Ask Hal: Cueto looked great as a Dragon
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Q While in Milwaukee you wrote that Adam Dunn blasted one to the deepest part of center field where Gabe Gross chased it down. The ball, though, bounced off his glove and over the wall for a two-run home run. Why is that not a four-base error rather than a home run? — Dave, Miamisburg/Centerville/Beavercreek
A Never in the history of baseball has an official scorer given an error to an outfielder who jumped above the wall, or reached over the wall, only to have the ball glance off his glove and clear the wall. And in Dunn's case, I'm certain the official scorer did not want a 6-foot-7, 275-pound behemoth storming his booth brandishing a Louisville Slugger.
Extras
Q In an interview with Dan Patrick, George Clooney said that in his tryout with the Reds he was, "Stepping into the bucket." What does that mean? — Pat, Middletown
A That means that while Clooney isn't afraid of a movie camera, he is afraid of a fastball. Stepping into the bucket means a batter pulls his front foot away from the batter's box when the pitch is coming, also called bailing out. He is stepping away from the pitch. In high school, when I once faced Dean Chance, who later pitched a no-hitter for the Angels, I struck out four times and my coach said, "McCoy, you're stepping so far into the bucket you couldn't make contact with a utility pole."
Q Does anyone live in Goodyear, Ariz.? — John, Trotwood
A Ah, the future spring home of the Cincinnati Reds. So far, I'm told, mostly scorpions, rattlesnakes, roadrunners and an occasional coyote. But they have big plans and there is a community not far away called Buckeye, where a lot of retired Ohioans reside. Right now I'm negotiating with some Navajos about possible lodging for 2010.
Q This spring I told my friends that Johnny Cueto was going to be amazing. They said that the bandwagon was already full and that I missed it. I remember e-mailing you two years ago and said that Cueto was just as good as Bailey, if not better and you agreed. Can you tell my friends that they owe me an apology a steak dinner, and a Johnny Cueto bobblehead? — Scott, Dayton
A The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I remember your e-mail and my answer. Few people knew of Cueto then, but I saw him once in Dayton in 2006 when he was 8-1 with a 2.59 ERA and two shutouts. Right then I said, "Homer who?" Now where are we going for that steak dinner?
Q How and when did the Reds pick up the AAA pitcher Lehr, who sounds as if he's been fairly successful in the past? — Michael, Fairborn
A That's Justin Lehr, a 30-year-old right-hander who lives in Chandler, Ariz. (See, people DO live in Arizona.) Funny you should ask. Lehr was the International League Pitcher of the Week, going 2-0 in two starts with a 0.60 ERA with one walk and 10 strikeouts in 15 innings. The Reds signed him to a minor-league contract as a free agent last November. He both pitched and played first base at USC, but has appeared in only 66 major league games, all in relief. He's a starter in Louisville — and looks to be an excellent discovery.
Q Why didn't the Reds trade Ken Griffey Jr. for a pitcher instead of Josh Hamilton? — Roger, Riverside
A Both teams have to agree on a trade and it isn't likely the Rangers wanted Griffey ($12.5 million) over Hamilton ($400,000). The Reds fear career injury issues with Hamilton. To me, Hamilton for Edinson Volquez was an outstanding trade for both teams. The Reds are overloaded with outfielders and when Volquez and Jay Bruce are superstuds people will ask, "Who'd the Reds trade to get Volquez?"
Q Mike Piazza? Seriously? How about someone who can play the field? How about Morgan Ensberg? — Jason, Fairborn
A Piazza is a catcher (allegedly), Ensberg isn't. Piazza is a free agent, Ensberg isn't. Hey, if you want to grab somebody from the Yankees, how about Derek Jeter or A-Rod? And who says the Yankees would trade Ensberg? I'm sure they would — for Homer Bailey or Johnny Cueto or Edinson Volquez. They aren't going to take Ryan Freel and Juan Castro.
Question of the Week
Q Didn't the writers use to travel on the team charter, or was that before they flew and rode the trains? — Gary, Norway
A In the 1970's we traveled on the team charter. Then came frequent-flyer miles (you don't get them on team charters). Then came earlier deadlines. The team leaves a city 45 minutes after the game and we're still digging for adverbs and adjectives in the pressbox. I witnessed some amazing things on team charters — like pitcher Pedro Borbon losing 10 days worth of meal money in four poker hands; like pitcher Clay Carroll taking out his false teeth to show a flight attendant; like a fire in the galley that had the entire LAX fire squadron chasing us down the runway.
