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Ask Hal: Maybe Reds' lefty Maloney will stick

By Hal McCoy, Staff writer Updated 12:17 PM Monday, June 15, 2009

Hal McCoy, the hall-of-fame baseball writer for the Dayton Daily News, knows a thing or two about America’s pastime. If you want to tap into that knowledge, send an e-mail to hmccoy@daytondailynews.com. For more Ask Hal, log on to DaytonDailyNews.com/reds.

Q Because every team has to be represented at the All-Star game, a Cincinnati Reds player has to be there. A player from another team having a very good season will be home with his family and when his kids ask, “Daddy, why didn’t you make the All-Star team,” what’s your answer? — Dave, Miamisburg/Centerville/Beavercreek

A My answer would be, “Son, build me a sand castle with that Aruba sand.” Or it might be, “Son, tee that golf ball up real high for me.” I’m in agreement that since the All-Star game determines home-field advantage in the World Series that both teams should be able to field the best teams possible. With fans voting — fans like you — that won’t happen. It’s a popularity contest and the big names make it whether they are hitting .321 or .123. What I’d really like them to do is not use the All-Star game to determine anything. It’s a fun exhibition and that’s all it should be.

Q How long do you think Dusty Baker will keep Micah Owings in the rotation and is there any chance of giving Nick Masset a chance or keeping Matt Maloney when Edinson Volquez comes back? — Mike, Boston

A Owings is 3-7 and has a few clunkers, but he has cranked up some good ones and as Baker said, “His record could be reversed.” Masset has been awesome in the bullpen and why mess with that — it ain’t broke, so don’t tinker. And it would take awhile to stretch Masset out. If Maloney pitches well, though, they’ll find room. They need a left-hander in the rotation. Why? Because I’m left-handed and I say so.

Q In Adam Dunn’s heart would he rather be playing for a contender and making less money or is he satisfied with his present position on the worst team in baseball as long as the money is green? — Brad, Kettering

A The money is green whether it’s $9 million or $9,000. I can’t examine Dunn’s heart because I flunked cardiology at Kent State, but Dunn seems happy. Do you really think he would tell a baseball writer, “This team stinks. I want out of here.” Well, I guess Ryan Freel did it with the Orioles, but that’s not Dunn’s way. What he is more likely to say, and did say to me last week, “I stink,” and he stunk against the Reds like a dead skunk in the middle of the road. As long as he isn’t far from a fishin’ hole, can listen to country music and hit a home run now and then, he’s one very big and happy Texan.

Q What was your take on Don Gullett as a pitching coach, and what is he doing now? — M.G., Dayton

A I’m prejudiced. I loved the guy. He was a dog track companion at times and picked them much better than I did. I saw him win $1,600 in one race. My personal best? $820. I thought he was an outstanding pitching coach, but I don’t know how to grip a two-seam fastball, let alone a four-seam fastball. Pitchers praised him, so what more does anybody want? I see him every January at Gene Bennett’s baseball dinner in Portsmouth and he says he’d like to get back in the game. When I asked in January what he was doing, he said, “Not much of anything.” How do you get that job?

Q Too bad Pete Rose wasn’t on third base last week against the Cubs when Laynce Nix was on third and didn’t score on a sacrifice fly. Remember Ray Fosse? — Mark, Bloomington, Ind.

A No way Rose would have scored. He is 67 years old and a bit pudgy these days. And that wasn’t a sacrifice fly. It’s only a sacrifice fly if the guy scores from third. The fly ball was only medium depth and I thought Nix made a wise decision. Yeah, I remember Ray Fosse. Rose knocked him over in the 1970 All-Star game in Cincinnati to win the game and separated Fosse’s shoulder. He was never the same. Did you know Rose had Fosse at his house the night before the game for dinner? Did you know Rose missed some games after that collision with a sore shoulder?

Q Do the Reds coaches, clubhouse guys, medical staff and other not seen and not heard support people receive the same meal money allowances as players? — Ron, Fairborn

A They certainly do, Ollie. It is more than $80 a day when the team is on the road and it is received by the players, the manager, the coaches, the trainers, the traveling secretary, the media relations director, the equipment manager and Marty Brennaman. Hey, other than Marty, they need it more than the highly paid players. Back in the day, the players used that money to play cards. Usually Pedro Borbon, a notoriously awful card player, lost all of his meal money on the flight to the first city.

Q Quote: “When you don’t win when you are supposed to win you are going to lose.” Is Dusty Baker trying to unseat Yogi Berra? — Rubel, Columbus

A I understand it perfectly. What Baker was saying is that if you have opportunity after opportunity to win a game and don’t cash in, the other team is going to eventually win, as the Cubs did in 14 innings last Sunday. Nobody will ever match Yogi Berra. Two of my favorites: “When you see a fork in the road, take it.” And, when asked if he wanted his pizza cut in eight slices or six slices, Yogi reportedly said, “Better make it six. I can’t eat eight.”

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Is Matt Maloney any relation to Jim Maloney?

Rick Reds fan
1:32 AM, 6/16/2009

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I enjoyed talking with you after the game Saturday at the hotel in KC. It was very enjoyable to be able to ask all of the questions I've had as a lifelong Reds fans and hear the answers and stories told by you. Thanks for letting me bend your ear.

Mark Nic
2:09 PM, 6/15/2009

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Q. Hal why does **** Pole not wear a Jersey top like all the other coaches and players just a Warmup Jacket?

David Baty
12:52 PM, 6/14/2009

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I think Homer Bailey is as good as Owings. They kept Owings because he could also pinch hit. After a good spring, I don't think Bailey has gotten the chance this year. One game doesn't do it. Bring him up and give him 4 or 5 starts. If he can't get into a groove, it might be time to trade him. Then again, he is only 22.

W.Va. Reds fan
11:46 AM, 6/14/2009

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I am so tired of watching the Reds struggle without Joey Votto. I mean what ever happened to putting your teams needs in front of your own? I mean what about the soldiers who protect our way of life? I am sure they are stressed out, but they can't tuck tail and run when the going gets tough. I love baseball and the Reds, but I am so sick and tired of watching these over paid cry babies.

drewa77
11:00 AM, 6/14/2009

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