tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934300824328416222024-02-18T21:14:06.078-05:00Seeing RedsObservations from Goodyear and GABPUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793430082432841622.post-330093349582901132010-04-21T16:10:00.007-04:002010-04-21T16:56:36.543-04:00Janish single unclogs bases for Reds win<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BWpa1K9_18tYDg95hleam54rT7SN0No6P9xJYL-NpibeD3T1SzaUc-3XDUEmxiyH2-M5Ob-0nffJ1iuVDIEDjARD1qh8jiEHUxYd0aCjfPoQM40df78DJiKTa6Z5ls4qcxkQwXlTNho5/s1600/SANY0054.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BWpa1K9_18tYDg95hleam54rT7SN0No6P9xJYL-NpibeD3T1SzaUc-3XDUEmxiyH2-M5Ob-0nffJ1iuVDIEDjARD1qh8jiEHUxYd0aCjfPoQM40df78DJiKTa6Z5ls4qcxkQwXlTNho5/s400/SANY0054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462687986486077650" border="0" /></a>Last night, I attended the Reds game vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers on an absolutely beautiful night at Great American Ball Park. Joining me in attendance was Pete Rose, the all-time major league leader in hits, who was sitting in his usual location, right behind home plate.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OjyxaxB_JflyECY6EbO8mFfMEptG1Zj7DH4rPvJeaCtzneFuxtO__c0M7TCWmb5_KgDJGhwur2meA4d8tJnh_q0VuOzvPc0X3Yvxt8vAAzD2svg9jAWpyvp_hiCiJO-CtsHXM3874x7t/s1600/SANY0093.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OjyxaxB_JflyECY6EbO8mFfMEptG1Zj7DH4rPvJeaCtzneFuxtO__c0M7TCWmb5_KgDJGhwur2meA4d8tJnh_q0VuOzvPc0X3Yvxt8vAAzD2svg9jAWpyvp_hiCiJO-CtsHXM3874x7t/s400/SANY0093.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462690377691125730" border="0" /></a>Homer Bailey started the game for the Reds. He had somewhat struggled in his first two outings and was looking for a good performance in front of the home fans.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWpqr0SQqtKB5Ovhzj_hoHNMz5HgyN_19ey-mJeY5_sRwRhTurJdJ83n3OFlxH96WwQx0zloPQONVO68FR-liq7PZfagHwcBhs8o-EVK8PbSM8aRIn9TVeaeXjbSKUCvfg7tpeU7L9V1M/s1600/SANY0069.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWpqr0SQqtKB5Ovhzj_hoHNMz5HgyN_19ey-mJeY5_sRwRhTurJdJ83n3OFlxH96WwQx0zloPQONVO68FR-liq7PZfagHwcBhs8o-EVK8PbSM8aRIn9TVeaeXjbSKUCvfg7tpeU7L9V1M/s400/SANY0069.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462688017038580834" border="0" /></a>I watched him warm up in the bullpen before the game.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxX9UXU8P96ig9AWAGS5Qf0dIJ8wUxkhPKEMqeZcFdssWtt3N7PYMajQNYlxoLSsAvBB9pUie2NBYrAQDlxbXPk_DVJNnkvjBzOqgm6QQi0VwIVZL64M_r0ZpPU2nfUSmpncdbNpk9j7_/s1600/SANY0060.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 394px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxX9UXU8P96ig9AWAGS5Qf0dIJ8wUxkhPKEMqeZcFdssWtt3N7PYMajQNYlxoLSsAvBB9pUie2NBYrAQDlxbXPk_DVJNnkvjBzOqgm6QQi0VwIVZL64M_r0ZpPU2nfUSmpncdbNpk9j7_/s400/SANY0060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462687990007778498" border="0" /></a>Homer had an especially tough challenge facing this Dodgers' lineup that really presents problems, top-to-bottom. Even Blake DeWitt, who was batting .249 before the game had an OBP well above. .400.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILgghU1YN6vRdvjJzKl6dyqo7pZ39gmEKVRrFeytx6udQM-Q-95RD_0iFriQnZldvtmh1SS5AHGcMQBG8v-Y3iumTA9FT99LahNjdYs-OCzDdEmSs58E8DaVHDePAkyz7ZozDmzMAmdho/s1600/SANY0063.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 345px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILgghU1YN6vRdvjJzKl6dyqo7pZ39gmEKVRrFeytx6udQM-Q-95RD_0iFriQnZldvtmh1SS5AHGcMQBG8v-Y3iumTA9FT99LahNjdYs-OCzDdEmSs58E8DaVHDePAkyz7ZozDmzMAmdho/s400/SANY0063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462687996829910354" border="0" /></a>In comparison, the Reds lineup apparently packed little punch, with no hitters entering the game batting above .300 -- except for pitcher Homer Bailey. Particularly struggling was leadoff hitter, Drew Stubbs. Stubbs was hitting .167 at the start of the game and went 0-5 with two more strikeouts. I'd love to see Dusty Baker move him lower in the lineup, like to 7th or 8th and have Chris Dickerson play LF and bat leadoff.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWnhJj4jqNxtwp2S-nIWSv0BlwLUP96kDjwucKh3B3Pk86UEXz6G2CJbnWgdbn1fjW0-pk3SAFKMBM6aQKNk0MTZrTdvBtAcmbF1Mgw9GVJJKMpd_ZRBAkqYgifPvRze-qWD3_G89Ty6J/s1600/SANY0064.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 357px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWnhJj4jqNxtwp2S-nIWSv0BlwLUP96kDjwucKh3B3Pk86UEXz6G2CJbnWgdbn1fjW0-pk3SAFKMBM6aQKNk0MTZrTdvBtAcmbF1Mgw9GVJJKMpd_ZRBAkqYgifPvRze-qWD3_G89Ty6J/s400/SANY0064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462688008916505570" border="0" /></a>Last night marked the very welcome return of Scott Rolen to the lineup. Rolen had missed the three game series in Pittsburgh against the Pirates with a sore back. The veteran third baseman responded with three line-drive hits, earning star-of-the-game treatment afterward.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0DYY2HDevTszahyphenhypheny9OuJvQhFS32e8WPNcNuf1JkjIqVwOVghquq5mpISp91NGVfJv3d_NcVoMvsHLRLWiUosRJ1grzEzCvwMn2V3dyufDw97aKifxN_2hTC-eN7aMsk1aTZ50_WLj8pj/s1600/SANY0106.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 359px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0DYY2HDevTszahyphenhypheny9OuJvQhFS32e8WPNcNuf1JkjIqVwOVghquq5mpISp91NGVfJv3d_NcVoMvsHLRLWiUosRJ1grzEzCvwMn2V3dyufDw97aKifxN_2hTC-eN7aMsk1aTZ50_WLj8pj/s400/SANY0106.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462692037386182690" border="0" /></a>After Homer gave up three runs on a bases-clearing, full-count double by Casey Blake, he settled down and held the powerful Dodgers lineup scoreless for four innings. I'll predict that's the only time the Dodgers will go four innings without scoring in this series.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52vJZqLYpL3VStzMiUhJOAvxBNAiA5HpawMe41u75qXMUEWb2NpBrAQI5vCtHg9qdv56kzoEueJOQlGw0NSZSO6ZjYXzi5yD8RHgkDl-ApaxFvmapHDLq1fkJGFQNmKdHYimxGXv3YUff/s1600/SANY0072.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52vJZqLYpL3VStzMiUhJOAvxBNAiA5HpawMe41u75qXMUEWb2NpBrAQI5vCtHg9qdv56kzoEueJOQlGw0NSZSO6ZjYXzi5yD8RHgkDl-ApaxFvmapHDLq1fkJGFQNmKdHYimxGXv3YUff/s400/SANY0072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462689480074791170" border="0" /></a> After a quiet first inning, with Stubbs, Cabrera and Votto making outs, the Reds bats exploded with six runs in the second inning. Brandon Phillips ignited the rally with a towering home run to left field. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQCZU1Ckr2TzAJze7VuZd0Z6pfG6-fB-ixHNu0bwtSsTKHO-s_8c7vGNrs43UxvGlYFQAj-QQs2ogYP8RQPU4J-iQCO48CEsOJjbfmqthdz0zJLNjU2kF02FFAeSgnZ6wrFL1in9xPqFj/s1600/SANY0082.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQCZU1Ckr2TzAJze7VuZd0Z6pfG6-fB-ixHNu0bwtSsTKHO-s_8c7vGNrs43UxvGlYFQAj-QQs2ogYP8RQPU4J-iQCO48CEsOJjbfmqthdz0zJLNjU2kF02FFAeSgnZ6wrFL1in9xPqFj/s400/SANY0082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462689489483741874" border="0" /></a>Rolen, Bruce, Gomes, and Hernandez all followed with hits. Homer Bailey reached first on an error by the Dodgers on his sacrifice bunt attempt. Stubbs struck out (with a runner on third) but both Cabrera and Votto knocked in runs to conclude the inning.<br /><br />Two innings later, Joey Votto padded the Reds lead with a long, 2-run homer to right center field. Homer Bailey was cruising along at that point.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFNF7i3ftdcnHPkkzzIivEJUSKhgcsdpnCGy4-nyiYkwnx77qy9KpXV2mUYqTvUVgVKwpwUoTaxZT2GZrCD6VH71Q_ceqGWd31cVJju21xlhnuKIyeYf-thyphenhyphenEzWFZJNtVqK7rDX9q-rsl/s1600/SANY0083.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFNF7i3ftdcnHPkkzzIivEJUSKhgcsdpnCGy4-nyiYkwnx77qy9KpXV2mUYqTvUVgVKwpwUoTaxZT2GZrCD6VH71Q_ceqGWd31cVJju21xlhnuKIyeYf-thyphenhyphenEzWFZJNtVqK7rDX9q-rsl/s400/SANY0083.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462689494105752834" border="0" /></a>After Homer ran out of gas in the sixth inning, giving up two runs, the bullpen took over. A nice appearance by lefty Daniel Ray Herrera was followed by a shaky one by Logan Ondrusek, who manager Dusty Baker keeps using in very high leverage situations for the Reds. Arthur Rhodes entered the game and got Ondrusek and the Reds out of trouble in the seventh. But Nick Masset continued his troubling start to the season by blowing a four run lead in the top of the eighth.<br /><br />To their credit, the Reds promptly responded in the bottom of the same inning. The eventual game-winning rally was begun by the smallest of plays, one that apparently doesn't even appear in Dusty Baker's playbook, Jay Bruce clogging the bases with a walk.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ydpnDwv_v66QLRsvZwqM5TPRQndqTJvQGdLpWFaUONb3SGQ996-ZrRtJQU2sPtfHkwqpEzAqIzWqnj241rQa4qFI0G2pF8NTshWYyBeZHlwI8frb9kLqCzSX7izY_mXhwQPfd8CEEZte/s1600/SANY0084.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ydpnDwv_v66QLRsvZwqM5TPRQndqTJvQGdLpWFaUONb3SGQ996-ZrRtJQU2sPtfHkwqpEzAqIzWqnj241rQa4qFI0G2pF8NTshWYyBeZHlwI8frb9kLqCzSX7izY_mXhwQPfd8CEEZte/s400/SANY0084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462690355633357010" border="0" /></a>After a second walk to Ramon Hernandez further clogged the bases, defensive shortstop replacement Paul Janish came to the plate for a dramatic at bat with two outs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYLSFNH0D9rXJyfpet7VdQoGVvJ8Xw1eKcZbRzrs3j2KlC7Ap2OpPanZTcTK4JBBOMdwtFn5TEC5qiLinS6xrmIEUqUl3AhQULJi8l5jcwP5Ea_NVvc5VnJQdZmUaN-DXpISeVHjdb-OA/s1600/SANY0090.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYLSFNH0D9rXJyfpet7VdQoGVvJ8Xw1eKcZbRzrs3j2KlC7Ap2OpPanZTcTK4JBBOMdwtFn5TEC5qiLinS6xrmIEUqUl3AhQULJi8l5jcwP5Ea_NVvc5VnJQdZmUaN-DXpISeVHjdb-OA/s400/SANY0090.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462690357533313858" border="0" /></a> Janish fought off an inside pitch and lined a single to left field, ultimately scoring two runs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpsgez89aZ6tHFOixa_omjCf-CjmkrLQHEnNJtrkhZ3R28VOhxZHGXegltwEjcViYMMeMfTIMPP8LoHS4U8i3asEUQEmL9hssvPwpLA2C7QoXLSYzOZqFaE4v0ufdEsDC04Hjae36dRmV/s1600/SANY0091.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpsgez89aZ6tHFOixa_omjCf-CjmkrLQHEnNJtrkhZ3R28VOhxZHGXegltwEjcViYMMeMfTIMPP8LoHS4U8i3asEUQEmL9hssvPwpLA2C7QoXLSYzOZqFaE4v0ufdEsDC04Hjae36dRmV/s400/SANY0091.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462690369551114674" border="0" /></a>Coco Cordero came in to shut the door on the Dodgers in the ninth,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6qZMihtM3tNe1t5FZlS-gf7LXm_083fi2vbMRQx0hn4okZ3eR8JVZZlBidtKqT-Yuo6j1xx7M2n-zUhJUmmpXS3M4XH9V8K16rtQx9QUAOdH21HRdRBbJVbwKffgd85weuvEoFBuFPsn/s1600/SANY0096.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6qZMihtM3tNe1t5FZlS-gf7LXm_083fi2vbMRQx0hn4okZ3eR8JVZZlBidtKqT-Yuo6j1xx7M2n-zUhJUmmpXS3M4XH9V8K16rtQx9QUAOdH21HRdRBbJVbwKffgd85weuvEoFBuFPsn/s400/SANY0096.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462691759654403090" border="0" /></a>ending a five-game losing streak for the Reds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrNF_pSCHheC3TYFIwZ52Nr9U2mjLbYbybMP92t5JhDEptsDOONzm4sECyybnCXdd8gCRscbC3n6co6jcHFd0zKOu6eTSKdK2j-RlB5MMWnukKxT5-q9-wnZzE3X7kkoClpR66ffoGOmz/s1600/SANY0102.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrNF_pSCHheC3TYFIwZ52Nr9U2mjLbYbybMP92t5JhDEptsDOONzm4sECyybnCXdd8gCRscbC3n6co6jcHFd0zKOu6eTSKdK2j-RlB5MMWnukKxT5-q9-wnZzE3X7kkoClpR66ffoGOmz/s400/SANY0102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462691773281905778" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793430082432841622.post-72737713157881680112010-04-06T16:00:00.011-04:002010-04-07T12:54:22.588-04:00Baseball gods to Reds on Opening Day: Release the Pujols!<span style="font-family:verdana;">I attended my first Opening Day at Great American Ball Park yesterday. It was exciting to feel the ballpark filled to capacity. There were other unique aspects as well.<br /><br />The live Dixieland jazz band playing in the concourse ...</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKH-478MNrr8DyAH3cgf_P460bUV3xkxme9Bgb9HYB0tHOOnoiz71aevjhZEE8vShbv80xvEecYzh16PawUyGUJj3ikCFLy13ki7502d756Oo5m6D7NosQiMypwN93Y0kwgiXJXMF_Qc5I/s1600/SANY0001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKH-478MNrr8DyAH3cgf_P460bUV3xkxme9Bgb9HYB0tHOOnoiz71aevjhZEE8vShbv80xvEecYzh16PawUyGUJj3ikCFLy13ki7502d756Oo5m6D7NosQiMypwN93Y0kwgiXJXMF_Qc5I/s400/SANY0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457129170148836354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Pre-game interviews with the Reds broadcast on the scoreboard ...</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikkk10TabW2JTvbCMpNh-cO9S1Z8bETy73qQ_xdA6boeP37fY1bF-i84jtzoKjChMFvL4YciMqFyVif2osCLReTKlOa1q5U8dkhAw82cfJb46Qq5_hrBpXFURiAXA8eeqpmvp9uPCYWan/s1600/SANY0013.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikkk10TabW2JTvbCMpNh-cO9S1Z8bETy73qQ_xdA6boeP37fY1bF-i84jtzoKjChMFvL4YciMqFyVif2osCLReTKlOa1q5U8dkhAw82cfJb46Qq5_hrBpXFURiAXA8eeqpmvp9uPCYWan/s400/SANY0013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457127558763658354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Former Cardinals GM and current Reds GM Walt Jocketty on the field with Dusty Baker and current Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa ...</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbq4RxnRVhIQFKnMdIKrvhNVrCNlA2c7pZ9bStPPdFQDWOQW0UnpT43T7zSk6eMw4TUBzLzXpUDLIrMdQ6zmdw1-hgsFDEwIuXJeAfj32NGobdWf4IYpjHc4Ae69QzuOaS1a64jnYjI44v/s1600/SANY0004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbq4RxnRVhIQFKnMdIKrvhNVrCNlA2c7pZ9bStPPdFQDWOQW0UnpT43T7zSk6eMw4TUBzLzXpUDLIrMdQ6zmdw1-hgsFDEwIuXJeAfj32NGobdWf4IYpjHc4Ae69QzuOaS1a64jnYjI44v/s400/SANY0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457127542515970514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Reds owner Bob Castellini with Ohio Governor Ted Strickland ...<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gZ0O-tOcgplSa0T4RFDB2_IojHs5XEUg_GN7r8FKZYO1JEnmt7lkr7zgYAco8E71imaTpsMbqgQAmXDm1YAzEBIynauRER2Zf_BpW_f1jtYUjDM1wFNWqSdEUdpV5Bq_ONOex4td1fxO/s1600/SANY0067.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gZ0O-tOcgplSa0T4RFDB2_IojHs5XEUg_GN7r8FKZYO1JEnmt7lkr7zgYAco8E71imaTpsMbqgQAmXDm1YAzEBIynauRER2Zf_BpW_f1jtYUjDM1wFNWqSdEUdpV5Bq_ONOex4td1fxO/s400/SANY0067.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457125107059972402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">A giant, US-shaped flag on the field during the national anthem, with color guards from all branches of the armed forces present ... </span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2_MEmNolaDvQ8C04Icy_jS7dNE7z8WX-7hV45XNmkloe753v_N141reYJxU6Dad5HLg6IfJx28icgaLJtbctpucuu_7uZIu2t0eTXf51FYdZYOeXVe-MZil2QNQ18F6Iqmysaf-A6kA5/s1600/SANY0050.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2_MEmNolaDvQ8C04Icy_jS7dNE7z8WX-7hV45XNmkloe753v_N141reYJxU6Dad5HLg6IfJx28icgaLJtbctpucuu_7uZIu2t0eTXf51FYdZYOeXVe-MZil2QNQ18F6Iqmysaf-A6kA5/s400/SANY0050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457125127589521362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Retired long-time Reds announcer George Grande (did you know he hosted the very first SportsCenter on ESPN in 1979?) threw out the first pitch to Big Red Machine Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench. Here they hug afterward.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVv4KYaCtTgi-5u3y4xlEvD5t5eChnAIvmdiJXFboFjTbvwlbCBYlFXc4Ia_zCRSv0BIymSza0DlLscP5wXkXJXmpbY2b16Mjdu3D3KKrDljCge_Z4TQWLRHBmyL9LAwXgsX2kFuhyphenhyphenohT/s1600/SANY0059.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 348px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVv4KYaCtTgi-5u3y4xlEvD5t5eChnAIvmdiJXFboFjTbvwlbCBYlFXc4Ia_zCRSv0BIymSza0DlLscP5wXkXJXmpbY2b16Mjdu3D3KKrDljCge_Z4TQWLRHBmyL9LAwXgsX2kFuhyphenhyphenohT/s400/SANY0059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457125117278885458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">One other awesome display before the game was Albert Pujols taking batting practice. Seeing Albert rise up out of the Cardinals dug out to take his swings reminded me of the clip from the fantasy </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Clash of the Titans</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV05Ip4XiYitbDSOlkZVPlZaoyhGCPuXtjAeRZYgEMA4qKmQIMxvOzFlG0-KSAwcJZHoj-p-bm1J1AOROZV98sGZm5tws_o0pQbV9M-GE7DzjeQ6p6z66lVElgiGGr3TG5wJ_fsT7S0pck/s1600/SANY0024.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 338px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV05Ip4XiYitbDSOlkZVPlZaoyhGCPuXtjAeRZYgEMA4qKmQIMxvOzFlG0-KSAwcJZHoj-p-bm1J1AOROZV98sGZm5tws_o0pQbV9M-GE7DzjeQ6p6z66lVElgiGGr3TG5wJ_fsT7S0pck/s400/SANY0024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457126627274819378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >"Release the Pujols!"</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" ><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpi0RMbo2w6CWSx80E2Dx3he7w341k8EBBsvETmtSsgtxIjIMUipZNazdDR64ETeCTFF9PbGy6QKpXmaQtRagd2RDTQFktO5d9bB0IRYyHXuo4ryw9nqNNUiFZliMrRzAhu3RqKziRSBF2/s1600/SANY0025.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpi0RMbo2w6CWSx80E2Dx3he7w341k8EBBsvETmtSsgtxIjIMUipZNazdDR64ETeCTFF9PbGy6QKpXmaQtRagd2RDTQFktO5d9bB0IRYyHXuo4ryw9nqNNUiFZliMrRzAhu3RqKziRSBF2/s400/SANY0025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457126623656237586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Unfortunately, the Cardinals first baseman was an all-too-real punishment inflicted by the baseball gods on the Reds. </span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EHK-s-uyIKlWJpd0hFLyMN3VNVbmUeW0d_ZVJRvg45ebh9G7vyFKr2PGslJxEWk9SAFzZKATltn-bJc5-OzbL4F6FRPw605xkO5-h-_SKL9dxV4PUD0Z_oFXNCmflS1R_MSrDfIHbQJc/s1600/SANY0015.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EHK-s-uyIKlWJpd0hFLyMN3VNVbmUeW0d_ZVJRvg45ebh9G7vyFKr2PGslJxEWk9SAFzZKATltn-bJc5-OzbL4F6FRPw605xkO5-h-_SKL9dxV4PUD0Z_oFXNCmflS1R_MSrDfIHbQJc/s400/SANY0015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457127563909005922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Pujols did not hit the longest ball of BP, though. That accomplishment fell to Cardinals OF Matt Holliday, who hit a ball above the batters eye in CF onto the steam-boat bar area. </span> <span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Baker's lineup</span></span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />I've complained at length about Reds manager Dusty Baker's terrible lineup construction. For those who think lineups don't really matter much, a </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/optimizing-yesterdays-lineups">new statistical analysis</a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> from the folks at FanGraphs confirms that sub-optimal lineups can cost in terms of run production. They analyze Baker's lineup yesterday and found that it was sub-optimal by .24 runs per game. While that may not sound like much, over 162 games that works out to over 40 runs (or 4 wins) per year.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZZRBRH2paf90NdQh0Guav-Zz1XNM39FZGKHHKuAi3kYBRokBDyLnFnemyS3UkypGaNO4J13Rsqul5Nq7H2cFIJfQ-6OY3LguMZY01HCkdye0MVqUuPhtEpoxff0UhFczwhL8DDsoMp_d/s1600/SANY0038.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZZRBRH2paf90NdQh0Guav-Zz1XNM39FZGKHHKuAi3kYBRokBDyLnFnemyS3UkypGaNO4J13Rsqul5Nq7H2cFIJfQ-6OY3LguMZY01HCkdye0MVqUuPhtEpoxff0UhFczwhL8DDsoMp_d/s400/SANY0038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457126618677010578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">My two biggest complaints. One, batting Orlando Cabrera second. As <a href="http://seeingreds.blogspot.com/2010/03/corey-patterson-willy-taveras-orlando.html">I've written before</a>, he's the worst Reds hitter in the lineup but slated to bat in front of the Reds' best hitter and receive the second largest number of AB for the Reds. Scott Rolen would be a <a href="http://seeingreds.blogspot.com/2010/03/batting-second-cabrera-vs-rolen.html">perfect #2 hitter</a>. Cabrera was 0-5 yesterday, including grounding into a double play.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4G5zFxoD4EbAISF5AsotZ6LhtjdLMT4Cx14T61hExZYLBDZ4l3LjTjLWoWJXia-UMKTWNTAhrqxIzdJw0IV6asqZV598Tvw6fWcCWpYuN32DbudwmE-bcHm-WtQ_giFXubLI0e4cqoxc/s1600/SANY0010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 382px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4G5zFxoD4EbAISF5AsotZ6LhtjdLMT4Cx14T61hExZYLBDZ4l3LjTjLWoWJXia-UMKTWNTAhrqxIzdJw0IV6asqZV598Tvw6fWcCWpYuN32DbudwmE-bcHm-WtQ_giFXubLI0e4cqoxc/s400/SANY0010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457127551895316834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Second, Baker started Laynce Nix instead of Drew Stubbs. This might have been based on Nix being a left handed batter, who might have a better chance against Cardinals starter, RHP Chris Carpenter. Nix did get a hit. Stubbs, put into the game later, was 2-2.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The game</span></span><br /><br />There were several positives for the Reds. Joey Votto got three hits. Here Votto takes an inside pitch with Pujols playing first base in the background.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1FdKcZlcmoWANsITRu3cB9sFMAbmAz1s-eWl3EudPPbmxn_rVBVY5q0GhYGHEeqiF-7BOFPH8RR4ek11rrYBRBmMznoMH5WB7qpih0sIkC0eEn9l8ZBEzXGb14QexjuLtSDD7NY0EZtL/s1600/SANY0079.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 357px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1FdKcZlcmoWANsITRu3cB9sFMAbmAz1s-eWl3EudPPbmxn_rVBVY5q0GhYGHEeqiF-7BOFPH8RR4ek11rrYBRBmMznoMH5WB7qpih0sIkC0eEn9l8ZBEzXGb14QexjuLtSDD7NY0EZtL/s400/SANY0079.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457125095567470882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Third baseman Scott Rolen hit a long home run and was robbed of a second by Cardinals CF Colby Rasmus. Here is Rolen rounding third after his HR.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtl49nJHbcv41W24LAFyjRUlAD2bBNNmgQ5U1KocZaQIW3OXsgId07IEXKPDyQY3JUV2MbENjSYSK2IaIrF5poLtJ_y1U9oGidftfMz-m74lkDqmJc08AAO69FybGqUHZc3h6kUAWOwQiQ/s1600/SANY0072.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtl49nJHbcv41W24LAFyjRUlAD2bBNNmgQ5U1KocZaQIW3OXsgId07IEXKPDyQY3JUV2MbENjSYSK2IaIrF5poLtJ_y1U9oGidftfMz-m74lkDqmJc08AAO69FybGqUHZc3h6kUAWOwQiQ/s400/SANY0072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457125106138674098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">My biggest complaint with Baker's game management, aside from his lineup choice to start Cabrera ahead of Paul Janish and bat Cabrera second, was that he sent shaky relief pitcher Mike Lincoln to the mound for a second inning in the top of the seventh -- to face the meat of the Cardinals lineup. Lincoln gave up a hit-homer-hit (including Pujols second) that essentially put the game out of reach for the Reds.<br /><br />When asked after the game why he sent Lincoln out for a second inning, Baker replied, according to CNati.com reporter <a href="http://cnati.com/cincinnati-reds/carpenter-balls-at-gabp-are-subpar-001690/">C. Trent Rosecrans</a>:<br /></span><blockquote>"I needed that second inning so I didn't go through my whole bullpen," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "You need that second inning bad."</blockquote><span style="font-family:verdana;">What?<br /><br />Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Reds have SIX other relief pitchers available to cover the last three innings (Owings, Herrera, Cordero, Rhodes, Masset, Ondrusek)?<br /><br />Further ... so what if the Reds went "through their whole bullpen," didn't they have today off for the bullpen to get fresh for tomorrow?<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoDtAZx6oZEL34cpx2-7Rxe5Q5OOl8XB__JfVZl-DhtyTSdhBIBcQJs7cF6Xdf3VNbOWTPmZ7C2pB-dP_ytRLCJMudY8vxfC1aVpjRsEK5VbH4R32LcvpJN20wJoAZSQ9AV7z86CMOlcZ/s1600/SANY0046.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoDtAZx6oZEL34cpx2-7Rxe5Q5OOl8XB__JfVZl-DhtyTSdhBIBcQJs7cF6Xdf3VNbOWTPmZ7C2pB-dP_ytRLCJMudY8vxfC1aVpjRsEK5VbH4R32LcvpJN20wJoAZSQ9AV7z86CMOlcZ/s400/SANY0046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457126614423166290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Seriously, sending Mike Lincoln, the Reds worst relief pitcher, the one who wouldn't have made the team were it not for his guaranteed contract, the one who barely did make the team anyhow, sending him to face Pujols and Holliday in the seventh inning was a terrible, indefensible mistake by Baker.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_k8oSrpRe9B9HqB-6ezol4C1tzu8S54Ej7xcHLrauLyvNDkBoDCqyWTvodSukMMCg5OPaDUnRvpctOEluzmw1YSKt7Kfa0jc1nq670NngXo8gqe334BLhsAOYYVNUYCDl4dsEF5-Kgzz/s1600/SANY0007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 364px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_k8oSrpRe9B9HqB-6ezol4C1tzu8S54Ej7xcHLrauLyvNDkBoDCqyWTvodSukMMCg5OPaDUnRvpctOEluzmw1YSKt7Kfa0jc1nq670NngXo8gqe334BLhsAOYYVNUYCDl4dsEF5-Kgzz/s400/SANY0007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457129765705965154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Did that cost the Reds the game? Probably not. But I sure would have liked to see how the game would have played out with the Reds coming to bat in the bottom of the seventh behind only 4-2 instead of 6-2. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793430082432841622.post-46293216299122774982010-03-24T20:02:00.004-04:002010-03-24T20:33:19.976-04:00Pounding the zone<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EQjt5XpGAEUuKAKb2EPnHAb9RXZYV9p22uxzUepMOWcRPgEVU2qLA7NoqBmPjjxWTC0jEHm2Lu0Mp70LEX77_fQVFMh3M1e-HIthEuvrYwLPlSVeI3dGSIEeeBCIfay61GcZYogtoiyU/s1600/SANY0026.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EQjt5XpGAEUuKAKb2EPnHAb9RXZYV9p22uxzUepMOWcRPgEVU2qLA7NoqBmPjjxWTC0jEHm2Lu0Mp70LEX77_fQVFMh3M1e-HIthEuvrYwLPlSVeI3dGSIEeeBCIfay61GcZYogtoiyU/s400/SANY0026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452358821849058338" border="0" /></a>"I was just going out there and pounded the zone. Just here it is, hit it," said Homer Bailey commenting on his performance today at Goodyear Ballpark.<br /><br />The result, he pounded the Giants. In his outstanding start against a mostly first-team San Francisco Giants lineup, Homer allowed only one run in five innings. He gave up three hits, all in the first, and one walk. Only one of the hits was a line drive.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Jf-h9EHuyGDIho06aev62DRug911igZz1ztb21pPaGqaVpgkRd1IxpGsdup8d7hntX5bN3B9StnQR1t9M-LfflHz-mwpGAynUkh3ERe3T4CouUhNe0FpHnmlTSFc6685PHZQYKBRzqHa/s1600/SANY0013.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Jf-h9EHuyGDIho06aev62DRug911igZz1ztb21pPaGqaVpgkRd1IxpGsdup8d7hntX5bN3B9StnQR1t9M-LfflHz-mwpGAynUkh3ERe3T4CouUhNe0FpHnmlTSFc6685PHZQYKBRzqHa/s400/SANY0013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452358803240615666" border="0" /></a>In the first inning, Giants leadoff hitter, Aaron Rowand greeted Homer by lining his first pitch into left field for a base hit. After Edgar Rentaria grounded to Scott Rolen, Pablo Sandoval was fooled on a Bailey pitch and topped the ball softly toward the first base bag. Neither Homer or Joey Votto could make a play on both the ball and the bag, so Sandoval was safe, Rowand moving to third. Aubrey Huff then blooped a check-swing single down the third base line, driving in the Giants only run off of Homer.<br /><br />Homer kept the Giants off balance with his sweeping curve ball -- including one he threw on a full count in the fourth inning to Giant left fielder, and Reds-killer, Mark DeRosa. DeRosa tapped it softly back to the mound. It was mostly smooth sailing for Bailey, as he continued his progression toward being an outstanding major league starting pitcher.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH05pPXToqHuVYRG9A35hUfZl_RmjU8B_E_lECJxQR-p5XDRaHBN4OTX3fiAhPTa_00lGBMRt6kWetme9twKRgzW_gkMvIe2E4dpgluUvH2oar2L0EfvhiTf01MI8UvZo9xh3upq2x0-sY/s1600/SANY0036.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 329px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH05pPXToqHuVYRG9A35hUfZl_RmjU8B_E_lECJxQR-p5XDRaHBN4OTX3fiAhPTa_00lGBMRt6kWetme9twKRgzW_gkMvIe2E4dpgluUvH2oar2L0EfvhiTf01MI8UvZo9xh3upq2x0-sY/s400/SANY0036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452358829522185506" border="0" /></a>Homer retired the last 10 batters that he faced. He'll next take the mound Monday against the Chicago Cubs in Mesa. Here catcher Ryan Hanigan is about to receive one of Homer's bullpen warm up pitches before the game.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsahx5hEQXuBfG-xRwFK22i_OMbCf13NADUMFt1VJ-xLdHmREwlDTK-AF7zSSoL3jZuLuIPyyKVDzm8OZxi_pmY7zzzb-8ON-GWPctu2islwebum7aJh8BjTqG1Vkr3KmMIjoYd8KK4VW/s1600/SANY0030.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsahx5hEQXuBfG-xRwFK22i_OMbCf13NADUMFt1VJ-xLdHmREwlDTK-AF7zSSoL3jZuLuIPyyKVDzm8OZxi_pmY7zzzb-8ON-GWPctu2islwebum7aJh8BjTqG1Vkr3KmMIjoYd8KK4VW/s400/SANY0030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452358812643653890" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793430082432841622.post-56623720409841434742010-03-24T13:25:00.000-04:002010-03-24T14:25:48.381-04:00Post-Chapocalyptic observations and hopesThe Reds day off yesterday provided time for reflection to assess where the team stands with just less than two weeks before Opening Day. Here are a few updated observations -- and hopes -- for the final 10 days of the Reds spring camp.<br /><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Infield: Mismanaging the backups</span></span><br />The Reds recently cut top prospects Todd Frazier, Chris Heisey and Zack Cozart. Of the three, Todd Frazier didn't receive nearly enough quality playing time, particularly at second base. The 50 AB and all the starts the Reds have given to Aaron Miles, Miguel Cairo and Chris Burke should have been distributed among our younger players.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdR1_1JTNW-fYNNgWuyr9zEJCkMRGyxTuj9s-9-xt4GVZ8FCTXQFvBB37mHxRQWXuFHWvbIyW3BGgP-RSBRpCC2l1Qiua6Aupu1_qw2mg6AudOWLa674Jyu5552U0AO21VObU19JYWryZL/s1600/SANY0030.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 329px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdR1_1JTNW-fYNNgWuyr9zEJCkMRGyxTuj9s-9-xt4GVZ8FCTXQFvBB37mHxRQWXuFHWvbIyW3BGgP-RSBRpCC2l1Qiua6Aupu1_qw2mg6AudOWLa674Jyu5552U0AO21VObU19JYWryZL/s400/SANY0030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452254662981867570" border="0" /></a>The way the club is handling Aaron Miles is particularly frustrating. Miles came to the Reds in the swap-of-bad-contracts that sent Willy Taveras to the Oakland A's. Because Miles' contract was slightly less horrible than Taveras' we had to send Adam Rosales packing, too.<br /><br />The day the Reds subtracted Taveras and added Miles, Reds GM Walt Jocketty praised the latter, leaving no doubt that he considered the 33-year-old Miles squarely in the Reds' future plans. "I'm happy to be reunited with Aaron, who played a key role in our World Series championship in St. Louis. He's a quality infielder, a quality person and will be an asset to our club."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9ycmEmmHUFzKaE4J2eQK9ZVnZjJBPK7SYCJPsvvYO6VXEHNuq3Et_kV7QHu430sasncdWnyBeDVS3VdS48ZnlqsBqgpUfS7Kjdl5ByHqJYfyGqE_AvMNcKle73bTKfCRqCXtJMEl9SDH/s1600/SANY0028.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9ycmEmmHUFzKaE4J2eQK9ZVnZjJBPK7SYCJPsvvYO6VXEHNuq3Et_kV7QHu430sasncdWnyBeDVS3VdS48ZnlqsBqgpUfS7Kjdl5ByHqJYfyGqE_AvMNcKle73bTKfCRqCXtJMEl9SDH/s400/SANY0028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452254669113774434" border="0" /></a>This spring, despite ample opportunity, including several starts, Miles has exactly the same number of hits as he does errors - one. Not quite the "asset to our club" that Jocketty forecast. Miles' one hit was a bloop single, fisted barely over the head of the Giants third baseman last Saturday. The rest of his AB can be characterized as a series of weak ground balls.<br /><br />Miles' defense has been unremarkable for the most part except for the one error. In the field, he certainly is less athletic than Drew Sutton or Paul Janish, both of whom have had excellent springs at the plate.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgXBGDlmhpkFQeACwqOkTcAQ-gMd1HUn0Gc3tlDECyAw6wKWjJ2sVolIX2r8WjHnOgm_0UAWdwqUhiZNRNm3QRY5WftiXbuqL5wg5mSeue2jxmq5eRXzMSSblb0Yd2ZutmD4TjdT9QhE4/s1600/SANY0036.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgXBGDlmhpkFQeACwqOkTcAQ-gMd1HUn0Gc3tlDECyAw6wKWjJ2sVolIX2r8WjHnOgm_0UAWdwqUhiZNRNm3QRY5WftiXbuqL5wg5mSeue2jxmq5eRXzMSSblb0Yd2ZutmD4TjdT9QhE4/s400/SANY0036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452254654384130946" border="0" /></a>In comparison, the Oakland A's dumped Willy Taveras the day after the trade was completed. They didn't drag him along to their spring camp, wasting valuable playing time and at-bats for other players. No, they admitted, in a way the Reds wouldn't, what that trade was all about.<br /><br />Given the love Miles has seen from the Reds this spring, it wouldn't surprise me at all if he heads east with the team in April. At least based on current performance, that would be unfortunate, as he surely hasn't earned it. Baker doesn't seem happy about it, but Miles is Jocketty's guy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ouLEBG2l78p7tOrdfFdHDYn6GFTp_v2YasSFC-Rh3FN-c5PqaLTPVjpBFTks87iUQ2etGoM7xcWalLnJa9ELua94QQ1-WI4xs_Ovcrvze2c0LkQ_3Ukyagtgr1Bq4Pdsg4Mw2YvhFr2Z/s1600/SANY0105.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 325px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ouLEBG2l78p7tOrdfFdHDYn6GFTp_v2YasSFC-Rh3FN-c5PqaLTPVjpBFTks87iUQ2etGoM7xcWalLnJa9ELua94QQ1-WI4xs_Ovcrvze2c0LkQ_3Ukyagtgr1Bq4Pdsg4Mw2YvhFr2Z/s400/SANY0105.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452255857931336162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Hopes:</span> The Reds quickly end their experiment with Miles (and Cairo and Burke) and give the two backup infielder jobs to Janish and Sutton, both of whom could use more consistent work to get ready for the year.<br /><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Outfield: Stubbs has caught Dickerson</span></span><br />Spring training started with Dusty Baker virtually anointing Drew Stubbs as the Reds CF and leadoff hitter. Those plans were called into question a few weeks later as Dickerson exploded out of the gate in Goodyear while Stubbs struggled. Baker even allowed a few days ago that Dickerson had thus far outplayed Stubbs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzK2CyuB1MeG6Uj5bYWYCOScm-0MFBmhQ_feYLNvL-MITfBnFYV2ldg9ss8FETXD-qGnGDOfjyAbiPHauSJ8BCgopCJscz3zWjITHRRAItMcPdOspA6hb4RxXI4izlo8N2i4a8vxk4mi3/s1600/SANY0054.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzK2CyuB1MeG6Uj5bYWYCOScm-0MFBmhQ_feYLNvL-MITfBnFYV2ldg9ss8FETXD-qGnGDOfjyAbiPHauSJ8BCgopCJscz3zWjITHRRAItMcPdOspA6hb4RxXI4izlo8N2i4a8vxk4mi3/s400/SANY0054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452251092543037410" border="0" /></a>Today, against the Giants, for the first time all spring Baker has Dickerson batting leadoff and playing CF with rest of the first team. Homer Bailey, the <a href="http://seeingreds.blogspot.com/2010/03/most-important-reds-pitcher-in-2010.html">most important Reds pitcher this year</a>, is starting.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbSR1QiiflAXueEz8nQWXW8_yfL2Xl1YUTkkyXZ9YVuDwarkk0BCOzVvZnB-MhW1qVwR4NRBDAIGYevSjE5S_hhevEl7bXK77et9T8mQYpFWYftxs9_Eia5-3iJalvPLgxFkaRSFF-Omw/s1600/SANY0015.JPG"><br /></a>Over the past week or so, Stubbs has dialed up his game. Always a spectacular fielder, as Stubbs has gained major league experience, he has shrugged off problems with "taking charge" that plagued him when he first was called up to the Reds last fall. His spring on-base-percentage is now at .351 (Dickerson is at .400). Stubbs is still striking out at too high a rate for a leadoff hitter, whiffing 11 times in 37 plate appearances.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbSR1QiiflAXueEz8nQWXW8_yfL2Xl1YUTkkyXZ9YVuDwarkk0BCOzVvZnB-MhW1qVwR4NRBDAIGYevSjE5S_hhevEl7bXK77et9T8mQYpFWYftxs9_Eia5-3iJalvPLgxFkaRSFF-Omw/s1600/SANY0015.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbSR1QiiflAXueEz8nQWXW8_yfL2Xl1YUTkkyXZ9YVuDwarkk0BCOzVvZnB-MhW1qVwR4NRBDAIGYevSjE5S_hhevEl7bXK77et9T8mQYpFWYftxs9_Eia5-3iJalvPLgxFkaRSFF-Omw/s400/SANY0015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452251078789156210" border="0" /></a>The Reds now face two squeezes in the outfield. One is for playing time, as four players have had positive springs - Stubbs, Dickerson, Jay Bruce and Jonny Gomes. Gomes has even demonstrated a bit of improved defense.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIc7eBmOpcq0PK4ioVOEw0I3vHvOOMVc2KqLsro9GhhYUbd04s1YXKLj-xqsSF6zU9grah1wB6eiy7T5wYJKPFienquoyKynxfRrSAq3ymAqZwGPhxazF0oaYDwTNj2B1aBAJv6JEsfFA/s1600/SANY0050.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIc7eBmOpcq0PK4ioVOEw0I3vHvOOMVc2KqLsro9GhhYUbd04s1YXKLj-xqsSF6zU9grah1wB6eiy7T5wYJKPFienquoyKynxfRrSAq3ymAqZwGPhxazF0oaYDwTNj2B1aBAJv6JEsfFA/s400/SANY0050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452253323325468258" border="0" /></a>The second tough decision concerns the last of the five outfield roster slots. Both Laynce Nix and Wladimir Balentien have had productive springs, flashing power and glove. The conventional wisdom is that Nix, as a lefty, has an edge in this battle. But Balentien is out of options, so the Reds would lose him if he doesn't make the 25-man roster.<br /><br />Top prospect Chris Heisey was cut and sent to the minor league camp. He had shown glimpses of why the Reds and other scouts are so high on him, though.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3av_lEkX05ExgNago0D6YekiR2Ylw9vRS8RLLgjde5FO5Zm5eW_1b3KTlfSVB3fZtPPf39NXFN7Q4_Nt9MEmucrCCKF3Q7-v_2Id2STLwkyuZ8Qd2JCdgm-p-NSgjuJqwpjq2XHd1ovwz/s1600/SANY0041.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 386px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3av_lEkX05ExgNago0D6YekiR2Ylw9vRS8RLLgjde5FO5Zm5eW_1b3KTlfSVB3fZtPPf39NXFN7Q4_Nt9MEmucrCCKF3Q7-v_2Id2STLwkyuZ8Qd2JCdgm-p-NSgjuJqwpjq2XHd1ovwz/s400/SANY0041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452254644713275538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Hopes:</span> To see Stubbs and Dickerson play side-by-side in the OF, with Dickerson in LF, and <a href="http://seeingreds.blogspot.com/2010/03/dickerson-vs-stubbs-two-battles-not-one.html">equally importantly, Dickerson leading off</a>. Stubbs should bat sixth behind Jay Bruce.<br /><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Starting Pitchers: Fifth spot remains uncertain</span></span><br />Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey have all turned in solid springs thus far, ready to head back to Cincinnati assured of the top four spots in the starting rotation. But what of the fifth spot? Who is going to pitch April 11 in Great American Ball Park against the Chicago Cubs?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8QGoFzYuxXlDFzmvjSFFKGEGoyH-_KZfX89UjbFKxucJHxQtc5TprBM2akapDjYWpMvekI2f9l1jfKCvFGxOcuWC_v9AcvXDX6wubUaXSFvDzhqsUIoJVJbI4mEBkRXP5m9ptuKIX4_h/s1600/SANY0010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 326px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8QGoFzYuxXlDFzmvjSFFKGEGoyH-_KZfX89UjbFKxucJHxQtc5TprBM2akapDjYWpMvekI2f9l1jfKCvFGxOcuWC_v9AcvXDX6wubUaXSFvDzhqsUIoJVJbI4mEBkRXP5m9ptuKIX4_h/s400/SANY0010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452253314938110354" border="0" /></a>Just as an answer was forcing itself upon the Reds management, <a href="http://seeingreds.blogspot.com/2010/03/chapmania-meet-chapprehension.html">this</a> happened.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkgbCmj605VDMmGTrVGStDrdiyifBYj4alIy8_I_otuVFi2oo17r5m90ooY3VyATs8ZcAByIEr4yeElIlbNTlCi5j_OQp_siFg_LOXGCrCoaiwHzcZ2J4FuQSkYm8zJqmr4g7FQNAX7BX/s1600/SANY0049.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkgbCmj605VDMmGTrVGStDrdiyifBYj4alIy8_I_otuVFi2oo17r5m90ooY3VyATs8ZcAByIEr4yeElIlbNTlCi5j_OQp_siFg_LOXGCrCoaiwHzcZ2J4FuQSkYm8zJqmr4g7FQNAX7BX/s400/SANY0049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452251102010376482" border="0" /></a>Aroldis Chapman's back spasms have thrown the Reds 5th SP slot into turmoil. Matt Maloney seemed to be earning it for a while. But apparently the party line is that he is now being looked at for the bullpen, which is a polite way of saying he will start the year in the minor leagues.<br /><br />The youthful duo of Travis Wood (LHP) and Mike Leake (RHP) have seemed tied together this spring. Not only have they pitched on the same day, but their performances have paralleled each other, with their last outings in San Francisco <a href="http://marksheldon.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/03/adversity_for_wood_leake.html">bringing expectations back down</a> to the proper place. This Friday may turn out to be particularly important, when both Wood and Leake will pitch on the road against Seattle. Leake will start this time, so he'll face Ichiro, Chone Figgins, etc.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIA-uQF4Z8lEUnPYGBISIRYS1bJwOPefRl8cVcjiMYcF9TnsbWPTJT9l9Fmfk8PfwqDEUF2xmYdCCciyfNcY1pBVTIrgByFKQMbqJYD19GC944yEPK08dJlPn9yS9AnHw90emlrKyIhJh/s1600/SANY0033.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIA-uQF4Z8lEUnPYGBISIRYS1bJwOPefRl8cVcjiMYcF9TnsbWPTJT9l9Fmfk8PfwqDEUF2xmYdCCciyfNcY1pBVTIrgByFKQMbqJYD19GC944yEPK08dJlPn9yS9AnHw90emlrKyIhJh/s400/SANY0033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452252629455044658" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMn01T6tLU9Wki74rlb_JmRwODPf8Q2eAkSd4EECMP6OC-ygWw2KzXUI6ls2eirInh2U4rFDGNSQH0Kzv7b5yYS5GTTjCD2XD9SLgYV5T0pTDsEUzSdILVGqWwGAI48pKhtW3MJtEafgb/s1600/SANY0036.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMn01T6tLU9Wki74rlb_JmRwODPf8Q2eAkSd4EECMP6OC-ygWw2KzXUI6ls2eirInh2U4rFDGNSQH0Kzv7b5yYS5GTTjCD2XD9SLgYV5T0pTDsEUzSdILVGqWwGAI48pKhtW3MJtEafgb/s400/SANY0036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452252620432455106" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />A new name has entered the mix in the press recently, Justin Lehr. This really surprises me as Lehr has been an afterthought in the Reds planning this spring. He hadn't pitched more than two innings at a time prior to Sunday when he faced the Cubs. Lehr's respectable spring ERA and numbers from the game against the Cubs are misleading for two reasons. First, he has been hit pretty hard. Second, against the Cubs he was facing a lineup of AA/AAA players. If he starts for the Reds on April 11, that's a sign the Reds are playing for time, probably to get Aroldis Chapman ready.<br /><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Hopes:</span></span> That Maloney, Wood or Leake will be given the opportunity to take a few big league turns in the rotation. And that Chapman returns to health quickly and is the Reds fifth starter by May 1.<br /><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Bullpen: Looks great</span></span><br />The pitchers assigned to the back end of the bullpen -- Coco Cordero, Arthur Rhodes, Nick Massett and Daniel Ray Herrera -- have been fine this spring, particularly Cordero and Rhodes. You can probably count on Micah Owings for one of the two remaining slots, given his unique talent as a pinch hitter. The long relief role is a perfect fit for him.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQa_AsS_g-KjxVrtFA_zxz-OKBfUmqKgsmcE_h034d6INCPqCFl2J9B3jP6wMWEUcGsE8X4jue9aOaBg_Cyv_qFNlI1W8cPSGnTmjA_txGjOSAPlirv-8SFrd-Yd-KTV9Fzj5QvMncN1t/s1600/SANY0019.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 373px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQa_AsS_g-KjxVrtFA_zxz-OKBfUmqKgsmcE_h034d6INCPqCFl2J9B3jP6wMWEUcGsE8X4jue9aOaBg_Cyv_qFNlI1W8cPSGnTmjA_txGjOSAPlirv-8SFrd-Yd-KTV9Fzj5QvMncN1t/s400/SANY0019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452257303997188834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >Hopes:</span> For the continued good health of these pitchers.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793430082432841622.post-49557072562819342272010-03-24T12:04:00.004-04:002010-03-24T12:52:17.272-04:00Corey Patterson, Willy Taveras ... Orlando Cabrera<span style="font-family:arial;">Just when you thought it was safe to let Dusty Baker manage the Reds lineup this year, it turns out there is another tragically OBP-terrible player for him to bat insanely high in the lineup. 35-year-old SS, Orlando Cabrera is Baker's new lineup-killer -- and he's batting right in front of the Reds <span style="font-style: italic;">best </span>hitter, Joey Votto.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZJZhgUw6jJgTXKvWIINbAFjrEY92Ar1DUR56NJlQMD6lrhuRtsLx9FEJXXPbLlGDdrK8jQ_0UgxEte_MaDh-wufaRp1v42SdEi27PKpkMgSBZlzgiIPBoCjUnmMGmfVXydLL0Fnh-_S-/s1600/SANY0020.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZJZhgUw6jJgTXKvWIINbAFjrEY92Ar1DUR56NJlQMD6lrhuRtsLx9FEJXXPbLlGDdrK8jQ_0UgxEte_MaDh-wufaRp1v42SdEi27PKpkMgSBZlzgiIPBoCjUnmMGmfVXydLL0Fnh-_S-/s400/SANY0020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452244132411725330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">It shouldn't be a big surprise to the Reds that Orlando Cabrera is hitting like Willy Taveras this spring. After all, his career on-base-percentage (.322) is virtually identical to that of Taveras (.321). Last year, Cabrera's OBP was .316.<br /><br />This spring, in 34 plate appearances, Cabrera's OBP is a woeful .286 so far. He has certainly looked the part at the plate - regularly swinging wildly at pitches well out of the strike zone. He has yet to hit a home run. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><a style="font-family: lucida grande;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuxZebXZX-UI7ZtNWY5X08gg39DY4GYlxsZTftlpce3Nt5_XMFM89xh3CvcGCdq0Xe_HZRzZ-fwtJCHki9bhX2BZY0vJOGw6_GEdWX5fNj40jsH8PFybtWg3IkjevqqQ9rG_rmzGM7awj/s1600/SANY0002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 337px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuxZebXZX-UI7ZtNWY5X08gg39DY4GYlxsZTftlpce3Nt5_XMFM89xh3CvcGCdq0Xe_HZRzZ-fwtJCHki9bhX2BZY0vJOGw6_GEdWX5fNj40jsH8PFybtWg3IkjevqqQ9rG_rmzGM7awj/s400/SANY0002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452235343812220258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">By comparison, last year's SS Paul Janish has an OBP of .388 this spring, with two home runs and a double.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> Janish is certainly no #2 hitter either. But the Reds do have <a href="http://seeingreds.blogspot.com/2010/03/batting-second-cabrera-vs-rolen.html">another option</a> -- an excellent one, in fact -- to bat second in the lineup.<br /><br />Raising an additional horrible memory of Taveras was Cabrera's pathetic effort to bunt for a hit on Monday, with the ball stopping about a foot in front of the catcher. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /></span><a style="font-family: lucida grande;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPz1b-WEeXu4Ki3FfBwTRPyjwnOtd3Nydr8e-kBH4P0XHDTbzXZ-ibxCLgW-rdwqh_AWQ0ZaXmNbk9BMgshyphenhyphen6PsgkkUqtpHh2Ui7DUYfuGJTni8nRKB-mr9kLsr-YdZtg7vVEZM11j4PVC/s1600/SANY0011.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPz1b-WEeXu4Ki3FfBwTRPyjwnOtd3Nydr8e-kBH4P0XHDTbzXZ-ibxCLgW-rdwqh_AWQ0ZaXmNbk9BMgshyphenhyphen6PsgkkUqtpHh2Ui7DUYfuGJTni8nRKB-mr9kLsr-YdZtg7vVEZM11j4PVC/s400/SANY0011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452235351985309362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">To be fair, Cabrera has been excellent in the field this spring, turning in one of the best defensive plays on Monday, robbing Rockies catcher Miguel Olivo on a ground ball hit deep in the hole at SS.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Nonetheless, Cabrera's once sterling defensive reputation has taken a hit in the past couple of years, as he has aged. Last year he had the most errors (25) of any SS in the league. And out of the 31 shortstops who played at least 500 innings in 2009 he was ranked 29th based on the defensive statistic UZR/150.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">BTW, the #1 rated SS in that category? Paul Janish, of course.</span><br /><br /></span><a style="font-family: lucida grande;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy31dAs7Uxs69icb036MLN0iSZ5rH8ZtYpNG5M1USCojSdRhvfhxs1RIrVd0t8R8SOKHdzj2IfEw9WE7y4BvheV3Q4Otuy10NQTRh3S6oDJBXdwbIPxausFcXzyqeFgh7bV_1hmwKK4bS3/s1600/SANY0035.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy31dAs7Uxs69icb036MLN0iSZ5rH8ZtYpNG5M1USCojSdRhvfhxs1RIrVd0t8R8SOKHdzj2IfEw9WE7y4BvheV3Q4Otuy10NQTRh3S6oDJBXdwbIPxausFcXzyqeFgh7bV_1hmwKK4bS3/s400/SANY0035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452235334623566034" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793430082432841622.post-28709277056445940072010-03-22T19:40:00.007-04:002010-03-22T20:15:42.504-04:00Chapmania, meet Chapprehension<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSInT4qT7I_tFhPGDFBWhHkBQr6HT_2yrC_HnbD7l8S8aTeWJRgJ0rBHzsxERaINdlIzUdpNJCd47qGr6J9uXbC1eH529MaTj-apbNZHlIqSvgNFS6z8ZcRSpYswEBDEDriGokIU4L4u83/s1600-h/SANY0046.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSInT4qT7I_tFhPGDFBWhHkBQr6HT_2yrC_HnbD7l8S8aTeWJRgJ0rBHzsxERaINdlIzUdpNJCd47qGr6J9uXbC1eH529MaTj-apbNZHlIqSvgNFS6z8ZcRSpYswEBDEDriGokIU4L4u83/s400/SANY0046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451612499678486898" border="0" /></a>As every Reds fan in the free world knows by now, Aroldis Chapman left today's game after pitching less than two complete innings, complaining of a stiff back.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvfWNOoda7gW3CVwYkZFoKnSzvoX5tzHhCgd92vMfeCH9tybftDR-0S18m102BrPI2yp_8gVMgc8Ns4vNlPRBzWT9yUr8ayF2wlxbY8tyA7VAzhy03PV5rJS38xorW6TQotwSF3Z_RS6o/s1600-h/SANY0049.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvfWNOoda7gW3CVwYkZFoKnSzvoX5tzHhCgd92vMfeCH9tybftDR-0S18m102BrPI2yp_8gVMgc8Ns4vNlPRBzWT9yUr8ayF2wlxbY8tyA7VAzhy03PV5rJS38xorW6TQotwSF3Z_RS6o/s400/SANY0049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451612508754769474" border="0" /></a>I had an excellent vantage point, sitting in the front row behind home plate, watching his day unfold. These photos were all taken this afternoon.<br /><br />After retiring the Colorado Rockies in order in the 6th inning, Chapman struggled with his control and quit using his fastball as much as he previously had in the spring. The fastballs he did throw seemed to have a little less pop than usual.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwL15oE50YPv3M3ELRUF_JM5IcgeEhbIe8eQx2re_JNxBBQTG2on4Xo4dgQ1O1X5kTiNhfBhp8eVhCH7hKTF4qJoM1Papv7rMYjXzVybnKol9j7GReHSMJ_k8b2lzG76-TejqnO7cCZnIi/s1600-h/SANY0040.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwL15oE50YPv3M3ELRUF_JM5IcgeEhbIe8eQx2re_JNxBBQTG2on4Xo4dgQ1O1X5kTiNhfBhp8eVhCH7hKTF4qJoM1Papv7rMYjXzVybnKol9j7GReHSMJ_k8b2lzG76-TejqnO7cCZnIi/s400/SANY0040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451611252878567522" border="0" /></a>After the game, Chapman said through his interpreter, as reported by <a href="http://cnati.com/spring-training-2010/stiff-back-sidelines-chapman-001594/">CNati.Com</a>, "I'm not really hurt, it's a problem with my back I've had all week. I was trying to work it out but they took me out just in case."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTBC8k2X0-eZahmONT3t-jNwPqPECx3R10wAEIfKYScf91_xdHqf2LoGFTrWppSr4S9SxuELPPa6mNHhuEQJCFBpaHRAwWgfPO3yLwZTVHWyjBeeM1lEs-Krgyt5mOjksYpM10vrSUlqd/s1600-h/SANY0038.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 297px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTBC8k2X0-eZahmONT3t-jNwPqPECx3R10wAEIfKYScf91_xdHqf2LoGFTrWppSr4S9SxuELPPa6mNHhuEQJCFBpaHRAwWgfPO3yLwZTVHWyjBeeM1lEs-Krgyt5mOjksYpM10vrSUlqd/s400/SANY0038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451611226149536642" border="0" /></a>When I first saw the trainers go out, I thought it might be related to a problem that he seemingly had with a blister or cut on his hand that I'd seen the trainers tend to while Chapman warmed up in his previous start. My photos and post of that can be found <a href="http://seeingreds.blogspot.com/2010/03/chapmans-day-blistering-and-blistering.html">here.</a> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfsQ4QGdCDlwJ76ElM1JeGsFLho7lKYOXpkxxxUsvgOO2OtjphfRwOYVA9zyAuvIulclQ65ac3t1KkgzbPT8Owv8HXRZdSp9m9B9l6z_yU4RW8j_bJhzTnRRh0Eoa4HM6vH-Kzit38nDc/s1600-h/SANY0036.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfsQ4QGdCDlwJ76ElM1JeGsFLho7lKYOXpkxxxUsvgOO2OtjphfRwOYVA9zyAuvIulclQ65ac3t1KkgzbPT8Owv8HXRZdSp9m9B9l6z_yU4RW8j_bJhzTnRRh0Eoa4HM6vH-Kzit38nDc/s400/SANY0036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451612525408433538" border="0" /></a>Chapman's pitch velocity didn't reach past levels of 100+ mph. Mark Sheldon <a href="http://marksheldon.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/03/stiff_lower_back_for_chapman.html">reports</a> that Chapman recorded no pitch higher than 97 mph today.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCpHGwTQSgrRAZg5z1RIOlsFMnxZy-LZww7KcWEHnfLlFoAtbInelAhOPLPo11isfuRETIjkYxdoLDmX3nne2-o5OCodtuT-k1F4yKoP9vEEe-O2FyHRe8YWUgNEXB9AVBht_LGxDYpKw/s1600-h/SANY0039.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 369px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCpHGwTQSgrRAZg5z1RIOlsFMnxZy-LZww7KcWEHnfLlFoAtbInelAhOPLPo11isfuRETIjkYxdoLDmX3nne2-o5OCodtuT-k1F4yKoP9vEEe-O2FyHRe8YWUgNEXB9AVBht_LGxDYpKw/s400/SANY0039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451611236977523874" border="0" /></a>Pitching coach, Bryan Price, noted that Chapman was indeed using his off-speed pitches more often than usual. Again, from <a href="http://cnati.com/spring-training-2010/stiff-back-sidelines-chapman-001594/">CNati.Com</a>:<br /><blockquote>"I didn't think he was attacking the hitters, it was a regular, typical mound visit -- be more aggressive with your fastball," Price said. "He was trying to get guys out with his slider and change-up and not being aggressive with his fastball. I wanted to remind him that he's got a good fastball and to utilize it more and then in the next few pitches we notices he was moving around kind of funky and we didn't want it to get any worse."</blockquote>Chapman's day started off really well. He dominated the Rockies best hitter, striking out SS Troy Tulowitzki. He then proceeded to retire the next two Rockies on routine plays. Here Tulo swings badly on strike three.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsPN6wDbJnMDTl2Oh8Hk4XO11UJ2KRKA291sImVmZBdJkZ-E0mKOBwPixISKEqGfGTmqYi9dWg8VUgO6u-62adqy3Q9Ic_OiS8JH7vgjY8okM9DbvI80_pczMlVIwAXoEbXnQ7R0Ycilr/s1600-h/SANY0025.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsPN6wDbJnMDTl2Oh8Hk4XO11UJ2KRKA291sImVmZBdJkZ-E0mKOBwPixISKEqGfGTmqYi9dWg8VUgO6u-62adqy3Q9Ic_OiS8JH7vgjY8okM9DbvI80_pczMlVIwAXoEbXnQ7R0Ycilr/s400/SANY0025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451611222811020466" border="0" /></a>In the seventh inning, Rockies CF Dexter Fowler hit a hard ground ball that Reds SS Drew Sutton couldn't handle. It was scored an error, which I thought was a pretty rough scoring decision, as the ball was really scalded.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZJPSUmn-3YKg7IvtvI6lLkmGopK8HSfGtPbrnohvqiGY7bNF2glMoAZp7xQeIetdcpPPJmXXkTdNOV2bAqZ7azlYzvxTVw3n3xuoUrP_xWjxMla2mIz2noOax_AK4be0eRkV-_wPcGaR/s1600-h/SANY0044.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZJPSUmn-3YKg7IvtvI6lLkmGopK8HSfGtPbrnohvqiGY7bNF2glMoAZp7xQeIetdcpPPJmXXkTdNOV2bAqZ7azlYzvxTVw3n3xuoUrP_xWjxMla2mIz2noOax_AK4be0eRkV-_wPcGaR/s400/SANY0044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451611258554721042" border="0" /></a>John Fay of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Enquirer</span> <a href="http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2010/03/22/baker-on-chapman-3/">reports</a> that Dusty Baker said one thing that tipped him off to Chapman's physical troubles is how the Reds new pitcher was walking around the mound. "We saw him walking around the mound. He didn't have the same stuff. We could tell something was wrong. He's just sore, a little tight."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZjtfSyQX4CurtXjWmY-VfmAtiZu9G799w8GirJjpmXdg5SjKOfxGL9ZMr04-Xl9paF1KUbDemmKNQVyYwBrlSDRwwld5fo2sYbvuz4a6-awOlf3bLhQXXI3SoWbNwcn3hasFjdVFopZm/s1600-h/SANY0034.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZjtfSyQX4CurtXjWmY-VfmAtiZu9G799w8GirJjpmXdg5SjKOfxGL9ZMr04-Xl9paF1KUbDemmKNQVyYwBrlSDRwwld5fo2sYbvuz4a6-awOlf3bLhQXXI3SoWbNwcn3hasFjdVFopZm/s400/SANY0034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451612518202288738" border="0" /></a>As Chapmania turns to Chapprehension, Reds fans will just have to wait and see if this back problem becomes chronic or just a one-time occurrence. One part of this that troubles me is that Chapman says he has been bothered by the back all week. <br /><br /><a href="http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2010/03/22/chapman-stiff-back/">John Fay speculates</a> that this may take Chapman out of the running as the fifth starter for the Reds, something I had seen as becoming more and more likely. If that's the case, I really have no idea who Baker and Price will tap to start on April 11.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTBC8k2X0-eZahmONT3t-jNwPqPECx3R10wAEIfKYScf91_xdHqf2LoGFTrWppSr4S9SxuELPPa6mNHhuEQJCFBpaHRAwWgfPO3yLwZTVHWyjBeeM1lEs-Krgyt5mOjksYpM10vrSUlqd/s1600-h/SANY0038.JPG"><br /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793430082432841622.post-53604833160800901472010-03-21T13:23:00.005-04:002010-03-21T21:16:28.386-04:00Batting Second: Cabrera vs. Rolen<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBmWFM6HFokDMllx30di3XBosGRX_oLAtcjrJz1RG4hcZYGpFKhBLjZFCkiWED1cs77LFOQJAVbKYgXX97pNrhF0zOhZuCGWQ2aCs7L46E-Ah2-kEvD46ajclTh3NpVfsvYvNvcV1MxNT/s1600-h/SANY0041.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBmWFM6HFokDMllx30di3XBosGRX_oLAtcjrJz1RG4hcZYGpFKhBLjZFCkiWED1cs77LFOQJAVbKYgXX97pNrhF0zOhZuCGWQ2aCs7L46E-Ah2-kEvD46ajclTh3NpVfsvYvNvcV1MxNT/s400/SANY0041.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451260681185718466" border="0" /></a>The second hitter in the batting order goes to the plate more times than any other hitter on the team except for the leadoff hitter. On average the #2 hitter will have 60 more plate appearances than the #6 hitter, and 90 more than the #8 hitter.<br /><br />It appears that Dusty Baker intends on having newly-acquired SS, Orlando Cabrera, bat second and 3B Scott Rolen bat 6th. Leaving aside the question of whether the Cabrera signing was wise and whether he should be starting ahead of defensive whiz Paul Janish, should Cabrera be batting second for the Reds?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv03TSMtOeelI4jb9QAgI2dF5M-GFHspepLjNGoQ913EBoeTpHWlkLwgFJSmVPNtmaJKEQENaSvzVCTO1_XTy31kgYoCjBNlAR42Pr0suGSCoUoAUmviI1zcyzZl0GdbHGWbBPut_lmu0Y/s1600-h/SANY0088.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 357px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv03TSMtOeelI4jb9QAgI2dF5M-GFHspepLjNGoQ913EBoeTpHWlkLwgFJSmVPNtmaJKEQENaSvzVCTO1_XTy31kgYoCjBNlAR42Pr0suGSCoUoAUmviI1zcyzZl0GdbHGWbBPut_lmu0Y/s400/SANY0088.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451259760326309106" border="0" /></a>Let's compare the merits of batting Cabrera second vs. batting Rolen second. Both of these players have long career histories - the "back of their baseball card" as Baker is fond of saying. Cabrera has had over 7200 plate appearances heading into 2010 and Rolen over 7400. Both players are roughly the same age, with Rolen being 6 months younger than Cabrera.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">On-Base-Percentage </span></span><br />While the two hitters are relatively close in career batting average, with Cabrera at .275 and Rolen at .284, for on-base-percentage Cabrera has a very low .322 while Rolen is well above league average at .370.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvXodvbXqjzbPre74T9FcdWqaP_RF6fdy8IM-0XPN518cineevu7WuKoPBgtvMKkYIu2yo4msk0rxWNrigk_G4ISe9iRBd6kzL4XFlT6J2NdVmOCD4sFcde3bPIshinnC8gSL-KjzEBTC/s1600-h/SANY0090.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvXodvbXqjzbPre74T9FcdWqaP_RF6fdy8IM-0XPN518cineevu7WuKoPBgtvMKkYIu2yo4msk0rxWNrigk_G4ISe9iRBd6kzL4XFlT6J2NdVmOCD4sFcde3bPIshinnC8gSL-KjzEBTC/s400/SANY0090.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451259749766082210" border="0" /></a>One way to put that into perspective is to point out that Willy Taveras has a career OBP of .321. So, over more than 7000 plate appearances, Orlando Cabrera gets on base at the same rate as Willy Taveras.<br /><br />Another way to view it is to compare Cabrera and Rolen's rates to the rest of MLB. In 2009, 154 hitters had enough AB to qualify for the batting title. Scott Rolen's OBP of .370 ranked him 64 out of 154. Orlando Cabrera's OBP of .316 ranked him 140 out of 154.<br /><br />Finally, if you're inclined to look at 2010 Spring Training statistics, Cabrera has an OBP of .303 (with three BB) and Scott Rolen an OBP of .375 (with 6 BB, not counting the two he had today).<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Plate Discipline</span></span><br />O-Swing is a statistic that measures the percentage of pitches outside the strike zone at which the player swings. It's a measure of the plate discipline of the batter. Over his career, Cabrera has an O-Swing of 24.3% and Rolen's O-Swing is 19.0%. A clear edge for Rolen.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaStnjRppJ7TQOfrpEZn894mLH7L-wawlluQSNlUqEFAqm6u8wcbew6BQy1LKtmXi0EdeOQpVgDP24AWML4v0ETnny4M0B887UioTqc5PxCkGuwks3mNyeDHMXq8p-L7h3W5ursxD0Asq/s1600-h/SANY0088.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaStnjRppJ7TQOfrpEZn894mLH7L-wawlluQSNlUqEFAqm6u8wcbew6BQy1LKtmXi0EdeOQpVgDP24AWML4v0ETnny4M0B887UioTqc5PxCkGuwks3mNyeDHMXq8p-L7h3W5ursxD0Asq/s400/SANY0088.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451256342349480866" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Power</span></span><br />Since the #2 hitter has more AB than hitters lower in the order, power numbers such as slugging percentage, are an important factor to consider. Over his career, Cabrera has accomplished a .398 SLG, while Rolen has a .498 SLG.<br /><br />Again, in comparison to the rest of MLB, in 2009, looking at the statistic wOBA which weights OBP for power, Rolen was ranked 49 out of 154 while Cabrera was 140 out of 154.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0GViDAx74R5PH-5Cr9ZA2rh6gx8kL2N9WaDJJrvFtzJtx-ugMxDAL0u5H-zEnU67jN5idYhGBNnD4uupMzOBWiu7597uvCNGIDVBoNfu2tmWhbe4nSL33KKsD60FWypspm2WX0Xzxob7/s1600-h/SANY0047.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 353px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0GViDAx74R5PH-5Cr9ZA2rh6gx8kL2N9WaDJJrvFtzJtx-ugMxDAL0u5H-zEnU67jN5idYhGBNnD4uupMzOBWiu7597uvCNGIDVBoNfu2tmWhbe4nSL33KKsD60FWypspm2WX0Xzxob7/s400/SANY0047.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451256336852042770" border="0" /></a>It's important to note that Scott Rolen has not been the same power hitter since his shoulder surgery in 2005, so his career SLG is misleadingly high. From 2000 to 2004, his slugging percentage was .535, from 2006 to 2010 it was .450. Scott Rolen is clearly not the same power hitter that he was earlier in career, yet Dusty Baker, by batting Rolen in the 5th spot in the lineup apparently continues to treat him as though he is. But even with his reduced post-surgery SLG, he is still more of a power hitter than Cabrera, and by a considerable margin.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">In conclusion</span></span><br />These are the reasons that Scott Rolen should bat second for the Reds, not Orlando Cabrera.<br /><br />(1) Rolen is a better hitter, period. Batting second, instead of sixth, will give him roughly 50-60 more AB.<br /><br />(2) Rolen will get on base ahead of Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce at a much higher rate than Cabrera.<br /><br />(3) Batting Rolen second will move Jay Bruce up to the fifth spot in the order where his power is more likely to drive in runs.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793430082432841622.post-52278926805700699812010-03-20T11:08:00.008-04:002010-03-20T20:15:28.393-04:00Noteworthy people and placesI'm heading to Scottsdale Stadium in a little while to watch the Reds play the Giants. It should be interesting to see how Travis Wood and Mike Leake do today. Usually home teams play their starters, and Travis and Mike are both scheduled to pitch three or four innings. This will be a solid test for their candidacy to be the fifth starter.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__0KC1Pbk28do4a38kCh2zAC-9G_GGdBdyeZMeyCWF1R2gbSe_O61UusDLuxCKCxzmv-cx07O5oNEOx7oSLt2Yx_Oyr48ZKGWGnFvvl7CHYOS2ovw_w5Nt03mNaZoWkmKSBZTIU1cdXMH/s1600-h/SANY0029.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__0KC1Pbk28do4a38kCh2zAC-9G_GGdBdyeZMeyCWF1R2gbSe_O61UusDLuxCKCxzmv-cx07O5oNEOx7oSLt2Yx_Oyr48ZKGWGnFvvl7CHYOS2ovw_w5Nt03mNaZoWkmKSBZTIU1cdXMH/s400/SANY0029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450752270037623810" border="0" /></a>Over the past days here in Arizona, I've collected a few pictures of noteworthy people and places and thought this would be a good time to post them, including a restaurant review at the end.<br /><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">People of interest</span></span><br /><br />A few former Reds have appeared on opposing teams. Former Reds' outfielder <span style="font-weight: bold;">Norris Hopper</span> made a short (no pun intended) appearance for the Brewers. Objectively speaking, Hopper has never been a great, or even a good, MLB player. But in the summer of 2007 he did become a Reds fan favorite when the only thing going right for the Reds was Norris Hopper, who seemed to get a hit every time at the plate. In 2007, he had a .371 on base percentage in 305 plate appearances.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOt4nBmnbfhDXgRkQddud1IokHL73qHVJ32vt_y-3bs_-CIhX2V7Mppsgm0qfM56mEaS7eXi2hCi2pfeFBfcGx-an6fmnF3lN8GcVIXJnRk2DZGHQSyvU4ro-K0LC16CHICrOvUUnLfi7S/s1600-h/SANY0092.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOt4nBmnbfhDXgRkQddud1IokHL73qHVJ32vt_y-3bs_-CIhX2V7Mppsgm0qfM56mEaS7eXi2hCi2pfeFBfcGx-an6fmnF3lN8GcVIXJnRk2DZGHQSyvU4ro-K0LC16CHICrOvUUnLfi7S/s400/SANY0092.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450748569240032866" border="0" /></a>This day, playing for the Brewers, Hopper swung at the first pitch in his only AB and he grounded into a double play. He probably should have tried one of his famous push bunts up the first base line.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Josh Hamilton</span> still plays for the Texas Rangers. I saw a few innings of a Rangers-Giants game last week. Josh played left field that game. Hamilton played for the Reds in 2008 and was traded to the Rangers for pitcher Edinson Volquez. The "throw-in" player in that deal was a small, left-handed relief pitcher named Daniel Herrera.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLs1NifmbJfKslUQR_gMT5uO7sWj4ftQeeKDf3krJVlGKUEwGrt3eXNn5F4aBgnsW6NRe6itK9uMwnIe7UA1VQUcAJRsSAptrcAZVHVEvyw83oAp5elRj3Im6WnncPryOdMflRfMVwzpHF/s1600-h/SANY0064.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLs1NifmbJfKslUQR_gMT5uO7sWj4ftQeeKDf3krJVlGKUEwGrt3eXNn5F4aBgnsW6NRe6itK9uMwnIe7UA1VQUcAJRsSAptrcAZVHVEvyw83oAp5elRj3Im6WnncPryOdMflRfMVwzpHF/s400/SANY0064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450748579774370722" border="0" /></a>Two former Reds' pitching greats -- Jack Billingham and Jim Maloney -- were in uniform and standing together in the dugout.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Noa69iaotRkFYXXArZTEfGqmZeimM313RPFUb0B14h5pN_M_S0DQYd5Nkvrq6SlqRdBvLW7jSlL66XQijbNvd5XAa4My0xR_R7KT4CAI0T7_2zcVBQysshW-5lHuIDFKVS_3AJSahyW_/s1600-h/SANY0101.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Noa69iaotRkFYXXArZTEfGqmZeimM313RPFUb0B14h5pN_M_S0DQYd5Nkvrq6SlqRdBvLW7jSlL66XQijbNvd5XAa4My0xR_R7KT4CAI0T7_2zcVBQysshW-5lHuIDFKVS_3AJSahyW_/s400/SANY0101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450750862518815970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jim Maloney</span> pitched for the Reds from 1960 to 1970. He had a career ERA of 3.19 and threw 74 complete games, including three no-hitters. His best season was 1963 when he earned a 23-7 record, an ERA of 2.77 and struck out 265 batters in 250 innings. In a sense, he was an Aroldis Chapman of his day, considered a hard thrower. His pitches were estimated in the 100 mph range.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jack Billingham</span> came to the Reds in the blockbuster trade with the Astros that brought Joe Morgan and Cesar Geronimo to Cincinnati and sent Lee May and Tommy Helms, among others, to Houston. Billingham was a cornerstone of the Big Red Machine's pitching staff, pitching for the Reds from 1972 to 1977 and winning 87 games over those six years. In 1973 he threw 293 innings with a 3.04 ERA, 19 wins, 16 complete games (no easy feat with Sparky 'Captain Hook' Anderson as the manager) and seven shutouts. Billingham saved his best for the World Series, where over his 7 appearances he was 2-0 with a microscopic 0.36 ERA.<br /><br />My seat at Goodyear Ballpark affords me close proximity to the Reds brass. Owner and CEO of the Reds since 2005, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bob Castellini</span> sits a few rows in front of me. He has used his field seats (I'm sure he has a nice suite, too) every game I've attended. He stayed in his ballpark seats all nine innings last night.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUMa1TKlA5lkvgPY8pyqvyOK2Szo6AnxlTWOifcl5Yp9V_xHuc11ApxF8aSlgOPhUQXhgxm_6Er0dsHC3q3htlUCGghkMiUhkGZFQTXDLZoaTS4WNEzLNigsCxpsLUpWd2tag61WjYkAG/s1600-h/SANY0060.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 321px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUMa1TKlA5lkvgPY8pyqvyOK2Szo6AnxlTWOifcl5Yp9V_xHuc11ApxF8aSlgOPhUQXhgxm_6Er0dsHC3q3htlUCGghkMiUhkGZFQTXDLZoaTS4WNEzLNigsCxpsLUpWd2tag61WjYkAG/s400/SANY0060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450748594363393474" border="0" /></a>Hall of Fame announcer, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Marty Brennaman</span>, has watched several games in sections with regular paying customers. Marty has been the voice of the Reds since 1974 when he took over for Al Michaels. He worked side-by-side with Joe Nuxhall for 30 years. Marty's signature call "And this one belongs to the Reds!" began in his second game broadcasting for Cincinnati.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLjMKS8QDE8Si-Ak1Y5XgNnwvugkh2QQq9e6aHP7a8FVGPN2VMYcjDP1JtA-60sepslwHURxxxhJEIS0xoN49-29QOP9qtwH_KCZpyavAap1GbTDNoCGogiwTrFeq1f7PriGB_Byg5UFO/s1600-h/SANY0104.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 338px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLjMKS8QDE8Si-Ak1Y5XgNnwvugkh2QQq9e6aHP7a8FVGPN2VMYcjDP1JtA-60sepslwHURxxxhJEIS0xoN49-29QOP9qtwH_KCZpyavAap1GbTDNoCGogiwTrFeq1f7PriGB_Byg5UFO/s400/SANY0104.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450750853793752162" border="0" /></a>Through his tenure, Marty has called Pete Rose's hit number 4192, Henry Aaron's home run number 714 (which was given up by Jack Billingham), the Reds' 1975, 1976 and 1990 World Series championships, and Tom Browning's perfect game. Other Reds' broadcasters, Chris Welch and Jeff Brantley, have been regular observers at Goodyear on their "off" days. Brantley frequently sits in the first or second row behind home plate scoring the game. Here, Marty is sitting at Goodyear Ballpark with his son Thom, who is also a Reds broadcaster.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5gOv2EyOYqX1J9l8AksXXwOQgaUnSX0Pf75HHEc-pmNoV_IPHi-TPVZ5HqknmSAKnqwVo414n0urFgtEa6HavKJzgb_0g9ugkO0yFvXNe139iV_ZTwz6Li8z1T9jJmuAvJoI-MPcX-6r/s1600-h/SANY0076.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5gOv2EyOYqX1J9l8AksXXwOQgaUnSX0Pf75HHEc-pmNoV_IPHi-TPVZ5HqknmSAKnqwVo414n0urFgtEa6HavKJzgb_0g9ugkO0yFvXNe139iV_ZTwz6Li8z1T9jJmuAvJoI-MPcX-6r/s400/SANY0076.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450750868679369810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Walt Jocketty</span>, the Reds' General Manager, usually watches games from upstairs, but on occasion has ventured down into the cheap seats. Last night he watched the entire game from about 8 rows back behind home plate. A few days ago, against Cleveland, toward the end of the game he watched inconspicuously standing and then sitting among the crowd.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjAkYyey4YWY5JeHDFKCr2423goYcpWdbe08K3FrNLCpBWISZVggwFCiPtzbk6asVhXOzwbO7OLq4Z81zLXdKsWA2Vm7NlCk1XuMjIrDd1dqVfmbPEZu-_JabJazHohIPIR2BE3ls8Iq9/s1600-h/SANY0108.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjAkYyey4YWY5JeHDFKCr2423goYcpWdbe08K3FrNLCpBWISZVggwFCiPtzbk6asVhXOzwbO7OLq4Z81zLXdKsWA2Vm7NlCk1XuMjIrDd1dqVfmbPEZu-_JabJazHohIPIR2BE3ls8Iq9/s400/SANY0108.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450748603873431394" border="0" /></a>Before working for the Reds, Jocketty was the GM for the St. Louis Cardinals for 13 seasons. Over that time the Cardinals won a World Series and seven NL Central Division Championships.<br /><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Places of interest</span></span><br /><br />I've seen a few ballparks in Arizona. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Maryvale Baseball Park</span>, the home of the Milwaukee Brewers, sits in a residential area on the outskirts of the city of Phoenix. It was built in 1998 and seats 7,000 people. It was mostly full yesterday in a day game between the Angels and the Brewers. The dominant sense I had at Maryvale was the ever-present smell of fried dough, from their funnel cake booths.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD30YdIlHfvgeH_lUcisXMtV4Hjzi1WWlqRxjawu8wJS7U02b0oDeYnFNuaTAFhVNKj6F0A5fmRKbmTGfO2gj7ghZ2eOIbCj-lTIAK5qMrSuA7ni5RxmeiJrP0O8qvHoCS3LRPYmuC4Uw_/s1600-h/SANY0033.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD30YdIlHfvgeH_lUcisXMtV4Hjzi1WWlqRxjawu8wJS7U02b0oDeYnFNuaTAFhVNKj6F0A5fmRKbmTGfO2gj7ghZ2eOIbCj-lTIAK5qMrSuA7ni5RxmeiJrP0O8qvHoCS3LRPYmuC4Uw_/s400/SANY0033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450748583846066690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Camelback Ranch</span> is the new home of the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. This is the Dodgers inaugural year at Camelback, and the second year for the White Sox. Camelback has a very distinctive southwestern style which I found appealing. The two team administrative offices back up to the outfield fences - the Dodgers in left field, the White Sox in right. Camelback is about 15 minutes northeast from Goodyear Ballpark. It opened in 2009 and seats 13,000 people, which is the largest seating capacity in the Cactus League.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6vX0Vju1rWxda2CnofgdfgZTMcB6jhtJIiTfy-AUgoUeLPvpq-cFr2yaa-bIqM9lvSzS4RV6OShQ7Cj5U34hIyB3-uWUoOTRmqArEMmdeDZcmtNrrLJODQPTxLqbXlLf0nog1CyehRij/s1600-h/SANY0025.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6vX0Vju1rWxda2CnofgdfgZTMcB6jhtJIiTfy-AUgoUeLPvpq-cFr2yaa-bIqM9lvSzS4RV6OShQ7Cj5U34hIyB3-uWUoOTRmqArEMmdeDZcmtNrrLJODQPTxLqbXlLf0nog1CyehRij/s400/SANY0025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450752255237366322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Surprise Stadium</span> is the shared home of the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers. I watched a game between the Rangers and the Giants there last week. It opened in 2003 and seats 10,500 people. Surprise Stadium is about 20 minutes from Goodyear, due north.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1l14t2c5npyLMtEeKZ0osLwPWVJFKsxcBbYECotBRjGMwBWhxDA8kZZ2ZQQ9gl0o6FZKzI5ybltoKSywLXq5yVv8TguIrtaeGtd5LxgUmM8AWOecUh5iyixp-0I1odywfF7aNly5yRLq/s1600-h/SANY0030.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1l14t2c5npyLMtEeKZ0osLwPWVJFKsxcBbYECotBRjGMwBWhxDA8kZZ2ZQQ9gl0o6FZKzI5ybltoKSywLXq5yVv8TguIrtaeGtd5LxgUmM8AWOecUh5iyixp-0I1odywfF7aNly5yRLq/s400/SANY0030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450752244605029538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">UPDATE:</span> The San Francisco Giants play in <span style="font-weight: bold;">Scottsdale Stadium</span>, which sits in downtown Scottsdale, just northeast of downtown Phoenix. It opened in 1992 and does have a few touches of old-stadium design - very small seats that face straight ahead, not angled toward home plate. It has a capacity of 12,000 and was completely packed today as the Reds played there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxD3NAZR1kWlFBuRne7xf5gUK-4l-7mLfnmK_tzMBlCbdZByL7cmaPBIc8PrHWAFOIeMRaQD7t0fLhGty-eHm-zbH4i8zMbMrdjIx4v9j4NRoTZq2FgzV3hAEX5bw-B51XTnlRYkxScRO/s1600-h/SANY0002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxD3NAZR1kWlFBuRne7xf5gUK-4l-7mLfnmK_tzMBlCbdZByL7cmaPBIc8PrHWAFOIeMRaQD7t0fLhGty-eHm-zbH4i8zMbMrdjIx4v9j4NRoTZq2FgzV3hAEX5bw-B51XTnlRYkxScRO/s400/SANY0002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450873688446327058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Goodyear Ballpark</span>, the Reds new Arizona field, also opened in 2009 and seats 10,300.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMvybesuQzEYZLQ5uAa7OBPRlgLbHk1oHiP1-tqeSjzwAI8nSDpa_no2lqetz8-aQXQZRASVrStJaWtdPCgXSrzlnxlkMgxjfK2F6e95Rn5kra76doFDEoyogI6HTRGVVhLL91qgZtq-X/s1600-h/SANY0051.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMvybesuQzEYZLQ5uAa7OBPRlgLbHk1oHiP1-tqeSjzwAI8nSDpa_no2lqetz8-aQXQZRASVrStJaWtdPCgXSrzlnxlkMgxjfK2F6e95Rn5kra76doFDEoyogI6HTRGVVhLL91qgZtq-X/s400/SANY0051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450752264304966722" border="0" /></a>Among the parks that I have visited in Arizona, Goodyear is the <span style="font-style: italic;">only one that charges for parking</span>. In Florida, the only free baseball parking I experienced was at Disney in Orlando, the home of the Atlanta Braves. But here, parking has been free at Camelback, Surprise and Scottsdale, where I'm headed in a few minutes.<br /><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Matt's Big Breakfast</span></span><br /><br />A few weeks ago, <a href="http://www.mattsbigbreakfast.com/">Matt's Big Breakfast</a> was featured on the Food Network show "<span style="font-style: italic;">Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives</span>." I've been there twice and the food is simply, utterly, fantastic.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcDPTNEwr2UmP5r50ALHNmRu9hyphenhyphenLMhOIpgHQyYD-x3P6B6CxTW-PgrIPTNvsa4PXLiO9H_8E8XlNloruuJ9o9w3V_MHsFMq6pjYOLkZG9i51YZjaP7otGpf8GzYislRcv2wss6NPO_L7z/s1600-h/SANY0004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcDPTNEwr2UmP5r50ALHNmRu9hyphenhyphenLMhOIpgHQyYD-x3P6B6CxTW-PgrIPTNvsa4PXLiO9H_8E8XlNloruuJ9o9w3V_MHsFMq6pjYOLkZG9i51YZjaP7otGpf8GzYislRcv2wss6NPO_L7z/s400/SANY0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450750876969848722" border="0" /></a>There is nothing big about Matt's, except the breakfast, however. It is a tiny, tiny spot, perhaps seating 35 people. I waited both times I've been there, but it was well worth it.<br /><br />Matt's features basic breakfast dishes, like eggs, meats, pancakes, a waffle, as well as a few lunch items. It isn't open for dinner. Here you see my first breakfast at Matt's -- an omelet of grilled onions, sausage and cheese, their delicious crispy hash browns (although I liked their home fries better on visit #2), and great toasted wheat bread with local strawberry preserves.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZ54AxwmnrZbtVjrMeR2Xt_6_hnFqaat248dJlQMojgdcLjCer-REYFusHzwUmwR4V-IUr2edE8Z5_r7SsesFo2ZAdhKMHY855WKZrXdyMTe9qaay88V7RmGUbrR26rk6VoFjNk5Si4YL/s1600-h/SANY0002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZ54AxwmnrZbtVjrMeR2Xt_6_hnFqaat248dJlQMojgdcLjCer-REYFusHzwUmwR4V-IUr2edE8Z5_r7SsesFo2ZAdhKMHY855WKZrXdyMTe9qaay88V7RmGUbrR26rk6VoFjNk5Si4YL/s400/SANY0002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450750883092881890" border="0" /></a>I give Matt's Big Breakfast my highest culinary recommendation.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793430082432841622.post-1552652289008872112010-03-18T20:01:00.008-04:002010-03-19T12:41:06.530-04:00The most important Reds pitcher in 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6HRxv_OevFZzezKN30hF-xZA0_voOa0BFqKEjQWrLlCAGxH-yu34ARq6TeHMbvoC1d1FjszOhbrC1WFdCJS4ZrUkhyphenhyphenwvQ7GETcTjQyWOd7zETloaYrUTB5ZexYEgDlDjnp3f019kyG-Q/s1600-h/SANY0080.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 369px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6HRxv_OevFZzezKN30hF-xZA0_voOa0BFqKEjQWrLlCAGxH-yu34ARq6TeHMbvoC1d1FjszOhbrC1WFdCJS4ZrUkhyphenhyphenwvQ7GETcTjQyWOd7zETloaYrUTB5ZexYEgDlDjnp3f019kyG-Q/s400/SANY0080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450135202923180066" border="0" /></a>David "Homer" Bailey, from La Grange, Texas, is the single most important pitcher in the Reds organization for the 2010 season. But you wouldn't have been able to tell that based on what's being reported on the information superhighway.<br /><br />Aroldis Chapman has a <a href="http://seeingreds.blogspot.com/2010/03/chapmans-day-blistering-and-blistering.html">mania</a>. Reds' rookie pitcher Mike Leake has a <a href="http://seeingreds.blogspot.com/2010/03/chapmans-day-blistering-and-blistering.html">mini-mania</a>.<br /><br />Not Homer Bailey. A local article here (<a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100308/COL03/303080075/Daugherty-Homer-Bailey-is-all-grown-up">Homer's all grown up</a>), a national article there (<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/2010-02-23-4287101699_x.htm">Homer's glad the spotlight is elsewhere</a>). But virtually nothing about his baseball talent and prospects on the mound.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Hi8swugb2Byk1RwPbWL76JScZ9TLgIcSWq_HzbFuqXEPSxLVxrHkIBdXeXV8O-NAI0DSDEppVwKbr6D234MeQbW34heoHp2OupGNQXw3-PD4OasveC4zY2jXmCeaE5fW4ox0jc5ks9rv/s1600-h/SANY0026.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 363px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Hi8swugb2Byk1RwPbWL76JScZ9TLgIcSWq_HzbFuqXEPSxLVxrHkIBdXeXV8O-NAI0DSDEppVwKbr6D234MeQbW34heoHp2OupGNQXw3-PD4OasveC4zY2jXmCeaE5fW4ox0jc5ks9rv/s400/SANY0026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450135198273786082" border="0" /></a>Don't be fooled by the 23-year-old's mania-free zone, though. No other pitcher on the Reds staff is more likely to see their personal success track as close with the team's trajectory this year than Bailey.<br /><br />We pretty much know what to expect from veterans Bronson Arroyo, Aaron Harang. Absent a huge breakthrough in consistency, Johnny Cueto seems likely to duplicate his roughly-.500 record. The other Reds' starting pitcher candidates are very young. Sure, there's a chance that the shooting star of Aroldis Chapman will streak across major league baseball's sky this year, but even with flashes of brilliance, realistically his impact in 2010 is likely to be limited, even if the media frenzy so predictably won't be.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJW7Pd1GSXpsgoVqkeEIvPCnfhg1N5Y8FFj3qEA1NNqW3sOwTTOrvg3Wm4hJl_kjUvTTStSSK9g7ypGbZ5JJvH71SlpH1S_MlP0ZABa5fmcRSh5Qdhu0VXDqolSknYIHODgFFsC2hPt3mM/s1600-h/SANY0052.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJW7Pd1GSXpsgoVqkeEIvPCnfhg1N5Y8FFj3qEA1NNqW3sOwTTOrvg3Wm4hJl_kjUvTTStSSK9g7ypGbZ5JJvH71SlpH1S_MlP0ZABa5fmcRSh5Qdhu0VXDqolSknYIHODgFFsC2hPt3mM/s400/SANY0052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450148528702389714" border="0" /></a>Homer Bailey will be the pivotal difference-maker for the Reds this year.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />High school superstar</span></span><br /><br />Homer Bailey was the Reds' first round draft choice in June of 2004. He had just completed a much-heralded high school career, culminating in being named the High School Player of the Year by <span style="font-style: italic;">USA Today</span>. Those accolades were not unwarranted. Homer's high school resumé was replete with accomplishments such as 536 strikeouts in 298 innings, two Texas state championships etc.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCkrTBXP6VR22HnhJI2wmH_X-wmyGAR-uSae4HMqbUUZG7erULgVK6m1ZA7JF9w1erPWWywaB6kcpel5vkHp-xavz7tvyzRyIanIsxC1AT7rGsGezPqo2Hqb-0TqSS694J51Z4Uat2LUg/s1600-h/SANY0050.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCkrTBXP6VR22HnhJI2wmH_X-wmyGAR-uSae4HMqbUUZG7erULgVK6m1ZA7JF9w1erPWWywaB6kcpel5vkHp-xavz7tvyzRyIanIsxC1AT7rGsGezPqo2Hqb-0TqSS694J51Z4Uat2LUg/s400/SANY0050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450135217241288898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br /><br />A tantalizing glimpse in 2009</span></span><br /><br />After several years of hype followed by disappointment, last fall the Reds got a month-long installment of <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> Homer Bailey. In his last nine starts of 2009, he recorded a 1.70 ERA and a 6-1 record, while being victimized by two blown saves. His ERA over that period of time was the best in the entire major leagues. <span style="font-style: italic;">I'll say that again: over the last six weeks of 2009, the starting pitcher in the entire MLB with the lowest ERA was the Reds' Homer Bailey.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTcdurzRzrHcn2wQKw7zpnehyphenhyphenTbzj6MRGiCN20hQp_LIv0uFaV03qqMwpsJ2JPNtJCOj13250llWMWtVSgIbD-Z86v4Qlueb55BQCyaURGPrankb7BSXRsCg5mJbhcTr5gQ993qAutpmV/s1600-h/SANY0064.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTcdurzRzrHcn2wQKw7zpnehyphenhyphenTbzj6MRGiCN20hQp_LIv0uFaV03qqMwpsJ2JPNtJCOj13250llWMWtVSgIbD-Z86v4Qlueb55BQCyaURGPrankb7BSXRsCg5mJbhcTr5gQ993qAutpmV/s400/SANY0064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450135189484228594" border="0" /></a>What happened? From whatever combination of factors, his pitching took an enormous step forward. Homer's fastball velocity consistently registered in the mid-to-high 90s for the first time in his professional career. He developed a split-finger pitch to accompany his fastball and breaking balls. Maybe it was just the added maturity that comes from experience and a dose of humility.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br />Today's Performance</span></span><br /><br />Homer took the mound this hot afternoon at Goodyear Ballpark against the Cleveland Indians. He pitched reasonably well, allowing a couple of runs over 3.2 innings. Homer flashed moments of brilliance, such as when he struck out former Reds outfielder Austin Kearns with a wicked breaking ball to end the third inning with bases loaded. On the other hand, he pitched with runners on base all four innings, primarily because he wasn't getting his first pitch over for a strike.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvjvyPkq50GufqQwFcjbjT0uGWzbZqWa5pdJ3YMhqL7TlUupO-LvfEFFOdDvevGtL-ZvCfOMPOrHhZOKzZyK5l2fE0qaoLoYTyCBbeOir4CvAUw6nAwpO73Nk9QD_z9xo484S8l9iS1Ts/s1600-h/SANY0095.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvjvyPkq50GufqQwFcjbjT0uGWzbZqWa5pdJ3YMhqL7TlUupO-LvfEFFOdDvevGtL-ZvCfOMPOrHhZOKzZyK5l2fE0qaoLoYTyCBbeOir4CvAUw6nAwpO73Nk9QD_z9xo484S8l9iS1Ts/s400/SANY0095.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450133774631449506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBY_Ezeb41xjpwREGIKx7h1AQa8ifGWSUAvkndTMqxjWwjHA5g6C2dyvg-cKHr3Dgwvrqm5ICtLWs-vMhFmvAd9VTWysuiFz5sPRCGFfTEroO55JMvAGw6Jj9_2o04a04O7bQrXZsxdYHG/s1600-h/SANY0032.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 129px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBY_Ezeb41xjpwREGIKx7h1AQa8ifGWSUAvkndTMqxjWwjHA5g6C2dyvg-cKHr3Dgwvrqm5ICtLWs-vMhFmvAd9VTWysuiFz5sPRCGFfTEroO55JMvAGw6Jj9_2o04a04O7bQrXZsxdYHG/s400/SANY0032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450133768257553074" border="0" /></a><br />Here Homer is warming up before the game, with new Reds pitching coach, Bryan Price, watching intently.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdMAsm5dg_Gyq-afgSZcp34TV9jjvrDCSo7tsmADTSuP53KNDa3tDTQ-XtCIdlzgXO_NwuK9bIPFXyXRW-q2jw5CGS5Phi78glpJVH5j-4VfN-jiRbsJ0Jt8KvsAIqNXBmAM4tGJo2UjG/s1600-h/SANY0061.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdMAsm5dg_Gyq-afgSZcp34TV9jjvrDCSo7tsmADTSuP53KNDa3tDTQ-XtCIdlzgXO_NwuK9bIPFXyXRW-q2jw5CGS5Phi78glpJVH5j-4VfN-jiRbsJ0Jt8KvsAIqNXBmAM4tGJo2UjG/s400/SANY0061.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450133758137280114" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Homer's ready</span></span><br /><br />The conclusion to 2009 left many encouraging signs for Homer's upcoming year. The potential for dominance is clearly there. His high school career is evidence of that. If Homer puts it all together, he'll become a 15-game (or more) winner with an ERA below 3.50. If that happens, the Reds have a great chance not only of finishing above .500 for the first time in nearly a decade, but also to make the post-season -- this year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsZDe6tuW0gFDIG4ByQO7rfz07IkGCu6ztu5T_ebzbIe74b1rhTs25VMVKpJkt0QnwHEkyFCDPR2D_xZEzwjxcZqi_YT1u-660YNvNGPzFpqbxLlHFc6FiKtdOSHpRskW3ip4bM4OYgYJ/s1600-h/SANY0063.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsZDe6tuW0gFDIG4ByQO7rfz07IkGCu6ztu5T_ebzbIe74b1rhTs25VMVKpJkt0QnwHEkyFCDPR2D_xZEzwjxcZqi_YT1u-660YNvNGPzFpqbxLlHFc6FiKtdOSHpRskW3ip4bM4OYgYJ/s400/SANY0063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450133742617638482" border="0" /></a>Does that put a lot on Homer's broad Texas shoulders? Sure does. But as Homer has recently said himself: "No excuses any more. It's time."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793430082432841622.post-41610340512961599312010-03-17T19:28:00.011-04:002010-03-17T20:56:44.866-04:00Chapman's day: Blistering and blistering?Welcome to the latest edition of <a href="http://seeingreds.blogspot.com/2010/03/chapmania-travel-day-first-look-at.html">Chapmania</a>. Cuban rookie pitcher Aroldis Chapman took the mound as a starter for the first time as a Reds player. The game was played at Goodyear Ballpark at 1:00 pm MT against the Milwaukee Brewers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECLnho7WMOIM32ZREN5Vqbq7gnX7_UhUimT5ocXGcl1vO7mCbGYAgKyqILXxHjKkQhknYG9Lv_fpSzNgijPFIKeTofKDLGE7ijMqRVON5fMm16ljB2UbJraH-HZjBSph-Lkp-k5cMBa8c/s1600-h/SANY0045.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECLnho7WMOIM32ZREN5Vqbq7gnX7_UhUimT5ocXGcl1vO7mCbGYAgKyqILXxHjKkQhknYG9Lv_fpSzNgijPFIKeTofKDLGE7ijMqRVON5fMm16ljB2UbJraH-HZjBSph-Lkp-k5cMBa8c/s400/SANY0045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449757182764292466" border="0" /></a>I was able to take quite a few close up shots and videos of Chapman as he moved through his pre-game routine and three innings of work. I also took some pictures of the trainers attending to something that might have been a blister that Chapman reported to the training staff during his workout. I haven't seen that reported anywhere, yet.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >Pre-game Stretching and Long Toss</span></span><br /><br />Chapman begins his pre-game warm up doing a series of strange stretches using the bullpen fence.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vJD6eyWCo3F3CEoYchbVV13amFTxZJiOTtcKOGgabrS9WWIGtI2vd1nRQNKE291xPGBhGQA2BC6JrfeB1iixlTCHXITVAP1jtAnQJvVkNWwIhtpiZTUEhZmDlOqe0WB5womei5Z63cxo/s1600-h/SANY0011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vJD6eyWCo3F3CEoYchbVV13amFTxZJiOTtcKOGgabrS9WWIGtI2vd1nRQNKE291xPGBhGQA2BC6JrfeB1iixlTCHXITVAP1jtAnQJvVkNWwIhtpiZTUEhZmDlOqe0WB5womei5Z63cxo/s400/SANY0011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449752994222908322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyMincXnvsBdCeoMiat_MkP1j8T7315Ou9IlaGstmSLGgf3Xozcc1bMJGCRvuun7Er0VfLUBD6tWa8wgV8XnD0Dk8x9uGiMltqXb8dNYZMyhwzqSNHnHcnJ0JHhJwV5QXMctZNl4Z46_M/s1600-h/SANY0010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyMincXnvsBdCeoMiat_MkP1j8T7315Ou9IlaGstmSLGgf3Xozcc1bMJGCRvuun7Er0VfLUBD6tWa8wgV8XnD0Dk8x9uGiMltqXb8dNYZMyhwzqSNHnHcnJ0JHhJwV5QXMctZNl4Z46_M/s400/SANY0010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449752989209551618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6K2aVdEj_fK8eDD9DwU2sStwfRj5Ua4Ffm4wjDIfAMsa7QB8mkEIBsh5gUEDszOf6aWlI4xc2l_C8cd1vkqa-om-SYCnIIp6t8CXD1wmbRb5MwriRM-MXvvaYCnCWnv41BB2XVmM85fBs/s1600-h/SANY0008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6K2aVdEj_fK8eDD9DwU2sStwfRj5Ua4Ffm4wjDIfAMsa7QB8mkEIBsh5gUEDszOf6aWlI4xc2l_C8cd1vkqa-om-SYCnIIp6t8CXD1wmbRb5MwriRM-MXvvaYCnCWnv41BB2XVmM85fBs/s400/SANY0008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449752981236444866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1ZNkcImVM8h9sRRe96nagi27uqbn22mdLQuOWuLp8Wq8X1rxcei_zpS8F2XGOvZNZWrFKHQe321wykg9ZzLxv0RGx11N_Sgs6EsD16AiO_haXNZjR-fe-FOC_ngal0WAxBtTZ7E4crU4/s1600-h/SANY0007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1ZNkcImVM8h9sRRe96nagi27uqbn22mdLQuOWuLp8Wq8X1rxcei_zpS8F2XGOvZNZWrFKHQe321wykg9ZzLxv0RGx11N_Sgs6EsD16AiO_haXNZjR-fe-FOC_ngal0WAxBtTZ7E4crU4/s400/SANY0007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449752971858042242" border="0" /></a><br />Then he moves to a traditional long toss session with game catcher Ramon Hernandez.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8ozJB3W2y4lzU66IpixGTv40Gjpofy5oRV3_t8zSosvU9_QHPupfsa5w9gpfLMF0v8Avfk3wm_0J0RtubLcu9TkVQxRmdMR_-nuHnm_nEMOPWqNfF57fb0t7YIxedFlw0QoNPMdK7h_k/s1600-h/SANY0016.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8ozJB3W2y4lzU66IpixGTv40Gjpofy5oRV3_t8zSosvU9_QHPupfsa5w9gpfLMF0v8Avfk3wm_0J0RtubLcu9TkVQxRmdMR_-nuHnm_nEMOPWqNfF57fb0t7YIxedFlw0QoNPMdK7h_k/s400/SANY0016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449753006980130018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXg0bZxGotn3naHq8VeXuhdilLLK4hvZ7Y8cntRnLOag5yFQAFgBUT0f_-TcAoqqAnXz7d7kqjFk0dJxs6PQbyHuJIFkJEK1jdkXj7tcpEn6tiZhpBtD4jR9XjmKYbyUFLgxBc3LBAjeDX/s1600-h/SANY0018.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 391px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXg0bZxGotn3naHq8VeXuhdilLLK4hvZ7Y8cntRnLOag5yFQAFgBUT0f_-TcAoqqAnXz7d7kqjFk0dJxs6PQbyHuJIFkJEK1jdkXj7tcpEn6tiZhpBtD4jR9XjmKYbyUFLgxBc3LBAjeDX/s400/SANY0018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449753754202882114" border="0" /></a>Here, he finishes his long toss with Edinson Volquez looking on.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFjfV40ac1o-s-T8o-sGYmjdEOrB9pW8xDEmGzgli1XCM8dTPfinlS2QT0_ASSTU3G-xYPXb5FHkeTKT4qrBFgEs28BnpvGolnrX1xXG05MAdZ5yxdjGsD1M7o_fUB0WFSciKejUli_mT/s1600-h/SANY0020.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFjfV40ac1o-s-T8o-sGYmjdEOrB9pW8xDEmGzgli1XCM8dTPfinlS2QT0_ASSTU3G-xYPXb5FHkeTKT4qrBFgEs28BnpvGolnrX1xXG05MAdZ5yxdjGsD1M7o_fUB0WFSciKejUli_mT/s400/SANY0020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449753757480578050" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chapman's Bullpen Session</span></span><br /><br />Chapman then moved to the bullpen, where he prepared the rubber and threw a couple dozen pitches. These photos are from Chapman's bullpen session.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPr4RES0q8MmvSUAvfIwe_cGgWj2jffWvhD6yGHsLWGGGCsmBrXJ1rnzMEx2Sam5ar35RzctbynELev8dLyjW6_9E5rsoDLl5H8_cRJyQmSK585L-yUfw9n5_jzROi0YaQypWvDicMgDE/s1600-h/SANY0033.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPr4RES0q8MmvSUAvfIwe_cGgWj2jffWvhD6yGHsLWGGGCsmBrXJ1rnzMEx2Sam5ar35RzctbynELev8dLyjW6_9E5rsoDLl5H8_cRJyQmSK585L-yUfw9n5_jzROi0YaQypWvDicMgDE/s400/SANY0033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449753781203844146" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_n6V9o3XT-RVcTGVk_CLZRiOC2Y8NbUy7EEpPwryXFmMJ5B3Xnt6V0pa0yBUai11gI2sGsDg6Xr_2XJx9QvZrRUfnLX4dbFqRDva61gKrC0IzQ7UDlYQrxKtM0S1AjYDTtaH7WkrV0cEp/s1600-h/SANY0046.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_n6V9o3XT-RVcTGVk_CLZRiOC2Y8NbUy7EEpPwryXFmMJ5B3Xnt6V0pa0yBUai11gI2sGsDg6Xr_2XJx9QvZrRUfnLX4dbFqRDva61gKrC0IzQ7UDlYQrxKtM0S1AjYDTtaH7WkrV0cEp/s400/SANY0046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449755377830422210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARQOf9t7rKEZHf8ko7tQd8DHgg_Jz1mTczyYq9Edil3yx6eZWsPVkNeTcQCsG9g2uNbN9Gc1va_qLeb831yK2QfISfQAfqzGdu871_0y1itd9NqXnOvB6xgPsxJ8Ny-rOBe7hBJ8reIgz/s1600-h/SANY0036.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARQOf9t7rKEZHf8ko7tQd8DHgg_Jz1mTczyYq9Edil3yx6eZWsPVkNeTcQCsG9g2uNbN9Gc1va_qLeb831yK2QfISfQAfqzGdu871_0y1itd9NqXnOvB6xgPsxJ8Ny-rOBe7hBJ8reIgz/s400/SANY0036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449755360168568578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33xHimiogDm4uHuuzxCSJPqsTughdSP3zV2GiFbtEsJdbS964qDx2Zj5l1ZiriXSrJ_j8a1hPiepqKChym2_84XJ9906l6F8xkNVImZmUyWELuIMWR87Hlu88GvehL7cJhr0ip4L9zfLm/s1600-h/SANY0031.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33xHimiogDm4uHuuzxCSJPqsTughdSP3zV2GiFbtEsJdbS964qDx2Zj5l1ZiriXSrJ_j8a1hPiepqKChym2_84XJ9906l6F8xkNVImZmUyWELuIMWR87Hlu88GvehL7cJhr0ip4L9zfLm/s400/SANY0031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449753778109707842" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAVS2AtvB78hPR3ERUTn8FHtSAocs0bTcdcySRcvzqxtMmrnF0B4E6lm_iTAz1HK1E2jo4nPrGcYa62OJE_MxhlnD2hmE_MHdIpgl8thqg6P0cWIxocPYVMAYNTjigeMH1QLD31GfaRS1f/s1600-h/SANY0025.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 373px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAVS2AtvB78hPR3ERUTn8FHtSAocs0bTcdcySRcvzqxtMmrnF0B4E6lm_iTAz1HK1E2jo4nPrGcYa62OJE_MxhlnD2hmE_MHdIpgl8thqg6P0cWIxocPYVMAYNTjigeMH1QLD31GfaRS1f/s400/SANY0025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449753766324403410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PYv8TCOOBtgxwBMg6iMn11vA8k5QNeW5gg8LVJuDzQMs7h-XFGN7Gl_XqxjBmVW9VFYQGWNelzEwkFQlH-N3EfZ41gvCCtaF0d135JO3fj6lGRhIfipGzdSCCLi7Ip-mHnU04_dt_fOy/s1600-h/SANY0038.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 362px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PYv8TCOOBtgxwBMg6iMn11vA8k5QNeW5gg8LVJuDzQMs7h-XFGN7Gl_XqxjBmVW9VFYQGWNelzEwkFQlH-N3EfZ41gvCCtaF0d135JO3fj6lGRhIfipGzdSCCLi7Ip-mHnU04_dt_fOy/s400/SANY0038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449755368155098466" border="0" /></a>These videos are of a couple of Chapman's bullpen pitches.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dylchnPmgf7wWuKyp9eTcLNfH85dy3PXAFRtNjOL4bUz1gZ4aTgr8f2a8ROBYnZ4t1NR9xNy_QVZGDbLfgNEA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyWhfOE4qY84ynEsSZeYJcKmt8bZdQT_iwUkU-PYzRW3YLDqvqIPHdpt2AxSbxijUyuY0o-N7wmC8vwZfkuMQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />A Blistering Finger?</span></span><br /><br />About mid-way through the bullpen session, Chapman alerted his coaches to a potential issue with one of his fingers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKNIMX1C0ShhIlh1UEXhyphenhypheniWCQx6P3TDlz9cBjPVNJ3W82hAvvbJRELe1kd2utgtVw6Yo2WJz7iE-9AoOIW2O1t0RuScO5PtflVuFFczle0iSRS7-9lPxM5lCcbzHOWDGfM9I9o8NMhf0m/s1600-h/SANY0035.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKNIMX1C0ShhIlh1UEXhyphenhypheniWCQx6P3TDlz9cBjPVNJ3W82hAvvbJRELe1kd2utgtVw6Yo2WJz7iE-9AoOIW2O1t0RuScO5PtflVuFFczle0iSRS7-9lPxM5lCcbzHOWDGfM9I9o8NMhf0m/s400/SANY0035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449754636783153298" border="0" /></a>In a few minutes the Reds' trainers came over and looked at it. The guy standing next to me, who had a really close view, said it looked like a small blister.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBtLY9Wd3OMqdDZCHUBWN8AbyOyvDJXMR7_6kq5iIk9_VBSjgvfkBGafsWfX20vs2NMPqNm186WYtIaaFXvrbOfw24OvDI10UzYUUbaFIroVIuJfdb-ZioNj2VuWcNxNPlO73tzZX-0ag/s1600-h/SANY0049.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBtLY9Wd3OMqdDZCHUBWN8AbyOyvDJXMR7_6kq5iIk9_VBSjgvfkBGafsWfX20vs2NMPqNm186WYtIaaFXvrbOfw24OvDI10UzYUUbaFIroVIuJfdb-ZioNj2VuWcNxNPlO73tzZX-0ag/s400/SANY0049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449754645495684050" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQMK16Thcwj1BnKt-ad_DKc2eGS0S0kkCFcdcYyQZx1alqsgFYyaKP-3DRkGDBGuWu2qN1z1wEFpUByZBZ4IpM9KaJ60CDdJDpz77ulcKjOva4cZ4KvIYx4YRuHZKODmvdq2SF0ZB8ssa/s1600-h/SANY0048.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQMK16Thcwj1BnKt-ad_DKc2eGS0S0kkCFcdcYyQZx1alqsgFYyaKP-3DRkGDBGuWu2qN1z1wEFpUByZBZ4IpM9KaJ60CDdJDpz77ulcKjOva4cZ4KvIYx4YRuHZKODmvdq2SF0ZB8ssa/s400/SANY0048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449754653617805490" border="0" /></a>Apparently the trainers didn't consider it to be anything serious as they didn't give Chapman any treatment and soon the pitcher returned to his bullpen session, showing no adverse effects.<br /><br />At the end of Chapman's bullpen session he threw a couple pitches with his fingers split apart and a fastball action. Here is a close up of that grip.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWziT708Ft5KrsbMrneffge059CdmH_n1k_SA3fkIBUmjTUMCQm1yilLflZyLs1OxuEaFbNfhDpXOMuEo788M11_sbp51v9NVbQrNXeJrKoTFIw-tpfwi3nAIvF_Cy8zZ8IWNL7vuI6MlW/s1600-h/SANY0054.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWziT708Ft5KrsbMrneffge059CdmH_n1k_SA3fkIBUmjTUMCQm1yilLflZyLs1OxuEaFbNfhDpXOMuEo788M11_sbp51v9NVbQrNXeJrKoTFIw-tpfwi3nAIvF_Cy8zZ8IWNL7vuI6MlW/s400/SANY0054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449755385811893730" border="0" /></a><br />UPDATE: Apparently this splitter came as a surprise to the Reds today, <a href="http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2010/03/17/lincoln-to-the-bullpen-new-pitch-for-chapman/">according to John Fay.</a><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chapman's Three In-Game Innings</span></span><br /><br />Chapman took the mound vs. the Brewers. Apparently Milwaukee second baseman Rickie Weeks didn't get the memo on Chapman. The Brewer leadoff hitter greeted the Cuban lefty with a homer deep out of the park in left-centerfield.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvttGCvUwpCQGFc1x4GAg5JDne5wkDW2J8We7scypEt5ww6XRd8XoXW5K8-_m9Yle0mHMXXJ_IVFAxpT5HGSg2a1rN5Hz8zL9lQmz5PZuw6TusCpzybNqnbdbrLSemGZ5x_QwRwPLDO65W/s1600-h/SANY0074.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvttGCvUwpCQGFc1x4GAg5JDne5wkDW2J8We7scypEt5ww6XRd8XoXW5K8-_m9Yle0mHMXXJ_IVFAxpT5HGSg2a1rN5Hz8zL9lQmz5PZuw6TusCpzybNqnbdbrLSemGZ5x_QwRwPLDO65W/s400/SANY0074.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449756304995087474" border="0" /></a>After Weeks' homer, Chapman settled down and dominated the Brewers for the rest of his three innings, recording five strikeouts, including one of Milwaukee slugger Ryan Braun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrhP2k2h9N2zHJOXdwmsKV9IXfubKfxl0ulCDoCTZZakU01RjZVcIOXdtE4U-Nwke2mC0oG_ZAQ-qUHu-F-vof-wJ4j9UmBMmYb4Rtw1JttsHztAycTkVo2gTWL5s89KSE8sAz63Om0ua/s1600-h/SANY0068.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrhP2k2h9N2zHJOXdwmsKV9IXfubKfxl0ulCDoCTZZakU01RjZVcIOXdtE4U-Nwke2mC0oG_ZAQ-qUHu-F-vof-wJ4j9UmBMmYb4Rtw1JttsHztAycTkVo2gTWL5s89KSE8sAz63Om0ua/s400/SANY0068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449756316766982530" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWF6yCdkZlYWuZYzWBgs43rnD_IZZwfTVXKoQx38kt5_N9q9rRitdekNpVEr33rOUq6JG42kiwUJMrAtgIXLOamCOHftgNnOPr2mnXSUgGIq8_zEq9iHCRtr9ZeI4v9fXWHX_bm9MZJ2G/s1600-h/SANY0069.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 384px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWF6yCdkZlYWuZYzWBgs43rnD_IZZwfTVXKoQx38kt5_N9q9rRitdekNpVEr33rOUq6JG42kiwUJMrAtgIXLOamCOHftgNnOPr2mnXSUgGIq8_zEq9iHCRtr9ZeI4v9fXWHX_bm9MZJ2G/s400/SANY0069.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449756310733482994" border="0" /></a>For an extensive account of Chapman's day, including quotes from Dusty Baker, read <a href="http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100317&content_id=8820544&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin">Mark Sheldon at MLB.com</a>.<br /><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Blistering Fastball</span></span><br /><br />I'm confident the radar guns showed Chapman reached 100 mph. How do I know this?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDXlJKJlUiB7KdIYnk-xm8q8OOB-EcvRw7bVgGgp_TDx8OevDjqABt4vuyWhKKmDzrZOBd2ENdt8HsjxNJty2Ft-P8GlzIudou3_hyphenhyphenoXuhrqAgDqu_BG1RhV-UeX4e1t9PQM6pay42ih9/s1600-h/SANY0073.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDXlJKJlUiB7KdIYnk-xm8q8OOB-EcvRw7bVgGgp_TDx8OevDjqABt4vuyWhKKmDzrZOBd2ENdt8HsjxNJty2Ft-P8GlzIudou3_hyphenhyphenoXuhrqAgDqu_BG1RhV-UeX4e1t9PQM6pay42ih9/s400/SANY0073.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449756288582013714" border="0" /></a>Because Jeff Brantley told me so. Brantley, my favorite Reds broadcaster and former major league closer, was sitting with the scouts who were using the radar guns. At the end of the second inning, I noticed as Brantley got someone's attention in the dugout and signaled/mouthed "one-zero-zero" and then, holding up three fingers, mouthed "three times." Again, this was after the second of Chapman's three innings.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzM-a1Ylp1nefveix-8xlZ2x_PAVCXlloxovEzIGOR1JT19D2bIinyAizSabGLx89GvRF8r6Aruu1z7_j15bjRseKYtLUYKx0tJnK1sUMnLP2V6PR0BYjgG-xrz0FF9fEoh2Ow-eogqhK/s1600-h/SANY0060.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 363px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzM-a1Ylp1nefveix-8xlZ2x_PAVCXlloxovEzIGOR1JT19D2bIinyAizSabGLx89GvRF8r6Aruu1z7_j15bjRseKYtLUYKx0tJnK1sUMnLP2V6PR0BYjgG-xrz0FF9fEoh2Ow-eogqhK/s400/SANY0060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449755393500187906" border="0" /></a>Here Chapman leaves the field after his outing, preparing to be greeted by Mike Leake, the other Reds pitcher who has been the subject of <a href="http://seeingreds.blogspot.com/2010/03/leake-mania.html">spring training mania</a> (at least on this blog).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1QvYHWqfhzlzBsXGrOq-fi6-xjRbWbBoQEe56CdnLL0xVZrNyucsu4w_OG19GXfgxwVSiH88aLPIV-3oNNU09RFg0askaltHvoBV1sW-WSzkeabo2da7G473JJfLxhTMVu9iA9SpoJff/s1600-h/SANY0075.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1QvYHWqfhzlzBsXGrOq-fi6-xjRbWbBoQEe56CdnLL0xVZrNyucsu4w_OG19GXfgxwVSiH88aLPIV-3oNNU09RFg0askaltHvoBV1sW-WSzkeabo2da7G473JJfLxhTMVu9iA9SpoJff/s400/SANY0075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449756297126370866" border="0" /></a>The Reds play a second game tonight. I'll post my non-Chapman thoughts about both games after the night game is over. In my opinion, Chapman looked great today.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793430082432841622.post-57364122979151447372010-03-16T17:41:00.011-04:002010-03-17T12:29:30.449-04:00Dickerson vs. Stubbs: Two battles, not oneChris Dickerson's 4-4 performance yesterday, raising his OBP to .455 should have caught Dusty Baker's attention, finally. Dickerson's home run that capped off the Reds 10-run first inning flew entirely out of Goodyear Ballpark and landed somewhere near the Siesta Key, I think. Throw in a double, a triple and a couple of stolen bases, and Chris Dickerson is having the best spring offensively of any Reds player. He needs to play.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8_niSrazz4xz3kChEl2c2GQMVp8bJiI0vu93sCllve4oXUF5GK_edddbSnFo8JKOpKUpSTdDrb9y3wTLvKA9ggMuCjLZzPbvFV0WGa8ZjWd0r9egjmVc-u5aZHUrRemqI12c_Ts9Ha_4/s1600-h/SANY0007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 372px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8_niSrazz4xz3kChEl2c2GQMVp8bJiI0vu93sCllve4oXUF5GK_edddbSnFo8JKOpKUpSTdDrb9y3wTLvKA9ggMuCjLZzPbvFV0WGa8ZjWd0r9egjmVc-u5aZHUrRemqI12c_Ts9Ha_4/s400/SANY0007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449373534402825730" border="0" /></a>Drew Stubbs has struggled in Goodyear, although today against the D-Backs in Tucson he doubled and tripled, scoring two runs and knocking in two others. So perhaps Stubbs is finally warming up. Good. Stubbs demonstrated an excellent upside in his call-up last fall, although he has yet to prove he can sustain that production over the course of several months or longer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74U8JQzvX_4GJgIprhYiKCvcM9_o_2wdgPrNEnEEvbrHqL5cej4UUaHae327oQ6UzGctFfWdiiYDQZAe5gtGxwcBQJzYH_XdQIPc_5tZy9M854SITLMYk-hfHaTPSydGDQPe_04XdrBjf/s1600-h/SANY0023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74U8JQzvX_4GJgIprhYiKCvcM9_o_2wdgPrNEnEEvbrHqL5cej4UUaHae327oQ6UzGctFfWdiiYDQZAe5gtGxwcBQJzYH_XdQIPc_5tZy9M854SITLMYk-hfHaTPSydGDQPe_04XdrBjf/s400/SANY0023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449372520701774082" border="0" /></a>Dickerson's recent standout performance has caused many in the media and blogosphere to focus on the competition on the Reds as one between Dickerson and Stubbs for the centerfield job. See <a href="http://marksheldon.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/03/cf_dickerson_hot_stubbs_not.html">Mark Sheldon</a>, <a href="http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2010/03/16/bruce-dickerson-gomes/">John Fay</a>, <a href="http://cnati.com/spring-training-2010/stubbs-struggling-early-001530/">C Trent Rosecrans at CNati</a>, <a href="http://redlegnation.com/2010/03/16/the-centerfield-question/">and Chad Dotson at Redleg Nation</a> for four examples of this framing.<br /><br />That's certainly an important aspect of the duel. But it's not the only one.<br /><br />A separate contest between the two Reds, namely the battle to see who gets to lead off the batting order, should also be taking place. But is it?<br /><br />Much has been made of manager Dusty Baker's tendency to bat his CF first, regardless of OBP. One need look no further than the number of AB he gave to Corey Patterson and Willy Taveras the past two years as evidence of that. Last year, inspired by the 1-2 lineup punch of Taveras and shortstop Alex Gonzalez, sportswriter Joe Posnanski <a href="http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/07/30/dusty-roads/">referred</a> tongue-in-cheek to Dusty's disdain for factoring in OBP as "something awe inspiring."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRLv8FJ_AoXVJBnxBT-e0RoyMC-NTbPp7AFw2lXtnb7ytPPOkJ4aQTgKLIfougF8Rm005AE4wyflsm1n152IF-EWviv8VhgC821cDVR42QRH6yCGtvz_R6cRsrSSNVZMDuaihNbHYumku/s1600-h/Cincinnati+Reds+v+New+York+Yankees+VJX57ERtrRhm.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRLv8FJ_AoXVJBnxBT-e0RoyMC-NTbPp7AFw2lXtnb7ytPPOkJ4aQTgKLIfougF8Rm005AE4wyflsm1n152IF-EWviv8VhgC821cDVR42QRH6yCGtvz_R6cRsrSSNVZMDuaihNbHYumku/s400/Cincinnati+Reds+v+New+York+Yankees+VJX57ERtrRhm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449374096225985154" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUnqwVtdAnO7UJTzD8tfYewWjOc3lvqtkjXiqnCNCGdl5h1s5WdsxZ_yMNHVffZ0_g0-ZtqI3MLNfZzuw6W0z7QIS45y19_Zkzx0mlnT1cD0DSLJCwHe1XkoF-t1SxWBRzTKKh6wAziO9/s1600-h/willy-taveras-mug.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUnqwVtdAnO7UJTzD8tfYewWjOc3lvqtkjXiqnCNCGdl5h1s5WdsxZ_yMNHVffZ0_g0-ZtqI3MLNfZzuw6W0z7QIS45y19_Zkzx0mlnT1cD0DSLJCwHe1XkoF-t1SxWBRzTKKh6wAziO9/s400/willy-taveras-mug.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449374092313355426" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Yet even this spring, when Baker clearly does have more than one viable leadoff hitter, he has made comments that would lead one to believe that determining his leadoff hitter is simply a matter of identifying whomever is playing CF.<br /><blockquote>"Right now you've got the No. 1 spot, you've got Stubbs and if he's not playing, Dickerson slides right in there without me tearing up my lineup."<br />-- <a href="http://cnati.com/blogs/ctrent/2010/02/morning-reds-22810.php">Dusty Baker, 2.28.10</a></blockquote>Baker could have said, "Right now you've got the No 1 spot, you've got Stubbs, but if Dickerson is doing a better job of hitting and getting on base, he could slide right in there." Reading Baker's actual statement, one couldn't be faulted for coming to the conclusion that defensive position is more important to Baker in determining who leads off than other factors such as who makes fewer outs. Remember that the leadoff hitter bats more times than anyone else on the team.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiliav2Av_H7-jg11agwWw88GNCtz5SaxDoeAOBGd9JYUs9eajnZ05AgPJlaFeXPKtzB79SnwxJihSMZDedK0VpxothjXIZtNEvX3okm8yYanEdaDbGIMcXdp2gDpZ9NpZb2Zsh9JSwdKvJ/s1600-h/Reds+Pirates+Baseball_De+L.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiliav2Av_H7-jg11agwWw88GNCtz5SaxDoeAOBGd9JYUs9eajnZ05AgPJlaFeXPKtzB79SnwxJihSMZDedK0VpxothjXIZtNEvX3okm8yYanEdaDbGIMcXdp2gDpZ9NpZb2Zsh9JSwdKvJ/s400/Reds+Pirates+Baseball_De+L.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449375939871407122" border="0" /></a>So what happens this year in the circumstance where <span style="font-style: italic;">both Stubbs and Dickerson are playing at the same time</span>, who then should bat leadoff?<br /><br />This is not an academic question. Dickerson and Stubbs are each double-plus defenders in the outfield, and both bring great offensive potential to the team. One could easily see a situation where they both deserve to start - with Chris Dickerson playing LF and Stubbs in CF, especially against right-handed pitchers. Johnny Gomes is another candidate for LF, as are a handful of others - Frazier, Heisey, Balentien and now, apparently Juan Francisco. But if the Reds want to emphasize preventing runs with their defense, Dickerson and Stubbs may both play. They may even turn out to be the two best hitters of that group.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6tBxwttMiDKtrE5DAfJxGIjiGBhHwEVb1EgORktoxPDxoRV2I_AclVOPZ45aLWPgZRiqZDF7jY5nJLpKedSUHZqjuRa0pvgaGmtB9octVZeX9cDvWWe4Cj6UT_CU-IhaxIrXl5saIDJa/s1600-h/SANY0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 346px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6tBxwttMiDKtrE5DAfJxGIjiGBhHwEVb1EgORktoxPDxoRV2I_AclVOPZ45aLWPgZRiqZDF7jY5nJLpKedSUHZqjuRa0pvgaGmtB9octVZeX9cDvWWe4Cj6UT_CU-IhaxIrXl5saIDJa/s400/SANY0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449372508864393842" border="0" /></a>So then, who leads off? While the battle for CF may be a close one, the competition to bat leadoff is not. <span style="font-weight: bold;">If</span> (and that is a mighty big two-letter word) a fair and open-minded competition is taking place, then Chris Dickerson's past and current performance should have easily, yes easily, won him the first spot in the order.<br /><br />Why? Well, he gets on base at a much higher rate than Drew Stubbs. This is primarily due to Dickerson's greater skill at taking walks. Batting averages can be misleading in this regard. Last year, Stubbs (.267) and Dickerson (.275) had reasonably close BA. But when factoring in walks, their production levels diverged, with Dickerson (.370) almost .050 points higher in OBP than Stubbs (.323).<br /><br />Dickerson's excellent walk rate of around 13% has remained steady throughout his career in the major and minor leagues, so there is every reason to believe he can sustain it. Stubbs' walk rate has steadily declined as he has progressed through the Reds organization -- 14% in A+, 10.5% in AA/AAA, and down to 7.7% for the Reds in 2009.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAKgo4vohB-oMCiuoEVpS5k22humHtsKGhtU4Y2zHJZ2EdjjNRBv5ge1Vf7i8lu-7KZNd26xt8visCfrEoj63KFriynA-dbOb9b3pIAdT0HpCg-yDWfaOhF7IXJz5IohocZuJjPXrBmm-/s1600-h/SANY0008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 203px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAKgo4vohB-oMCiuoEVpS5k22humHtsKGhtU4Y2zHJZ2EdjjNRBv5ge1Vf7i8lu-7KZNd26xt8visCfrEoj63KFriynA-dbOb9b3pIAdT0HpCg-yDWfaOhF7IXJz5IohocZuJjPXrBmm-/s400/SANY0008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449373536824240210" border="0" /></a>What difference does this make? Over 600 AB, a margin of .050 in OBP equates to 30 extra times on base for the likes of Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Scott Rolen and Brandon Phillips. It also increases the number of times those hitters get up to bat over the course of a season. That's not a trivial factor.<br /><br />Batting Dickerson in the leadoff spot and moving Stubbs down in the order, say to 6th or 7th, would also reduce the pressure on Stubbs, still a relatively inexperienced player.<br /><br />It would be great news for the Reds if the Drew Stubbs of 2010 and beyond was the same as the autumn 2009 model. I hope he is. But it still wouldn't make him a leadoff hitter anymore than Brandon Phillips is.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793430082432841622.post-53465538824720332172010-03-16T12:15:00.006-04:002010-03-16T14:01:09.112-04:00Leake-maniaHave you heard? The Reds have a 22-year-old pitcher with no major league experience, in his first major league spring training camp, who has so far turned in a world-class performance.<br /><br />Have you joined the Mania? In five innings, he's allowed no runs, earned or otherwise, given up only 2 hits and 1 walk, and has recorded six strikeouts.<br /><br />He's from Cuba, right? Wait, no ... San Diego, what? But I thought ...<br /><br />That's right, Mike Leake, the Reds #1 draft pick in 2009, who is less than three months older than Aroldis Chapman, has been dominant so far this spring.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3am3QHbtBNCc1iJnhze1IPQmp21FzILTIrD0DZZgtBcirOcTd5n3L5c3pwJW4Lx5dGz3UpO1cHORvkSrSJtzE5R_2sFKaxDD9w6sqh0EYFLasiRDrXcCb5zoYU9EzL_U35I-tkXbq7XR/s1600-h/SANY0037.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3am3QHbtBNCc1iJnhze1IPQmp21FzILTIrD0DZZgtBcirOcTd5n3L5c3pwJW4Lx5dGz3UpO1cHORvkSrSJtzE5R_2sFKaxDD9w6sqh0EYFLasiRDrXcCb5zoYU9EzL_U35I-tkXbq7XR/s400/SANY0037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449278897084847490" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">College Baseball Achievements</span></span><br />Leake was among the most accomplished pitchers in college baseball. As a junior last year at Arizona State University, he compiled a 16-1 record with a 1.71 ERA. He (not Stephen Strasburg) was named 2009 National Player of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association and was also a first-team All-American and Academic All-American.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >"That little dude can pitch." -- Dusty Baker</span><br />Based on what I saw in Goodyear yesterday, I couldn't agree more with Dusty Baker's assessment. Mike Leake can flat out bring it. And I can't wait to see him pitching in a Reds uniform in Great American Ballpark.<br /><br />One of the first things I noticed was how quickly Leake works on the mound. Several times he had received the pitch signal and was waiting for the hitter to get in the batter's box. He took the throw back from the catcher, looked right in for the indication, and was ready to deliver. He struck out four batters in two innings against the Oakland A's.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqyZA0p6trCQlP8MO_OTsTvPPcgrpMjONpqV2LYLfe5g0SXtSGSxrRWkBDyYpbbYvrTOEC_vRQAO7ELQNJh358wsmQ8kSq4cY_IqMDznb0tND-59_lSMWsoDBI_uxCXKI9_3j-OHLAy4PZ/s1600-h/SANY0038.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqyZA0p6trCQlP8MO_OTsTvPPcgrpMjONpqV2LYLfe5g0SXtSGSxrRWkBDyYpbbYvrTOEC_vRQAO7ELQNJh358wsmQ8kSq4cY_IqMDznb0tND-59_lSMWsoDBI_uxCXKI9_3j-OHLAy4PZ/s400/SANY0038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449278875958788290" border="0" /></a>In his previous outing, he faced the Angels in Tempe, where he played college ball at ASU. He also pitched two scoreless innings <a href="http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/category/mike-leake/">in that outing</a>.<br /><p></p><blockquote><p></p><blockquote>“It was kind of fun facing some major leaguers. I’m finally where I had a goal to be – I’m not quite there – it was nice to face some people I’ve been watching on TV for a long time."</blockquote><p></p> <p></p><blockquote> <p>“I was hoping it was their big guys. That’s what I need to face, so I know what I’m up against when I get to that point. It’s kind of like a dream come true right now.”</p> <p>Leake had his good stuff working.</p> <p>“My sinker was actually working a little too much for me,” Leake said. “I didn’t get the feel until the second inning. It was working well. I was trying to mix up.”</p> <p>His only quibble with his outing was his walk of Bobby Abreu.</p> <p>“I don’t like walking people,” he said. “That’s my pet peeve. It was good coming back and getting the groundball.”</p></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote><p></p></blockquote><p></p><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Other scouting reports</span></span><br />ESPN baseball analyst Keith Law had this to say about Leake in <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/insider/columns/story?columnist=law_keith&id=4859883">his preview</a> of the Top 100 prospects in baseball (Leake was #72).<br /><blockquote>Leake pitched at 88-92 mph in college but will probably be more 87-90 working every fifth day. But that two-seamer has a hard, late tailing action that should get ground balls and even break some bats. He has a standard assortment of off-speed pitches, including a short two-planer curveball with a break that appears to accelerate as it approaches the batter, a hard changeup around 80-81 mph with some tail, and a slider with good tilt just below that velocity. He's a serious strike-thrower who commands his fastball and works fast, which may give hitters less time to adjust to the way he's changing speeds and locations on them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-aaMQ2dDIajRCwpU07niloLoflPSiuERQS_qBJzUCuSQech6O0MFkAJpDELq7n4Jgl_kjPV0fr_ks96rSiypgaPPB9Oqg8O1-DKMq12jwSgIZur3l_RNhfR-VKDhlAqcJ7nr3w_WjrtY/s1600-h/SANY0036.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 322px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-aaMQ2dDIajRCwpU07niloLoflPSiuERQS_qBJzUCuSQech6O0MFkAJpDELq7n4Jgl_kjPV0fr_ks96rSiypgaPPB9Oqg8O1-DKMq12jwSgIZur3l_RNhfR-VKDhlAqcJ7nr3w_WjrtY/s400/SANY0036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449278867082065058" border="0" /></a><br /></blockquote><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Can he make the team?</span></span><br />When Dusty Baker was asked this question recently, <a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100315/SPT04/303150081/Reds++young+pitchers+shine">he said</a>:<br /><blockquote>“I don’t know. This is Leake’s first spring training period. It’s Wood’s first major-league camp. Let’s let them pitch first. And then we’ll see what’s happening. Just go pitch, son. Don’t worry about making the team. Don’t worry about not making the team. Don’t worry about nothing.”<br /><br /></blockquote>Realistically, with Harang, Arroyo, Cueto and Bailey already penciled in for the rotation, the odds for Leake right now are high. His main competition is Matt Maloney. <a href="http://redlegnation.com/2010/03/15/matt-maloney-wins-fifth-starter-role/">Chad Dotson, at Redleg Nation</a>, makes a compelling case that Maloney has already "won" the #5 job. And, of course, there is Aroldis Chapman. It's a great luxury for the Reds that they can keep Leake in the minors for a while, and let him get used to professional baseball.<br /><br />But he's no "prospect." Leake is polished. He has won 40 games in college already, and passed the Arizona Fall League test with ease (1.37 ERA in 5 starts). He's not your typical young pitcher who needs a lot of seasoning. He's very close to being ready to help the Reds.<br /><br />Leake, Chapman and Travis Wood sure make it a lot more comforting to contemplate a post-Harang, post-Arroyo world in 2011.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793430082432841622.post-51478283290221527952010-03-16T10:40:00.006-04:002010-03-16T13:57:19.591-04:00Observations for 3.15By now you already know that the Reds scored 10 runs in the first inning yesterday before Oakland starting pitcher Ben Sheets recorded an out. They won the game 13-5. I'll post separate items on Chris Dickerson and Mike Leake later today.<br /><br />Some additional things about yesterday's game that you might not know if you weren't in Goodyear:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >Joey Votto is making this look easy</span></span><br /><br />In the first inning, with the score still 0-0, Votto lined a single to left-centerfield as easily as if it were batting practice. Two of his hits yesterday were also to the opposite field. He's obviously seeing it really well and his swing is simple and relaxed.<br /><br />On top of his hitting exploits, for the second day in a row, he made the best defensive play of the game for the Reds. In the fifth inning he snared a line drive that was over his head and destined for the rightfield corner. He also made a nice play on a ground ball in the hole, tossing it strongly to covering pitcher Mike Lincoln -- a play Votto practices dozens of times every day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7IozqCZK2VdJbcfarrOoTNmIZCglFYhH8dFZbDTbjr6JkN0fk91IUYuSkJ_ySIwkP5Qwhf3tPbAeUB3kFTPLNwGu2ss21cTteCBLLJHPF1VEyjeZHGAgP8ttRzLuSmVFlJasPYwzfFq0/s1600-h/SANY0025.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7IozqCZK2VdJbcfarrOoTNmIZCglFYhH8dFZbDTbjr6JkN0fk91IUYuSkJ_ySIwkP5Qwhf3tPbAeUB3kFTPLNwGu2ss21cTteCBLLJHPF1VEyjeZHGAgP8ttRzLuSmVFlJasPYwzfFq0/s400/SANY0025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449258217233657954" border="0" /></a>It's a thrill to go to the park just to watch JV play. I don't think an MVP-type season is out of the question.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >The Reds broadcasters were in the house</span></span><br /><br />Even though it was an off day for live radio and TV coverage, at least three members of the Reds broadcast team were seated in my section yesterday, taking in the Reds pounding of the A's. Chris Welch was sitting with Jeff Brantley. The Hall of Famer was there, too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintBQ6FRkjAFLpndEnAc4kB2BYb43MUZCzcl6DIRZOjRinkMAquyLvG_enFo22ORnXjM5lqgIm-ZD8Yh_IlNioIJbNexlxovJGI0xqsEEn5AsUtGw0SqTGzfoc3QcAeswpvXqFn3vIslLZ/s1600-h/SANY0018.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 372px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintBQ6FRkjAFLpndEnAc4kB2BYb43MUZCzcl6DIRZOjRinkMAquyLvG_enFo22ORnXjM5lqgIm-ZD8Yh_IlNioIJbNexlxovJGI0xqsEEn5AsUtGw0SqTGzfoc3QcAeswpvXqFn3vIslLZ/s400/SANY0018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449256294618148690" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >I'd slow down the Juan Francisco fanfare</span><br /><br />Yes, he's hit some blasts this spring. I can see what the excitement is all about. But I'd still keep it classified under the heading of "potential" until Francisco can demonstrate more patience at the plate. I saw his laser-shot in the "B" game on Sunday morning against the Indians. It rocketed over the right field fence before you knew what had happened.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dlLbsMRIzxI3ZJUKteKqPZiYTZE8Vnb42sSwSsCM8WKretaCuVIHFf2O-LtlY4MtYYieNYidByPHgmd7n4xOcluZgfLtJRcE82J95QbOXmo28-i_yzWHpwy5DLY3VMHR_J6eiSLxtPde/s1600-h/SANY0026.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dlLbsMRIzxI3ZJUKteKqPZiYTZE8Vnb42sSwSsCM8WKretaCuVIHFf2O-LtlY4MtYYieNYidByPHgmd7n4xOcluZgfLtJRcE82J95QbOXmo28-i_yzWHpwy5DLY3VMHR_J6eiSLxtPde/s400/SANY0026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449256372260409858" border="0" /></a>BUT, in general, he is still a liability when at bat. He swings at everything, including a pitch yesterday that was at-or-above eye level. The major league pitchers won't give him anything to hit. He joined the hit parade against Ben Sheets yesterday with a single to left, but otherwise struck out twice, badly.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >Travis Wood looked more than fine</span><br /><br />I guess it was a little unrealistic to expect Travis Wood to go the entire season without giving up a run. After retiring three batters in the 5th inning on 6 pitches, Wood lost his focus for a while in the 6th inning, giving up two walks, a single to Adam Rosales, and his first run of the spring.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlTLqVDK0bDXdZAHRpOMIOb6FaHlFhmppZ-mUJNxkqPb4tF93-HbDrM9bK-3pSvmObDcfm4FNYLnQXXddOmlB0qtaZRRLXl6yXqqEfJdZqs-BHFscwViEdnRrzsBVfsOvM8XJW0k5a_QH/s1600-h/SANY0033.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 331px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlTLqVDK0bDXdZAHRpOMIOb6FaHlFhmppZ-mUJNxkqPb4tF93-HbDrM9bK-3pSvmObDcfm4FNYLnQXXddOmlB0qtaZRRLXl6yXqqEfJdZqs-BHFscwViEdnRrzsBVfsOvM8XJW0k5a_QH/s400/SANY0033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449256385078405602" border="0" /></a>Wood returned for a dominant 7th inning, and struck out four A's over the course of his three innings. There is a lot to be encouraged about with Travis Wood.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">CoCo Cordero, same old, same old (in the good way)</span></span><br /><br />Cordero came in to pitch the fourth inning, giving up a couple of hits before getting down to business and retiring the A's without giving up a run.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OBFy-ze7i17OZSy48JckWDiorcJZiPmD2AIxXFV2DL245SbHI-iF8KxRdVsqEoqQ_Bq18WumXq5sx6w5CLma4h-UzMPzKO8hTAkb_G5pYvMbMlStav8X75MXZhD_RBhbrX0QK4DY7VWH/s1600-h/SANY0019.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 373px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OBFy-ze7i17OZSy48JckWDiorcJZiPmD2AIxXFV2DL245SbHI-iF8KxRdVsqEoqQ_Bq18WumXq5sx6w5CLma4h-UzMPzKO8hTAkb_G5pYvMbMlStav8X75MXZhD_RBhbrX0QK4DY7VWH/s400/SANY0019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449256345967084114" border="0" /></a>Remember the past two years how Cordero seems to be less effective when a save is not on the line? Well, imagine how he must have felt entering the game in the fourth inning with the score Reds 10, Oakland 0. It was comforting to see his unusual "look-in" to the pitcher yesterday. The bullpen should be another strength for the Reds again this year.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Adam Rosales doesn't look right in green and gold</span><br /><br />Part of the collateral damage that was the Reds disastrous signing of Willy Taveras in 2009 was that we had to ship out Adam Rosales in a trade to get rid of Taveras. (Not to mention having to take on Aaron Miles, look at the next item ... )<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT1xpmw2DaOSwJTUaBEijAuuL5qH28bhcXff2UOzExoPa4yjq-fTLDp-EtKy99C3Zeg_4rPBRFOALLVuLT-8jBwBbcY-Ou90QlaD327GhDl5ftYDcJ3zNO4ceC3ReESPSo1v5sc4E1cTs/s1600-h/SANY0024.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT1xpmw2DaOSwJTUaBEijAuuL5qH28bhcXff2UOzExoPa4yjq-fTLDp-EtKy99C3Zeg_4rPBRFOALLVuLT-8jBwBbcY-Ou90QlaD327GhDl5ftYDcJ3zNO4ceC3ReESPSo1v5sc4E1cTs/s400/SANY0024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449256359170670258" border="0" /></a>Rosales apparently has a shot at the regular SS job with the A's, which he wouldn't have had with the Reds. In fact, the Reds' signing of Orlando Cabrera, made Rosales somewhat expendable. Yesterday, Rosales was 3-3 for the A's and knocked in and scored a run. No surprise that he ran the bases hard.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">I'm afraid we have Miles and miles to go</span></span><br /><br />Aaron Miles continues to struggle at the plate, going hitless again yesterday. The 10-run first inning would have been cut somewhat short had not Mark Ellis dropped Miles' weak ground ball right at the second base bag. That was a sure-fire double play. His other two AB produced similar dribbling ground outs. Further, Miles is just average in the field. Yesterday, he fielded a pop-up way over his head, clearly Chris Dickerson's ball in CF. I suppose you do things like that in order to make the team.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6Cb_LAW1vedluXGl_Tjhhnfw3RpTU7qzCIGuRgqnMFH9MvQ2ZMoixdW0b-EvvBavGe8e03cr8oomkMPL2q87eV2kOH6aYkqjDl4kscYXoY-stbbOtfvQXT1WQPgAmX1N9cJLWX_AqC9m/s1600-h/SANY0028.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6Cb_LAW1vedluXGl_Tjhhnfw3RpTU7qzCIGuRgqnMFH9MvQ2ZMoixdW0b-EvvBavGe8e03cr8oomkMPL2q87eV2kOH6aYkqjDl4kscYXoY-stbbOtfvQXT1WQPgAmX1N9cJLWX_AqC9m/s400/SANY0028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449258207848242210" border="0" /></a>Dusty Baker is sure giving Miles every opportunity, but there is just no good reason to keep him on the roster. The Reds have other options. Paul Janish is much better in the field. Drew Sutton is better in the field and at the plate. Throw in Miguel Cairo and Chris Burke, who also could fill the utility IF role. Todd Frazier is the Reds top minor league hitting prospect and he plays the infield and outfield.<br /><br />But unfortunately, that doesn't mean Miles won't make the trip back to Cincinnati in April. He has a $2+ million contract the Reds would have to eat, and he played 2B on Walt Jocketty's 2006 St. Louis Cardinals world championship team. If Miles does make the team, I suspect it won't be Baker's call. He doesn't seem all that pleased watching Miles.<br /><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">What the Mariners saw in Wladimir Balentien</span></span><br /><br />Wladimir Balentien was signed out of Curacao at the age of 15 by the Seattle Mariners. He excelled at every level of their minor league organization, but struggled with their major league club. He was traded to the Reds for Robert Manual in 2009. In 110 AB with the Reds last year he had a solid OBP of .352 to go along with 3 homers, seven doubles and a triple.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ndnm8s13MqhLDNGL2Aw9uIwkzOVxMXYMiVsSoXHOLVTuiDwzP1qIWNm8EBudZQfdqw-3-LgwF-ZpL9CAfW6nx2jttzpnYH1gtb-8xuoxHsnwq6at05TmPF33Psdjm4jiAQKb0QFcFKcm/s1600-h/SANY0050.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ndnm8s13MqhLDNGL2Aw9uIwkzOVxMXYMiVsSoXHOLVTuiDwzP1qIWNm8EBudZQfdqw-3-LgwF-ZpL9CAfW6nx2jttzpnYH1gtb-8xuoxHsnwq6at05TmPF33Psdjm4jiAQKb0QFcFKcm/s400/SANY0050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449258193677308978" border="0" /></a>But it's obvious that he's getting squeezed out of the Reds crowded OF this year. Johnny Gomes seems destined to play the role of RH slugger. Dusty Baker is making limited opportunities for Balentien to earn his keep. <br /><br />Yesterday, however, Balentien came up in the 6th inning with Miguel Cairo on base and knocked the first pitch he saw over the right field fence. I guess if he plays well enough the rest of spring the Reds might be able to trade him.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793430082432841622.post-83791275008158504522010-03-14T23:03:00.005-04:002010-03-15T01:00:30.033-04:00Observations for 3.14<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Aaron Harang pitched well</span><br /><br />Aaron Harang put in a solid day's work, shutting down the Cleveland Indians over 4.1 innings in a "B" game this morning at the Reds #1 practice field. Facing a lineup comprised primarily of second and third-tier hitter, Harang allowed a hit and a couple of walks, but gave up no runs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cgR2keHnDKTz38KFDCRyZ_B2eEMxnu0SzX1P4ec6dN65piH3Bf6fUZ5EFlQkxz8vxqqxJ4sb8-3_SbYGpl6cGtu10geXDgJvb6G5igJzbF4DIWLq5HRwpN0Xz5uzzuZXwroRW5LlgvOe/s1600-h/SANY0006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cgR2keHnDKTz38KFDCRyZ_B2eEMxnu0SzX1P4ec6dN65piH3Bf6fUZ5EFlQkxz8vxqqxJ4sb8-3_SbYGpl6cGtu10geXDgJvb6G5igJzbF4DIWLq5HRwpN0Xz5uzzuZXwroRW5LlgvOe/s400/SANY0006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448718936415852162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Travis Hafner swears more loudly than he hits</span><br /><br />Travis Hafner, the Indians' DH was the only starter for the Tribe who played in this game. He struck out looking in his first AB. His second AB came with a runner at first. When Hafner weakly grounded into a fielder's choice, he let his displeasure by known by yelling an expletive so that all in attendance could hear it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Eric Davis and Ozzie Guillen are good friends</span><br /><br />Before the Reds' game against the White Sox, Reds Hall of Famer, Eric Davis greeted Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen near home plate with a huge hug. It turns out they were teammates for a brief period of time on the Baltimore Orioles in 1998.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlS1mHx7HNewZJ2r3NFlwgX6nDl5WB_g7OhJsObbPOtnbHHWVRaVN2iEZflcZIR-eAxcly2y4DTsO9_1QCMdvaR4aKbpDAvbMeLXpywxjko-s_0snfVjuHbaXssKFpCwQBfphTDCOrRxu/s1600-h/SANY0011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlS1mHx7HNewZJ2r3NFlwgX6nDl5WB_g7OhJsObbPOtnbHHWVRaVN2iEZflcZIR-eAxcly2y4DTsO9_1QCMdvaR4aKbpDAvbMeLXpywxjko-s_0snfVjuHbaXssKFpCwQBfphTDCOrRxu/s400/SANY0011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448718945635707922" border="0" /></a>It's worth remembering the year that Davis had in 1987. He had 37 home runs, 50 stolen bases, 100 RBI and a .399 OBP. He also won a Gold Glove for his defense that year. 1986 wasn't too shabby for Davis, either. In only 415 AB he hit 27 HR an stole 80 bases. Ozzie Guillen as well won a Gold Glove for shortstop in 1990.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">There was a Drew Sutton sighting</span><br /><br />Drew Sutton, who presumably is competing for a roster spot on the Reds has managed only 7 AB prior to today, when he was a 6th inning substitution at 3B for Scott Rolen. Sutton lined a sharp single to centerfield and stole 2B on the first pitch. I've read reports that Sutton has regained quite a bit of weight that he lost due to illness last year. It certainly appears that way in person.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJlJjLMFyu8AACDDAcy93qO-JI_W3h1VUom_-8i8RDjKKjeDckp_wCnJ4XCtcmk1BgGIQq85iOsLTkCGvC39Hi1zbwF_9YGEbErcz3KcaMGh7Piwr2gCbu_KSYCzREfbekHDUjRrhOJPQ/s1600-h/SANY0036.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJlJjLMFyu8AACDDAcy93qO-JI_W3h1VUom_-8i8RDjKKjeDckp_wCnJ4XCtcmk1BgGIQq85iOsLTkCGvC39Hi1zbwF_9YGEbErcz3KcaMGh7Piwr2gCbu_KSYCzREfbekHDUjRrhOJPQ/s400/SANY0036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448719003125069250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />The Reds can play defense, too</span><br /><br />There were a few noteworthy defensive plays by the Reds today. Joey Votto stole a certain single from Omar Vizquel by diving to his right to snare a line drive headed into right field. His catch enabled him to double White Sox runner Alexei Ramirez off of 1B.<br /><br />Chris Dickerson flashed his powerful and accurate arm late in the game when he threw a bullet to home plate on a fly. The White Sox wisely decided to hold their runner at 3B. Dickerson's throw was so impressive it drew a large applause despite not recording an out.<br /><br />Finally, Johnny Gomes made a nice play on a fly ball hit to deep left centerfield.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The top of our order is impatient</span><br /><br />If Dusty Baker continues to bat Drew Stubbs first and Orlando Cabrera second, the Reds will be last in the league in the number of pitches seen in those two batting order spots. Neither Stubbs nor Cabrera walk very often. Today they both swung at the first pitch more often than not. As I've said before, the Reds would be better served if Chris Dickerson and Scott Rolen batted #1 and #2 respectively, as both draw walks at a high rate.<br /><br />This has been a perpetual blind spot for Baker's lineups while in Cincinnati - see Corey Patterson and Willy Taveras. Orlando Cabrera's career OBP is within .001 of the career OBP for Taveras. The result is fewer runners on base for Votto, Phillips, Rolen and Bruce.<br /><br />It's fitting that among the reams of information provided in the 447-page Reds 2010 Media Guide, including dozens of statistics about each player, you will not find their On Base Percentage anywhere. That's Dark Ages stuff.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Matt Maloney can fool baserunners</span><br /><br />Twice in three innings, Reds LHP Matt Maloney helped his own cause by picking off Chicago runners at first base.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Omar Vizquel plays 3B now, not SS</span><br /><br />11-time Gold Glove winner, Omar Vizquel, is now trying to make the White Sox. A career shortstop, Vizquel is now playing 3B for Chicago. He won 9 consecutive defensive awards for the Mariners and Indians, a streak that was broken in 2002 by Alex Rodriguez (who also now plays third base).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aF2srBkEkJkGyCT-WF5j30S5HmWroI3xZEuCg9ktXGZUIjzftmbR-Anvf-B7fT15eb-PM4n6-jcLYtGr7pBJMo30mY8CLAU3hWij15XE9vw9fDojcm82gs0HD19e7DyROdbqF1cE3XZs/s1600-h/SANY0017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aF2srBkEkJkGyCT-WF5j30S5HmWroI3xZEuCg9ktXGZUIjzftmbR-Anvf-B7fT15eb-PM4n6-jcLYtGr7pBJMo30mY8CLAU3hWij15XE9vw9fDojcm82gs0HD19e7DyROdbqF1cE3XZs/s400/SANY0017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448718983693943906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Brandon Phillips can mash</span><br /><br />In the 7th inning, designated hitter Brandon Phillips blasted a deep home run off of White Sox reliever and former University of Michigan pitcher, J. J. Putz. The ball was hit to dead centerfield and struck the wall about 20 feet up the green batter's eye, above the yellow home run line. Here he is touching home after his bomb.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTq-rCGTLm8ulxAvjHrD6sKP5AEYZ1Rn9yVQyFjgb29OkVfoaGuGF_IG1DXVZBoS6x76zYfeFwBsDc4dzCiswqDhv1z47QqrLa9dwyaoCGw6rQcen9S7DB3FagdiF501VWV4zv47O_6a65/s1600-h/SANY0037.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTq-rCGTLm8ulxAvjHrD6sKP5AEYZ1Rn9yVQyFjgb29OkVfoaGuGF_IG1DXVZBoS6x76zYfeFwBsDc4dzCiswqDhv1z47QqrLa9dwyaoCGw6rQcen9S7DB3FagdiF501VWV4zv47O_6a65/s400/SANY0037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448719657694801170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Aaron Miles on the other hand ...</span><br /><br />Aaron Miles, who came to the Reds in the "bad contracts swap" with the A's -- the Reds sending Willy Taveras and Adam Rosales to Oakland -- is trying to make the team as a utility player. He looked solid in the field at 2B today, but he didn't do much at the plate to help himself today.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Uj6W42sbt_UGi-T_0R8WfzzBdWiUDDwqgxgFx1_j3Lr0YpUqaYZ1p8lrQxXo8WZMuQ9X2e6qb5V2sDoUOsy2PGdC_ppdcTx1bIsDWwxy4e3fg0fgHa2kFPImh4PUFrPGa4yknQ3pi8df/s1600-h/SANY0028.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Uj6W42sbt_UGi-T_0R8WfzzBdWiUDDwqgxgFx1_j3Lr0YpUqaYZ1p8lrQxXo8WZMuQ9X2e6qb5V2sDoUOsy2PGdC_ppdcTx1bIsDWwxy4e3fg0fgHa2kFPImh4PUFrPGa4yknQ3pi8df/s400/SANY0028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448719670528052450" border="0" /></a>It's hard to believe that Miles helps the Reds overall more than Paul Janish and Drew Sutton, the two most likely competitors for the two IF roster backup slots. I guess it would be cliché to say that there are 2.1 million reasons why he'll make the team. Miles is also lucky that he's a favorite of Reds GM Walt Jocketty, having played 2B for Jocketty's World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals in 2006.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">We need more of this from Jay Bruce</span><br /><br />Last season, Jay Bruce at the plate was pretty much all-or-nothing. He either hit a home run (28) or made an out (OBP=.303). In his second AB today, with Joey Votto in scoring position and two outs, Bruce calmly lined a pitch from John Danks into right field for a base hit, scoring Votto.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLxGDlxuLiZ3NY5AZJ4ho5UaUVHt9UfuAvuggwZmhl2i3a-g7CQH43sTGP7Ilz_JfF95YXmM25grP151NkjP5wNxF3JnpWA9-SI-1p0irjbhWuVV7Mhzqd0Pu2K_7Cy-Zttwsw9ASR5wS/s1600-h/SANY0023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLxGDlxuLiZ3NY5AZJ4ho5UaUVHt9UfuAvuggwZmhl2i3a-g7CQH43sTGP7Ilz_JfF95YXmM25grP151NkjP5wNxF3JnpWA9-SI-1p0irjbhWuVV7Mhzqd0Pu2K_7Cy-Zttwsw9ASR5wS/s400/SANY0023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448718995068516514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Tomorrow</span><br /><br />The Reds play the Oakland A's at Goodyear Ballpark at 1 PM.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793430082432841622.post-50458764338656409742010-03-14T09:57:00.009-04:002010-03-14T20:18:22.678-04:00Reviewing the IndiansMy cousin Randy and his son Ray were in Goodyear with me for the first three days of my trip and we spent our time primarily watching their hometown Cleveland Indians. The Indians share the Goodyear Ballpark facility with the Reds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VKIa-GiDUeIIBN552XG10Rpl1cFns-4crEbMzLORCmJUQbVoJRZYKD75kRsEr6bVDRCVHXkoXVwo0zZ5v4hptL_1MW2862lUa87xsECspnpoubhKfb-tfNG4-hPTZXxfJ5NMgyhnaaO2/s1600-h/SANY0073.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VKIa-GiDUeIIBN552XG10Rpl1cFns-4crEbMzLORCmJUQbVoJRZYKD75kRsEr6bVDRCVHXkoXVwo0zZ5v4hptL_1MW2862lUa87xsECspnpoubhKfb-tfNG4-hPTZXxfJ5NMgyhnaaO2/s400/SANY0073.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448510799383908962" border="0" /></a>Cleveland has an excellent top of the lineup, lead by shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, centerfielder Grady Sizemore and rightfielder Shin-Soo Choo.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Asdrubal Cabrera</span><br /><br />Asdrubal Cabrera was born in Venezuala, sharing that birthplace with the shortstop from the Big Red Machine, Davey Concepcion. The 24-year-old Cabrera, presumably as a tribute, wears Concepcion's #13. As a leadoff hitter, Cabrera gives Cleveland a legitimate on-base threat who can get on base for Grady Sizemore. Cabrera, a switch-hitter, had an OBP of .361 in 2009 and the Indians surely hope he'll return to the walk rate of 11% that he showed in 2008 instead of his 7.6% in 2009. He swiped 17 bases last year, batting primarily out of the #2 spot in the lineup.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkMhu7-V44qjWNYgwsGykbda9KDktThefhxU6CZIyQwrz2bc9jk2iGx8Ia1zBc-yRCV9DSLQSsvAxROh8bYg5-861Ec8ySnsMbN1xTdMo5hJuNhFog5Tn51CuhZoh9AMj-durd9hqbJ6Z/s1600-h/SANY0078.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 346px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkMhu7-V44qjWNYgwsGykbda9KDktThefhxU6CZIyQwrz2bc9jk2iGx8Ia1zBc-yRCV9DSLQSsvAxROh8bYg5-861Ec8ySnsMbN1xTdMo5hJuNhFog5Tn51CuhZoh9AMj-durd9hqbJ6Z/s400/SANY0078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448505565742730466" border="0" /></a>Our first-hand report seemed to confirm most of the hopes of Indian fans, as Cabrera got on base, ran, and played a solid SS. He did leave Friday's game with a "mild" left groin pull after tripling. After diving back to third base, Cabrera called the trainers onto the field and clearly signaled the location of his injury, although he didn't seem to be limping. He is listed as day-to-day.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grady Sizemore</span><br /><br />Grady Sizemore has been the Indians' leadoff hitter since his start with the team. One of the first big decisions made by new Cleveland manager Manny Acta was to move Sizemore to the #2 spot in the lineup to increase his opportunity to drive in runs. In 2008, the Seattle native accomplished a rare 30-30 feat, hitting 33 home runs to go with 38 stolen bases. Sizemore's numbers dropped off considerably in 2009 due to nagging injuries and the Indians obviously hope he returns to his 2008 form. He'll turn 28 during the 2010 season.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TLGQgpwZhXlSSJR2Tcak47c1ZXQHLALYDB88glD6N0rUHPPIV9TSZeD1BMrGxss1NTwrrb7UtKP0HJvaebmGddOJV34DTuIHyK7WZeOdNLbd9gDLUxsLXRnRGGHRfDSEv38gkfuSN69_/s1600-h/SANY0028.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 394px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TLGQgpwZhXlSSJR2Tcak47c1ZXQHLALYDB88glD6N0rUHPPIV9TSZeD1BMrGxss1NTwrrb7UtKP0HJvaebmGddOJV34DTuIHyK7WZeOdNLbd9gDLUxsLXRnRGGHRfDSEv38gkfuSN69_/s400/SANY0028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448506356071500162" border="0" /></a>Again, Tribe fans have reason to be optimistic based on what we saw. Grady looked completely healthy in the games we watched. He launched a monstrous grand slam out of Goodyear Ballpark on Wednesday and made several excellent plays while patrolling centerfield.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Shin-Soo Choo</span><br /><br />Shin-Soo Choo has established himself as one of the top hitters in baseball. Last year, the South Korean-born Choo had a .394 OBP and accomplished a 20/20 season in home runs and stolen bases. Also known as a great rightfielder with a strong arm, Choo seems poised to become recognized as one of the best players in all of baseball.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcJp_QEbQuxGlCsn-vNaiUIV56BRpJNhqu7JrBlDG9fTEWij3t38Rp5LZK0fXLLoY1HlGlB6PfW6g9dnmL8CmILP5uaOWuHSkq2izA9rBH2PhTUDVhTB3Nd-IslxNAGmYhiX22H1WeEoA/s1600-h/SANY0090.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcJp_QEbQuxGlCsn-vNaiUIV56BRpJNhqu7JrBlDG9fTEWij3t38Rp5LZK0fXLLoY1HlGlB6PfW6g9dnmL8CmILP5uaOWuHSkq2izA9rBH2PhTUDVhTB3Nd-IslxNAGmYhiX22H1WeEoA/s400/SANY0090.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448505553688857810" border="0" /></a>He made a couple over the shoulder catches in the two games we saw and he had a double, a sacrifice fly and a walk, diving in two runs.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Travis Halfner</span><br /><br />My deliberate misspelling of Hafner's name in the heading is meant to highlight how diminished he has become both in physical stature as well as in the batters box as a hitter. The Indians' designated hitter was once one of the most feared batters in all of baseball. In 2006 he hit 42 home runs, drove in 117 runs and sustained a whopping .439 OBP. Over the 4-year period of 2004-2007 he averaged over .400 in OBP and drove in over 100 runs/year.<br /><br />In that magical year of 2006, he tied a major league record by blasting 6 grand slams, including one I saw him hit in person at GABP against the Reds. It was July 2, in the fifth inning off of Joe Mays, who -- incredibly -- said after the game, "My main reason for getting out of the AL was seeing those guys too many times." Ugh. (A great reminder of how the Reds pitching talent and depth has dramatically improved since those dark days.)<br /><br />In 2010, due problems with his shoulder that have also made him unable to throw a baseball overhand, Hafner's impact at the plate has greatly diminished. I'm sure the Indians are hoping he can regain his past form, and Manny Acta has dutifully been penciling him into the cleanup spot in the batting order this spring. But there are no real early signs of a return to hitting prominence. Hafner struggled tremendously in virtually every at bat that we watched, including several with runners in scoring position.<br /><br />Hafner's role with the club now can be neatly summarized by this picture from their batting practice where he was fielding ground balls at shortstop and flipping them (underhanded) to the second baseman.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfucyw6Eb-PGWf0JPdmLYVteQYSsd_mD4aXb8-a3CJOW-cKOPy7Rp87wCEiVTMTK84TiXIEZbFxE_UNxDnlmFT5JJ0F68tNH4JSRzLrLcBoPsUQ747MzMS_67QcKFWtXgboH184J2PARgJ/s1600-h/SANY0015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 336px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfucyw6Eb-PGWf0JPdmLYVteQYSsd_mD4aXb8-a3CJOW-cKOPy7Rp87wCEiVTMTK84TiXIEZbFxE_UNxDnlmFT5JJ0F68tNH4JSRzLrLcBoPsUQ747MzMS_67QcKFWtXgboH184J2PARgJ/s400/SANY0015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448506367368544546" border="0" /></a>To add financial insult to injury, Hafner carries an untradable guaranteed contract that runs through 2012. The Indians are on the hook for nearly $40 million over the next four years. As my cousin pointed out, that's the kind of a situation the Yankees can survive, but not a team with a payroll as limited as Cleveland.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Starting Pitching, Past and Future</span><br /><br />We witnessed the ghosts of Indians pitching, both past and future this week. The top of the Tribe rotation, Jake Westbrook and Fausto Carmona leaves plenty of question marks. Except for a titanic bomb by Angels catcher Mike Napoli in the first inning off of Westbrook, the two veteran pitchers looked reasonably good in the innings we saw.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqg3SuOAfqEI3K3Prb1bH2uWGxsavrXeqXenoGU3E6Ni0TByStJcS86xwJKrZSeXAmBLYG_PdPFiNH3gX2l3Q_CfCwlRGb0nyUA4NWkdQq05K6VVzdfyXEZh1AUtqa1KuOU2V196zK5sZ/s1600-h/SANY0055.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 397px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqg3SuOAfqEI3K3Prb1bH2uWGxsavrXeqXenoGU3E6Ni0TByStJcS86xwJKrZSeXAmBLYG_PdPFiNH3gX2l3Q_CfCwlRGb0nyUA4NWkdQq05K6VVzdfyXEZh1AUtqa1KuOU2V196zK5sZ/s400/SANY0055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448505577355383858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vorinUFapnkz31fhUZAw9WadgL5kuT39ajdJy9sxk9of_i0UmcnlpVITfMRWtYxggwqQL0WVqhQPwkC47GDannkaEBdEuGAUtMG2-8p7p4flloOSDqW7kvpjy3BrXZBJyaDRSfth9YmE/s1600-h/SANY0067.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vorinUFapnkz31fhUZAw9WadgL5kuT39ajdJy9sxk9of_i0UmcnlpVITfMRWtYxggwqQL0WVqhQPwkC47GDannkaEBdEuGAUtMG2-8p7p4flloOSDqW7kvpjy3BrXZBJyaDRSfth9YmE/s400/SANY0067.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448505582149734130" border="0" /></a>Help may be the on the way, however, as we also saw two promising younger pitchers, LHP David Huff and RHP Mitch Talbot.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26x0vFf-Dfx6ez5DstEJbBzfeifdZh5Sgj_7TFl4cq81YB0Vx0JqOvR8c0Yt5mibTRAxU-WcdekY0ZK1WZTkJAVJiIb1JHBbPEieOugMxktzADeDnpLJVWW8fNG9AZhJJGWJd0771Qt96/s1600-h/SANY0037.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 187px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26x0vFf-Dfx6ez5DstEJbBzfeifdZh5Sgj_7TFl4cq81YB0Vx0JqOvR8c0Yt5mibTRAxU-WcdekY0ZK1WZTkJAVJiIb1JHBbPEieOugMxktzADeDnpLJVWW8fNG9AZhJJGWJd0771Qt96/s400/SANY0037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448507383298257346" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4NStBIFpR7W0q7ZqAV-V_-dCjezobmcTufo_kagXSvlsUco6Fz53p5rT4UdP0wvtViAwFVa8EAHGh2QGdenejmpbOobVg5D-7XRleOsoz20l6Hj9GNf1I0S2hAsKrCriltR6QymdUmu9/s1600-h/SANY0031.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4NStBIFpR7W0q7ZqAV-V_-dCjezobmcTufo_kagXSvlsUco6Fz53p5rT4UdP0wvtViAwFVa8EAHGh2QGdenejmpbOobVg5D-7XRleOsoz20l6Hj9GNf1I0S2hAsKrCriltR6QymdUmu9/s400/SANY0031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448507248178244546" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Austin Kearns</span><br /><br />One other Reds-related note: Austin Kearns is playing for the Indians and hoping to win a spot on their roster. So far he is 2-for12 with a couple of walks. This is him batting against the White Sox at their new Camelback Ranch facility.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hWO1_eamH5xQ7XmPhqFBxqfZIfnkex8jbvzRUCHgQ1T4_srtpJhdNRDlgVfoG3H-pIhBWY66432OPjIj6Kvu7M7oy-IrWsllhArAsdjo1BG9GmZ38-oBZp6WrmYmruhgPmjOs0K6oSFX/s1600-h/SANY0043.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hWO1_eamH5xQ7XmPhqFBxqfZIfnkex8jbvzRUCHgQ1T4_srtpJhdNRDlgVfoG3H-pIhBWY66432OPjIj6Kvu7M7oy-IrWsllhArAsdjo1BG9GmZ38-oBZp6WrmYmruhgPmjOs0K6oSFX/s400/SANY0043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448506337343617602" border="0" /></a><br />This is my cousin's son Ray, at Camelback Ranch.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDwhxtRfe9ZbLz7-E2NLleXVkXANGo9JSeqjzmX1wL5jY1bNHSLG5sk8ke5DsIPv1S5Qu2HrzTmuQg0SAl4ZjJDotUuOPwfiDM4vkOYRh5jXiiqBlncjxYWP84dy0sxVaw72Z9cfWQT4M/s1600-h/SANY0029.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDwhxtRfe9ZbLz7-E2NLleXVkXANGo9JSeqjzmX1wL5jY1bNHSLG5sk8ke5DsIPv1S5Qu2HrzTmuQg0SAl4ZjJDotUuOPwfiDM4vkOYRh5jXiiqBlncjxYWP84dy0sxVaw72Z9cfWQT4M/s400/SANY0029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448507391950374642" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793430082432841622.post-63005464739079432302010-03-12T23:12:00.017-05:002010-03-13T06:33:22.284-05:00One captain to another?For the first 100 years of their existence, the Cincinnati Reds did not name a team captain. In 1970, Sparky Anderson changed that history by selecting Pete Rose to be the first captain of the oldest professional baseball franchise. Rose was a Cincinnati native, having played high school baseball (and football) at Western Hills High School. For the Reds, Rose was the epitome of a captain, leading the team by example, through his hard work and hustle, as well as with vocal encouragement. He served as captain of the Reds until he left in 1978 to play for the Phillies.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkJxbYl-_3U5MU0sTq9eB5a_VeQ7qEG4A67xD1J_Qz9P97efi-y_133jPiGDkHpBoPXwT0kfGGlHi-RQE_mdzL0E3YyLrHmMlAS1NEWZXGqvAg7a-mOXK_j2isIw3WxDcY8bV9To3UNwo/s1600-h/PeteRose.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkJxbYl-_3U5MU0sTq9eB5a_VeQ7qEG4A67xD1J_Qz9P97efi-y_133jPiGDkHpBoPXwT0kfGGlHi-RQE_mdzL0E3YyLrHmMlAS1NEWZXGqvAg7a-mOXK_j2isIw3WxDcY8bV9To3UNwo/s400/PeteRose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447971188893493682" border="0" /></a>Davey Concepcion, born in Venezuala, was the second player chosen to be the Reds captain, awarded that honor in 1983 and #13 held it until he retired in 1988. Concepcion had a distinguished career for the Big Red Machine, winning 5 Gold Gloves and being named to 9 All Star teams. He also won the Roberto Clemente award.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-NSBTTKfG9MvX_I2gF9uAYKS85kAh6tFj_inb1BMTz7jrY85K3g5DRSHKkuVtVUJduy8nx0gsimsDADZzPz_d2QkgTdP1Sd8jPziJK0bhbF_Nm0GtM9th73K0UPPYVOyn9IG2QrVJ4vf/s1600-h/concepcion_lg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 352px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-NSBTTKfG9MvX_I2gF9uAYKS85kAh6tFj_inb1BMTz7jrY85K3g5DRSHKkuVtVUJduy8nx0gsimsDADZzPz_d2QkgTdP1Sd8jPziJK0bhbF_Nm0GtM9th73K0UPPYVOyn9IG2QrVJ4vf/s400/concepcion_lg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447978638955681890" border="0" /></a>Another 10 years passed before a third Reds captain was tapped. Barry Larkin, a Moeller High School graduate, was named Reds captain in 1997. Among Larkin's accomplishments were 3 Gold Gloves, 12 All Star game appearances, the 1995 NL MVP award, the Roberto Clemente Award, and a 30-30 year in 1996. One other amazing feat, in 1988 he struck out only 24 times in 588 at bats. Larkin also learned Spanish so that he could better communicate with teammates.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyw84c221KxL4FZz2Ch8Q16-druEHP1eWoVE6_19ZvSl-TpmNnmkJA9zRrQ6hrSoj1FLsjMKB7raFNUz3T8pSWoGo1LDl8nM0XIZfa8AOEmQKVMySexGUU1fWFDhSZl0W0lN37LweW5Tn/s1600-h/IzmvxJdz.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyw84c221KxL4FZz2Ch8Q16-druEHP1eWoVE6_19ZvSl-TpmNnmkJA9zRrQ6hrSoj1FLsjMKB7raFNUz3T8pSWoGo1LDl8nM0XIZfa8AOEmQKVMySexGUU1fWFDhSZl0W0lN37LweW5Tn/s400/IzmvxJdz.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447974989419692354" border="0" /></a>Since Larkin retired as an active player in 2004, no other member of the Reds has been named to the prestigious leadership role.<br /><br />It occurred to me today, as I was watching Barry Larkin talk to Joey Votto on the field for at least 30 minutes, that the next Reds captain will surely be Votto, and hopefully soon.<br /><br />After Larkin hit dozens of practice ground balls to Votto at first base, the former captain walked out to the field where he stood and talked with the current leader of the Reds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7if7VCW3T98cH2zusU3m4PK_ogsXth7aFlvol_6XZkhBCjlldDm-spYXAg5duIfheFXpSva0a5vZiAtZ8QObQ6cP40r1JFE5ItXPPMqH-IDUOKh6MU5K0wRMFU9jZHUPFoJM88IFbDD2/s1600-h/SANY0037.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 344px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7if7VCW3T98cH2zusU3m4PK_ogsXth7aFlvol_6XZkhBCjlldDm-spYXAg5duIfheFXpSva0a5vZiAtZ8QObQ6cP40r1JFE5ItXPPMqH-IDUOKh6MU5K0wRMFU9jZHUPFoJM88IFbDD2/s400/SANY0037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447970678591533778" border="0" /></a>Actually, Larkin did most of the talking, while Joey listened attentively. After all the other players left the field and headed into the building for lunch, Larkin and Votto continued their intense and animated conversation.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPr9RxCVaoWbFcM-KzGAdhfiSRSkexteyq_PgzrwZ_Ak9PllyTMyU9XmjuBl8uEkIfSM08IcD3p0uwvY0B4-0P60SWWmkXy09IglwxrXkvinsdc0-LYllREbRKBpUerj7iak3vp_4arGE/s1600-h/SANY0053.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPr9RxCVaoWbFcM-KzGAdhfiSRSkexteyq_PgzrwZ_Ak9PllyTMyU9XmjuBl8uEkIfSM08IcD3p0uwvY0B4-0P60SWWmkXy09IglwxrXkvinsdc0-LYllREbRKBpUerj7iak3vp_4arGE/s400/SANY0053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447970694010726834" border="0" /></a> Even as a group of Reds players came out for supplemental BP, Larkin and Votto continued their exchange. It was quite a compelling and unique scene.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidP2NiCNn9SGg8BzgDQO0Yhcijh5Vq5_G8OJMnxawe8oC1RX5F0Fryrlmxi2F2vym00KLQ6TSQNAlYKRqaRZ0LGT8tcuQVgXPTEpVbQ7uv7Br41CNdCnnW285wBx8qXJ41yF1LSei-4BeZ/s1600-h/SANY0051.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 341px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidP2NiCNn9SGg8BzgDQO0Yhcijh5Vq5_G8OJMnxawe8oC1RX5F0Fryrlmxi2F2vym00KLQ6TSQNAlYKRqaRZ0LGT8tcuQVgXPTEpVbQ7uv7Br41CNdCnnW285wBx8qXJ41yF1LSei-4BeZ/s400/SANY0051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447970684887022482" border="0" /></a>Joey Votto is talented and is growing into a strong leader of the Reds. His seriousness of purpose is continuously evident. He is the one player who notably shouts encouragement to teammates during practice to recognize great fielding plays or excellent hits. He leads by example through working tirelessly on his own fielding, enlisting other players and coaches to facilitate his drills.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZ2QfBmwYAHBt2ezKx2mcJgPBNEo3TtDg0I5tSi5B9kd0IjcM-n_dNVz50K-P0fPNu97t5g5rgakkyOy9uKA6I7VGccPG8A87_aojKoUCS-xYyvUPGgZxR3pKM4fbB0TDdteRd7Zt0K3e/s1600-h/SANY0033.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZ2QfBmwYAHBt2ezKx2mcJgPBNEo3TtDg0I5tSi5B9kd0IjcM-n_dNVz50K-P0fPNu97t5g5rgakkyOy9uKA6I7VGccPG8A87_aojKoUCS-xYyvUPGgZxR3pKM4fbB0TDdteRd7Zt0K3e/s400/SANY0033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447970207987197474" border="0" /></a>I'm not saying that Votto should be named captain right now. He's probably still too young for that. After all, Barry Larkin waited 10 years as a Reds player before he was named captain. Pete Rose waited seven years. And Davey Concepcion played 13 years before receiving the honor.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLG-uPJZezwRK4Domh_8ZhxO2DLyaN9fgMPgMwhdlf_YvSC0_SI5Z5PHW2n0qnJLrW5yz7j-CuhRPv2sVcqDH7_Mx7o-snWbG9UN4Qm9ZAEOhoZKvNkVQCt1U0k8QXzc88cZoQuN3GOoiJ/s1600-h/mlb_a_votto_580.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLG-uPJZezwRK4Domh_8ZhxO2DLyaN9fgMPgMwhdlf_YvSC0_SI5Z5PHW2n0qnJLrW5yz7j-CuhRPv2sVcqDH7_Mx7o-snWbG9UN4Qm9ZAEOhoZKvNkVQCt1U0k8QXzc88cZoQuN3GOoiJ/s400/mlb_a_votto_580.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447982757153970450" border="0" /></a>But it's clear that Joey Votto is emerging as the next Reds player suitable to be named to that leadership post. His one-on-one session with Larkin today was a fascinating foreshadowing.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793430082432841622.post-40320505459509306672010-03-12T22:29:00.006-05:002010-03-13T06:35:45.126-05:00Observations from the morning practiceI stopped by the AM practice fields again today and watched the Reds take BP before their game against the Dodgers later in the afternoon. Some new, but very familiar, faces could be seen. Former Reds captain, Barry Larkin, was in uniform hitting ground balls between BP pitches (more on that later).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyftjLrv-bgEP9yl3pTUD1phb3Lb2ltJxWPZ6m0WhrLJeozuFh_7lsevmxpspIUYGslJA9XAH3EuoHAhrsHbqiudR-KEb-1YGYCqYIuvUb72ZEVuEih0peITdPLN5cus8sELQ9Mrc5XWW0/s1600-h/SANY0022.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyftjLrv-bgEP9yl3pTUD1phb3Lb2ltJxWPZ6m0WhrLJeozuFh_7lsevmxpspIUYGslJA9XAH3EuoHAhrsHbqiudR-KEb-1YGYCqYIuvUb72ZEVuEih0peITdPLN5cus8sELQ9Mrc5XWW0/s400/SANY0022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447960791845196258" border="0" /></a>Also Sean Casey and sons visited the park. As you may have read, both <a href="http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2010/03/11/larkin-will-in-camp-at-an-instructor/">Larkin</a> and <a href="http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2010/03/12/burke-update-casey-here-today/">Casey</a> were hired by the Reds on short-term coaching contracts. Here, Casey is greeted by Dusty Baker. The man to the left is Dr. Tim Kremchek, who is the Medical Director for the Reds and is one of the four doctors who do most of the Tommy John surgeries for major league pitchers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhce9eDQonSg3pTQBkwaGioP9XUaz4z9jm-UzhJv1e3aEF0AnoTGME5BK50pJDIktk0UI60BBwLf074a6Fl95Tgq_00OTSdu3u5xQANF3wFsVTIYpJ7xwITFHetGSpXckzarw-W56D0DsWH/s1600-h/SANY0012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 346px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhce9eDQonSg3pTQBkwaGioP9XUaz4z9jm-UzhJv1e3aEF0AnoTGME5BK50pJDIktk0UI60BBwLf074a6Fl95Tgq_00OTSdu3u5xQANF3wFsVTIYpJ7xwITFHetGSpXckzarw-W56D0DsWH/s400/SANY0012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447960766338112514" border="0" /></a>When Joey Votto saw Sean Casey for the first time, Votto shouted that he wanted Casey's advice on how to make a video for YouTube so he could follow in Casey's footsteps as "The Mayor." That's a nickname Casey earned during his playing days in Cincinnati because of his great popularity.<br /><br />Votto also worked hard on his fielding again today. Here is he taking a ground ball.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNydOE_4QKgqMX06W2WFPT_OqPcPdDLAzjiPYlAdycqSbg3dfZrJzMC6taQ0i9UJLz9Kjg1yEmEmbhH04f8D8hyphenhyphenprizYo5romO4v0uVGycsZQM9PwvTMuzXSJUD66iyQ3Rq2T0cAzW2Nyc/s1600-h/SANY0015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 392px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNydOE_4QKgqMX06W2WFPT_OqPcPdDLAzjiPYlAdycqSbg3dfZrJzMC6taQ0i9UJLz9Kjg1yEmEmbhH04f8D8hyphenhyphenprizYo5romO4v0uVGycsZQM9PwvTMuzXSJUD66iyQ3Rq2T0cAzW2Nyc/s400/SANY0015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447960772926709058" border="0" /></a>And here he practices flipping the ball to the pitcher covering first base.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbs9jA-2pprnEDEZCIYEA6Omv7dpTal6dVcIJ69mV1WBIL8dagefaoGrDYJc8NgyS6RKnpqvQz5TA2QWVy-u-R6ldatWRHSSTWWoosPZ3xfWeAPhwPSB-x0Jub5hjI2WjD5Yp-VLoeouO/s1600-h/SANY0025.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbs9jA-2pprnEDEZCIYEA6Omv7dpTal6dVcIJ69mV1WBIL8dagefaoGrDYJc8NgyS6RKnpqvQz5TA2QWVy-u-R6ldatWRHSSTWWoosPZ3xfWeAPhwPSB-x0Jub5hjI2WjD5Yp-VLoeouO/s400/SANY0025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447960781447225746" border="0" /></a>At one point during BP, Votto had to interrupt the reunion of Larkin and Casey to get Larkin to continue hitting practice ground balls. "We're still working out here," said Joey, only half-jokingly.<br /><br />Chris Dickerson continued to pound the ball in BP.<br /><br />It was great to see Edinson Volquez long-tossing today. To my amateur eyes, his arm looked strong and healthy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6ET-BChB7CdlJU_lw1MB051hDrwxKq6qeWKV0J9v6wtWxLL6QoA78KE0Gu0MGWWQxUN4mu0b-qM1EmuAogRrhaUGYY0tFXrgnlJOyPmq7jC1kC7BvgX_XQ8wRnFMWAC2h1SxiYjknfbE/s1600-h/SANY0008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6ET-BChB7CdlJU_lw1MB051hDrwxKq6qeWKV0J9v6wtWxLL6QoA78KE0Gu0MGWWQxUN4mu0b-qM1EmuAogRrhaUGYY0tFXrgnlJOyPmq7jC1kC7BvgX_XQ8wRnFMWAC2h1SxiYjknfbE/s400/SANY0008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447960755432298114" border="0" /></a>Here is manager Dusty Baker behind the backstop during batting practice as his son Darren watches with him. J.T. Snow was nowhere in sight. (Darren <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20021025&content_id=164674&vkey=ws2002news&fext=.jsp&c_id=null">famously</a> had to be rescued in the 2002 World Series from being run over by J.T. Snow at home plate)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3Nf9lQzT35Agm0X1Tiu8jl_6jtikiUaqiClbTqdbchsJRiOk3WMN087LT4KM7_r0agq34Seq8NHtDp4kKOIzQfEMrT84Hl3uz6n8nNDxAWf5LXh53PmoeMGbVOfI3sd_TGziTb7bVQ1Q/s1600-h/SANY0040.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 352px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3Nf9lQzT35Agm0X1Tiu8jl_6jtikiUaqiClbTqdbchsJRiOk3WMN087LT4KM7_r0agq34Seq8NHtDp4kKOIzQfEMrT84Hl3uz6n8nNDxAWf5LXh53PmoeMGbVOfI3sd_TGziTb7bVQ1Q/s400/SANY0040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447961945761299362" border="0" /></a>And here, Baker leaves the playing field, interestingly juxtaposed next to this warning sign. He was headed over to the other field where additional Reds players were taking batting practice.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8wdykpFvnphwxfdWqGJCIKRfe1geJzKLWeQThzFPM2MLNOmr46XosjWFCp67OuFkygwVP1mhqXSc5dYx0R379_c-Cu1SU9U7m_FHvaNpRgPTts7ScK2-vGI-yTT41OtRlilzTBd1BS7q/s1600-h/SANY0041.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 395px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8wdykpFvnphwxfdWqGJCIKRfe1geJzKLWeQThzFPM2MLNOmr46XosjWFCp67OuFkygwVP1mhqXSc5dYx0R379_c-Cu1SU9U7m_FHvaNpRgPTts7ScK2-vGI-yTT41OtRlilzTBd1BS7q/s400/SANY0041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447961932509011794" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793430082432841622.post-46281882292609063522010-03-11T22:30:00.005-05:002010-03-11T23:08:30.152-05:00Votto and Harang leadershipI was able to spend about an hour at the Reds practice session this morning. Two full fields are dedicated to the major league team and those competing for the 25-man roster. Four fields are dedicated to the minor league players. Today, I spent all my time with the MLB players.<br /><br />I watched the pitchers do a bit of PFP - they were practicing fielding balls hit back to them and turning to throw to first or second. This practice took place on one of the half-fields, where it is just the infield, no OF. I was impressed at how fast paced the drill was, and how many times they rotated through. Here is a picture of Bronson handling a tough one back through the middle. You can also see the planes parked in the background.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3h90XzGCGEjekJGoLRx3Mdzmq8o7JTiNJENaseqBtQG0zJe2V8qzRKo20r0TeaYlKSoBbvhidxqwoTtMO8mdmcvzGGUlxTN2qpC8FeSsrrQYcM4LvaREcRc__7I8_pJMMj5So0V9cylC/s1600-h/SANY0004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3h90XzGCGEjekJGoLRx3Mdzmq8o7JTiNJENaseqBtQG0zJe2V8qzRKo20r0TeaYlKSoBbvhidxqwoTtMO8mdmcvzGGUlxTN2qpC8FeSsrrQYcM4LvaREcRc__7I8_pJMMj5So0V9cylC/s400/SANY0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447590477340494530" border="0" /></a>Then I walked over to watch batting practice. The first hitting group I saw, and I suspect the first group overall, was Votto, Bruce, Rolen and Gomes. They all hit really well, especially Votto and Bruce. The second group included Orlando Cabrera, Chris Dickerson, and a couple others I don't remember. Dickerson hit the ball exceptionally well.<br /><br />In between batting practice pitches, two coaches hit ground balls to infielders. Paul Janish fielded balls at 3B while Scott Rolen was hitting. No one on the team has an arm as strong as Janish.<br /><br />Brandon Phillips got into a playful competition with coach Billy Hatcher who was hitting balls to Brandon. Brandon was vocally challenging Hatcher to hit something by him, and for the most part, Brandon fielded everything. In fact, he was fielding balls all over the place. At one point when Hatcher hit one that BP fielded easily, Brandon teased "That wasn't you in the World Series, Hatch." Phillips was referring to the 1990 World Series where Hatcher led the Reds with 7 consecutive hits in the first two games of the Reds sweep over the Oakland A's Bash Brothers team. After Hatcher finished hitting balls to Phillips, they celebrated right in front of where we were standing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIm132OFiB08I11LCyXo_to6YX1fJvRLTaaHWR2n0wo3sJLNByrlfd1hv7NJNLo0ncMIdMci2aScDojbVhNGeyUNw4QPnDf1QfYXWS4d7aw9urzNZbRSJPgHwABx20HLWXpcLWKSTW8dP_/s1600-h/SANY0007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIm132OFiB08I11LCyXo_to6YX1fJvRLTaaHWR2n0wo3sJLNByrlfd1hv7NJNLo0ncMIdMci2aScDojbVhNGeyUNw4QPnDf1QfYXWS4d7aw9urzNZbRSJPgHwABx20HLWXpcLWKSTW8dP_/s400/SANY0007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447590485562133874" border="0" /></a><br />I also want to comment about Joey Votto's leadership in practice. He took dozens of ground balls at 1B while other people were batting. Many of his practice balls were fielding and throwing to the pitcher covering first. Corky Miller and later coach Bill Speier performed the role of the pitcher. Votto is really hard on himself when he doesn't get the toss perfectly back chest high. He also frequently cheered for his teammates who were hitting, complementing them by name when they had really good hits. I wish I had a picture of Votto practicing, but they all turned out blurry.<br /><br />Anyone who thinks this isn't Votto's team is mistaken. He leads vocally and by his actions, for example taking the most practice balls of anyone. For most of this time during BP he was the only one taking practice balls and kept after the coaches to keep hitting to him in different situations and positions. It has to be inspirational when the best player on the team works so hard at practice.<br /><br />As we were leaving we walked by the pitchers' half-field where Aaron Harang (alone) was practicing bunting. A staff member was feeding a pitching machine. We saw him bunt about 20 balls, which was just a small fraction of his total time practicing that. Again, great leadership from the big dog on the pitching staff.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793430082432841622.post-43242566317803429912010-03-10T18:48:00.006-05:002010-03-10T20:10:18.132-05:00Choo, Sizemore and Asdrubal Cabrera's wardrobe malfunctionSpent today at the Goodyear Ballpark facility watching morning practice and an afternoon game of the Cleveland Indians. The Indians share the Goodyear park with the Reds. My cousin and his son are from the Cleveland area and are here in AZ with me for three days. For those days we are focusing on the Tribe.<br /><br />In the morning we headed over to the Indians' practice fields. First, we watched the major league team take BP. Fans have pretty close access to this part of the practice area. This is Grady Sizemore (I promise).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKy-ZnZJyrf4tYbGbean6KguZ11RVyche509Y5kt9tJg_cqRVXALEYn9ueeQvKMoGi18xrhfwwMbyIwPhdNw1ZBS9H7g8MTeOHnNMUI_7USxK0-80CrFYe6ydYEqHUj13hHENoObqrLg1P/s1600-h/SANY0012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKy-ZnZJyrf4tYbGbean6KguZ11RVyche509Y5kt9tJg_cqRVXALEYn9ueeQvKMoGi18xrhfwwMbyIwPhdNw1ZBS9H7g8MTeOHnNMUI_7USxK0-80CrFYe6ydYEqHUj13hHENoObqrLg1P/s400/SANY0012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447159943335419218" border="0" /></a>And this is Sizemore signing some autographs right in front of us afterward.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CCULwk_dHMXJgZ__ToWHqlSzMlrQXFVln1NGr60R1tmO7FlgkjSr_4oo8hB-lQVtX4fFbwmv9mNeyyBNa4POvbu5KQXlsAiogaci6oyAT8X0xcp7gcZnEoSWg60ntVTFZZdy-KZxGnSU/s1600-h/SANY0027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 390px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CCULwk_dHMXJgZ__ToWHqlSzMlrQXFVln1NGr60R1tmO7FlgkjSr_4oo8hB-lQVtX4fFbwmv9mNeyyBNa4POvbu5KQXlsAiogaci6oyAT8X0xcp7gcZnEoSWg60ntVTFZZdy-KZxGnSU/s400/SANY0027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447160923839739954" border="0" /></a>For a while, Travis Hafner "played" shortstop during BP. The balls that he fielded he had to flip underhanded to someone because of his shoulder injury. Asdrubal Cabrera really has nothing to fear from Hafner's fielding at short.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzZv9NmNNpmJlCDkvKGG7Iubp4LmyVB3AOh2q559jpNg9N1Vw_NLpPRmgxmwoFDgjQnwGQ4ZpIelWKUeyOk_INB2KiDGz4umcyzoBtZ6oH4U6_FrVGOmXm1mrQ-30g8yrPNRobKcNqVfG/s1600-h/SANY0015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzZv9NmNNpmJlCDkvKGG7Iubp4LmyVB3AOh2q559jpNg9N1Vw_NLpPRmgxmwoFDgjQnwGQ4ZpIelWKUeyOk_INB2KiDGz4umcyzoBtZ6oH4U6_FrVGOmXm1mrQ-30g8yrPNRobKcNqVfG/s400/SANY0015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447159953575966562" border="0" /></a>In the afternoon we attended the Indians game at Goodyear vs. the San Diego Padres split squad. This is the view from the gate to the park where we entered. I'll focus more on the new park later. In brief, I concur with the consensus that it's a huge upgrade over tired Ed Smith.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIV1A8Pm2xcx58oACUV6xAdOtCM3yQ-BcLeOFeEMv_cNSu6QMhq1IUBUbjata7zIgnppL7atL_g9y_kZ4VZrNxWmthAUjKvRaRuK9WK3wSmsDP92Vt_OiaZAzLYKM9bV2907tQuBpefaeq/s1600-h/SANY0030.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIV1A8Pm2xcx58oACUV6xAdOtCM3yQ-BcLeOFeEMv_cNSu6QMhq1IUBUbjata7zIgnppL7atL_g9y_kZ4VZrNxWmthAUjKvRaRuK9WK3wSmsDP92Vt_OiaZAzLYKM9bV2907tQuBpefaeq/s400/SANY0030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447160935122377362" border="0" /></a>My primary interest was watching the two members of the Indians who are on my fantasy baseball team, rightfielder Shin-Soo Choo and shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera. Neither disappointed. Choo had two long extra-base hits and Cabrera added a stolen base to his hit and walk. Choo seems primed for a massive year. This is his swing on his first inning RBI double that bounced high off the left-center fence. Choo was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a triple.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_9G9Pl0OUSUUSdH4dHmHvPs8_YUfg0oGJgoXqBtj3uYUJbphX7bLfwzkicPzGBlBLZ66R_jF6Om4n7L1gbe3qBDAxgHIf99mU09_xpqq7f7Qbx1WTODsCk6cWTBoLiJzZ5pwi-o-xOj_/s1600-h/SANY0041.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_9G9Pl0OUSUUSdH4dHmHvPs8_YUfg0oGJgoXqBtj3uYUJbphX7bLfwzkicPzGBlBLZ66R_jF6Om4n7L1gbe3qBDAxgHIf99mU09_xpqq7f7Qbx1WTODsCk6cWTBoLiJzZ5pwi-o-xOj_/s400/SANY0041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447159962508362498" border="0" /></a>This picture is from Cabrera's first AB of the game. Later while successfully stealing second base, he broke the belt to his pants and first base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. had to take his own belt off and loan it to Cabrera before play could proceed. I just saw ESPN show the "highlight" of Cabrera's wardrobe malfunction.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdprryaE87WeAzxrXyDN-cLOc-jEwNRU98s_zc2CzHhUwqSmV9O3ObR-vSDx3u-ds-gCZ-vkMRiua4VYd25HFY9UUHRtsPEPX6CA8RVZTHv-YwwzUbMhdsjPu4kE86I_XWzOR-ID8ihUP/s1600-h/SANY0039.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdprryaE87WeAzxrXyDN-cLOc-jEwNRU98s_zc2CzHhUwqSmV9O3ObR-vSDx3u-ds-gCZ-vkMRiua4VYd25HFY9UUHRtsPEPX6CA8RVZTHv-YwwzUbMhdsjPu4kE86I_XWzOR-ID8ihUP/s400/SANY0039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447159975763661362" border="0" /></a>David Huff started and pitched three solid innings for Cleveland. He had great control, getting his first pitch over on every hitter except for a temporary loss of focus with journeyman Matt Stairs at the plate. This is Huff warming up in the bullpen before the game started.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5x0ei8EcIFehrZzXdfwGO3zizRkp6Pl5DKEXcMLqHcByvTT4qTiQ_gU6e3mAIAywalxUOpjmpveFbJHik3FdgnFUTpvHxx_98Z38ogx3mOOPB3Jo6EWoGLUH2CXC5fFJEMcXA5yZ-qkU/s1600-h/SANY0031.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 330px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5x0ei8EcIFehrZzXdfwGO3zizRkp6Pl5DKEXcMLqHcByvTT4qTiQ_gU6e3mAIAywalxUOpjmpveFbJHik3FdgnFUTpvHxx_98Z38ogx3mOOPB3Jo6EWoGLUH2CXC5fFJEMcXA5yZ-qkU/s400/SANY0031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447159993161815826" border="0" /></a>I'll post my thoughts on the Reds nice win on the road vs. the Angels later tonight. Tomorrow we are going to visit the Reds practice fields in the morning then attend the Indians' road game vs. the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Park.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793430082432841622.post-53363104278941337862010-03-09T22:07:00.003-05:002010-03-09T22:59:49.803-05:00Chapmania, travel day, first look at Goodyear Ballpark<span style="font-weight: bold;">Chapmania</span> -- Did you know that RHP Dolf Luque (1918-29) is considered the first Cuban star in the majors and is enshrined in the Reds Hall of Fame after playing 12 of his 20 big league seasons in Cincinnati? He went 154-152 for the Reds. Another former Reds player who was born in Cuba is ... Tony Perez. Aroldis trivia: after he defected from Cuba when he was in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in what nation did Aroldis establish residence? (Answer below)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Travel Day</span> -- I spent most of the day traveling to Arizona and getting settled into the house where I'll be staying. I did drive over to the Goodyear Ballpark facility and looked around. It's a beautiful field.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Goodyear Ballpark</span> -- Tomorrow my cousin, his son and I are going to the Cleveland Indians complex in the morning to watch them practice, then will head over to Goodyear to watch the Indians play the Padres. We drove over to the ballpark tonight just as it was closing and looked around. It's breathtaking. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Random Notes</span>:<br /><br />• It's nice to see <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Jay Bruce</span> getting off to a good start - he's batting .500 so far, with a home run today. <br /><br />• <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Coco Cordero</span> pitched a clean inning today.<br /><br />• <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Joey Votto</span> has not recorded his first hit of spring training and I couldn't care less.<br /><br />• On the other hand, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Drew Stubbs</span> was 0-2 today with two strikeouts. At some point don't we have to rethink the decision to bestow the leadoff hitting spot to him?<br /><br />• <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Trivia Answer</span>: the Principality of Andorra, bordered by Spain and France in the eastern Pyrenees mountains<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793430082432841622.post-40331571116028855742010-03-08T14:25:00.002-05:002010-03-15T01:21:54.045-04:00The top of the order<div style="text-align: left;">Dating myself a bit here, but there is a line from an episode of M*A*S*H where Frank asks Hawkeye, "Why do people take such an immediate dislike to me?" Hawkeye answers, "It saves time, Frank."<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1vGMNcKnyNEzCrDa-CqCZXcJ1_B3Gar2B6MDZhN8TmWtZ8Qk3AzA3G2PJGUFKU1gxM7v-UhiYyXgNjv7HvZAT_d3BXB71VkwgPHizP-2Wwo_cBP7bNnlHXBPS5G7v9Ah7MQEYUprznA7/s1600-h/images-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 117px; height: 117px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1vGMNcKnyNEzCrDa-CqCZXcJ1_B3Gar2B6MDZhN8TmWtZ8Qk3AzA3G2PJGUFKU1gxM7v-UhiYyXgNjv7HvZAT_d3BXB71VkwgPHizP-2Wwo_cBP7bNnlHXBPS5G7v9Ah7MQEYUprznA7/s320/images-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446372746761188562" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGEtjAeKkmXfvQuPAJoDwjDLsudQaz1hlrFGPOgraYUWNmWh4jnG4G76ENN0dODReVuBxVKJZ06_kAqEPIGs4fOL_k_7DtLYLmYw6IjkVbmY4O3-Y2FHzGjSG4CLGVrPE6NU4TxEQjxW1/s1600-h/images-2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 118px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGEtjAeKkmXfvQuPAJoDwjDLsudQaz1hlrFGPOgraYUWNmWh4jnG4G76ENN0dODReVuBxVKJZ06_kAqEPIGs4fOL_k_7DtLYLmYw6IjkVbmY4O3-Y2FHzGjSG4CLGVrPE6NU4TxEQjxW1/s320/images-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446372742698581314" border="0" /></a><br /></div>That line comes to mind as I begin to think about the Reds 2010 lineup and Dusty Baker's likely mismanagement of it. Maybe I should wait to start complaining. On the other hand, maybe I should just save us all the time and get right to it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>The most important quality for the top of the lineup hitters is to avoid making outs. That is particularly true with a #3 hitter who can seemingly fire off singles and doubles at will, like Joey Votto. And if Jay Bruce develops into the hitter many expect, then the same goes for him. We have to get runners on base for Votto, Phillips and Bruce. The Reds absolutely must cut down on the number of times their best hitters come to the plate with no one on base.<br /><br />2009 lineup: #1 Taveras. #2 Gonzalez. Sigh.<br /><br />But what about 2010? Well, Dusty Baker seems poised to repeat the same mistaken top-of-the-lineup strategy again this year, by batting Drew Stubbs first and Orlando Cabrera second.<br /><br />Drew Stubbs had a phenomenal September of 2009. He hit for power and stole bases. He did not, however, get on base with much regularity, managing only a .323 OBP. I expect him to be able to improve on that number this year, as he did have considerably higher OBP in the minor leagues. But he's still a very inexperienced player, so we certainly can't take that improvement for granted.<br /><br />Chris Dickerson in 2009 accomplished an OBP of .370. If he can remain healthy, Dickerson may present a substantial upgrade over Stubbs in terms of getting on base.<br /><br />Even more discouraging is Dusty Baker's apparent intention to bat Orlando Cabrera second. Cabrera's career OBP is a miserable .322 -- for comparison, Willy Taveras' career OBP is .321. And Cabrera's plate discipline seems to be declining. In 2009 he got on base at a woeful .316 clip. <a href="http://redlegnation.com/2010/03/08/orlando-cabrera-and-championship-shortstops/">Steve Price at Redleg Nation</a> makes this point awfully well this afternoon:<br /><blockquote>But, oh boy, can he make outs. (Cabrera)’s led the American League in outs made the past two seasons (512 and 509), and even finished third in outs made in his big 2007 year. Why does that matter? Because outs are a team’s currency; it’s their budget. Former Orioles manager great Earl Weaver would not use the sacrifice bunt because he didn’t want to give away an out. Despite batting .289 last year (which sounds great), Cabrera averaged making three outs per game. His OBP was .316; I don’t care that he gets the bat on the ball, if he’s batting second he’ll be wasting the team’s money (budget=outs). And before somebody tells me those are “productive outs” let me tell you he was fourth in the American League in double plays grounded into last year (22).</blockquote>The clear alternative for the #2 spot is Scott Rolen. Rolen, who has seen his power decline after shoulder surgery in 2005, has maintained an OBP in the .370 range his entire career, including .368 last year. Why not take advantage of his plate discipline and his bat control and put him in the #2 spot? Moving Rolen from the #5 to the #2 slot will also gain him nearly 45 plate appearances. Shouldn't he have those extra AB instead of Cabrera?<br /><br />How about this lineup?<br /><br />Dickerson LF<br />Rolen 3B<br />Votto 1B<br />Phillips 2B<br />Bruce RF<br />Stubbs CF<br />Hernandez/Hanigan C<br />Cabrera SS<br />Pitcher<br /><br />This batting order would not only move two strong OBP hitters to the top, but also moves Jay Bruce closer to the top. It would also take some pressure off of rookie/sophomore Drew Stubbs. It even maintains the LH/RH/LH/RH pattern that Baker loves so much.<br /><br />I do find a tiny bit of hope in a comment from <a href="http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2010/03/08/lineup-for-the-a-game-notes/">John Fay,</a> where speaking of today's lineup featuring Stubbs at #1 and Dickerson at #7:<br /><blockquote>Depending on how spring goes, you could see Stubbs and Dickerson flopped, particularly since the Cardinals will start a right-hander on Opening Day.</blockquote>Not sure where this comes from, as I haven't seen Baker quoted as saying anything like this anywhere, his stubbornness is legendary and <a href="http://marksheldon.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/02/dickerson_talks_baker_responds.html">Dickerson is already in Baker's doghouse</a>.<br /><br />But if true, it's great news. And saves us all a lot of time.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793430082432841622.post-22603117674500009762010-03-08T10:38:00.001-05:002010-03-08T12:15:53.220-05:00One more dayTomorrow.<br /><br />My pilgrimage to observe the Reds' spring training begins in the morning, with a Delta flight out of Cincinnati to Phoenix. My stay in Arizona will run from March 9 to March 25.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnc2bCkyg7UIY2xGaZoDZpx62o2OYDxTVIs7lWqiaQFBl-LQSZ6CLO4xyjDTcWJuYwASpr3zqhH-5H0d9Z1Gfl4a8h9Eu2PXnKmCU0vcnUEDxp9sprDfu7Voi78xqZKdyZ3gVXDjNRulXf/s1600-h/bilde-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnc2bCkyg7UIY2xGaZoDZpx62o2OYDxTVIs7lWqiaQFBl-LQSZ6CLO4xyjDTcWJuYwASpr3zqhH-5H0d9Z1Gfl4a8h9Eu2PXnKmCU0vcnUEDxp9sprDfu7Voi78xqZKdyZ3gVXDjNRulXf/s400/bilde-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446306977035220002" border="0" /></a>I'll likely arrive too late in the day tomorrow to catch any of the Reds 1:05 MT game with the Diamondbacks, but I do hope to be able to drop by the Goodyear facility to check it out for the first time.<br /><br />My cousin Randy and his son Ray, Indians fans from Cleveland, are also flying out tomorrow to join me for the first three days of my trip. We're going to attend the Tribe games Wednesday through Friday, so there will be no first-hand Reds reports here until after Sunday's game against the Chicago White Sox. Saturday is my all-day, keeper-league fantasy baseball auction.<br /><br />I'll post my concerns and hopes for the Reds here, later today, including some comments about the Reds off-season moves and early spring training developments.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaC-NjUvDtf2iiYJf6bszzrlGW5pSSVCtSqOVFaaVfJwDT5QsYVI4nw-uO1gzcmxMZyRYCAdc1YjrgwhubkmcZZHnhCUqWp9a5p5xyDHrEsp3Ihl6IA2PimTWlGNdRLa7BcEyIJKQ3Rad8/s1600-h/19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 62px; height: 70px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaC-NjUvDtf2iiYJf6bszzrlGW5pSSVCtSqOVFaaVfJwDT5QsYVI4nw-uO1gzcmxMZyRYCAdc1YjrgwhubkmcZZHnhCUqWp9a5p5xyDHrEsp3Ihl6IA2PimTWlGNdRLa7BcEyIJKQ3Rad8/s320/19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446299335056723106" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WPgLQNfJNs_gvE3CbGk4MhmMGl3ATHnfzTaalg2P7TtiHgMrb9vGaxVV5oE9ktd3_mXzoj4U5jDM3ge9MaHPAtsgQ123No4IbkAdfbLRewGXBEqRMPUyFo5irtQuDtNTMhcix6ta40KD/s1600-h/6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; 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float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 62px; height: 70px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihymPis2SQxuY1Gc69bJI4PAMTlP_5waPAGjr0SaxxoUgjKeVDoDJMcwUQyEJbKHak3n169vpfC0Jd7jJj3EzOvW0KqjYjklhHBcEjvp565CMqjYufW6qMANOsaimoTTaaZpCHIimHi_j/s320/61.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446307238380312354" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuBKR_npoAWzGwbLwb-jKMhoe0hbGR9USZmkxETX_CpTXV5HN1i5Mb_VQ0Tbx8wPgavu9V9Jk4L4XatbaAJSKocxSdi9r6queBPgtHOYo6aoZy8SgQkZ8gc6_h0SF-EotlMMqdd2I0uoa/s1600-h/52.jpg"><br /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0