Sunday, June 30, 2002
Reds Q&A
Eight-game skid earns fans' wrath
Most of the e-mail came during the Reds' eight-game losing streak. So, as an old colleague would have put it, it was a little bitter. Read on:
Q, from Greg in Cincinnati: Isn't it odd that the Reds are doing well again without Ken Griffey Jr. in the clubhouse? Add the fact that Barry Larkin is out of the lineup, and it makes for an interesting squad. Imagine what kind of starting pitching the Reds could afford without Griffey's and Larkin's salary burden.
A: The odd thing is Griffey was in the clubhouse for all three wins in Chicago. The way Larkin is playing defense, he is the best shortstop in the organization, even if he hits .230.
Q, from Rick in Florence: In your June 25 article, you said the bullpen was to blame for the loss to the Cubs. I partially agree with you, but I think a bigger part of the blame should go to Bob Boone. He seems hell-bent on making a pitching change some time in the sixth or seventh inning with no regard to how the starter is doing that night. When the bullpen gets used as much as the Reds', it's bound to get tired, and invariably, they'll make mistakes (a la Scott Williamson's fastball). I honestly feel the Reds were in first place in spite of Bob Boone, not because of him. Do you know if Bob has some incentives in his contract that are based on the number of moves he makes during the season? He'll be a rich man if he does.
A: Boone does have a quick hook with his starters because he has so much confidence in the bullpen. Regarding the game you're talking about, my guess is 28 of 30 managers would have pinch hit for Elmer Dessens in that situation (first and second, no outs). But because Dessens is a good hitting pitcher (.190 average), it might not have been a bad idea to let him hit, considering pinch hitter Wilton Guerrero was hitting .050 right-handed.
Q, from Dave in West Memphis, Ark.: The fact Jim Bowden continues to let Bob Boone mollycoddle his son while the offense suffers is an aberration. Brandon Larson continues to tear the cover off the ball in Triple-A. At least try to trade Boone for some adequate pitching. When the youth of the team has carried them all season, why not let a kid who is batting .330 with 20 homers play with them? Look at what the Braves have done using youth the past few seasons. Bob Boone putting his son over what is best for the team tells me somebody is not doing his job in the front office.
A: Mollycoddle, I like that. Don't know what it means, but I like it. You're right: It's Jim Bowden's call whether Larson comes up or not.
Q, from Ray in Florence: Do you think there is any chance the Reds' offensive problems might have something to do with a slow, .280 hitter with zero power clogging up the middle of the lineup? I love Sean Casey. Everybody loves Sean Casey. But if he's so important to team chemistry, buy him a pair of Bozo shoes and make him a morale coach. Just get him out of the power slots. Incidentally, Adam Dunn's height and weight (6 feet 6, 245 pounds) are the same as those of Big John in the old Jimmy Dean song of the same name. Somebody could make a bundle with a parody — “Big Bad Dunn.” (“Every morning at the park, you could see him arrive . . .”) My gift to you.
A: Thanks for the gift. Unfortunately, I'm old enough to remember that song. Even more unfortunately, I vaguely remember liking it. As for Casey, when he hits the way he's capable, which he has done lately, the Reds can win with him at first, particularly with all the power in the outfield.
Q, from Rob in Hyde Park: It's time to take a look at some players and personnel and say goodbye. . . . Juan Castro plays great defense. That's it. He is the lightest-hitting player on the team. Wilton Guerrero lays down a mean drag bunt. That's it. It is an absolute travesty that Aaron Boone is playing every day. . . . What was the rush to trade one of our best prospects (Ben Broussard) for Russell Branyan while Larson is the hottest hitter in Triple-A? I thought any trade for pitching would go through Broussard. I can't believe (Austin Kearns, who is) hitting .285 with eight home runs and 30 RBI got sent down when he was getting national attention on CBS.Sportsline last week about being the No. 2 rookie in the league. Why is this happening? Why does Bob Boone bring in Gabe White to strike out the last batter in the eighth with the bases loaded, then with two left-handers leading off the ninth, bring in Danny Graves to get rocked?
A: Glad you're enjoying the season, Rob. Let's start from the top: Castro and Guerrero have guaranteed money — $1.2 million combined. The Reds would have to eat their contracts and replace them with prospects. Gookie Dawkins isn't the answer. The Reds are going to ride it out with Aaron Boone. The difference between Larson and Branyan is Branyan plays the outfield, too. The Kearns move was a temporary thing (as we saw). Boone loves the idea of a left-handed specialist. For good or bad, that's White's role.
Email: jfay@enquirer.com
Reds Stories
Bengals Q&A
Giants' Pochman has big shoes to fill
Rams release Summit, Miami product Cohen
Biles' life jumps back on track
Indiana track faces fine for failing to disclose all
Nonsuch Bay wins Mother Goose Stakes
Deveroes rosters, schedule
Summer League site could change
3rd: Turkey 3, South Korea 2
America faces slow road ahead despite soccer success
Channel 9 will show Cup final live
Schroeder with high hopes for Germans - real high
World Cup trophy is as filled with history as tournament itself
Becker doesn't expect Sampras to return to Wimbledon
Court 2, Wimbledon's 'Graveyard of Champions'
V.Williams loses a set
Biela put Le Mans-winning Audi on pole at Mid-Ohio
Biffle wins Busch pole
GROESCHEN: Ky. Speedway won't let Winston dream die
Hard-luck Nadeau can't seem to catch a break
Heroic ex-marine became Roush's guardian angel
Hnatiuk still leads in Memphis
Kettering course gets 2005 Senior Open
Tiger comfortable shooting birdies - and commercials
Armstrong eyes fourth straight Tour de France title
Klitschko retains WBO belt
On-deck batter collapses and dies at youth ballgame
Three seconds from gold
Coming up this week
Enquirer Page Two power rankings
Hook, line & sinker
GROESCHEN: Big crowd gets bigger
• Return to Reds front page...
Reds Q&A
