Sunday, May 05, 2002
Cinergy Countdown
By John Erardi, jerardi@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Enquirer continues its countdown of the 32 greatest moments in the 32-year history of Riverfront Stadium/Cinergy Field. One of these moments will run every Sunday. The final 10 will be counted down daily on the morning of the last 10 Reds home games of the final season at Riverfront/Cinergy.
No. 29: April 11, 1991
For all of Rob Dibble's shortcomings in the clubhouse — and, occasionally, on the mound — he produced some of the most memorable antics by a pitcher in the 32-year history of a stadium distinguished largely by hitters, especially those of the Big Red Machine.
To crack this lineup is not easy, but this crackpot did it.
During the first week of the regular season in 1991, Dibble was involved in his first of seven major incidents over the next two seasons. The incident for which he's recognized today occurred on April 11, 1991. He ignited a brawl when he threw a pitch behind the back of the Astros' Eric Yelding late in a 4-1 Reds loss.
The Astros stole Dibble's glove and refused to return it.
In subsequent unravelings at Cinergy Field, Dibble would throw a ball into the stands, be choked by an opposing coach and wrestle with manager Lou Piniella on the Reds clubhouse floor.
In the summer of '91, the great closer Goosage Gossage, who was on the final laps of his own career, gave The Enquirer the best “take” ever on Dibble's antics.
Gossage said that while he admired Dibble's pitching, he was critical of his lack of professionalism.
“(The way he pitches) reminds me of myself a little bit at that age,” Gossage said. “But, right now, he's killin' himself. I mean, throwin' a ball into the seats? Throwin' at a baserunner (the Cubs' Doug Dascenzo)? ... I don't want to say he's bush-league, but he's doing some bush-league things.”
Any idea why Dibble does them?
“I don't think he's thinking about the consequences before he does 'em,” Gossage said. “He just does 'em.”
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