Tuesday, March 16, 1999
Cameron gets edge on leadoff role
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SARASOTA, Fla. — Though Mike Cameron's name isn't engraved at the top of the Reds' batting order, the ink on the lineup card might be starting to dry.
Manager Jack McKeon hasn't selected a leadoff hitter yet. But indications are that that Cameron, the fleet center fielder, has edged ahead of Pokey Reese in the competition to bat first.
Through Monday night's 5-4 exhibition loss to the New York Yankees, Cameron was batting .333 as a leadoff hitter (9-for-27, six runs scored) and had the same average overall. Reese was hitting .185 in the leadoff spot (5-for-27, two runs) and .189 overall.
McKeon said he liked what he has seen of Cameron's leadoff skills, which were evident when he lofted an eighth-inning, game-tying homer and a 10th-inning single against the Yankees. Cameron went 0-for-5 Sunday against Boston but collected two hits in each of his previous two games.
Perhaps more important, McKeon added that he considered Reese a good fit to ward the bottom of the order. Reese batted .256 last year but .280 in the eighth spot, which he occupied against the Yankees.
“It takes the pressure off of him. He's learning a new position, so that's going to be a (factor),” said McKeon, referring to Reese's switch from shortstop to second base.
McKeon has tried to give each player a fair shot to prove himself, alternating them at the top of the order. Each has led off seven times. In fact, McKeon said Jeffrey Hammonds will bat first today against Detroit, giving the Reds their third different leadoff hitter in four games.
Noting that McKeon hasn't told him anything definite about where he'll hit, Cameron assumed nothing.
“It's an ongoing thing,” said Cameron, acquired Nov.11 from the Chicago White Sox for first baseman Paul Konerko. “I'm just trying to improve every day, do different things.”
Cameron, who hit .210 last year, said he hasn't gained the patience to draw walks, a prerequisite for a leadoff hitter. He has one walk in 29 plate appearances.
“But that's not as much of a concern right now,” he said.“ Down here you want to put a good swing on the ball.”
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