A Letter From a Disappointed Reds Fan

By Sara Normand

Dear Danny Graves,


Danny, Danny, Danny. You've really done it now haven't you. Is this what you wanted? But Thank you for your eight years of service to the Cincinnati Reds before getting “designated for assignment.” Within 10 days, you’ll either be traded...
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[ChrisBurch]

Sara you're awesome. My letter, which I will send to Danny in the mail, will be a really overly-gaudy envelope with Reds stickers, Go Reds! etc. all over it.
When Danny opens it, he'll see:

Dear Danny,

You suck.

Sincerely,

Chris Burch
PS- you suck.

[Shane]

LMAO!!!!

Great letter(s). Do me a favor! Print those suckers out an mail them! I do, and it feels gooooooooooood.

They probably don't read them, but oh well. It's worth the price of a stamp.

[KP]

Sara, that was an excellent letter. IMO, you got your point across without being malicious.

I didn't know it until I read your letter, but if the guy lashed out at the fans and made deragatory gestures to the fans simply for expressing their displeasure, the fans should be able to retaliate. Again, IMO, you did it respectfully.

Great job!

[Aveosmth]

That was a well-written letter, and I'm sure most people will agree with you on your premise, but I don't agree at all.

Danny Graves was the best closer the Reds have ever had. He shut opposing teams down in one of the best hitters parks in all of baseball (Riverfront, Cinergy or Great American Park). He gave the Reds 8 good seasons and they cut him after two months????

There is no debating that he did some very inappropriate things...his behavior was unexcusable. His pitching was terrible as well and he needed some help there as well. However, you just don't cut a guy like that. From what I read, Sean Casey was seething mad, and he seems like he's the only one that makes any sense.

The right thing to do is to suspend Graves, and use that time to send him to anger management. As a Dodger fan, I know about decent players with anger problems. Milton Bradley did things FAR worse than Graves and the rest of you Reds fans could ever imagine. Thank goodness we didn't cut him. He's now our best player and a team leader.

If I were you my letter would be about 5,000 pages longer and it would be a lot LESS about Danny Graves. I'd start with the atrocious starting pitching. Paul Wilson gave up 8 runs to my team (Dodgers) in the first inning without getting ONE OUT!!! I'd cut him really quick.

I'd write a whole lot about Reds management. You guys have a potential stud in Austin Kearns and you guys just let him sit and rot on the bench. Every year I pick that guy on my fantasy team, and every year the Reds mismanage him. It drives me crazy. You guys should either trade him or let the guy play.

I'd write about Ken Griffey Jr. Yes, I know this kills you guys, but it has to be said. It is very true that hindsight is 20-20, but not only has he been out of the lineup, he hasn't been a true leader when he's been there. Some guys are very talented and winners, and some guys are just very talented. Griffey, unfortunately for Reds fans, falls in the latter.

I'd write about letting Jose Guillen go. That guy had a GREAT season in 03'. How do you let the Angels grab that guy. Yes, he had anger problems too...and guess what, he's flourishing in Washington now.

I'd write about Ryan Freel. Pick a friggin position for this guy!!! He has a decent bat and great speed. I used to play baseball, its very unnerving to not know where youre gonna play every night.

I'd write about Adam Dunn. This guy has a super bat AND a great eye, yet he strikes out all the DAMN time. All someone needs to tell him is that every pitcher is not going to throw him fastball middle in; some just might throw some breaking stuff.

I'd write about Sean Casey and how the Reds need to give this guy a gold star for what he said today. He was forthright with his opinions and he actually sounded like a leader. If I were a Reds fan and they got punished or traded Sean Casey after his comments today, I would never, ever watch a game again.

The Reds stink, and Danny Graves has about 2% to do with it. Baseball is a total team game, and to single one guy out like that and make him the scapegoat really sucks. Being a closer is the loneliest job in the world, and Reds fans turned their backs on someone who gave them a solid job.

Well in response to that, this isn't high school. We don't send players to anger management. It's the pros--they get an opportunity. If they screw up, there is always someone waiting to take their place.

And about Austin Kearns, the problem isn't that he's not playing. He's batting 7th in the order on a regular basis, but he strikes out a lot. Many of these strikeouts have come at crucial times too, and many of them have been strikeouts looking.

Next, Jose Guillen was not traded to the Angels. We traded him to Oakland for Aaron Harang, and right now Harang is our best starter. This team needed pitching and still does, so the logical move was to get the best available pitcher at the time. Don't be surprised if another offensive power is traded away for pitching this year as well. Guillen was replaceable.

Next, Ryan Freel has baggage. He got a DUI a couple months ago. He should be happy to be with the Reds, and every team needs a utility guy. The Reds just haven't found the best position for him yet, but Freel is happy with his role.

And Adam Dunn is leading the National League in home runs. He's producing. Strikeouts come with power, and he has been cutting down on them.

To finish, Casey will never be traded, and Graves did not do a solid job this year. You can't keep a guy just because of what he's done in the past. We didn't keep Larkin even though he's a Hall of Famer. Graves wasn't getting the job done this year, and this is what happens. Props to the Reds for making moves recently to turn this team around. They could have just sat around and done nothing.

[Aveosmth]

Sara,

I'm not going to start a flame war with a fellow writer, but you've got to be kidding me...

Whose going to do the job Graves did? The Reds don't have anybody else!! The "this isn't high school" mentality is exactly why the Reds are struggling. I guess the Dodgers should have just let Milton Bradley go, because there was someone else that could have hit over .300, played great defense in center field, and have double digit homeruns already. Thank goodness this isn't high school and some people have the maturity and sense to know when they have a problem and need help. Wow...

Austin Kearns should not be hitting 7th. I agree that he does strikeout, but the guy is an 100 RBI guy if given an opportunity.

If you think Freel or any major leaguer is happy playing 5 or 6 different positions, then I don't know what to say. No one is ever happy doing that...people do that just to stay with a club.

You're right about Guillen...I forgot they did trade him to the A's. Harang has a good future...but Guillen's ..305/30/110 projections have got to bother any Reds fans

I agree with you on Dunn, but my point is that he can hit for average too....look at Vlad Guerrero, Pujols, and others who do both.

I'm not saying to keep Graves no matter what...suspend the guy, give him a chance to get some help (professionally and personally), and maybe he can contribute. If he doesn't, then you cut your ties.

[KP]

Just to be clear, I'm not taking either side of this escalating debate. Actually, IMO, this is a really good debate, especially getting ready for the point/counterpoint.

I have two comments to make, and both pertain to how the Angels handled similar situations you pointed out, Avery.

1. Chone Figgins doesn't care where he plays. He just wants to play. And, his ability dictates that he play...somewhere. He has said many times that he doesn't care where he plays. He just comes to the ballpark ready to play, checks the lineup and goes out and performs. So, I think the "un-nerving" comment is a bit unjustified if you have the proper mental makeup and accept your role. He plays all over the field and hits all throughout the lineup, depending on injuries and such.

2. The Angels cut ties with Guillen in the midst of a playoff race. He has extremely productive all year and should have even made the All-Star team last year. However, his attitude was counterproductive. Chemistry is a very underrated commoditiy in sports, IMO. Now, one could say that it was coincidence that the A's decided to suck around the same time the Angels suspended Guillen. Nonetheless, Guillen was a major part of the offense and outfield defense. A major part. All I'm saying here is that there may be an instance where Graves' attitude was detrimental to the team. Sure, the Reds aren't winning right now. But, maybe management wants to foster a certain type of atmosphere and Graves' behavior didn't translate.

Just my two cents....

[mark_chalifoux]

Avery, a few points

First, anyone can do the job graves did. My guess is it will be wagner, who many had clamored for to close at the start of the season. I don't know how closely you've followed the situation, but Graves hasn't been right for years now. Ever since they moved him to a starter he has been wrecked. He said he finally felt better this year, but we all know he's been complete garbage this season. He's not getting let go because of the fans, he's getting let go because he has been miserable for the past few years. He took out his frustration on the fans, but no anger management will help that and he will never be a leader on this team.

Your comments on Griffey are kind of off. He has had TERRIBLE luck, but he gets hurt giving 110% and has given back a lot of his salary so the reds could be competitive. No it hasn't worked out the way we wanted it to, but he's a good guy to have around and I think he'll turn it around.

Kearns has been given his chance and hasn't performed this year at all. As soon as Wily Mo Pena is healthy, I will be glad to see Kearns hit the bench. Wily Mo was one of the early bright spots for this team and I think he will have a tremendous future.

I don't know what the deal is with our starting pitching outside of Harang. It is just abysmal. On paper, we should be a much better team. I can't really pinpoint the problem, I just know we have one.

[Aveosmth]

Good points KP & Mark,

The "this isn't high school" remark that Sara made actually was the one that really bothered me, and everything else just went from there. There are many members of my family in the mental health business and it takes a real man/woman to admit they have a problem and seek help. Like I stated before, if the Dodgers would have just cut Bradley and not gotten him help, some other team may have reaped the benefits; and more importantly a young man might not have gotten on the right track.

KP--Chone Figgins is a good example of someone who is willing to play anywhere good point. I should have clarified my statements when I made the remark about Freel. Instead of all, I should have said most major league like to know that they are playing everyday and that they are playing the same position. There are a few exceptions to any rule. However, you've got to admit for the sake of continuity that most ballplayers like to know where they are playing.

KP--Jose Guillen is a tricky one, and its hard to say whose right or wrong regarding him. He had a great last 3 years, but the anger and disruption can kill a clubhouse. I think that he needed someone like Frank Robinson in Washington that could set him straight and have him concentrate just on playing ball.

Mark--Kearns should be given another chance. He led the team in RBI's, I believe last year or the year before right up until the All-Star break when he got hurt. I think that's still in the back of his mind. I agree Pena is solid, but Kearns has more potential.

Mark--I don't think my comments are off, and you might think that I'm attacking Griffey when I state that. Griffey for so long was SOOOOO much better than his collegues that it tended to alienate him from them. He ended up not being very vocal in the clubhouse and distancing himself. Unfortunately, you can't be a leader with that behavior. Is he like Barry? Not even close!!! He seems to be a really decent guy. However, he has always separated himself from his teammates. Now that his ability is more in line with the other guys, I think he may actually become a leader. As far as being a winner, he had plenty of opportunities w/the M's, but he never seemed comfortable getting his team over the hump.

[mark_chalifoux]

Griffey doesn't distance himself nearly as much as he used to. I think he can be a leader for this team but this team needs much more than just a leader. I really don't believe the whole distancing thing with the reds, because I know for a fact that he took in some of the young outfielders from the reds (especially Dunn) under his wing and would have him over to his house all the time. I think Griffey gets a bad rap because of his incredibly bad luck.

As far as Kearns goes, I think Pena has much more potential than him. A few scouts have compared Pena to a young Mark McGwire in terms of strength (I think they mean comparable to McGwire's strength after he started "hulking up"). Kearns was good until Major league pitchers adjusted to him, but he has tapered off considerably. He did have a decent season last year until he was hurt, but he hasn't been able to do anything since his injury. He was given a shot, then benched for Pena, and now has another shot with Pena hurt. Between the two, I put Pena in the lineup everyday. How long can you wait around on Kearns? Especially when you have a guy like Pena who is younger and is producing much more. Kearns may be a better fielder, as Pena does need to work on his defense, but this Reds team needs offense more than anything (except maybe pitching).

[Aveosmth]

Hey Mark,

How about Yhency Brazoban for Austin Kearns....we need an outfielder and you guys need pitching. Its tough to gauge how long you wait on a guy before you move on.

I agree that Griffey can and will be more of a leader fo r the team.

[mark_chalifoux]

I'd do it in a heartbeat. Im just not a believer in Kearns anymore

[KP]

I do agree with you, Avery, in that probably an large percentage of the players know where they are playing and even batting every day. I play in an adult baseball league and our coach juggles the lineup almost every game and puts people at different positions. It is kind of frustrating even for us old guys!
Also, as much as I hate the Dodgers (Angels 2-1 so far!) I would not give up Brazoban for Kearns. Ya'll already gave up a power arm in Mota...don't do it again with Yhency...especially for Kearns who always seems to get hurt.

Segue...

...to Griffey, Jr. Maybe 'cause he was always at Griffey's house learning how to get hurt? Just kidding, Mark and Sara! Anyway, Griffey sure lost a lot of national appeal when he left Seattle. Probably more so for the way he left. It was admirable that he took less money from Cincy and has given some back, but why couldn't he have done that with an experienced and playoff ready team? Didn't all but force the trade saying he wanted to be closer to his Orlando home? Hmm....
And, how many freak injuries can one man sustain? He seems to have gotten fairly pudgey over the last four or five years. Is conditioning a problem with him? I know torn knees and calves and hammys and the like can happen to everyone. Maybe it is coincidence, but it seems to happen alot to him. The reputation he got for whining and crying about wanting to be left alone and then the alledged call to ESPN saying they were showing too much Jim Edmonds kind of hurt him as well.
One more thing...IMO, I can't stand the way he stands and watches his homers. Just run the dang bases! Scotty Rolen does it the right way, IMO.

My rant is done. You've been great. I'll be here all week....