Loading ...Happy 41st birthday to former Red Hal Morris!
The Reds are going for a sweep today against the Buccos. Dave Williams takes the mound for the first time in a Cincinnati uniform — against his former mates — and I’m very interested to see how he performs. A league-average season from Williams could be key to the Reds chances.
Here’s a game thread to discuss the game. The last three games have seen record numbers of posts in our game threads. Let’s see if we can top yesterday’s showing.
UPDATE: Here’s Kevin Kelly’s profile of Williams.
Hal Morris’ birthday. Yeah, at the end of his career, he was useless, but I was a fan of Morris. He had some good times with the Reds, and he was a big contributor on that 1990 team, as a rookie.
I saw Hal Morris playing in the AAA All-star game when he was with the Clippers, and Morganna came out and kissed him, and two minutes later an infielder threw the ball right to him and he completely whiffed on it and it went to the fence. Not too often you see a player blush.
WOMACK@#$%!@#%@%j@!
:evil::evil::evil::evil:
I can’t believe that Narron is starting Womack.
Actually, I can believe it. And it makes me sad.
Extra Innings has me watching FSN Pittsburgh again. When Dave Williams balked, neither announcer saw it nor did the cameras capture it. The color guy said, “I was looking something up.” To be fair, that seems to be far more important than watching the game.
While I liked Hal Morris, he did help me win a several year long bet. When the Reds traded Paul O’Neill, my father bet me that Morris would have by far the better career. While Morris had several good years, I think I can safely collect on the bet.
I was crushed by the Paul O’Neill trade (a fact I told him in person when I was about 12).
Now the Pittsburgh color guy just suggested that the Reds move Dunn to first and Womack to left so that they can have Womack and Freel in the line-up every day. One of his reasons: “They’d be better defensively.” Really? The argument that the line-up might be better can at least be made. But defensively? Did he not see any of the Womack highlights in left field last year?
Yeah, I think we were all sad to see O’Neill go…though you had to be surprised at the level of success he enjoyed post-Cincinnati. I don’t know that that could have been predicted.
One thing I’ve noticed about Kearns this year: he is hanging onto his bat this season. Last year he tossed a bat into the stands once a game.
Williams thought that fly ball by Craig Wilson was a homer; did you see how he reacted?
Hey, everyone. Just turned on the game. Looks like Williams is doing alright thus far.
Yep,
he’s doing okay. Just dont junx him.
Ummmmmmmmmmm that should say jinx, obviously.
There’s that damn defense coming to roost again
Get out of the way, Valentin. He just knocked into Hatteberg, causing Hatteberg to drop a foul pop.
And of course, the batter ends up walking after they give him another chance.
D-Lee made us pay for this same thing earlier in the week
i wish larue would hurry and get back. these other catchers are wearing me out.
So much for the string of good control for our starters
for a team that will probably finish 4th or so in the division they really are damn stressful to watch
Get an out here, Davey!
for a team that will probably finish 4th or so in the division they really are stressful to watch
Alright — nice recovery after the wild streak (two walks and HBP) by Williams.
Alright! Williams is through four, no runs allowed.
Time for the offense to get rolling.
glad that’s over
Too bad we have Womack leading off this inning.
I’m betting on a bunt attempt here
Remember this — of the 30 clubs that start the season, the 8 that move forward at the end of the year — more often than not — are the 8 teams that pitch and catch the ball the best.
Too bad we have Womack leading off this inning.
Comment by Jimmy James — 4/9/2006 @ 2:12 pm
Hey, it’s too bad we have our boys in Iraq too — but I’m sure not going to root against them.
Come on, Junior
Santos is pitching really well. No one is doing anything against him, right now.
I will (root against Womack that is)
Here we go again with Bill. Who is rooting against Womack? No one. If he’s in the lineup for the Reds, we all want him to go 4-4. You love the straw man, don’t you?
And your statement about the 8 that move forward is the most unproveable statement I’ve ever seen. Of course, I’m not surprised. You never offered a single shred of evidence to support any assertion you’ve made here on this blog. Not one. It’s why no one takes you seriously; have you noticed that no one is defending your arguments, except yourself?
E-5. Dangit.
speaking of poor defense… ed e’s throw?
Here we go again with Bill. Who is rooting against Womack? No one. If he’s in the lineup for the Reds, we all want him to go 4-4. You love the straw man, don’t you?
And your statement about the 8 that move forward is the most unproveable statement I’ve ever seen. Of course, I’m not surprised. You never offered a single shred of evidence to support any assertion you’ve made here on this blog. Not one. It’s why no one takes you seriously; have you noticed that no one is defending your arguments, except yourself?
Comment by Jimmy James — 4/9/2006 @ 2:21 pm
WOMACK@#$%!@#%@%j@!
Comment by daedalus — 4/9/2006 @ 1:21 pm
That’s the first bad play I’ve seen from Encarnacion this year. Actually, he’s made several spectacular plays this year before that one.
And your statement about the 8 that move forward is the most unproveable statement I’ve ever seen. Of course, I’m not surprised. You never offered a single shred of evidence to support any assertion you’ve made here on this blog. Not one. It’s why no one takes you seriously; have you noticed that no one is defending your arguments, except yourself?
Comment by Jimmy James — 4/9/2006 @ 2:21 pm
Jimmy James states, as EE sails another throw for an error.
yeah, I’ve been impressed with Edwin so far this year.
Is that evidence that someone is rooting against Womack? I’d say your comprehension is poor, at best.
That’s the reaction any thinking Reds fan has to Womack being in the starting lineup. Where’s your evidence that someone wants Womack to do poorly, though?
You don’t have any, you never have any evidence, you change your arguments constantly when you’re called to the carpet. It’s a waste of my time even trying to discuss things with you.
hey bill – why don’t you like baseball? i mean, everything you have to say is combatitive. try getting up on the other side of the bed for once.
2-0
Show some evidence to back up your statement about the “8 that move forward.”
The only evidence you have is your word. And after reading you for the last few days, that’s pretty good evidence that what you said about the “8″ is exactly wrong. Because you haven’t said anything correct ever, as far as I can tell.
It’s a waste of my time even trying to discuss things with you.
Comment by Jimmy James — 4/9/2006 @ 2:25 pm
Then do us all a favor — and don’t
Ignore him, daedelus and Jimmy. He’s a troll.
I cannot believe how condescending this bill guy can be, considering everything he says is insanely incorrect.
I would say get Williams out of there now, he’s going to be tattooed for the rest of the day, but it’s not the bullpen could really do much better
Hey Chad, remember my comment about the Internet Crazies?
This is why you seldom see knowledgable people particpating in these kinds of exchanges.
Case in point, I have made a comment about the importance of picthing and defense — and those same “crazies” are taking me to task about it. It’s amazing that the very next play was an errant throw from EE that led to another run (after what would have been a solo shot turned into a 2-0 Bucs lead).
“it’s not as if the bullpen could really do much better” i mean
I’m afraid you’re right, Boston. But what are we going to do, put in Hammond?
Santos has been unhittable.
Nice AB EE
Come on, Scotty
can we give encarnacion a nickname? it’s too difficult to get out in baseball cheer form…
i guess EE works
We’re waiting on some proof, Bill. I guess I’m “crazy” for asking you to back up your assertions. Yesterday, a couple of people brought proof to back up their arguments, but all you can do is just insist that you are right…just because.
The only reason you were “taken to task” is that you refuse to back up your assertions with any evidence or any proof. You want to hit and run, make your statements without defending them.
That’s why “you seldom see knowledgable people particpating in these kinds of exchanges.” They want you to provide some evidence.
“Ears” has been red-hot lately
Yeah, EE is as close as we’re going to get, I’m afraid. I don’t like “Encar” like some people have used.
Give us a good nickname, daedelus!
No body has worn Roger Clemens number since he left Boston. Now I’m not saying Casey was of the same caliber as Clemens, but couldn’t they at least have waited a little bit before giving his number to someone new. And to S. Hatteburg of all people (a servicable major leaguer, but no one special)
a homer would be nice here.
Maybe I’m being picky, and it’s not that big a deal. Could be I’ve been out of the midwest and in the cold northeast too long and I’m just being overly critical.
encar doesn’t work. neither does carny, as it sounds like a carnival freak. ears is mean. ed-e works. just imagine the chanting in a stadium ed-e! ed-e! ed-e!
It seems like they are at least starting to get at Santos, hopefully they can put something together here.
We’re waiting on some proof, Bill. I guess I’m “crazy” for asking you to back up your assertions. Yesterday, a couple of people brought proof to back up their arguments, but all you can do is just insist that you are right…just because.
The only reason you were “taken to task” is that you refuse to back up your assertions with any evidence or any proof. You want to hit and run, make your statements without defending them.
That’s why “you seldom see knowledgable people particpating in these kinds of exchanges.” They want you to provide some evidence.
Comment by Jimmy James — 4/9/2006 @ 2:35 pm
Jimmy:
First of all, I see that you were no more sincere about not wanting to talk than you have been accurate with many more of your statements. You say one thing — but do something entirely differnt, and this is just one more example.
I have provided several examples of “proof” — from copies of scouting reports of Lopez defense to first-hand accounts of conversations I have had with Reds ownership and manangement. I have been in Sarasota that last three years — for anywhere from two to three weeks each year — following the development of this club.
Now nothing I say or provide as “proof” will be acknowledged as “proof” — by your definition of “proof”.
So let’s just agree to disagree and move on. I can do that. Can you???
Can you stop the namecalling?
Can you do what you said you wanted to do?
Stop the arguments and move on. Build a bridge and get over it.
Ed-E…that’s not bad. Better than anything else.
Boston, I feel the same way. I was surprised and a little dismayed when I saw that Hatteberg was wearing 21 on Opneing Day.
That’s the biz, though.
Whatever.
Nice DEFENSIVE play T-Wo
i agree with the #21, but i felt that way when casey took it after o’neill’s departure, too.
I started watching late. Right now it looks like Williams is only getting “loud outs” (warning track fly outs or other disconcerning outs) Has it been this way all game and he’s just been lucky to get this far, or did he start out better?
Have you noticed that no one has worn #13 since Davey Concepcion retired? Unless my memory is faulty.
i agree with the #21, but i felt that way when casey took it after o’neill’s departure, too.
Comment by daedalus — 4/9/2006 @ 2:45 pm
Casey’s career in Cincinnati was nothing to retire his number over. He was a nice guy. But on the field he was Hal Morris with less speed and more personable.
why isn’t #13 retired?
phillips debute with the reds. I’m tetering on the edge of the my seat with exitement.
he started pretyt well. hasnt had great command, th ough.
i think he’s going to be pretty good this year. i hope so.
I expect 13 and 11 to be retired at some point.
T-Wo = 2B
FELO = SS
Junior = CF
Dunner = LF
EE = 3B
Hatty = 1B
Ears = RF
I-heart = C
Nice Reds debut, Brandon Phillips = double
Brandon Phillips is my new favorite player. A double in his REds debut.
i think kearns’ nickname should be “happy” after that baby new year from the rudolph movie.
Woo-hoo!
Oh, I agree that he definatly didn’t have a career worthy of retiring a number (that’s why I used Clemens as an example, his number isn’t retired either). But in a business where you can’t let your heart run your team, the least you can do is control the aspects of the game that don’t effect on-field play in a way that still shows respect for those that left.
Good call on the O’neil thing though daedalus, although I must say my expectations for hatteburg are not much more than 1 or two years and moved on.
Haha, ok, so I was wrong about phillips, hopefully this means they can put some more runs on Santos
Hahahaha….good call, daedalus! That’s hilarious.
There you go — T-Wo!!! I pulling for our boys in Iraq too.
back to back doubles by Philips and Womack never would have guessed that earlier today
Come on, Fleep! Need a big hit here!
Nice baserunning, Womack.
&@$#%& Womack… Freel would have made it.
Why in the world would you send him with 0 outs? Terrible coaching..
Did Berry coach third last year?
Hey Berry, Holland called they want their windmills back.
Need a hit here, Junior.
Nice steal of third by Felipe. Now a fly ball scores the run.
JUNIOR!!!!!
Niiice aggressive baserunning…. Looks like he would have scored anyways though. (but that still doesn’t take anything away from the badass-ness of stealing third)
woohoo!!!
Those were nasty pitches. When Marte fell out of favor in Chicago, I was really hoping he would land in Cincinnati. I mean, all they traded to get him was Mackowiak.
do the pirates need a tony womack?
We could use him.
Ed-E! Ed-E! Ed-E! (name has legs)
Here comes the bullpen! Who are they bringing in?
If you have the opportunity… Mets Marlins are in the 8th of a tight game. Although they gutted the team, I wouldn’t mind seeing the marlins do well this year. Nothing like a whole team getting paid less than at least 10 major league players make in one year (seperatly).
oh please be hammond, please please be hammond
Belisle. I don’t mind him.
One pitch, one hit. Sheesh.
and we haven’t scored the runs for this yet.
Right, daedalus. Wasn’t our offense supposed to build up a 5 run cushion before we went to the pen? They forgot to do that.
I hate this bullpen.
here we go again
2 ER in 6 IP for Williams. I’ll take that every day.
I’m not sure if a 5 run cushion could have held.
Belisle was one of the few guys in this pen that I trusted.
Seems like all of the reds pitchers are running really fine lines between warning track outs and homeruns.
lucky for us, we have an offense. (if they decide to show up.) and the pirates pen isn’t championship caliber…
Well, we better score some runs in a hurry here. Time is running out.
Williams did pitch somewhat well today though, I’ll take 2 ER in 6 IP over four GIDP’s from a slow footed firstbaseman.
I’ll take it any day of the week.
‘cept Wednesday’s, That’s me time.
This was a day they really need Freel in the lineup. Just to be the annoying little pest he can be.
Watchout Hatter, Bill’s going to get pissed at you for rooting for freel and therefore rooting against his favorite player ever, Womack.
I hate speedy outfielders.
Anyone think we can lure Jeff Shaw out of retirement?
I expect that Mercker will settle down and be a good reliever this year. I’m not sure that I can say that about anyone else in the pen.
I’d like to see Shackelford called up from AAA.
Agreed. Although I don’t think Mercker is anything to write home about, he his probably the most reliable thing they have going (probably a comment about having one eye in the land of the blind would be evident here as well though)
Mets/Marlins is still 2-2 in the middle of the ninth. Great game so far.
is this the first reliever to make an appearance without giving up a run (or inherited runner) this year?
I don’t know, but I’ll take it. Hope Narron runs him out there for the ninth, as well.
Could be. Too bad he can’t pitch for 3 or 4 innings…. a day…. everygame.. and close…
Freel!!!
jj – you beat me to the comment. though i was going to use caps.
Freel walks to lead off the 8th! This guy is fun to watch play.
Here’s hoping he creates some havoc on the basepaths.
Ok, I’ll do it. I’m rooting against Womack, haha
type and you shall receive
Freel, Lopez, Junior, Dunn, Encarnacion, Kearns…I’d love to hear those names as the first six hitters in the Reds lineup all year long.
Nice group of players.
type and you shall receive I can’t believe Gonzalez is in the 8th
haha
absolutley
Junior hits one off the wall for anohter double and Freel scores! Let’s get something going here, guys.
yes yes yessss… $10 says womack would have found a way to get thrown out on that.
Did that Pirates announcer just call him “Mike Dunn”?
They’re pitching around Mike Dunn.
A nickname is cute and all, but any announcer that uses a nickname 100% of the time needs to find a new job.
Crap-tastic.
mike!
Looks like “gonzo” struck out “mike dunn.” Way to go pitts color commentary, way to go.
Ed-E! Ed-E! Ed-E!
3-0 on two straight hitters. The Reds need to make him pay.
And they don’t.
how do you go 3-0 on two batters and strike them out?
For the love of god. Chis Berman would be less annoying (slightly)
I dunno…ask “Gonzo.”
No one is more annoying than Chris Berman. He’s unbearable.
Why take Mercker out?
Muhaha. Freel is at 2nd, and womack is no where to be seen (I guess his arthritis medicine wore off)
alevegoodnews.com
good throw. That was close.
i’m telling you, no announcer is worse than the tweedledum and tweedledee the Nationals have this year. one said, “Man, that’s some jammage!” for an inside pitch. poor Nats – the bastard child of MLB.
“Jammage.” That’s great.
Okay, on to the ninth!
haha, And to think Theo Epstein was rumored to get going there.
can we trade womack for hernandez?
He had a good year for the mets last year, but Middle Relievers over 36 are about as reliable as pinto’s (or we could hope)
Alright, got a runner on!
Kearns smashed that ball. Bad luck.
I like Valentin as a back-up, but I would feel better if this was La-rue
Still alive
Barely.
I wish Wily Mo were pinch hitting here.
Just got back from the Clippers game. Left after the fifth inning. Too cold and they ran out of hot dogs!
I’ll give you that, but that being said.. I’d still make that deal 100/100 times
Ran out of hot dogs! That’s Un-American!
Come on, Rich! Jack out a game tying HR!!
I hope you’re the good luck charm, Jim.
At $2.50 a dog, they should never run out!!
Tomorrow night is dime-a-dog night!
Crap! Aurilla K’s!!
Well, the Pirates have won a game. I guess it had to happen sometime.
rats.:evil::evil:
Well, it was fun watching the game with you guys again today. See you tomorrow, I hope!
Maybe the guys will get back into the win column tomorrow.
damn… Can’t win them all, and they stayed competative througout the game, good outing for williams though. Trade womack for bullpen help (or a bullpen machine, or a dozen baseballs)
Good outing for Williams, I agree.
There are things to be hopeful about iwth respect to this season. Hope they knock off the cubbies next, and then we’ll really be feeling good.
Later, everyone.
See everybody on Tuesday in Chciago though it won’t be until about 3:30 for me.
Arroyo gets the chance to show us what he brings. Hoefully another win for him along with dropping his ERA down below 4.00.
Remember this — of the 30 clubs that start the season, the 8 that move forward at the end of the year — more often than not — are the 8 teams that pitch and catch the ball the best.
Why am I bothering? Who knows. But Bill, the following information is known as “evidence.” It is found on “the Internet” and is often used to prove or disprove claims like the one you made. Of course, “evidence” is usually offered up by the person making the claim…
In any event, the top 4 NL pitching teams (ERA) last year were St. Louis, Houston, the Mets, and Washington. Two made the playoffs, two didn’t.
The top four in defense (measured by defensive efficiency) were Houston, StL, Philadelphia, and the Mets. Again, two were in, two weren’t.
In the AL, the top pitching clubs were the White Sox, Cleveland, Anaheim, and Oakland. Two in, two out.
In defense, the top four were Oakland, Chicago, Cleveland, and Minnesota. One of four made the playoffs.
So, in 2005, of the top 8 or 9 “pitching and defense” teams, 4 made the playoffs.
Want to hear something really strange? The top AL offensive teams were the Yankees, Red Sox, Rangers and Indians. In the NL, they were the Reds, Phillies, Cards and Braves. I’ll let you do the math on these. So a good offense was exactly as likely to get you into the playoffs as “pitching and defense” would. So much for that old myth.
Chris, I wish there was some way to give you a standing ovation.
Want to hear something really strange? The top AL offensive teams were the Yankees, Red Sox, Rangers and Indians. In the NL, they were the Reds, Phillies, Cards and Braves. I’ll let you do the math on these. So a good offense was exactly as likely to get you into the playoffs as “pitching and defense” would. So much for that old myth.
Comment by Chris — 4/9/2006 @ 11:02 pm
Are you saying that the Reds poor pitching and defense had nothing to do with how they have finished the last few years?
Your “evidence” did nothing to COMBINE the positive effects of good pitching and defense. So it really said nothing at all. You call that evidence. I call it poppycock.
The top AL offensive teams were the Yankees, Red Sox, Rangers and Indians. In the NL, they were the Reds, Phillies, Cards and Braves. I’ll let you do the math on these. So a good offense was exactly as likely to get you into the playoffs as “pitching and defense” would. So much for that old myth.
Comment by Chris — 4/9/2006 @ 11:02 pm
No — the Yankees, Red Sox, Cards and Braves had good pitching and defense which got those teaMS TO THE PLAYOFFS.
The Reds, Indians, Rangers and Phillies did not have good pitching and defense which prevented them from getting to the playoffs — despite a good offense.
The Reds, Indians, Rangers and Phillies did not have good pitching and defense which prevented them from getting to the playoffs — despite a good offense.
Except the Indians actaully did have good pitching and good defense… the Yankees and Red Sox, neither of whom had pitching or defense as good as the Indians, made the playoffs. Why? Because they scored enough runs to make up for their inferior pitching and defense. If the Reds had either given up 200 fewer runs or scored 200 more, they would have been a lot better. It doesn’t make any sense to look at them separately and say that teams with good pitching and defense make the playoffs. Teams with good pitching, defense and enough offense make the playoffs, just like teams with good offense and enough pitching and defense.
Except the Indians actaully did have good pitching and good defense… the Yankees and Red Sox, neither of whom had pitching or defense as good as the Indians, made the playoffs. Why? Because they scored enough runs to make up for their inferior pitching and defense. If the Reds had either given up 200 fewer runs or scored 200 more, they would have been a lot better. It doesn’t make any sense to look at them separately and say that teams with good pitching and defense make the playoffs. Teams with good pitching, defense and enough offense make the playoffs, just like teams with good offense and enough pitching and defense.
Comment by Blue — 4/10/2006 @ 1:56 am
Were you voted by your class in high school as “most likely to suffer severely from your excesses”?
But I don’t think you’ll ever get enough of what you need?
Let it go.
Move on.
You’re in a different place now.
It’s maybe real tough for you to move beyond all this disdain — but you’ll need to do it….sooner or later.
The Reds need to address their pitching and defensive woes if they are to ever become a real contender….as all good clubs do.
Beyond that pal, I’ve had enough of this for one night.
Alright Bill define good pitching. The Red Sox were ranked 11 out of 14 (24th overall) in ERA, 12 out of 14 (25th overall) in OPSA, 11 out of 14 (24th overall) in BAA, 7 out of 14 (20th overall) in k/9, 5 out of 14 (10th overall) in k/bb, and 10 out of 14 (20th overall) in WHIP. So only one of the basic metrics were they even in the top half of the AL in pitching and except for that one category they were in the bottom third in the majors. So unless good ptiching means getting lots of strikeouts, I’m going to need some of the stuff you are smoking.
Were you voted by your class in high school as “most likely to suffer severely from your excesses”?
But I don’t think you’ll ever get enough of what you need?
Let it go.
Move on.
You’re in a different place now.
It’s maybe real tough for you to move beyond all this disdain — but you’ll need to do it….sooner or later.
The Reds need to address their pitching and defensive woes if they are to ever become a real contender….as all good clubs do.
Beyond that pal, I’ve had enough of this for one night.
Comment by Bill Hansing — 4/10/2006 @ 2:31 am
I wish I had some idea of what the hell you are talking about, but I don’t. Make sure you chew your conventional wisdom 40 times before you swallow it, or it won’t digest well.