Saturday, August 07, 1999
REDS NOTEBOOK
Good memories for Vaughn
BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MILWAUKEE — County Stadium is where Reds left fielder Greg Vaughn played the first eight years of his career.
“I have a lot ties here,” Vaughn said. “My wife's from here. My kids were born here. I've got memories I'll carry with me for the rest of my life.”
One thing Vaughn took with him from the early years were the lessons he learned from Robin Yount, a recent inductee to the Hall of Fame.
“My locker was right next to his,” Vaughn said. “I watched him, how he played hurt, how he put the team first and himself second.”
Bad memories
Milwaukee's County Stadium is where Reds pitching coach Don Gullett's career ended. He was warming up for the New York Yankees in 1978 when he heard something pop in his right shoulder. He started the game and went two innings before the pain stopped him.
“I iced my shoulder,” he said. “When I tried to shave, I could not get my arm above 90 degrees.”
Gullett would have surgery and spend two years trying to come back, but he never pitched again in the majors. He was 27 with a 109-50 record when it ended.
“That happens in this game,” Gullett said.
Parris progress
Steve Parris did a session of long-tossing before the game Friday.
“It felt a little better,” Parris said. “I'll probably long-toss again (today). I don't want to strain it.”
Parris is on the disabled list with a strained triceps muscle. He is eligible to come off Tuesday.
Parris (7-1, 3.45 ERA) could end up in the bullpen when he returns. All five of the Reds' starters have been effective recently.
“I'm not even going to worry about it,” Parris said. “Hopefully, I'll get back into the rotation. Right now, I just want to make sure I'm healthy.”
Pleasant problem
The Reds' relief pitchers have been underworked recently because of the string of good outings by the starting pitchers.
“That can be extremely tough,” right-hander Danny Graves said. “Relief pitchers have to pitch to stay sharp.”
Graves went one five-day stretch without throwing.
“All the games were close,” he said. “So I couldn't go down to throw to just get work in.”
Stan Belinda and Gabe White have not pitched in six games.
Graves thinks the break will do the relief corps good in the long run.
“A few days off won't kill us,” he said. “We'll find a way to get our work in.”
Jack's find
McKeon was the general manager of the San Diego Padres when they drafted Tony Gwynn, he of the 3,000-hit club. The Padres might have missed Gwynn if Gwynn's college team, San Diego State, hadn't played an exhibition against the Padres.
“He had a double to left-center and a triple to right-center,” McKeon said. “He ran the bases ... I said, "Who is this guy?'”
The Padres and everyone had scouted San Diego State, but they were looking at shortstop Bobby Meachem and not Gwynn. Gwynn started the season late, because he played basketball.
The Padres were set on taking Kevin McReynolds first. McKeon wanted to take Gwynn in the second round, but he let his scouts make the call. They took Billy Long, the pitcher from Miami University and Moeller High.
“I said, "OK, but we're taking Gwynn third.'”
Gwynn was in the big leagues 11/2 years later.
“He's a good guy,” McKeon said. “He's a lot like (Sean) Casey. He's a little more reserved than Casey, but he's a great guy.”
Up next
Brett Tomko (4-5, 4.61) starts tonight (8:05) in the second game of the three-game series with the Brewers. Milwaukee counters with left-hander Scott Karl (7-10, 5.05 ERA).
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