McCoy: Reds Walk-off St. Louis in 10
By Hal McCoy Contributing Writer When a team holds the top four hitters in the ultra-potent St. Louis Cardinals batting order to 0 for 17, that team should win easily, right? Cincinnati Reds pitchers did just that Monday night in Great American Ball Park and, yes, they won. But it wasn’t easy, by any stretch. […]
OBSERVATIONS: This ‘Commish’ Will Be Missed
By Hal McCoy UNSOLICITED OBSERVATIONS from The Man Cave, writing this with shaky fingers and bleary vision. See below. —A HUMM-DINGER: If a baseball writer is asked to name the epitome of a baseball writer, Rick Hummel’s name would top the list. For 50 years, until he semi-retired after last season, Hummel covered baseball for […]
Ask Hal: Cut Out the Shenanigans
By Hal McCoy Contributing Writer Q: Would you agree that Major League Baseball needs more traditions like the bride tossing her bouquet over her shoulder? — DAVE, Miamisburg/Centervillew/Beavercreek. A: No, I would not agree. There is already too much goofiness in the dugout, like those home run celebrations where the guy puts on an embroidered […]
McCoy: Yankees Complete Sweep, 4-1
By Hal McCoy Contributing Writer When Hunter Greene pitches for the Cincinnati Reds, the offense goes into deep hibernation and Greene has to be thinking, “I wonder where the offense went?” He was victimized again Sunday morning/afternoon and has grounds for a non-support charge. The New York Yankees beat him, 4-1, Greene’s 10th start this […]
McCoy: Judge, Rizzo Strike Reds Again
By Hal McCoy Contributing Writer For the Cincinnati Reds, Saturday afternon in Great American Ball Park was a broken record, Groundhog Day and deja vu all over again, all wrapped up in on ugly package. The same two New York Yankee superstars who beat them Friday did it again Saturday, beating the Reds, 7-4, in […]
McCoy: Judge, Rizzo Do-in Reds, 6-2
By Hal McCoy Contributing Writer In a pre-game meeting, Cincinnati Reds pitchers most likely were told, “Don’t let Aaron Judge and/or Anthony Rizzo beat us. They are the only guys we have to fear.” Guess who was the two guys who beat the Reds, 6-2, Friday night in Great American Ball Park? Aaron Judge and […]
McCoy: Reds Blow Five-Run Lead in Coors
By Hal McCoy Contributing Writer Graham Ashcraft discovered Wednesday afternoon what many major league pitchers have discovered — no lead is safe, no matter how big, in Coors Field, the world’s largest batting practice facility. Ashcraft was breezing along with a 5-0 lead when the Colorado Rockies came to bat in the bottom of the […]
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 […]
OBSERVATIONS: Please Stop the Dugout Goofiness
By Hal McCoy UNSOLICITED OBSERVATIONS from The Man Cave, still coughing after our cruise and for that. . .thank you, Europe. But I am the first on my block to obtain the spiffy black City Connect hat the Cincinnati Reds will wear Friday night. —DECORUM IN THE DUGOUT, PLEASE: This most likely will be unpopular […]