A: What is an NFL prototype quarterback? Is it the straight drop-back version or one that can throw on the run and tuck it and run? Quarterbacks are human and they all are different. Not everybody can be Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers. It’s the same with baseball pitchers. What is a prototype? There is no such animal because they all approach their craft differently and some are great, some are average and some are bad.
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Q: How many Reds will win Gold Gloves this year? — J.R., Oxford.
A: Judging by the recent past, who knows? The Gold Glove award is voted upon by managers and coaches and they can’t vote for their own players. They all must have worn blindfolds when they played the Reds last year and didn’t give Billy Hamilton a Gold Glove. He is even better this year with his extraordinary catches and his arm. He doesn’t deserve a Gold Glove. He deserves a Platinum Glove. Third baseman Eugenio Suarez has played Gold Glove defense, but as long as the human suction cup that is Colorado’s Nolan Arenado is around, nobody but him wins the GG. Adam Duvall is a strong candidate, too. He is No. 1 in outfield assists in the majors and Hamilton is second. They won’t name two outfielders from a last-place team, so it is hoped they take off the blinders and vote for Hamilton.
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Q: Of all traded Reds since 1960, who would make your “all-traded” team? — BEN, Butler Twp.
A: A great question, but a tough question because of so many trades. And some of the trades did benefit the Reds, even though the traded players did well with other teams. My team: Dan Wilson, catcher; Tony Perez, first base; Kurt Stillwell, second base; Ray Knight, third base; Frank Robinson, Paul O’Neill and Vada Pinson, outfield; Trevor Hoffman, right-handed pitcher; John Franco, left-handed pitcher.
Q: In all your years covering baseball have you ever seen a manager with four consecutive last-place finishes and three straight 90-plus-loss seasons retain his job? — TIM, Xenia.
A: First of all, if the Reds finish last this year it will only be the third straight time. And they haven’t reached 90 losses yet this season, which would be three straight. Fortunately, the powers-that-be must recognize that it isn’t Bryan Price’s fault. Perhaps by retaining him they are accepting the blame. The front office provides the players and made the decision to jettison so many accomplished major leaguers. And the persistent injuries to pitchers and catcher Devin Mesoraco aren’t his fault. The rebuild marches on and Price is carrying the flag.
Q: Will there be a place for Brandon Finnegan, Cody Reed and/or Anthony DeSclafani? — BILL, Dayton
A: If you mean next season, that’s a major dilemma. Manager Bryan Price said he wants the rotation picked by the end of this season. With the emergence of Luis Castillo, Robert Stephenson, Sal Romano and Tyler Mahle, all pitching extremely well, where do those other guys fit. DeSclafani has been hurt much of the last two seasons. Can they depend upon him? Is Homer Bailey all the way back? I’d guess that because the Reds have only one left-hander in the bullpen (Wandy Peralta) that Finnegan and/or Reed are destined for the bullpen. And you forgot Amir Garrett, Rookie Davis and Jackson Stephens. Can the Reds use a 10-man rotation?
Q: If Bob Castellini names me manager of the Reds next year, Rasiel Iglesias is my opening day starter. Do you agree? — TIM, Dayton.
A: Ah, another Aroldis Chapman controversy, as in should he start or should he remain a closer? Too late for you, Tim. They already chose Bryan Price over you for next season. I agree that Iglesias has starter stuff, but the Reds have so many candidates for the rotation that adding Iglesias complicates it even more. While last place teams don’t need closers, Iglesias has performed this year as one of the best. And if the Reds become contenders, somebody like Iglesias is needed to close games and the Reds have no better candidates. Plus, like Chapman, his fellow Cuban, he loves it.
Q: It is possible the Reds could have three players in triple digits with RBIs — Joey Votto, Adam Duvall and Scooter Gennett. How common is that? — TOM, Urbana.
A: It is not uncommon. The 1936 New York Yankees own the record with five players with 100 or more RBIs. There have been 21 teams with four and the last was the 2003 Atlanta Braves. Not even the Big Red Machine ever had four players with more than 100. Votto and Duvall seem to be cinches. But Gennett probably won’t make it.
Q: The Reds lead the league in outfield assists. Could that be a result of lousy pitching because more baseruners means more opportunities? — MESA BILL, West Milton.
A: A good point, M.B. Not only do the Reds lead the league in outfield assists, Adam Duvall is No. 1 and Billy Hamilton is No. 2. Of course, the more guys running around the bases, the more chances to throw them out. But Duvall and Hamilton still have to make strong and accurate throws, and they are doing just that. I prefer to give them credit. And give catcher Tucker Barnhart a lot of credit for some of the catches and diving tags he has made at home plate.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Q: What are some of the most despicable things in your 75-plus years of covering baseball that stick out the most? You always remember fondly the most memorable positive moments. — CHRIS, Waynesville.
A: Not 75-plus, Chris, just 44. Two things stand out. The first was the spikes-high slide Mookie Wilson performed that destroyed Ron Oester’s left knee. It was vicious and unnecessary. Oester was carried off the field on a stretcher with ligaments and cartilage destroyed. He wore a brace the rest of his career and was never the same. The second was the day shortstop Dave Concepcion spit in the face of umpire Dave Pallone. For some reason, Pallone had it in for Concepcion and constantly made bad calls against him. Concepcion drew a three-day suspension and a fine. Pallone later had a spat with then-manager Pete Rose. Pallone eventually was fired. I’m convinced that isolated incident cost Concepcion some Hall of Fame votes.
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