DeSclafani ineffective as Reds continue to struggle
By HAL McCOY Anybody with even a minuscule knowledge of baseball knows that preseason/exhibition results mean next-to-nothing. Just ask the Cleveland Browns. After going undefeated in the preseason last season they went 0-and-16 when it counted in the regular season. So it is not necessary to pull the alarm handle on the Cincinnati Reds so […]
DeSclafani, Mahle sharp, but Reds lose again
By HAL McCOY With one hitch and glitch by Robert Stephenson on Monday, the starting pitchers the Cincinnati Reds have sent to the mound in the early spring training going have been spot on. The Reds have pretty much gone through the rotation one time and Anthony DeSclafani continued the trend Tuesday against the Milwaukee […]
Reds acquire Revere — A message to Hamilton?
By HAL McCOY The significant news Monday out of the Cincinnati Reds camp in Goodyear, Ariz., had nothing to do with the team’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. It was a ‘B’ day for the Reds — the only regular in the lineup was Scott Schebler and he was the designated hitter. And the Reds […]
Two new Reds bullpenners make spring debut
By HAL McCOY In addition to filling out a starting rotation, manager Bryan Price and the Cincinnati Reds hope to find some sand bags to shore up baseball’s worst bullpen — three years running. To do that, the Reds added a couple of veteran journeymen bullpenners, signing David Hernandez and Jared Hughes to two-year contracts. […]
Reds begin search for a starting rotation
By HAL McCOY Cincinnati Reds manager Bryan Price says his dance card is nearly filled when it comes to this year’s starting rotation. Entering spring training, Price said four of the first five spots are occupado: Homer Bailey, Anthony DeSclafani, Brandon Finnegan and Luis Castillo. That, of course, depends on health — will all four […]
Awesome: Brandon Larson’s view on his career
By HAL McCOY Shortly after the National Anthem concluded before the University of Dayton-Massachusetts basketball game Saturday at UD Arena, a fan tapped me on the shoulder and said, “How many times have you stood for the National Anthem?” That’s something I’d never thought about. Considering that I’ve covered more than 7,000 baseball games, hundreds […]
Why Aaron Boone will succeed in New York
By Hal McCoy The first purchase Aaron Boone should make as new manager of the New York Yankees is a fire retardant suit. He is going to need it in The Bronx, where putting out fires in the Yankee Stadium clubhouse is a prerequisite to occupying the manager’s chair. Just ask Joe Girardi, Boone’s predecessor. […]
Barnhart wins Gold Glove, Hamilton doesn’t
By HAL McCOY Amazingly, the last place Cincinnati Reds had four finalists for a Gold Glove this season, more than any other team in the majors. Of the four — Billy Hamilton, Joey Votto, Adam Duvall and Tucker Barnhart — the least likely to win one, it seemed, would be catcher Tucker Barnhart. That isn’t […]
Genius move by Francona lifts Tribe
By HAL McCOY Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona raised brows over both eyes of most baseball aficionados when he selected Trevor Bauer to pitch Game One of the American League Division Series Thursday night. Hey, it’s the power-laden New York Yankees you’re facing. Why not pitch the Tribe’s best, Corey Kluber? In case you haven’t […]