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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 36th year of covering the Cincinnati Reds, the longest tenure for any active writer covering one team. Counting spring training and postseason games, McCoy has covered more than 7,000 major-league baseball games, written close to 18,000 baseball stories and eaten enough hot dogs to give Babe Ruth indigestion.Home > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2008 > June > 18 > Entry
Of Votto, Hopper and Bailey
Surprise, surprise, surprise.
-A new leadoff hitter, for a day.
-Outfielder Norris Hopper was activated before Wednesday’s game.
-Pitcher Homer Bailey was sent back to Louisville (0-3, 8.76 ERA), but his replacement in the rotation for Saturday’s game in Yankee Stadium was not named. Best guess: 22-year-old righthanded rookie Daryl Thompson, although one NL scout who saw him recently said, “That kid is not ready for the majors, not even close.”
When Jerry Hairston Jr. and his fractured thumb scanned Wednesday’s lineup card and saw the leadoff hitter, he said, “Oh, my.”
Ken Griffey Jr., not in Wednesday’s lineup nor will he be Thursday, told the night’s mystery leadoff hitter when he walked into the room, “Hey, Rickey. The writers want to talk to you.”
The leadoff hitter is Joey Votto.
“Votto leading off today,” said manager Dusty Baker. “Corey (Patterson) wasn’t getting on base and Jay Bruce is struggling some. I asked Votto if he had ever led off and he said, ‘No,’ but I told him just to do his thing. It’s just a temporary thing and Thursday we’ll do something else against a lefthander.
“Some day Votto is going to be batting 3, 4 or 5 and I explained to him that I wasn’t crazy about hitting seventh one year (Votto’s normal spot) when I hit 30 home runs. But that’s an important part of my lineup because you can’t have too many low average guys at the bottom of your lineup or you make it too easy for the other team.
“I pulled some stats on Joey and he is hitting better seventh than anywhere,” Baker added. “He is hitting .333 in the seventh hole. .186 in the six-hole, .267 in the five-hole and .154 in the four-hole. So maybe he might not quite be ready to move up in the order like we all want him too.”
And what does Rickey Votto think about it? He laughed as he headed to his dressing stall with the writers following and said, “They want to talk to Rickey?
“Don’t know. Never done it, that I can recall,” he said of batting leadoff. “Dusty said to do the same I always do, but just do it from the leadoff spot, right?
“Maybe it is because I was doing so bad in the seventh spot, but if he feels like I can help the offense, or whatever, I’ll do my very best. That’s a crazy thing. Putting me in the No. 1 spot probably won’t make a difference, but I hope it does.”
Votto smiled and said, “Pay attention, I’ll steal second, third and then steal home. Gee-zuz, no!.”
And Griffey? Last time it was general soreness. Now it is general illness. He said he hasn’t felt good since Saturday, even though he pinch-hit Tuesday and struck out. Asked if he could pinch-hit Wednesday, he said, “I hope not. I hope we have enough runs that I don’t need to do that.
“It started Saturday and I can’t focus long distances,” Griffey said. “Flu-like stuff. It is probably more dehydration than anything.”
SOMETHING FOR CERTAIN: Homer Bailey is listed as Saturday’s starter in New York on the Reds probables. Won’t happen. He won’t make that start. Who will? Stay tuned.
MARIO SOTO is in town. He’ll be with the team the rest of this homestand, then in New York over ther weekend, “Then I’m going back home.”
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Comments
By Akilina
April 5, 2009 7:04 AM | Link to this
Good morning. Bacchus hath drowned more men than Neptune. I am from Azerbaijan and learning to speak English, give please true I wrote the following sentence: “Helping you find cheapest airline tickets for international and domestic flights.” Thanks :o. Akilina.By Mark
June 20, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this
I wonder how many decades it will take till small market teams finally jump on the statistical analysis bandwagon. When they finally do, they will learn that the sort of “pulling some stats” that Baker has superficially done to determine Votto’s optimal lineup spot is COMPLETELY UNRELIABLE. The guy’s been in the majors for less than a season, so the number of at bats he has in each lineup spot is so small that any conclusions are likely >90% due to random chance. Even several seasons worth of at bats would not be enough to draw conclusions like that from. It’s possible that the whole notion of hitting better in one spot than another is entirely a myth. That said, Votto is a naturally patient hitter (or at least he was until this spring when Baker tried to explain to him that walks are bad because they just “clog the bases”). If Joey Votto is allowed to be Joey Votto, he will do well in the #1 spot. Sheesh. What an ignorant state the baseball establishment is in still. All these millions of dollars being thrown around, and small market teams cannot be bothered to find themselves some competent statistical expertise for $50K/year. Or maybe modern mathematics simply has not made its way to Cincinnati yet.By AP-FLORIDA
June 19, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
THE TALK ABOUT DUNN’S ATTITUTE. WELL, HE’S GRIFFEY’S BEST BUD ON THE TEAM, AND GUESS WHO THEY HAVE TAKEN UNDER THEIR WINGS. JAY BRUCE! LOOK A HIS LAST WEEK OR SO. GUESS THEY ARE TEACHING HIM “THEIR ATTITUTE”….MOVE THEM NOW!!!!!!!!!SAFETY SQUEEZE- 3-0 THIS IS TOOOO MUCHBy Bart, Springfield
June 19, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
The fact that Adam Dunn still remains with this team reflects the flaws in Management’s thinking over the years that they have had ample oppourtunities to trade him when he was worth something. I never did like Dusty Baker and I like him even less now. You couldnt GIVE me tickets to watch this team and I stopped watching them on TV last year and stopped listening to them on Radio when Joe left. They stink.By Bart, Springfield
June 19, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
The fact that Adam Dunn still remains with this team reflects the flaws in Management’s thinking over the years that they have had ample oppourtunities to trade him when he was worth something. I never did like Dusty Baker and I like him even less now. You couldnt GIVE me tickets to watch this team and I stopped watching them on TV last year and stopped listening to them on Radio when Joe left. They stink.By Bart, Springfield
June 19, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
I have said for years that Adam Dunn was a liability. I never did like him and he creates the major hole they have in the batting order. Why this team’s management had decided to keep him is directly related to why they are in last place. And finally, I never did like Dusty Baker as a manager and from what I’ve seen of him so far, I like him even less.By Bart, Springfield
June 19, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
I have said for years that Adam Dunn was a liability. I never did like him and he creates the major hole they have in the batting order. Why this team’s management had decided to keep him is directly related to why they are in last place. And finally, I never did like Dusty Baker as a manager and from what I’ve seen of him so far, I like him even less.By HuberTucky
June 19, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
Thaks to Rusty! Just listened to the comments of Toronto GM JP Ricciardi about Adam Dunn. Wow! He knows him better than we do! And if this is the floating talk about Dunn behind the scenes in the exec offices around MLB, then the Reds will have their work cut out for them getting rid of this guy. Seems that people are on to Dunn’s attitude. Wonder what they say about Griffey…aside from washed up and can no longer get around on a fastball. And a $16 mil option for Jr? Ha, there’s a real no brainer. If ya listen to that interview and Ricciardi talking about his listless & under performing Blue Jays it sounds exactly like the Deads and what we talk about here and their lackadaisical performance.By bigdoc
June 19, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
Hairston injury was crucial—check Reds record since! Hairston #1, Bruce #2, Grif #4 worked very well!By bigdoc
June 19, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
Hairston injury was crucial—check Reds record since! Hairston #1, Bruce #2, Grif #4 worked very well!By Steven Ross
June 19, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
Hopper’s activated but Patterson’s still inserted into the lineup in the 7-hold with Votto leading off! The voices call out to come play in the darkness of GABP Whispering wretchedly wicked words, which only doomed and die-hard Reds fans can hear. Senselss sanity of Dusty tortures my soul.By Y-City Jim
June 19, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
Hopper was back last night and got a pinch hit.By Nick W
June 19, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
i listen to some of the game last night then got mad and turned it off..they finally sent bailey back down and this will probably be for awhile..hopper should be back today and we will see him in center instead of all of our favorite player corey..is there any question that thompson is goin to be called up and pitch against the yanks this weekend..we will be able to see a little glimpse into the future with volquez thompson and cueto pitchin this weekend against the yankees..and to the other nick gammons didn’t say much about griffey and the rays saying the rays haven’t talked to the reds at all and that they couldn’t afford his contract cus there gonna have to pay him 8 mil for the rest of the year and didn’t griffeys agent come out and say that griffey never said that anyway..hope we can get a win this afternoon and end a horrible homestand on a winning note!!By Reds Authority
June 19, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
Wow! Absolutely SCATHING COMMENTS on Adam Dunn from Toronto GM JP Ricciardi: “The guy doesn’t really like baseball that much. The guy doesn’t have a passion to play the game that much. There’s a reason why you’re attracted to some players and a reason why you’re not attracted to some players. I don’t think you’d be very happy if we brought Adam Dunn here. We’ve done our homework on guys like Adam Dunn and there’s a reason why we don’t want guys like Adam Dunn. I don’t want to get into specifics.”By Jerry
June 19, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
I’ve got to believe, hope it’s going on, in a room at GABP..that Walt and Bob have a plan to implement in the days to come…Cincy, ain’t going NO WHERE in 2008,,WE’RE DUNNN..! Would SOMEONE, get anybody, retired to show JVotto how to play 1stbase..for goodness sakes..HELP HIM…pay S.Hatteburgh or something…JVotto is costing us over there but, he’s trying..CPatterson, aaaa, get him outta here…NOW!!!anybody, somebody..shoot, call up DStubbs from AA or ??? Brook J..we’ve given him a loooooong rope..sorry, time is up!! seeee ya…By Jerry
June 19, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
I’ve got to believe, hope it’s going on, in a room at GABP..that Walt and Bob have a plan to implement in the days to come…Cincy, ain’t going NO WHERE in 2008,,WE’RE DUNNN..! Would SOMEONE, get anybody, retired to show JVotto how to play 1stbase..for goodness sakes..HELP HIM…pay S.Hatteburgh or something…JVotto is costing us over there but, he’s trying..CPatterson, aaaa, get him outta here…NOW!!!anybody, somebody..shoot, call up DStubbs from AA or ??? Brook J..we’ve given him a loooooong rope..sorry, time is up!! seeee ya…By Jerry
June 19, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
I’ve got to believe, hope it’s going on, in a room at GABP..that Walt and Bob have a plan to implement in the days to come…Cincy, ain’t going NO WHERE in 2008,,WE’RE DUNNN..! Would SOMEONE, get anybody, retired to show JVotto how to play 1stbase..for goodness sakes..HELP HIM…pay S.Hatteburgh or something…JVotto is costing us over there but, he’s trying..CPatterson, aaaa, get him outta here…NOW!!!anybody, somebody..shoot, call up DStubbs from AA or ??? Brook J..we’ve given him a loooooong rope..sorry, time is up!! seeee ya…By Nick
June 19, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this
Can anyone tell me what Peter Gammons said last night about the possible trade of Griffey to Tampa Bay? He was supposed to talk about it but I turned the channel at a commercial and missed it.By Mike-Cinci
June 19, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this
As I said earlier June will tell us if this team is a contender or pretender. They are 5-11 vs. Phils, Fish, Cards, Sawx, Dodgers so far with one game with LA, and the Yanks, Blue Jays, Indians to go. It is ugly. All these teams are better than the Reds. The Reds problem is personnel and it will take time to fix. The Reds have wasted a lot of valuable tome over the last 15 years. Jocketty has a big challenge.By Nick
June 19, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
Can anyone tell me what Peter Gammons said last night about the possible trade of Griffey to Tampa Bay? He was supposed to talk about it but I turned the channel at a commercial and missed it.By tom
June 19, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this
With this team, it doesn’t matter who starts in Bailey’s spot!By Pete
June 19, 2008 7:45 AM | Link to this
Griffey’s comments on “his” nite are for one purpose only — HIM — not this team, regardless of how bad they are. The Reds gotta $16M option on his sorry A$$ for next year, he knows no other team out there wants him or is even willing to give up prospects for him, & his ONLY option @ this point in what’s left of his career (if there’s any) is for the Reds to pick up his option. That is absolutely PATHETIC!By AP-FLORIDA
June 19, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this
TURN OUT THE LIGHTS, THE PARTY IS OVER! SINGS THE FAT LADYBy Marion Petry
June 19, 2008 7:37 AM | Link to this
I can not understand Dusty’s seeming infatuation with Corey Patterson. Other than the first couple weeks, he has been so-o-o ineffective. I am also fed up with Dunn and Encarcion. I do not watch many games, but twice I have seen him pick up a ball in the outfield and then drop it, allowing a run to score. And I know he hits 40 HRs a year, but few of them when it really counts. With men on base, he’s most likely to either whiff or watch a strike go by on the outside corner. And Edwin is similar in batting at crunch time. I’ll take Votto or Bruce over either of the other two with runners in scoring position.By rusty
June 19, 2008 1:49 AM | Link to this
hal i dont know if you have seen this but the blue jays gm recently went off about adam dunn sayin he has no heart and just striks out and hit homeruns http://www.fan590.com/media.jsp?content=2008061900081412348By Reds Authority
June 19, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this
Quite simply, it’s time for Brook Jacoby to be FIRED. I’m told he has one foot in the (Red’s) grave and the other on a banana peel…and Walt is about to pull the trigger. “Reds Fire Hitting Coach Jacoby” is a headline you will see soon.” Remember, you heard it here FIRST!By ohdave
June 18, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
The Deads are back. COuld they have looked any worse at the plate tonight or last night? Did anyone notice that Griffey said in his speech that this was the best Reds team he had been on and he hoped they could win a championship? Was he serious? If so I really worry about the guy’s mental stability and his grasp on reality. Playing nine years on this team would make me crazy too. Votto, Bruce, Volquez and Cueto give me hope but then again… I remember when Dunn and Kearns gave me hope, too. Sigh.By wizard
June 18, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
Typing error below: Should be Votto in LFBy wizard
June 18, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this
CF:Hopper,1b:Votto:RF:Bruce,2b:Phillips,3b:Keppinger,ss:Hairston,1b:Cabrera/Valentin,C:Ross,P: Volquez Best hitters in the lineup!Has beens—or neverwases—OUT OF SIGHT/OUT OF MIND!By Y-City Jim
June 18, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
Hopper is starting tomorrow.By Blindeye
June 18, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
Can this team be any worse? Stupid plays in the field. Poor management decisions. Errors. Swinging at pitches that are balls. Back to back strike outs. Lack of confidence. No leadership and questionable players. Look at the Dodgers and you see players who play like winners. Look at the Reds and they are confused. Probably confused because the manager pinch hits Griffey for a player who is a contact guy only to have wiff on four pitches. Griffey like alot of other players appears to be swinging too late on pitches. Really, could this team be any worse!!By Steve
June 18, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this
With Griffey out, Patterson is in the lineup again. If he’s the best replacement the Reds have, that should be proof enough that Griffey should not be traded!By Hal McCoy
June 18, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this
Hey, Reds Authority: I see you astill aren’t using your real e-mail address. Anyway, I wrote two days ago that Bailey wouldn’t make his next start and that Thompson probably would, so you aren’t telling my blog readers anything they didn’t know.By darryl
June 18, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this
Watched the game last night and at least Votto seems to have a plan for his at bats.Dunn seems to follow the little league saying”swing hard just in case you hit it”By Steve
June 18, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this
Fantastic news. Votto will do well leading off. Dusty’s comments about having to do something different against a left-hander tomorrow means he hasn’t been paying attention to Votto’s hitting off of lefties this year. He’s had many crucial hits, including HR’s against lefties. Too bad we had to lose that game last night (and the many others) for Dusty to realize that “Corey hasn’t been getting on base.”By Y-City Jim
June 18, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
Soto working on the Homer project?By Mike
June 18, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
Tell Junior to go home and go to bed and watch it on TV.( don’t listen to Grande!) turn on the radio..His “general illness” or Flu like symtoms need to be icelated at home..tell him to come back after a few days..By justin
June 18, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
Votto is better against LHP than RHP (.393 OBP vs .327), so why change it? I say leave him there until Hairston is back.