Tuesday, October 03, 2000
Casey: High expectations were McKeon's downfall
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Sean Casey got the news about six hours late, and he didn't get all of it.
“I talked to my mom and she said Jack was fired,” Casey said Monday afternoon. “What else happened?”
Casey was shocked to hear first base coach Dave Collins also would not be back for 2001. Hitting coach Denis Menke and coach Harry Dunlop also were dismissed.
“Collie, too?” Casey said. “No way! That really surprises me.”
Casey and the other player knew that McKeon's days were numbered. There was much speculation about it in the media, and general manager Jim Bowden did nothing to deny it.
“With Jack, it was expected,” Casey said. “Everyone had been talking about it, so it doesn't shock me.”
Casey was among the players McKeon got along with, although the two had their differences about Casey's playing time.
“I really like Jack,” Casey said. “He's the one who is responsible for giving me a chance, for getting my career started.”
But Casey admits not everyone was a McKeon fan.
“When you have 25 guys, not all of them are going to get along with the manager or each other,” Casey said. “But I think everyone respected Jack. I don't think getting along with guys was the problem.”
What was the problem?
“The biggest problem was the expectations,” Casey said. “We didn't live up to expectations. And, even though we a pretty good year, not meeting those expectations led to Jack's dismissal.”
Current coaches Ron Oester and Ken Griffey Sr. will be interviewed the job of Reds manager.
“This team needs a guy who can get everyone on the same page,” Casey said. “Jack did the best he could this year with all the injuries we had. I don't know if there's a perfect fit for this team.”
• Online Poll: Who should be Reds' next manager?
Reds Stories
Cornerbacks may lose jobs
LeBeau likes fourth-quarter effort
Pickens may miss Bengals game
Bearcats face 'must win' at Houston
Probation ends for UC basketball
UC's Jones looks for December return
Martin's goal: make NBA all-defensive team
Olympic boxer welcomed home
Complete Olympics coverage at Cincinnati.com/olympics
Chiefs 24, Seahawks 17
Football rankings shuffled
Enquirer football polls
Kentucky football polls
Complete prep football coverage at Enquirer.com/prepfootball
Ohio soccer polls
High school highlights
Cincinnati high school results
N. Ky. high school results
Xavier women ranked as high as 15th
Cintas open house Monday
• Return to Reds front page...
Casey: High expectations were McKeon's downfall
