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 > 2008 > April > 21 > Entry
Patterson: a temporary seat
Corey Patterson’s name was not on the Cincinnati Reds lineup sheet tonight - as many have begged for, pleaded for and prayed for.
Ryan Freel was in center field and batting leadoff, Patterson’s normal spots. But his 0 for 20 and 1 for 28 slide-for-life had nothing to do with his one-night stand in the dugout.
Baker was not aware of Patterson’s slump until a writer informed him Sunday.
“Really?” said Baker. “I did not know that. He hasn’t been striking out a lot so a long stretch of no hits is not as noticeable as when a guy piles up the strikeouts.”
Unless Freel hits for the cycle, drives in four, scores five and makes three stupendous catches, Patterson will soon return. Not Tuesday, though. The Reds face lefthanded Hong-Chih Kuo, so Freel or Norris Hopper will be in center. Or maybe Jerry Hairston, Jr.
But it looks as if Patterson will be back Wednesday and Thursday when the Reds face the Atlanta Braves and two righthanded pitchers.
So why did the righthanded Freel start against righthanded Penny Monday?
Baker goes to the stats for match-ups. The almighty matchups, no matter how small the sampling. But at least it’s something more than a stray shot into the air. For example, Freel is 6 for 14 against Penny and Patterson is 1 for 6.
That’s not all, though. Baker has stats that show that Penny is tougher on lefthanded hitters (.229) than he is on righthanded hitters (.286). “And Freel normally hits righthanders better than lefthanders.
Hey, he doesn’t have to convince me with numbers. I’m all for Freel or Hopper in center field. I’d prefer Hopper and his bunting bat, but it is only effective against lefthanded pitchers.
One never knows what Freel might do. All depends on what Farney tells him to do.
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By Buy Ambien
January 26, 2010 6:16 AM | Link to this
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By Ty
April 22, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
HAHAHA Farney…I bet Freel is a character to be around.
By MAC
April 22, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
Does anyone else remember how successful the Reds were w/ Hopper and Keppinger batting 1-2 last season…it worked pretty well down the stretch. Kepp is the best hitter and should be @ #3. Dunn because of his OBA should hit 2nd so that Kepp, Griffey and anyone else can face the pitcher out of the stretch; forget about him clogging up the base paths.
By kevin
April 22, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
The reds dont play the braves this week
By Gary Maloy Jr.
April 22, 2008 1:35 AM | Link to this
I’ve been kind to Dusty Baker until now. I mean the guy has had success both in San Francisco and Chicago. I haven’t even given him the benefit of the doubt because I had no doubt. But the doubt has come. Not because of the Reds pathetic record (the Tigers are better than the Reds and it’s looking dismal in Detroit too), but because of the quotes Hal attributes Baker in this blog - First: “Really?” said Baker. “I did not know that. [Corey] hasn’t been striking out a lot so a long stretch of no hits is not as noticeable as when a guy piles up the strikeouts.” No problem, I thought, he’s an old-fashioned manager who manages by the seat of his pants. Connie Mack did it for 50 years. But then: “Baker has stats that show that Penny is tougher on lefthanded hitters (.229) than he is on righthanded hitters (.286). ‘And Freel normally hits righthanders better than lefthanders.’” Ah ha! So he does use stats. If that is true, Dusty, either put your posterboy on the bench for a better hitter, or send him packing - either to Louisville or to Timbukto. It really doesn’t matter to me as long as we clear the way for Jay Bruce!!
By DJ
April 21, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
Baker is an idiot,Hairston,Patterson,I heard Sosa and some other ex Cubs recently moved to Cincinnati,that way Baker doesnt have to go looking under rocks for them.If the Reds are going to lose,and it looks like they will for awhile with Baker in charge,why not bring up Bailey and Bruce.Fogg,Belisle,Patterson and Hairston SUCK and poor Hopper doesnt even get a chance.
By Shawn in Atlanta
April 21, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this
Hal - I’ve been reading you since the first time I heard you during the second-inning press interview with Marty. Every second inning, I hope that it’s you on the air (no offense to the other beat writers who are also good). Whatever’s best for you works for me, but I hope it involves writing and chats with Marty. Thanks for all your work!
By Kyle
April 21, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this
OK, I’m done. Twenty games in and this team has sent me over the edge. The Dodgers have scored one run a game for a week now and we make them look like Murderer’s Row. I’ve made the trip from Columbus for two games so far, both losses of course. I’ve spent hours watching them lose on TV. I’ve got other things to do than invest time in an organization that can’t get out of its own way. Hal, I’ll keep reading here to see what you have to say, but I’m done. Call me when they’re 25 games out in the middle of May and they fire Dusty and all of his Cub rejects with him. This is ridiculous.
By ohdave
April 21, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
Sigh. Not sure what’s more depressing, Belisle’s performance or the Reds’ total inability to string a few hits together.
By Steve
April 21, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
Or Jay Bruce. Why is there no talk of Keppinger leading off? Keppinger Votto Phillips Griffey Dunn Encarnacion Bruce/Patterson Bako/Ross Pitcher