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I really don't want to talk too much about Mike Leake right now
because 1) I'm not really all that interested in his personal life unless it affects the Reds and 2) I don't think it's going to affect the Reds. Either way, follow the link to the official statements the Reds released on the matter last night. -
Reports are that Homer Bailey is one good rehab outing away from joining the big league squad
He'll pitch for the Bats on Friday and is scheduled to toss 85 pitches. He threw five innings on Sunday and said he was pretty worn out by the 5th inning. He said he feels good though and hopes one more rehab start will do it. Johnny Cueto, on the other hand, will throw at least two more rehab starts. he'll throw for Louisville on Thursday. -
In case you haven't heard yet
the Reds made some roster moves yesterday. Juan Francisco and his strained calf were put on the disabled list. Not to editorialize too much, but if I were the Reds the only way I leave El Nino Destructor alone in a room with a calf is if I want veal the next day. In his stead, Jeremy Hermida was called up from Louisville. He will sit on the bench and bat left-handed when asked. Hermida was not on the 40-man roster, so to make room Jared Burton was moved to the 60-day DL. Back in '08 he was tagged with the "closer-in-waiting" label, but right now I would be satisfied just to see this guy take the mound again. It must be awful for him. -
Ask Hal
Q Drew Stubbs could pick up 20 extra-base hits a year if he could bunt at a mediocre level with his speed, but I’ve only seen him try once this season. What’s up with that? — Zeke, Dayton
A You can lead a hitter to the batter’s box but you can’t make him bunt. Everybody in the northern hemisphere knows Stubbs could get some hits with bunts, and he does work on it. Until he beats out a few he has no confidence in doing it. If he bunts into outs, what good is that?
Ask Charlie Scrabbles
Q Hey Charlie, long time reader, first time question asker. What do you think about the latest Ask Hal where he talks about Drew Stubbs and bunting? It's like so totally whack, right? thx ttyl - Kris, Columbus
A Thanks for the question, Kris. I can tell from your e-mail that not only are you intelligent and handsome, but you are totally secure in your masculinity despite that one time in 9th grade gym class. This "Stubbs should bunt more" stuff is never going to die. And it really burns me up. I mean, sure, he has the kind of speed that could lead the league in bunt hits if he were able. But he ain't.
What gets me is how most fans seem to misunderstand just how difficult it is to bunt. I think most people think it's really easy, that if he would just lay the bat out there and run really fast he'd be a .300 hitter. The fact is, bunting is really difficult to do well. It's a lot like throwing a really good change up. Most of learning how to do it well is just having a feel for it. No one ever says "Bronson Arroyo could strike out 200 batters a year if he just learned how to throw a change up like Volquez". No one faults a pitcher for not having a change up like Volquez, and no one should fault a hitter for not being able to bunt like Kenny Lofton.
To balance the objectivity and coolheadedness of RijoSabes' address on Edinson Volquez from yesterday
Chris Sabo's Goggles went into full-on tantrum mode. His mom told him to get up out of the dirt before he ruined his new trousers, but he didn't care. Part of me thinks four horrible first innings from Volquez isn't much to get excited about. Hopefully he'll pitch in 30+ first innings over the full season and everything will even out. But the other part of me is throwing my graham crackers against the wall and kicking my sippy cup into the laundry room. Sure, it's only four first innings, but man, those are four no-good, awful, terrible, unfun, discouraging first innings.
Three truths and one lie: Bronson Arroyo
Growing up in Brooksville, Fla. - 50 miles north of Tampa - Arroyo aspired to be a shortstop and, thus, admired future Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith.
At 15, Arroyo landed his first job working at a lawn mower store
Every morning when he wakes up, Arroyo looks in the mirror and says these words: "I see pride! I see power! I see a bad ass mother, who don't take no crap off nobody!"
Arroyo's nickname while growing up was "Flaco," which is Spanish for "skinny."
106
This shit is bananas.
Beyond the Boxscore's power rankings have the Reds at #3
and in honor of this, it's time to kick out the jams, m*thaf**ka!!
P-Doc supports Pete Rose for the Hall of Fame
but does not support the likes of Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, or Roger Clemens. Here's his rationale: "Rose's transgression tarnished the game's integrity. It did not enhance his chances to be enshrined. Can we say the same for Bonds, Clemens, McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Sammy Sosa and Manny Ramirez? All are at least suspected of cheating the game, in a different way. A better way, apparently. Each made the right mistake. Allegedly. None has joined Rose on the game's permanently ineligible list."
Now, I'm not interested in actually addressing his argument here. I totally disagree with him, but that's not really all that interesting. I merely want to draw your attention to Doc's opening paragraph. "Pete Rose turned 70 years old on Thursday. It's not known if he marked the day by sliding headfirst into a three-layer cake. The day Peter Edward Pan begins his eighth decade, we all start aging in dog years." I can't begin I don't even.