Wednesday, March 22, 2000
Reds' 'D' could be special
Gold Gloves, good hands all around
BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SARASOTA, Fla. — The hope was that the Reds' defense, which was very good last year, would be better this year. The spring returns indicate it is.
Two games stick out:
• Saturday's 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. The Reds turned six double plays.
• A 6-5 win over Texas on March 11. Ken Griffey Jr. threw out a runner at the plate, Michael Tucker threw out a runner at second, and Alex Ochoa kept a runner from scoring from third with a strong throw.
“Without that,” Reds manager Jack McKeon said, “we don't win the game.”
Adding Griffey and Dante Bichette significantly upgraded the offense. But General Manager Jim Bowden and McKeon have said this team will go as far as pitching will take it. And good defense certainly helps the pitching.
That's especially true of the Reds, who do not have a lot of power pitchers. “That really helped us last year,” McKeon said.
The Reds finished sixth in the National League in fielding, but they were thousandths of a percentage point out of second.
Conventional wisdom says you win with defense up the middle, and the Reds are about as good as you can be there. Center fielder Griffey has 10 Gold Gloves. Shortstop Barry Larkin has won three Gold Gloves. Pokey Reese won a Gold Glove in his first year as a second baseman.
“The defense is outstanding,” pitcher Steve Parris said. “(Aaron) Boone is no slouch at third, either. You know if you get a ground ball, you're probably going to get an out. That's very reassuring to a pitcher. It makes you throw strikes.”
Three of the Reds' four infielders — Reese, Boone and first baseman Sean Casey — played their first full year in the majors last season. As good as Reese was, there was an adjustment period for him and Larkin.
“Pokey and I have a year of experience together,” Larkin said. “That should help.”
The one fault you could have with the infield is Casey's lack of range. But that isn't as much of a factor because he plays next to Reese, who has maybe 20 percent more range than the typical second baseman.
“Pokey's special,” Casey said. “I know if I don't get a ball, he's probably going to get it. He does things no one else can do.”
The same can be said of Griffey. Mike Cameron was excellent last year, but Griffey is in a class by himself. His arm is much stronger than Cameron's, his instincts are better, and he's good for a couple dozen spectacular plays a year.
The other two outfielders, right fielder Dante Bichette and left fielder Dmitri Young, aren't likely to win Gold Gloves. But Bichette is more comfortable in right than he was in left, where he played for the Colorado Rockies. He'll probably play as well or better than Young did in right last year.
Young went from 12 errors in 1998 to four in 1999. He also continues to work on his field skills.
Larkin thinks the Reds will be improved in an area one might not expect.
“When you talk about defense up the middle, you aren't just talking short, second and center field,” Larkin said. “You're talking about catching too. Eddie (Taubensee) has improved a lot. He's really worked on his game defensively.”
If veteran Benito Santiago — a strong defensive catcher — makes the club, the Reds have the options of playing him against strong running teams or using him as a late-inning defensive replacement.
Backup outfielders Tucker and Ochoa also are strong defensive players.
The Reds also benefit from their players recognizing the importance of defense.
“You always want to improve every part of your game,” Boone said. “I think we're very capable. The infield is very good. We have a chance to be part of something special. That's what the goal is.”
Reds Stories
Xavier sees offensive help on the way
Final Four far from certain
Sixteen facts about the Sweet 16
Men's NCAA Schedule
Men's National Invitation Tournament
No. 2 NKU meets No. 1
Women's NCAA Division II Tournament
Women's NCAA Tournament
Women's National Invitation Tournament
Coach, dad lead St. X to state
Ohio boys final four pairings
Salamone's move great for Purcell Marian
Local recruits make all-state
Ohio Boys Division II Basketball Team
Ohio Boys Division III Basketball Team
Schwegmann all-Kentucky again
Kentucky Girls All-State Basketball Team
Miami-OSU football tickets limited
Stuff 92, Baltimore 85
Reds page
