Ask Hal: Which Reds Managers Best Handled Pitchers?
By Hal McCoy Q: With the underwhelming performance of the Cincinnati Reds’ starting pitchers, might the team prematurely elevate Rhett Lowder from Class A Dayton to the majors? — DAVE, Miamisburg/Centerville/Beavercreek. A: The answer is in your question. Premature. The Reds already had Lowder skip low-A by starting their No. 1 draft pick last June […]
OBSERVATIONS: Bad Moon Rising Is Over For the Cincinnati Reds
By Hal McCoy UNSOLICITED OBSERVATIONS from the St. Simons Island beach house, far away from the travails of the Cincinnati Reds. . .and did they really lose two straight games by one run to the Arizona Diamondbacks? —TEMPORARY RESTRAING ORDER?: The mammoth silverback gorilla is off their backs and back in its cage. . .and […]
OBSERVATIONS: Why Isn’t Sweet Lou Piniella In The Hall of Fame?
By Hal McCoy UNSOLICITED OBSERVATIONS from The Man Cave before leaving this morning for a week’s vacation on St. Simons Island, wondering if the Cincinnati Reds will win a game before I return? —WHY NOT LOU?: Why isn’t Lou Piniella in the Hall of Fame as a manager. I don’t think he ever kicked dirt […]
OBSERVATIONS: Elly Continues To Elevate His Game
By Hal McCoy UNSOLICITED OBSERVATIONS from The Man Cave after watching my Kentucky Derby pick, Forever Young, imitate a hand grenade at the wire. . .so close, but the jockey couldn’t pull the pin. —ELLY’S EAGLE EYE: There is no doubt in anybody’s mind, especially frustrated opposing catchers, that Elly De La Cruz will go […]
OBSERVATIONS: For What It’s ‘Werth’ In The Kentucky Derby
By Hal McCoy UNSOLICITED OBSERVATIONS from The Man Cave, knowing that this week, Kentucky Derby Week, everybody becomes a horse expert, even if they don’t know a bridle from a bridal or reins from reigns and rains. —IS IT ‘WERTH’ IT?: It is Kentucky Derby week, so let’s mix in some baseball with horse racing. […]
OBSERVATIONS: Throwing 103 Is Nice, But Just Be Careful
By Hal McCoy UNSOLICITED OBSERVATIONS from The Man Cave, giddy after getting off the scales and discovering after eating two of Nadine’s out of this world shrimp fajitas I’ve lost close to 50 pounds and I’m down to take-a-punch weight. —103 AND SKIDOO: The cheers from downtown Dayton could be heard on runway 24R at […]
OBSERVATIONS: The Positive Transition Of Michael Lorenzen
By Hal McCoy UNSOLICITED OBSERVATIONS from The Man Cave wondering if I believe what Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said after getting swept in Seattle: “Three losses doesn’t define ouur team.” —FIRST IMPRESSIONS: When Michael Lorenzen played for the Cincinnati Reds as a No. 1 draft pick, they couldn’t make up their minds what to […]
OBSERVATIONS: Jesse Winker Resurrecting Career with Nats
By Hal McCoy UNSOLICITED OBSERVATIONS from The Man Cave, still yawning after The Late Show Monday night featuring Frankie Montas and The Walking Dead. Four walks in one inning? That’s hard to do, except the Reds’ Montas showed how easy it can be. —NOD, NOD, WINK, WINK: Jesse Winker is drinking from the Foutain of […]
ASK HAL: Petitions Won’t Get Pete Rose Into The Hall Of Fame
By Hal McCoy Q: Who is responsible for selecting the music in the clubhouse and determining the volume? — DAVE, Miamisburg/Centervile/Beavercreek. A: In Cincinnati, the day’s starting pitcher selected the music, so it could be country, could be rap, could be rock n’ roll, could be salsa and it could be loud (and it usually […]