Monday, September 24, 2001
Reds notebook
Miller's defense shines - but his bat's still lacking
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MILWAUKEE — The question with Corky Miller is: Can he hit enough to stick in the big leagues?
Then again, that's the question with all catchers.
“You look at that position as a defensive position,” Reds manager Bob Boone said. “Two of the best catchers in our league — (Houston's Brad) Ausmus and (St. Louis' Mike) Matheny — are the weakest offensively. Johnny Bench screwed it up for everybody.”
Bench was a great defensive catcher and an offensive force. Miller doesn't have to produce like Bench, but with two hits in 20 at-bats, he'll have to do better.
While Jason LaRue nurses a sore shoulder, Miller started twice in a row for the first time since he was called up on Sept. 3.
Defensively, he has looked like a major leaguer. He made a textbook block of the plate Saturday to prevent a crucial run from scoring. And Boone went out of his way to praise Miller's handling of pitchers. The team ERA is 3.44 with Miller catching.
“He did a great job with (Jose) Acevedo (Saturday),” Boone said. “He threw well in the minors, although he hasn't had to do it much here. I'm pretty comfortable with him as a catcher.”
Signed as an undrafted free agent in 1998, Miller didn't even show up on the prospect radar until he began hitting this year. He hit .347 with seven home runs and 48 RBI in 44 games at Triple-A Louisville.
“He forced himself into (the prospect picture),” Boone said. “... That's the great thing about baseball.”
WAKEUP CALL:
Tim Spehr was sound asleep at his home in Dallas when the phone rang Saturday morning. It was general manager Jim Bowden telling Spehr he was getting called up to the Reds.
“It was very definitely a surprise,” Spehr said. “But it's nice.”
The Reds brought up Spehr as an emergency catcher because LaRue's hurt. Boone has no plans to start Spehr. But there's a chance Spehr could see time. “It allows me to pinch-hit for eight and nine (in the order),” Boone said. “I'm very comfortable with Timmy catching.”
INJURY UPDATE:
LaRue, Pokey Reese (shoulder) and Wilton Guerrero (concussion) were all improved.
“We won't plan to use them,” Boone said. “But they're all much better. They'll be available Tuesday. I don't know if they'll start, but they'll be available.”
UP NEXT:
The Reds are off today. They start a three-game series against the Phillies in Philadelphia on Tuesday. It will be the first time the teams have met this year.
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