The baseball season is not yet one week old, but already Michael Tucker has had to make a downward revision.

        Thursday afternoon, the Reds' sometime outfielder had predicted he would hit 100 home runs this season. Friday's estimate was only 80.

        “I'm playing every other day,” Tucker explained.

        Tucker was leading the Reds in home runs from a seat on the bench Friday night. He had homered twice in his first eight at bats — and the Reds aren't exactly teeming with outfield offense so far — but manager Jack McKeon continues to platoon in left field during Dmitri Young's infield sabbatical.

        Can't blame him, either. Alex Ochoa was in the starting lineup Friday night and

        all he did was hit a homer, an RBI double and draw a walk in four plate appearances during the Reds' 10-6 loss to Chicago. If you're counting — and who isn't? — the Reds have three home runs from their left-field timeshare and none from Ken Griffey Jr.

        Half a job, of course, is better than none, especially if it involves major-league meal money. The secret to being a good platoon player is to know you've got it good without believing you've got it made. It is a role that calls for equal portions of humility and hunger.

        “You never get used to it,” Tucker said. “If you've been in a situation where you've been starting, then regardless of what situation you're put in, you're still a starter. That's the way I look at it. Instead of looking at it as being the third outfielder or the fourth outfielder, I see it pretty much as three and a half.”

        As a practical matter, neither Tucker nor Ochoa are the Reds' third outfielder. They are sharing left field at the moment because Sean Casey's broken thumb and Hal Morris' sore groin have forced Young to break out his first baseman's mitt. Provided Casey heals without complications and Young is not traded for a starting pitcher, Tucker and Ochoa may soon be battling for pinch-hitting priority.

        If you're searching for good news about the home team this morning, it is outfield depth. Several major-league clubs have less attractive regulars than a Tucker/Ochoa platoon. The two players totaled 19 homers and 84 runs batted in last season in 573 at bats — combined statistics roughly comparable to those of such players as Kansas City's Johnny Damon and Milwaukee's Marquis Grissom.

        Tucker has proven power and good speed. Ochoa hit .300 for Milwaukee last year. Neither is anyone's ideal corner outfielder. Both of them, however, are superior substitutes who believe it is opportunity, not ability that stifles their stardom.

        “People get labeled,” Ochoa said. “When you don't do some thing, people tend to believe you can't do it. There are days when you wonder, "What do I have to do?' But everybody wants to play every day.”

        Ochoa remembers getting four hits one night for the New York Mets and coming into the clubhouse the next day to find his name nowhere on the lineup card. Tucker logged more than 400 at-bats for the Atlanta Braves in both 1997 and 1998, but has had to adjust to reduced playing time with the Reds.

        “It's not an easy job to sit over there (in the dugout),” Tucker said. “You have to stay in the game the way you would if you were in the game itself, so that even when you come off the bench cold, you feel like it's your fourth at-bat.”

        A young player with a part-time gig might be inclined to pout. An experienced player learns to make use of his ringside seat to study pitchers for tipoffs and tendencies. Knowledge is power if a hitter can determine what pitch he's likely to see in a particular situation.

        Besides, you've got to do something. The toughest part about being a role player is awaiting a cue that might not come.

        “You try not to worry about things you can't control,” Ochoa said. “Some guys never get the opportunity. Some guys get it late. I'm determined. My parents raised me to never give up and I have faith in God, always. That's what keeps me going.”

        It's a great life if you can live with frustration.

        Tim Sullivan welcomes your e-mail at tsullivan@enquirer.com

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