'70s: Hal removes Rettonmund for lesser def. sub!

Howdy, Why would Hal use Wilbur Howard as a defensive sub (late inning) for Merv Rettenmund? I certainly didn't authorize it! Howard's a "3" in left-field/Right-field, while Rettunmend is a "2" with a -2 arm to boot. Anyone?

Last night Hal sent in defensive sub Danny O'Connell at second base (3e18) for Billy Moran (2e20).

I think that Hal has been hitting the bottle again...

That sounds like the crazy stuff that happens when HAL pinch hits in the late innings. Someone pinched-hit for somebody besides Rettenmund, such as a light-hitting cather, and Rettenmund gets replaced at the same time the pinch hitter comes in as a permanent replacement.

Howdy,

Paul8219: While your hypothesis about Hal's faulty substitution logic may be accurate, it still puzzles me, as Rettenmund is having his top offensive card' which means he doesn't balance up that well vs. Righty pitching, but his OPS is still over .900
Hal is as big a mystery as women.

Back in the early 1990's Sweet Lou Pinenla was the Reds manager. When he was hired the local talk was as an AL manager he would not be able to handle the double switch in the NL with the pitcher hitting and all. Sweet Lou must have been determined to prove to people he could do that. I didn't listen or watch every Reds game but, I do remember Lou making more than a few double switches that made no sense. I remember one in particular that weakened RF and 2B defense, late in the game with a lead, plus brought the closer (Dibble) up to hitting 3rd the next inning should it get tied. It was so bad I still remeber It. It's not just HAL that makes us shake our heads.

...I checked with HAL and he said that Merv "felt a little tightness in his leg" and was pulled to prevent further injury.