Reds’ Oester Wants to Drive in More Runs

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Ron Oester hopes to hit near .300 again this season, but more than that he wants more runs batted in.

“I’d like to do what I did last year, hit .300 and drive in more runs than I did last year,” Oester said.

Oester finished last season with a .295 batting average and drove in 34 runs, his lowest total since 1980 when he had 20 in 100 games.

Despite his eighth hitting slot in the lineup, Oester thinks he can get more RBI. He said the addition of Buddy Bell and Bo Diaz to the lineup for a full season should give him more opportunities because they will be getting on base more.

“There’s no weakness in our lineup this year,” Oester said.

“There were situations where I could have driven in more last season. I did hit well with men in scoring position,” he said.

“I’ll be swinging at pitches I do not normally swing at when they try to pitch around you,” he said. “I don’t think it will hurt my average because I’m a bad ball hitter anyway.

“I’ve just got to be more aggressive with men on base,” Oester said.

Oester’s best runs-batted in season was 1983 when he had 58. He also had a career-high 11 home runs. Last year, he had only one homer.

“I think I can get more home runs. I’ve been working more with Billy (Demars, the hitting coach). I’m getting down his short, quick stroke. I think I’ll have more power this year,” Oester said.