Hal McCoy
Verified- Sports Blogger and Contributing Writer, Dayton Daily News
- Contributing Writer, Springfield News-Sun
Dayton
Blogs on Cincinnati Reds for the Dayton Daily News. Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Hal McCoy
McCoy: UD’s 83-76 Exhibition Loss To Xavier A Learning Experience
Zaide Lowery, a 6-5 senior guard transfer from Marquette, led the Flyers with 16 points. (Press Pros Feature Photos By Julie Wright-Daniel) The University of Dayton and Xavier put on an exhibition show for charity on the outdoor center court of the Lindner Family Tennis Center in front of 11,015 fans and while the Flyers lost, coach Anthony Grant saw some good things and some things that need to be addressed and fixed after their appearance in the Care Source Invitational. Mason, OH.
Ask Hal: Have the Reds improved under Terry Francona?
Ask Hal: Have the Reds improved under Terry Francona? Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy knows a thing or two about our nation's pastime. Tap into that knowledge by sending an email to halmccoy2@hotmail.com. Q: After a lifetime of covering baseball, have you picked out a baseball saying you'd like to have on your gravestone? — DAVE, Miamisburg/Centerville/Beavercreek.
Ask Hal: Have the Reds improved under Terry Francona?
Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy knows a thing or two about our nation's pastime. Tap into that knowledge by sending an email to halmccoy2@hotmail.com. Q: After a lifetime of covering baseball, have you picked out a baseball saying you'd like to have on your gravestone? - DAVE, Miamisburg/Centerville/Beavercreek. A: Are you trying to prematurely bury me, as Reds CEO Bob Castellini tried to do about 10 years ago when he demanded that FoxSportsOhio relieve me of my website duties.
Ask Hal: Have the Reds improved under Terry Francona?
Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy knows a thing or two about our nation’s pastime. Tap into that knowledge by sending an email to halmccoy2@hotmail.com. Q: After a lifetime of covering baseball, have you picked out a baseball saying you’d like to have on your gravestone? — DAVE, Miamisburg/Centerville/Beavercreek. A: Are you trying to prematurely bury me, as Reds CEO Bob Castellini tried to do about 10 years ago when he demanded that FoxSportsOhio relieve me of my website duties.
McCoy: Marvin Luna No Long Shot On Delivering The Long Odds…
“Doesn’t always happen, but sometimes you get lucky,” Luna says about his long-shot success. “It has been going good and the horses make me look good.” – Press Pros Feature Photos by Sonny Fulks) Unless lightning strikes, there’s been no better driver to deliver on a long shot in the past year than Lexington, Ky. resident Marvin Luna. Nicknamed the ‘Little Flea’, he’s showing a knack for delivering on the big odds.
McCoy: Page and McCown Share Their Little Brown Jug Day Stories
Washington Court House’s Cameron McCown had an excellent day in the preliminaries, winning twice and finishing second once. (Press Pros Feature Photos by Sonny Fulks) Two of Ohio racing’s best share their story of Little Brown Jug day last week, how it happened for them, and what it means for whatever comes over the remainder of their career.
Ask Hal: Could the Reds hire Joey Votto as GM?
Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy knows a thing or two about our nation’s pastime. Tap into that knowledge by sending an email to halmccoy2@hotmail.com. Q: As a baseball writer, do you look forward to the offseason as much as a teacher looks forward to summer vacation? — DAVE, Miamisburg/Centerville/Beavercreek. A: Never. Even after a horrible season like the Cincinnati Reds produced this year, I never want to see baseball end.
McCoy: ‘Where ya gonna go?’ Cincinnati Reds face major questions after another last-place finish
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brady Singer (center) flips over while fielding a single hit by the Atlanta Braves’ Ozzie Albies as first baseman Sal Stewart (27) watches during the first inning of a game Thursday, Sept. 24, Truist Park in Atlanta. Erik S. Lesser / AP A question for the Castellini family and the Cincinnati Reds front office: “Where ya gonna go?” The 2026 baseball season is bad history, easily a forgettable time for the once-proud franchise.
McCoy: Lowder impresses in final start of season as Reds beat Blue Jays 5-1 Original
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Rhett Lowder delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Cincinnati. Rhett Lowder woke up with either a bad back or a bad cold, depending upon who is doing the talking. Cincinnati Reds manager Tito Francona said it was a tight back and Lowder said it was a bad cough. No matter which it was, maybe both, Lowder began Saturday afternoon’s game as if he was one breath above a corpse.
McCoy: Reds fall to Blue Jays 6-5, clinch last place in NL Central
The Cincinnati Reds clinched something, but there was no champagne-spraying in the post-game clubhouse. With a bullpen blowup and a 6-5 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, Sept. 25, the Reds clinched last place in the National League Central. They trail the fourth-place St. Louis Cardinals by three games with two to play. The Reds took a 5-2 lead into the seventh inning, but Luis Mey and Pierce Johnson gave up four runs, the 32nd time this season the Reds owned a lead but lost the game.
McCoy: Redland Rocket Man Beats The Odds, And The Field, To Take 81st Brown Jug
Popular driver Jody Jamieson and Redland Rocket Man take a victory tour in front of the excited stands after ‘Rocket Man’ scorched the field in 1;47.4 to win the 81st Little Brown Jug.
McCoy: One bunt separates Reds from Braves in another one-run game
McCoy: One bunt separates Reds from Braves in another one-run game It was decided by execution in the 10th inning of an extra-innings game — the Atlanta Braves executed and the Cincinnati Reds executed themselves. Atlanta's 3-2 win Wednesday, Sept. 23, in Truist Park came down to the Reds failing to put down a sacrifice bunt and the Braves successfully putting down a sacrifice bunt. It was 2-2 after nine. Matt McLain was Cincinnati's ghost runner on second.
McCoy: One bunt separates Reds from Braves in another one-run game Original
Cincinnati Reds' Juan Brito (46) reacts with third base coach Willie Harris, left, after hitting a leadoff solo home run against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Atlanta. Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II misses catching a leadoff solo home run hit by Cincinnati Reds' Juan Brito during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Atlanta.
McCoy: Brandon Williamson aces audition, Eugenio Suarez reaches 350 homers in Reds’ 4-0 victory over Braves
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brandon Williamson delivers to an Atlanta Braves batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Atlanta. With Hunter Greene unavailable next season and Brady Singer likely to depart via free agency, the Cincinnati Reds are on the hunt for starting pitchers. So Brandon Williamson was auditioning Tuesday, Sept. 22, against the power-laden Atlanta Braves in Truist Park.
McCoy: Crow-Armstrong has three hits as Cubs beat Reds 9-1
The Cincinnati Reds’ final home game of 2026 was like so many this season — duller for the Reds than a Monopoly tournament. It wasn’t dull for the playoff-bound Chicago Cubs. The Cubs planted a 9-1 beatdown on the Reds Sunday, Sept. 20, in Great American Ball Park, slugging three home runs. That’s one fewer homer than number of hits produced by the Reds, four hits for the second straight game.
McCoy: Reds’ offensive woes continue in 5-2 loss to Cubs
It was one of those many night when the Cincinnati Reds not only couldn’t find hits, they acted as if they couldn’t even spell the word hit. For four innings Saturday, Sept. 19, in Great American Ball Park, they had no hits and finished with four singles during a 5-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs. They have lost eight of their last 12. They were facing left-hander Matthew Boyd and the Cubs had lost six of his previous eight starts.
McCoy: Bullpen woes, costly Cubs mistakes fuel Reds comeback
Cincinnati Reds' Elly De La Cruz, right, celebrates with Jose Trevino, center, and Ke'bryan Hayes, left, at the conclusion of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Cincinnati. The Chicago Cubs did everything they could conjure up to lose a baseball game to the Cincinnati Reds. And they succeeded spectacularly during a 6-4 defeat to the Reds Friday, Sept. 18, in Great American Ball Park.
McCoy: Reds ensure losing season with series loss to Dodgers
One thing that has been proven without argument the last two weeks is that the chasm between the Cincinnati Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers/Los Angeles Dodgers is as deep as the Mariana Trench and as wide as the Pacific Ocean. More proof was provided Thursday afternoon when the Dodgers crushed the Reds again, this time 8-2. It clinched two things: A positive for the Dodgers and a negative for the Reds.
McCoy: Reds snap 10-game losing streak to Dodgers with 6-2 win
For one night, one game, the Cincinnati Reds quit playing Fay Wray to the King Kong Los Angeles Dodgers. With a 6-2 win Wednesday night in Great American Ball Park, the Reds ended a 10-game losing streak to the Dominant Dodgers. And it temporarily delayed the Dodgers from clinching their 14th National League West championship in 15 years. It took a huge, huge stroke of bad luck for the Dodgers but for the forlorn Reds a win is a win.
McCoy: Reds shut out for MLB-leading 17th time in loss to Dodgers
Hal McCoy Contributing Writer The Cincinnati Reds versus the Los Angeles Dodgers is a MisMatch with two capital Ms. For the fifth straight time this year and 10th straight overall, the Dodgers treated the Reds like Tinker Toys during a 4-0 win Tuesday night in Great American Ball Park. During the five straight wins, the Dodgers have outscored the Reds, 31-7. The Reds bats have struck out 47 times and Reds pitchers have walked 25. It was the 17th time the Reds have been shut out, the most in MLB.
McCoy: De La Cruz launches Ohio River blast, but Dodgers roll past Reds
The Los Angeles Dodgers, also known as Team Monotonous, qualified for the post-season playoffs. With a business-like 4-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds Monday, Sept. 14, the Dodgers are in the playoffs for the 14th straight year. Ho-hum. The Reds? What’s the post-season? What are the playoffs? They have made it once during a full 162-game season once since 2013. The Dodgers didn’t waste any hits in Great American Ball Park. They had three hits for the night.
Ask Hal: Will the minor leagues play if there’s an MLB strike?
Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy knows a thing or two about our nation’s pastime. Tap into that knowledge by sending an email to halmccoy2@hotmail.com. Q: Should MLB do more to reward teams that develop young stars like Elly De La Cruz, Sal Stewart and Chase Burns before they vanish into free agency? — DAVE, Miamisburg/Centerville/Beavercreek. A: It is hard to vanish in Los Angeles or New York, where free agents go to die.
McCoy: Pitching, defense, smallball and a big blast help Reds beat Brewers 4-3, snap five-game losing streak Original
The Cincinnati Reds paid attention as to why the Milwaukee Brewers are so successful and ripped a page out of their winning manual. It is pitching, defense, smallball and a big blast now and then. The Reds did it all Sunday, Sept. 13 in American Family Field and needed every smidgeon of it to score a 4-3 victory over the Brew Crew. PITCHING: Chase Burns, Brandon Williamson, Brock Burke and Emilio Pagan combined to hold the Brewers run-scoring machine to six hits.
McCoy: Brewers pour it on early in 13-9 victory over the Reds
It isn’t accurate to assume the Cincinnati Reds currently are holding pre-game meetings at a post office so they can mail it in. It only looks that way. For the third straight day, the Reds looked as if they’d rather be home with the wife and kids than on a baseball field. Well, where ya gonna go? After losing their previous two games by 14-1 and 20-0, the Reds gave up 13 more runs Saturday night to the Milwaukee Brewers — 47 runs in three games.
McCoy: Friday Night Lights — Brewers bury Reds, 20-0
When the Cincinnati Reds landed at Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport, they had no idea their next game would be against the Green Bay Packers. Well, it wasn’t the Packers, it just looked that way when the Milwaukee Brewers blasted and buried the Reds, 20-0, on Friday, Sept. 11. And the embarrassment level reached new heights. For the second straight game and seventh time this season, catcher Jose Trevino finished the game on the mound.
McCoy: Dodgers annihilate Reds 14-1 for seventh straight win
The Los Angeles Dodgers completed a three-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds in Dodger Stadium Wednesday night and the difference was, uh, $212.1 million. The Dodgers (payroll: $336.4 million) crushed and crunched the Reds (payroll: $124.3 million) 14-1. It was as big of a mismatch as The Charge of the Light Brigade against the Russians in the Crimean War.
McCoy: Teoscar Hernandez does it again as Reds lose to Dodgers, extend Dodger Stadium skid
They present the Oscars six miles from Dodger Stadium in Hollywood. But Los Angeles Dodgers fans get to see their own Oscar, Teoscar Hernandez, their own Academy Award performer. And his best baseball acting comes against the Cincinnati Reds and he did it again Tuesday, Sept. 8, during a 3-2 Dodgers win over the Reds. His two-out single in the fifth inning drove in the go-ahead and winning run against Reds starter Nick Lodolo.
McCoy: Reds lose ninth straight game at Dodger Stadium
The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds play as a rainbow sits above them during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, in Los Angeles. To their dismay, the Cincinnati Reds displayed how to lose a game, 6-3, when the opposing team collects only three hits — two by one player. That was the scenario on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 8, as the Reds were not on good terms with Lady Luck in Dodger Stadium. In fact, Lady Luck is nowhere near when the Reds are in Los Angeles.
Ask Hal: Who was the last Reds player to lead the league in RBI?
Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy knows a thing or two about our nation’s pastime. Tap into that knowledge by sending an email to halmccoy2@hotmail.com. Q: Reds pitcher Tony Santillan pitched one inning in San Francisco and gave up three runs but got the win, so is this a flaw in deciding the winning pitcher? — DAVE, Miamisburg/Centerville/Beavercreek A: Indeed it is and it is as wrong as giving a player a hit when his ball ricochets off an infielder’s glove. See it all the time.
Ask Hal: Who was the last Reds player to lead the league in RBI?
Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy knows a thing or two about our nation’s pastime. Tap into that knowledge by sending an email to halmccoy2@hotmail.com. Q: Reds pitcher Tony Santillan pitched one inning in San Francisco and gave up three runs but got the win, so is this a flaw in deciding the winning pitcher? — DAVE, Miamisburg/Centerville/Beavercreek A: Indeed it is and it is as wrong as giving a player a hit when his ball ricochets off an infielder’s glove. See it all the time.
McCoy: Elly De La Cruz homers as Reds beat the Brewers 12-8
The Cincinnati Reds should board an elevator in the downtown Carew Tower, scramble off at the 47th-floor Observation deck and shout over the edge, “We did it, we did it, we did it.” What they did, finally did, was win a series against the Milwaukee Brewers, a task for them that was as difficult as the Theory of Relativity. The Brewers had won 12 straight series against the Reds, nine straight in Great American Ball Park and 16 of the last 18. By winning Sunday, Sept.
McCoy: Elly De La Cruz homers as Reds beat the Brewers 12-8
The Cincinnati Reds should board an elevator in the downtown Carew Tower, scramble off at the 47th-floor Observation deck and shout over the edge, “We did it, we did it, we did it.” What they did, finally did, was win a series against the Milwaukee Brewers, a task for them that was as difficult as the Theory of Relativity. The Brewers had won 12 straight series against the Reds, nine straight in Great American Ball Park and 16 of the last 18. By winning Sunday, Sept.
McCoy: Elly De La Cruz homers as Reds beat the Brewers 12-8
The Cincinnati Reds should board an elevator in the downtown Carew Tower, scramble off at the 47th-floor Observation deck and shout over the edge, “We did it, we did it, we did it.” What they did, finally did, was win a series against the Milwaukee Brewers, a task for them that was as difficult as the Theory of Relativity. The Brewers had won 12 straight series against the Reds, nine straight in Great American Ball Park and 16 of the last 18. By winning Sunday, Sept.
McCoy: Reds survive bases-loaded ninth to beat Brewers, 5-3 Original
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Emilio Pagán (15) throws during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers in Cincinnati, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. If only the Cincinnati Reds could play every game. . .that is eventually decided by two or fewer runs. With a 5-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in rain-drenched Great American Ball Park on Saturday, Sept. 5, the Reds are 42-24 in games decided by two or fewer runs. That’s a .636 winning percentage.
McCoy: Reds find another ludicrous way to lose to Brewers
The name of American rapper Ludacris is either a take off on his real name, Christopher Brian Bridges, or somebody doesn’t know how to spell ludicrous. Ludacris put on a post-game show Friday, Sept. 4, in Great American Ball Park, but what happened on the field during the game was ludicrous. The Milwaukee Brewers put a 10-7 beatdown on the Cincinnati Reds and it is almost ludicrous how the team with MLB’s best record goes about its business Ten runs. No home runs.
McCoy: Reds find another ludicrous way to lose to Brewers
The name of American rapper Ludacris is either a take off on his real name, Christopher Brian Bridges, or somebody doesn’t know how to spell ludicrous. Ludacris put on a post-game show Friday, Sept. 4, in Great American Ball Park, but what happened on the field during the game was ludicrous. The Milwaukee Brewers put a 10-7 beatdown on the Cincinnati Reds and it is almost ludicrous how the team with MLB’s best record goes about its business Ten runs. No home runs.
McCoy: Reds piggyback plan gives Chase Burns a boost for stretch run
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Burns throws during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals Aug. 19 in Cincinnati. Carolyn Kaster / AP There was a point this season when the Cincinnati Reds bullpen more resembled a pigpen. When closer Emilio Pagán along with set-up men TeJay Antone, Tony Santillan and Graham Ashcraft all landed on the injured list, the bullpen was a mixed-up mess.
McCoy: Suddenly-hot Reds take series vs. Padres on a hot day at GABP
Any future anthology about the Cincinnati Reds won’t include what the team is doing these days. They are out of it. They are in last place. Buried in last place. But they are following manager Tito Francona’s wishes, “Just keep playin’.” What they can do is slow down teams fighting for playoff berths and so far, so good. After taking two of three from the Chicago Cubs in Wrigley Field over the weekend, the Reds took two of three from the San Diego Padres.
McCoy: Suddenly-hot Reds take series vs. Padres on a hot day at GABP
Any future anthology about the Cincinnati Reds won’t include what the team is doing these days. They are out of it. They are in last place. Buried in last place. But they are following manager Tito Francona’s wishes, “Just keep playin’.” What they can do is slow down teams fighting for playoff berths and so far, so good. After taking two of three from the Chicago Cubs in Wrigley Field over the weekend, the Reds took two of three from the San Diego Padres.
McCoy: De La Cruz, Stewart come through again as Reds edge Padres
When it’s late and the game is on the line, who ya gonna call? For the Cincinnati Reds it’s Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart or Sal Stewart and Elly De La Cruz. The order doesn’t matter. Such was the scenario Tuesday, Sept. 1 when the Reds scraped past the San Diego Padres, 4-3. It was 2-2 when the Reds came to bat in the bottom of the eighth and Padres manager Craig Stammen sent Adrian Morejon to the mound.
McCoy: Reds blanked by Padres 5-0 despite early chances
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brady Singer throws during the third inning of a baseball against the San Diego Padres, in Cincinnati, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. It was an eventful night in Great American Ball Park on Monday, Aug. 31, but nothing positive for the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds were shut out, 5-0, by the San Diego Padres. And San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado nearly out hit the Reds by himself.
Ask Hal: Will Hunter Greene or Nick Lodolo go to the bullpen?
Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy knows a thing or two about our nation’s pastime. Tap into that knowledge by sending an email to halmccoy2@hotmail.com. Q: With the Cincinnati Reds out of the playoff picture, what can make September baseball meaningful and exciting for the fans? — DAVE, Miamisburg/Centerville/Beavercreek. A: If you are a true baseball aficionado that’s a no-brainer.
McCoy: Stewart, Burns lead Reds to 7-5 win, take series in Chicago
Pete Crow-Armstrong provided the Wrigley Field fans with what they wanted — a home run his first time up and a home run his last time up. That, though, was it for the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, Aug 30. The Cincinnati Reds doubled up on PCA with four home runs in a 7-5 victory. All seven runs came on the four homers hit by Hector Rodriguez, Dane Myers, Tyler Stephenson and, yes, Sal Stewart. Scoring runs via the home run has been the Reds’ modus operandi all season.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Hal
Contact Hal, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack