Hall o' Famer Hal thinks the LaRussa and Duncan rumors are crazy
In short, he says St Louis is too good and Cincinnati too bad a situation for it to happen. No way LaRussa (and by extension, Duncan) jumps from a division-winner to the Reds.  He then casts his vote for Bats' pitching coach Ted Power. He says guys love him and unless he's promoted, he'll go somewhere else. So I guess my vote goes to Power as well.  He's been getting terrific high praise, and if it's true that he will bolt unless he gets the job then I dont think it's much of a choice.

Walt Jocketty is in Goodyear, AZ at the new Spring Training complex
and is set to do interviews for the vacant pitching coach position. Sheldon lists all the usual suspects (Dave Duncan Sheik (because "Donuts" was too obvious), Ted "I Have the" Power, Mario "I Dont Like Sunny D, Pass Me a Grape" Soto), but he also throws out a few new names like former Mets pitching coach Rick Peterson and minor league pitching coordinator Mack Jenkins. 

Jim Misudek at the Reds Internal Affairs blog says Jonny Gomes has been nominated for the Hutch Award
"The Hutch Award is given annually to the major league player who best exemplifies the honor, courage and dedication of renowned baseball player and manager Fred Hutchinson ("Hutch"). Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center -- which was named in Hutch's honor by his brother Dr. Bill Hutchinson, a surgeon, after Fred succumbed to cancer at age 45 -- is an independent, nonprofit research institution dedicated to the understanding, treatment and prevention of cancer and related diseases."  I know this sounds weird, but beating cancer sounds just like something Jonny Gomes would do.

Reds Assistant Media Director Jamie Ramsey has a blog
"The goal of this blog is to give you an entertaining look into what goes on with the Cincinnati Reds, from an "insider's perspective." As an assistant director of media relations, I'm around every level of Reds employee here at the ballpark, from the front office to the players to the ticket takers and ushers. In my opinion, each is as interesting as the next and I plan on proving it by introducing these people to you." Welcome to the blogosphere Jamie!

MLBTradeRumors continued their Offseason Outlook series with a look at our Reds
Tim thinks Jonny Gomes makes too much sense to non-tender, Francisco Cordero is the most logical trade candidate, and Willy Taveras and Mike Lincoln were mistakes. Nothing new really, but still a nice overview.

Marc Hulet at FanGraphs has a quick review of the Reds minor league system
and he thinks Matt Maloney is on the up-swing, Devin Mesoraco could be a bust, and Juan Carlos Sulbaran could turn some heads next year.

OMGreds offers up a YouTube video of one of the last games at Crosley Field
The old Kodak 8mm film is always really cool-looking, even if I cant help but anticipate the president getting shot.

Diamond Hoggers asks, "When was the last time you enjoyed Cracker Jacks at the ballpark?"
I got some Cracker Jack at a Clippers/Bats game this summer and it was childhood-destroyingly disappointing. It was far too expensive, which wasnt surprising, but then there were no peanuts in the bag. None. Just a few stale puffs of tasteless popcorn. And the free prize was so exciting I forgot it in my seat after the game.