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Monday, July 17 | |||||
Midseason report: Cincinnati Reds
ESPN.com | |||||
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Biggest disappointment: 1B Sean Casey was considered part of the Reds' foundation, the core group of players that would lead Cincinnati back to the World Series. But, more than anyone else, Casey has failed to produce at the plate. In 1999, Casey broke out. He batted .332, hit 25 bombs and drove in 99 runs in 151 games. In the first half of this year, Casey is stuck in the mud. He's batting just .250 with four home runs and 20 RBI through July 6. For a player who scouts said "could win a batting title," Casey is having an awful year. Period.
Biggest surprise: We expected him to hit 65 home runs. We expected him to drive in 160 runs. We expected him to soar into the playoffs with his new, flashy team. And center fielder Ken Griffey Jr.
may still do all of it. But Griffey's roller-coaster start makes you scratch your head. In the middle of his prime, in the city he wanted to play for, Griffey (.237, 26 HR, 64 RBI through 84 games) has struggled at the plate more than any other time in his 11-year career. That's unusual for a player who started this season with Hall-of-Fame numbers (.299, 398, 1152) and who dominated pitchers over the past four years (209 HR) with his power and patience. Would we be surprised if Griffey recovered and finished with numbers like .300, 59 and 148? No, of course not. He's Junior.
Second-half goals: The Reds have underachieved. And there might not be enough time to recover. Unless the Cardinals implode, the Reds only chance of playing in the postseason will be a grueling battle for the wild-card spot with the D-Backs, Mets, Giants and Rockies. And that's still a long shot. ![]() (Scale: 1 to 4 baseballs; 1 = worst, 4 = best) We told you what we thought of the Reds' first-half performance, now you've told us. Here is what you had to say about what the Reds have to do in the second half. | ALSO SEE Midseason Feedback: Reds MLB midseason reports ESPN.com's All-Star Game coverage Kurkjian: Stories of the first half Ten second-half questions for the AL Ten second-half questions for the NL |