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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2010 > March > 13 > Entry
Sweet Lou’s margarita advice
MESA, Ariz. - Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella never changes - and that’s a good thing.
The former Reds manager was at HoHoKam Park Sunday for a game against the Cincinnati Reds while half of his team was in Las Vegas for a split-squad game in Las Vegas. Asked why he wasn’t in Vegas, Piniella said, “Because I know I’m keeping about $2,000 or $3,000 in my pocket.”
Piniella recommended a Mexican restaurant in Scottsdale - couldn’t remember the name other than, “It is about a block north of Camelback Road on Scottsdale Road,” and that it has wonderful margaritas. I tell my players about drinking margaritas down here, “Drink one, sip the second one and refuse the third one.”
On a serious note, Piniella asked how new Reds pitching coach Brian Price is doing and said, “I had him as a coach. A great guy, very articulate, very smart - a University of California graduate. He’ll do a great job for the Reds.”
Price was pleased to hear Piniella’s words and said, “I worked with him in Seattle from 2000 to 2002 and it was a pleasure. Lou and I were tight, very close. I heard a lot about how rough he was on his pitching coaches, but I didn’t see that. I loved his intensity in the dugout. He is a quality manager and a quality man.”
SCOTT ROLEN was supposed to play today, but was left back in Goodyear to rest. His replacement, Juan Francisco, homered in the second inning and homered again in the fourth. Rolen isn’t hurt.
“Scott has been playing a lot, plus we have tough schedule this week,” said manager Dusty Baker. “We have a ‘B’ game tomorrow in addition to an ‘A’ game and everybody is going to play, we have a trip to Tucson (two-hour bus ride) Tuesday and a split-squad day-night doubleheader Wednesday. And then we have Investors’ Week.”
Francisco’s two homers were torched and Baker said, “Francisco came out of it in a big way. That’s a strong young man and when he hits ‘em he really hits ‘em.”
CEO Bob Castellini brings all the minority owners to famp for fun and games, “A lot of playing and entertaining at the same time,” said Baker.
BAKER’S take on the calendar down here: “I never know what day it is. All the days are just alike. You play every day and everything is the same.”
BARRY LARKIN is in camp for the next 10 days as a guest instructor and was proud to put on his old Cincinnati uniform No. 11.
“I had an opportunity to play for the Washington Nationals in 2005 and when I saw Larkin and ‘11’ on the back of their uniform I told them, ‘I can’t put this uniform on.’ I couldn’t do it.”
“They had the uniform hanging in a locker and I went up there to Vierra, Fla. and sat in my locker and looked at it and said, ‘Hmmm, something is just not right about this.’
Larkin played shortstop 19 seasons for the Reds and was the last player to wear the captain’s wishbone-C on his chest.
Larkin’s 17-year-old son, Shane, is a highly-recruited basketball plaer, 6-0 point guard. “And what makes me really proud is that he is being recruited by Harvard, Cal-Berkley and Stanford,” said Larkin.
THE REDS first experience of the spring against the Chicago Cubs, a fellow NL Central occupant, was not pleasant.
After leading 3-0 and 4-1, the Reds were ripped, 11-4. Micah Owings gave up a three-run home run and Jon Adkins gave up five runs and seven hits in one-plus innings.
ON THE POSITIVE side, Homer Bailey held the Cubs to one run and three hits in his three innings in front of 11,825. His first two starts this spring were in an intrasquad game and in a ‘B’ game attended by zero fans.
“I’m under the radar,” Bailey said with a smile. “Chapman is going through a lot (as Bailey did) and throwing really well. That’s good to see. I don’t know what the plans are for that fifth spot in the rotation and it’s none of my business.
“But, if not this year, definitely he is going to help this team out very soon,” said Bailey, who helped this team out in the second half of last season with a 6-1 record and 1.70 earned run average over his last nine start.
“Homer threw the ball excellently - good velocity, good location,” said manager Dusty Baker. “He was throwing as well as I’ve seen him. After that, it got rough for us.”
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By seo lace
May 2, 2010 11:10 AM | Link to this
I am haqivng a hazrd tiem reading www.daytondaijlynews.cpm in Safarj 5.6, I jut thoughbt I would ell yolu about it.
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By Robert L. Hollifield
March 18, 2010 1:36 PM | Link to this
Hal, My wife and I just got back from Goodyear. I was the guy in the wheelchair with the lovely redhead at my side. Thank you for your kindness in signing the baseball for us. We enjoy your writing. Best wishes.
By Lee from Orlando
March 16, 2010 2:24 PM | Link to this
best margarita: 1 part lime juice, fresh 2 parts triple sec 3 parts tequila squeeze of simple syrup (to taste) shake with 1.5 cups ice, strain into salt rimmed cocktail glass. Margarita Kool-ade type mixes (ala Chili’s) are for losers.
By Hal Hollingsworth
March 15, 2010 7:03 PM | Link to this
Loco Patron - great margaritas.
By BRAD
March 15, 2010 1:24 AM | Link to this
HEY HAL - I WAS THE GUY IN MESA (Cubs game) WHO TALKED TO YOU FROM THE FIRST ROW BEHIND THE REDS DUGOUT AS YOU WE WERE ALL WAITING FOR THE REDS’ BUS TO ARRIVE…. and YES, GOT A GREAT PIC OF YOU WITH YOUR UNLIT CIGAR TOO!
By steven ross
March 14, 2010 10:53 AM | Link to this
Trader Jack and Sweet Lou were the last two good managers we had for the Reds. Bunch of BS since.
By Yodasbrother
March 14, 2010 9:03 AM | Link to this
Lou was great when he was with the Reds. I saw him act out against the Phillies in a game when Mitch Williams hit some of our batters. It made my day. Glad he went on to more success. I wouldn’t mind if he came back to the Reds.