Hall-of-fame baseball writer Hal McCoy knows a thing or two aboutAmerica's pastime. If you'd like to tap into that knowledge, send aquestion to halmccoy1@hotmail.com. For more Ask Hal, log on toDaytonDailyNews.com
Q: Did a $5 haircut for Edinson Volquez do what Tommy Johnsurgery couldn't do? -- Dave, Miamisburg/Centerville/ Beavercreek
A: If barbers give estimates, it would have cost Volquez most ofhis $700 meal money for the current trip for a professional trim.Shearing the dreadlocks was what he called 'self mutilation,' but ifhe hadn't had the Tommy John surgery he would not have been able tolift the hedge clippers above his shoulders.
Q: What are those colored rope necklaces a lot of the Reds arewearing? Did they bring good luck? -- Judith, Dayton
A: Nothing mystical or magical about them. They are the currentstyle trend (everybody has to have one). Most ballplayers get themfrom Brett Bros. They are braided titanium and are said to relievepain in the neck and shoulders. If that's the case, with all theReds pitchers suffering shoulder problems this year, the team shouldorder them by the gross and Homer Bailey could wear six at a time.
Q: I remember Sparky Anderson once coming out to argue with anumpire, but immediately turned back without saying a word because hesaid the umpire told him, 'I missed the call,' and Sparky said hehad no comeback for that. Who was that umpire? -- Joe, Phillipsburg
A: That umpire was Lee Weyer, one of the best ever. He stood 6-foot-6 and weighed over 300 pounds. Despite his size, he had a high,squeaky voice that made him sound like Mickey Mouse when he called astrike. In that incident with Sparky, honesty was the best policy.More umpires should employ it and there would be less time wastedarguing, but some umps like to argue because they know they alwayswin.
Q: With the knowledge that most pitchers have successful TommyJohn surgery, why did the Angels give up on Jose Arredondo, and havethe Reds found a jewel off another team's scrap heap? -- Dan,Sydney, Australia
A: Shouldn't you be asking me questions about Australian rulesfootball? I love that sport, especially the official in the whitehat and white top coat who stands under the goal and makes signalslike a traffic cop. Oh, Arredondo? Teams make decisions fordifferent reasons, but that one was strange in that Arredondo was 10-2 out of the bullpen for the Angels in 2008 with a 1.62 ERA in 52games. A diamond in the scrap heap? More like finding a milliondollars in an old trunk in the attic.
Q: Did the Reds even try to sign Lance Berkman, because if theyhad they'd be in first place right now. -- Mike, Houston A: As Iunderstand it, nobody tried to sign Berk-man. Not one offer. So hepicked up the telephone and called the St. Louis Cardinals and askedfor a contract/tryout. Why didn't somebody give him a number with a513 area code? As for being in first place, that's a stretch --although it would be interesting if you could take away what he hasdone for the Cardinals and add it to the Reds.
Q: What is your take on the home plate collision that knocked SanFrancisco's Buster Posey out for the season? -- Mark, Columbus
A: After the fact, of course, some folks want a rule to forbid acatcher from blocking home plate, something that has been part ofthe game since they began stitching baseballs. Ridiculous. With allthe armor a catcher wears, it is usually the runner who comes uplimping and coughing up sand and pebbles. The next time a shortstopis knocked out of a game by a runner breaking up a double play,they'll want that play eliminated, too, and pretty soon they'll beserving tea and crumpets between innings.
Q: On the last road trip, when the Reds were calling up a newpitcher every day, I wondered how the new guys get their newuniforms so fast, as far as getting numbers and names on thejerseys? -- Mike, Yellow Springs
A: Any player on the 40-man roster or any player invited tospring training is assigned a number and has uniforms with his nameon the back. In the rare case where a player was not in camp, likeJeremy Horst and Tom Cochran, the team carries extra jerseys withnumbers, but no names. They also carry packages of letters that canbe sewn on when a player without an already-made uniform arrives.One of the blanks is sent quickly to a seamstress, hopefully one whocan spell, and his name is sewn on. If a seamstress can't be found,clubhouse manager Rick Stowe dons needle and thread.
Q: I know the Reds have a team physician, but do they have a teampsychologist? -- Jeff, Springboro
A: Dr. Tim Kremchek, of course, is the team doctor. They alsohave three trainers, a team dentist, a nose, ear and throatspecialist, a head injury specialist, a foot specialist, a dieticianand on and on and on. A psychologist? If one is needed, they knowwhere to find one, although I don't know of one whose specialty istransferring hits, balls and strikes from a couch to the field.
