Monday, October 01, 2001
Reds notebook
LaRue is in 2002 plans
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Jason LaRue was back at catcher for the Reds on Sunday after missing seven games after being hit on the shoulder with a pitch.
Reds General Manager Jim Bowden said LaRue will be back in 2002, as well.
The emergence of rookie Corky Miller and the fact that LaRue and Reds manager Bob Boone have had their differences made LaRue look like trade bait.
Not so, said Bowden.
“We're very pleased with Jason LaRue,” Bowden said. “He's our No. 1 catcher. He's made great progress. His percentage of throwing runners out is one of the best in baseball. His offense continues to improve.”
Bowden said Kelly Stinnett will remain the backup.
“Corky Miller will be allowed to compete in spring training,” Bowden said.
Bowden said friction between LaRue and Boone is inevitable.
“I think no matter who is catching for the Reds, no matter if it's Jason LaRue, Pudge Rodriguez, Charles Johnson or Mike Piazza, there will always be conflict between the catcher and manager,” Bowden said. “Bob was one of the greatest defensive catchers in the game. He was tremendous at calling a game, and he's a perfectionist. That combination means the catchers are always going to clash with Bob.
“Bob's intent is only to make them better.”
POKEY UPDATE:
Pokey Reese's streak of not starting reached 13 games Sunday. Reese has a sore right shoulder. Whether it is too sore for him to play seems to be open to debate.
“He says he can't throw,” Boone said.
Notice Boone didn't say he can't throw.
“Could he play?” team medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek said. “Absolutely.”
Reese had an MRI on the shoulder. It showed no structural damage.
“It was completely normal,” Kremchek said. “(The shoulder) is sore.”
Reese declined comment after the game.
WILLIE TO START?
Scott Williamson made it known to Bowden through his agent, Jeff Moorad, that Williamson would like to start.
The Reds will consider it.
“The club is going to use the personnel in a way to win baseball games,” Bowden said. “A lot of that depends on how your club is configured. No final decision has been made. But it's duly noted that is what he prefers to do. We all know our biggest need is starting pitching, and we are blessed with Danny Graves and Scott Sullivan on the back end.”
Williamson is concerned for his health.
“Because he had Tommy John surgery, he thinks it would be best for him to have four days off between pitching,” Bowden said.
Williamson was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1999 when he went 12-7 with a 2.41 ERA and 19 saves. Last year, he was 5-8 with a 3.29 ERA and six saves, including 3-3 with a 2.93 ERA in 10 starts.
Williamson lost a bid to make the rotation this spring. He then blew out his right elbow in the fourth game of the season and required the Tommy John surgery.
RECORD IN PINCH:
Brady Clark broke Dick Sipek's Reds record for most pinch-hit at-bats (45) by a Reds rookie.
Clark's 13 pinch-hits are the most by a Reds rookie since Jeff Branson had 13 in 1992. No Reds rookie has more than 13 since Calvin Chapman set the club record with 15 in 1936.
UP NEXT:
The Reds are off today. They begin a three-game series against the Cubs in Chicago on Tuesday.
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