We’ve all had fun mocking “havoc” this season, but over at RR, Slyde had an interesting question that deserves pondering. After noting that the Reds rank in the league’s bottom two in hits, base runners, doubles, batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage, the question becomes “is small ball the only way to respond to the (lack of) offensive talent on this club?”
Slyde notes:
What we have is a bit of a chicken and the egg problem here. Are the Reds bad offensively because they are so committed to small ball, or are they committed to small ball because they are so bad offensively.
You know how I feel. (Did I mention that Adam Dunn returned to the Queen City yesterday?)
Thoughts?
(My favorite Adam Dunn quotes from yesterday are in the extended entry.)
Dunn is hitting .281 with 30 homers and 85 RBIs. The 30 homers and 85 RBIs are no surprise, but .281?
“I’m using a heavier bat and getting a lot more singles,” he said. “Other than that, I have no real explanation, but I could make something up, if you want.”
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The 6-foot-6 and 287-pound Dunn, a disaster in waiting when he played left field for the Reds, is playing first base for the Nats and said, “I’m up in the high-rent district and it’ll be harder for the fans to yell at me.”
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“You have fair-weather fans and you have baseball fans that support you through thick and thin,” he added. “There were a lot of both here.”
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And what does Dunn want to do most while he is here? “Go to the zoo, man. Love the zoo here.”
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“I understand it’s a business and that’s how it goes,” Dunn said. “They obviously did what was best for the organization and I still think Mr. Castellini is one of the best people I ever met in my life. The Reds will definitely turn this thing around.
“I’m not bitter at all. I got an opportunity to play here since 2001. I enjoyed my time here. I met some great people. It’s a business and I understand that. I don’t hold grudges against anything. It all worked out for a reason. As long as both sides are happy, it worked out. It’s great.”
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“Hey,†he asked, “anybody ever hit the Tundra?â€Â