Valentin’s cloak of invincibility is truly something special.

Fogg retiers and Affedlt refunds the money we paid him?

He lost his boy. I’m sure as soon as he starts hitting he will be back.

Can Corey refuse the assignment? I think if he does, he can get a release but doesn’t get his money.

Victory in center field, and an end to the hostilities.

Allow for a longer minor league rehab assignment than the 15-day DL? It would be nice to see everyone back with these 13 position:

OF – Bruce, Dunn, Freel, Griffey
INF – Hairston, BP, Kepp, A-Gon, Edwin, Votto
C – Ross and either Javy or Bako.

Those are our best 13 once everyone is healthy. And yes, I rather have Hairston over Norris Hopper. He can play 7 positions to Norris’ 3, and can hit the ball out of the infield.

It feels good to say that without sarcasm.

It couldn’t have been good for Corey on a night when the fans were overjoyed to be the one that was booed loudly. Maybe he’s being sent down because of his negative vibes.

Really thought that Corey would be here until August froze over. WOW.
Me thinks Big Bob is not going to stand and watch the status quo (losing and then losing) with the same guys any more. This must send a ‘message’ to the team that Bob may just be pretty Goddamned serious about winning after all.
Go Reds.
I never thought CoPat was a leadoff starter and for his sake I hope something good comes out of this for him. we may need him when Jr. goes down with his next injury (God forbid).
So lets see.
1. Voltran – Great
2. J. Quest – growing – doing the job
3. Votto – shaky D – but the boy is gonna be fine
4. Jannish- a very pleasant surprise
5. Mr. Bruce – 1 night doesn’t make a career but he’s the real deal
6. Now Mr. Phillips – this opportunity will self-destruct only if you let it -Good luck, hope to see you in the line up tonight.

Love these young guys – This is exciting.

If he gets on base his first time up tonight, Bruce’s start will be second-best all-time….

Listed are the top marks for consecutive times reaching base safely to begin a career, since 1956 (courtesy SABR & Elias Sports Bureau):
7 – Ted Cox, Red Sox, 1977 (6-for-6, 1BB)
5 – John Paciorek, Astros, 1963 (3-for-3, 2BB)
5 – Dave Robinson, Padres, 1970 (2-for-2, 3BB)
5 – Bob Dernier, Phillies, 1980 (4-for-4, 1BB)
5 – Tom Dunbar, Rangers, 1983 (2-for-2, 3BB)
5 – Jose Hernandez, Rangers, 1991 (4-for-4, 1BB)
5 – Mike Piazza, Dodgers, 1992 (4-for-4, 1BB)
5 – Ramon Martinez, Giants, 1998 (3-for-3, 2BB)
5 – Kazuo Matsui, Mets, 2004 (3-for-3, 2BB)
2008
5 (active) – Jay Bruce, Reds, 5/27 vs Pit (3-for-3, 2BB)
5 – Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs, 3/31-4/2 vs Mil (3-for-3, 2BB)
5 – Brandon Boggs, Rangers, 4/29/4/30 vs KC (4-for-4, 1BB)

Interesting that 3 of the 12 times on this list occurred this season.

If anyone deserves this opportunity, it’s George Andrew Phillips. He’s hit well in Louisville, he’s hit well throughout his minor league career, and the Reds could use a player like him right now. The Yankees never gave him much of a chance. And I bet they regret non-tendering him now, with the way Shelley Duncan and Morgan Ensberg have imploded.

Yay, Andy! Roll Tide!

Dusty Baker said Corey Patterson came to him yesterday and volunteered to go Triple-A.

“It was a mutual decision,” Baker said. “I was going to call Corey in and talk to him. He came in before I called him in. He said, ‘I got to get my act together. I’ve got to change some things.’ He knows he’s better than he played. He’s still got the skill, the talent. He’s still only 28 years old. It’s a good move to go down, stay a while and get his stuff together.”

It sounds like there’s mechanical problems with Patterson’s swing. “No. 1, he’s got to get on that fastball and eliminate some steps. Basically, hitting is like a two-step process. He had a third and fourth step in there.”

calls for a song!

let the good time roll on!

Hal makes it clear that Patterson was not Wayne’s idea:

Permit me to return to last spring when the Reds signed Corey Patterson to a $3.5 million contract. Once again, as I’ve written before, don’t blame fired general manager Wayne Krivsky for that one.

As he told me, "I was told to sign Patterson and get the deal done, no matter what it takes." It took $3.5 million — $3.5 million wasted dollars.