The e-mailers weren't going to take Commissioner Bud Selig's "be patient" advice without a response.

Q, from Cy: After reading Al Selig's comments urging Reds fans to be patient, I wish you could've asked him what qualifies him to say that. The Milwaukee Brewers -- under the guidance of he and his daughter -- have been run into the ground, awful for years, and have little hope for future improvement despite a new stadium. Well, now there might be hope since I understand the Selig family will no longer be associated with the team. And the Reds, as we all know, are building towards 2003. Also, Mr. Know-nothing Selig should remember that Reds fans were told they would need a new stadium to meet rising payroll demands. So we built them a stadium, and their payroll remains constant. The only thing the stadium is doing is lining Carl Lindner's pockets with profit, albeit a small one.

A: Cy, you're the only one other I know of other than Bob Uecker to call Allan H. "Bud" Selig "Al." Anyway, I was only able to ask one question (it was an impromptu, short session). Selig thinks he's gaining ground on baseball's economic problems. Reds fans would beg to differ.

Q, from Carl in Franklin Furnace, Ohio: I just finished your Bud Selig article. Mr. Selig is not the voice of reason. He is the person who invented the process of threatening a city with moving while promising to build a contender with the increased revenue from a new park, then putting the money in his pocket while doing nothing different. No, he is not the voice of reason, he is just a co-conspirator.

A: Problem is you could argue the owners and players are co-conspirators as well.

Q, from Mark: If he's telling Reds fans to be patient, what on Earth is he telling Brewers fans?

A: Maybe something like "it's only 41/2 months till Packers season?"

Q, from Tom in Saylor Park: I am in Holiday, Florida until April 21 so I didn't get to see or hear the game. I was reading about it in the paper this morning Juan Castro had a two-run double, but he also struck out twice and the Reds lost. I know they are going to have a lot of losses, and I still think it is because Dave Miley has a minor league mentality, if they are going to operate like a minor league team why not let the young players that are going to be our next hope for a good or half good team play? That way whoever they have in mind to take Larkin's place at shortstop (in my mind that shouldn't be hard to do since he is only good for a quarter of the year) will be getting on the job training.

A: Miley's going to play whoever he thinks gives the Reds the best chance to win. The guy has a one-year contract. At this point, that's Castro at short, if Larkin's out. The only player Castro is keeping out of the lineup is Ray Olmedo. Whether he's the shortstop of future isn't clear. But what is clear is he's not ready to play everyday now. As for Miley, I couldn't disagree with you more. Are you saying you want Bob Boone and his major league mentality back? The Reds are playing better precisely because of Miley. It's very early, but everyone around the team sees a difference in the way the team's playing.

Q, from Gordon: I'm pretty happy with the Reds start so far. I feel the health of the starting lineup will be the largest factor to how they do this year. I had read somewhere last year that most of the pitching decisions last year were made by Bob Boone. I heard this early last year and felt that was one of the problems with the pitching staff. I know Boone was a very capable catcher, but I feel Don Gullett is one of the best pitching coaches around. I think his record with the pitchers he was given in the 90's stands on its own. I think with him now being in charge of the pitching staff again is what the team needs. He knows how to win and when his pitchers listen to him they seem to thrive. If they can continue to give quality starts they can win quite a few games this year.

A: That's one of things Miley has done. Gullett runs the pitching staff with almost complete autonomy. So far, it's worked quite well.

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