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 > 2012 > June > 01 > Entry
Is Chapman ‘The Indestructible Man?’
UNSOLICITED OBSERVATIONS from The Man Cave, wondering if I’ve ever seen anything like Aroldis Chapman. The answer: No, not even close. Never have I seen any pitcher make every batter he faces look totally and completely helpless. They should make Chapman pitch from 70 feet.
THE HOUSTON ASTROS didn’t fool the Cincinnati Reds by showing up in disguise Friday night, wearing those hideous orange, yellow, blue and white uniforms with hats that looked like oranges on their heads.
The Reds knew these were the 2012 Houston Astros, not the 1970s version that was loaded with talent but forced to wear Halloween costumes for uniforms.
The Reds jumped early on J.A. Happ, who is J.A. Hapless against the Reds, especially Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto, the held on for a 4-1 victory.
And although Mike Leake’s pitches were here, there and everywhere, they were good enough to slap a seventh straight loss on the Disastros.
The Reds have now won 31 of the last 44 they’ve played against Houston — and they’re certainly going to miss them when the Astros flee to the American League next season.
HAPP HAD two outs and nobody on in the first inning, but moments later it was 2-0 because he had to face Votto and Phillips.
Votto went into the game hitting .405 for his career in Minute Maid Park with 19 doubles and four homers in 30 games, with an 18-game hitting streak.
Now it’s 19. Votto singled to left field.
Then it was Phillips, who was 5 for 9 with three homers against Happ. He didn’t homer. He only doubled, but that made it 1-0 for the Reds. Jay Bruce followed with a single and it was 2-0.
APPARENTLY, Houston manager Brad Mills doesn’t pay close attention to what Votto does to his Astros.
Zack Cozart led the third inning with a single. When Drew Stubbs flied to deep center, Cozart tagged up and took second.
Wasn’t that a bad idea? Didn’t that mean that the Astros would walk Votto intentionally? Not Mills. He elected to pitch to Votto and he singled to center field for another run and a 3-0 lead.
Leake gave up a run in the sixth and it could have been a lot worse. The first two Astros, Jose Altuve and Jed Lowrie, singled to put runners on third and first with no outs.
The run scored while Carlos Lee was grounding into a double play to rescue Leake and keep a two-run lead, 3-1.
Leake pitched seven innings and gave up one run and only four hits, but walked three while striking out seven, his most strikeouts this season.
Logan Ondrusek replaced Leake in the eighth and encountered some trouble when he gave up a leadoff single and a walk and had to face Houston slugger Carlos Lee, the go-ahead run.
Ondrusek hung a high curve ball and Lee dented the viaduct down the left field line, a few feet foul of a three-run homer. Then he hit into his second double play, pulling his hamstring in the process.
Aroldis Chapman pitched the ninth and, as always, it was child’s play. He struck out Chris Johnson with a 101 miles an hour fastball, struck out pinch-hitter Matt Downs on a 100 miles an hour fastball and ended the game by striking out J.D. Martinez with a 101 miles an hour fastball.
THE OFFENSE? Not real good. The Reds had three hits in a row in the first inning, but only six for the game. From the fourth through the eighth, five innings, they had one hit.
Jay Bruce provided some breathing room in the ninth with a two-out home run. Ah, the home run. The Reds have relied on the home run to score 41 per cent of their runs, tops in the majors.
AND REMEMBER when the team’s record was 1-10 with Devin Mesoraco catching? Well, in his last eight starts the Reds are 8-0.
RYAN LUDWICK started in left field instead of Chris Heisey, which will bring howls from the Heisey faction. They shout about Ludwick’s low batting average.
But consider this. Ludwick has had less plate appearances than Heisey, but Ludwick has more homers (5 to 1), more RBIs (20 to 11) and more walks (12 to 6).
THE REDS now own a 2 ½ game lead in the National League Central after New York’s Johan Santana threw a no-hitter at the St. Louis Cardinals.
Prediction: By the end of June the Reds will have a seven or eight-game lead. Book it — IF they start to do more situational hitting and rely less on the long ball.
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By Cleat
June 2, 2012 9:25 PM | Link to this
You might try rereading the comment. Since I did not call you double dumb; it is possible you did not interpret correctly the rest of the comment. I stand by the facts of this baseball history. Those who rewrite history are the ‘Lame’ in society. My point was the valid one. Work on your comprehension.
By johnbrisker
June 2, 2012 9:02 PM | Link to this
Cleat, that is the lamest answer to an obvious valid point that I have ever seen. Facts don’t seem to matter in the cleat universe. And, then you call me double dumb….Hmmm
By Cleat
June 2, 2012 7:36 PM | Link to this
Hey Brisker: You, like double dumb, miss the entire point!He does it on purpose! Pay attention. I have explained this before! As I have said MANY TIMES before,my point has always been about that time period when CD was battling DS in ST, and into the season two or three years ago. The point is never about what happened since—as that can be a whole new ballgame. Anyone who has been a good athlete knows that crucial moments come about in careers which can easily determine the direction of a players career—just like the decision to keep Heisey out of the lineup recently, when he had been on a hot streak! Sometimes that can be the attitudes of management. That was my point. Not what happened later—sometimes what happened later is a result of what happened earlier—as in better competition, or whatever. If you deny that can happen—you were never close to making it!Stop listening to the Blog Cop’s on here and watch what is happening—it doesn’t take much for a manager to make a subtle move, such as Baker has made on Heisey the past few days! The Baker/Jocketty asskisser’s on this subject are moron’s.
By Jeff in Dayton
June 2, 2012 7:03 PM | Link to this
I like Chapman as the closer, but what I’d really like to see is adding innings. Start bringing him in the 8th. If all is well, bring him in the 7th, etc to build up his strength in hopes of making him a starter.
By jim t
June 2, 2012 6:28 PM | Link to this
Mickey in Columbus, your post was a breathe of fresh air. Your absolutely right on target.
By jim t
June 2, 2012 6:15 PM | Link to this
By the way Cards are losing 3-0 after 6 again today.
By jim t
June 2, 2012 6:11 PM | Link to this
Here is a sample of what you’d read on a St. Louis blog these’s days. Matheny has consistently misused the bullpen with his moves and lack of moves. He has not demonstrated the ability to be a skilled situational manager. Perhaps he needed a strong experienced bench coach to assist him during his learning period and wasn’t given one or didn’t select one. Matheny’s lack of situational management is magnified by TLR’s obvious skills in that area. All of you that complained about TLR’s overmanaging must be very pleased with Matheny’s undermanaging skills and results. It also appears as if he is short a good pitching coach… they really miss Duncan. Holliday has not been a good clutch hitter since day one of his arrival and he is a liability defensiively. Hitting for a high average in the middle of this order should produce outstanding numbers but it doesn’t. As Parasi said… he is good player that is no where near worth the money he’s paid. ? Weren’t they in first a short time ago. Do these post sound familiar?
By jim t
June 2, 2012 5:23 PM | Link to this
Hal, I got a perdiction for you. The Reds will win the division,Dusty will be extended and Mike in Dayton and others will still be whinning about the manager as if they know the game of baseball.Praise the Lord!!!!. LOL
By jim t
June 2, 2012 5:16 PM | Link to this
Hey Mike in Dayton, this is a blog I’ll preach or tell anything I want if you don’t like it don’t read it or respond to it. Actually your response was classic for a manager wanabee. Especially one with out great knowledge of the game. Reds are in first and Dusty will be back. I love it.
By Tom
June 2, 2012 4:57 PM | Link to this
I’ll buy the prediction that the Reds will be up 7 or 8 games by the end of June provided Frazier and Heisey start every game.
By Mike-Dayton
June 2, 2012 3:38 PM | Link to this
JimT - most people preach on Sunday and don’t tell me or anyone else what topics about the Reds to post on a blog.
By jim t
June 2, 2012 3:28 PM | Link to this
Mike-Dayton, if Dusty wins the Divison he will be back. If he wants to be. Bob C likes him and the players enjoy playing for him.I am a season ticket holder and I can tell you if they don’t bring him back if he wins the division I won’t be back.I remember where this club was before Dusty. Team had no pitching and a couple of players with very little enthusiasm for the game making big money. Dusty’s teams play hard.He has played and managed at a high level. Now if Dusty decides he’s had enough and its time to retire that would be another story. I am enjoying Cincinnati Reds Baseball again since Dusty has been on the job and Bob C has been the owner.Attendance is uo, the team is in first and the longterm viability of fielding a competitive team certainly is there under this management. Be careful what you wish for and enjoy a very promising year.Sadly since the invention of Blogs every team has its share of frustrated manager wanabees. I remember reading the Cardinal blogs last year and them wanting TLR run out of town in Mid Aug. All he did was lead them to the title. Talk baseball and enjoy the season. The reds are in the thick of the pennant race. That should be the issue. It doesn’t happen every year.
By MIke-Dayton
June 2, 2012 2:49 PM | Link to this
Dusty will leave Cincy like he left the Giants … he’ll want a bigger/longer deal than the Reds will want to offer and he’ll split. He certainly won’t be signing any extension during the season as Walt is not that dumb. We can then move forward with a manager that does what Dusty does well but without all of the idiotic decision that Dusty makes year end year out …
By ohdave
June 2, 2012 2:48 PM | Link to this
Hal, I like your prediction and I hope you are right. I think it’s clear that Baker has the respect of his players even though his gametime decisions leave the fans confused. Our bench continues to concern me… Our inability to execute with runner on base. But the division is weak and the Reds have good pitching, great bullpen, great defense, and hopefully just enough offense to win the division
By Mickey from Columbus
June 2, 2012 2:29 PM | Link to this
fellas, come on the team has rebounded from a slow start, the manager is figuring out how the pieces he has been given fit together in the wake of the loss of rolen and a third of the bullpen, it’s June and, last I checked,our Reds are in first place and the bats are starting to wake up. Whether you like Dusty or not, give the team a chance. They have winning records at home and on the road. Too much negativity here. Support the team and hope everyone stays healthy and hits (and pray for a little bench depth!) Chill dudes.
By Colgar
June 2, 2012 2:23 PM | Link to this
What’s great is that Dusty will sign a contract extension soon and I will get to laugh at you Dusty bashing yokels for a couple more years at least.
By jim t
June 2, 2012 1:12 PM | Link to this
Hal couldn’t agree more. Reds are in first place and starting to hit a little to go along with some good starting pitching, a shut down bull pen and a first rate defense.I couldn’t be happier.Dusty will lead us to another division title and hopefully a run to the series. Would love Walt to find us some bench parts.
By A winner near Dayton
June 2, 2012 12:59 PM | Link to this
Winner in Dayton - You won’t find anyone on this blog willing to defend Narron or Boone as they were horrible managers nor will you find anyone who will bite on the not so subtle race card you referred to … nice attempt to try and switch the argument from “Why Dusty starts guys like Willie Harris and Castanzo (and Rolen, Taveres, Patterson, Hattenburg etc.)” to “we all hate Dusty cause he’s black” … oh - and grow up too.
By wrc
June 2, 2012 11:58 AM | Link to this
Hal I love you but you better watch out.Saying the REDS will have a 7 to 8 game lead by the end of june is your idea of a joke right.Unless this team starts hitting more 7 or 8 games won’t be enough in Sept.Even then the Reds won’t go far in the playoffs caused HR balls are harder to get then.But then the Reds will only be pretenders as long as Dusty is manager.Only bad thing is Dusty will be back unless this team finishes last.Your about the only good thing us Reds fans have left.Anyway thanks for the laugh caused come SEPT when this team loses we’ll need the laughs.
By Steve
June 2, 2012 11:28 AM | Link to this
Dusty had Bonds in S.F., Sosa in Chicago, and Votto in Cincy but no world series wins. How can that be?
By DarylC
June 2, 2012 11:15 AM | Link to this
I have been reading Hal for better than 30 years. He defends Dusty and that is OK. Even when when he does disagree with him he is not nearly as emphatic and critical as he is about other issues. I am not a Dusty fan and think this team would be much better off without him but to say that Hal is just kissing his a$$ and not doing real reporting is absurd. Hal McCoy deserves better than that, he has earned it.
By A Winner From Dayton
June 2, 2012 11:06 AM | Link to this
Jerry Narron or Bob Boone puts Costanzo in to PH for Leake, and it’s “a good managerial decision, letting the young guy get a good hack in a low-pressure situation.” But we all know the difference between guys like Narron and Boone and guys like Baker, which is why Baker gets blasted for it.
By steven ross
June 2, 2012 9:54 AM | Link to this
Seven games up and in first place so need to keep the negativity to a dull roar: Cozart and Stubbs. I guess when their combined average drops below .210, we might see a change. I just don’t see it with Stubbs anymore. He is what he is and it’s not going to get better. Walt will address the pathetic bench soon. He has too, right? Love Chapman as the Closer even though so many were against it. Instant moxy, mojo and a presence. Not to mention lights out stuff. Heisey deserves to play everyday. Ludwick padded his stats the first week of the season.
By 84PARED
June 2, 2012 9:43 AM | Link to this
Typical Hal always trying to justify inane moves by Dusty.Hal your use of only very specific statistics boggles the mind.Maybe you are the secret advisor to Dusty.Stop kissing a**e and do some real reporting.
By bobmc
June 2, 2012 9:39 AM | Link to this
Pinch hitting Constanzo for Leake is just another example of Dusty’s skills. If Leake was an everyday player; he’d probably be a good hitter. Just look at his approach and his swing. Of course, Dusty needs to get Constanzo going; Valdez is next. Heisey is a better athletic in every category than Ludwick. Chris did his”kiss of death” again when he got 2 of the 4 hits against Colo. and hit a screamer to left that would have been a 3rd hit if not for an outstanding catch. How can you not ride a possible beginning of a hot streak when a team is hitting as poorly as the Reds? Oh, I forgot for a moment Dusty’s in chg. Stubbs did his usual act at and stood and took a strike down the middle, tucked his bat under his arm and walked back to the dugout. I saw that routine for yrs. with Adam Dunn taking strike after the strike. It wears on you. As far as Chapman be indestructible; he is acting more like a self-destructible one; unless someone gives him advise. I can see anothe Terrell Owens or Alan Iverson in the making.
By JEFF
June 2, 2012 8:46 AM | Link to this
Hal, The Ludwick comparison is a bit stretched. Ludwick had 7 RBI’s and 2-3 homers if I remember in like the first week. One being a grand slam. Heisey has earned the right to play. He has outplayed Ludwick. Here is the really interesting question. At what point do we start moving Heisey into Stubbs spot. People forget that last year Heisey starting rotating with Stubbs. I don’t care how fast Stubbs is. If you can’t make contact your legs are useless. Personally, I have seen anough of Stubbs to know that he is what he is. I hope I am wrong but the kid pulls off the ball and refuses to hit the ball the other way or shorten up his swing. I still think he has an eyesight problem because he misses by so much. Stubbs is a hitting a horrid .230 after last years .243. Let’s say Ludwick starts hitting a bit. Do you go Heisey in Center and Ludwick in left?? Or if the reds make a move and add a left fielder. The fact is this lineup is most likely more consistent without Stubbs in it. Just a thought.
By DD
June 2, 2012 7:48 AM | Link to this
@johnbrisker…didn’t you know? Chris Dickerson got hurt playing for the mighty SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE Yankees. It was Dusty’s fault. It’s amazing how he got through waivers before the season started. Not even the Astros wanted him??? Gotta be Dusty’s fault too…
By DD
June 2, 2012 7:42 AM | Link to this
This winning stuff sucks. Makes complaining seem moot.
By johnbrisker
June 2, 2012 6:56 AM | Link to this
hey Cleat - how’s Chris Dickerson’s career been since he left the Reds? Bad example for trying to make your point. Hal, you are old enough to remember Koufax, Gibson, and JR Richard not to mention Ryan, yes? Are you trying to tell us that Chapman more dominating then those guys? If he keeps messing around with married ladies of poor repute, he may either become dead or the Cuban fizzle instead of the Cuban missle
By Richard
June 2, 2012 6:56 AM | Link to this
Why not let Leake bat for himself as to put Costanzo in to pinch hit for him. I don’t see where Chris Heisey is setting the world on fire,for that matter I don’t see any of them setting the world on fire.They leave more players on base then any team in baseball. Everyone of them swing for the fences, when runners are on base. Stubbs is playing center because of the amount of ground he can cover and he makes a lot of catches look easy, when they are not. The same thing goes for Bruce. I get aggravated about there hitting, but there defense makes up for it.
By Cowboy is a phony
June 2, 2012 6:50 AM | Link to this
Chapman should be in jail. For everyone that continues to love & support this bum because he has a fast ball, let’s hope when he drives 93MPH again… he doesn’t run over a family member of yours.
By Martha
June 2, 2012 1:26 AM | Link to this
Those Astros uniforms. “Burnin’ ur retinas, are they? ha!” said my friend Nancy in Austin. Go right ahead and burn my retinas. As long as the Reds win, I don’t care if the Astros come in dressed as Birnham Wood.
By Walt
June 2, 2012 1:07 AM | Link to this
Just wondering … there is NO ONE in the Reds minor league system who can hit better than Mike Can’t-Stand-Yas .068 ????
By Brad
June 2, 2012 12:54 AM | Link to this
I apologize to Willie Harris, Costanzo is even worse.
By Joe B.
June 2, 2012 12:16 AM | Link to this
I agree with your prediction regarding where the Reds will be in the standings at the end of June. They’re finding ways to win even on nights when they’re not hitting. Very confident team right now.
By Cleat
June 1, 2012 11:46 PM | Link to this
“In recent play Chris Heisey has CLEARLY been the better producer in LF”. Right after the WIN!!!! Marty Brennaman
By Cleat
June 1, 2012 11:28 PM | Link to this
Same thing Baker did to C. Dickerson. Benched him when he was hot, or played him in an unfamiliar outfield position.They never required Stubbs to play a different position than CF—if he was sitting out one game, he always went back to CF. Not Dickerson. It’s almost as if he wants failure from Heisey. What is it now four straight days off for Heisey? Break his momentum! Break his Rhythm! Mess with his mind!He can bunt better than Ludwick/play defense better/hit better/run better—why the hell isn’t he playing EVERYDAY! In addition to all that:If Ludwick is in LF, why isn’t Heisey in CF at the same time, instead of no-hit Stubbs????