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Hal McCoy: Who were the best I saw facing the Reds?

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By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer Updated 9:01 PM Saturday, October 10, 2009

Who were the best I saw facing the Cincinnati Reds? So many, so many. To be memorable, though, they have to be what pops into my head, not somebody I had to look up in a reference book.

So these are the guys who stick in my mind as the best to face the Reds during my career from 1973 to 2009:

Catcher: Gary Carter, Mets.

Always second best to Johnny Bench, but a great catcher. My wife, Nadine, once mistook him for Dodgers catcher Steve Yeager, a Daytonian, and said to Carter, “I know you. A catcher. Steve Yeager.” She was half right.

First base: Willie Stargell, Pirates

A finer man you’ll never meet, and he personally destroyed the 1979 Cincinnati Reds in the National League playoffs.

Second base: Craig Biggio, Astros

I thought this guy would play forever. He had more pine tar on his batting helmet than one would find on any tree.

Third base: Mike Schmidt, Phillies

Hometown boy makes great. Some of his home runs traveled farther than the length of Mike Schmidt Parkway (Riverside Drive in Dayton). And he loved hitting in old Riverfront Stadium.

Shortstop: Ozzie Smith, Cardinals

Even without the back flips, Smith was the best at his position, although I think both Davey Concepcion and Barry Larkin were as good, and both were better hitters than hall-of-famer Smith. (That’s a hint to voters.)

Outfield: Hank Aaron, Braves

A no-doubter, even though I saw just the tail-end of his career. I did get to see and write about his 714th home run to tie Babe Ruth on Opening Day 1974 against Cactus Jack Billingham.

Outfield: Willie Mays, Giants/Mets

Saw him only in the fading light of his illustrious career, but I’ll never forget what he did to my Cleveland Indians in the 1954 World Series with his back-to-the-plate catch against Vic Wertz. Killed my Tribe. Just killed ’em.

Outfield: Tony Gwynn, Padres

Seemingly could get a hit any time he wanted. Well, it seemed that way, just like Pete Rose. You couldn’t strike this guy out if he batted blindfolded at midnight in the middle of the desert.

Left-handed pitcher: Randy Johnson, Diamondbacks

Made a believer out of me when he struck out 20 Reds in the first nine innings of a 10-inning game he lost. The deepest thing to reach the outfield was a bat thrown into shallow left field by Barry Larkin on a swing-and-a-miss.

Right-hander pitcher: Nolan Ryan, Astros

I guess strikeout and no-hit pitchers impress me. Ryan was one of the few pitchers I remember major-league hitters fearing, and no one wanted to face him when the Astros were in town.

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Remember how a pitcher named Clay Kirby pretty much owned the Reds while pitching for the lowly Padres in the early 70's? That's the name that comes to mind.

Spunky
6:03 PM, 2/1/2010

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Hal,
What about Bob Gibson? I remember no one could hit him, it seemed, whenever he pitched against the Reds.

donb51
8:20 PM, 10/15/2009

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Hal, what about Clemente? the best allround player I ever saw! Also, Sandy Koufax... without a doubt the best I ever saw on this planet or any other! look up Sandy's last 5 years, the best 5 consecutive years any pitchers ever had! and, 5 years is in fact a career to a lot of pitchers.

Rick Wright
2:26 PM, 10/15/2009

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Hal,
I've been watching the reds as long as you have and am surprised you left Roberto Clemente off that list. He wore us out. I can still remember going to old Crosley Field and seeing and hearing him slam balls against the tin ads on the outfield walls.

bsvr
2:08 PM, 10/13/2009

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Maybe you disqualified Bonds, but even Lance Berkman and his hitter friendly park (home and away) is a candle compared to the flame thrower Bonds was when he torched the Reds way back to his 160 lbs. Pirate days. But maybe I read it wrong. Not just the best performances you saw, the best players that you got to see while covering the Reds. That would explain Mr. Oswalt not being on your list.

sun deck lover
10:05 AM, 10/13/2009

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