Tuesday, April 03, 2001
Most moves fail to work for Boone
Opening Day loss won't alter hands-on approach
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
For six innings Monday, Bob Boone really didn't have much to do as Reds manager. That was a good thing.
“I was pretty excited going into the game,” he said. “But then Pete (Harnisch) was pitching so well and we weren't hitting much, so I had a chance to get it under control.”
The last three innings of Monday's 10-4 loss to the Atlanta Braves probably gave a better indication of what Reds fans will see from Boone as a manager.
He made a lot of moves, some of which were a little unconventional. Most didn't work out as planned Monday. “It didn't go exactly as scripted,” he said. That's usually the case when you lose 10-4.
But Boone, 53, is a confident man. One loss is not going to change his approach. He will be more hands-on than former manager Jack McKeon. Boone made three trips to the mound Monday. McKeon didn't make a trip to the mound in his last two years as manager.
Boone, who was 181-206 as manager of Kansas City from 1995 to '97, said he won't tinker with Reds' lineup like he did with the Royals because the talent here allows him to play it straight.
Boone's first move was to bring left-hander Dennys Reyes in to the start the seventh. Harnisch warmed up, but Reyes came on when the Braves announced left-handed hitting Dave Martinez as a pinch-hitter.
The Braves countered by bringing up Kurt Abbott, a right-handed hitter.
Reyes got Abbott but allowed a home run to Rafael Furcal, another right-handed hitter. Boone plans to use Reyes more against right-handed hitters. Last year, he was used as a specialist against lefties.
Boone used his big gun in the bottom of the seventh. After Barry Larkin singled with two outs, Boone sent Ken Griffey Jr. to pinch hit for Michael Tucker.
“I wanted him in the slot where he didn't have to face (John) Rocker,” Boone said, “and where first base wasn't open.”
Mike Remlinger wound up getting Griffey on a called third strike.
Boone's last move, with the game still in reach, came in the eighth. He intentionally walked Furcal to load the bases. The next hitter, Quilvio Veras, lined a pitch over first base for a three-run double to turn a 6-4 game in a 9-4 game.
Boone has thought about the decisions he made countless times during the 3 years between managing games.
“When I've watched games, I've always done that,” he said, “even as a player. I would always play it in my mind with an eye toward strategy. Would I do this or that?”
But Monday, of course, was different. He was making decisions. That gave the day a whole new feel.
“Opening Day is always special and it always will be,” he said. “But when you put the uniform on, you get a special tingle.”
There was an added bonus Monday: His son, Aaron, was one of his players.
“That was emotional,” Aaron said, “with my mom (Sue) being here and everything.”
Bob Boone walked to the ballpark Monday from his downtown apartment.
“I got here later than I have all spring — about 8:15,” he said. “I didn't have as much to do.”
Boone's spring camp was a busy place.
“I think we're very prepared,” he said. “We got all the things in the system. I don't know if we mastered them ... You're never done.”
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Most moves fail to work for Boone
