The Progressive Reds Machine

Nice to CYA 2012 'Nati Reds ;) Tweets & Thoughts from Spring opener

2012-03-03T16:17:00.051-08:00

@Goodyear_BP

At 12:02 pm PST 3/3/12 (Goodyear opener)
@CincyGy: Heard for the 1st time in 2012: "The #Reds Are On The Radio" and hopefully into November 2012!

Goodyear Ballpark ‏ @Goodyear_BP

Opening Day is underway!!! yfrog.com/h3wynulj

@CincyGy: sweet new graphics on @AtBat2012 as I tune in the the Dulcid Redneck tones of The Cowboy on @WLW #Reds on Radio http://t.co/wIgHa5iO

@CincyGy: As Marty B said 500 SO's between Heisey/Stubbs/Bruce "ain't gonna cut it" especially in GA Small Park, be disciplined or get benched! #Reds

@CincyGy: “@kelimepie: I know it's early, but seeing Stubbs doing this gives me hope. #Reds” I hear that! He's got to find some plate "smarts" ths yr!

@CincyGy: "The #Reds are (#Winning) on (My IPhone) the Radio!"

@CincyGy: "6430 show up for tonights........? " #Reds Marty B

@CincyGy: “@cincywxpro: @CincyGy Welcome back Marty Brennaman lol” and u know this! Thoughts and prayers to all those back home #Tornadoes

@CincyGy: "6430 show up for tonights Titanic Struggle" #Reds Welcome back Marty B and the 2012 Playoff Bound? ;) #Reds!

@CincyGy: The Cowboy (aka Capt Obvious) on Soto: "I'm Gowin B Watchin Dat Guy" me 2 Mr Brantley me 2 #Reds ;)

@CincyGy: "That Ball was Ca-Rushed" haha Cowboy #Reds Frazier yard shot! Tied!

Quote of the game: “Soto hit 30 home runs last year and missed a month. That’s why we could afford to trade (Yonder) Alonso. I’ve seen Soto in the weight room. He’s very strong. He works hard. He plays a very good first base.” –Reds manager Dusty Baker (@CincyGy: Dusty makin excuses (aka Soto's 30 HR's etc) why we traded 72 players for a "Good Arm" pitcher yap yap Dusty Latos best b somethin ;) #Reds)

Game 1 in the books, What we learned:

- The Boys will hit., Capt Rolen, Votto, Bruce are focused, BP: Glove will continue to rule....(Nice shot by Frazier)
- Heisey's gun is loaded
- The Cowboy is in true Right-Down-Broadway mid season good ol boy flavor..
- Marty B laughing, the sound of summer to come!

CU in 20 Days Goodyear!
-

'Nati Reds in Flux?

2011-10-26T23:06:00.000-07:00

As the world series closes, (if red a... errr butt LaRussa can get his bullpen phone to work, right Tony) its time to ponder 2011/2012 Red Machine.

Whats left? Votto being traded? Child Please, SMH, Chappy headed for the Rotation; CHILD, PLEASE!

I'm not sure what else we have to look forward to folks, many Cincinnatians are indifferent and almost accepting of our current team, I will never accept anything short of a championship from my teams, and in that effort we lack the talent to rise to those lofty heights. I knew last year going into the playoffs we didn't have a chance, (ask any who knows me here how I was berated for doubting we ever had the pitching) NO ACE gets you NO WHERE, As we were swept by superior pitching in the Phils. Our only hope this year was one of youngsters stepping up: Volquez/Cueto have the talent but not the maturity, Homer? pffft, never....Wood/Leake, would love to say they could have IT, but they seem more fragile than Capt Scotty Rolens back (hate to say it but the Gold Glover may be finito)

As far as the hitting/defense, since we wont be getting the vaunted "Home Boy" discount from At That Dude BP (aka @DatDudeBP) in the future we will be swinging with Votto(2 more yrs?)/Bruce and the young pups. Young and wild, the free swingers will have to reign in that power and find some smarts if they want to stick, that's you Mr's Alonso/Cozart/Fransisco and of course Mr Strikeout King and once budding lead-off man: Stubbs. There's just way to much immaturity on this squad, so we wait for them to grow up? That was our plan last off-season as we stood by and watched the Brewers Bolster their pitching and where did it get them folks? ;)

I know many of you who will read this (like all 3) wont like my realistic take, but in the infamous words of.......somebody: It is what it is, and we aint what we aint: Contenders.... unless our management steps up, opens the wallet and competes to get that ace (unless The Cuban Missile launches) we will not prosper my friends, all that being said...If Cubs fans can hold on for 100 yrs w/out whats another 2-20 for Cincy?

Welcome to Day 1 Game 1 of the Spring: Reds Vs Tribe Goodyear Az Feb 27

2011-02-27T12:34:00.000-08:00

Reds Opening Day GoodYear Az Feb27th John Fay Cinci Enq

The Reds are Healthy and seemingly Hungry, as Reds Star Outfielder Jay Bruce stated recently to Brad Johansen, of WKRC:

Jay Bruce on label "frauds or fluke": "Talk is cheap. Say what you want. We had to prove it last year. We'll have to prove it again"

And prove it they must: after their NL Central Championship Run last year, andf oh what a year it was, lets not relish in the past. It's time to take a hard look, grip some ash, and try to get find out if we have that missing link from the Reds last year: PITCHING! Well that and proving we can beat contenders!

Our Boys still do not have a solid, team recognized shutdown #1, the opener has been given to Volquez, will he rise to the occasion? (Well as of today he cant even pitch in the Bigs: Visa issues) Physically and mentally he should be fine, but a #1? The same question can be asked of any of our young guns, who will lead this staff: Leak, Wood, Cueto, Bailey? Sorry ladies Arroyos hair and #2, #3 stuff is consistent but not #1 stuff. Yes the Missile is to be reckoned with, but as we see in the Pen, even the Reds do not count him as a team leader or #1. Still will be fun to watch! Cordero: slimmer, trimmer, but consistent? soon to see! As you see our bigegst Question ? Is still here folks! But as evidenced in early performances last year: Leakes amazing start, followed by Woods arrival, and now props shown to 'Quez, we could have a quick answer ;) !

All year folks said the Reds would wake up in the playoffs, and all year these pages of the PRM cautioned them and realistically noted we DIDNT beat contenders( a well publicized sub .500 record Vs winning teams). For those of you who said it didn't matter, I hope Phillys sweep + no-hitting our boys proved our point and rather quickly.

The largest cliche thrown out that proved our point: Good Pitching beats good Hitting! As the sweet swinging Reds bats were cooled, and our pitchers showed up proudly we were still no match against the Phillies. So what must happen: Pitching!

As MVP Joey Votto notes here thats the elixir for the Reds: http://atmlb.com/gGyaTX

The sticks will be here, as Joey sais our boys are older, hitting their prime, lets hope the maturity in our Pitchers, arms, minds, and hearts are ready, for I can confirm Reds fans nations wide are Ready!

But let us dwell on the positives now as in spring: Hope Springs Eternal, and as heard across the Computer "Airwaves" this morning the 27th of February: "The Reds are on the Radio!'

p.s. In game update: Reds first hit of the spring via: The Captain Scotty Rolen! Leadoff single, and from the voice of the Reds one HOF'er Marty Brennamen: "And here comes Jay Bruce"...Gotta Go! Play ball!

Its Here!

2011-02-21T23:18:00.000-08:00

Spoken on Feb 14 Vtine day!:

It's Here! (No I'm not talkin VD!) Welcome back My Love ;) Pitchers and Catchers: Report!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

VOTTO !!!!!!!!

2010-11-22T11:14:00.001-08:00

“@CincinnatiReds: Votto overwhelmingly wins MVP with 31 of 32 first-place votes.”

HOT STOVE WINTER TWEETS ARE HERE!

2010-11-20T12:25:00.000-08:00

PHOTO: MLB.COM

(Cue Music) " The Reds are on "Your Winter Hot Stove" Radio!" reports link with Marty B(w/Jr filling in) Cure those winter blahs! :) http://bit.ly/9ttvzq (< Clict there for Webcast from first 2 Nov broadcasts)

NL GOLD GLOVE TIME!

His 8th Gold Glove by Captain Scotty Rolen! Third all time behind (HOF'S) Mike Schmidt's 10, second to Brooks Robinson's 16!
2nd By BP
1ST for Bronson

Reds multiple Gold Glove winners Rolen/BP/Arroyo for the first time since the mid '70's when Bench/Concepcion/Morgan/Geronimo 1974-77 were cleaning up!

Oct/Nov Tweets:

@CincinnatiReds Corky Miller cleared waivers, refused outright, elected free agency and then was re-signed to minor league contract with ST invite.

@johnfayman
#Reds added IF Zack Cozart, IF/OF Todd Frazier, IF Kris Negron and RHP Daryl Thompson to the 40-man roster. (Nice Protection~ SS)

@CincinnatiReds OF Wladimir Balentien (116g, .282, 25hr, 78rbi, 12sb) has been named to Topps’ Triple-A All-Star team.

@CincinnatiReds "We'll miss you, Sparky!" banner just went up on the Crosley Terrace gates of GABP http://plixi.com/p/54986923

@CincinnatiReds a Sparky tribute page with highlights of the HOF manager's career & more - http://ow.ly/34Ipv #Reds #Tiger

@MLBpeeps
Reds agree with C Hernandez on 1-year deal http://FANpeeps.com/-bBUD (Via @REDSpeeps) #mlb #reds

@CincinnatiReds Anderson's statue in the Reds Hall of Fame & Museum. He was inducted into the Reds HOF in 2000. http://plixi.com/p/54944874

@CincinnatiReds Reds today exercised the 2011 contract options for Arroyo and Gomes but did not exercise contract options for Harang and Cabrera (Nov 3) Best of luck (Aaron/Ocab)~SS

@CincinnatiReds to Joey Votto for being named today to Sporting News NL All-Star team in voting by @MLB players, managers & GMs. #Reds

@CincinnatiReds
Great to see Jay Bruce's walk-off homer to clinch the division for the #Reds was #1 on @MLBNetwork Capital One Plays of the Year!

Well be back after Dec25 with more Winter Highlights! (oh yea except for huuuuge MVP tweets! Hopefully on Monday Nov22)

No Magic Post-Season Switch, but the Start of Something Magical (?) and a Magic 2010!

2010-10-10T20:08:00.000-07:00

Pic From the One and Only: Jaime of BOR fame: http://ramsey.mlblogs.com

Well folks the Magic switch the Reds needed to finally beat a contending club never transpired!

Many fans told me we would be OK this postseason(especially our pitching, which except for Volquez's game 1 meltdown wasnt bad!), and after Bruces magical clinching shot, I started to believe in something magical: maybe ;) What was never proven was our ability to beat contenders, something we didn't do all year.

Heck we were in this postseason thing right? Anything can happen, (My littlle bro predicted a Yankees/Reds WS and I wouldnt dare jinx it, in my gut though: I never saw it) even I started wearing the rose colored glasses, yes me, the hated realist and THE biggest Reds fan on this side of the Columbian River, thats right, only us fans that live and die with this team can say that. Am I just happy we made the playoffs: yes: because my expectations were a .500 season. Why? We fielded basically the same team as 2009, (+Cabrera/Chapman/Gomes) with no clear cut #1 starter(Harang's shaky 2009 should have been a clear signal, and Arroyo is not a Champions #1) so my expectiations were low, and i was rewarded with a wonderful year!

Folks kept predicting Reds success in the postseason, and I answered: Well, there would have to be a Return of the early season magic of: Leake/Wood/Gomes/Rolen etc etc....One huge piece of magic continued all year: Vottos MVP run, something still to be celebrated(hopefully) Unfortunately magic doesnt beat World Champion caliber teams like the Philles: Pitching and Defense normally dominate in short Postseason series. 7 Errors in three games will lose a short series everytime. (Unless you have the hitting of the 75 Reds, maybe and Foster/Bench/Perez were not walking through that clubhouse).

The three things that win in the PostSeason, escaped us, or beat us:

1. Pitching
2. Defense
3. Clutch Hitting

Game 1: Beat by Halladays Historic Pitching of the NoNo
Game 2: Beat by 4 Reds errors
Game 3: Beat by More Philllies pitching in the form of Hamels

But alas, we have much to build on: The Cuban Missile, Chapman our new #1? The young sticks of Bruce/Stubbs/Heisey. The Vets of Rolen/Phillips, and of course our MVP the Canadian Masher and probable 2010 MVP: Mr Joey Votto.

2011 should be special, and The Progressive Reds Machine will be there to set you straight with the Realist perspective!

Thank you 2010 Reds, you've excited a city left dead for 10 years: your back and so are we!

First No Sticks Now no Gloves (with some good acting and lights thrown in) Game 3?

2010-10-09T13:30:00.000-07:00

The Enquirer/Gary Landers

Why we lost game 1:
- The best Hitting team in the NL with no Hits? Credit to Halladay, but we can hit anyone: can you say young team overwhelmed by playoff atmosphere? (Another Reason to get Homefield advantage by beating contending clubs in the Reg Season, 2011 ya listening?)

Why we lost game 2:
- The Team that had the least errors in the NL (Tied with Pads) committed a record 4

Game 3? It all comes together right:: against Cole Hamels? It is at our heralded GAS(mall)Park(oops sorry GABP) with Homefield advantage, there is no time for further excuses. Reds prove to us we belong: Beat a contender on the big stage today!

On Philly Vs Reds fans passion: I just read an Cincy Enq article about longtime suffering Phils fans being more passionate about their sports. With that passion comes ultimate rudeness it seems, if you disagree then you dont follow national sports and see/hear the excerpts from Philly. I guarantee you our hometown suffering Cincy fans will bring a politer, but just as supportive vibe to Cincy if/when we are rewarded*. And when we voice our frustration. or opinions please FB and Twitter fans. stop berating others who voice frustration, its their right to do so.

Rewarded* with what you ask: Strong fundamental baseball. Thats all we ask, for a well played game, and that wasn't accomplished in game 2. Reds, can we at least get that in game 3? After the game, I listened to a lighthearted Phillips(same vibe from him after being no hit in game 1) brushing off his errors, like it was nothing but a thing. Yes his game setting HR and hits were sweet, but for the millionth time: Pitching and D wins in the "every pitch-microscopic-post-season". You can win a posteseason game with 1 run and great D, fundamentally we fell apart Fri night. 4 Errors and 3 HBP (one with good acting)? I'm sorry but that doesnt play to well with this passionate fan. I'm not mad at the Reds or BP/Bruce/Rolen for making hustling mistakes, but dont stand there and smile it off in the cameras in the post game int's. Do we want you gripping and squeezing the ash out of the bats, no, but a more focused, intensity may have helped with all your errors in the field: Hitting is one half, in the post season: Fielding is a greater half!

Win or lose Sunday, may we please have a well played game, mistakes are fine, they will happen, but 7 in one game: Not championship caliber, learn form this Reds. I just hope its remembered, learned from, and this postseason accomplishment is relived in 2011!

The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger

Game 2 is here! Are the Reds sticks?

2010-10-08T00:04:00.000-07:00

David Kohl/AP "Hey Gomesy, if you hit it it will fly!"

First congrats to Halladay, for the game this Reds fan will spend the rest of his life brain dumping. Next I call out to my Reds: Umm hello sorry to wake you, but...ahem(clearing my throat) THE PLAYOFFS ARE HERE!

Have your bats arrived yet? You know the ones that smoked the league(well except for contending teams, read my blog it was addressed there) I wrote a few times within the last month how great pitching always beats great hitting, so I'm not gonna dwell on that, what I will say is there's a lot to prove over the weekend for my Reds:

#1 That we belong
#2 That we are the vaunted hitting machine that won the leagues Team Triple crown: BA/HR/RBI
#3 That we can hit anyone

But since all blame goes to the leader: I will put the burden of proof on Dusty for now, for he has much to prove, never winning it it all with good clubs in SF or Chi :

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/07/sports/baseball/07rhoden.html?_r=2.

It is easy for us all to play armchair quarterback and second guess the young, loosygoosy Volquez going in game one. Something tells me a more focused intensity is needed, one that a Mr Wood exhumed as he shut out the Phils after his entry. Even with a great game, Wood would have been hard to match Doc over THAT 9 innings, but hmmm....didnt he do just that in Philly in July? Lets see what happens in Game 4, is there is one!

Dusty has a young squad one without a true #1. and As Hallady/Limsecom/Lee and Sabathia have all won their starts(3 of the 4 at home another reason to beat contenders, next year Reds for homefield!) this proves the need for a dominant starter in game 1. Mr Cuban Missile are you game for next year?

We can hit anyone: right MR MVP Votto? Right Captain Rolen(my man hit the Viagra/Cialis/Geritol anything to recapture that power swing! Jay are you ready to show us September wasn't a farce: Lets finally beat a great club! Prove to us you can, we Cincinnatian's are waiting to go crazy for you!

The HR that made Older Dudes jump for Joy in the Stands of GABP :)

2010-10-04T12:45:00.000-07:00

Marty Brennaman's call with Video of Bruce's Clinching HR will Live in #Reds Baseball History Forever: http://bit.ly/d3yty3 Ill never tire of watching it!

"Clinchtember" Tweets of the Month

2010-09-30T23:38:00.000-07:00

The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger

9/30
CincyGy
#Rockies Mngr Tracy sits Cargo in half of this weekends games, 13 pnts above #Reds Votto, Teddy BBall rolling in his cryogenics #MLB #Whimp

CincyGy
Merry Clinchmas #Reds fans and Happy Bruce year from the Multnomah falls trail! : http://yfrog.com/n8c87jj http://yfrog.com/1si76zj
Wednesday, September 29, 2010 17:55:39 via Twitter for iPhone

CincinnatiReds
Joey Votto & other #Reds players took a victory lap around the field to high-five fans http://twitpic.com/2t3ivcWednesday, September 29, 2010 08:56:49 via Twitpic
stormchasernick

2010 NL Central Champions - Cincinnati #Reds http://twitpic.com/2sy91b7:43 PM Sep 28th via Twittelator
CincinnatiReds& Rolen have 4 sets of back-to-back HR, most in majors and most by Reds duo since Bench and May hit 5 sets of back-to-back HR in 1970.10:32 AM Sep 21st via webRetweeted by you and 20 others
IamAllieHughesChapman throws the fastest pitch EVER:http://yhoo.it/bOPhQo #reds

zblyberg21@CincyGy 10 games sit between us and Postseason baseball in cincinnati!!!!

@CincyGy 10 games sit between us and Postseason baseball in cincinnati!!!!9:19 PM Sep 15th via web in reply to CincyGy
CincyGy
Not only is Bruces Defense stellar his .275 average is proving his two yearsof sub .260 were maturing yrs, he's proving who he can be! #Reds9:11 PM Sep 15th via web
CincyGy
#MLB Universe take note Jay Bruces Gun/Arm and game saving plays like this http://bit.ly/df7SHt Solidify his Lock as RF Gold Glove! Go #Reds
CincyGy
@ankZONE sorry Brian last time a team tried it with "Mystique and Aura" they lost, Pitching/D will Win a ring! (+ timely hitting of course!)11:32 PM Sep 10th via web in reply to ankZONE
CincyGy
Cowboy: "That's the ballgame! That's the Ballgame! That's the BallGame! And the losing streak is over!" #Reds”10:27 PM Sep 10th via Facebook
ctrentFriend on Rose: 'a man who ate, slept, drank, autographed and gambled baseball' -- perfect7:38 PM Sep 10th via TweetDeckRetweeted by you and 1 other

2010 the Year That Baseball Came Home to The Cincy Reds and Reds Fans

2010-09-28T19:41:00.000-07:00

The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger

Players have come and gone, but us fans have been here all along, from the early exit in the '95 postseason, to the quick one game tease in a fun 99 season, through the promises during the Casey, Dunn and Griffey Jr era, we have been waiting. We watched an arguable future HOF'er win a series, proudly rep the Captains "C", and finish a proud career: thank you Mr Barry Larkin. Jr's arrival and unfortunate ringless departure yielded no trophy or a taste of the postseason.

Well along comes new ownership, a farm system that is once again producing, a nice mix of a few allstar vets and Wala! Hello 2010 and:

CONGRATS TO THE 2010 NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL DIVISION CHAMPION

The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger
CINCINNATI REDS

(now that was fun to type!)

As we go into the playoffs only the teams play will tell how far we get, but for now we will enjoy the spoils. My last congrats goes to us fans for hangin in there, no matter how tough it was, clicking on that losing box score years after year searching for a silver lining in a 3 hit loss etc etc... Well no more of that now! Enjoy tonights winning box score: the one that launched yours and my Reds into the 2010 post season! Go Reds!

Click here for the party:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOZLmZcZv4Q&feature=player_embedded

Jay Bruce proving his Mettle: Rewarding fans and Reds Patience !

2010-09-16T14:35:00.000-07:00

SS Productions(me ;) GWRBI 10/30 10th inning right behind Reds Dugout

When Jay Bruce arrived a few years ago and lit up baseball and GABP with his chicken bump causing start, we all were ecstatic. 2 years later, lots of patience, 2 previous seasons at sub .260, we all had been waiting. He broke out nicely this year and then had a terribly slow July, once again dropping his average down to the marginal performance line: 250'ish w/occasional big hits. Not that a team cant win with that, especially since we did, and especially since he has one of the top guns in MLB. A friend of mine speculated something during his July "slump" which I easily gravitated towards: was he really in a slump or was that .250'ish Jay Bruce the real thing? It was a fair question, one that got me lambasted for asking it on twitter.

Except for 2 months of .270-300 type mashing we had not seen him do it over a full year, so there was a lot to prove. Let me be the first to say IM GLAD I WAS WRONG! I WANTED TO BE WRONG! lol... But the evidence proven by team winning-big hitting-contributing offense had not been there. As Bruce hits now once again in the .275'ish zone its something else to see, him coming into his own. For the record I never called for his ousting, or benching, just that besides his incredible D we needed his stick!

A few weeks ago I was at GABP to witness his HR Trifecta. Two nights later the Night before the Cuban Missile Attack he hits a walk-off single. Evidenced here by "pie in face": http://bit.ly/ds3zKZ. Then he takes a little sabbatical, comes back and hits two dingers in his comeback game: Thats the Bruuuuuuuuuce we saw come into the league 3 years ago, and the one we have been waiting on. Now with his D (evidenced by CoCo saving grabs like this:http://bit.ly/df7SHt ) which is Gold Glove worthy, hitting .275 with power is quite acceptable ;) We never doubted your ability Bruce, its just that we had not seen it over the long haul! And its a beautiful thing to behold!

Dont hate us Realist we are fans also! Go #Reds!

2010-09-14T09:47:00.000-07:00

(Dusty when asked who would be the three Starters in the Playoffs and if Chapman could be trusted as a Postseason closer. Photo; Reds.com)

Yes this past weekends performance was nice by Cueto/Volquez/Bailey: great outings, but who was it against: The worst hitting team in the NL! The Bucs = .239 Team batting AVG.! The Reds Team ERA is 4.08, thats 11th out of 15 NL Teams, 18th out of 30 MLB teams and the WORST of any of the Playoff contenders! Cordero's ERA is a whopping 4.04, gargantuomly worse than any closer in the NL. In the top 10 of saves leaders only one closer: Nunez at 3.81 even comes close: These number dont lie folks! If we had performed this way (Bucs weekend) against the divisions best we wouldnt have such terrible numbers!

I'd like all this to go away and have the same flowerey perspective of many rose colored-glass-wearing-ever-optimistic fans on here that have be-rated me for being a true REALIST Which some claim to be! Some claim to be positive/realist, but when I question the obvious, or put these stats up, you act like Im piling on! I want all this to go away, to go back the way it was when Leake/Wood etc..all were lights out! This has been an inconstistent staff, THAT I WILL LIVE AND DIE WITH IN THE POST SEASON! I will cheer every putrid ERA that we run out there to pitch a no-hitter. I will die with every blown lead Cordero (and his non champion like 4+ ERA) gives up! I will cheer for this team and wear my Reds garb to the gym long after many of you put away your Reds stockings for your football teams nighties! But I'm not afraid to NOT crown this team until we do it! If we Re-Catch some lights out pitching in the Post Season and we treat the Phillies/Braves/Giants/Padres, heck maybe even the Rockies hitters like we did the Pirates, I will be ecstatic! I'm not saying we CANT beat teams like the CARDS I'm just saying we haven't and I HOPE our top-team-beating-switch that has not been activated yet is Turned ON: loud and clear in the post season!

Yes: our First place record doesn't lie! Yes: Teams have won without lights out pitching in the Post Season(not to many 1975 Reds lineups out there), Yes: do I believe we can beat the Best: If:

1: Our Clutch Hitting is there

2. Our Defense is Stellar

3. Our Pitching gets back to Consistent Quality Outings, like No Hitters in the playoffs! (There going to have to, I have had a premonition of Cordero being released soon after the end of the season, after he blows playoff leads!)
4. Just kidding (Not Really) But we will see what CoCo is really made of (The most blown saves of any closer since 2000 does not bode well) but maybe he's got a little Hot tub time machine for one bright shinning moment: we shall see!

There's something to be said for building on winning starting pitching vibe even if it was the lowly Pirates, good thing our Bullpen lead by "lights out" Cordero didnt blow any of those games....oh wait...;) Love ya Reds fans, dont hate the realist!

The Elephant in the Room: Shaky starting Pitching and Bullpen meltdowns

2010-09-10T22:07:00.000-07:00

The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger

Folks, dont be afraid, lets talk about it: Months ago, it was all about Wood/Leake/Arroyo/Cueto/and Volquez coming back. Conversations included Chapman being to wild to pitch, now for the moment he may have the best stuff on the roster, just like Leake did months ago. Pitching and Defense win in the postseason. The mid season acquisitions the Reds didnt make could come back to haunt us as we take a tattered/changing starting staff into the stretch. Good pitching stops good hitting: see the Seattle/Philly/Cards and now Rocky series, for evidence of the Reds bats being shutdown.

Many have listened in disdain(myself included) to the recent musings of Ohio's main critic: Colen Cowherd, on ESPN radio, who has labeled the Reds as "Frauds". His reasoning comes from our inability to beat contending clubs while dominating the bottom dwellers, and to that end he has a point. I do believe that we must beat the best to be the best, and although our NL Central Lead would say we do deserve the recognition of a first place club, I would feel better knowing we dominated the strong also. No, we dont have to do that to make the playoffs, but it would sure send a stronger message as to the Reds being true contenders, and help our self confidence(fans included ;). This will all play out in October, if things continue as they are with the Magic Number dropping to 17 tonight. Cowherd also talked about our pitching woes, "Welcome to the party Pal" (Always love a good Die Hard ref! ;)

Many comparisons have been made to the 1990 WS Champs team, we need to stop. Jose Rijo/Danny Jackson/Tom Browning have not been reincarnated in the form of Arroyo/Cueto/Wood or Bailey. Our pitching is suspect including the relievers: Masset/Smith/Ondrusek/ middle guys can help or hurt(mentally and physically: see Masset, as he watched Rockies steal home and a big getaway game, ugg) Rhodes age and aged arm has started to show signs of kryptonite in his previous supermanish self, and CoCo, although Ok lately, still scares the Skyline right outa me! Chapmans addition: how much can we count in him in a pressure playoff condition: unknown, exciting to this point yes: Dominate in the playoffs? we shall see!

I dont mean to preach doom and gloom but the early and mid season phenom of Leake/Wood has disappeared as the young guys realized endurance limitations not previously attained in their young arms/careers. (Hey, at least we didnt blow his arm out like the Overthrowing Strassburg!) They will be fine, but the "Sugar Plumb Fairy" dreams dancing in our heads of our young guys pitching us into the post season was just that : a dream.

There's a little over a month to straighten this out before the playoffs baring a monumental collapse ( losing a 4 games of a 8 game lead is not monumental) the question is how will the rotation perform come playoff time: we don't know and we can't, cause these boys have not been there(Except for Arroyo we have no post season exp). On the elevator, in the Reds HOF recently with the 1990 Reds exhibit looming all around there was talk with other Reds fan about the main difference between this team and 1990, easy agreement: pitching! Arroyo/Cueto/ & who: Bailey/Wood/at one time Vasquez? We don't even consistent top 3(yes they have had great moments) and our Number One: Arroyo, would be a champions #2. Thats the prob folks: we dont have a "championship" pitching staff and in the postseason its Pitching and Defense! Relievers: ugg, as tonight we all watched CoCo blow another lead, and as I've said before, Ill be surprised if he doesn't blow a huge game in the postseason! These are no Nasty boys: Chapman is coming but still unproven, Rhodes and CoCo? No where close to Charlton/Dibble/Myers, so lets please stop the comparisons, and hope that that they can re-group and give us some kind of consistency in the postseason.

We have time to get it straightened out but what will "it" look like? Our boys will need some magic, like we had in Leake and Wood early on: but "magical concoctions" and feel good stories, don't win ball-games: talent and grit does! The last time "Mystique and Aura" helped win a game was: never(some say they should have remained in the gentlemens club) but those two intangibles is what the Yankees said they had as they got beat by a young NL club named the Dbacks, and that "magic" didn't help then and wont for any team now. Grit and Gut, a little luck all helps! Pitching and Defense Wins Championships: ask the 1990 Reds ;)

Winning Baseball Returns: Cincy Style, The Chills are Back!

2010-08-30T07:15:00.000-07:00

Aug 31 W/New Nikon

   By 1976 we had started to take things for granted, at least I had. As a young lad who played more baseball than watched, The Reds were "The baseball Universe". To Cincinnatians Reds MLB dominated the map, engulfed, and surrounded us: in the local media , radio airwaves, especially through our WLW Radio in the kitchen everyday, we took it for granted. The Reds were on top of the baseball world, the Great 8 were intact at least for a few more years. In 1976 the Machine started to suffer the "dismantling". Tony "Big Dog" Perez was the first to go, for McEnaney and two others (Manager Sparky Anderson and General Manager Bob Howsam later considered this trade the biggest mistake of their careers). But that wasnt the only nail in the coffin that dismantled the Machine, that would come in the form of Free Agency, let me refresh some memories or inform our young Reds fans that may only know the 1990 "Winning Reds":

   It was the founding of the MLBPA changed the landscape of professional sports forever, and had a huge influence on small markets like Cincy. Among the many milestones achieved with the MLBPA was the advent of free agency rights. Curt Flood’s unsuccessful challenge of the reserve clause started the ball rolling toward free agency. Funded by his fellow players, Flood sued Major League Baseball privately. Flood eventually lost his case in the U.S. Supreme Court, but the battle educated countless players and millions of Americans about the fundamental inequity of the reserve system, which perpetually renewed a player's contract, essentially binding the player to one club for life, or until that club decided to get rid of the player.
   Just three years after Flood vs. Kuhn, players Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally once again challenged the reserve clause. This time, instead of a trial in a court of law, an independent arbitrator heard the case. And in December 1975, the players finally won the right to free agency, when arbitrator Peter Seitz ruled that the reserve clause granted a team only one additional year of service from a player, putting an end to perpetual renewal right the clubs had claimed for so long.
   So as Cincy ill fate would have it Free agency came as The Machine (Sans Doggie) could have continued rolling, but not with a players right to boogie out of any town they didnt want to play in. Not to say it wasnt justified for them to do it, but as salarys increased the next 20 years, small market teams like Cincy suffered. It's not necesarily a bad thing, it is just,.... well: It is what it is! Unfortunately Small market dynasty's had virtually ended, 1975/76 being one of the final, so winning baseball in Cincy became scarce. Of course we have our 90 Reds(see how fast I skipped the 80's ? ;) Larkins lead 1995 and 99 squads, then 10 years of being teased, but never in August-Sept until: drum rolllllllllll: the 2010 'Nati Reds !
     They are back and so am I! Let me explain, I never really went anywhere, always checking the Reds Box score first, even after a loss, knowing they lost, trying to find a silver lining in the hit category, pitching, or listening closely for someone coming up from Marge's dismantled scouting and farm system. For all Marge did to bolster the Reds by Free agency, she did the opposite to our vaunted pipeline especially in Latin America: aka Concepcion/Perez etc....Living in San Diego (Compliments USN ;) during Tony Gwynns years and now Wa State during Ichiro's and a short return of our Cincy son: Jr to the Pac Northwest, The Pads and M's provided temprarry baseball entertainment, never satisfying my need for championship, "Cincy" style, ball. I will always live during every summer day on the outcome of the latest Reds fortune be it win or lose. So, enter the 2010 Reds!
   This season has recaptured my heart and my first love: Baseball, Football has to wait, for the first time in years while I track our New Machines fortunes, day by day. An MVP race, A Triple Crown race, a Veterans comeback year, another gold glove at 2nd, have all reminded me while I love summer with winning baseball. The expectations of cool baseball in October, friends, family and a home town abuzz, its giving me chills as I type!
   As I flew back to Ohio two weeks ago, from the Left Coast, the Reds hats and conversation increased as I changed planes, more reds fans boarded as we got closer to Cincy. One lady also clearly suffering from a relapse of Reds fever, was very excited but a little loose on facts, was trying to excitedy and pridefully tell a young man a row in front of me about "Carson Johnson" who was a "reciever" for the Reds. She was on a roll, so I didnt want to correct here. She and others can always jump back on the wagon as long as they "never" jump off! (My #1 Cardinal rule for "wagoners";) (BTW I cant type the word "Cardinal" without my blood pumping slightly faster, kinda like Bengals/Steelers! ;)

   Thank you Reds, thank you Cincy: the energy Friday for Bruces "trifecta of swat" was something I had not felt at home since 1990 (BTW, I was home in 75/76/90 but not 95/99, workin on a return in two months ;)
   Thank you Reds for returning my first love, well except for this new one:

Rosey u cant have me: The Reds and baseball come first!

I look forward for what may come this fall, my expectations were marginal this year, but you've given me something to hold onto again, for no matter what happens, the chills are back!

"Brawl at the Wall" 2010, Cause: Yapping, Effect: RIVVAAALLRYYY!

2010-08-15T11:46:00.000-07:00

Al Berhman/AP

I hold MY Reds players accountable, accountable when they hit .230, or open their mouth: only inciting another team and giving them plenty of fodder, bullpen posting/motivating material: a #1 No-No in sports! Especially in the heat of a pennant race, especially to an underachieving team, let ‘em sleep! And take advantage of them with your bats, not your mouths!

Is BP a nice guy? I don’t know but I hear he is: Paul Daugherty said it, in the heat of the week mind you: Brandon took everything the Reds have preached and practiced for 4 months and drove a nail through it: http://bit.ly/dqqKX7 Nail in coffin analogy work here? Of course not, more like a temporary thumb tack in the pants.

BP started the Fire, Molina fueled it, and unfortunately Cueto he had to go Chan Ho Park: on camera! The fight was pretty fair until the spikes went in the air. Remember BP at the All-star game: "1st 2 third that's what we do" what is it now "Fight and talk that's what we do" ? Sorry I'll take the former!

Some question whose side I am on here: I am on the side of Reds winning baseball, what BP did was ultimately counterproductive, making words, not baseball the focus. I would have had BP's back in the fight but he would never talk through the media again after our closed door clubhouse meeting. Our series against the Cards could have been very different. But it ended up being about fighting, suspensions, losing a three game series. When you play lightning rod, now your teammates have the added responsibility of of backing you up AND beating the other team: takes focus of the game, Folks that dont get this, dont get the TEAM concept.

But yes "Phillips apologist" of course I understand this was only one series with 40 somethin’ games to go. And yes I believe they brought their best physical abilities, we did not, and gave them an edge on the mental side. Yogi said it best: "Baseball is 90% mental the other half is Physical" then we gave those "little doggies" a brand new edge against us that did not exist before the comment. Is this great for baseball? YES! Is it fun to watch heated teams frustrations being released: YES! Was it fun to watch Cuetos spikes popping Larue’s magnum: HECK NO! Was it fun watching the main perp go 2-13, NOPE! Is a new reason for rivalry and competition between your division rival exciting: YES ! Did the sweep by STL ultimately cause to much finger pointing: perhaps.

There is one more series with these buzzards and plenty of baseball, after a decade of division domination by STL, it would have been nice to start to bury them this week, and we could have! We had all the momentum coming into that series, (Sweeping Lou's crew) and yapped it away. We can hit anyone, if mentally locked in, so im not buying some of the "they outplayed us " completely, because an edge was giftwrapped to the Cards. The nation outside of Cincy all said the Reds yappers got the karma they played into, well maybe this will turn into our karma next time! ;) Phillips played right into Larusa’s need to motivate the sleeping "little puppies" it was a big series, the last one before what could be THE series against St Louis Sept 3-5. If STL wins this division, some are saying Phillips will be STL's MVP!

Another regional perpsective on yapping: "You got an alligator mouth and hummingbird ars". http://tinyurl.com/2wpvkhr BP your mouth wrote checks that your bat didn't cash. (To BP's credit he stood by by his comments, and, after he provided all they needed with the "beaaaaches" comment he did compliment the Cards organization) Have they whined about their perceived unfair Reds home field advantages, sure, do you yap it to the media, no, you use it to self motivate.

I am not a working shill for the Reds, or afraid to keep my boys in check, which keep some on here from critiquing them, blindly supporting a Red no matter what. I told someone on twitter (that has since not talked to me when they called me out for "berating" the Reds) that this is tough love, like sitting down a younger brother that does something stupid, gets in a fight, (of course I step in to try and keep the thugs off him; ie Capt Rolen) and after he's cooled off you explain to him how ill conceived it is to take your advantage away and hand it to your adversary. "Speak Softly" sounds kinda boring, but carrying a BIg Stick doesn't! Disrespecting your opponent: through the media? Silly, immature, and who looks laughing with the sweep: Cards fans! BP you owe us next time! ;)

Moral of the Story: Yet to be seen. Will BP learn from this? Does he want to? Will he observe his more consistent teammates play on the field, talking with sticks and not grills? In this one guys "Loyal to Team only" opinion: I hope so!

(Major Caveat I'd like to add 5 hours after posting: I'm sure I dont know BP or what makes him tick, his comment is something we all may feel about some of the Cards players, but its just the way/how, and when he expressed himself that incited the Cards. I think him tapping Molina was his way of sayin, "hey not all u guys are "beaaaches" just your knucklehead pitchers", its clear he didn't have anything against Molina, tapping him may have been his way of sayin; "We cool man?" But once you call a team out, even if you meant only a few of em, your stuck. You cant blame Molina for protecting his own, (just like the Reds Bench protected BP) Press on Reds fans!

Mr Commissioner Never Mind, Your Services Are No Longer Required, Hall Of Fame: It's Time To Drop the "Pete Rose Rule" !

2010-08-08T04:56:00.000-07:00

Mr. Commissioner,

   It is clear to us that barring Pete Rose's untimely death, Pete showing up volunteering to be a sausage for life in one of your Oversized Meat races, or simply groveling for forgiveness, your not going to reinstate him. Bullheaded Pete wont grovel anyway, so forget that idea. Not even with the backing of Mike Schmidt or Henry Aaron on Pete's Side, will you make a decision. Before we go further consider this: How antiquated is a system is one ruler dictatorship/decision maker-ship? iHow has that worked in Government politics, ummm can you say government "Fail" ? I know thats extreme, but isn't a "one ruling power" over the careers of so many, an outdated idea? How can one person wield the power that thus effects thousands even millions of fans and many men ie: Shoeless Joe, Pete Rose, etc. How can one man only, influence the history of the game? In keeping the All-time MLB hits leader out of even the conversation of the Hall, one man has the Baseball Universe by its Balls!
Well Ya' know what Commish' Never Mind we don't need you! For two Reasons:

1) You don't need to reinstate him: I kinda agree with you, Pete doesn't deserve a job in the Game. Why? Pete needed to "reconfigure" his life, Remove himself from gambling if that was the addiction that caused his banishment from his passion: Baseball. His continued gambling, lack of sincerity, and lying for 14 years is hard to swallow(More below)
2) The Hall Of Fame Itself can make thing whole thing "right"!

   Pete isn't close to "reconfiguring" his life , (yes I know about the recent heartfelt hug to Johnny Bench) and legally he has every right to bet on the ponies. But if something your addicted to is keeping you from your first love: Baseball, wouldn't you gather the strength to remove yourself from that addiction? Even "Bullheaded" Pete who would wear a "Gasoline suit through Hell to play baseball" doesn't evidently have the strength or desire to quit his second love: gambling. Pete is still observed at the track waving wads of cash. In his book My Prison Without Walls he still admits to what some call his disease, his weakness: "One would think he might have learned his lesson following fulfillment of his sentence, which included time in a halfway house and community service, yet he continues to "occasionally" gamble and sought to make a living as a race horse trainer." (http://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/1579549276.asp)
   The point is if he admitted to gambling on the Reds in the clubhouse, and he wants another job in a clubhouse, could you trust him? Would it be worth the risk/press/media scrutiny to your ball-club? In my opinion he aint gettin' reinstated though the commissioners office, but he could get on the ballot if the Hall erases its seemingly "behind the scenes collaboration" with the Commish office when they made the "Pete Rose Rule." So lets focus our energies elsewhere! ;)
   Shortly after Pete's banning, the Hall made the rule: If any Player is on the Ineligible List from baseball he cannot go on the Baseball HOF ballot, Thus because of the timing it is referred to as the "Pete Rose rule". After Rose's ban, the Hall formally voted to ban those on the "permanently ineligible" list from induction. Previously, those who were banned had been excluded by informal agreement among voters.
Dear HOF,
   We revere you, the history you maintain in your hallowed halls, the yearly pomp and circumstance that you exhume when you enshrine the greatest, is revered by all. Hall Of Fame, Its time, the entire universe recognizes Pete's deserving efforts for what he did between the White Lines. Why would you maintain an allegiance with the Commissioners office that is scrutinized across the country as outdated, unfair, and gets hammered on all sides to address the Pete Rose situation. Imagine the weekend Cooperstown NY would have inducting Peter Edward Rose? I was there when Sparky/Tony/Fisk/Marty (and of course Bid) went in in 2000, but the buzz was about Pete then as it still is now. You want a Economic bailout? Announce the Hit Kings induction!;)
There is another with a new perspective on Petes Induction: One Mr Ken Burns:  "Vote him in after he's dead. He deserves to be in the Hall but he doesn't deserve to know"  Wow Mr Burns, we respect you, but for you to judge when someone would enjoy an accomplishment only in death is rather callous, is it not? Judge away Mr burns we will choose not to cast stones! http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5437988
   We are not naive, there are many old schoolers that will never forgive Pete, and their argument has validity, he bet on the game, thus putting his own financial entertainment above the rules of the game he so dearly loved. But it is also a game he bled for, dove for, crashed through catchers for, raised others levels of ability for, and hit more baseballs safely than any other Human has done, on the field of play, in recorded history. It's time. Pete has shown signs of contrition towards those that have looked on him with a cautious eye. Namely One JB #5. http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/region_central_cincinnati/pete-rose-apologizes-to-johnny-bench---
   Pete's contrition towards Johnny Bench may be the start of "reconfiguration" of his soul. After all thats what must change first. So Finally, Hall Of Baseball Fame, we have seen Pete's items you so proudly display in your Reds display, isnt it time now to finish it off with a bust? We ask you to take another look within baseballs soul which at times emanates from 25 Main Street, but is not baseballs soul mainly centered in its fans nationwide? You don't have to decide O Hallowed Hall, all you have to do do is erase the Rule in order for a vote to take place. Let Petes fate have its day on the ballot. For who else is banned from baseball waiting to get in? Shoeless Joe Jackson? Another strong case. Your not opening a can of worms here, 2 men, one changed the game, let us re-embrace their accomplishments together, on your lawn!

Sincerly,

Baseballs Humble fans

(Sent the above 8/8/10)

If your So Inclined:

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
25 Main Street,
Cooperstown,
NY 13326

Its time folks, I must not be the first to want to bypass the Commish, and I'm sure I wont be the last, but the easy fix is so evident is it not? If you feel so inclined to drop the Hall a quick e-note here is the link:
http://baseballhall.org/contact
Please sign the petition:
http://bit.ly/bzz9qO
I have also started a Facebook page to hopefully continue the groundswell in that other cyber-world:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Commissioner-Not-needed-HOF-Please-Put-Pete-on-Ballot-Now/118758871506665?v=wall

Warren Spahn said it best: A good hitter has timing. A good pitcher upsets timing.
Let us have good timing!

Redlegs And Cards Fight For The Same Perch!

2010-08-01T00:10:00.000-07:00

As Reds and Cards (Insert Buzzards, Pigeons whatever you'd like) fans ponder who will fall first! Let this 1926 rendition of The Reds re-capturing First place be a premonition of what's to come!

03JUNE2010: "This relic was dug up last week by Reds Media Production Manager Dave Storm. Good stuff, Dave. Thanks! "Jaimee http://ramsey.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/06/

Thanks to Jaimee and Better of Red for posting this back in June.

Comin August 7: Hey Bud, Never Mind!: Pete, Cincinnati Reds Fans, And Baseball Fans for #14's Justice Worldwide have another Solution for Pete! Stay Tuned! ;)

2010-08-01T00:06:00.000-07:00

(Philosophy Final August 6th, Hit King Solution to recognition without Bud Selig's help coming to the Progressive pages August 7!)

Banana Phone was "Off the Hook" on 7/20/10

2010-07-25T03:30:00.000-07:00

On July 20th one of the more entertaining Reds Banana Phone episodes took place, Mark Grace called in and pranked Marty, some guy called in and called Arroyo: Oreo, Masset: Mallet: etc...Another called in sounding like an older woman, while Marty deadpanned the whole time, playing right along with him. It brought out some true winners, and these were some of the musings on twitter while we listened to WLW and the phone-in's during that almost three hour, rain delay:

@chelsiemoody the first call! Lol corky miller mustache holding him Up? WT? Lol on the couch? WT?

@redlegnation RT @dotsonc: Hilarious...from when Adam Dunn pranked the #Reds announcers during a rain delay: http://redlegnation.com/adamfrommilwaukee.mp3 "Marty do you have your shirt on?" LOL

@redlegnation " Why don't you go have a drink of whatever it is your drinkin, your a little bit short tonight my man!" Marty Brennamen lol

An older gentleman called and was perturbed that when listening to the game on the radio and watching on TV asked Marty why he cant call the balls and strikes on time! ;)

@CincyGy Poooor old guy on the Banana phone "Can't u guys call the balls and strike as they happen?" not understanding the Satelite delay! #Reds

John Fay (Reds Enq Beat reporter was handling the Twitter style Banana Questions) :@johnfayman RT @renewkir: @johnfayman does the banana phone actually look like a banana?//Used to, doesn't anymore

(I think I remember that under Marty and Joe :)

@johnfayman RT @John03163: @johnfayman What's so bad with Cordero? He was leading NL in saves at the break//And blown saves.

@johnfayman What should I have for lunch tomorrow?//Turkey Tom from Jimmy John's, no sprouts.

@slagzoo These #Reds fans calling to talk to Marty are dumb as hell. They're making the rest of us look like idiots.

JimmyTwoTimes37 over at http://www.xavierhoops.com/forums/showthread.php?p=206807
Encapsulated the whole thing quite well: Reds Banana Phone on 700 WLW 7/20/10

If you haven't heard these calls during Reds rain delays, you are missing out big time. Highlights from yesterday included:

1) Some guy...(called in and misprounced)... names such as "Cookie Miller", "Cueeero", "Bronson Oreo" and "Raymond Hernandez"

2) Mark Grace pretending to be some random guy telling Marty the Reds should trade "Danny Ray Herrera for Danny Haren"

3) Some guy saying Mike Leake should bat Leadoff

4) A guy calling with his radio cranked up creating massive feedback. When he turned it down he sounded like he was in a vacuum. He was upset with Marty for not answering his email. "You never answer my questions"

"That's because they aren't worth reading"

5) Marty saying he's going to cut some guy's water off

It's supposed to rain tonight so I'll be listening and hoping for a rain delay
__________________

Stay Thirsty My Friends" Thanks Jimmy 2 Times

I have an old Wayte Hoyt in the Rain LP, I look forward to the day WLW publishes best of Banana phone, this one was a classic!

Tweets Of The Month

2010-07-20T01:48:00.000-07:00

7/14/2010 “@CincyGy: Breaking: Tiger just admitted in England he has been defeated! The still reigning and undefeated Heavyweight Champion of the World: #Sex! ;)”

“@Jesus_M_Christ: If y'all still looking for Osama, go check Comic-Con. Where the Hell else is he going to find 72 virgins?”

@LanceMcAlister

"I think people around Reds country are coming to the realization that this team is not going to break their heart"-Marty B

The 2010 Cincinnati Reds First Half MVP

2010-07-14T13:40:00.000-07:00

Many have said this is a toss up, not in my book: If we were to go on stats alone it would be the Young Man Mr Joey Votto, but his day will come. Without this Guy, Phillips/Gomes/Votto all the young guys wouldn't have the mentor, the leader and a man backing it up with the stats/hustle and mainly: the Leadership. The Reds are 70 and 40 something with him in the lineup since his arrival last year. He shows up injured, and hustles(as evidenced by last nights 1st to 3rd charlie Hustle imitated head first slide, which awoke the NL to victory). Votto has had Big hits, but so has this man, but he brings what no other Red does: soemone to look up to, model your approach, and model your work ethic to: All Championship team's have one: See the 1980 Dodgers with Kirk Gibson, see the 1990 Reds and 1990 era Yankees with Paul Oneil. If the Reds are to win anything this year it may very well be on the Bat of Joey Votto. But it will be on the Back of one:

Mr Scott Bruce Rolen

Michael Buckner/Ghetty Images

We thank you Captain Rolen, for what you have brought to our Cincinnati Reds!

Ok, Now that thats over, Bring On The 2nd Half and The Revamped Starting 5

2010-07-11T13:39:00.000-07:00

Cincy Enquirer File Photo

Congrats World Champs Phils, we didnt unseat you: YET! Halladay and Hamels were 2 runs better than our Rookies, and thats saying much for our future!

2nd Half Starters: Arroyo/Cueto/Volquez/Leake/Wood/Bailey/Harrang weve got somethin' to work with here!

Relievers? Not so much, except for our not so secret wild weapon: Chapman, but what we have: Owings/Masset/Ondrusek/Smith: Not postseason or Division contending stuff there. (Maybe Micah)

Set Up: Rhodes: AllStar: will do!

Reliever: Must I beckon his name: One CoCo Cordero, like I wrote this morning, there are 25 million reasons we are stuck with him: Ugggg maybe that Latino Flair will really be there when we need it!

With all those starters, one cant help but think Reds will be shopping for pitching, and our hitting lineup may look diff if we score a Vet due to a trade of say: Stubbs/Heisey etc...hate to see em go but we need RP'ing!

Have a great Allstar Break 'Nati fans: Stay positive! We are in this! :)

AP Images

Congrats to the 2010 Allstar Redstastic 4:

Brandon Phillips, Scott Rolen, Joey Votto, Arthur Rhodes

P.S. Folks are asking me why so upbeat after the Sweep by Philly, well MY expectations were .500 in April. This is already a tasty Sundae with whip cream and a cherry on top! So it melted on the floorboard a little we licked most of it! ;) Well see if it all melts by Sept. or we enjoy Sundae after Sundae! ;)

Reds Rooks Thrill Us At The Mid Way Point

2010-07-11T01:22:00.000-07:00

Rookie Mike Leake, Friday night: wow, 7-1 score, complete game into the ninth, Reds lose in Extras. Double wow: Rookie Travis Wood, 3rd major league start, the talk of baseball Saturday as he dueled Halladay, and took a PERFECT GAME into the ninth, Reds lose in extras. Just to type those two epitaphs, wow! A "pending epitaph" is what some are trying to write and say about The current 2010 Reds, fueled by three extra inning losses in a row, Friday nights colossal collapse, almost a mirror image of the comeback by Atlanta earlier this year: The Reds are the first team in MLB history to lose two games in one season in which they led by six or more runs entering the bottom of 9th" compliments @juergenscj. (Thanks for reminding us Chris, sheesh, JK LOL ummm thats our tweet language for those of u still stuck in Fb land)

Of course its to early but awfully foreboding for catastrophic melt downs like those for a team trying to earn league wide respect as contenders and not pretenders . But these meltdowns evidently effect us fans more than the players, as John Fay reminds us: RT @rfeyh04: @johnfaymanQ: how much does it destroy reds psyche to lose third straight in extras//A: Much harder on fans than players. Lets hope so, as the Reds throw another Rookie out there Sunday: Three rooks in a row! Hasnt been done since 1994 by Cincy, and we have wasted two fine outings by Leake and now Wood, Getting to 50 wins would be oh so sweet pre Allstar break.

Folks were slamming Dusty, maybe rightly so, for leaving young Leake in there (86 pitches going into the ninth) but what if Leake could have got the job done, we all would have said "Great job Leake" with no credit towards Dusty, the way it should be. The player on the field gets the credit, and should get he blame, but the manager got the blame this time, like I said probably rightly so. These are major leaguers though, young Leake as mature as they come, yes Dusty has to look out for the youngsters but heck its our RP that is much more suspect. The Reds still hold a 2 game lead over the Cardinals who recently seem content in following the Reds in 2nd: neither team making the "Big trade " to prep for the second half, although Reds management is doing their part in trying.

This season continues to not let any Reds fan get comfortable, especially if the relief pitching has anything to say about it. Our sticks will be there, barring injury (Capt Rolen, that back ok?) Its folks like CoCo and aging Allstar Rhodes that frankly scare the VuVuzuela right outa' me! There are 25 Million reasons why we are stuck with CoCo (Who I saw Seattle let go years ago after many blown saves and an aging arm) he gets to Cincy and Reds fans go crazy for his latin flair and heart. Now the 23 saves are sweet but his 6 (pace for 12) blown saves will "not get it done" as one HOF'er put it. Rhodes is great but Rhodes is old, he has given up two games of late, and because of his stellar perf so far (40+ scoreless innings earlier) he's got a long leash.

One @jlglitz and I recently pondered 100 mph'er Aroldis 'Phenom' Chapman adding some closer help, and because of his wildness we thought what the heck, even a wild pitch laloosh style, at a mascots head may help at this point!

Were halfway there folks and our team has excited us, we are in this, and our rookies are phenomenal: what a fun first half! Now lets get those Phils on Sunday!