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View Full Version : I am going to be sad when Doolittle and Hembree are released



OldFashionedRed
08-17-2021, 04:22 PM
As a Reds fan I can't remember the last time I was this frustrated, for such a long part of the season, with the bullpen. How many wins have we given up after the 6th inning? I say sixth because the last time I looked only Miley was averaging 6 innings per start out of the six starters, another starter was averaging 3.25+ innings, and the other four were in the 5+ inning range. Obviously, none of the starters seem able to come close to completing a game. But my thread isn't about those starters. It's about how much the bullpen has been used, and how some of these guys are ALWAYS going to hold a special place in my heart. I'm not one to tear up when talking about sports, but I am as I write this, because we can all agree that yes this is a business, yes they've blown a lot of games, and a resounding yes those two guys have given their all. Sometimes all isn't enough, and the day is coming sooner rather than later that they're both gone.

If I had to pick one of the three of the relief pitchers (Garrett, Hembree, Doolittle) to go, it wouldn't be the two guys this thread is about. I'd get them some extra help off to the side, or even send them back to AAA with the promise that they will be called back up in short notice. Hembree showed last night that he CAN spot that fastball and slider. The first hit he gave up was on a slider off the outside of the plate, that the guy reached out to punch into left-center. It was evident to me last night that he's heart broken with how things have turned out this season for him. I really wanted to reach out to give him a hug.

Doolittle, on the other hand, busts his tail everytime he's out there, and according to the tv crew he's been working on making something other than his fastball a go-to pitch. He does throw an array of stuff, but it's been mostly fastballs. People make fun of the guy because of his appearance, but he's got a special place in my heart. I've been checking Redszone throughout the day hoping to NOT read the bad news. I haven't talked about Amir because I don't feel he's good for the club with the way he handles himself on the field, always creating drama and IMO he's not coachable. The other two guys are coachable, but they're on the very end of their respective careers. This is Amir's 5th year in the big leagues, and the guy is a headcase with talent.

Isn't there someone here named Wondeful Monds (or maybe it was someone else) who was talking last night in the game thread about how he felt bad for so and so? I'd like to hear his thoughts on Hembree and Doolittle.

westofyou
08-17-2021, 04:34 PM
17569

Ky Fried Redleg
08-17-2021, 04:48 PM
I say to those three guys, "Thanks for your service. Nothing personal, but this is business and you're bad for business. Now, go kick rocks, and try not to hurt anyone."

Hembree, I do feel kinda bad for. He went from closing out some games to not being able to get through an inning against the AAA Cubs in a 12-0 game.

Doolittle , I'm sure he's a great guy, and it's great the way he can talk to animals, but the only pitch he needs to be working on is his late night informercial selling goofy-looking glasses.

As for Garrett, his act has grown more than tiresome. His pitches are as erratic as his behavior. He should call Vince McMahon up and ask for a tryout. He loves to fight and that "Rock the Baby" thingy may go over well as a finishing move on Vince's circus stage.

Bottomline: Getting people out in high-leverage situations is a must and none of these three can be trusted to do it in any shape, form, or fashion. Cut ties before they cost us another game we had well in hand.

NebraskaRed
08-17-2021, 04:48 PM
I have some bad news for you...


Charlie Goldsmith
@CharlieG__

The Reds have called up Tony Santillan and DFAd Heath Hembree.

Tom Servo
08-17-2021, 04:52 PM
Hembree at least contributed for a little while before the clock struck midnight, Doolittle really has not helped the team at all.

Ky Fried Redleg
08-17-2021, 04:54 PM
Hembree at least contributed for a little while before the clock struck midnight, Doolittle really has not helped the team at all.

Yep, the winds of change can blow swiftly in the business of Major League Baseball.

OldFashionedRed
08-17-2021, 05:26 PM
I know it needed to be done, hopefully this helps to make the club better. I also hope that the organization reaches out to Heath in some capacity, maybe he could be of some assistance in another role?

Griffey012
08-17-2021, 05:28 PM
Santillan never deserved to be down in the first place.

UKFlounder
08-17-2021, 05:30 PM
Batting practice pitcher?

(OK, OK, that’s probably not fair. My bad. :) )



I know it needed to be done, hopefully this helps to make the club better. I also hope that the organization reaches out to Heath in some capacity, maybe he could be of some assistance in another role?

Red Buckeye
08-17-2021, 05:34 PM
I like Doolittle's political views very much, but his pitching is a liability. Everytime Garrett gets in I get paranoid that Bell is betting against the Reds. What other explanation is there?

Hembree showed flashes of good, but the last couple weeks have ruined that. They have had all year to figure it out, it's crunch time. As far as I am concerned this IS the postseason. Can't have choke artists like them around in the playoffs.

Roy Tucker
08-17-2021, 05:39 PM
Hembree had a 3.46 ERA in July and 7 saves and 14 appearances. He at least decently plugged a hole when the Reds desperately needed a reasonably competent bullpen arm.

But he fell off the proverbial cliff in August with a 19.46 ERA. I think he was hurt or just worn out. Hope they vote him a playoff share.

OldFashionedRed
08-17-2021, 05:39 PM
I do agree with everyone. I've just got a soft place for people who struggle in life, when they're hurting I do, too. Hembree's been down of late, emotionally I think.

Red Buckeye
08-17-2021, 05:43 PM
I do agree with everyone. I've just got a soft place for people who struggle in life, when they're hurting I do, too. Hembree's been down of late, emotionally I think.

I feel the same way about people! But Hembree probably has a lot of money so don't feel too bad for him. This reminds me of when Mike Brown actually with a straight face said one time he didn't want to cut Pac Man Jones from the Bengals because it may hurt his feelings haha.

Bruce Berenyi
08-17-2021, 05:46 PM
i feel as bad for hembree as I do for joe henderson

OldFashionedRed
08-17-2021, 05:48 PM
https://www.si.com/mlb/2020/04/02/sean-doolittle-washington-nationals

What a nice read on Sean!

KeefeCato
08-18-2021, 05:48 PM
i feel as bad for hembree as I do for joe henderson

Joe threw a total of 9 shutout innings in 1976.

DocRed
08-18-2021, 06:29 PM
Hoffman and Doolittle are terrible...to bad we can't DFA both of them when Antone is ready