Sunday, May 12, 2002
Miller hits first, explains later
Reds' co-catcher excels at plate and behind plate
By Gary Estwick, gestwick@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
After going 3-for-4 Saturday against St. Louis, Corky Miller was asked why he's hitting so well.
“Right now, I couldn't tell you,” Miller said. “I could tell you a million things when things are going bad.
“When you're going good, you really don't want to know what you're doing. Just keep on going up there and try to get those good swings on the ball.”
And with each hit, Miller further challenges Jason LaRue for the Reds' starting catcher's job.
Miller is hitting .387. Against the Cardinals, he singled and scored a run in the third, doubled to bring home Aaron Boone and Reggie Taylor in the sixth, and in the eighth, hit a solo home run to left field. It was his second homer of the season. Not bad for a guy who was recalled from Triple-A Louisville on April 6 because backup catcher Kelly Stinnett was headed to the 15-day disabled list.
"He's making a pretty good name for himself, that's for sure,” manager Bob Boone said. “That was a pretty good day. And all of his hits were big, too. Even the last one was big.”
Boone, though, stopped short of announcing any definite changes.
“For now, I'm real pleased,” he said. “I think what's happening is working very good. I wouldn't feel comfortable sitting Jason down. I feel he's got to play a lot. I think he can do a terrific job and is going to get better. He has gotten better.”
Boone said LaRue has gotten better at implementing the game plan and blocking balls. His demeanor behind the plate has also improved.
“I don't think you want to shelve that,” Boone said.
But LaRue's hitting, something he's struggled with going back to spring training, is an issue. He is hitting .241, but he has three hits in his last 26 at-bats. Friday against the Cardinals, he went 1-for-4 with a double.
Reds pitchers are 14-9 in his 23 starts. With Chris Reitsma's win, Reds pitchers are 7-3 in Miller's starts.
“Jason and I are real good buddies,” Miller said. “It's not like we're looking at each other in competition like everyone might think we are. He's a great fighter.”
During the Reds' 8-1 win over St. Louis, Miller took the time out to calm down Reitsma by throwing a few knuckle balls.
“I started laughing every time he did it,” Reitsma (2-0) said. “That makes it fun. It makes you smile a little bit and keep the attitude light. All the catchers do that, but it seems I'm in a groove with Cork.”
Miller said he doesn't do it all the time. “When he's out there, he throws his best game when he's loose,” Miller said.
Scott Sullivan is also very comfortable with Miller.
“He makes the pitcher feel comfortable out there with his personality because he's kind of a different character,” Sullivan said. “He's kind of amusing to look at and talk to a lot of times. He's a good guy.”
After thinking about it, Miller attributed his newfound success behind the plate to his work with hitting coach Jim Lefebvre.
“(We've worked on) everything,” Miller said. “Keeping my hands back, staying in a balanced position, not lunging forward — that's probably my biggest fault right now, lunging forward at the ball and swinging at a ball in the dirt.”
It didn't show Saturday.
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Miller hits first, explains later
