Good scouts are nice, but luck is better

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By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer Updated 11:44 PM Sunday, June 28, 2009

Hal McCoy was in Cleveland for a three-game weekend series against the Indians, and maybe some Hot Sauce Williams Barbecue. He’ll return for a three-gamer against the Arizona Diamondbacks, which begins Tuesday, followed by three games against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Q Is Reds owner Bob Castellini willing or financially able to pay for the best scouts and talent evaluators, or do all the sharp guys already work for Tampa Bay and the other teams? — Bill, Nashville, Tenn.

A Scouts are my favorite people in baseball with whom to chat, although they love lying to each other. A constant stream of veteran scouts pass through the Reds pressbox every day. Money can’t be an issue because scouts, like baseball writers, don’t make tons of money. Castellini has the money and the Reds have the scouts, but it’s all a crap shoot. As in most professions, when it comes to evaluating talent, teams would rather be lucky than good.

Q What is your opinion of commissioner Bud Selig, a man who makes $20 million a year and does he deserve it and how does it compare to your salary? — Larry, Dayton.

A I knew I should have studied baseball commissionership in college. Bud Lite, as some call him, has always been fair, friendly and forthcoming with me and he is in a difficult vocation. No matter what he does, he makes somebody angry. With ownership so strong, and with Selig answering to ownership, the job is difficult. And you exaggerate. Selig only makes $18 million a year, a few more zeros on his check than on mine. But my only decisions are whether to use a semi-colon or a comma or to get ice cream in the fourth or fifth inning.

Q — What do you think of me volunteering to teach Sammy Sosa the English language, using the Rosetta Stone DVD? — Rick, West Chester.

A — I assume you are referring to Sosa saying at the congressional hearings on steroids that he doesn’t understand English. I’ve talked to Sammy and he understands it and he speaks it. And I’m sure he reads it. When he was hitting all those home runs with Mark McGwire, he credited Flintstone Vitamins, or something like that. Yabba dabba do, see what Flintstone Vitamins can do for you.

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Heard your comments Friday Night about your adventures with Continental Airlines out of Toronto. I retired from Delta in 2005. As a veteran ticket agent, I can tell you they were feeding you a line. All they were doing & they get these instructions from management was trying to keep the revenue from your ticket. But, 2 days, ridiculous. Unfortunately, like a lot of businesses, they have forgotten what they are in business for, customer service. I know air travel. Good luck.

Cecil Hays
7:23 AM, 6/29/2009

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