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7:22 PM Saturday, September 17, 2011

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. For more Ask Hal, log on to DaytonDailyNews.com/reds

Q Can you think of any other sport where one team is given the unfair advantage of opening every season at home like the Cincinnati Reds? — Dave, Miamisburg/Beavercreek/Centerville

A What advantage? Every team plays 81 games at home and 81 games on the road, so what does it matter when they play them? Is it an unfair disadvantage that the Reds always have to finish the season every year on the road, when games might mean something? It certainly hurt them deeply in Milwaukee in 1999.

Q Why do we have a history of losing our best pitchers to injuries (Jim Maloney, Wayne Simpson, Jose Rijo) and do the Cincinnati Reds have a pitching curse? — Michael, Arlington, Va.

A It isn’t just the Reds. Every team loses pitchers to injuries because the act itself is unnatural and dangerous. Any pitch could be a pitcher’s last. You’ve gone back to the 1960s for Jim Maloney, the 1970s for Wayne Simpson and the 1990s for Jose Rijo. There hasn’t been anything major for a long time, so let’s not talk too loudly about this. I’d say the Reds have more of a Strikeout Curse.

Q In 2011, with essentially the same team that won the division in 2010, the Reds can’t find .500, so was the 2010 team overachievers or is the 2011 team underachievers? — Alan, Sugar Creek Twp.

A Where are you, Orlando Cabrera? Oh, well, he couldn’t keep the Cleveland Indians patched together this year. To me, the 2010 team was not as good as it looked (overachievers) and the 2011 team is not as bad as it has looked (underachievers). The loss of Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey for the first five weeks of the season, the ineffectiveness of Edinson Volquez and Travis Wood, plus the series of injuries to Scott Rolen were killers. The Reds never found consistency in left field or shortstop and although the center fielder (Drew Stubbs) can run like the wind, he usually just stirs up the wind with big-swing strikeouts.

Q Closer Trevor Hoffman stayed in the clubhouse until the eighth inning, napping, getting a rubdown and taking a shower before going to the bullpen, so have you heard of any other relievers doing the same? — William, Steilacoom, Wash.

A Perhaps Hoffman believed that if he took a shower before his appearance, he wouldn’t be sent to the showers during his appearance. Historically, relief pitchers are a bit off center. Rob Murphy of the Reds wore the same women’s black silk underwear when he pitched and, no, he wasn’t a cross-dresser. Well, just when he pitched.

Q If there could be only one member from each team for the Hall of Fame, who would get your vote for the player, the manager and the broadcaster from the Reds? — Brad, Greenville

A The manager and broadcaster are easy. Who was more successful as a manager than Sparky Anderson, pilot of The Big Red Machine? And what announcer has been around more and done more than Marty Brennaman? The player is a tough one, but if somebody held a Glock 19 to my head and said, “Pick one,” I’d throw up my hands and squeal, “Johnny Bench, Johnny Bench,” because he is probably the No. 1 player at his position for all time.

Q The broadcasters are quick to point out when other players don’t hustle, so why do they say nothing when Joey Votto has been a bit lethargic leaving the batter’s box when a ball is hit on the ground and what should be a bang-bang play is an easy out? — Doug, Dayton

A And you won’t catch me bashing Votto, either. What more can one man do for a baseball team? Where would the Reds be without him? Well, they’ll probably find out sooner than later. Anyway, maybe my old, weak eyes don’t notice — or don’t want to notice — but I’ve never seen Votto give less than his best, even running down the base line.

Q You wrote that during his rookie year after Homer Bailey got sent back to the minors and returned, you asked what he had learned and he said, “Nothing,” and walked away. Does he still have that attitude, because I want to be a big fan of Bailey’s. — Jeffrey, West Chester

A You can form a Homer Bailey Fan Club and I’ll be your treasurer, if you trust me. Bailey was barely of legal age at the time and a bit brash and real rough around all his edges. After a couple of years that way, he did a 180 personality turnaround and is now one of the most articulate, incisive and polite players on the team.

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