Wednesday, June 27, 2001
Larkin blames groin injury for defensive problems
Shortstop brushes off criticism from Nuxhall
By Chris Haft
The Cincinnati Enquirer
ST. LOUIS — Conceding he hasn't fully recovered from a groin injury, Barry Larkin brushed off broadcaster Joe Nuxhall's remark about the shortstop's skills fading.
Larkin
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Nuxhall
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“I'm not 100 percent,” Larkin said Tuesday. “I don't know what to tell folks. Judge me when I'm healthy. ... I just wish people would base their decisions on the facts. And the fact is that I'm hurt. And I'll get better. As I get healthier, I will get better.”
The fuss arose Saturday night when Houston's Julio Lugo hit a grounder to Larkin's right. Larkin fielded the ball and made a wide throw, which Lugo beat to first base for an infield hit.
Said Nuxhall on the air: “I hate to say it — Barry is losing it, folks. It hurts to say that, but Barry Larkin makes that play anytime. Not anymore.”
Larkin said he repeatedly has heard claims that his skills are declining — even in 1995, when he won the National League's Most Valuable Player Award, and in 1999, when he played 161 games at age 35.
“The gist of it, and you can write it, is I don't give a (expletive) what people say,” said Larkin, who was on the disabled list from May 18 to June 15 with a strained right groin that began bothering him in spring training. “I'm doing what I can.”
Larkin expressed no animosity toward Nuxhall.
“Joe's job is to say what he sees,” Larkin said. “If that's Joe's opinion, that's fine. Everybody's judging everybody.”
Nuxhall said he understood Larkin's sentiments.
“I didn't say it to hurt the guy,” Nuxhall said. “But I know something like that does hurt.”
Reds manager Bob Boone took Larkin's side.
“I still think it's unfair to judge him with the (injury),” Boone said. “To me, it's a huge factor.”
Boone said Larkin's inability to make difficult plays hasn't cost the Reds victories.
“We're losing many more games on a mistake pitch that turns into a three-run homer than on a tough, tough ball in the hole that's probably a hit anyway,” Boone said. “... I guess I assume the days will get better, and at some point you'll evaluate. But to evaluate it on a daily basis really doesn't do too much good unless you can give me an alternative.
“You just accept what you've got. I've seen him make great plays, and I've seen him not make great plays. I'm not really worried about it.”
Actually, the Reds do have an alternative: second baseman Pokey Reese, a natural shortstop who started 17 games at that position while Larkin was sidelined. But Cincinnati has discussed trading Reese with several teams.
Boone again brought up an idea he had discussed last month — an eventual position switch for Larkin. Boone pointed out that Ernie Banks, Robin Yount and Cal Ripken Jr. moved from shortstop to less demanding positions as their hitting skills outlasted their defensive ability.
“That may be in Barry's future,” Boone said. “If it is, we'll deal with it when we have alternatives. Until then, he can play short and I don't even think about it.”
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Larkin blames groin injury for defensive problems
