Wednesday, May 19, 1999
Lineup shuffle may put Young on bench again
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
DENVER — Manager Jack McKeon hinted that he might shuffle the Reds' lineup for today's series finale against the Colorado Rockies, enabling some seldom-used reserves to get at-bats.
If McKeon had his way, he'd do this sort of thing more often. But the Reds must keep winning.
Winning would give McKeon the flexibility to rest first baseman Sean Casey, no matter how high his batting average climbs, and start Hal Morris. Winning would allow McKeon to remove shortstop Barry Larkin, who has played every inning.
Today's game is a series finale and a day game following a night game, when managers frequently swap starters for backups. With left-hander Brian Bohanon due to pitch for Colorado, McKeon said that right-handed hitting catcher Brian Johnson will be in the lineup. McKeon wouldn't commit to any other changes, but Jeffrey Hammonds could start in right field.
Should Hammonds play, he'd be Cincinnati's third different starting right fielder in as many games, since Dmitri Young received the call Monday and Michael Tucker was in Tuesday's lineup. Young, who hit .310 last year, doesn't seem any closer to reclaiming every-day status.
McKeon admitted that he was “concerned” with Young, adding: “Sometimes it takes some guys a little bit longer than others (to right themselves). At times I think he tries too hard. He needs to relax.”
McKeon will continue juggling his right fielders for the foreseeable future, though he knows Young can produce: “This is a situation where you have two other guys who need a chance to show they can do something.”
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