McCoy: Williamson Pitches a Gem
By Hal McCoy Contributing Writer The pitching-thin Cincinnati Reds could not have placed a pitcher making his major-league debut in a more difficult and precarious situation. “Hey, kid. We’re calling you up and you’re pitching in Coors Field.” Yes, Coors Field, where baseballs fly great distances and the ball bounces around the outfield expanse like […]
McCoy: Fraley Ignites Reds Comeback
By Hal McCoy Contributing Writer The Cincinnati Reds were down two runs entering the seventh inning Friday night in Miami. . .and judging by the way things have unfolded this season, they had the Miami Marlins right where they wanted them. They scored two in the seventh to tie it and Jake Fraley unloaded a […]
McCoy: Another Reds Bullpen Blow-up
By Hal McCoy Contributing Writer Nick Lodolo pitched the game of his life and suffered the disappointment of his baseball life Saturday afternoon in Citizens Bank Park. But that’s life with the Cincinnati Reds bullpen. Alexis Diaz and Ian Gibaut gave up three runs in the bottom of the ninth and the Philadelphia Phillies walked […]
McCoy: Cubs End Reds’ Streak, 12-5
By Hal McCoy Contributing Writer For the first four games of the 2023 season, the Cincinnati Reds bullpen was dead, solid and nearly perfect — three earned runs in 16 1//3 innngs and no damage done. That all changed and evaporated Tuesday night in Great American Ball Park. The bullpen completely collapsed during a 12-5 […]
McCoy: Reds Win Third Straight
By Hal McCoy Contributing Writer When the initials J.V. were mentioned in regards to the Cincinnati Reds’ first baseman, it always came up Joey Votto. No more. Right now it is Jason Vosler. It isn’t that fans will forget Joey Votto. It is just out of sight, out of mind at the moment. Votto is […]
McCoy: Pirates take away Reds’ pomp & circumstance
By Hal McCoy There was the usual excitement for Opening Day in Cincinnati, the normal pomp and circumstance. Great American Ball Park was filled with fans, a stadium record 44,063, and they were loud and supportive to the final out. Unfortunately for the Cincinnati Reds, the final out was a strikeout by Jake Fraley with […]
OBSERVATIONS: When the Reds were ‘Schott’ from guns
By Hal McCoy UNSOLICITED OBSERVATIONS from The Man Cave, still groaning from stuffing myself all weekend with cookies, shrimp, M&Ms (peanuts, of course), wrapped weenies, chocolate buckeyes, lasagna, whole tenderloin (no, I didn’t eat it all), twice baked potatoes, apple pie, ice cream, coffee cake. . .and it’s a good thing Nadine kept the dog […]
OBSERVATIONS: A tiny Christmas gift for Reds fans
By Hal McCoy UNSOLICITED OBSERVATIONS from The Man Cave, hoping your Christmas stockings are filled with tidings of good joy. SOME MOVEMENT: Cincinnati Reds general manager Nick Krall appears to be a man of his word. Before the winter meetings early this month, he said the Reds were interested in signing some stop-gap free agents […]
OBSERVATIONS: Tom Browning’s Memorable Moment
By Hal McCoy UNSOLICITED OBSERVATIONS from The Man Cave, still reeling and stunned by the death of former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tom Browning. —OTIS HISTORY: Tom Seaver wasn’t the only Tom Terrific. To me, Tom Browning was Tom Terrific, in every way. People referred to him as Mr. Perfect because he pitched the only perfect […]