Hal McCoy Night
Posted on 17. Sep, 2009 by Corey in All, General Baseball.
For some reason, I have always loved pregame ceremonies. Usually they mean that someone that deserves credit is getting it, and last night that was true for Hal McCoy, the long time Cincinnati Reds beat reporter for the Dayton Daily News. To bad not to many were in the crowd to see it.
I did have the chance to meet Hal once, in Spring Training. I just walked up to him, introduced myself and told them I was working in Dayton with the Dragons, so got a chance to read his stuff more often since we get the Dayton Daily News in the office. It was not a long conversation, but I was appreciative to have the chance to meet him.
I would never call myself a journalist, but I do say I dabble in the art of writing with this blog and other adventures I tackle, so I respect one of the best, which Hal is known as. My buddy Trent has always had great things to say about the man, and covered him a bit on his website so click HERE to read some of it.
I will include a few pics I took from the ceremony. My camera did not zoom in the best and where I was standing was not the best either, but you will get the point. Congrats to Hal and best wishes.
Stage faced the Reds dugout on the field before the game
Several people spoke, and lots of between innings tributes from friends across baseball like Jr., Jack McKeon, Gene Michael, etc.
Aaron Boone was sitting front and center...Great to see Boone back himself
With some tears and emotion Hal addressed the crowd
Hal and his wife exited the field right before the game
I attend many games a season at the Great American Ballpark, so if they change something or add a new feature, I usually catch it. I am all for eating healthy and avoiding the fried foods at stadiums, but this is just funny. There is a “Findlay Market” stand right inside the main gate selling fruit. I did not go up to see the prices, but I can only imagine how much an apple cost. Good thing I brought my own with me in the pocket. Friends are usually embarassed when I sneak a piece of fruit into the game but you know what they say about an apple a day…
Fruit Stand
The 39th Dayton Dragon has made an appearance in the big leagues. I know they are running out of room on the hallway wall in Dayton to put all their alumni. Hope to add a few more next season, but you never know. Pictured below is Juan Francisco. I never had him Dayton, but dealt with him the last few times in Spring Training. Seems like a quiet guy. Not sure if it is the language barrier or what, but this kid has some serious power.
Juan Francisco in the on deck circle
Head Clubhouse and Equipment Manger Rick Stowe is doing an ad for a uniform cleaning chemical that is featured in the ballpark. If I turn out to be half the Clubhouse Manager that Rick and his brother Mark are, I will be doing ok.
Jay Bruce jersey before....Jay Bruce jersey after...
It was Brandon Phillips mothers birthday yesterday and the entire Reds team made her a card. Then Brandon presented it to her on the FOX Sports Post game show. What a nice son!!
Mrs. Phillips B-day card
That was such a sweet story about the birthday. Do you happen to do that for your mom’s special day??
[...] had never seen fresh fruit at a game until last week when I attended a Reds game, but make this number two. All the fruit was priced at $1.50, and I cannot imagine it being a [...]