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By Hal McCoy, Staff writer 8:31 PM Sunday, May 31, 2009

Hal McCoy is in St. Louis today. They say Cincinnati is a baseball town, but St. Louis might be better. Probably has something to do with the Cardinals’ performance in recent years.

Q It is pure torture for me to watch Jeff Keppinger come back to Cincinnati in an Astros uniform. I don’t know why Dusty Baker would not let him play regularly. — Keith, Brookville

A Keppinger wasn’t playing regularly in Houston, either (a last-place team) until injuries forced him into the lineup. And, yes, he is doing well — had three hits in one game against the Reds. But that’s what he is, a role player, not a regular. Doesn’t do well over the long haul. The choice came down to keeping him over a younger and less expensive Paul Janish. These days, money not only talks, it walks to another team if you make too much of it.

Q Any chance we could get Dave Miley back as a bench coach? Dusty Baker is a good manager of players, but there are some obvious weaknesses in his managing on the field. — Mike, Houston

A No chance. Zero, zip, nada. Miley is happily managing the Triple-A team in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for the New York Yankees. After working for the Reds as a minor-league manager for more than 20 years, he finally got his turn with the big-league club and it was short-lived. No players, no wins. I fail to see what you call obvious flaws in Baker’s managing. Tell me you thought the Reds would be contenders in June and I’ll slap your fingers with a Louisville Slugger for telling little white lies.

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