Loading ...Here’s a game thread to discuss tonight’s titanic struggle between Florida and Cincinnati at Great American Ballpark. Brandon Claussen is on the mound.
This series will give us an idea where the Reds are. They’ve played decently against some teams that are expected to compete for the playoffs. If the Reds are also competitors, they should beat the Marlins handily.
We’ll see….
Sorry I was a little late with the game thread. Late night at work, so I didn’t get to post it until just now.
Don’t worry about it. Thanks for giving us a thread at all! I haven’t been around much for the last few games, so I’m looking forward to this one.
Claussen looks great in the first inning.
Very nice first inning for Claussen — nice to see
Wow. Claussen wasn’t his usual inefficient self in the top of the first.
2 K’s in the 1st. Let’s shoot for 18 for the game!
I see that Freel is at the top of the order. No Griffey.
Valentin is playing. When is LaRue coming back?
If the Reds can’t hammer Brian Moehler, they need to give up. This guy was a stiff during his time with the Reds, exceeded only by Shawn Estes that year.
Anybody remember when Bowden picked up Moeller as his “push for the pennant” acquisition?
Well done, FeLo
The more I see of Felipe Lopez, the more I love him as a player. This guy is going to be a great player for years to come.
Come on, Dunn!
Larue caught 9 innings yesterday. He is supposed to catch again tonight then be re-evaluated. Impending Roster decision to make.
Dunn’s last five hits have all been HRs — just heard Marty say
What’s the decision? Dump Ross.
Unless there’s a trade in the works for Valentin or LaRue.
All or None Dunn — Indeed
Yeah, Dunn sucks. He only hits homers. I wish he’d turn some of those homers into singles.
That’s what Dunn is supposed to do!!
Make that his last six hits have been homers.
I wouldn’t trade Adam Dunn for anyone in the majors, except for Albert Pujols.
Ears is Red Hot right now — seeing the ball real well, and driving it.
If he would only have a 200 hit season!!
Yep, Kearns has looked great so far this season. I’m hoping this is his breakout season.
Yeah, Dunn sucks. He only hits homers. I wish he’d turn some of those homers into singles.
Comment by Jimmy James — 4/17/2006 @ 7:23 pm
Chill dude — I hope he heads in to an unconscious streak
I’d like to see Kearns take off on a Player of the Month-type tear!!
With Griffey out, Narron has finally gotten it right:
Freel
Lopez
Dunn
Kearns
Encarnacion
Man, I like that first five.
At least that loser finally hit a HR with someone on base.
(Sarcasm directly mostly at Marty and WLW callers, btw).
On the Larue decision, I don’t know what they do. Maybe Griffey goes on the DL to delay the decision.
For all of the discussion around here about Womack — I don’t understand Narron’s infatuation with Hatteberg.
Sorry, Hatteberg is batting fifth. I like that less.
Nice Sean Casey impersonation by Hatteberg.
Hatteberg did a great Casey impression with that AB.
LOL.
Good call, Chris. I’m glad that Dunn was lucky enough to have someone on base when he hit his homer. As if he can control that.
I get the feeling that people are going to find something to criticize Dunn about, no matter what he does. It’sw a shame. Such a talented young player.
I agree with Chad..>I wouldn’t trade him for anyone but Pujols either.
I beat you to it, Jim.
I think they need to bite the bullet and move Dunn to 1B or else play Aurilla there everyday. Hatteberg just isn’t getting the job done.
Whatever happened to strapping Rob Stratton?
Chad, I must be as slow as Casey!
Yeah, Hatteberg seems like a good guy, but he just isn’t cutting it. Not that I like Aurilia any more.
Put Dunn at first and Freel in the OF.
hahahaha….you aren’t that slow, Jim.
Stratton started off the year pretty well in Louisville. I’d love to see him as the 5th OF in Cincy.
I’m going to go see what he’s done in the last week for the Bats.
There goes the no-hitter.
Stratton is beating the crap out of the ball at Louisville. The guy needs a break. Currently a .911 OPS at Louisville.
I thought that one was gone.
Yep, Stratton is mashing it. Poor guy can’t catch a break; here’s hoping he gets it this year.
I’d get rid of McCracken and Womack and bring up Denorfia and Stratton. Today.
Wow!! The RF and the 2B actually communicating on a pop fly. What a concept!
Rey Olmedo has a higher OPS than Stratton in Louisville.
Only 14 ABs, though.
Has hitting a homer in his first AB as a Red a kiss of death for McCracken? He had 19 pinch hits last year.
Can Stratton play 1b?
Rey Olmedo would make a good backup infielder as the 25th man on the roster. Too bad the Reds have 21 middle infielders on the major league team.
Surely, Stratton could play first.
McCracken is rotten. I’d rather take a Stratton, who has a chance of being a member of the next good Reds team. McCracken is roster filler at this point in his career.
How’s Olmedo’s elbow? Has he completely recovered?
I think Olmedo has recovered. He still can’t hit, though.
Runners on the corners with no outs.
Could the Marlins compete in the International League?
Phillips scores them both with a double!!!
It’s about Phillips caught a break. He has been stinging the ball since his arrival.
If Phillips hits like that, he’ll fit in just fine. I just wish he’d take a walk.
Brandon Phillips is opening some eyes
If Phillips fufills his potential here, what a blessing!!
He’s opening my eyes. I was skeptical when they picked him up.
He’s gotta be better than Womack, at least.
This series is coming at the perfect time for the Reds — I just hope we totally beat up on these guys
Okay, Freel, show me what you’ve got.
The Marlins will not lose 100 games this year. They’re just not as bad as everyone seems to think they are.
Yeah, after yesterday’s very tough loss, hopefully the Reds can get well on the AAA Marlins.
Thanks Freel.
Phillips runs well, doesn’t he?
He’s quick like a bunny.
Theyt look pretty bad, DA. Who do they have, other than Cabrera? And Ugggggla?
Willis will humble us on Wednesday.
Was Freel safe on that one? He seems to think so.
I hope Willis pitches as well as he did in the WBC.
Mercy call!!
Yes, he was safe. It wasn’t even close. Terrible call.
Freel was so safe!!
Isn’t Freel fun to watch, though?
We need about three more runs to give us a safe cushion for the Reds bullpen.
R Freel doubled to shortstop, B Phillips scored.
How does one double to shortstop?
I think Dunn should come out of the bullpen before some of those guys.
Hey! Hatteberg did something productive!
I was wondering the same thing, Bill.
Walking the freakin’ pitcher!! Come on, Claussen!
The Marlins aren’t as bad as popular opinion says, but Scuffy Moehler is.
No, the Marlins aren’t as bad as everyone says – they’re worse. The Nationals barely took two of three from them this weekend.
The Nationals are good, though. Just ask L’il Jimmy Bowden.
How bad is Washington? I’m going to see the Reds play them next Wednesday in D.C.
Cabrera is a superstar. Willis is up there. Hermida is very good. Hanley Ramirez and Willinghame are at least solid this year, and will get better. However, I don’t even know who’s in their starting rotation other than Willis and Moehler, and that’s a bad sign.
After two weeks of every checked swing being called a strike, Jerry Crawford decides to award one!
You have two great players, and a bunch of guys that are going to be good. But not this year (except Hermida, perhaps).
The Marlins have a great future, but I’m afraid the present is pretty ugly.
Well, here comes good ole inefficient Brandon Claussen, the one we know and love.
Pitching around Cabrera? Not a bad idea.
Claussen is like Jeckyl and Hyde depending on the inning.
Well, he worked his way out of it, but it wasn’t easy.
Let’s go score some runs.
I still think Florida can do better than a 100-loss season. The NL East is not strong enough to beat them down that far. Atlanta will be falling this year, Philadelphia is probably a little below .500, and daedalus knows firsthand how bad the Nationals are…
You might be right, DA. I hope they lose three this week, though.
Marty and Hal McCoy said they thought Womack was going to get released when LaRue was ready to return.
That would be the only benefit to carrying three catchers.
Why would you use the shift on Dunn unless it allows for the positioning of players in the stands?
Wow. Womack getting released would do a world of good for my mental well-being.
The Marlins’ fans must go nuts over this stuff, all ten of them.
Hatteberg can fly!
With Womack gone, we can focus all our negativity on Dave Williams and the bullpen, most of who appear when Williams pitches.
Jim – Cincy isn’t exactly packing the house.
I still think we should give Williams some time. He put up decent numbers last year, and he’s still young, so he should improve.
I’d like to see him take a big step forward this year.
Anyone else having trouble getting into RedsZone?
The headline for Rob Neyer’s latest column at ESPN:
“Pena is a defensive liability for Red Sox”
You don’t say?
Four innings of shutout ball. Nice job, Claussen.
But the Reds can partially blame the weather for their attendance!
Anyone else notice that Albert Pujols hit another homer in his first AB tonight?
Neyer’s follow-up: “Griffey Injury-Prone”
Or: “Bonds Unpopular With Fans”
Ok, you have a point. It’s probably cold tonight there, isn’t it?
What concerns me about Williams is the lack of velocity. It takes imaculate control to overcome that.
“Yankees have high payroll”
Pujols doubled as well. Probably off the top of the wall, ten feet from the LF foul pole.
I did take notice of that HR by Prince Albert. Gives him homers in 4 consecutive at-bats.
Trivia question: The Reds had a player that accomplished that very rare feat. Name him.
Hey, Phillips took a pitch!
YEah, it was over his head, but still….
Was it Larkin, DA? That day that he had five in a double header?
Nope, not Larkin.
I was thinking more of the rainfest weekend with Pittsburgh. As for tonight, it low humidity and currently 62 with a project low of 39.
So do you think the Marlins are long for Miami?
Was it Eric Davis?
I think the only baseball that should be played in Florida is the ball played in March. It’s root, root, root for contraction.
I know who they were now since I decided to go cheat.
Nope, not Davis. This is actually ridiculously obscure, I don’t really expect anyone to guess it. Happened forty years ago this year. It’s an interesting story, I’ll be right back to tell it in a few minutes.
I vote for contraction. Maybe there would be enough pitching talent to go around then.
was it one of the boones? bret, maybe?
Wait, Jim, was there more than one? If so, now you’ve got me stumped.
Art Shamsky
oh, shoot, why didn’t we all know that?
No, I was looking at the wrong stat. I look at consecutive games with a HR, which is five. It’s shared by Big Klu, Bench, and Junior.
And, of course, didn’t Junior hit homers in 8 consecutive games as a Mariner?
Looks like Dunn is going to walk again.
Dunn made me a liar once again.
If the Fish move I sure hope they get better looking uniforms.
Heads up play by Kearns. Slowed down the eventual run that will score before the inning is over.
good D
Nice timing for two of few groundballs that Claussen has induced tonight.
One more inning for Claussen?
:?::?::?::?::?:
I’ll take this performance out of Claussen all year long.
Slowed down the eventual run that will score before the inning is over. You have some lying going on tonight…
Just wish he’d throw more strikes.
Jim’s a liar.
I know!! I used to seeing Claussen buckle.
Kearns!!!!!!!!!!!
Kearns goes yard and that’s the truth!!
:lol::lol::lol:
This may be the year we’ve all been waiting on, when Kearns and Dunn both put it all together.
Should be fun to watch.
Kearns is looking great so far this season!
Speak it, Jim!
I like the return of the Dunn and Kearns show!!
Hatteberg ropes one for a double. Nice!
The Truth shall set you free!!!
:cool::cool:
when Kearns and Dunn both put it all together.
since they were roaming the Dayton outfield in their nice green uniforms…
This is exactly the type of game the Reds needed tonight.
Now, let’s cross our fingers that the bullpen doesn’t blow it.
Say whatever you want about Jim Bowden (and there’s plenty to say), but give him credit for taking Dunn and Kearns in the same year. Two picks that are working out quite nicely, thank you.
LLM!
even a broken watch is right twice a day
Joe Girardi looks way too young to manage.
So if the Marlins goes to San Antonio, what will they be called?
:?::?::?:
With these mashers on the team, Chris Chambliss is in a good pisition as a hitting coach.
That should say “position.”
Time to shuffle back-and-forth between the game and 24.
Yeah, the Marlins make the Reds look good defensively. They’re brutal.
Hit one hard, B-Phillips.
Thank you.
Wow, they’re terrible in the field. Terrible.
I guess Claussen is going to pitch at least one more inning. He’s at 90 pitches now, through six innings.
He probably has one more in him, but only one.
Jay Bruce hit his first HR as a Dragon!! Gawd, I’ve probably cursed him again.
Hope Bruce is ready to take over for Junior in center in a couple of years.
Good start by Claussen: 7 IP, 108 pitches, 7 Ks, 2 BBs, 5H, 0 runs. Very good.
Anyone else having trouble getting into RedsZone?
Comment by Jimmy James — 4/17/2006 @ 8:18 pm
I’ve been posting over there all evening — no problem at all….just sayin’
The Marlins were just what Claussen needed.
I’ll save the Shamsky story for after the game, so as not to interrupt the flow. Claussen kept it going while I was out, huh? And Kearns remains hot.
do these comments allow images? i have the best photo of kearns.
Post a link if you can’t embed the image.
Is that Rerun pitching for the Fish?
:razz::razz:
Say whatever you want about Jim Bowden (and there’s plenty to say), but give him credit for taking Dunn and Kearns in the same year. Two picks that are working out quite nicely, thank you.
Comment by Jimmy James — 4/17/2006 @ 8:57 pm
I’ll give him credit for those — if you can also “credit” him with getting every other first round pick wrong — every one for what 12 years. That is what killed this club.
People also allow Bowden to “skate” when he got ‘em wrong saying there wasn’t money for scouting — but I still ocassionally see something like this that wants to give him credit for Dunn and Kearns.
But Jimbo also drafted Johnny Oliver.
Traded a first round pick for Damon Berryhill.
I could go on but it would just get me angry — look it up yourself. NO ONE IN THE REDS ORGANIZATION FEELS THAT BOWDEN’S TENURE WAS GOOD FOR THE REDS. That says allot.
Charge the mound!
Does GABP have wireless?
:?::?::?:
even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
(don’t forget i have to put up with bowden’s idiocy every time i go to the ballpark.)
Chill, dude. Read my post again; I acknowledged there was plenty to say about Bowden that wasn’t good.
He was a disaster, no doubt about it. Now go take your blood pressure medication.
What’s with the black smudges on the sleeves of the jerseys? I thought it was pine tar or something, but not on everyone’s uni, just makes ‘em look like they’re dirty.
I don’t know if it has wireless — but when Howsam was GM it was hairless.
Test:
Nope, can’t embed an image. Please post a link, though.
What’s with the black smudges on the sleeves of the jerseys? I thought it was pine tar or something, but not on everyone’s uni, just makes ‘em look like they’re dirty.
Comment by Bill — 4/17/2006 @ 9:29 pm
I’m with you on this one Bill — I hate that look. It looks like they are dirty. But it looks to me like all the clubs have opted for this “look” — kind of like a bad tour T-Shirt during a Jimmy Buffet show — they look bad but everybody’s wearing ‘em.
I’ll put it on my blog with a link before the game is over.
Homer Bailey 5IP 1 H 0R 2BB 5K tonight for the Sarasota Reds.
Looks like some kind of special material all the teams are using. Maybe it’s supposed to be cooler, or soak up sweat better, or something.
Hey Chad — how can I ask you a question privately?
are you talking about the elbows of the long sleeve shirts? some clubs look like they have dried blood all over their elbows.
Mike Burns might just be pitching his way out of town. We don’t need this.
Bill, just send me an email at the address in the “Contact Us!” link above. (redlegnation AT verizon DOT net).
Can you believe this bullpen? Claussen should punch Mike Burns in the face!
this guy is good. (wellingham) he did well against the nats over the weekend.
That double play was good.
Well, that’s good. No more shutout, but the Reds already led the league in those – no need to rub it in.
Nevermind, I thought the Reds had two SHO. And didn’t notice that Houston had 3.
Please, bullpen, do well and get some confidence.
There goes EE again, yanking one down the left field line.
I’ll just ask my question here:
First of all — I just want to tell you guys that it is so cool to be able to come here and talk through these games with you guys. I know that it happens over at REDSZONE and I have routinely joined in over there — but candidly, that area is dominated by a handful of people who seem to think they know more than anyone else about the Reds and literally try to steamroll over people. Sadly it is allowed by their moderatiors for reasons that I still don’t understand.
But as fun as it is to talk through the game, I feel like it would be just as fun to keep the discussion going after the game. There’s no rule that says once the game ends — that the discussion of the game has to end too — but it usually simply fizzles out then. I’d like to styick around and talk about several things — who might go when LaRue is activated, the bullpen, EE’s future, Junior’s injury, etc.
What do you think? Want to keep the conversation going after the game?
I’m glad I ddn’t knock that Phillips acquisition…LOL>
Four RBIs for Brandon Phillips. Not bad, not bad at all!
Scary slide by EE. Phillips is producing tonight.
Bill, I’d love to do that most nights. Especially on these nights after wins when I’m not sick of the team.
Sure, I’ll stick around for a little bit. The Daily Show isn’t on until later, and I echo Jimmy James – when the goodwill is flowing there should be some turnout.
The Reds need to make sure they win most games with the teams like the Pirates and Marlins, so far. These games help keep you above .500. You know the Cards will beat this team.
By the way, I notice the ‘top commentators’ listing on the left sidebar now lists my cute alias – I thought it would keep my real name there forever (which I used in my first post on this site last year).
This is an important inning for Hammond. He needs his confidence as well as his control back
Well, Chris Hammond might be a major-leaguer again.
5-2 at home. Nice! Hammond even got three outs.
And this one belongs to the Reds.
I changed that last night, DA. Thought you’d prefer your alias in that spot.
This one belongs to the Reds
I like this club — Tony Womack and all…LOL
All right, ISSUE 1: Austin Kearns – putting it together or just a tantalizing hot streak like he’s teased us with before-PAT BUCHANAN!
I don’t know how the Reds feel about that win, but I know that I sure needed it, after last night. I was a little down on the club after yesterday’s heartbreaker.
Hammonds gets the job done. I think when we activate Larue then we give Burns his pink slip. If not for the DP, who knows how many runs he gives up.
DA’s real name: John McLaughlin.
Austin Kearns is the real deal this year, I think. He’s healthy, and he can barely remember fat Ray King sitting on him. He’s ready to become a star.
I was in my impressionable years while Dana Carvey and Phil Hartman were the stars of SNL, and Mike Myers was the new guy. Just trying to gauge the crowd here.
Can Milton go 3-0 tomorrow?
I’ve said that before, though – every year is the year he’s going to finally blossom.
What I saw Krivsky do this year — which has already paid huge dividends — is he sent a message early on that he wants guys to throw strikes — he ousted Josh Hancocok for his weight but also because he was wild. Wagner was wild so he’s in Louisville. Same with Shackleford and Standridge.
I don’
t think guys like Mike Burns or even Rick White are better than those other guys — but their presence means that Krivsky is forcing the young kid’s hands for once — if they throw strikes and pitch well in Louisville — we’ll see them.
The same with all the infield acquisistions. Call me stupid — you’ve already called me worse, but I beliebt at Womack’s presence is what tripped Freel’s trigger. So that move made allot of sense — in that context.
I was impressionable when the orginal SNL cast took to the tube.
Maybe you’re right about Womack and Freel, Bill. I don’t think you are right, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility. Either way, I’m enjoying watching Freel.
I think Kearns is putting it all together right now.
I also think that Krivsky is shopping Kearns — but his value is rising with each day.
And I hope Milton can go 3-0 tomorrow. Fingers are crossed.
The other side of that, though, is what happened to Kearns (or at least, according to him). He felt too much pressure and forced things when he was sharing time with Wily Mo.
I still don’t understand this Scott Hatteberg thing — Aurilia should be playing there every day.
I can’t imagine any benefit in trading Kearns, after also dealing Wily Mo. Especially with Junior’s injury history.
Here’s the picture of Austin Kearns. Do you like?
No, Dunn should be playing at 1B every day.
So now that Kearns is a guaranteed fixture in RF, I think he has his best chance yet to live up to the potential.
Oh dear lord, daedalus.
That is the most disturbing picture I’ve ever seen.
It looks just like Kearns, but I’m still going to have nightmares tonight.
I don’t believe Kearns felt threatened by Wily Mo — I think he was threatened by Dan O’Brien’s assessment of him — and he probably had good reason to feel that way about O’Brien.
What was O’Brien’s assessment?
Well he was indecisive — about that and maybe 100 other areas. And then he sent Kearns down to AAA — so Austin had to be thinking last year about where he stood in DanO’s eyes.
BTW, if you think that photo’s disturbing, you should go look at daedalus’ blog. Someone’s been playing with PhotoShop.
That’s right, the AAA assignment. How quickly I forget.
I think I might sleep better tonight after seeing that picture of Kearns — but I have bronchitis and am on heavy meds — so anything will make me sleep better.
What do you think the deal is with Junior’s injury?
If throwing strikes is the prime directive of the Krivsky era then Williams and Bellisle better start throwing them.
photoshop is fun :razz::razz:
the junior thing is bizarre.
Junior could be dead and management would take three weeks to getting around to disclosing it.
Junior was just placed on the 15 day DL
Junior is on the DL, according to Marty, retroactive to last week.
Glad we played for a week with only 24 players on the roster. Well, 23 plus Womack.
Issue 2, THE GRIFFEY INJURY: I just typed a long thing that said not serious, and then Marty just said that he’s been placed on the DL. Damn it.
Well, that solves the Larue activation issue for now.
Well, that deflates me a little bit. I like how they waited until a few minutes after a decisive win to announce the Griffey DL decision – kind of like how politicos announce bad news on late Friday afternoon to bury it.
maybe the injury is a way to kill some time before a roster decision. maybe krivsky has something up his sleeve. maybe i can stop my wishful thinking.
This team is playing pretty well without Junior so I don’t think it will deflate them much.
Actually, Jim is probably right on – it solves the issue of LaRue for the next week and a half, and then as daedalus says, it buys time for a real move.
strain in the knee tendons.
Yeah that sounds like something minor. More of the same from the Reds.
Maybe Kremcheck can do a total transplant of both of Junior’s legs. Womack can donate his, which should be funny seeing those little legs on Junior.
the mlb.com article says there is a “knot” in his knee that he rubs out and it comes back.
The Reds don’t have to worry a lot about injuries that affect their offense, because they’ve got so much of it. They don’t have to worry at all about injuries that affect their defense or bullpen, since the injury replacements would likely amount to improvements in those areas. I think what they really have to worry about is injuries to their top 4 starting pitchers.
daedalus-Can you do a Photoshop of what Womack’s legs would look like on Junior? That should be scarier than the Kearns photo!!
A knot? Ugh.
“You better knot mention that again.”
Injuries to starting pitching and we are cooked!
Pittsburgh played St. Louis tough.
Mets beat Atlanta, which may signal that the Mets will run away with the NL East.
Yeah, I’ve been listening to this Junior’s injury is really not an injury thing. Then it was a knot that just gets rubbed out each day — so he’s day to day; well if it comes back day to day then it is a longer term thing isn’t it?
Let’s talk about our starters for a second. What if — a big “if” — what if Wilson comes back and can contribute? What if Ryan Wagner gets it and come back strong? What if Krivsky picks up a good closer?
Pitching becomes good on this team.
ok, junior and womack mutant coming up.
ISSUE 3: PITCHING STAFF. Can Paul Wilson help this team, and if so, in what role should he be placed?
I think if Wilson comes back at all — he will help the team. I believe he won’t be joining the team if he can’t help them. I believe he goes into the rotation and replaces the least effective at that point in time. We’re probably looking at June or July for this to happen.
Yes, Wilson can help this team, but only in relief, I’m afraid. I’d love to see him as a setup guy, able to pitch four times a week or so.
I’m just not sure his arm will hold up to starting anymore. If it does, he’s a good long relief/spot starter type.
The door is open for Wilson to take the five spot from Williams.
I think if Coffey can continue to make progress that he can claim the closer spot. If Wagner can get his act together then he can be the setup man.
If those two can’t get it done, I would like them to find some washed up starter who has the stuff to become a slam-the-door closer (ala Dennis Eckersley).
I also believe that Kearns is being shopped for a top tier starter — and the Reds would be fine with Denorfia playing every day in RF.
Wilson’s arm couldn’
t hold up as a starter but would hold up to pitch four to five times a week?
Explain that to me one more time.
Bats win thanks to a two-run double by Stratton.
If the Lookouts can comeback (currently trailing 3-4 HR by Votto) then it will be a clean sweep by the Reds farm system tonight.
I had thought that Paul Wilson would be bullpen fodder, but I should have known to wait and see what the 5 starters would do early in the year. On the young season (shudder) Dave Williams looks like the odd man out, but we’re only two weeks in. If Wilson comes back in June and anyone has an ERA of 6.00 or something, it’s an easy decision. Otherwise, Wilson replaces Burns or Rick White. In a short relief role, maybe Wilson even gains a few mph on the gun and becomes a crafty presence out of the bullpen. No way he pitches 4 or 5 times a week though – but almost nobody has to do that.
If we have to have Paul Wilson [itching four times a week in relief — we have bigger problems that I have even imagined.
Denorfia was 3-3 tonight. Kearns value should be climbing.
I’m hoping Junior plays four times a week for us.
Same as with any other washed up starter that becomes a reliever, though 4 or 5 times might be pushing it. You’re using your arm differently as a reliever, since you only have to pitch a limited number of pitches out of the pen.
Seems obvious.
Don’t say that, Jim! Kearns should not be traded.
I think the Reds top brass believes that Denorfia is ready to be playing everyday. They like his attitude; how he handled his demotion impressed them; they even told him it would be like a Fancoure thing (the Atlanta guy last year)– it would be ironic that after all these years waiting for ears to break though — he does it with another team.
I would trade him for a number two guy though.
I’m not saying thay we should trade him. I’m just saying his value has grown.
Goodness, don’t trade him. I like Denorfia a lot, but his upside is not Francoeur…it’s as a good fourth outfielder.
Nothing in his history would indicate that he’d be a good replacement for Kearns.
I realize that this is just Reds fan hopefulness — but I also wish Krivsky would catch lightening in a bottle with some acquisition — like the Cardinals did with Chris Carpenter — who was so-so and then just came into his own with them.
We need to get kucky like that — it’s been a long time now for us Reds fans.
I don’t want to trade Kearns — but would if I could get a solid number two guy.
Wouldn’t you trade Kearns for a number two starter???
Lookouts tied 4-4 in the top of the 9th. Votto on 2B with two outs.
Yes, the Reds need to have one of these low-cost ventures turn to gold. Philips is Attempt #1.
Here’s another question — would you trade Dunn for a solid number one starter and an average outfielder who can play good defense (.275, 20 HR, 80 RBI, solid glove)??
Do you ever regret that Bowden traded Paul Konerko at he gave him 55 plate appearances as a Red?
Yep. I would probably trade Dunn if I got back, say, Jake Peavy.
I wouldn’t trade Dunn for anyone other than Albert Pujols.
If I were offered a very good pitcher for Kearns, I wouldn’t turn it down immediately. I’d think about it, but I’d be hesitant to do it. I just can’t imagine he’d fetch that price.
I want to see Kearns become what we always thought he could be, then see him and Dunn locked up to long-term contracts. They’re the rock that the next good Reds team will be built around.
no trading kearns. dunn and kearns go together. always. besides, we need someone who can play defense in the outfield.
mutant griffey womack. sorry, i couldn’t find a clear womack leg picture, but you’ll get the idea. i didn’t want to spend all night on something stupid like this, but it is an interesting contrast. griffey really does have big legs.
Konerko was pretty good the last couple of years, but he took a while to develop and now that he’s hit a peak is likely to fall off quickly.
People always justify that Konerko deal by saying that we got Cameron who got us Junior — but I think Junior had gone on record as saying that he wanted to come to Cincinnati — so if Leatherpants had just waited another year, you get Junior as a FA anyway.
Imagine having this lineup:
Freel — 2B
Lopez — SS
Griffey — CF
Konerko — 1B
Dunn — LF
Kearns — RF
Encanacion — 3B
LaRue — C
Well, I’m going to disembark from this ride. I’m going to leave with the little bit of Reds History that I assembled on Art Shamsky.
The other factor in trading for an outstanding pitcher is whether the Reds would pay to keep the guy long term.
On 8-12-66, Art Shamsky came into a game as part of a double switch (replacing Joe Nuxhall, batting ninth) in the eighth inning of a Crosley Field game against Pittsburgh. The Reds were down 7-6. He came to bat in the bottom of the eighth with a runner on first, and homered to give the Reds a 1-run lead. In the ninth, former Red Jerry Lynch hit a pinch-hit solo homer for Pittsburgh to tie it up. In the tenth, Willie Stargell homered to give the Pirates a 9-8 lead. In the bottom of the tenth, Shamsky came up again and hit a solo shot to tie it up again. In the eleventh, the Pirates scored two more to go up 11-9. After two quick outs, the Reds’ second-dtring catcher worked a walk, bringing up Shamsky, who promptly homered off a new pitcher to make it 11-11.
After a scoreless 12th, Pittsburgh scored three in the 13th, and if Leo Cardenas had managed to get on-base instead of hitting into a doubleplay to end it, Shamsky would have had yet another opportunity to tie it up. But not to be.
The next day he didn’t play, and he didn’t start the Sunday game against the Pirates either. But in the seventh inning, down 1-0, he pinch-hit and homered, giving Cincinnati a 2-1 lead…only for it to disappear as the bullpen again blew the lead.
Shamsky came up as a prospect with the Reds in 1965 and played for them through 1967. He flashed a lot of power potential in his first full season with the Reds – 21 HR in just 234 at-bats, with a good batting eye. But he hit only .234, and batting average held a lot more sway in those days. After a intermittently-injured year as pinch-hitter/fifth outfielder in 1967 he got traded to the Mets. As a Jewish player in New York he became a fan favorite as the 4th outfielder. He learned how to hit for average there, and his 1969 season on the Miracle Mets was a very good one, but Shea Stadium and nagging back injuries sapped his power, and he retired after the 1972 season.
He hit .253/.330/.427 in his career wih 68 HR.
The reason I’ve heard of his name is that my dad happened to be at the wild 14-11 game.
Thanks daedalus- Appreciate the effort. Glittery legs.
You will not possibly believe this Devil’s Advocate — but I too was at that game. I remember it well.
I was also at that Sunday game.
Lookouts up 5-4 in the 10th on a double by Varner.
Lookouts a winner in 10 innings, 5-4.
On 8-12-66, Art Shamsky came into a game as part of a double switch (replacing Joe Nuxhall, batting ninth) in the eighth inning of a Crosley Field game against Pittsburgh. The Reds were down 7-6. He came to bat in the bottom of the eighth with a runner on first, and homered to give the Reds a 1-run lead. In the ninth, former Red Jerry Lynch hit a pinch-hit solo homer for Pittsburgh to tie it up. In the tenth, Willie Stargell homered to give the Pirates a 9-8 lead. In the bottom of the tenth, Shamsky came up again and hit a solo shot to tie it up again. In the eleventh, the Pirates scored two more to go up 11-9. After two quick outs, the Reds’ second-dtring catcher worked a walk, bringing up Shamsky, who promptly homered off a new pitcher to make it 11-11.
After a scoreless 12th, Pittsburgh scored three in the 13th, and if Leo Cardenas had managed to get on-base instead of hitting into a doubleplay to end it, Shamsky would have had yet another opportunity to tie it up. But not to be.
The next day he didn’t play, and he didn’t start the Sunday game against the Pirates either. But in the seventh inning, down 1-0, he pinch-hit and homered, giving Cincinnati a 2-1 lead…only for it to disappear as the bullpen again blew the lead.
Shamsky came up as a prospect with the Reds in 1965 and played for them through 1967. He flashed a lot of power potential in his first full season with the Reds – 21 HR in just 234 at-bats, with a good batting eye. But he hit only .234, and batting average held a lot more sway in those days. After a intermittently-injured year as pinch-hitter/fifth outfielder in 1967 he got traded to the Mets. As a Jewish player in New York he became a fan favorite as the 4th outfielder. He learned how to hit for average there, and his 1969 season on the Miracle Mets was a very good one, but Shea Stadium and nagging back injuries sapped his power, and he retired after the 1972 season.
He hit .253/.330/.427 in his career wih 68 HR.
The reason I’ve heard of his name is that my dad happened to be at the wild 14-11 game.
Comment by DevilsAdvocate — 4/17/2006 @ 11:01 pm
It is amazing that you bring this up — I was 13 years old with my father and mother at Crosley Field. I remember that crazy game; my Reds popcorn megaphone (which is pictured in Bruce Chadwick’s book); what the weather was like on that day; I recall a play that Pete made that was amazing. Later during our Cincinnati vacation we went to Coney Island — which was later transfered to King’s Island. We also ate dinner one evening at the Trolley Tavern (since torn down) where Pete used to throw the ball against the back wall while his dad drank with his buddies aftyer playing semi-pro football games.
The Trolley Tavern is gone; Pete is gone; Crosley Field is gone, my mom and dad are gone — but great memories remain.
Memories….
Lookouts a winner in 10 innings, 5-4.
Comment by Jim McCullough — 4/17/2006 @ 11:25 pm
Cool
So that’s a clean sweep for the whole organization tonight, right???
Cool memories, Bill
Clean sweep tonight by the organization.
Reds team ERA drops below 5.00
Great story, DA. Outstanding.
The Reds had a reliever in those days named Billy McCool. He was from Lawrenceville, Indiana and was a big hard thrower. One year he made the All-Star team. He was great.
Dream a Little Dream with Me:
#1 — Trade Adam Dunn for Todd Hollinsworth, Cliff Lee and Todd Hollingsworth
#2 Trade Kearns for Rich Harden and Huston Street
Rotation –
Cliff Lee
Rich Harden
Aaron Harang
Bronson Arroyo
Eric Wiltom
Bradnon Claussen
Paul Wilson
Huston Street – Closer
Mercker
Weathers
Hammond
Belisle
Coffey
Williams
Wagner, Ryan
Shakelford
Standridge
Lineup
Freel – 2B
Denorfia – RF
Lopez – SS
Junior – CF
Aurilia – 1B
Encarnacion – 3b
LaRue – C
Hollandsworth – LF
Just a thought late at night and winding down.
Thanks for ther chat.
I met Shamsky. My grandparents used to manage an apartment complex on the west side of Cincinnati that a lot of the Reds lived in in the mid ’60’s. Shamsky, Maloney, Coker, Pavletich, Deron Johnson, and Pete Rose all lived there.
Pete used to invite my grandpa to the ball park about every night. I can remember watching home movies in Rose’s apartment of him playing at Crosley.
Some time I’ll tell the story about the night Maloney (I think it was him) fixed a promotion at the ballpark so my grandpa would win a tv.
Some time I’ll tell the story about the night Maloney (I think it was him) fixed a promotion at the ballpark so my grandpa would win a tv.
Comment by Bill — 4/18/2006 @ 6:53 am
Bill, you are tugging on the heartstrings of my formative years as a Reds fan here. I grew up listening to the Reds in southern Indiana on a radio my brother had sent to me from an R & R trip to Okinawa during one of his two tours of duty in Viet Nam.
Marty was talking about Claude Sullivan yesterday, and I remember listening to him, keeping score while I sat there creating pictures in my mind painted by his words.
That is a time that has gone by now — just a memory without anywhere to stay.
Billy McCool? How great a name is that!
McCool pitched in the 14-11 game, and did not do well – in 2 innings, he gave up 4 hits, K’d 2, and walked 6 (!), gave up 5 runs and got the loss. Overall for the year, though, he was great out of the bullpen – 105 innings, 104 K, 2.48 ERA. He was definitely what we’d call a closer today, though saves were a relatively new statistic at the time and had not yet really altered typical bullpen usage.
I had no idea Shamsky would elicit any memories or discussion at all. I’m glad it came up.
Billy McCool? How great a name is that!
McCool pitched in the 14-11 game, and did not do well – in 2 innings, he gave up 4 hits, K’d 2, and walked 6 (!), gave up 5 runs and got the loss. Overall for the year, though, he was great out of the bullpen – 105 innings, 104 K, 2.48 ERA. He was definitely what we’d call a closer today, though saves were a relatively new statistic at the time and had not yet really altered typical bullpen usage.
I had no idea Shamsky would elicit any memories or discussion at all. I’m glad it came up.
Comment by DevilsAdvocate — 4/18/2006 @ 10:30 am
McCool was from Lawrenceburg, Indiana — across the river from Cincinnati. If my memory serves me correct, he even made ther All-Star game one year for the Reds.
Big guy (like Rick White) — hard throwing lefty with control problems.
Was the Trolley Tavern down on River Road?
Was the Trolley Tavern down on River Road?
Comment by Brian B. — 4/18/2006 @ 4:19 pm
Yep — that was the place. Torn down now though.
Wow. I have vague memories of the Trolley in the late 70s. I think my uncle used to work there. He runs the kitchen down at the Boathouse now.