Sunday, January 27, 2002
Reds Q & A with John Fay
I-71 rivalry hits a detour
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
This week, readers wanted to know: Why no Indians? Could Brady Clark be the leadoff man? And is Jose Rijo closer material? Read on and find out.
Question, from Larry in Hyde Park: In looking at the tentative schedules, can you explain why all of the other teams that have same-city or intrastate rivalries will be playing those rivals in six-game home-and-home series but the Battle of Ohio (Cincinnati vs. Cleveland) will not be played at all this year? That series draws 40,000-plus for each game, yet it will not be played this year. Does Bud Selig have a special dislike for the Reds? Remember his plans to put us in that Southeast Division?
Answer: The scheduling was Major League Baseball's decision. “It's a numbers game,” Reds chief operating officer John Allen said.
The National League has 16 teams, the American League 14. So it becomes a matchup problem.
“We'll continue to push for (playing the Indians) in the future,” Allen said.
The Reds did get the Seattle Mariners and Oakland A's — two of the AL's most interesting clubs — here next season.
Q, from Pete in Oakley: What the Reds are doing with their outfield situation may be more mystifying than what they are doing with their pitching. Juan Encarnacion fits nowhere but is slated to start over Brady Clark, who did everything the Reds asked him to do last year. He hits for power, makes contact and steals bases, and his average surely will get better. It sounds as if the leadoff hitter they are looking for is already on their roster. Even if Clark or Encarnacion starts the season in left, they are just keeping the position ready for Austin Kearns, who will be up by June.
A: Clark doesn't have Encarnacion's tools. But you're right — right now, Clark is a better choice to lead off. His on-base percentage (.373) tied Barry Larkin for club-best.
Q, from Jeff in North College Hill: What do you think of Jose Rijo being the closer for the Reds? It worked well for Dennis Eckersley! That way, Danny Graves could try out as a starter. It would also be fun seeing Kearns in left or right, Ken Griffey in center and Adam Dunn in right or left. The baseballs will be flying out of Cinergy Field. Plus, Jose will be an extra help for Don Gullett with those young pitchers. Jose already has befriended Jose Acevedo. I am looking forward to the 2002 season!
A: Eck didn't have the arm surgeries Rijo did, and closing is a little farfetched, because Rijo wasn't able to throw on back-to-back days last year. If he can go two days in a row this year, he could play a prominent role in the bullpen.
Q, from Jim in Ashland, Ky.: My solution for baseball is to scrap it and start over. It is sickening when fans watch what has become of the sport. There are plenty of groups to blame: agents, players, owners, the commissioner and even the fans for putting up with it. I won't see a game in the foreseeable future; the whole sport is out of hand. What do you think? Possible, probable or never happen?
A: Never, ever happen. Baseball, for all its problems, sold more than 72 million tickets last year.
Q, from Tim in Westerville: I read your article about the Reds' 2002 payroll in Sunday's Enquirer. I noticed two rather obvious omissions from the list of players and their salaries — pitcher Jim Brower and outfielder Robin Jennings. I was wondering what those two players' salaries will be for the upcoming season. I am assuming both will be on the Opening Day roster.
A: That was my projected roster. But, you're right, those two will be candidates to make it, and both will definitely be up sometime during the year. A lot depends on whether the Reds carry 11 or 12 pitchers. Jennings will make $310,000; Brower, just over the MLB minimum of $200,000.
Q, from Jeff in Norwood: Your projected 25-man lineup for 2002 was missing two things: a left-handed bat off the bench (I don't count Wilton Guerrero) and a backup first baseman. Do those two things add up to a spot for Robin Jennings or Ben Broussard?
A: Another vote for Jennings. As for Broussard, he'll probably start at Triple A.
John Fay covers the Reds for the Enquirer. He can be reached at jfay@enquirer.com. Please include neighborhood or hometown. Read more questions and answers at Cincinnati.com.
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Reds Q & A with John Fay
