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From news of the day to news of the weird, John Fay provides a glimpse of what it’s like to cover the Cincinnati Reds

John Fay
John Fay has been the Reds beat writer for the Enquirer since 2001. Prior to that, he served in a variety of roles for the Enquirer: backup Reds writer, UC beat writer, backup Bengals writer and as a general assignment reporter. He is a Cincinnati native and a graduate of Elder High School and the University of Dayton.

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Saturday, February 16, 2008

Bruce almighty

I saw Jay Bruce hit today for the first time today. Very, very impressive. The batting cages sit about 15 feet behind the right-field fence at the Tony Perez Field, where Bruce was hitting. It's a steel building, so every time a ball hits it, it makes a loud sound.

Bruce had a very noisy session of BP.

Here's another reason why I think the Reds will be leaving Sarasota: The backfields at the Ed Smith Stadium complex here were in bad shape. The Reds wanted them replaced. The Reds rent facility from the city, so they figured the landlord would pay the cost. It didn't happen. The Reds ended up spending $150,000 to replace the outfields. "It's like renting an apartment and having to replace the plumbing," a Reds official said.


17 Comments:

at 4:50 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I reserve judgement until I see him live but Wily Mo Pena was inpressive in batting practice also and we see where he ended up.

 
at 5:09 PM Blogger cincikid said...

I sure hope that he is the Real Deal. As many deals as we turned down this offseason to keep him. God knows how many times Krivsky has probably contacted teams this offseason saying, "That's a nice looking starting pitcher you got there. What do you want for him?" Reply. "Jay Bruce." Krivsky, "Nope". Yep our starting rotation would have probably been one of the power of this team. I'm all for it if he pans out. And I'm okay with him starting out the season in AAA. Just as long as he is up by the All Star break and catches on fire.

 
at 5:09 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great job giving us the scoop and minor details you can't write in the papers - just the stuff I'm looking for in the blog! Thanks.

 
at 5:47 PM Blogger docproc said...

So glad to hear this about Bruce; so sorry to hear this about Ed Smith.

 
at 6:11 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

John,
You commented the other day what it was like to watch Josh Hamilton swing for the first time last year.
Wondering if you have any similar thoughts after watching Jay Bruce hit for the first time?

 
at 6:22 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jay Bruce is the #1 baseball prospect on the planet.....by most objective baseball minds outside of Cincinnati. Wily Mo Pena( and Brandon Larson and Gookie Dawkins and Rob BEll and JOse Acevedo) were Jim Bowden/gullable cincinnati drink-the Kool aid material. Wily Mo Pena has never made a Baseball America top 50 anything. Stop already.

 
at 6:43 PM Blogger John Fay said...

Hamilton was more impressive. But his BP pitcher was grooving them. Rick Sweet was throwing to Bruce and Sweet was a litttle erractic. It was the first time he threw.

 
at 6:55 PM Blogger gm said...

who would you compare his swing too?

 
at 7:27 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice to hear about Bruce. He might not have all of Hamilton'a natural talent,but who does?

I think Wily Mo and others were more of a raw talent,where I think Bruce is more polished.

 
at 8:07 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

You talked about the batting cages sitting behind Tony Perez field, they also sit to the left of Joe Morgan field but you failed to mention the name of the batting cages. Oh, that's right, better not mention his name, maybe the Reds management might not like it.

 
at 9:19 PM Blogger Champ Summers said...

Hamilton had some of the most incredible BP sessions I've seen.

I can compare to Canseco, McGriff, Dunn, Sheffield, Vlad, and JR. They were all memorable to me but Hamilton had something else.

Keep in mind I saw Canseco, Mcgriff and JR past their prime.

ARod was pretty impressive as well.

I just got that sick feeling about the Hamilton deal again. I don't think we're going to get the best of that one. Just a feeling.

I have that same feeling when an NFL team drafts for need and passes on someone special like Peterson this year.

 
at 10:10 PM Blogger A said...

To Anonymous@622pm... Amen!

Now get yourself a Blogger identity so we can put a name to your voice of reason!

 
at 10:10 PM Blogger Gene in WV said...

Bruce is probably as close a sure thing you can have at this level. That being said, does not mean he is necessarily ready at this time. Stikes out an awful lot-in the minors. We can wait, if need be.

 
at 11:31 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

John, so how do the guys that are in camp already look as far as being in shape. I guess my thougts are on whether or not Coffee has come into ST in better shape. I had read somewhere that he was working hard this offseason. The other pitcher who comes to mind is Belisle, wonder how his offseason workouts have helped him?

Thanks for all the reports.

 
at 7:41 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

If Dusty can inspire Junior to help lead this team, it might be worth Baker's signing right there. Grif already has to play for a contract if he has intentions of cracking the 700 club as he told a RedsFest kid. Oh what a resource if Jr becomes more aware of and enjoys his chance to impact these guys with his words and actions.

 
at 8:23 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

John, I'd be interested in what kind of take the Texas pitchers, Belisle & Bailey, have on Clemens' fiasco as compared to Arroyo who must have faced him several times.

 
at 8:35 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ken Griffey has been living on borrowed time in the majors for the past 5 years.

Hes become average defensively and his homeruns make no difference to the success or failure of a team.

Most good teams would not even consider having this 38 year old over the fading ex superstar on the team

He has milked this franchise for millions of bucks

And Dusty Baker is going to solicit advice from him?

Don't get so enamored with Dusty Baker John..hes quite the character, I give you that..yet it was general consensus in Chicago that he was way past his prime .. as far as managing goes and that favoritism ran rampant under his watch. The clubhouse..in fact.. was in turmoil

I know that you are gonna tell me Sparky too had favorites..true..but they played hard and performed.

Nobody wanted to hire Dusty baker and to pay 3.5 million for this dude was a major mistake

 
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