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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2012 > January > 05 > Entry
All is quiet down on the Riverfront
UNSOLICITED OBSERVATIONS from The Man Cave, a nearly permanent residence for a few days while workers tear out tiles and rug from the sun room, dining room, kitchen and living room prior to installing wood floors. Simonize, anybody?
Spent a wonderful New Year’s weekend at the French Lick (Ind.) Resort & Casino. After setting a world’s record for 12s, 13s, 14s and 15s at the blackjack punishment tables, followed by tens to bust me, I need to make another trip in hopes that they permit me to visit my money.
So it is time to break my Code of Silence, a code mostly enforced because all is quiet on the Riverfront on the baseball front.
AFTER A PRODUCTIVE week of obtaining pitchers Mat Latos and Sean Marshall, things have gone quiet in the offices of the Cincinnati Reds.
Don’t they still need a left fielder? Or are they willing to give Chris Heisey a try?
Don’t they still need a closer? Or are they willing to put Sean Marshall in that role, a role he served with the Chicago Cubs on days closer Carlos Marmol was not up to it.
The Reds continue to maintain a dialogue with Coco Cordero and his agent, Bean Stringfellow (love that name), but the Reds are only offering one year and Stringfellow wants to string the Reds out for a multi-year deal.
Have to cast my vote with the Reds on this one. Cordero is too old to gamble on a two or three-year deal. Stringfellow says he is in touch with other teams willing to do more than one year, but nothing has happened.
LET’S SEE NOW, despite the forced departures of starters Edinson Volquez and Travis Wood, the Reds still have six viable guys in pursuit of five spots: Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto, newly-acquired Matt Latos, Homer Bailey, Mike Leake and Aroldis Chapman.
The Reds remain adamant that Chapman is going to spring training as a starter, even though shoulder tenderness stopped him from playing winter ball.
Wouldn’t it be better to see if Chapman and his smoke-eating fastball might be a closer? Or if they move Marshall into the closer’s spot, Chapman could remain as a set-up guy.
WE SHALL SEE soon enough. Spring training isn’t THAT far behind. I know that because next Wednesday I’ll attend the Portsmouth Murals baseball dinner, a yearly event to which is one of the year’s highlights.
Nearly 400 people attend, along with several former and current major league players and umpires from the southeastern Ohio area. The guest of honor is always former Reds scout Gene Bennett from nearby Wheelersburg. Every time his name is mentioned he gets a standing ovation, a richly deserved standing ovation.
I’VE NOTICED one thing during the football bowl season. It isn’t a whole lot of fun being a placekicker. I’ve lost count on how many games came down to a field goal attempt and whether the kick was good or missed determined the outcome of the game.
I kicked extra points in high school (we never once tried a field goal and I was thankful for that). When UD play-by-play broadcaster Larry Hansgen heard me say that, he said, “I can just see it. Hal the Toe, straight-on kicker (no soccer style kickers in my day), wearing high-top cleats.
He was right on.
RECEIVED A NEAT phone call today. Dave Goren, executive director of the National Sportscaster & Sportswriters Association (NSSA) told me I was Ohio sportswriter of the year for 2011, my 12th time to win the award.
It never gets old, especially the awards weekend in Salisbury, N.C., the only city in America that loves sportswriters and treats them like royalty. And there are no better hosts in America than Dennis and Linda White, who takes care of Nadine and me while we’re there.
Dennis is a huge Cleveland Indians fan, so misery really does love company.
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By Michael in Singapore
January 8, 2012 2:34 PM | Link to this
Reds need to cut ties with Cordero…that is unless they install defibrillators in the dugout and throughout the park. Reds had a left fielder and they traded both to the Padres and Cubs respectively. If the Reds don’t know their own history with hired gun outfielders then they are doomed to repeat it.
By AP-FLORIDA
January 8, 2012 8:22 AM | Link to this
Mayrelli, it is good to see that you are maturing. We are glad you are a cardinals fan……!
By Mike Marelli
January 8, 2012 4:24 AM | Link to this
AP-Florida has a big dumb mouth, just like Brandon Phillips.
By Mort
January 8, 2012 2:07 AM | Link to this
Trade Stubbs for ANYONE!
By MAC
January 8, 2012 12:23 AM | Link to this
Agree w/ wrs….and it’s exactly why Reds shouldn’t play games w/ Chapman this yr. Reds R already experimenting w/ Cozart, Heisey, Francisco 4 Rolen @ 3rd, & Rocka @ C…couple that w/ continued Stubbs experiment in CF & Bruce’s month long slumps and I think that’s enough experiments ! W. Bloomquist would have been a nice addition & M. Prado is still available…both can play a number of different positions & produce @ plate. Hopefully they come up w/ someone 2 improve their bench?
By wrs
January 7, 2012 6:56 PM | Link to this
This is an all-in year for the Reds.Both the Cards and Brewers a weaker and and with FA looming for the Reds two best players in 2013 now is the time. I hope it works or you can kiss Phillips and Votto good-bye by July 31.
By AP-FLORIDA
January 7, 2012 11:42 AM | Link to this
WE DO NOT NEED PIERRE! Also, Marrelllli, did you get kicked off the Cardinals blog or what. You have way to much time on your hands. Get a life!!!!
By Randyman1956
January 7, 2012 8:19 AM | Link to this
Happy New Year Hal. Congratulations on your award. Don’t give up. Maybe you’ll get your standing ovation when you arrive at the French Lick Casino next year.:)
By Scott L. Carter
January 7, 2012 2:54 AM | Link to this
… I can’t wait for opening day. It’s going to be a GREAT year!
By karon
January 7, 2012 1:45 AM | Link to this
When the streetcar comes to Cincy watch for the jobs and an exciting downtown Cincy!
By MAC
January 7, 2012 12:58 AM | Link to this
Congrats Hal. Luv 2 see Chapman as a SP, but IMO, they need him more as a RP this season. Give him a SP chance in ST; unless he dominates, tell him he’s not ready because he couldn’t play Fall Ball and tell him they need him more N BP this season. $$$ not spent on Coco is used for another proffessional bat…Marshall closes.
By Richmond Steve
January 6, 2012 9:21 PM | Link to this
Congrats Hal, looking forward to another season with you.
By brian
January 6, 2012 8:01 PM | Link to this
Hal, I think the acquisition of Latos could be a great move. The Reds did not give up anyone who contributed much in 2011. Also, if Chapman ever learns how to pace himself he could be a brilliant starter, only throwing 100 mph when needed.
By Mike Marelli
January 6, 2012 6:04 AM | Link to this
Congrats Mr. McCoy on being voted Ohio sportswriter of the year for the 12th time. It’s a well deserved honor for you. You and the Cardinals have a lot in common. The Cardinals completed their NL best 11th World Title in 2011, and now they’ll go for #12 in 2012. One more tidbit: The Cardinal World Series Trophy will now be touring Nationwide. Please make your reservations early, if you’d like to have it visit your home town. I’m betting Brandon Phillips and the Karate Kid Kicking Johnny Cueto, would like to have their picture taken with the Cardinal trophy. We also intend to offer the same invite to the blowhard Johnny Gomes, provided he makes the roster for the Nats this season. He might be slinging peanuts at All American Ballpark, if he keeps hitting .198 like last season. And to think Gomes was laughing at Wainright last season, for being injured. Who’s laughing now, Johnny boy? Muhuhahahah!
By BG
January 6, 2012 12:46 AM | Link to this
And, then there was this off the wall suggestion to try on all those wiser than me{but not as good looking}:Cueto/Latos/Marshall/Arroyo/Leake—starting rotation…with Chapman setting up or closing{Bill Bray setting up, if he closes} Cordero Closing… And, trade Bailey or Stubbs for Juan Pierre to play center and leadoff. Be nice now!
By bass*
January 5, 2012 9:36 PM | Link to this
I wouldn’t sign CoCoa for another season, I would count on Chapman for the Closing duties a lefty throwing that hard, even a right hand batter would have trouble, for one inning…..Just saying
By Amy
January 5, 2012 6:37 PM | Link to this
Many congratulations for the 12th time! Your columns are a pleasure to read all these years.
By Ebes
January 5, 2012 4:01 PM | Link to this
Congrats on sportswriter of the year award. Allways a pleasure to read your work. Have fun on the banquet circuit!
By Linda L
January 5, 2012 2:45 PM | Link to this
Congrats Hal - 12 time award winner! All the best to you…Your old buddy Linda from Dallas (1970’s!)
By StuttgartTim
January 5, 2012 2:31 PM | Link to this
Congrats Hal!
By Jeremy from Lexington
January 5, 2012 2:16 PM | Link to this
Congrats Mr. McCoy!
By Kyle
January 5, 2012 2:04 PM | Link to this
Congrats Hal! As always, well deserved. Are you look forward to Arizona or still miss the Sarasota days?
By Yippee
January 5, 2012 1:49 PM | Link to this
I’m not a huge Coco fan, but him coming back for one more season would be a good thing. If the Reds are truly all in for 2012 they need to bring him back.