Red Reporter: FanPosts

Joey Votto Interview at Toronto autograph session

2009-11-20T03:36:28Z

I stumbled across this clip (I'm sorry if it has already been posted somewhere here) of Votto chatting with some Toronto something or other. He talks about Rolen being a positive influence, but my favorite part was when he said that he is "perfectly happy wearing Red right now". I wonder if Votto will ever end up in Toronto. If he does, I just hope it's way down the road. I believe Bubba has already decided Joey is going to spend his twilight MLB years as a DH in New York, though, so sorry Canada!

Again, nothing significant, but nice to hear from JV:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8EdxNW5udI

Shortstops at the Bargain Bin

2009-11-19T22:18:51Z

With J.J. Hardy spirited away to Minnesota and Zack Cozart in line for a season of ripening, Paul Janish currently sits atop the Reds depth chart at short stop. And you needn't take my word for it - Marty Brennaman bears witness to this very fact in his most recent Hot Stove League broadcast. Prevailing opinion on this blog maintains that Janish's glovework makes him serviceable as the Reds lack funds needed to lasso a Marco Scutaro or Miguel Tejada. To boot, Tejada and Scutaro represent players for which the Reds would likely overpay, marking another ill-advised, prospect-blocking multiyear investment.

By all accounts, the best course of action would be to load up Paul Janish with supplements, a montage-worthy training regime and Lasik surgery - and hope for the best.

I did, however, accidentally read this throwaway remark in a recent MLB.com article by Mark Sheldon:

I think Paul Janish, might find a decent fit with 39-year-old Craig Counsell, who earned $1 million for the Brewers in 2009 and excels at getting on base.

It's easy to dismiss this as aimless groping in the wilderness of the Reds financial woes but I gave Craig Counsell's Fangraphs Page a once over just the same:

2009: .336 wOBA, .357 OBP, 2.8 WAR

Yes, he's 39, but the Reds wouldn't be crazy to pursue a one-year deal at $2MM or less. He plays competent defense and hits righties better than Janish does. One thing I hadn't realized about Janish was his rather jarring platoon splits in the minors:

vs. LHP: .312/.388/.435

vs. RHP: .238/.324/.358

Combine Janish with a bargain pick-up -- someone who plays adequate defense and hits righties. Janish takes starts against all lefties and the occasional righty and seeing frequent use as a late innings defensive replacement. The Reds could do worse than a one-year stopgap contract to Craig Counsell.

Age is clearly a major risk factor for a Counsell signing going bust. Bill James projects .246/.337/.327 in 2010, about what we'd expect from Janish. Counsell's 2008 was an aberration and he may end up being about as valuable as Janish over next year. The fact remains, however, that Janish has a record of poor performance against right handed pitching. If the money and/or right transaction comes available, the Reds would be well advised to find a way to add depth at short.

Here are some other ways to go:

Erick Aybar (Angels)

The Angels have a potential logjam in their middle infield, but the cost in trade for either would be dear. Unlikely to be wrested from the Angels for anything that wouldn't short-circuit the 2010 season and amount to a full on rebuilding gambit.

-- EDIT: As per Geki, Sean Rodriguez is in the Rays system now. I need to monitor the trade wires more vigilantly.

Reid Brignac or Sean Rodriguez (Rays)

Both have been mentioned as trade targets here before. Brignac's stock has gone up since last offseason, so any trade might have to start with Chris Heisey as a centerpiece. Rays have Barlett and Zobrist pretty well locked in at ss and 2b for the foreseeable future, so one of these two might be available.

Jason Donald (Indians)

Seems doubtful the Indians would flip a lucrative piece of the Cliff Lee trade, but they're in desperate straits.

Alexei Ramirez / Brent Lillibridge / Chris Getz / Jayson Nix (White Sox)

None of these guys have been impressive in the majors, but the surplus of middle infield talent with upside on the Sox warrants a look. Could grant the Reds more flexibility in what they do with Janish, BP, Frazier and Sutton over the next year, rejiggering the depth chart favorably and providing a bridge to future transaction.

Tyler Green (Cardinals)

Minor league offensive numbers aren't much better than Janish, but still has upside. Could be a decent foil to keep both Cozart and Janish honest.

Todd Frazier and/or Drew Sutton at 2B, BP to SS

The refrain is "not going to happen," but for the purposed of this thought experiment, assume that it could. The defense could be start out awkward at both positions - and Frazier would need to make the offensive adjustment - but Frazier needs to find a position soon - whether it be 2B, 3B and OF. Sutton, for his part, has respectable minor league numbers and should get a trial, in lieu of Rosales, wherever the Reds have an opening.

Adam Everett (Tigers)

Free agent. Only paid $1MM last season. Probably not an improvement on Janish.

---

Most of the available options are pretty fraught, which points to staying the course with Janish and allowing Valaika and Cozart to percolate for a year. While I see plenty of merit in this policy of benign neglect, I can't help but think that short-stop may be the position of greatest return on investment for the Reds, given their current lack of depth and future void at shortstop and 2b as Phillips gets more expensive, older and then becomes a free agent.

A low or no cost change to the status quo should not be too much to ask, especially considering the fact that both SS and 2B are likely to jointly drag down team OBP next year, which I suspect is the area of greatest need for the Reds. I guess all I'm asking is for some kind of 3rd tier transaction I can feed into my hot stove, which means I'll be dissapointed no matter what. But it's the new and different forms of dissappointment that keep me coming back.

Poll

What should the Reds do next year at short stop?

Waiting for the ink to dry...

2009-11-17T19:41:04Z

While I sit around and wait for the ink to dry on RayMoan's contract, I am struck dumb by excitement that Hernandez's signing has caused especially at one of the places work. My secondary work place is full of about 25 blue collar guys from 28 - 67 yrs. of age. these guys are big time sports fans - they talk sports, they eat and drink sports...to a man they are excited and relieved that Hanigan will not be considered for the starter's job in 2010. When I attempt to discuss Hanigan's on base percentage and moving him up to the #2 spot in the line up I am literally shouted down. Now I know I'm right and they are wrong but I can see why the Red's management could be heavily swayed to give the fans what they want. In this case Hernandez. And that management probably agrees with them.

Interestingly these same guys have little use for Taveris, Jannish or Dickerson. They love the Rolen move, love BP, Bruce (to a point) and Votto too. Guys like Gomes, Ballentien and Nix are shrug offs, nobody thinks that they are 'The Real Thing' and that the Reds need a big stick in LF (these are same guys that really hated on Dunn). Also interestingly this group of sports addicts are high on Stubbs and Fransisco.

I see the nearly 25 guys I work with 2.5 days week (who are totally into Football and Basketball right now) as comprising the average fan. They believe that Castellini made millions off the team in 2009, that the the reason for a lower budget for 2010 is so that Big Bob can make even more money, that the price to go to a game is outrageous and that we should be trading away guys like Harang and (many say) Jay Bruce for a proven veteran LF. Yet, half of these guys don't know who Todd Frazier is, 75% don't know Chris Heisey. Arroyo is their favorite pitcher with Voltron Homer and Lehr next on the list. Pretty much to a man they think Harang is washed up.

Phil Castellini probably has had the same interactions that I have in talking to fans...hell he probably agrees with them. He'll pay attention to what fans say they want in an attempt to fill the seats. My guess is that this translates into a pretty boring and mediocre season for 2010.

The hopes I hold to is that Walt will pull off something...to spice up the roster or that one of the young guys will have a breakout Spring Training.

Enough of this as I really need to get to work on Slyde's novel.....

Innovation

2009-11-15T00:44:37Z

Look, I have to do something I don't normally do, because I think it's important.

I've been doing some research on Josh Gibson lately for a project, and an idea about the Reds hit me. See, the Negro Leagues used lights for night games all the time before the Reds GM had the first night game in MLB history. The Reds sucked (have we heard this before?) in the thirties and attendance was lagging. So the GM decided to play night games. And guess what? "With the increased revenue, MacPhail was able to build winning teams that won pennants in 1939 and 1940 and were the World Series champs in 1940."

Look, the Reds have always been involved in innovative ideas - first professional team, first radio broadcast, first television broadcast, first night game...I know that a lot of these happened in other parks, but the fact is, the team had to agree with it.

So I'm going to do something I never do and point you to my economic case for innovation. Then come back here and tell me how you think the Reds can once again pull the innovation card out of their red caps and come out on top. I have some ideas of my own.

Todd Frazier injured, not playing in winter league...

2009-11-14T09:34:24Z

Just got the news from Todd myself this weekend at a nightclub...

I commented on this in another post, but i just thought id make a post for it since there is really no good reds news lately.

He informed me of his decision to stay home and rest his knee up so he can go into spring training at 100% and not risk further injury. He didn't go into detail about his knee injury, but i assume it is minor, as he walked without a limp.

Doesn’t really matter if he plays or not, he is the future of the Reds along with Votto and Bruce. That trio of hitters is the key to us posting an above .500 year. Let’s hope he gets the call sooner rather than later because a kid like Todd produces no matter what level he plays at. He is a winner.

Bordom - Overated

2009-11-14T05:09:04Z

Well Gang ...no news on the Arbitration front, the FA front or anything regarding filling the missing holes in the Red's lineup for 2010. Sure its early but already the signs are prevalent: We go with what we got and hope against reality that somehow everything will come together and the Reds will be competitive...........

Meanwhile not a word from Slyde regarding my request to be his literary agent - Nothing from the Burgerfest gang about changing the nite to an evening when I can attend. .........

Justin talks of baseball suicide while Fat Vegas Alan reappears in the nick of time.........

Me...well I was pretty bored but after reading the recent posted commentary about the Reds having no money and the possibility of dumping BP and having Jannish as the starting SS...well that got my attention. Then again Spring Training is a ways off...who knows what may happen..............

More importantly we've UC Football 10 - 0 straining to break into the top 3 nationally. A good Xavier men's BB team, a good Xavier women's BB team, an interesting UC men's team and a less interesting UC women's team but a very interesting woman's new team coach. So a lot to keep us occupied until February. .............. Plus occasional installments of Slyde's novel are on the way. Really what more could you ask for in the middle of a severe and ongoing recession?

Reading Between the Bottom Lines OR 2011: A Payroll Space Odyssee

2009-11-12T18:41:32Z

With forecasts of payroll cuts putting the Reds' 2010 outlay between $65-$70MM, it seems likely that a salary-dumping trade will be needed to balance the ledger and accomodate arbitration raises. The most likely candidates to be dealt are Francisco Cordero, Bronson Arroyo, Aaron Harang and Brandon Phillips. This state of affairs seems to make it all but certain that while the Reds may be able to top .500 without CoCo in the 'pen, they're not likely to sniff the playoffs again in 2010 - and have little hope of improving on last year if Harang, Arroyo or Phillips depart. Managment is becoming at least dimly aware of this fact as they aremore keenly aware of the state of the books in 2010, with an eye toward 2011 - that magical year when contract committments fall off in a big way.

The Reds are only tied down for $28.3MMin 2011 plus major raises due to Votto, Cueto and Volquez. Getting the books clear for 2011 favors trading Phillips in the next year - if not this season. BP has the biggest potential market and ability to inspire trade partners to take on his 2011 money. He isn't likely to be their first choice to put on the block from a PR standpoint, but swinging right deal might be the best chance this team has to put its financial house in order while improving the outlook for 2011.

Trading BP would seem like a counter intuitive move, considering his youth and cheapness relative to Arroyo, Harang and Cordero. However, BP might represent the greatest potential savings and return in trade, with Arroyo and Harang off the books for 2011. Cordero, likewise, will be hard to shop and any salary dump likely wouldn't return any prospects. A trade of Phillips offers a chance to clear salary over the next two years, while hopefully garnering some talent that could contribute by 2011.

Trading BP could bring 2011 commitments down to $17MM, before arb raises and contract tendering. That would probably allow the Reds to pursue some top shelf free agents such as Roy Halladay and Jayson Werth while auditioning the Class of 2011, including Yonder, Cozart, Frazier, Juan Francisco and possibly player(s) netted in the BP trade.

While writing off another season dissappoints me greatly - to the point of considering tuning out entirely - there is no excuse for this team not to be both competitive and in good financial health for 2011. I expect the moves made over the next year will tacitly acknowledge this.

Here's what the team could look like in 2011, with a payroll easily below $70MM.

SP: (Halladay/Webb/Beckett), Volquez, Cueto, Bailey, (Owings/Maloney/Wood/Leake)

C Hanigan
1B Alonso
2B Frazier (FA?)
SS Cozart (FA?)
3B Francisco (FA?)
LF Votto
CF Stubbs
RF Bruce

I think the Reds would be foolish to part with Votto or Alonso when they can accomodate both and while both seem likely to reliable anchors in the middle of the lineup for years to come. But for the right return, I would deal Alonso for an IF or C, especially if Heisey pans out in LF. It's unclear where Frazier will stick, if Juan Francisco can play 3B or whether Cozart is the solution at SS, but the payroll flexbility in 2011 should allow the team to monitor progress in 2010 and spend for need next offseason.

The above lineup is highly speculative, but at least illustrative of the fact that the Reds will have a good base of MLB-ready talent and money to spend that could solidify a first-class pitching staff and any setbacks in development on the farm.The available cash in 2011 provides the Reds with the opportunity to be competitive in the free agent market and pursue at least one pitcher and one position player from the top tier for whom a multi-year contract would represent relatively low risk and high reward. Taken together with the maturation of the up-and-coming, there's no excuse for this team not to make the playoffs in 2011.

Short of new ownership, trading Brandon Phillips might be the best way to acheive this. I'm just not sure how many of the die-hards here will still be around to share in the spoils. Any kind of hedging this offseason, such as paying exhorbitant money to Ramon Hernandez, will show us that the current regime is still caught in a delusion.

Reds Are Cutting Payroll

2009-11-11T10:53:12Z

The Reds are cutting payroll:

Add the Reds to the list of teams that are slashing, rather than spending, this off-season. Fanhouse's Ed Price and Jeff Fletcher are reporting that Cincinnati is looking to cut their payroll from $71MM in 2009 to between the $65-$70MM range next season. While it may not sound like much of a reduction, Cot's Baseball Contracts lists the Reds as owing just under $66MM to just ten players for next season, leaving little room to fill out the rest of the roster.

Lagging attendance figures are to blame for the Reds' financial cutbacks. Price and Fletcher noted that attendance at the Great American Ballpark dropped by more than 15 percent from 2008 to 2009. General manager Walt Jocketty was quoted in the piece as saying, "We're going to probably have less to spend this year than we have in the past...It just depends on how [ticket] sales go this offseason."

This is why it's so hard for me to care about baseball or the Reds anymore. I've often got baseball on in the background in the summer, and I like following individual Reds players, but I have zero belief that the Reds will ever be able to build anything approaching a sustainable winner. Forget the 70's, I'm not sure the Reds can afford a team anymore that could match the mid-late 80's Reds that finished in second most every year before winning the World Series in 1990.

They will luck into the playoffs again at some point by catching lightning in a bottle (a la 1999), but until baseball fixes things (ha) I just have lost most of my interest.

I've never thought this until recently, but there needs to be a salary cap, and MLB needs to consolidate media deals and distribute TV (and possibly radio money) equally. I'm pretty sure the Dallas Cowboys could get a lot more TV money for their games than the Cincinnati Bengals, but luckily the NFL is too smart to allow that to happen.

Sadly attendance for baseball hasn't cratered, and probably never will because going to the ballpark is an enjoyable activity even when your team sucks, so I'm not holding my breath for changes. It's just all a shame, the sport could be so much more interesting with a more level playing field.

Burger Tour Roars Into .......TINK'S!

2009-11-10T22:14:41Z

Wednesday November 10th

time is negotiable, its Veteran's Day (bank holiday!)

Tink's off Ludlow in Clifton's gaslight district (by the Esquire)

Cost: $15 or so, it's Man Up time after the atrocious Mt Adams experience

This is the place where sukr, several years ago, almost wept in sheer delight at the taste of a Kobe burger @ Tink's. He proclaimed it the best burger he had ever consumed (and my bet is my boy has eaten a mess of burgers in his day). This proclamation was pretty much the origination of the Burger Tour. I'm not drinking beers at Tink's due to the cost but there might be a stop afterwards at one of the neighborhood pubs which serves more economical selections.

I think this about the last burger in town that can seriously challenge TTC or Gordo's top ranking.

Also, any thoughts to having a First Ever RR Xmas party? I vote Opening Day due to its centralized location and extreme cost effectiveness. I already have my white elephant gift selected.

Roster ch ch ch ch ch-anges

2009-11-09T22:48:17Z

The Red today announced some minor roster changes. With an overstaffed Center-Field position, we knew someone had to go.

Considering the price to abolish T-Virus from the roster,The Reds organization chose to keep him as a pinch-runner/CF punching bag. Instead they chose to take their chances by out-righting CF Darnell McDonald. After thinking about how many people would have to meet an untimely death before he could see GABP again, he chose to take his chances with the free agent market. They don't call it the Hot Stove for nothing!

Speaking of Hot Stove, Ramon is looking for work. No not Hernadezzz, The right handed reliever Ramon Ramirez was claimed off waivers by the Rays today. I know his numbers this year weren't top 100 Reds of all time material, But I had high hopes for this guy. Sure he didn't wow you with his 6-7 4.03 ERA In Louisville, or with the 3.65 in 12.1 innings GABP. But this guy had a damn good arsenal of pitches. At least I can still watch Viola take his place.

In other news, with a shortage of catchers in Cincinnati, Utility player Wilkin Casillio preferred to stick around a little longer. Him and the Reds signed a minor league contract for the 2010 season with a clause about him being invited to spring training with the other big kids. His 2009 numbers are god-like at 667/667/667 with three at bats.

I hear the Brewers are looking for a short reliever after they canned Weathers.

And there's this guy Gonzalez that's up for grabs if anyone in south-west Ohio needs a SS...

2009 SB Nation Awards: Manager of the Year

2009-11-09T13:41:13Z

SB Nation has announced the winners of its 2009 Manager of the Year Awards. From the National League, it is Jim Tracy, who took over the Colorado Rockies in May as they went from a team that was 10 games under .500 to the playoffs. Mike Scioscia led the Angels to their 3rd consecutive AL West title and their 5rd in the last 6 years, despite missed time from John Lackey, Vladimir Guerrero, and Kelvim Escobar.

Congrats to both managers. They will receive a lifetime supply of Rice-a-roni, the San Francisco treat!

Voting was done by all of the SB Nation baseball sites. Each site had 2 votes and we voted for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for the award in our own league. Red Reporter was represented by BK and me. Neither of us voted for Bud Black or John Russell.

Rk	Manager	Team	1st	2nd	3rd	Pts
1	Jim Tracy	Colorado Rockies	24	1	2	125
2	Tony LaRussa	St. Louis Cardinals	3	7	10	46
3	Fredi Gonzalez	Florida Marlins	2	6	5	33
4	Joe Torre	Los Angeles Dodgers	-	9	2	29
5	Charlie Manuel	Philadelphia Phillies	-	3	5	14
6	Bruce Bochy	San Francisco Giants	1	1	1	9
7	Bobby Cox	Atlanta Braves	-	1	4	7
8	Bud Black	San Diego Padres	-	1	1	4
9	John Russell	Pittsburgh Pirates	-	1	-	3

Rk	Manager	Team	1st	2nd	3rd	Pts
1	Mike Scioscia	Los Angeles Angels	9	8	3	72
2	Ron Gardenhire	Minnesota Twins	9	5	1	61
3	Don Wakamatsu	Seattle Mariners	6	3	8	47
4	Joe Girardi	New York Yankees	2	4	2	24
5	Ron Washington	Texas Rangers	1	4	4	21
6	Terry Francona	Boston Red Sox	1	1	3	11
7	Jim Leyland	Detroit Tigers	-	2	4	10
8	Joe Maddon	Tampa Bay Rays	-	1	1	4
9	Ozzie Guillen	Chicago White Sox	-	-	1	1
10	Trey Hillman	Kansas City Royals	-	-	1	1

Memories of Tom Browning's Perfect Game?

2009-11-08T23:28:30Z

Some months back I wrote about Tom Browning's 1988 perfect game vs. the Dodgers as part of a series of posts on perfect games I was doing on a blog I have. A bit later I received a comment from one fan who, at age 9, was with his grandad watching his first MLB game on that September 16. Thanks to a long rain delay, he got to edge down near the dugout by game's end. I thought I'd contribute an offseason diversion by asking if anyone else here went to the game or remembers hearing it on the radio. There's a short clip of the end of the game on YouTube, but apparently it wasn't broadcast on tv. When I posted an article on Bleacher Report for the 21st anniversary of the game, a fan named Ilya Harrell described his memory:

Lucky the kid was at the game because it wasn't televised by either the Reds or the Dodgers. We had a huge satellite dish at the time. I was watching another game, ticked that my Reds weren't on. I heard Browny was tossing a perfecto, and scrambled to find it on the Dodgers' network . . . no dice.

I did rush upstairs to listen to the last couple of innings and heard Marty's call on the radio. In a way it was almost better. But I sure would have liked seeing it from start to finish.

Notice that the only video highlights you ever see of the game are obviously not a T.V. game.

Sunny Sunday Open Thread

2009-11-08T18:06:58Z

Wow! What a beautiful day in Cincinnati! It's supposed to creep up into the seventies today, and there is a ton of sun shine! You can not complain about this weather for a Sunday in Cincinnati.

The baseball season is officially over, and it appears that the Hot Stove League is under way. There is a fairly important Bengals game that has just started, so I suppose this could serve as a place to discuss that game!

Also, what is everyone eating and drinking for their sunday afternoon? I got Buffalo Wild Wings to eat, and I hit the liquor store for a "create your own" six pack. I just had an Arrogant Bastard Ale, and it was pretty good. Hopefully, you guys are like me, and in the mood to spend the Sunday with all your favorite Red Reporters!

Technology replacing Umpires

2009-11-05T00:48:43Z

I think the clamor for replay in baseball is misplaced. Replay simply analyzes decisions made by men ("that's the role of women", cymbals!). Replay slows down a game and there are times when it is even inconclusive.

I propose that we skip replay and simply replace the umpires with advanced sensors. I don't mean completely replace the umpires but they would be replaced as the primary decision makers, the umpires would be the backup. Here is what mature technology could do next season in baseball.

replace the calling of balls and strikes by the umpire with the system that they use now to evaluate the umpires. Why not just use the system that the umpires are graded by? There could be many different ways that the system could immediately signal strikes and balls. The umpire would still be behind the plate in case the system crashes or makes an obvious error. Most importantly, somebody has to sweep off home plate . . . until they get a Roomba.
foul ball detector-this would be the same system that they use in tennis.
sensors in the glove, base, and shoes-this would be the only system that isn't in use today though it is still based on currently available technology. The sensor in the glove would be able to detect when the ball arrives, the sensor in the base and shoe would be able to detect when the runner touches the base. This would solve the common question about if the ball or the runner arrives to the base first. The glove sensor might even be able to detect if the ball was trapped during the catch.

So, why can't this happen? Who is happy with the umpire's mistakes right now? Umpire errors work themselves out during the course of a season. The post-season is too short (barely) to let errors decide games.

RR Burger Tour Stop - highlifeman21, you owe me a burger

2009-10-29T07:50:32Z

EPIC FAIL.

via idontneedyourdamnedhost.com

This is obc hiding behind a plant to talk on his cell phone. It represents the general sentiment of the night, as we were all embarrassed to have even considered Mt. Adams Bar & Grill in the running.

We began our night in less than stellar fashion with obc, 'tHan, and BK showing up a solid 30 minutes late........for what reason you ask? A haircut? Of the guy who doesn't need one? Seriously? Yours truly sat on a park bench in Mt. Adams for 20 minutes. Do you have any idea how frightening that was? I nearly ended up in a pink collared shirt, slacks, and loafers. (shudder)

Once the Three Musketeers showed and rescued me from the cute girl at the bar, we sat down at a table in the back corner....perfect for such a subdued and reserved group of gentlemen. After some hemming and hawing we ordered and the food came out pretty quickly. This is good, considering the prompt service would end up being the highlight of the night.

The burgers were at best lousy, at worst criminal. I'll be damned if I pay $7 for a burger that compares to something I'd get at Wendy's. My burger was a Wendy's single + salsa and toppings, not good. There won't be much culinary review in this recap because well, the burgers SUCKED. In the immortal words of BK, "It tasted like a hamburger martini." Not exactly a compliment. BK apologized for taking us there instead of Tinks and we accepted, but only after deeming him "Gay & Dangerous".

Judging from my compatriots' reactions to the food, I immediately asked for the check and we moved on. We ended up at Crowley's and had another hour or two of playful banter before we dispersed on our way home. All in all it was a good time, but WOW, the burgers sucked balls. I asked everyone what they thought and obc and BK (the only one with a frame of reference) had a hard time saying these burgers were better than Quatman's.

To give you an idea of how bad this was, BK was most excited at the end of the night staring through the window of an adjacent bar telling us all about "Rangers vs. Hibernians". Fucking foot fairies.

BOTTOM LINE: highlifeman21, you owe me a good burger and one beer sir. I took you at your word and you failed. The worst part was that neither the burger nor the beer was cheap. You owe me one, PLUS ONE.

PS: I call two weeks from now (November 12th is the date), and it will be a doozy. Details to follow.

tHan's CHI/CIN game thread

2009-10-25T19:42:14Z

Predictions? What's gonna happen this afternoon? Who ya like? jck likes the Bengals 24-21.

Will Cedric Benson dominate or be dominated? I dont see a middle ground today. 88 yds 2 td's say I.

What's on your football viewing dining menu today? Homemade mac n cheese, homemade cheese coneys, walking tacos, chips n salsa, and guacamole here.

Post your pre-game, in-game and postgame thoughts/reactions here, the more the merrier.

SIS - best songs by certain bands edition

2009-10-25T01:36:39Z

This afternoon I spent the several hours at a local high school football field watching a couple youth football games in chilly, damp conditions. The games were moved from a local county park to "our" home field with Field Turf due to the recent deluge of rain locally. We had one day to organize the entire event and it impressively went off without a hitch, many people volunteered their time at the grill, food booths, beverage booths, and multiple ticket booths. I was most impressed by the songs spun between series, after timeouts and in between games.

Conversation turned to whether the individual song of the moment was the best song by the particular band being played over the PA. Admittedly it wasnt the most riveting of conversations but it did manage to distract us from the fact our asses were freezing, metal bleachs are teh suck! Earlier this week a person I know was extolling the virtues of the best Stone Temple Pilots song and while I didnt necessarily agree it was a tad interesting to hear the opinion nonetheless.

So....what say you? What's the best, in your opinion, song by:

Stone Temple Pilots:

Guns N Roses:

AC/DC:

Pearl Jam:

Pink Floyd:

Van Halen:

Black Crowes:

Sum 41: (for BK)

Prince: (for tHan)

Michael Jackson: (for jch)

Electric Light Orchestra: (for Mads)

Jack Johnson:

Rolling Stones:

The Who:

Strongest Reds Position Historically

2009-10-14T01:32:02Z

I'm posting this fairly rapidly based on rankings from Bill James' Historical Baseball Abstract (revised 2001 edition) where Mr James ranked the top 100 ballplayers at each position. Its been almost a decade since publication and there would be several edits and additions to the rankings at this place and time, but i found the results interesting nonetheless.

What position is the strongest in Reds history?

Sadly, i didnt read each entry and cross check everyone who might have played for the Reds...but i did a fairly poor eyeball check and referenced my memory on who played for the Reds. Some played only a couple years and i tried to delete anyone that wasnt really a starting ballplayer for the Reds. Here. We. Go.

Catcher

2- Bench

22 - Lombardi

35 - E. Bailey

53 - J. Edwards

First Base

13 - Perez

34 - Big Klu

47 - Lee May

78 - Dan Driessen

Second Base

1 - Morgan

30 - Bid McFee

45 - Bill Doran

49 - Manny Trillo

52 - J. Temple

53 - Tony Cuccinello

71 - Don Blasingame

78 - Juan Samuel

94 - Ronnie Oester

Shortstop

6 - Larkin

24 - Tony Fernandez

26 - Concepcion

50 - Leo Cardenas

53 - Roy McMillian

62 - Dennis Menke

Third Base

19 - Buddy Bell

21 - Heinie Groh

36 - Terry Pendleton

79 - Bob Bailey

87 - Ray Knight

Left Field

21 - Sherry Magee

34 - George Foster

51 - Kevin Mitchell

53 - Hal McRae

68 - Greg Vaughn

71 - Ron Gant

74 - Selbach

Center Field

7 - Junya

15 - Edd Roush

18 - Vada Pinson

21 - Cesar Cedeno

33 - Eric Davis

58 - Gus Bell

Right Field

3 - Frank Robinson

5 - Pete Rose

14 - Dave Parker

31 - Ken Griffey Sr

44 - Paul O'Neill

90 - Dante Bichette

So whattya think? I figured it would be shortstop, but two other positions have four Reds ranked in the top 35 of their position alltime. (and center has five if you really count Cedeno)

Beware History

2009-10-13T17:37:00Z

For two straight years now, on the final weekend of the season, the Milwaukee Brewers have played a series against that years division winners. The title was decided a bit before each of those series this year and last, and as a result, the opponent, 2008 Chicago Cubs, and the 2009 St Louis Cardinals, rested starters, played it easy, etc. and wound up losing games that were meaningless for their playoff chances, that they probably should have won if they were giving it their all.

Along with that final series nap, each team went on to then get swept in the first round of the playoffs, not being able to switch their performances back "on". If you believe in the need for momentum, these two straight years "taking it easy" against the Brewers in the season finales could be a big reason for those quick, first round playoff exits. It should also be noted that the 2008 Cubs finale in Milwaukee is also a contributing factor to the Brewers making the playoffs(that and David Wright missing about 4 different rbi chances that would have won games for the Mets against the Marlins). In the latter case, not only might they have been too asleep to perform well in the first playoff round, the Milwaukee Brewers could very well have missed the playoffs altogether, making their playoff-less streak 27 years instead of the current 1.

The 2010 season schedules have been released, and the Cincinnati Reds finish the year at home against the Milwaukee Brewers.

I predicted that the Reds were going to finish 2nd this year and win 85 games. Of course some injuries and a down year from Aaron Harang prevented that. Without being able to forecast what the Reds will do this year in the offseason, finishing 2nd might be a stretch if Edinson Volquez is out for a very long time, but I believe they have the talent to make a big push next year. Add to that they could wind up with Tony LaRussa as manager and Dave Duncan as pitching coach, and they might make the run Reds fans have been waiting for since 1990. Big seasons from Joey Votto, Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips, as well as continued "decent" years from Johnny Cueto, Bronson Arroyo, and bounce back from Harang coupled with a breakout from Homer Bailey are things that could lead to a Reds playoff appearance reality.

Just one word of advice, if you have the season locked up by that final weekend, dont rest your starters and play all of the prospects against the Brewers if you want to get past the first round of the playoffs.

08 REDS v. 09 REDS

2009-10-13T17:14:13Z

Going into 09 the Reds had some obvious positions where dramatic improvement was possible/ Corner OF defense/ SS Defense/ CF offense- they mostly captured this improvement besides the one ugly decision to sign Willie Taveras.

Difference between 08 and 09

Position Offense Defense Combined

1b                     +9              (13)                  (4)
2nd                  +11            (6)                   +5
SS                   (14)           +32                 +18
3rd                   (7)             +11                   +4
LF                   (48)             +39                 (9)
CF                   (4)              +12                +8
RF                +15             +21                 +36
C +1              +1
P                      same

So the Reds lineup actually was 59 runs plus from 08 worth 6 wins. The pitching using FIP was worse in 09 regressing from 4.54 to 4.63.

Going forward if the Reds offense stays around the same at 1st base/ 2nd/ SS/ and corner OF. They seem to have a pretty easy 50 run improvement from 3rd base/CF. The defense will probably see a regression @ SS/ improvement at 3rd base/ possible improvement CF- so positional defense about the same as 08.

Without pitching improvement- I see the Reds around the 83 win mark. If Harang comes back strong and Bailey continues his late season form- the Reds should be in the 85-90 range.