Monday quick hits

by Rick House on Jul 7, 2008 11:30 AM EDT in News Comment 45 comments

According to the Fort Worth Star Telegram (discussed here), the Rangers are urging Major League Baseball to look into the Athletics' dealings with Michel Inoa. The Rangers think the A's had a deal in place before the July 2 deadline since, by some accounts, Inoa accepted less money than the Rangers and Reds offered to sign with the Athletics. (Inoa ended up receiving a $4.25 million signing bonus.)
In the John Erardi/Slyde/Greg Gajus/Justin Inaz stat column, published yesterday, the folks remind you that the Big Red Machine didn't bunt so much. This one facet of Dusty's personality has done more to ruin my enthusiasm this season than anything else, as I know that even if Adam Dunn or Jay Bruce comes to the plate with a runner on first and nobody out in the 7th inning or later, they'll be asked to bunt. It makes me hope that first batter just gets out so that the bopper can swing away.
Yahoo's Jeff Pasan calls the Indians' take in the C.C. Sabathia trade an "OK haul," but he says it wasn't nearly in line with what the Indians got for Bartolo Colon (Grady Sizemore, Cliff Lee, and Brandon Phillips). Still, he thinks the Brewers are getting the better end of the deal.
To keep up with Milwaukee, the Cubs are in talks with Oakland for Rich Harden. The NL Central is suddenly the division of movers and shakers.
Bernie of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch thinks the Cardinals are starting to show their cracks, although he uses as evidence their batting average with runners in scoring position (ugh.) But he suggests the Cardinals' brass start moving some prospects for more established talent to keep up with the Brewers and Cubs, which I would be all for.
This guy tried to beef up his resume by falsely claiming he was drafted by the Reds. Was that really the best way to go about puffing yourself up, sir?

That's about all I have for now. Feel free to discuss whatever or drop a link to your favorite piece of Internet reading material.

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here's an interesting story about an umpire

named Joe West, who sounds like quite the character. He’s performed and recorded country songs, and Ken Griffey Jr. compares him to Billy Ray Cyrus. This year he came out with a spoken-word album with stories from his time behind the plate.

Also in that link is a comment from Joey Votto about playing in the Futures Game.

What do you mean, "blank slate"?

by boobs on Jul 7, 2008 12:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He's also a movie star

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1236679/

I want a hamburger. No, a cheeseburger. I want a hot dog. I want a milkshake. I want potato chips...

by Slyde on Jul 7, 2008 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Joe West

I think it’s safe to say he’s an umpire people notice.

He’s probably my least favorite umpire. I think his calls have cost the Yanks at least one post-season series. He has a reputation for being vindictive.

He was also fined and suspended once, for shoving Joe Torre (when Torre was managing the Braves).

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on Jul 7, 2008 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i like the sound of that guy

What do you mean, "blank slate"?

by boobs on Jul 7, 2008 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sure

Wait till Arroyo glares after a questionable call and finds the strike zone shrinks to the size of a postage stamp. Or Bruce gets called out for running inside the line, when he’s no more inside than any runner.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on Jul 7, 2008 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Funny

He gave a quick hook to Fredi Gonzalez last night.

sig lines are for suckas

by jch24 on Jul 8, 2008 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

AS per bunting....

Lloyd (Mom’s 105 year old boyfriend) said it best “Baker has never had an original idea in his life”. Dusty is one of, if not the most, predictable decision making managers in the History of all baseball,

"When I got my award, I just wore my usual stuff," Dunn said.
"Was it for the Reds organization or all of baseball?" Bruce said.

by Madville on Jul 7, 2008 1:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

First they win the Euro Cup,

then Nadal takes Wimbledon, and now Valverde is wearing the yellow jersey. I’d say it’s the Summer of Spain.

Poz’s post today is a good read, as usual. And it includes a strange tangent involving Big Klu.

Comparing the hauls for CC and Colon is a little unfair. For one, Colon had an option for the next year so he wasn’t a three-month rental like CC. Second, the Expos were not being run like a normal baseball team at that point. MLB owned them, and Minaya ran the franchise like there was no tomorrow. Finally, I think teams are much more hesitant to part with top prospects now then they were five years ago, at least in part because of the growing gulf between FA salaries and arbitration/pre-arb amounts.

by ken on Jul 7, 2008 2:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

From FJM

You can see the Dr. Stat videos here.

I want a hamburger. No, a cheeseburger. I want a hot dog. I want a milkshake. I want potato chips...

by Slyde on Jul 7, 2008 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

A good excuse for a new avatar.

by ken on Jul 7, 2008 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Our track doesn't even give you a warning

Elijah Dukes is out 4-6 weeks with a partial tear to his meniscus and patellar tendon, which will require arthroscopic surgery. It’s a serious blow for the Nats. Dukes was their best (only?) power hitter. The team has been plagued by injuries, with Nick Johnson and Chad Cordero out for the year, and Ryan Zimmerman still on the DL, to name but a few. Even more of a reason to come visit DC at the beginning of August to see the Reds play in brand new Nationals Park!

by Brendanukkah on Jul 7, 2008 2:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This is somewhat ominous

During a baseball prospectus chat today, someone asked:

- How is Mesoraco coming along? I haven’t heard anything about him since he got drafted, really

Answer:
Kevin Goldstein: If you’re a Reds fan, you probably don’t want to hear what I have—more coming this week in the NL Central notebook

So do most of our prospects suck, or just Mesoraco?

by D-Rock on Jul 7, 2008 2:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I mostly know what boobs tells me

But it doesn’t seem like Mesoraco sucks. It just seems like he’s a good 2-3 years away, at least, and not in any position to help the club any time soon. That’s fine, and about what should have been expected from a catcher that was still in high school when we drafted him. The only thing that would worry me is if the revelation is that he’s terrible at calling a game, which could indeed be fixed as he gets more playing time.

by Brendanukkah on Jul 7, 2008 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i will be at wrigley tomorow night

and miller park on Friday. I am quite excited.

The Dusty Path to the World Series!*

*Note this is not an endorsment of Dusty Baker.

by justin007000 on Jul 7, 2008 2:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This is how you get drafted by the Reds and puff yourself up, sir

He's doing it. He's eating a tire!

by Man Mountain on Jul 7, 2008 3:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

...or the cards

He's doing it. He's eating a tire!

by Man Mountain on Jul 7, 2008 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not that that image works or anything...

We ain’t no last place team are we Pops ?

by Gray on Jul 7, 2008 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it bloomed too boldly

like the sad trilium of brief verdure…

He's doing it. He's eating a tire!

by Man Mountain on Jul 8, 2008 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't bother linking images

From FortuneCity, Geocities, or Blogger. They all block hot-linking.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on Jul 7, 2008 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bunting

at the rate they are going both Ross and Hairston Jr will have more sacs this season than any Red non pitcher did in any season in the 70’s. Of course those teams had a bunch of guys who could hit consistently. Griffey Sr (1978) and Bobby Tolan (1970) both had nine sacs in a season to lead the Reds in the 70’s.

Hope Springs Eternal! Go Reds

by Caleb on Jul 7, 2008 7:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

btb

homer’s out there kicking some ass. He’s given up just one hit in 5 innings so far. 6 Ks, 0BBs. http://louisville.bats.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2008_07_07_louaaa_lhvaaa_1&did=t416&sid=t416

What do you mean, "blank slate"?

by boobs on Jul 7, 2008 8:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i always said that kid would do great things

Stephen A. Douglas was a great debater, but Abraham Lincoln was the Great Emancipator.

by Charlie Scrabbles on Jul 7, 2008 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

you jinxed him!

he just gave up 4 runs in the 6th.

What do you mean, "blank slate"?

by boobs on Jul 7, 2008 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I doubt he is consistant to Augest

Out of his last 12 innings, 10 terrific ones, 2 really bad ones. You can tell when you mechanics are flailing around. 27k’s in 24I’s is good though, about at his AA level.

If the Reds had just let him pitch his 2004-06 form he had perfected, he would be a major leaguer already. But no, they started to try and get him to shorten it up last year and it backfired.

The bad stuff you hear about the Reds coaches isn’t good. Supposedly the only reason Power is the AAA pitching coach, is because he will work cheap. Really tells you why the Reds rushed Cueto even though he probably needed 2 months down in the minors.

by Johnnypronto on Jul 7, 2008 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he needs a CT scan.

And possibly a barium enema, followed by a gastric lavage.

Hey Dusty...Are you sure you're OK? You might need an MRI.

by Paul Householder on Jul 7, 2008 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

"the bad stuff you hear about the Reds coaches isnt good"

is that a spin on some kinda old Chinese proverb?

Stephen A. Douglas was a great debater, but Abraham Lincoln was the Great Emancipator.

by Charlie Scrabbles on Jul 7, 2008 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ugh here we go

his 2004-06 form would have gotten him pounded in the majors. The coaches have little to do with it.

Cueto was “rushed” because he was the guy who was the closest to being ready from the kids.

Hope Springs Eternal! Go Reds

by Caleb on Jul 7, 2008 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Holy cow

All the damage was done with two outs. He got the first two out, then gave up five straight hits.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on Jul 7, 2008 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He held his mechanics 5 innings tonight

Then he seemed to lose them. Which isn’t surprising since he is looking to gain consistancy in wind & rip style. Almost like spring training over again.

Same thing happened the last game as well.

Progress. I figure upgrading the Reds coaches(ones you know they will actually pay) with actual ability to coach will be next on the list for the BobC era.

by Johnnypronto on Jul 7, 2008 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whoa

Brett Myers is an Iron Pig?

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on Jul 7, 2008 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

They sent him down to get “straightened out”. Karma is cool sometimes.

sig lines are for suckas

by jch24 on Jul 7, 2008 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think "Iron" is necessary there

by ken on Jul 8, 2008 7:25 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Off topic

Has anybody else seen “The Strangers?” I just got back from watching it. Ho-lee. Shit. That might have been the scariest movie I’ve ever seen.

by Brendanukkah on Jul 7, 2008 10:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

who is in it?

Hope Springs Eternal! Go Reds

by Caleb on Jul 7, 2008 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Liv Tyler is the only actor of any fame in it

Dennis from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” has a small role.

by Brendanukkah on Jul 7, 2008 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Soooo creepy

by Brendanukkah on Jul 7, 2008 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did Katie Holmes kill that guy

or is he still running amuck in Gotham?

by Red Menace on Jul 9, 2008 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The movie takes place in South Carolina

Just be glad that you didn’t open the door at 4:00 AM.

by Brendanukkah on Jul 9, 2008 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I saw it a while ago

and caught tons of shit from my friends for not being able to handle it.
I also had a nightmare that night that the dude from the Strangers (see: middle) stabbed the living daylights out of Jay Bruce. So there’s that.

...because there's already someone posing as Jacob Brumfield

by Cy Schourek on Jul 8, 2008 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

great.

just great. now IM going to have nightmares.

Stephen A. Douglas was a great debater, but Abraham Lincoln was the Great Emancipator.

by Charlie Scrabbles on Jul 8, 2008 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

another off topic

does anyone know what really happened to Stephen Colberts face?

The Dusty Path to the World Series!*

*Note this is not an endorsment of Dusty Baker.

by justin007000 on Jul 7, 2008 11:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

brendan's mom knows

What do you mean, "blank slate"?

by boobs on Jul 7, 2008 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hiroki kuroda has a perfect game through 7

im heading to truebluela

What do you mean, "blank slate"?

by boobs on Jul 7, 2008 11:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

well that was easily diverted

What do you mean, "blank slate"?

by boobs on Jul 7, 2008 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pete Rose and the art museum

This baseball card might actually be the same one that inspired the painting by Andy Warhol that currently hangs at the Cincinnati art museum. They’re selling a limited edition poster right now. Does anyone know the cool story of how this all happen?

by reddyfreddy on Jul 28, 2008 8:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs