Friday, August 20, 1999Cameron deal pays off
Reds reap benefits of Konerko trade
BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati EnquirerWhen the Reds traded Paul Konerko to the Chicago White Sox for Mike Cameron in November, they were hoping it was a two-for-one deal.
In the Reds' eyes, they got a leadoff hitter and a first-rate center fielder for a power hitter.
Cameron just happened to be both.
So far, it's worked out that way. The Reds' defense is much better this year than last year, and Cameron is largely responsible.
“The big difference is center field,” manager Jack McKeon said. “He gets to balls that we never got last year. They were doubles or triples.
“He's made great, running catches the last couple of nights. That keeps the score down.”
Cameron's glove is key for the Reds, because the Reds lack speed on the outfield corners with Dmitri Young in right and Greg Vaughn in left. Cameron is so smooth he just seems to float to balls that would be gappers.
“Running those balls down comes naturally because I've worked so hard at it,” he said. “People don't see me out there at 3:45 when it's 140 degrees taking balls from Dave Collins. But I do it every day.”
Cameron's hitting has been a bonus. He hit .210 with eight home runs, 43 RBI and 27 steals last year.
Through Thursday night's game he is hitting .273 with 16 homers, 53 RBI and 31 steals. The homers and steals are career highs, and he's two away from a career-high in RBI.
“It's just getting the opportunity to play, having someone who believes in you,” he said. “I haven't changed my approach one bit.”
The Reds thought playing every day would be the cure for Cameron.
“We figured he'd do similar to what he did two years ago in Chicago,” McKeon said. “Last year, he was in and out of the lineup so much. Two years ago, he hit about .260 with 15 home runs. That's about what he's done.”
Cameron is hitting .358 since returning to the leadoff spot July 27 and has been even hotter lately. Over the last 15 games before Thursday's 0-for-3 night, he hit .390 with four home runs, nine RBI and 13 runs.
He said, however, that hitting first isn't why he's hitting so well.
“I just got hot,” he said. “If I was hitting fourth, I'd still be hot. I'm going about it the same way.”
Cameron leads the Reds with 110 strikeouts, a career high, but he also has set a career-high for walks with 58. That's helped push his on-base percentage to .364, third on the team to Sean Casey (.405) and Barry Larkin (.396).
The biggest difference McKeon sees in Cameron from the start of the season is his ability to handle the pitch on the outside corner.
“That's a pitch early in the year he was taking (for strikes),” McKeon said. “Now, he's hitting it to right- center for doubles and singles.”
McKeon thinks great things are to come for Cameron, 26.
“He's made great strides,” McKeon said. “I wouldn't be surprised if he's a .300 hitter in the near future ... That's confidence, getting to know the pitchers.”
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