Wednesday, April 29, 1998

BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Barry Larkin twirls his glove after committing a throwing error in the sixth inning (Craig Ruttle photo) | ZOOM |

The Barry Larkin drought is officially the worst of his career. Larkin went 0-for-4 Tuesday night in the Reds' 11-8 loss to Philadelphia. He is now hitless in his past 22 at-bats. He also had a throwing error that led to a run.

"I'm ugly," he said. "Straight ugly."

His average is down to .194.

Larkin missed nearly all of spring training and had surgery March 13 to repair a protruding disc in his neck.

"It takes time," Reds manager Jack McKeon "He had serious surgery, up through his neck. . . . It might take a month, it might take two months. But the more he faces pitching, the better he's going to be."

Larkin says the lack of spring training may have something to do with his current struggles.

"I was really tired until a few days ago," he said. "But I'm not tired anymore."

After Tuesday's game, he said: "I feel great. I just suck." Larkin, who turned 34 Tuesday, should come around. He has hit .296 or better in nine of the past 10 years. His one off year -- 1994 -- he still hit .279.

"It's just one of those things," he said.