Hall-of-fame baseball writer Hal McCoy knows a thing or two about America’s pastime. If you’d like to tap into that knowledge, send a question to halmccoy1@hotmail.com

Q: Might Johnny Cueto have to abandon his Luis Tiant twisting and turning delivery to avoid oblique injuries? — Dave, Miamisburg/Centerville/Beavercreek

A: Both Zack Cozart and Ryan Ludwick suffered oblique injuries this year and not once did they twist and turn before making a throw. Luis Tiant used that same delivery for 19 years over 573 appearances and his next oblique injury will be his first. There is no way Johnny Cueto is going to turn his back on turning his back.

Q: I thought Dusty Baker out-managed Bruce Bochy in Game 1 of the NLDS, but don’t you think Bochy out-managed Baker the rest of the series? — Vin, Shelton, Conn.

A: I don’t believe Bochy out-managed Baker when the Reds won Game 2, 9-0. It is amazing that fans ALWAYS say the winning manager out-managed the losing manager. All a manager does is make decisions he hopes the players execute. If they do, he is a genius. If they don’t, he is incompetent. Rest assured, if the Reds had won Game 5, Baker would be praised and Bochy would have been buried.

Q: What is a simulated game and why would a pitcher want to be part of one? — David, Centerville

A: When a pitcher comes off an injury, he needs to rebuild his arm strength. He can’t go right into a major-league game. So they stage a simulated game — the pitcher throws under a simulated situation of a real game. But all he has is a catcher and a hitter. He’ll throw 15 pitches, simulating one inning, then go sit for a few minutes, simulating his team batting. Then he’ll go back out and throw another 15 pitches to a hitter. It’s not much fun, but it is something a pitcher must do when he is coming off an injury. Homer Bailey said he has thrown “three or four no-hitters” in simulated games.

Q: The Reds lost Ryan Madson, Nick Masset, Bill Bray, Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Zack Cozart, Johnny Cueto and even manager Dusty Baker. Don’t you think any one of those injuries and setbacks would have derailed a less focused and goal-oriented team? — Michael, Arlington, Va.

A: Aren’t you listening to some of the fans? Those injuries are Baker’s fault. You’ll never know how key injuries might have affected other teams, but until Cueto’s shutdown in the playoffs all those other injuries just spurred the Reds, especially when they went 32-16 without Votto and increased their lead from one game to 8 ½. Not many teams can overcome the loss of their best player(s), except maybe the St. Louis Cardinals.

Q: Walt Jocketty just announced he will take your recommendation about how to improve the 2013 team, so what is the main weakness to address? — Alan, Sugarcreek Twp.

A: Jocketty is reading this right now and choking on his breakfast as he laughs. He’d rather take recommendations from Dr. Phil. But, since you asked, the first thing I do is sign Ryan Ludwick. He is a free agent, and with the season he had the big-bucks guys will be filling his inbox with offers. The Reds need to re-up him. Then I try to find a prototypical leadoff hitter like Pete Rose or Rickey Henderson, which is like looking for gold bullion in your chicken soup.

Q: The best baseball the Reds played all year was when Todd Frazier was in the lineup, so why didn’t he get more playing time in the playoffs? — Mark, Bloomington, Ind.

A: Frazier was amazing during Joey Votto’s extended absence, but in September he hit .181 with one homer and three RBIs. Those numbers aren’t compelling enough for a manager to trust a raw rookie in a postseason situation. Frazier did start one game and for the series he was 1 for 6 with two strikeouts.

Q: Do you think the Reds have even more to be proud of due to their payroll limitations, just over $76 million this year? — Craig, Fort Loramie

A: Money can’t buy happiness or championships. Just ask Philadelphia ($175 million), Boston ($173 million) and the Los Angeles Angels ($154 million). And paying a player $30 million a year makes him one of the highest-paid players, but not the best – or even close to the best. Ask the New York Yankees about A-Rod. Raul Ibanez can always tell his grandkids, “I once pinch-hit for a guy making $30 million and hit a home run, and you can look it up.”