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 > 27 > Entry
Chapman didn’t somersault in Dusty’s office
CINCINNATI — What’s next after the Aroldis Chapman Roll — or as one man said after Chapman’s double somersault Tuesday night after completing a save, “Well, Chapman is finally on a roll.”
One thing is certain, if Hall of Famer Barry Larkin still conducted a Kangaroo Court, Chapman would have been fined for being unprofessional and then Larkin would have doubled the fine for the somersaults being so weak.
Rather than somersaults, Chapman enacted a couple of tumbles off the mound, a maneuver that startled catcher Ryan Hanigan, who had run to the mound to congratulate him, and angered manager Dusty Baker.
What’s next? Maybe Mike Leake can leave the mound riding his skateboard, waving the American flag. Maybe Homer Bailey can leave his horse tied up at the dugout and ride a lap around the stadium after he comes off the mound. Maybe Bronson Arroyo can come off the mound strumming his guitar while singing that gosh-awful JTM song he sang on a commercial a few years ago.
WHILE TEAMMATES WERE not happy about Chapman’s burlesque, jokes flew around the clubhouse Wednesday morning. Said one player, “Next time I’m in a restaurant I’m going to look for the Chapman roll.”
Baker, as old school as old school gets, a school in which a player does nothing to show up the other team, saw zero humor in Chapman’s celebratory grass dive.
When a writer made an attempt at humor about it Wednesday morning in Baker’s office, referring to Chapman’s gymnastics prowess, Baker said, “That ain’t funny. It ain’t no joke to me.
“It has been addressed already and it’s over,” Baker added. “It won’t happen again. Ever. I know he was happy and things have been going poorly for him, but you have to demonstrate in a different way, that’s all.”
THERE WAS CONCERN that Joey Votto or Brandon Phillips or Jay Bruce might have to wear knight’s armor to the plate Wednesday in fear that the Milwaukee Brewers might send a message about how they didn’t appreciate Chapman’s kindergarten-style somersaults.
“What transpired between us and the Brewers is between us and the Brewers,” said Baker. “Ron Roenicke (Brewers manager) was my teammate in Los Angeles. He knows me and he knows me very well. He knows how I am and he knows how I do things. At the time, he was a young player and I was one of the leaders on the team, so he knows me.
“Next subject. This one is over,” said Baker.
NICK MASSET BELIEVES his return to the bullpen will happen within the next two to three weeks, which would bring him back after the All-Star break (July 9-12). Masset threw a bullpen session before Wednesday’s game and reported everything on the up-and-up.
“I’m happy with my progress and excited that I can hopefully be back with the team in two or three weeks,” he said. “I don’t know exactly, because there is no timetable, but my progress indicates two or three weeks and I can’t wait.”
HAS ANYBODY NOTICED that Jay Bruce has more strikeouts than Drew Stubbs (66-62 and that Joey Votto has only two fewer strikeouts (60) than Stubbs. Yes, Stubbs missed two weeks while on the disabled list, but it is still noteworthy that Bruce and Votto whiff nearly as much as the oft-criticized Stubbs.
DON’T SLACK off on those great Ask Hal questions. Still need some for this week and you can still make it into Sunday’s DDN by sending those questions by tomorrow afternoon to halmccoy1@hotmail.com.
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By wrc
June 28, 2012 3:44 PM | Link to this
Compared to most of Dusty rants and raves this wasn’t a bad reaction by Dusty as I’ll defend his actions this time.In fact the whole after game interview was good.Now if he can keep them like that.
By jim t
June 28, 2012 1:25 PM | Link to this
Bill, I think what Dusty is saying do you job and celebrate in the clubhouse. Not a huge request.Why give the oppositon a reason to try harder against you. Not that hard to understand.
By Bill
June 28, 2012 12:51 PM | Link to this
I guess Dusty would prefer he give up a home run and walk off with his head hung down.
By bobmc
June 28, 2012 11:24 AM | Link to this
Size of the pitcher and the speed of his pitch is all the scouts look for and it’s being going on forever. Somewhere along the line you’d think they’d notice the guys who know the mechanics of pitching and the ability to do them. Maddus always comes to mind as the perfect example of what I’m talking about.Leake shows that ability and Cueto has gone from the above to a pitcher. That is a credit to him and/or Price. I felt Travis Wood was in that category, but the brass didn’t think so. In my opinion Bailey will never be and I have serious doubts as to Chapman. Flash burns out very quickly unless you learn very quickly. Bruce is in the same category; he seems to never make changes or adjustments. He spends all his AB’s backing up 10-15’, rushing back and swinging at anything. It would be nice for him to watch Votto lock in and stay in and vocus on the pitcher.
By chris katros
June 28, 2012 11:13 AM | Link to this
you guys need to lighten up..he broke the two game black cloud over his head and he was happy…big deal..sports news has turned into way too much girly man gossip..let them play and shut the hell up…too many guys behind the mic like to hear themselves talk…just shut-up and call the damn game for once…
By slag
June 28, 2012 9:58 AM | Link to this
Some of you apologists kill me for AC and the antics…Yes, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with what he did “as long” as the repurcussions never surface…But, boy, should that happen down the road and Votto or Bruce gets knocked down/hit then you same apologists will be screaming your heads off. Of course, it was innocent and AC is a young guy who is from another country who has been getting lit up as of late, but it was a childish, immature, stupid move in a game where there ain’t many real intelligent people involved who believe the traditional “law of the jungle” rules.So, yes, as long as nothing occurs down the road to an opponent you play another 8-10 times then all is well..
By ohdave
June 28, 2012 8:47 AM | Link to this
I like Dusty’s reaction. When fans (me included) grumble about some of Dusty’s game time decisions it’s good to know that his real strength as a manager is his leadership of the team. It is obvious the players respect him and want to do well for him, which is more important than whether he calls for a bunt.
By Lightenup321
June 27, 2012 10:43 PM | Link to this
Thank God Dusty wasn’t the manager when Pedro Borbon or Brad “the animal” Lesley closed games.
By Cowboy is a phony
June 27, 2012 4:43 PM | Link to this
He was drinking again. Chapman has a drinking problem.
By Tom
June 27, 2012 4:38 PM | Link to this
@Boulder Dave, I agree whole heartly. Maybe Mr. Tooth Pick will stay home in California and not come back.(FIRED). The somersaults wern’t any worse than the “Icky Shuffle” as Baker would say”Back in My Day”. I was surprised Baker didn’t have Valdez in today that was what I was referring to yesterday as the “B” team. I had no problem with today’s line up. Bringing in Cairo when Phillips was injured was the thing to do. Cairo and Valdez should play backup just don’t start them..
By BoulderDave
June 27, 2012 4:17 PM | Link to this
Hee Haw Haw Haw… Stubbs gets one AB today & Ks again…as usual What a dud. Another good call, Dustbag.
By Cirque du soleil
June 27, 2012 4:06 PM | Link to this
Somersaults anywhere are childish. Never saw Don Drysdale or Rollie Fingers do it. Must be a cuban thing.
By BoulderDave
June 27, 2012 3:29 PM | Link to this
Good gawd, is it possible the the impossible happened? Baker got dumber overnight? He FINALLY gets his pet Stubbs back (who hits a HR to win the game plus his usual 2 Ks) and the very next day Dumbo Dusty RESTS his personal stud!? I can’t believe this guy is actually PAID to do perform his personal stupidity on a daily basis as Red’s skipper. Worst manager ever.
By sayerofthings
June 27, 2012 3:20 PM | Link to this
Chapman’s forward rolls appeared to be a genuine gesture of relief that he had come into a one run game and not given up a game winning homer. He struggled, going 3-0 on Braun and walking the next batter, but finnaly threw a couple of slider’s and closed the inning and the game. I honestly think he was just relieved. I am not a big fan, but in this case, I think his manager is over reacting…and if the Brewers see it differently then too bad for them.
By jakesanidiot
June 27, 2012 3:11 PM | Link to this
Yep,Jake’s an idiot.
By jax
June 27, 2012 3:09 PM | Link to this
NFL= No Fun League MLB=Most Likely Boring
By Tom
June 27, 2012 3:01 PM | Link to this
Forget the somersaults to preserve the back and the 100 mph arm.
By Jake
June 27, 2012 2:14 PM | Link to this
This is ridiculous. It’s a kids game. Dusty is a goof. He had no problem with Sosa’s bat flip and jaunt after every home run. Maybe he should spend less time chastising his players for having fun or deciding what sunglasses to wear and read a book on basic statistics.
By Colgar
June 27, 2012 2:10 PM | Link to this
Right jwalt, not to mention, Randyman1956, that Dusty never managed Ozzie Smith, so why in the world would he say anything publicly? Everyday there is some fool that can’t appreciate a good manager. I once thought Reds fans were knowledgeable but the ability to interact online shatters that notion.
By jwalt
June 27, 2012 1:09 PM | Link to this
The difference was, Ozzie did his flips running onto the field to pump up the crowd. Not after a win to celebrate.
By Randyman1956
June 27, 2012 12:53 PM | Link to this
Funny, I don’t think I ever heard Baker comment on Ozzie Smith’s flips.
By Brad
June 27, 2012 12:43 PM | Link to this
If Chapman can get the saves, I’ll do the somersaults for him.