Thursday, September 16, 1999
Thrill of race keeps Vaughn going
Homers, hits less important than wins, losses
BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The numbers, impressive as they are, aren't what make Greg Vaughn happy. It's the games and how much they mean that has Vaughn smiling these days.
“This is what I live for,” he said. “This is the time of year you think about when you're lifting weights and running and taking all those swings.”
The September pennant race is a little bit of baseball heaven to Vaughn.
Vaughn hit an RBI single to drive in the Reds' first run and got his 39th home run to drive in the last one in Wednesday's 5-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs.
In his last 46 at-bats, Vaughn has 10 home runs and 22 RBI.
Vaughn now has 103 RBI, the most by a Red since Dave Parker drove in 116 in 1986. Vaughn's home runs are the most by a Red since George Foster led the National League with 40 in 1978. Vaughn's average is up to .241, just two points below his career mark.
“I don't look at the numbers,” he said. “I just play to win. The numbers will take care of themselves.”
Vaughn's numbers against the Cubs have translated into wins. The home run Wednesday was his ninth of the year against the Cubs. Those home runs are largely why the Reds are 8-4 against Chicago this year.
Vaughn's big bat has played heavily on the minds of the Cubs' young pitchers.
“You want to score runs on them early,” he said. “That makes guys think they have to do a little more ...”
Vaughn's first hit Wednesday drove in the first run in the four-run first inning.
The home run — a two-out, solo shot in the fifth — made it a 5-2 game.
“At the time, it looked like an insurance run,” Reds manager Jack McKeon said. “It turned out to be the difference in the game.”
Denny Neagle, Wednesday's winning pitcher, thinks Vaughn has turned out to be the difference in the Reds' season.
“He's the biggest acquisition of the year,” Neagle said. “Because he protects the young guys, Sean Casey and Aaron Boone, hitting in front of him and behind him in the lineup. I don't care if he hit .200 with 20 home runs and 60 RBI. He changes the whole complexion of our lineup.
“The fact that he's approaching 40 home runs and has over 100 RBI is a testament to the kind of power hitter he's become.”
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