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 > August > 01 > Entry
Broxton/Chapman: 1, 2 skidoo
CINCINNATI — What is it like standing in the batter’s box trying to hit an Aroldis Chapman fastball or slider, other than feeling like a guy standing blindfolded in front of a firing squad without a cigarette or a Kevlar vest?
San Diego Padres first base coach Dave Roberts, once a major-league infielder, smiled and said, “That guy scares me to death when I’m just standing in the coach’s box.”
Roberts could have experience a double dose of the frights Wednesday night when the Reds unveiled their new one-two bullpen bash of Jonathan Broxton and Chapman.
Chapman finished Wednesday’s 6-4 victory over the San Diego Padres for his 23 rds save, giving up a two-out double before striking out Logan Forsythe with a 100 miles an hour fastball.
Preceding that, though, Broxton, acquired Tuesday from Kansas City, came on in the eighth after arriving right at game time and he went 1-2-3 — strikig out Mark Kotsay and getting two weak grounders to the mound. He ran off the field, all 300 pounds of him, to a standing ovation.
“It was crazy,” said Broxton. “I got the phone call yesterday, spent all day and night packing up and got to bed about 2:30 in the morning. I emptied the whole house and got the wife and kids out of there this morning. I got on a plane and came here.
“I had a lot of adrenaline out there — don’t know how much longer that can go,” he said. “The reception was nice — great fans, very respectful. They have a good team here and going from last to first is a big jump, picking up 20 games overnight.”
Said manager Dusty Baker of his revamped bullpen, “Both Chapman and Broxton are closers, both have 23 saves this year. It sure is nice to have both of them in there throwing strikes.”
ONCE AGAIN, it was left fielder Ryan Ludwick destroying his former team. On Tuesday he had a home run and four RBI. On Wednesday he had a home run and four RBI that including a two-run homer in the first to give the Reds a 3-2 lead, a run-scoring single in the fifth to again give the Reds the lead, 5-4, and a run-scoring single in the seventh to push the lead to 6-4.
“The last couple of years have been down for him and this is the first time in a couple of years he hasn’t been traded at the deadline,” said Baker of Ludwick. “He’s doing everything in his power and control to find a home. It’s tough to move around when you’ve been a quality player. He has arrived right on time with Joey Votto being out.”
CHRIS DENORFIA, A Padres outfielder who was formerly with the Reds, has faced Chapman three times and on Tuesday night Chapman shattered his bat on a ground ball.
“He’s different,” said Denorfia. “You know what you’re going to get and you better be ready. What’s different is that it is tough to lay off his high fastball. It doesn’t travel the same as other high fastballs. He throws it so hard and has so much rotation on the ball that it doesn’t have time to do what other pitchers’ high fastballs do. It never drops, never comes down. It just keeps rising.”
YONDER ALONSO, one of the four players the Reds traded to San Diego for pitcher Matt Latos, was the first major-leaguer to face Chapman — in a spring intrasquad game.
Not surprisingly, Alonso doubled. He has nine multi-doubles games for the Padres this year. And after Alonso doubled, Chapman hit Todd Frazier in the kneecap with the next pitch, knocking him out of action for four days and Frazier said, “Darn, that really, really hurt. Never had anything hurt so bad.”
Alonso said Chapman has changed — all for the better.
“He has more much more command of his game, not as raw as when he first came up,” said Alonso. “He has a plan, he knows what he is doing, he knows what his pitches are doing. He knows his point of release much better and is more consistent with it. He understands himself and his body more.
“The guys in the dugout talk about him and say he has electric stuff and you have to be ready for him. You have to be ready for that fastball because his goal is to come in there and get three quick outs, as few pitche as possible — get in, get out.”
Mostly he gets in and gets outs.
AND WHAT BETTER guy to talk about Chapman than one of the best closers of all-time, Trevor Hoffman, a guy who recorded 601 saves, mostly with the Padres.
“I had the opportunity to be with the Milwaukee Brewers when he made his debut and it was a tough at-bat for Mr. LeCroix (Matt LeCroix struck out on three pitches, all fastballs over 100 miles an hour),” said Hoffman, now a Padres broadcaster.
“He added more deception, more deceptive life, not just velocity any more,” Hoffman added. “It gets on guys more now than it did before and that’s why his strikeout numbers are so big.”
And Hoffman likes what he sees off the field, too, “Because I watched him run in the outfield today, so heworks hard, and he didn’t overthrow in his workout after throwing 17 pitches last night. It seems he has a good idea of how to prepare on a daily basis for runs of three or four games in a row.”
Then Hoffman said an enticingly eye-popping thing.
“They’ve done a nice job with Chapman, bringing Sean Marshall in and adding Jonathan Broxton,” he said. “Nothing is going to compare to Norm, Randy and Rob (The Nasty Boys of Charlton, Myers and Dibble), but those are three really good arms in the back of the bullpen.”
DEVIN MESORACO drew a three-day suspension for his tantrum with umpire Chad Fairchild Monday. The Reds have appealed and Mesoraco can play until the decision comes down.
And maybe there was another reason Mesoraco went berserk: maybe he was out of his head. Mesoraco suffered a concussion in Monda’s home plate collision with San Diego’s Cameron Maybin, but he played Tuesday and had his meltdown with umpire Chad Fairchild.
Just before Wednesday’s game, Mesoraco was placed on the seven-day concussion disabled list and the Reds purchased the contract of Louisville catcher Dioner Navarro. Infield Mike Costanzo was designated for assignment.
Mesoraco’s reasoning for his explosion resonates positively in the clubhouse from the Reds pitchers, if not manager Dusty Baker.
“I’ve hurt the team and I feel bad about it,” he said. “I don’t care how much the fine me, as long as I don’t hurt the team.
“I was sticking up for the pitchers,” he said. “We weren’t getting many calls, so I am going to stick up for the guys and maybe earn a little bit of respect from the players. That’s all I care about — what the players and coaches think I care about. I don’t need any umpires to like me, I’m just trying to be respected in the clubhouse and go about my business in the right way.”
WHEN BAKER WAS told that Mesoraco was trying to earn respect from the pitchers, Baker said, “For what? Stick up for them? It is OK to stick up for ‘em, but you don’t want to stick out.’
Of the appeal, Baker said, “We’ll submit our case and hope to get some understanding and a little grace on the amount of days. It isn’t pleasant for Mesoraco, he’s not proud of his actions, but when you are young and emotional you have to learn things the hard way.”
BRANDON PHILLIPS was not in Wednesday’s lineup and won’t play Thursday’s day game, with hopes of being ready for the weekend showdown against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Will Joey Votto face the Pirates? Probably not.
“We thought it was just a cramp when he came out of the game in Colorado, but I didn’t like the way he was moving last night,” said Baker of Phillips’ left calf strain. “We have a big series coming up, so he’ll sit today and tomorrow.”
BERNIE STOWE, who has worked in the Reds clubhouse since 1947 in several capacities, showed me a ring on his finger and asked, “Know what this is?”
It was a gold ring with an orange stone and on the stone was ‘221.’ I thought a moment, then it hit me. “That’s 221 home runs the Reds hit in 1956, right?”
Said Stowe, “That’s it. They gave everybody rings when the ’56 Reds set a record with 221 home runs. I lost my original, but I told the traveling secretary, John Murdough, and he said, ‘I have another one you can have if you get me three autographed baseballs.’”
And Stowe still has the second ring.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: Media relations director Rob Butcher told the media in manager Dusty Baker’s offense that Braxton would arrive later tonight and Baker’s eyebrows shot up and he said, “What? Where is he? Damn?”
Baker thought Butcher said Bronson instead of Braxton and Bronson Arroyo was Wednesday’s pitcher and Jonathan Braxton, newly acquired from Kansas City, goes to the bullpen as soon as he arrives.
QUOTE OF THE DAY II: Asked who his emergency backup catcher is, Baker said, “Miguel Cairo or Wilson Valdez, if we can find catching equipment to fit him.”
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By jim t
August 2, 2012 1:25 PM | Link to this
Mike, I do remember SOHIO. I used to fall asleep with ear plug in my ear. If you remember game time was an hour later in those days. If my mom would catch me I would catch heck. My Dad used to work at Post office down on Dalton ave. Right next door to Crosley. Him and I saw many a game there. My favorite Red was No. 20 Robby.Killed me when Mr. DeWitt gave him away.
By Brian
August 2, 2012 12:02 PM | Link to this
great points Slag I agree Cueto did get worse calls and Mes does need to control the temper.
By slag
August 2, 2012 11:51 AM | Link to this
Brian, I agree with you to an extent..Again, tempering yelling at an ump from the dugout, to a degree, happens alot and unless it gets to demonstrative the ump will let it go, so they might be doing that..But, the real frustrating game was the saturday game with Cueto…I think he’s earned the right for a few more borderline calls..I believe the ump was just inconsistent for both teams.. Mes was a fool for his actions. First off, Leake was not getting pinched at all..He was all over the place. I can see if it was really legit and maybe a bit later in the game but Mes only cost his team here as it was suppose to be a nice night off for Hanigan and now they have to shuffle the roster more (of course, with the injury it would have happened anyways)...He'll learn but, again, it's time for he and his emotions to be tempered as it's happened plenty of times with bad AB's, etc....
By Mike in the Creek
August 2, 2012 11:39 AM | Link to this
jimt - I actually have a cassette recording of Waite’s last broadcast! Reds / Giants I believe. Been a number of years since I last listened! Remeber the Sohio / Reds program???
By Brian
August 2, 2012 11:21 AM | Link to this
Agreed Jim T lets get these wins I only go back to 75 would have loved to have heard Hoyt or seen a game at Crosley my dad has always told me how special that was.
By jim t
August 2, 2012 11:16 AM | Link to this
Brian, we certainly have one thing in common we are both lifetime reds fans. I have been listening since late 50’s. Good old Wait Hoyt. Lets get a win today and take at least 2 of 3 from the Pirates.
By Brian
August 2, 2012 10:59 AM | Link to this
Jim T I respect your opinion we kind of agree to disagree on that point. I dont feel my point is a stretch for a dislike of Dusty I respect him I just dont care for a lot of his decisions and there are many fans and media who are left scratching their heads by some of his decisions. I will say one thing about complaining about balls and strikes being a waste of time maybe it is, but if you look at other managers or coaches in other sports they do it not because it changes things at that moment it sometimes rallys their team or sets a precedent for later in the season. I see and understand your position 100 percent I just think it could have been handled different. Like I said as a lifetime fan I am just gld to see them winning and putting such a good team on the field.
By Timmy
August 2, 2012 10:49 AM | Link to this
Just enjoying a closer who can close without much drama. CIAP: The Reds have the best record and closer in baseball. What is wrong with that? Verlander is a starter and Chapman is a closer. You are comparing apples with oranges. Chapman just getting his arm strength to pitch 3 days in a row. The mentality of a starter and a closer is completely different. Too bad we do not have “closing” bloggers.
By Mike in the Creek
August 2, 2012 10:44 AM | Link to this
jim - perhaps the plan is to shorten outings for the starters with a shutdown BP which indeed exists now. If the rascals from Pittsburgh would fold some, a starter could be skipped occassionaly. The current 5 (other than BA) will reach their past inn’gs pitched in late Aug. Heck Latos has the most from a historic perspective. Something has to give here. Maybe Redmond is the answer, if he can keep from getting yo-yo’d! This team seems to be taking great shape under the careful and patient guidance of both Walt and Dusty - let’s hope it can stay the course!
By jim t
August 2, 2012 10:44 AM | Link to this
Brian, I think Dusty has been around long enough to know arguing balls and strikes is a lost cause. The thing that should have been apparent to Mez is that from watching Hanigan handle the situation getting thrown out was the last thing he should have done. Especially getting suspended. He should have learned from Ryan. The manager getting thrown out would have served no purpose.I think your unhappiness with Dusty may have you reaching a bit. Just my opinion and hope you don’t take it wrong. Dusty has never thrown his players under the bus and believe me he has had the opportunity to do so. They all love playing for him.
By DD
August 2, 2012 10:43 AM | Link to this
Hey…Tribe designated Derek Lowe today. Think he’d be interested in playing for Dusty???? Rotation - as good as its been - is a concern of mine as well. I gotta think Jocketty will pull some move if (when) one of the 5 go down and Dusty won’t be relying on Tomko, Redmond or Reinecke. At least I hope so….
By Brian
August 2, 2012 10:36 AM | Link to this
This is from the above article Jim T : WHEN BAKER WAS told that Mesoraco was trying to earn respect from the pitchers, Baker said, “For what? Stick up for them? It is OK to stick up for ‘em, but you don’t want to stick out.’ I agree emotion got the best of Mez, I still think Dusty should have came out then and two games before when Cueto was getting squeezed just my opinion. Many managers would have complained and took the heat not put the pressure on their pitchers or catchers, could you not see how frustrated Hanigan and Cueto were as well as Leake and Mesaraco. This team is very good Im just glad they are winning.
By jim t
August 2, 2012 10:29 AM | Link to this
Mike, they were rumored to be talking to the cubs about Garza. Janish was traded to give us a option in Louisville since Francis opted out and Tomko has been hurt. I got my fingers crossed our rotation stays healthy. Don’t think anyone is out there who will be a big help. Lowe was released but he ain’t coming here with his and Dusty’s history. Also anyone DF’AD now is likely underachieving anyway. If we need a starter it will be Redmond.
By jim t
August 2, 2012 10:09 AM | Link to this
Is Ryan Ludwick on a tear or what???? Stubbs hasn’t been to bad either. This club is using the Next man in theory. Everyone is doing there job or someone else is picking them up. Team apparently took all the doom and gloom talk when Joey went down as motivation to let everyone know there is more than one guy on this team.
By Mike in the Creek
August 2, 2012 10:08 AM | Link to this
Like the Broxton move (did I spell that right??? :>), but have to wonder - was any attempt made to bolster the starting rotation. Depending on the same 5 guys is likely not going to happen, then what? Looks to me like these guys may be tiring now (or maybe just a small slump?) Walt has done a great job building / rebuilding the bullpen. Ryan Dempster went to the Rangers on the cheap! Maybe he starts working on the rotation with some older arms that get released. Let’s hope - Go Reds!
By jim t
August 2, 2012 10:00 AM | Link to this
Brian, is there a link to the article where Dusty called out Mez? I must have missed it. Fact is whether Dusty goes out and argues or not in all my years of watching the game I’ve never seen a ump change a ball or strike call. Arguing only makes matters worse.As far as defending his players NEVER has that been a problem for Dusty or his players. Actually people say he is to suportive. Mez is young and learning. As the guy tasked with keeping the pitcher in sync he has to remain calm. Youngster mistake. He’ll learn from this and move forward.
By Cowboy is the man
August 2, 2012 9:50 AM | Link to this
Cowboy is a phony is an idiot.
By Brian
August 2, 2012 9:38 AM | Link to this
Funny how Dusty calls out Mesaraco for blowing up while he sits chewing a toothpick while his pitchers are getting squeezed by the umpire. Two nights before Hannigan was hot when Cueto was getting squeezed the same way kept looking towards the dug out like I cant argue strikezone , maybe Dusty could leave his top step perch and come stand up for his pitchers. Never been a Dusty fan never will maybe if he would do his job Mesaraco or Hannigan wouldnt be in the situation where they feel they need to confront the umpire.
By Hook
August 2, 2012 9:33 AM | Link to this
Terrific come from behind win last night, seems like every night its someone else stepping up, last two nights it’s been Ludwick. Let’s hope Phillip’s is able to play this weekend, gonna need his glove and bat! Hal, is Valdez gonna play today? Cairo is the last position player available to play second, may need to make a move to cover second! Seems like the starters are wearing down, Leake, Bailey, Arroyo all seem to need a rest. Go Reds, Go!!!
By jeff
August 2, 2012 8:26 AM | Link to this
Great win by the Reds last night. Although the Padres are not good record wise they pose a tough match for the Reds because of all the left handed hitters. With no left starter and only Marshall in the pen its tough. Have to say its pretty sick with Marshall, Brox, and Chapman. Shortens the game a ton when you have a bullpen like that.
By slag
August 2, 2012 7:52 AM | Link to this
Cowboy is a phony , You’re a putz and an idiot and here’s why: Tigers fans also go crazy when Verlander hits 100 mph..It’s called “fan” which is short for “fanatic”..Know what that means ? AC easily goes 2 days in a row, and has multiple times, and sometimes 3, so I’d never expect a mental midget like you to know the difference without making s__t up just to try to prove your ridiculous assertion. Verlander is what they call a “starter”. What that means is his arm (muscles/tendons/ligaments/ tissue structure) gets “stretched out”…Sometimes it takes weeks/ months to build up a pitcher’s arm to not only throw 100-125 pitches but to also be able to do all the work and throwing required between those starts. Now, with all that being stated, I would hope while eating your fruity pebbles that you’d be able to digest all that information. Next lesson?? Well, that will come next time you say something both ignorant and stupid which will occur next time you post.
By jim t
August 2, 2012 7:23 AM | Link to this
TYGO, You are absolutely right!!!
By Bob
August 2, 2012 6:33 AM | Link to this
I agree with TYGO
By Randy
August 2, 2012 6:30 AM | Link to this
Went to the Dragons game tonight and was very impressed with Robert Stephenson. Kid threw consistanly in the mid 90’s. Threw the ball down in the zone and kept ahead of the hitters. Struck out around 6 batters gave up 3 hits and 1 run over 5 innings. He had a couple pretty good off speed pitches he could throw for strikes too. Barring any thing bad or stupid we should see him in a Red’s uniform in 2014 i would say.
By TYGO
August 2, 2012 5:19 AM | Link to this
Wow. All this information, insight, and quotes faithfully submitted by our good friend and legally blind Hall Of Famer and some clown has to count typo’s. Reds Insider, why don’t you read the rag from down the road or stick to the AP generic game post if you’re so damn hard to please? Geez.
By Reds Insider
August 1, 2012 9:05 PM | Link to this
Ummm Hal?? It’s Jonathan BROXTON, not “Braxton.” You have it wrong THREE (3) times in your article.
By Cowboy is a phony
August 1, 2012 5:49 PM | Link to this
Chapman hits 100mph on 2-3 batters and all the Reds fans go crazy. The they worry about if he can pitch 2 days in a row. Verlander hits 100mph in the 7th & 8th inning EVERY start. Get a clue.