Lineup everyday!By BOB DUERSTOCK
August 6, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
Check some of the reds players who were let go for a little of nothing in return Cantu, Dempster,Hamilton,Lohse,Franklin,Balfour,Casey, Konerko,MIKE CAMERON LAST NINE YEARS,and more and that will tell the story!!!!By michael
August 6, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
Matt, just try not to defend certain Reds so much. They are terrible, and somebody has to take the blame. Dusty is the Manager, and therefor assumes responsiblity. This is a place to vent and voice opinions. You say you are Reds fan, but who are the real fans? I think the guys that want to see change, and voice that with passion are the real fans. I for one, enjoy reading your posts and welcome your points, except when You open yourself up to criticism by defending the Red’s losing ways.By W.Cooke
August 5, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
I wonder where Baker might move Dunn to protect him in the order against lefthanders. I mean he move Bruce to the seven spot. Cause unless the pitcher makes a mistake, you can be sure Dunn will make even a soso pitcher look like Nolan Ryan and add to his strikeout ratio’s.The difference between the two is Bruce values basehits while Dunn swings for the fences no matter what.By Matt
August 3, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
I try to, AP-Florida, but when I am attacked I will defend myself. That’s just human nature.By AP-FLORIDA
August 3, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
Matt-please talk baseball only!!By Matt
August 2, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this
If you can’t stand by your comments brarhopper then that’s your problem. I, however, am man enough to stand by mine. I say what I mean and I mean what I say. I don’t BS anyone. Also, you should learn how to spell. That might be helpful.By Y-City Jim
August 2, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this
I think Homer is learning a two-seamer as well, which might explain the three ground ball outs last night. He is getting close to where he needs to be to succeed at the MLB level but it is going to take some more time at the MiLB level to make that jump. He may yet be the best of that entire group of young pitchers.By Brarhopper
August 2, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this
Poor boy Matt is off deep in his paranoid manic phase and is now imagining things in the posts of others. He’s now imagining and making things up and attributing lommny commenst to others that simply have never been said. That’s true mental illness, I’m afraid. As Mr. T said, “Pity the fool.’By MAC
August 2, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
Y-City thanks for the info on Homer. I didn’t see him throw last night; I had the pleasure of excourting my 9 year-old daughter to the golf course instead. The good news is he was popping the glove and appears healthy; the bad news is, he just doesn’t have any command of his pitches. I’ve been impressed w/ his change-up, but many times he leaves it up in the zone and hitable. If he can refine the grip and gain a little more command of that pitch and keep his FB velocity up and locate it better, he could have a nice one two punch.By Matt
August 2, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
Well Wizard, ShockMonkey and brarhopper, my opinions are based on something other than what I pull out of my butt. Where do your opinions come from? Something you found in the darkest corner of the Internet? Something that someone else has said? My opinions are way out in right field? Well they are no worse than the baseless, ridiculous assertions that Griffey is a sociopath monster who is a terrible player, or that Dusty Baker is terrible as a manager and needs to be reigned in by Walt Jocketty and/or others. Your insults are just like your “opinions”; fiction, absurd and ludicrous.By Y-City Jim
August 2, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
I think Homer has benefit from his stints up here. Knowing what you cannot do yet has its’ benefits. He’ll be down as soon as Harang is back, which should make the Louisville roster better especially once Thompson is back. Maloney, Jukich, Thompson, and Bailey is a pretty potent rotation.By IBleedBlue(and some red)
August 2, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
At this point in his career, Homer Bailey should never have been called up to the major leagues. Not this year, not last year. The only reason he’s back up this season was because Harang was on the DL. The kid is just 22, and I’m not about to write him off just yet. I think he was called up WAY TOO EARLY, and he couldn’t handle the pressure. He doesn’t have but a fastball and a change-up (that’s sometimes mediocre at best). Send the kid down to Louisville (or work him out of the bullpen the rest of the season), and let him fine-tune his mechanics. I honestly believe he will be fine in the long run, he’s still young, and it’s not like the Reds are pushing for a playoff berth. On another note…Louisville is in 1st place, and if I’m not mistaken, Adam Pettyjohn is doing very well. Why not call him up, or a few other guys such as Ryan Hannigan, who have been putting up some nice statistics all season to see what they can do in the majors?By IBleedBlue(and some red)
August 2, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
At this point in his career, Homer Bailey should never have been called up to the major leagues. Not this year, not last year. The only reason he’s back up this season was because Harang was on the DL. The kid is just 22, and I’m not about to write him off just yet. I think he was called up WAY TOO EARLY, and he couldn’t handle the pressure. He doesn’t have but a fastball and a change-up (that’s sometimes mediocre at best). Send the kid down to Louisville (or work him out of the bullpen the rest of the season), and let him fine-tune his mechanics. I honestly believe he will be fine in the long run, he’s still young, and it’s not like the Reds are pushing for a playoff berth. On another note…Louisville is in 1st place, and if I’m not mistaken, Adam Pettyjohn is doing very well. Why not call him up, or a few other guys such as Ryan Hannigan, who have been putting up some nice statistics all season to see what they can do in the majors?By MAC
August 2, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
Well give Dusty at least one at-a-boy for talking to Bruce about his hitting. His 1st 2 weeks up he did everything right. If they pitched him inside he pulled and if they pitched him outside, he stayed back and hit it the other way. Since that time, he’s been jumping, flailing, overswing and in general not swinging at good pitches. I wish he’d follow Phillips’ general approach more: sit on a particular pitch and zone early in the count and look to pull and hammer, but once he has 2 strikes or has runners on at a critical point in the game, he needs to stay back and stay inside the ball and put it in play more and strike out less. Ditto Dunn, EE ect…..By AP-FLORIDA
August 2, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
Oh yeah, Dick pole can’t readBy AP-FLORIDA
August 2, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this
I heard that Rusty and Walt are spending most of their time reading matt’s blogs, and that takes awhile…I have no hope for Rusty, but I am still rooting for Walt! Go Reds!!!By Coach
August 2, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this
I agree, Bob. I’ve been saying it for months now. It is plain that his stuff is about as good as anyone—and as you say, he is lefthanded. When I hear Jocketty keep saying:”We are still evaluating”I wonder how long it is going to take to recognise what you, I and others are seeing everytime Affeldt pitches? If they need to stretch him out, last night he could have pitched much longer.By Y-City Jim
August 2, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
Mac, you contend incorrectly about Homer’s velocity. He was hitting 93-94 consistently last night and hit 95 and 96 on some occasions. He just needs time at AAA to continue the development of all his pitches so he can control their movement.By Bob
August 2, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
I can’t understand why Bailey and Fogg stay in the rotation and Affeldt doesn’t get a chance. They have no lefties in the rotation and Jeremy has the desire to be a starter and has a wicked curve and a 96 mph fastball. He couldn’t do any worse. They’ll trade him and it will be another Loshe (sp) and Dempster situation.By James
August 2, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
Two things to help Homer and anyone else feeling weak: http://www.bodyweightculture.com/ http://crossfit.com/By ShockMonkey
August 2, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
Matt wrote: ShockMonkey, again, I think I speak for most people on this blog when I say again that we’ve all heard enough about how bad Dusty was for batting Griffey 3rd in the lineup. Actually Matt, I think you speak for yourself and not the majority. I’m open to engaging conversation plus rebuttal of thoughts but you’re an outlier on this thread. In fact, I’d say your opinions are out in the right field.By Wizard
August 2, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
Yep, that is your problem Matt—you will never speak for “most people on this blog”—but, we are all certain you will continue to interrupt good conversation by others.You just did it!By Brarhopper
August 2, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
And I see the hoggish BlogCop is still evaluatiing comments and issuing insults. When are YOU gonna let it go, Matt? When are you gonna grow up and man up?By Brarhopper
August 2, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
And I see the hoggish BlogCop is still evaluatiing comments and issuing insults. When are YOU gonna let it go, Matt? When are you gonna grow up and man up?By Coach
August 2, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
Well, shock monkey, it is true what you point out. One wonders how many games could have been won this year—had this happened in Reds land. Now, we have to go on and finish this sorry season, not knowing.Frustrating.By MAC
August 2, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
I would contend Homer has lost the zip on his FB. On rare occassions, he hits 92, but most of the time he is in the high 80s and almost never approachs the mid 90s which he used to be very capable of in the not too distant past. An MRI should be completed; maybe the kid needs to shut it down for the rest of the year?By mike cahill
August 2, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
Homer will eventually be a good pitcher. The older folks,(like me), will remember Claude Osteen, who was terrible as a young Red and who had a very good run with the Dodgers. I don’t know if Dick Pole is a good pitching coach or not, but apparently the farm system coaches are not as good as we need them to be. Listening to Chris Wells and Jeff Brantley makes me sometimes wonder if they should be coaching instead of broadcasting. Does Dick Pole see what they see? Maybe Pole should watch his pitchers from the press box.By Mike-Cinci
August 2, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
The reminder of the season will be intersting because the players will determine if they are part of the Reds future. There are a several untouchables…Bruce,Votto, Phillips, Volquez, Cueto but I suspect the rest are either tradeable or potentially unsigned if their contracts are over. Those who do well will make themselves attractive to Jocketty. The Reds must rebuild their farm system if they seriously want to compete with the top teams. Having an abundance of real prospects is the only way to stock the major league roster or have the players to trade for key needs. The Reds have a below average major league roster and a weak farm system. It must be fixed if they are to improve.By Matt
August 2, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
ShockMonkey, again, I think I speak for most people on this blog when I say again that we’ve all heard enough about how bad Dusty was for batting Griffey 3rd in the lineup. Junior is not here any more, so I think it’s time for you folks who are still babbling on about it to let it go. Please.By Frank R
August 2, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
Sixth inning, 1 out and 2 on. The pitcher’s up. Dusty sees a quarter and $20 bill on the ground in front of him. Dusty opts to pick up the quarter first, but only after tying his hands behind his back. I can take the playing for one run, any run, but why ask a pitcher who’s been in AL systems and probably hasn’t hit since school, to lay down a bunt in first NL at bat? Of course, I’d expect him to lay one down the third base line perfectly…not. If Dusty wanted to play small there and not eat a real pinch hitter, why not send up Fogg or Arroyo to do it. At least they are familiar with a bat. Of course, he could have picked up the $20 first and played for the big inning by sending up a real hitter…Valentin maybe. Yes, I know Bailey was able to the his sacrifice down in the third, one of the only outs he was able to record. But at least Homer has had some opportunities to use a bat. Related note, the only Reds game I get to every year is when they are here in DC. First one the Reds lost that I’ve been to.By ShockMonkey
August 2, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
By bigdoc…2 for 3 and Ozzie replaced him with B. Anderson for defense, bottom of 8th. You forgot to mention Ozzie hit him 7th in the lineup. Two factors scream out: he was moved down the order and removed for defensive purposes. Memo to Dusty! What didn’t you get? So obvious.By Frank
August 2, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
The Reds can’t develop pitching - that’s what happened to Homer. Who’s the last homegrown decent pitcher - Tom Browning?? I know a guy who use to be in the Reds minor league system - he’s now on another ML roster - he said the Reds minor league pitching coaching was non-existent. Browning to 2008 - seems he’s right.By Florida Buckeye
August 2, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
Hal, thanks for the update w/r to Griff…I suspect that his numbers will be much better there. He’s batting seventh, and, just like when his family was on the roadtrip when he was going for 600, he’s actually hustling…I wonder how long he’ll keep it upBy redfuture
August 2, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
And another thing…I’m sure Pole was behind Harang’s attempt to change his change-up grip this year leading to the forearm problem and ultimately to less effectiveness! The Reds would be a lot closer to the leaders with a normal year from Harang.By redfuture
August 2, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this
Dick Pole is what happened to Homer! He’s got him so discombobulated he doesn’t know which way is up.By Richard
August 2, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this
I said it last year and I will say it again, they should have gotten rid of Homer Baily, when they could get something for him. He may have been a great pitcher in high school, but this is the big leagues. I just don’t think he will ever make it.By Y-City Jim
August 2, 2008 6:35 AM | Link to this
When Homer came back up this time he had regained the lost velocity thanks to some adjustments by Dick Pole. Odd thing about Homer’s performance last night was that in his two innings he had three strikeouts and three ground outs. Also most of the hits that he has given up in the last two starts have been singles. The double by Dukes was some kind of tomahawk swing. Homer’s issues seem to be consistency, which figures since he is 22-years-old. Some more time at AAA to work on that issue should make him ready for prime time in the next year or two.By MAC
August 2, 2008 5:37 AM | Link to this
1st & foremost, the Reds have placed unrealistic expectations on Homer from the day he was drafted. He was supposed to be a savior and it hasn’t happened and somehow that’s Homer’s fault? It’s a lot like R. Sanders time in Cincy IMO. They needed and wanted him to be the next W. Mays and when he wasn’t, he was considered a total failure even though he went on to have a very respectable career w/ a number of ML teams. Secondly, is Homer hurt; is his arm healthy and have the Reds completed an MRI to ensure it is? A lot of “insiders” on the talk shows suggest Bailey claims his arm is dead…see Danny Graves. The loss of velocity on Homer’s FB could be explained in a number of different ways, but a clean MRI might do the kid more good than anything else? Lastly, the Reds and everyone else knew he wasn’t ready to come back up and compete, yet the brought him up anyway. Note to Reds: it didn’t work and probably did more harm than good. Sacrificing Belise would have been a better option and done less harm IMO. Homer needs to find the zip on his fastball again, tighten up his breaking ball and locate all his pitches, especially his change-up, much better before he’s brought up again. In the mean time (next 2 months) I’d be stretching Affeldt out and give him a chance at starting again. It’s easy to see this guy has two ML quality pitches right now and can command them. He needs to add a change-up, but that can be worked on in the off season and in spring training next season. Simply put, the Reds need a LH SP and Affeldt might be the lest expensive option available…a fact that’s always at the fore front when talking about the Reds.By Matt
August 1, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
Go Junior!! Thanks for the update big doc! Homer is still throwing batting practice. I’m wondering if he will work out for the Reds.By bigdoc
August 1, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this
2 for 3 and Ozzie replaced him with B. Anderson for defense, bottom of 8th. 2 hits, 2 RBI, 0 leg injuries! So far, so good.