Reds Connection: Will the Reds ever bring back the 80s uniforms?

 Hall-of-fame baseball writer Hal McCoy knows a thing or two about America’s pastime. If you’d like to tap into that knowledge, send a question to halmccoy1@hotmail.com.

Q: Any chance the Reds go back to their 1980s uniforms permanently, because I miss them? — MIKE, Landen, Ohio.

A: The Reds would like to forget about the ’80s, the 101 losses of 1982 and the Pete Rose mess of 1989 and the Marge Schott Era. My preference is the 1960s look, the sleeveless jerseys with the white hats and the names on the backs under the numbers. And, please, no pajama bottom pants.

Q: Why aren’t the Reds giving outfielder Kyle Waldrop a chance? — BRAD, Paulding, Ohio.

A: It’s all in the numbers, my friend. In Waldrop’s last 10 games through Thursday he is 2 for 36 (.056). For the year he is hitting .236 with a .267 on-base average and a .343 slugging percentage. The Reds already have one outfielder with those kinds of numbers, but that guy steals a bunch of bases and makes incredible defensive plays. And I believe outfielders Yorman Rodriguez and Adam Duvall are ahead of Waldrop in the pecking order.

Q: With all the talk about finding another position for Eugenio Suarez, why not let him and Zack Cozart battle it out for shortstop next spring and put the loser on the bench because it is always so weak? — RICK, Loveland.

A: The bench isn’t the problem. It is the lack of production of the everyday lineup. If Suarez is the real deal, they need to find a spot for him, maybe left field or maybe right field if they trade Jay Bruce or maybe second base if Brandon Phillips would agree to a trade. And it would behoove Todd Frazier to find his lost bats.

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