Sunday, September 15, 2002
E-mail Q&A with John Fay
Lack of leadoff man is glaring
Question, from Bob: I hear lots of people assigning blame for the Reds' recent slide and sub-.500 record. Popular culprits include Bob Boone, the lack of consistent starting pitching and the lack of clutch hitting. The biggest deficiency that jumps out at me is the lack of a leadoff hitter. Adam Dunn, Austin Kearns and Ken Griffey are the only players on the team who demonstrate the ability to work the pitcher for a walk, and all have too much power to hit in the leadoff slot. Todd Walker has hit high in the order with regularity, and even with his recent tear he's only at .345. Reggie Taylor shows no idea of the strike zone, and Barry Larkin appears to be about done.
If the Reds could find a player who would slap the ball around, work the pitcher for walks and get on base 300 times a year, they'd be in business. Does the Reds' front office seem to be aware of this crying need?
Answer: The Reds are well aware they have no prototypical leadoff hitter on the roster. But they also point out, correctly, that there aren't a lot of them around baseball. Walker's recent surge has pushed his on-base to .352 (entering Friday's game). That's on par with guys such as Boston's Johnny Damon (.358) and Florida's Luis Castillo (.354), and well above New York's Alfonso Soriano (.331), St. Louis' Fernando Vina (.336) and Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins (.307).
That said, if Ken GriffeyJr. and Sean Casey were healthy this year and putting up the numbers they were capable of, the offense would have been fine.
Q, from John in Appleton, Wis.: Kudos to Bob Boone for having Jose Rijo start the finale at Cinergy Field. I can't think of a more fitting way to close out the ol' ballpark.
A: I second your emotion. No one deserves it more than Josie.
Q, from Ron in Fairborn: What the heck is Gookie Dawkins doing in there anyway? I don't think he is major-league material.
A: That's why he was in there. The Reds are trying to figure out if he is major-league material. He's only 23. The Reds are pretty certain he can field in the bigs. Hitting is the question.
Q, from Duane in Gastonia, N.C.: Why do the Reds keep Juan Castro on the roster?
A: He's a great fielder, and he has a guaranteed contract. And, he has been one of the Reds' best hitters the last two or three weeks.
E-mail your questions to jfay@enquirer.com
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E-mail Q&A with John Fay