Hal McCoy, Extended Version: Received email from Hal McCoy, seemingly retired from the Dayton Daily News, saying after an offseason of courtship he will now be a featured contributor to Fox Sports Ohio this season. Said Hal:

"They are starting a web site and want me to do three columns a week, plus some selective TV work for them. They are also going to send me to spring training for a couple of weeks."

Hal had been negotiating with several media outlets during the offseason, including the Cincinnati Enquirer and MLB.com before accepting a contract role at the Daily News for writing three blogs a week plus his "Ask Hal" column on Sundays. However, if you were accustomed to seeing Hal in one of four daily newspapers or 18 weeklies in the Cincinnati/Dayton area, that ended with his exclusive agreement with the Daily News.

No word on Hal's book about his 37 years covering the Reds, which he promised to write once he retired. But, obviously, he's not really retired. In one way, he's busier than ever.

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.../GVZJF9x8Vo%3D