Red Reporter

Social Question for Verka (little Reds content)

bbjones — Fri, 09 May 2008 03:16:00 -0000

Sorry for sending this to everyone; I couldn't figure out how to send it directly to Verka. That being said, I'd love to hear anyone else's input on this.

Verka, I don't understand exactly what you are doing, but I think it's enough to say that you are working for social justice -- that is, a kind of equality -- for disadvantaged folks in the Latin Caribbean. First off: Good for you, and thanks!

Now, my question. I've often wondered whether the much-discussed inequality of income is as important as the absolute level of income. That is, which is better: to have everyone get nearly equal income, or to have a bigger spread, but have the median be higher?

Of course, you have to define what "better" is. But for these purposes, I think something like "satisfaction," "economic stress-level," or "contentment" might be the right definition.

I can answer this question for myself. I'm doing reasonably well --don't have to worry about what I'm going to eat, don't have to worry too much about paying the mortgage. It doesn't bother me a bit that Griffey's option year alone would bring him over 100x my income. Because I'm content with what I've got, I don't care what he gets.

This makes me wonder if we shouldn't focus on raising "the bottom," and not worry about the disparity, except secondarily insofar as the megaincomes actively screw the poor. If we could raise the standard of living of the 5th percentile in income in each country -- get it up to the point that the 5th percentile lives a decent life, maybe it doesn't matter what the 99th percentile is making.

So, Verka -- in your experience, which would make people more content? Reducing the disparity, even if that means everyone is poor, or boosting the 5th percentile, even if some people are making 100x or 1000x that amount?

Is it time to trade Phillips and/or Harang?

JJ — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:08:47 -0000

Has Aaron Harang ever had higher value than he has right now? What about Brandon Phillips? Harang has pitched over 230 innings each of the past two years and is averaging 7 innings per start this year. Phillips provides gold-glover caliber defense, power, and speed while playing at a traditionally weak offensive position. Both are signed to reasonable long-term deals. They are the perfect players to build a team around. So why even consider trading them?

Let's look at the team as a whole. The Reds have 4 solid young pitchers including Harang and if Bailey is included in the group. They have a core of young position players including Phillips, Votto, Bruce, EdE, and Kepp who could be the start to a good team. But there are major issues with this team.

The way the Reds are going, you have to assume we'll see the mid-summer fire sale of Dunn, Griffey, Weathers, Hatteburg, Bako, and maybe others. I'd guess those players as a whole will net 2-3 servicable players and a couple low-level, low-rated prospects. So we're left with holes in the outfield, at catcher, and at a starter. Could Phillips be turned into a decent outfielder and a starter? Could Harang be turned into a ML-ready starter, a young prospect, and a couple decent position prospects?

I don't think the Reds have the guts to make that type of move, but it's time to at least explore the possibilities. This is a team that needs to chart a course and stick to it, or we'll just keep going in circles.

Notes from the Enquirer

jch24 — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:49:22 -0000

Junior tells USA Today he expects to be traded, agent backpedals for him:

Agent explains Jr. comments

Link to USA Today article

Junior obviously controls his own destiny being a 10-and-5 guy, but in the article it sounds as though Seattle would be a perfect match from both sides. I truly doubt we're getting Clement under any circumstances, though.

On a different note, David Weathers takes up for his teammates:

Brantley's on-air comments prompt Weathers response

This is what I like to see out of someone (especially a vet) on the team. Considering the article mentions that Weathers & Brantley are friends, hopefully Stormy's words sink in to Brantley.

Thoughts on the matters at hand? Concerns? What can we realistically get for Griffey? Potato salad?

PS: I hate the FanPost editor, it angries up me blood.

RR turning in Red's Minor League Report?

jambolyajones — Tue, 06 May 2008 19:18:46 -0000

I know the big league club has not performed well during the first 20% of season, but I feel like every time I drop in to read discussions on RR this season, the front page is taken up with Minor League reports.

I admire Rick House's work at getting all the minor league recaps posted to RR daily, but if I want to find out how many hits Brandon Menchaca had in the Dayton-Quad Cities game, there are many sites I can find that information on besides RR.

Now I know lots of the RR crew love all the Farm System news, but wouldn't a weekly summary post be better? I miss out on Cincinnati news and discussion posts on the main page because they get drowned out and knocked off by the Minor League reports.

That's just my opinion, anyone else agree?

Island Update: Baker supports Encarnacion, Soto helps Cueto

Verka Serduchka — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:02:58 -0000

Today, the Listin Diario ran an article based on an interview with Edwin Encarnacion. I am translating from the paper and for some reason there is no link to the article on the net. Some notable quotes follow.

Encarnacion on his relationship with Baker:

"I have never had such good communication with a manager. Baker knows how to motivate me and I hope I can live up to his expectations."

On playing in the Dominican Winter league:

Playing in the Dominican is helpful. We arrive to spring training pretty much ready for the season already. It is a big advantage that we have in our country. I am going to continue playing in the DR because I have matured a lot as a baseball player and it will help me to establish myself in the major leagues.

On his goals for 2008:

My goal is to hit 25 or more home runs, and I know I can do it. I will be working hard not to commit more than 15 errors. These are my two biggest goals. I am very positive that I can reach them, I don't doubt it.

Cueto got some press for his win yesterday too. Nothing too special was said but it did mention that he worked with Mario Soto:

Soto ...se unió al equipo y lo ayudó a componer su cambio de velocidad y a recuperar su confianza, lo cual se mostró de inmediato.

Soto joined the team to help [Cueto] with changing speeds on his pitches and regain his confidence, which was seen immediately.

Life is different, but okay without a computer here. Post-traumatic stress is another story. Every wierd noise or shadow that moves at home gives me a rush of adrenaline. I will be fine, it just takes time.

Looking forward to Harang/Zambrano in the sports bar/gambling establishment a few blocks from my home tonight. Go reds.

Dunn passes Dusty

Lakeman — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:16:37 -0000

Lost in the shuffle during last night's win over the Cubs was a monumental moment in Adam Dunn history. When Dunn hit career home run number 243 last night, he moved out of a five-way tie with Dusty Baker, Sal Bando, Wally Berger, and Roy Campanella (talk about veteran presence!) and now sits all alone at #199 all-time .

If Dunn ends up with his standard 40 home runs this year, he'll finish the year with 278 career homers. This will put him around 150 on the all-time home run list depending on how other active players do this year. He'll pass Bret Boone, Kirk Gibson, Joe Morgan, and Roger Maris (among others).

How many do you think Dunn will hit this year? Where will he rank when his career is over?

Braves fan on Marty

DisplacedFan — Mon, 05 May 2008 18:55:27 -0000

Shysterball Braves fan takes notice of how negative Marty is on air.

Unfortunately, I was listening to Marty Brennaman, and that poor bastard has simply lost it. Look, we all hate to listen to homer announcers, and we all find it refreshing when the guys in the booth tell the tough truths. Brennaman, however, is long past that stage and is deep into angry and bitter disgust with the Redlegs. Sure, the seven-run second inning would be tough on anyone, but Brennaman made it sound like he was being forced to watch the commission of war crimes. He sounds like a man who truly hates his job, and truly hates the Reds.

...

Perhaps the most telling thing was the fact that I was actually happy when Jeff Brantley took over next inning.

This is really sad, and I agree totally. I used to think Marty and Joe were some of the greatest and loved the radio. Up until last year I would pay for gameday audio. Now I can't stand to listen to broadcasts. Terrible.

What about Andy Marte?

nighthawk32 — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:03:08 -0000

Just a question? The rumor is that Cleveland may designate him for assignment. Obviously, he has not done anything to prove his "top prospect" status from only a couple of years ago. Yet, maybe a change of scenery and patience would help. Many have suggested put EE in left field if Dunn is traded.

From what I've heard, he has really started to lose confidence because of the pressure on him. Right now, we're horrible.......how much pressure could he feel?

Anyway, I'm not suggesting we do this. I'm asking for opinions.

Poison in the Reds club house?

spudsmckenzie17 — Sun, 04 May 2008 02:49:40 -0000

The Reds have been playing flat, Dusty has been flip flopping anyone he can find to get something started and Castellini has his chop block ready to let heads roll and Rob Schneider is due anytime to pop out of the smoke stacks and quote his Waterboy line, "OH NO, WE SUCK AGAIN!". WTF is going on.

I read prosportsdaily.com and on there is several articles of how good a presence Juan Castro is in a clubhouse and his head rolled down the DFA lane. My best guess is something is stirring in the club house, Hatteberg is pissed, Freel is Pissed, Castellini is pissed and still they play flat. With all these negatives flowing who is trying to make things positive? Griffey is aiming at 600 while he does his best impression to mimick Will Ferrell or is it Adam Dunn in Left field, by watching the at bats he gives I think its Ferrell. Patterson is close to finishing his impression as a Major Leaguer, the bench coach needs to do away with whatever luxory items they have on the bench there because everyone who comes off it seems to want to hurry back to it. Paul Bako, ummm yeah that Paul Bako at this time last year if someone told you he'd be our starting catcher you would have buried your head in your hands and cried like a baby, but there is no reason to cry about Bako, just everything else at this point.

What do the Reds do? My suggestion is they make the team watch the JTM Arroyo and Welsh commercial until everyone in the room realize watching them now is almost as bad as watching that commercial.

Poll

What would you do to improve the Reds?

Gallardo has torn ACL, possibly out for the season

justin007000 — Fri, 02 May 2008 20:36:47 -0000

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that Yovani Gallardo has a torn ACL.
An examination of Gallardo in Milwaukee on Friday morning revealed the injury, which Gallardo suffered in a collision with Reed Johnson on Thursday. The team will wait until swelling subsides to determine if he needs surgery, but there's a good chance he'll miss the rest of the season. Dave Bush will be recalled and replace him in the rotation. May. 2 - 2:34 pm et

via Rotoworld. This is a tough break for teh Brewers. Not only for this season, but this is a lost year of development for the 22 year old. Hopefully for him he can make a full recovery a pitcher needs strong legs, if his knee becomes arthretic at an early age he will only be a shell of what he could have been.

Turnbow DFA'd by the Brew Crew

Caleb — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:36:37 -0000

I just saw where former closer Derrick Turnbow has been released by the Brewers and designated for assignment. Isn't it funny how fast, and far, some of these guys fall from the lime light. I wonder how much interest around the league there will be for him. Any thoughts about signing him to a minor league deal? It will be interesting to see what becomes of him. I wonder if any one has enough interest to trade for him?

Some Offday Thoughts

crolfer — Thu, 01 May 2008 22:57:36 -0000

I've been pretty busy lately... So busy in fact that, although all three Reds games against the Cardinals were televised... (That makes 4 Reds games available on TV total so far for me this year), I was able to catch about a total of 2 innings. Anyways, one of the things that I've been busy with is umpiring, and it really opened my eyes up to a whole new part of the sport. Because this is my first year of umping, I've been doing the 10-12 or so age groups and have really noticed a few things... Some parents are total dicks.

I know a lot of people on here are parents... mostly relatively new at that, so I just want to weigh in and say that until high school... sports should be about learning and having fun, not about winning... A lot of those kids were only there cuz there parents forced them to play. Teach mechanics, not competition. And for God's sake... Don't let them throw a curve before they're around 15 or 16, and even then might be a bit early...

I also have to admit that umping (especially behind the plate) is a lot harder than it looks...

Oh yeah... GO REDS!!!!

Leitch vs. Bissinger: The "future" of journalism

boobs — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:59:28 -0000

By now many of you have seen the "Costas Now" segment in which Buzz Bissinger, longtime Philadelphia journalist and author of Friday Night Lights, and Costas berate Deadspin's Will Leitch. If you haven't, here's the video.

It boils down to this: Bissinger hates blogs because he thinks they're the "future" of journalism. He doesn't like their tone, he doesn't like their lack of access or their lack of J-school degrees. He thinks Will Leitch -- "Jimmy Olson on Percoset" -- is the general of an opposing army fighting a battle in which Bissinger and his soldiers are sure to lose. What Buzz doesn't realize is that he and Leitch are on the same side.

My profession suffers from paranoia. 40-year veterans like Bissinger feel backed into a corner because they think newspapers are dying. What they don't realize is that newspapers aren't going extinct; they're evolving. A guy like Bissinger will still have a job in another 40 years; he just won't be read in newsprint. But he's so frightened of the Internet that he can't see that he is the also the future of journalism.

It's true that the Internet has changed journalism forever. Before too long, no one will be going to their newspaper box in the morning to pick up 32 pages of paper and ink. But that doesn't mean that journalism won't exist. It also doesn't mean that Deadspin will replace the Philadelphia Inquirer. They're different things entirely, and there's no reason for guys like Bissinger to get defensive. As Bissinger said, he's spent 40 years perfecting his craft, and he'll be damned if he's replaced by a snot-nosed, phone-pic-posting prick like Leitch. But the Internet is the future -- for guys like Bissinger as well as guys like Leitch. For newspapers to survive -- which they will, in a sense -- they have to not only understand but also embrace that shift. The longer they deride bloggers, the worse off we'll be in the meantime and the longer and more painful the transition will be.

In short, there might only be one seat on the bus, but it's plenty big enough for Buzz Bissinger and Will Leitch. Buzz needs to move over and give him room.

Trading Griffey

nighthawk32 — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:50:01 -0000

It is very conceivable that the Reds would look to trade Griffey after he reaches 600 HR's, especially if the Reds are still playing inconsistently. The speculation is that he would be traded back to Seattle. My question is this: Would you trade Griffey and a prospect (like a Brandon Waring, Maloney, or something like a top 30 prospect) for Jeff Clement? The Mariners just signed their main catcher to an extension and I read that they have a catching prospect in AA that they're high on. Clement is said to be average defensively, across the board. But, he has excellent power, plate discipline, and is said to call a good game.......and has outstanding leadership skills.

Should the Reds make such a move?

I miss Josh Hamilton.

Geki — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:57:44 -0000

Now, don't get me wrong here, Volquez has been absolutely tremendous. I think he's surpassed any expectations that anyone has had for him, and he's shown that he can be a pretty badass pitcher even without great control. But I miss Josh Hamilton. I miss rooting for him, sure, but I really miss him on the field. While we continue to enjoy the fine "contributions" of Corey Patterson, Josh Hamilton has been perhaps the most valuable player in the AL so far.

His April stats? .330/.379/.591. 6 homers, 1 triple, 10 doubles, 16 runs, and a major league leading (by six!) 32 RBIs (Encarnacion and Griffey are tied for the Reds lead with 15). 11 walks, and just 13 strikeouts. And he's hitting .346 against lefties and has played in every single Rangers game so far. The only area that he hasn't been spectacular? Well, he only has one assist so far, but I suspect that might have something to do with nobody running on him.

I appreciate what Volquez has done, but I can't help but be really sad that we're missing what Hammy is doing. We all saw the insane amount of talent he had. This isn't a hot month, this is Josh Hamilton. Surely I can't be alone in missing him?

Hey. I'm a be on TV

andromache — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:48:01 -0000

Ok, so this may be the least exciting announcement in all of redreporter history. But, I was picked to be in the college jeopardy tournament. (yes. real jeopardy.) I filmed last month...and it's going to air next week.

So, if you want to watch me nerd out and look lame in a college sweatshirt, the episode I'm on will air Friday, May 9th. Yes, it's a tournament, so i miiight be on again, but I am definitely not allowed to disclose that information. Check your local listings, because evidently jeopardy is on a different network, like everywhere. Also, I know it most likely conflicts with us playing the Mets, but there are always commercial breaks. and TIVO.

It will not be hard to distinguish my true identity from the two gentlemen I played against.

We're 12-16. Is the glass two-fifths-full or three-fifths-empty?

Fat Vegas Alan — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:45:39 -0000

The Reds are 12-16 (hey! that's not awful!) and only a game ahead of the last place Pirates (who swept the Reds earlier this month). The offense has not really shown any consistency and as a result they're getting much of the blame for the team's slow/poor start put on them.

But did you know that aside from Edinson Volquez, the Reds' starters have a combined ERA of 5.58? (Note that the 5.58 ERA includes Harang's 2.76 through 42 innings.)

And did you know that nine different times the Reds' starters have given up five or more earned runs in six or fewer innings?

April 4 : Fogg vs PHI 4ip 6er

April 7 : Arroyo vs PHI 5.2ip 5er

April 13 : Cueto vs PIT 6ip 5er

April 15 : Harang vs CHI 6ip 5er

April 16 : Fogg vs CHI 2ip 9er

April 21 : Belisle vs LAD 4ip 5er

April 23 : Arroyo vs HOU 3.2ip 8er

April 24 : Cueto vs HOU 7ip 5er (To his credit, Cueto pitched a nearly perfect sixth and seventh.)

April 29 : Cueto vs STL 1.2ip 6er

Ugh.

Nine times?!?! In only 28 games?

I wonder if that leads the league or perhaps even all of baseball...

Poll

The existing rotation...

RED REPORTER BOOK CLUB UPDATE

Fat Vegas Alan — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:13:37 -0000

[Editor's note: If you had no idea that Red Reporter now has a book club, here is the thread from last week 'splaining it all. If you're too lazy to click that link you're prolly too lazy to wanna read a book with us but here's the long and the short of it: 1] Get yourself a copy ofJoe Posnaski's The Soul of Baseball 2] Read the first two chapters (~24 pages). 3] Stop in the RRBC's first thread sometime Thursday and/or Friday and share your thoughts.]

Howdy gang. If you haven't yet read the first two chapters of the book, turn off the Miley Cyrus and Reverend Wright updates and start bookwormin'! And if you haven't yet purchased the book, close the damn laptop, walk on over to one of those real life brick and mortar stores and get a copy. You've still got time! The first "assignment" was intentionally small so any non-readers could take a few baby steps with us. C'mon! Even if you hadn't planned to join us, read the cool surprise announcement at the end of this post and go get yourself a copy. Don't be afraid. It's not a novel. It's not even really a biography. It's pretty much a very pleasant travel journal. It's an easy easy read. (And all the cool Red Reporters are doin' it.)

Just a few announcements before the first thread goes up sometime Thursday afternoon...

-- For no particular reason at all, we wanna get a head count of those who are planning to participate. (Now that I think about it, I guess Boobs did say something about making brownies.) So if you're joining us please sign in below and tell us a little bit about yourself or your favorite Benny Hill sketch.

-- We've got a schedule that we're hoping everyone can keep up with but still allow us to get onto another book by the first of June. Here are your assignments:

Thursday May 1: We'll discuss "Riff" and "America" (pp 1-24)

Thursday May 8: We'll discuss "Winter" and "Spring" (pp 27-103)

Monday May 19: We'll discuss "Summer" (pp107-211)

Monday May 26: We'll discuss "Autumn" and "Winter (Take 2)" (pp 215-282)

-- We'll throw two or three questions out in each week's thread for discussion but other than that we expect the "meetings" to be very similar to any other Red Reporter thread. So in that sense there is no scheduled "meeting time." Whenever you see the thread go up, just come in, say "Hey, here's what I think." ...Stick around and see what anyone else has to say... Then check back later to see if someone else thinks you're an idiot.

-- Okay, you've read all my jibberjabber. I thank you. Now, here's the good part... Rick has contacted Mr. Joe Posnaski and made him aware of our nerdy little baseball blogging book club. And guess what?! ..Yes!! He's coming! Can you believe it!?

Well, he's not really coming to the club meetings (but maybe!). But he has agreed to take some questions from us. So be thinking of what you might want to know about Joe or Buck or their time together. Rick will send a few questions to Joe and we'll post any reponses within these RRBC threads. (It seems that Joe was very gracious and I would think that we might be able to ask him questions throughout the next few weeks as we read his book.) Pr'cool, eh?

Island Update: The Good, The Bad(ass), and The Ugly

Verka Serduchka — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:44:36 -0000

First, the ugly: My house was robbed on Sunday afternoon and my labtop was stolen. If that wasn't bad enough, I happened to be in my home when the 3 thieves entered. They held me, my partner, and my roomate at knifepoint before tying us up with phone cable and shoelaces and leaving with our computers, cell phones, and digital cameras. They were not very experienced or proffessional. Yes, you could say they lacked veteran presence and they definitely didn't play the game the right way. We quickly escaped from our make-do shackles and called the police and the rest of our organization. The police have not been so helpful; the organization has been amazingly supportive.

So, I haven't been able to post much in a few days and maybe be out of evening threads for good, at least for a while. On the upside, I am very happy to be alive.

Next, the Bad(ass): Monday's El Caribe had a full color photo of the Wagon unleashing one of his heaters. The headline read, "Van 4" (They go to four), as in Volquez has now reached the 4 win mark. I can't give a link cause the page to the El Caribe archives is not functioning, I can only translate from the newspaper itself.

Finally, the good: Monday's El Caribe also had a two page spread with 3 articles exclusively about Johnny Cueto. Here are the translations (again, no link because of the same problem above):

Cueto Tells El Caribe That He Feels Like A Veteran

     Johnny Cuetos is a young Dominican pitcher who, in his first year with the Cincinnati Reds, has made a big impression on many people with his vast baseball knowledge. This has been clearly demonstrated in his starts on the mound.

      Cueto's stint in the Domincan Winter League with the Aguilas Cibaenas, where he compiled a 4-0 record, was an example of the potential possesed by this native of San Pedro de Macoris that has made the Reds take him more seriously.

     "I feel like I have been playing for a while in the Big Leagues. I feel really good in my first year in the Majors. I haven't felt fear in my starts, which is an important factor that every young player should have when they get the opportunity to play here. Thank God that my nerves haven't gotten to me like so many other young players in their first year."

     Cueto is satisfied with his work so far, an opportunity he doesn't want to waste "even though I haven't recieved much run support from my teammates, which is normal in the Big Leagues."

     "I know that I have done a good job, but sometimes I feel bad because the team doesn't help me. I have the faith of knowing that in the games to come my teammates will have my back. This is just the start. In baseball it is not how you start it is how you finish," indicated Cueto, who was signed by Johnny Almarzar in 2004 for $35,000.

    He expressed that the confidence that Dusty Baker has in him has helped him to find success on the mound with Cincinnati, a team that shares last place in the NL central with Pittsburgh.

     "He is an excellent manager. He gives me confidence and support. He leaves me to do my work in peace, where other managers are all over their players. I feel really good with him around," revealed Cueto, who will go against St. Louis [today] for the first time in his career.

   Calm. Cueto has shown that he is a pitcher who remains calm when he takes the mound. He is a young pitcher who is not intimidated by the batters he faces. He has demonstrated this since his first Big League start this April against Arizona.

     "Thank God that I turned out this way. I didn't choose it. I am not afraid of anyone. I always remain calm. I don't let anyone intimidate me when I am on the mound."

     Johny (2-1 sic) has an era of 4.05 in 5 starts in which he has given up 16 runs, 15 earned, and 24 hits in 33 1/3 innings. He has struck out 31 and only walked 5. He has a big repertoire which includes a cureveball, a fastball , and a changeup that many have called "devastating." If you ask him which pitch he feels most comfortable throwing the righty from San Pedro will tell you it is the fastball.

     "...Eventhough my breaking ball is just as good as the other pitches I throw. Thank God I feel good with all of these pitches, and at least for the moment, they are getting the job done. I hope it stays that way and they don't let me down," he explained.

Studious From The Bench

     In Cueto's 5 starts with the Reds he has not watched video of his opponents before the game. Instead, Cueto watches his opponents from the bench the day before his start. "I don't walk around worrying about this. When I am going to pitch, the day before, I begin to think about it. I watch the opposing hitters to see how I am going to prepare when I face them," he expressed. "That's how I study them: from the dugout. I observe what each batter doesn't like- if it's a fastball, a change, high, low, or other type of pitch," he added.

     Furthermore, Cueto says that the key to success that he has found in the Majors, in spite of his 1-2 record, is having confidence in yourself.

     "This has been part of the success- having confidence in myself and realizing tha all of my pitches are effective. Sometimes I say I am going to throw a slider that starts over the plate and breaks outside, and I do it," explained Cueto, who throws up to 97 mph.

     Another part of this continuing development of a good resume with the Reds has been mental preparation. "The first thing I do, a day before I pitch, is stay positive. Sometimes I can't sleep because I am thinking about my next outing, how I am going to pitch, among other things. These are part of my preparations," said the Dominican who considers himself a pitcher of location and power- a strikeout pitcher.

A Guiding Hand

Every time a young Domincan player arrives to the Major Leagues on one of the 30 teams there is a mentor that takes him in and treats him like a son, that gives him the advice needed to cut his own path successfully. Cueto has found Francisco Cordero to be this guiding hand. "I have learned a lot from Cordero. He has told me the good and the bad of the Big Leagues, how to do things to keep growing positively and for this I am very thankful. It is like having an extra family member," the Dominican righty expressed. Part of the progress Cueto has made on the mound can be attributed to the knowledge he has gained from Cordero. "Cordero tells me certain things about opposing hitters. I hope to keep getting advice from him because it is not just beneficial to me, but to the entire team- a team I am thankful to be a part of."

Cool to hear that Cueto is feeling as confident as he looks and that Cordero has really taken him under his wing. I have said it before, but I think this group of really talented Dominicans (yet with still a lot of unmet potential), will really be supportive of each other and lead to new levels of success for the Cincinnati Reds.

New Good Luck Charm

Officer Dibble — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:59:20 -0000

I just wanted to say that I have managed to watch 2 games in the hospital with my now 4 day old son, and both of them are wins.

I'll take that winning percentage.

So I have to nominate my boy as the official Good Luck Charm for the Reds as long as his newborn luck holds out. Can someone give me a definite answer as to how long a newborn's luck is supposed to hold out? :)

Here is a picture of the beautiful boy:

via farm4.static.flickr.com

Gotta go back to sleep now. :)