Cowboy v. Coffey

I went to Jeff Brantley before the game to ask him about what he said about Todd Coffey on last night's broadcast. Brantley called Coffey a "choker" without ever using the word.

Brantlely clarified Friday: “He chokes. I stand by that. Very firmly.”

Brantley made the remark during Coffey’s appearance Thursday. Ironically, Coffey pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings to get the win.

Coffey came in with Reds down 5-3 and got a double play with runners at first and second. The Reds scored four runs to go up 7-5.

Coffey started Todd Linden with two balls. Here’s what was said by Brantley and MartyBrennaman from that point:

Brantley: Two-run deficit, he was fine. Two-run lead . . .

Brennaman: It's hard to understand.

Brantley: You can't . . . You can not throw the ball . . . I'm not even gonna say.

Brennaman: Well, it's hard to understand how a guy can come in when a team is behind and pitch so well, and then coming in to try to protect a lead . . . There's ball three. It's just truly amazing.

Brantley: You can't throw the ball with your right hand if your right hand is on your throat. You can't do both.

Brantley explained further Friday:

“When he comes in to preserve a two-run deficit, he pitches fine, totally different pitch selection, totally different (as far as) throwing the ball over the plate because he’s not worried about anything.

“When he comes in and we're one run ahead or two runs ahead, or if it's any type of close game, he chokes.”

Brantley says he's said similar things to Coffey and his motive is to make Coffey better.