The e-mail has been voluminous in the wake of the Reds' skid and Thursday's Bob Boone story. The 150 or so Reds fans I've heard from are mad as heck and don't want to take it anymore. They want to fire Boone, Jim Bowden, Mr. Red and Gapper. One guy even sent a 76-inch treatise mentioning every Bowden move and mis-move since 1997. (Sir, you may have too much time on your hands, but you made a good case). Read on:

Question, from Basil in Clarksburg, W. Va.: I get so sick of hearing Boone give excuse after excuse for why the Reds lose games: injuries, roster, bad breaks, etc. This type of excuse-making creates an atmosphere of fatalism. The Reds need a manager who will expect every lineup that goes out there to win and to accept nothing less.

Answer: Boone may take the fall, but the Reds' problems go well beyond him. The starting rotation was iffy from Day 1. The starting eight had to perform and avoid injuries; neither happened.

Q, from Bruce in Mansfield, Mass.: Whether it is the pitching, fielding or hitting, this Reds team has been unfocused too many times this year. The manager continually states the same old, tired excuses. Isn't it time to bench or demote someone who is not performing? It might send a much-needed message to the rest of the unfocused players.

A: Getting down 6-0 and 9-0 two nights in a row will do that.

Q, from Becky in Bridgetown: What's wrong with the Reds? That's all I want to know. I witnessed the horrible loss (last) Sunday in the dehydrating heat and sun in Section 521.

A: Not to get too technical, but they aren't hitting, pitching or fielding. But seriously, Becky, your question is a pertinent one for the Reds. If they keep playing like they are, Section 521 is going to be empty long before the summer heat gives way to cool September nights.

Q, from Stan in Elizabethtown, Ky.: Is there any possibility of making Jose Guillen an everyday outfielder and trading Adam Dunn for a quality pitcher? After all, pitching is harder to come by than outfield help, and it takes quality to get quality.

A: There's more to it than just replacing Dunn with Guillen. Guillen will be a free agent after this season, so the Reds would have to re-sign him and based on his numbers so far, that could be costly. Dunn is 23 and if he ever gets it - starts hitting with average as well as power - his potential is scary.

From Howard: I had to laugh at your article on Ryan Dempster and the four-man rotation. The guy has proven over the last year that he can't pitch at the major-league level in any size rotation. I think the Marlins realized this a year ago, and that's why they dumped him on us. The Reds signed him to a sizeable contract, so they feel they have to keep him on the roster.

A: Dempster is the enigma of the staff. His stuff is good. He throws 94 mph with a good slider. He's still young (25). I think the Reds will ride it out with him and hope he turns around.

From Shawn in Rochester N.Y.: Please explain to me why we have to wait until mid- to late July to try to get a pitcher. Wouldn't you agree that this team would question upper management's leadership and heart if it failed to help upgrade when needed?

A: Oh, I think Bowden tried. Pitching is hard to get. Giving up Dunn or Kearns to rent a starter wouldn't have been worth it because, unless that starter were Roy Halladay or Barry Zito, he might not have been enough to put the Reds over the top.

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E-mail jfay@enquirer.com

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