This is the first of four Fox Sports Ohio "Classic Rewinds" and, for the blog, a sort of "manager and writers report" tune-up for spring game threading. Watching these rewinds, especially the one airing tonight, is a little like watching Titantic - we already know the precise details of the dramatic finish. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the surprise nudity and Celine Dion vocal stylings along the way.

Chuck Klosterman wrote an article exploring the question, "Why is watching a prerecorded sporting event less pleasurable than watching the same game live?" We can cross out some of his reasons why for this particular game - such as, "If this game has already ended and I don't know anything about what happened, it was probably just a game" - because this was a fun and exciting game for Reds fans. You can also choose to forgo using DVR to avoid treating the game like a highlight reel, while preserving some of the dramatic breaks inherent in live TV.

Better still, you can use this real-time game thread to create the illusion the game is unfolding live. You could get a really precise lobotomy to, if not remove the 2011 season, at least Opening Day so that you can experience it anew. In fact, I would recommend rejecting the ridiculous notion that this game is being broadcast from archival material and, instead, embrace the reality that there is no such thing as objective time - moments are relative and perpetual. It's just as plausible that Fox Sports is hooked up to the past through whatever wormhole Dennis Quaid was using in the movie Frequency. The game could turn out differently if you don't comment hard enough.

Whatever you choose to do, let's remember that March 31, 2011 was a happier time in a season that peaked way too early. Ramon Hernandez has since left for purpler mountains (I won't ruin anything, but he has some cool scenes in this one). While the bottom four spots in last season's Opening Day lineup are due to turn over this season, the core of the offense is intact and will be counted on to carry the load this season. Contrast that with the Brewers' lineup: the two pillars of its offense will be gone this Opening Day (Braun for the first 50 games, as of now) - although so will Yuniesky Betancourt.

A quick accounting of the offseason says the Reds stayed at least steady offensively and took a big leap forward with their pitching staff, as the Brewers took a step back on offense. After the first series of 2011, I never would have predicted the Brewers would go on to (SPOILER ALERT) become division champs, but that was myopia in a long season. The Brewers were aggressive in the offseason last year. The Reds let them test out that strategy before they jumped in.

One more SPOILER: the first inning is pretty graphic and not for the feint of heart.

Lineups and vintage game thread content after the junk.

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• I wouldn't get your hopes up about Roy Oswalt
  Walt said over the weekend that the Reds "had discussions with [Oswalt] a while ago." It's looking more and more that Texas and St. Louis - the reported frontrunners for geographic reasons - don't have the money to sign Oswalt. Fay suggests that trading Homer Bailey and his ~ $2.5M salary could be "risky" but would free up the money and roster spot to bring in Yosemite Roy.
  
  Another SP trade in the works is reportedly Baltimore's Jeremy Guthrie for Colorado's Matt Lindstrom and Jason Hammel. Guthrie has had a perfectly cromulent baseballing career, but he's not anything I wished Jocketty had pursued in earnest. [ed.: done deal]
• RL Nation admires the Reds' production at Firstbase
  To kick off their position previews, Redleg Nation takes a look at the most stable spot on the Reds' roster. I'd like to see Votto's HR numbers return to their 2010 levels, but I'm obviously quibbling here - Joey Votto is one of the best players in baseball, and I agree that "[i]f anyone else gets significant time at first, it's going to be a problem."
• Mapping strike zone performance
  The strength in Joey Votto's hitting derives from his lack of a major weakness. Taking a look at these strike zone maps from the Blog Red Machine, you can see just how difficult it is to put away Votto unless you can paint the low-and-away corner with uncanny precision. Jay Bruce also struggles in that corner, but his weak spot looks to be triple the size of Votto's. Really good stuff here.
• The Fox Sports Ohio Rewind broadcasts start tonight, as a reminder
  2011 OD kicks it off tonight at 7. Come by 'round these parts during the game. We'll have a thread and everything.
• The 2012 Topps are out
  And OMGReds shows us the "Mike Leake v. Gapper" limited edition card. The "Topps so crazy" line also includes the now infamous "Schumaker-as-Squirrel" depiction and, by internet rumor, a NC-17 "Pat Burrell is The Machine" card.

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The big day is finally here and, once again, another city in the Midwest of comparable size to Cincinnati get to demonstrate to the masses that its just a hipper place to be. Its time for GABP to get an All Star game so The Queen City can promote itself as a grand city in the nation's eye. C'mon Bud!

Predictions? Mark em down before kickoff. I was pro-Giants all week but saw one stat this am that changed my mind. NYG only sacked the QB 2.8% of dropbacks in a 2TE set. Pats 27 Giants 23.

Whats the SB menu at your place today? I've downsized to NY white pizza, buffalo wings(medium), Caesar salad, and toasted gruyere baguettes.

Beer of choice? Great Lakes Sampler case, if i hit the bottle at all.

Sound off, RR Nation...

Covering what other writers are too scared too preoccupied with actual news to cover.

Saturday: Ever Wanted To Know Who is Starting at Third Base in AAA For The Reds?

Why does SBNation exist? Well, when some entities are posting antiquated lists of the Reds’ top prospects, and other entities are reporting on other’s postings of said antiquated lists, we give you #OriginalContent! (Editor’s note: EVEN ON SATURDAYS NOW, HOORAY!) Today’s entrée? A comprehensive organizational chart of the Reds system for your stalking viewing pleasure. Is Paul Janish becoming too old for your unrequited love? Well, then we recommend Cody Puckett who is still in tender years as far as middle infielders are concerned. Afraid Scott Rolen is going into the wood chipper by the end of the season? There’s always a David Vidal lurking around the corner.

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Sunday: According to Twitter, Red Reporter Is Trending!

For all its other benefits, Twitter is not a good source of knowledge or gauging public perception (at press time, the following phrases are trending: "RIP BIEBER," "RIP Adele," "RIP EDDIE MuRPhY," and something called "bisping"). Thus, using Twitter as your sole sample size to figure what we’re all worried about isn’t going to yield fresh fruit (or else "OMG MAYANS" would perennially trend, #moddangit). This, however, doesn’t stop John Fay from telling everybody to, quite literally, take a chill pill in his Sunday column this week. Unfortunately, what Fay doesn’t know is that the people who constantly ask him the same questions aren’t the ones who read his column (or meaningfully contribute to society) . . . they’re too busy asking Jay Bruce for a retweet.

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What began humbly as a pretentiously-titled section on the left sidebar of this website now contains "several" pages rather than "a couple." The Reference Desk is your easily-accessible resource for up-to-date player information - contract status, injury histories and now, Twitter handles. Here are some of the recent additions to our holdings, which I hope will help answer FAQs about the Reds and better prevent you from ever having to visit any other site.

Reds Players on Twitter

This section dropped just this week. I'm not nearly as proficient on Twitter as many of you, but this is my attempt to put together a listing of all current Reds players who have active Twitter handles. Some Tweet more than others. I've left off Ryan Madson, who it seems had an authentic handle at some point but hasn't Twatt (not positive that's the past tense of Tweet) in nearly two years. I'm hoping to add Reds media personalities, veterans and a Dallas Latos category soon. Feel free to offer your additions and corrections.

Complete Org Chart (MLB Daily Dish)

This was discussed in a FanShot, but MLB Daily Dish - SBNation's news and trade rumors pub - mapped the players and contract vitals in the Reds' system from low-A to the majors. You should offer your feedback here or on their thread if you haven't already.

2012 Spring Training Invitees

Hopefully this is a current list of all non-roster invites to big league camp this Spring. I'm not sure yet if Wifrin Obispo - who was just signed to a minor league deal and who may actually be a food and drug conglomerate - received an invite. Let me know if we missed anyone.

Any suggestions for information that isn't currently easy to find and might fit in this section would be more than welcome. As soon as we wrap the Community Prospect Rankings, we'll be looking at Composite rankings of Reds' farmhands and logging prospect histories, leaning on past Community rankings. Stay tuned. That is, stay near the Desk and please be quiet.

Junior Arias takes the 23rd spot on the list in one of the tighter races we've had, beating Josh Smith by only 5 votes. Still going on potential with him, but if all goes well, he'll be seeing the bright lights of Dayton for a good chunk of this year.

Two spots left. Vote.

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