Sunday, May 27, 2001
Is it Reese's time at shortstop?
Should Reds move Larkin when he comes back?
By Chris Haft
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Pokey Reese has heard himself referred to as the Reds' “shortstop of the future” since he was their first-round draft choice in 1991. He wonders when that future will arrive.
“When am I going to play shortstop? When I'm 35?” said Reese, 27, who is filling in at short while starter Barry Larkin recovers from a right groin injury.
Nobody doubts whether Reese, a two-time Gold Glove second baseman, can play shortstop. The Reds moved him from his natural position in 1999 to get him off the bench and on the field while Larkin, an 11-time All-Star, filled short.
The idea was, Reese would perpetuate the legacy of great Reds shortstop play Dave Concepcion began in 1970 and Larkin has sustained since 1986. Reese's switch would keep him on the field while Larkin, signed through 2003, would proceed gracefully toward the end of his potential Hall of Fame career.
But Larkin's strained groin has started raising questions about that plan.
Larkin's injury admittedly not only limited his mobility in the field, the problem eventually began to hamper his offense, forcing him into a 3-for-35 slump after he hit .354 and spent most of the season's first 1 1/2 months leading the National League in on-base percentage. His troubles prompted the Reds to start playing Reese at shortstop.
And the day before Larkin went on the disabled list May 18, he said he'd consider moving to a spot perceived as less demanding, such as second or third base, but only on a temporary basis. More recently, he left no doubt regarding what he envisions once he's activated: “I'm going to come back at shortstop.”
For now, Reese is just filling in for Larkin at shortstop. But any appearance by Reese at that hallowed spot was bound to prompt speculation that the transition would be permanent and Larkin would be headed to second base.
After all, Larkin is 37, 10 years oldre than Reese. And the demands of shortstop have prompted others who remained proficient offensively to move during the latter stages of their careers, including Baltimore's Cal Ripken Jr. to third base at age 36, Milwaukee's Robin Yount to the outfield at age 29, and the Chicago Cubs' Ernie Banks to first base at age 31. Even back in May 1997, then-Reds manager Ray Knight discussed with Larkin the idea of shifting to the outfield.
Current manager Bob Boone insisted his desire to use Reese at shortstop isn't part of an elaborate plan. “We're scrambling so badly, it's a matter of trying to put people where you think they're best. I don't think there's anything scientific about it,” he said.
Boone said Larkin's groin injury makes it difficult to evaluate just how effective the three-time Gold Glover remains as a shortstop. Larkin committed nine errors in his first 20 games, uncharacteristic of a player who totaled just 11 errors in 102 games last season. Nobody believes he would struggle that much at full health.
“I understand the big controversy (of making) that move,” Boone said, comparing it to the fuss caused by Ripken's move in 1996. “I don't want to face that without seeing Lark completely healthy.”
Reese, who profoundly admires Larkin, said he has no desire to become embroiled in a shortstop controversy.
“It wouldn't be right around here,” Reese said of the prospect of seeing Larkin at another position. “He has two more years on his contract. He's a lock for the Hall of Fame. He's going to leave the game when he wants to.”
Larkin's far from an exit — which only advances the concept of a position switch, because he's valuable to the lineup.
“I think that's something that will happen; I'm just not sure when,” Boone said. “I think Lark's bat will play much longer than his defensive skills.”
Yet Boone wants to resist making a hasty decision: “What's best for the Cincinnati Reds? You don't want to prejudge it.”
In fact, with everybody healthy, keeping Reese at second base and Larkin at shortstop might be Boone's best option.
Reese's ability to cover the right side of the infield compensates for first baseman Sean Casey, who is above-average in every defensive aspect except for range. Third baseman Aaron Boone, sidelined by a broken hamate bone in his right hand, has decent range to his left and helps complement Larkin.
Though Reese's superior range, throwing arm and instincts make him an asset at any infield spot, it's natural to envision him at shortstop, a pivotal position on defense.
“His two biggest assets are his phenomenal quickness and his "reading' of the baseball. He reads hops as well as anybody I've ever seen,” said Reds bench coach Tim Foli, a former infielder. “That's why it was easier for Pokey to play on that infield in Cincinnati when it wasn't real good. He took a "bite' out of that hop because he understood where it was going to be.”
Said Larkin: “He's a shortstop — and a darned good one.”
Because Reese hasn't played that position extensively since 1997, he'd still face some minor adjustments.
“I don't think it's that big an adjustment for him, because he's a natural shortstop,” said Reds first-base coach Bill Doran, another ex-infielder. “I still think it takes a little time. I don't think it's fair for people to expect Pokey to be as good a shortstop as he would be if (he were there permanently). It's going to take him a couple of weeks to get moving.”
Making the longer throw is the primary difference. “I need to get back over there so I can stretch it out. I'm used to coming from here,” Reese said, pantomiming the sidearm flip typical for second basemen. “But it's not that hard.”
Playing shortstop also requires a different mind-set. “You have to be offensive on defense when you play shortstop,” said third-base coach Ron Oester, who began his big-league career by moving from short, where Concepcion reigned, to second base. “You can't play back on a ball, because you don't have much time to get rid of the ball and (throw) the guy out.”
This wouldn't trouble Reese, who has maintained a shortstop's aggressive attitude. “I try to get to the ball before it gets me,” he said. “That goes for any position, really. You don't want to sit back and let the ball play you. When I do get into bad habits, it's when I stay back, the ball eats me up and I have to rush my throws.”
Reese takes the same approach to his immediate future. Until the Reds decide how to field their team, he won't assume which path his career will take. In fact, his next move could be to another team.
The Reds' foiled efforts to sign Reese to a long-term deal, accompanied by his criticism of the negotiations aimed at general manager Jim Bowden, have fueled rumors that the five-year veteran is being showcased for a trade. Cincinnati definitely shopped Reese during December's winter meetings and to the New York Yankees earlier this year; he also has been linked to farfetched rumors involving Atlanta and Colorado.
“Lark has two more years (on his contract),” Reese repeated. “I don't know what's going to happen. I'm just here to have fun and play the game.”
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Is it Reese's time at shortstop?
