Spring Training Game Thread: Reds vs. Jays

by boobs on Mar 24, 2008 6:56 PM EDT in News Comment 126 comments

vs.

7 o'clock game, on FSN. This might be Homer's last chance to earn a spot in the opening day rotation. Let's see if he rises to the occasion.

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uh red man vs Jay Z that right?

by The Crushinator on Mar 24, 2008 7:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

reds vs. jays my friend

Marty may have a shirt on, but Billy Beane just ripped his off and is squeezing his nipples. - Brendan's ukkah

by boobs on Mar 24, 2008 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

really i just felt left out

of the spring training picture madness. i had to do something.

Marty may have a shirt on, but Billy Beane just ripped his off and is squeezing his nipples. - Brendan's ukkah

by boobs on Mar 24, 2008 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I got it

Thought it was clever even.

by jch24 on Mar 24, 2008 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm here

And although it's not Thirsty Thursday, I'm having some Bud Light. Enjoy the retarded comments that are sure to come.

by jch24 on Mar 24, 2008 7:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ALS alert

I had forgotten that TOR had gotten Eckstein. Screw him and his puntiness.

by jch24 on Mar 24, 2008 7:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i guess i'm a little too slow

suggestions, anyone?

by BobbyO on Mar 24, 2008 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

go homer!

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Mar 24, 2008 7:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ALS Eckstein

really?

suggestions, anyone?

by BobbyO on Mar 24, 2008 7:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

who is kroski?

and what'd i miss?

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Mar 24, 2008 7:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sickness

The catchers have all been making out with each other. Now they all have the sickness.

Chris Kroski makes me wanna jumpski jumpski.

Don't talk back to Darth Vader or he'll getcha!

by Slyde on Mar 24, 2008 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

edwin rox

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Mar 24, 2008 7:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice start

good jorb, EE!

by jch24 on Mar 24, 2008 7:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

great jorb!

suggestions, anyone?

by BobbyO on Mar 24, 2008 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I stand corrected

*hangs head*

by jch24 on Mar 24, 2008 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

they are on the day i leave to return to ONU

FUCK ONU CABLE!

The Dusty path to the World Series! (This is not an endorsement.)

by justin0070000 on Mar 24, 2008 7:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why ST stats don't matter

Buck Coats is hitting .409 this spring. The prosecution rests, your honor.

by jch24 on Mar 24, 2008 7:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

DP!

nice.

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Mar 24, 2008 7:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

FarmersOnly.com

I missed those ads.

by jch24 on Mar 24, 2008 7:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

did they always have that terrible song?

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Mar 24, 2008 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't remember seeing it....

before last year, but yeah. It's always sucked that bad. If I could figure out a way to get the Newbees to be lured into a snuff film setup via farmersonly.com, I'd die a happy man.

by jch24 on Mar 24, 2008 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just can't like Patterson. I don't care what he hits, how well he plays or how many bases he steals. He's impeding Bruce and turning Freel into an overpaid scrub. Not to mention his signing has terrified me that The Neifi Not To Be Named will end up in a Reds uniform before it's all said and done.

by jch24 on Mar 24, 2008 7:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

it's not patterson's fault he was signed

that's what i keep thinking.

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Mar 24, 2008 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess he'll bat leadoff against righties

Central's gots lots of dem

I'm a man of genius. I can afford to drool on you.

by Man Mountain on Mar 24, 2008 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

scott rolen's hurt

drink

I'm a man of genius. I can afford to drool on you.

by Man Mountain on Mar 24, 2008 7:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Knee or shoulder?

And does anyone think Homer really just hit 97?

by jch24 on Mar 24, 2008 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

little finger

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Mar 24, 2008 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

gameday sez

there was a coaching visit to the mound at the beginning of the second inning.

Anyone know why?

Reds fan for 40 years!

by gejoe on Mar 24, 2008 7:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Homer looks like hes completely

under control. I haven't felt like ive seen that.

by The Crushinator on Mar 24, 2008 7:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good god

Are they working with the same set of spots from last year? How long until we hear about fully boxed frames?

by jch24 on Mar 24, 2008 7:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't know

but I've got pictures of a fully framed box if you want to see them.

Don't talk back to Darth Vader or he'll getcha!

by Slyde on Mar 24, 2008 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The tool belt

gets more impressive every season.

This situation reminds me of a scene in the movie "New Jack City"... (-Deion Sanders)

by satyanaas on Mar 24, 2008 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the spicy baconator walks the walk

just so you know

I'm a man of genius. I can afford to drool on you.

by Man Mountain on Mar 24, 2008 7:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

So, what if?

What if Bailey looks dominant tonight. 2 pretty good innings so far, it seems. What happens?

Quick! Somebody make a Cincinnati loves Ken Griffey Jr. too! video

by TheC on Mar 24, 2008 7:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

just when we thought things were settled?

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Mar 24, 2008 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ahhhhhhh-

the spice of life

Reds fan for 40 years!

by gejoe on Mar 24, 2008 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like this kind of problem.

Examples of problems I do not like (hypothetically speaking):

Castro or Clayton to start at SS?
What should we do with Corey Patterson now that he's signed?
Who is the least bad fifth starter among Bobby Livingston, Eric Milton, Tom Shearn, Phil Dumatrait and Kirk Saarlooser?
There are two men on base in the bottom of the 7th, and the Reds are only down by one run. Which reliever do you put in? Mike Stanton, Rheal Cormier, Todd Coffey, Victor Santos, Gary McJeffsky or Ricky Stone?
In a tie game in the bottom of the 16th inning, the other team has men on first and second with no one out, and you have Ryan Howard at the plate. Do you intentionally walk him?

As I said, this is a high-class problem.

At least it wasn't Grady Little.

by Paul Householder on Mar 24, 2008 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have no problem

going with all three youngsters in the rotation. Let Fogg go and eat the mil.

by jch24 on Mar 24, 2008 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

eh

His velocity and control look good, but his fastball is pretty straight. Looks very hittable.

I'm a man of genius. I can afford to drool on you.

by Man Mountain on Mar 24, 2008 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah.. I was just going to say

.... nevermind my what if.

Quick! Somebody make a Cincinnati loves Ken Griffey Jr. too! video

by TheC on Mar 24, 2008 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

RALLY KILLER

by jch24 on Mar 24, 2008 7:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

dunner! yay!

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Mar 24, 2008 7:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

As you watch that Dunn homer

remember that the lead off position gets about 45 more at bats a year than the 5 hole hitter.

Why wouldn't get this guy a guaranteed first inning at bat?

I'm a man of genius. I can afford to drool on you.

by Man Mountain on Mar 24, 2008 7:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh man.

I didn't know this game was being televised. I was watching a friggin' NIT game. Geez, does anyone know where a Reds fan can get some reliable information on the internet?

by Fat Vegas Alan on Mar 24, 2008 7:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Silly goose.

Here, of course.

There's this guy who posts there named Michael. He really knows a lot.

At least it wasn't Grady Little.

by Paul Householder on Mar 24, 2008 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Homer walks 8 and 9

I'm a man of genius. I can afford to drool on you.

by Man Mountain on Mar 24, 2008 7:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bad toss

He half assed the toss to 2B, IMO.

by jch24 on Mar 24, 2008 7:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

totally agree

I thought BP did have to rush that throw, Welsh.

I'm a man of genius. I can afford to drool on you.

by Man Mountain on Mar 24, 2008 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that great hatteberg defense

which is why he is so superior to Votto.

The Dusty path to the World Series! (This is not an endorsement.)

by justin0070000 on Mar 24, 2008 7:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

well, two walks

louisville awaits

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Mar 24, 2008 7:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i love chris kroski

deal that ALS some spikes

suggestions, anyone?

by BobbyO on Mar 24, 2008 7:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

he goes in

with the approbation of millions of baseball fans

I'm a man of genius. I can afford to drool on you.

by Man Mountain on Mar 24, 2008 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I like it. Spike that little SOB. :)

by jch24 on Mar 24, 2008 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Officially

it's an unearned run-

but when you walk the 8 and 9 batters, maybe they should count it as an earned run. It's certainly more his fault than anyone else.

Reds fan for 40 years!

by gejoe on Mar 24, 2008 7:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

woo!

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Mar 24, 2008 7:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

For some reason

I'm still not sold on Kepp, but damned if he doesn't just keep hitting.

by jch24 on Mar 24, 2008 7:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Way to go Kepp!

He's got me hook, line, and sinker! (but I'm easy)

Reds fan for 40 years!

by gejoe on Mar 24, 2008 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kepp really does have a nice swing

I'm a man of genius. I can afford to drool on you.

by Man Mountain on Mar 24, 2008 7:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

too bad

they won't switch bp to short and name kepp the starting 2b

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Mar 24, 2008 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

on a related note

in the two games i've seen, BP's swing is still huge. He was way off balance in his first AB.

I'm a man of genius. I can afford to drool on you.

by Man Mountain on Mar 24, 2008 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They'll use him

to start at third!

Reds fan for 40 years!

by gejoe on Mar 24, 2008 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree

Don't fuck up a good thing I say. Not to mention that Kepp is infinitely more tradeable that Sea Bass.

by jch24 on Mar 24, 2008 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that bp sure is something...

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Mar 24, 2008 8:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Another

lead off walk

Reds fan for 40 years!

by gejoe on Mar 24, 2008 8:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

back to back

belly to belly

I'm a man of genius. I can afford to drool on you.

by Man Mountain on Mar 24, 2008 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

what is Bailey doing out there?

Reds fan for 40 years!

by gejoe on Mar 24, 2008 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

are the pitches even close?

Reds fan for 40 years!

by gejoe on Mar 24, 2008 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

somebody needs to give him some black lingerie

The Dusty path to the World Series! (This is not an endorsement.)

by justin0070000 on Mar 24, 2008 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Man, I wish

I could coast on my early defensive prowess in IM Softball the way MLB defenders can coast on theirs

I'm a man of genius. I can afford to drool on you.

by Man Mountain on Mar 24, 2008 8:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

"IM Softball"

is a pretty good name for what we do here many nights.

by Fat Vegas Alan on Mar 24, 2008 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Derek Jeter is

a) the best baseball player.
b) the handsomest baseball player.
c) down for any type of 'mo.

by Brendanukkah on Mar 24, 2008 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

big spot for Burton here

suggestions, anyone?

by BobbyO on Mar 24, 2008 8:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

and he responds

I'm a man of genius. I can afford to drool on you.

by Man Mountain on Mar 24, 2008 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

closer!

Reds fan for 40 years!

by gejoe on Mar 24, 2008 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

His numbers look hittable this Spring

but you gotta love the 7 strikeouts and no walks. That's a step in the right direction.

Don't talk back to Darth Vader or he'll getcha!

by Slyde on Mar 24, 2008 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Observation

Does George Grande ever talk about anyone who isn't old and sick?

I'm a man of genius. I can afford to drool on you.

by Man Mountain on Mar 24, 2008 8:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

his "well wishes?"

ha ha. i don't think so.

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Mar 24, 2008 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

stormy is my favorite pen guy

it's amazing what meeting a guy can do to your image of him. he's really nice. and he hasn't said a bad word about losing the closer's job. i root for him.

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Mar 24, 2008 8:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

6 walks in 4 1/3 innings... uggh!

That won't fly. This kid needs to go down south and grow up a little. Maybe Kevin Costner is available to catch at Lousiville for the season until the kid is ready.

Quick! Somebody make a Cincinnati loves Ken Griffey Jr. too! video

by TheC on Mar 24, 2008 8:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

second bull durham reference tonight

The Dusty path to the World Series! (This is not an endorsement.)

by justin0070000 on Mar 24, 2008 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Favorite Tim Robbins movies, anyone?

I always liked Jacob's Ladder though I haven't seen it awhile so I'm not sure how it's aged.

by Fat Vegas Alan on Mar 24, 2008 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

about as well as Susan Sarandon

I'm a man of genius. I can afford to drool on you.

by Man Mountain on Mar 24, 2008 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Shawshank

Don't talk back to Darth Vader or he'll getcha!

by Slyde on Mar 24, 2008 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hudsucker

by Fat Vegas Alan on Mar 24, 2008 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does High Fidelity count?

Don't talk back to Darth Vader or he'll getcha!

by Slyde on Mar 24, 2008 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Okay.

But then I guess we've gotta also count Top Gun.

by Fat Vegas Alan on Mar 24, 2008 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If that's the case

Then Howard the Duck.

Don't talk back to Darth Vader or he'll getcha!

by Slyde on Mar 24, 2008 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Never saw it.

But I once found a vinyl copy of the soundtrack at a flea market.

Thomas Dolby + George Clinton + Lea Thompson = vinyl at a flea market

by Fat Vegas Alan on Mar 24, 2008 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was an HBO staple

during my formative years.

Pretty much everything that is wrong about me starts there.

Don't talk back to Darth Vader or he'll getcha!

by Slyde on Mar 24, 2008 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ian Olmedo

Ray to his friends.

by Brendanukkah on Mar 24, 2008 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Top

Gun

by Brendanukkah on Mar 24, 2008 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Beat me.

I'll be your wing man.

by Fat Vegas Alan on Mar 24, 2008 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Take my breath away

by Brendanukkah on Mar 24, 2008 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

votto!

hopefully they'll keep him.

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Mar 24, 2008 8:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Awesome!

Reds fan for 40 years!

by gejoe on Mar 24, 2008 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

SIKE

choke oh that hatterberg.

by The Crushinator on Mar 24, 2008 8:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

he absolutely drilled that ball

I'm a man of genius. I can afford to drool on you.

by Man Mountain on Mar 24, 2008 8:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i don't remember every hearing coffey speak

he sounds funny. not like what i expected. his voice is higher pitched than it seems like it should be.

anyway, i wish the guy well. he worked his ass off literally, so you can tell he really wants to do well. it'd be nice if he finally reached his potential.

now, if we could only get rid of stinkton...

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Mar 24, 2008 8:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

nice crowd tonight

I'm a man of genius. I can afford to drool on you.

by Man Mountain on Mar 24, 2008 8:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I am awful at picking up pitchers mechanics

and as my few little league innigns will tell you, awful at repeating them...

I also have no TV in this hell otherwise known as Ada, OH.

Was Homer Bailey strugling to repeat himself> He sailed right through the first two innings, and he lost his control after that.

The Dusty path to the World Series! (This is not an endorsement.)

by justin0070000 on Mar 24, 2008 8:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't say he sailed through

the first 2 innings. His command was better, but his fastball looked pretty hittable to me.

Welsh talked a lot about Homer needing to shorten his stride a little (a la Harang). I'm not sure what I think about that, necessarily, but there is something about his delivery that I've noticed in both starts I've seen this Spring:

Homer's delivery gives hitters a rather long look at the pitch as it comes out of his hand. It was especially evident with Burton following Homer tonight. Burton's first fastball was about 5 mph slower than Homer's, but it seemed to "get on" the hitter more quickly i.e., I think he "hides" his pitch longer in his delivery to the plate than does Homer.

We've heard rumors last season and this Sping about Homer tipping his pitches. I wonder if part of this problem is pitch recognition with his release as well as something in his delivery.

I'm a man of genius. I can afford to drool on you.

by Man Mountain on Mar 24, 2008 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

so he pitched a little worse than his box score

over the first 2 innings? I was quite pleased to see no walks, the first time I checked, it feel apart shortly after.

The Dusty path to the World Series! (This is not an endorsement.)

by justin0070000 on Mar 24, 2008 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

why can't we keep both coffey and bray?

i hate when they talk about mercker and lincoln with coffey and bray in that last spot.

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Mar 24, 2008 8:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Drew T Anderson

Is he still on the roster?

by The Crushinator on Mar 24, 2008 8:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

here it is again

online dating that works!

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Mar 24, 2008 8:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Guess who just made the team?!

Reds fan for 40 years!

by gejoe on Mar 24, 2008 9:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i hope you're talking about valaika

because if hairston goes north i will flip my shit

suggestions, anyone?

by BobbyO on Mar 24, 2008 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

get it on video!

Reds fan for 40 years!

by gejoe on Mar 24, 2008 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

what's the score?

Hope Springs Eternal! Go Reds

by Caleb on Mar 24, 2008 9:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

5-1

Reds

Reds fan for 40 years!

by gejoe on Mar 24, 2008 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

La Machina

giving some Love to Cueto

or Volquez.

No es claro.

I'm a man of genius. I can afford to drool on you.

by Man Mountain on Mar 24, 2008 9:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Mercker kept himself in the MLBPA phone book.

For one more week?

by Fat Vegas Alan on Mar 24, 2008 9:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

dunno

everything was up. Came close to walking 3 batters in a row. I suppose it's cold enough down there that he could have been very tight.

I'm a man of genius. I can afford to drool on you.

by Man Mountain on Mar 24, 2008 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He hasn't impressed..

..and Stanton and Affeldt are making guaranteed millions.

by Fat Vegas Alan on Mar 24, 2008 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do we have to keep Affeldt?

Does anyone here even want him in the bullpen? We signed him for too much to just cut him, didn't we?

Quick! Somebody make a Cincinnati loves Ken Griffey Jr. too! video

by TheC on Mar 24, 2008 10:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes

He makes too much money, he's staying, methinks.

by jch24 on Mar 24, 2008 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he had a decent season working in relief last year

if he is the 4th or 5th man out of the bullpen behind Corderro, Weathers, and hopefully Burton, he will be useful.

Anyone cautiosly optomistic that Coffey will bounce back? I would like to think he could return to the pitcher he was in 2006 before he was promoted to the closers role. He couldn't have just lost it completely the way he did.

He threw in 81 games in 2006. Could last year have been a carry over effect. He was being used almost every other day. That can really tax a pitcher after a period of time.

The Dusty path to the World Series! (This is not an endorsement.)

by justin0070000 on Mar 24, 2008 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't really have any reason to believe this

but right now I'm feeling cautiously optimistic about Coffey. I think he'll be productive this season. Maybe because he lost weight, maybe because his spring has been pretty solid. I was ready to give up on him last season, but spring brings with it hope. Right now, I'm feeling good about Coffey.

by Brendanukkah on Mar 24, 2008 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs