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Y! MyWebCINCINNATI REDS
McCoy's top 3 memorable moments of 2008 Reds
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Baseball is a long and winding superhighway (millionaires don't take long and winding roads) — mid-February to late October, more than 200 games when spring training exhibitions and postseason games are mixed in.
A lot happens behind the scenes in that time. A lot. So here are three memorable moments for me from 2008 while covering the Cincinnati Reds.
1 Instead of Three Coins in a Fountain, how about 150,000 pennies in a locker? Ken Griffey Jr. owed Josh Fogg $1,500, so he paid off in pennies — 60 boxes with $25 worth of pennies in each box, all stuffed in Fogg's locker. Fogg donated the pennies to charity.
2 Former Reds relief pitcher Todd Coffey, now with Milwaukee, pitched a 1-2-3 inning against the Reds then ran into a railing in front of the Brewers dugout because he was staring at the radio booth where Jeff Brantley was seated. When Coffey was with the Reds, Brantley said of him, "It is difficult to pitch with both hands around your throat."
3 Rookie Jay Bruce's picture was on the cover of a national sports publication in spring training and several veteran players told him that manager Dusty Baker wanted him to sign it and take it to him. Bruce signed and delivered and Baker played along, thanking him for it, then laughed heartily when Bruce left his office.
Comments
By Mike
October 9, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this
First thing in my mind is the absense of “The Old Left-Hander”.Next are the trio of Bruce,Volquez and Votto.Last is the departure of two Hall of Famers.I know that Jr.,God love ‘im,had to go.But I wonder what may have been if Votto could play left and “Donkey” first base?By the way,I loved having the chance to watch Ken Griffey Jr. play for the Reds.He gave us many thrills.Can’t wait ‘til opening day.RIP Cubbies!
By Steve
October 9, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
HAHA! I love Jeff Brantley!
By Larry
October 8, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this
Reds will regret getting rid of Krivsky. How can anyone leave off Griffey hitting 600. There’s a lot of good young talent. Let’s see if they can add the right leadership. Getting rid of Dunn will help the club house and the defense.
By g
October 8, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
wow….no mention of grif’s 600th HR. pretty much tells you where that stood in the minds of fans.
By AP-FLORIDA
October 7, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
Top 3 1. Hal Mccoy’s stories….2. Ken Griffey trade 3. The day Matt quit posting
By Jerry
October 6, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this
To continue from my post below, my most memorable moments were these three:
1) The Adam Dunn Grand Slam in the bottom of the 9th to give the Reds a come from behind victory over the Cleveland Indians. 2) All of the injuries sustained to so many Reds this year. I missed watching Norris Hopper and his amazing ability to beat out bunts. 3) The second half of Bronson Arroyo was a pleasure to watch as was the year Votto and Volquez had.
By Jerry
October 6, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
First of all, thanks Hal for any and all Reds news and/or opinions you can give your readers now that the Reds season is over. Your columns are very much appreciated! I am of the opinion that one of Dusty Baker’s greatest mistakes was continuously batting Jr. 3rd in the lineup. Why he didn’t recognize that KGJ wasn’t the hitter of years past was costly to the team as was pampering the ego of KGJ by Baker. Now all the coaches are rehired for a job well done(???). Unbelievable!
By Kevin
October 6, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
The saddness I felt when you wrote the story of how Jr thanked Marty in the elevator for being fair and that he had been traded. As a true Reds fan I feel blessed to have had him here, even though at times it was difficult for everyone….I think maybe the emotional pain over how he was treated here was probably worse than the physical pain from his injuries.
By Mar
October 6, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
to jim, You have been a Reds fan and Dusty made the Reds a loser? what Reds have you been watching the last 7 years, if I recall they have had 7 straight losing years prior to Dusty getting there. “Hello”, Dusty finished with a bunch of kids from the minors, what are you watching, do you know anything about baseball? the Reds have been losing for years not because of Dusty, you are just a hater. Tell me the last time they finished .500 in the last 8 years, Dusty has only beeen there 1.
By Tod
October 6, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this
A pretty forgettable season that I think will be remembered as the rookie season’s of Bruce and Votto. I was at the game where Votto hit three HR’s and what I remember about that was all the fans leaving at the end of the eighth even with Votto coming to bat with a chance for his fourth of the day. I know the game works at different levels for different people, but please, you have to stay to watch that.
By Jim
October 5, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
i have been to spring training for 11 years in a row. i have been a reds fan all of my life i have been the sickest i ever have been this season please look at how Dusty Baker has made the reds a loser:
By Jim
October 5, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
i have been to spring training for 11 years in a row. i have been a reds fan all of my life i have been the sickest i ever have been this season please look at how Dusty Baker has made the reds a loser:
By Jim
October 5, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
i have been to spring training for 11 years in a row. i have been a reds fan all of my life i have been the sickest i ever have been this season please look at how Dusty Baker has made the reds a loser: