Redleg Nation is thrilled to have Reds minor leaguer Bo Lanier as a “Redleg Nation Spotlight Player” and we are going to be following his career with a lot of interest. Other than his annoying habit of calling me “sir” (which makes me feel very old), Bo is a very classy, well-spoken, and nice guy.

We’re happy that he was willing to give us some of his time and attention and we hope to follow his career all the way to Great American Ballpark.

Watch Redleg Nation for more from Reds farmhand Bo Lanier in the coming months.

—————

Interview with Bo Lanier, conducted 9/4/06 in the offices of the Dayton Dragons about 2 hours before the last game of the season.

Key
RN: Redleg Nation (Bill Lack)
BL: Bo Lanier

—————

RN: Redleg Nation is talking with Dayton Dragons pitcher Bo Lanier. He’s been kind enough to give us some of his time today.

RN: Bo, let’s talk about when you started playing baseball? How old were you when you started playing?

BL: I started tee ball when I was 5 years old. 5…turning 6.

RN: Parents always have been big supporters?

BL: Yeah, they’ve always been big supporters. One of my first memories is being in the front yard in a diaper and a big red bat and my dad throwing whiffle balls to me. They started me early.

RN: When did you realize that you had a chance to play pro ball?

BL: It had to be probably my sophomore year in college, maybe my redshirt sophomore year. Because my goals kind of changed. My goals, my life’s dream was I wanted to play baseball at University of Georgia. I always dreamed of playing in the major leagues, but it wasn’t a goal that I sought overnight. The goal that I set for myself in high school was to play college ball and in my junior and senior year of high school, I thought I might get the chance to play at Georgia, they offered me that. That was my goal in school, I want to do well enough in practice, I want to do well enough in the games where I can play for Georgia.

RN: So, you saw it as a step process?

BL: Yes, sir. And also, when I was in high school, I was a mid-80’s guy. I threw in the mid-80’s, but I had a 12-6 curveball that was my out pitch. And that’s what got me to Georgia. I wasn’t even a pitcher in high school. I pitched but that wasn’t my primary position. I saw myself going to college as a second baseman, leadoff hitter. And the way I got seen was, every year we played our cross-town rivals — Athens, Georgia — at Foley Field at University of Georgia and I happened to pitch that game. The head coach was there and he said, “Why don’t you come pitch for Georgia?” That’s how it happened.

And then my freshman fall, I started throwing 88-89, just kind of came out of nowhere. I went home for Christmas break and I don’t do anything for month. I come back and my first bullpen, I’m throwing 92-93. And I didn’t know where that came from. That year I was 92-93, the next year I came back and the first game of the season I was hitting 95. Later that season, I touched 96-97. I don’t know where the speed came from.

But when that started happening, my phone started ringing off the hook with scouts and I ended up not signing that year, because all of a sudden I’m seeing my name on Baseball America, which I never even followed, I was in the top 200 prospects, they were saying you’re going to go in the top 4 or 5 rounds, and it just kind of hit me and I said, “Whoa…” Because I didn’t see that for myself; I saw myself playing for Georgia, getting my degree and getting a job.

RN: Going on with your life?

BL: Yeah, going on with my life. I wasn’t on the map, no scouts had talked to me, all of a sudden, I get an arm overnight and my phone’s ringing off the hook, letters are coming in, and they ask, “Do you want to play pro ball right now?” and every time I said, “I don’t know.” My plans have changed so quickly that if I sign this year, my life changes like that. (snaps his fingers).

RN: Like shell-shock.

BL: It hit me to where I didn’t expect it, I wasn’t ready for it. The Red Sox ended up taking me that year in the 35th round and I got a lot of calls offering me the 4th or 5th round and I kept saying, “no”. That’s where the signability is, a team’s not going to draft you there if they can’t sign you, especially with those early picks. So they took me later in the draft that year and were going to follow me in the Cape Cod League. I had decided I was not going to sign unless it was life-altering money. Which is going to be $600,000 or more, which I understood was too big a price for me, but to take me away from school and to change my life that quickly, it was going to have to be life-altering money.

>> Continue

As per Reds.com.

Brantley, who was signed to a four-year contract, will call a majority of games on WLW radio with Hall of Fame voice Marty Brennaman and will also work select games as a TV analyst for Fox Sports Net Ohio.

I’ll be interested to see how he and Chris interact…

I began writing this review weeks ago, but I thought I would wait until after the season to finish and publish it. Mainly, that’s because the World Series is over and the long, hard winter is ahead of us…and we’re all in need of some baseball-related reading to get us through the off-season.

With that in mind, I give my highest recommendation to “Little League, Big Dreams,” by Charles Euchner. If you ever played Little League baseball, and especially if you have (or have had) a child who is (or will be) involved in LL, you need to read this book.

I have a daughter who just started playing tee-ball this year, and a two-year old son who will be old enough to play before I know it. As you can imagine, this is a subject matter that appeals to me.

But it’s more than that. My grandparents started the Little League in my hometown, and the field was named after my grandfather years ago. Recently, a new Little League facility was constructed, and it was named for my family as well. I’ve played, coached, umpired, and simply been a spectator of Little League baseball for nearly my whole life.

The Little League that is described in this book, however, bears little resemblance to the game that I’ve been involved with during my lifetime. “Little League, Big Dreams” is the story of the 2005 Little League World Series, the annual event played in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and televised all over the world. I was astounded at the level of commitment displayed by these young players, and their passion for baseball. Of course, as you might expect, the adults made everything much worse.

Euchner spends much time bemoaning what he calls “the professionalization of childhood,” and it’s hard to argue with him.

That said, I don’t want to give the impression that this book is a strict indictment of the Little League Baseball system. Far from it. Euchner revels in the glories of the grand old game played at this level. He gives us a peek into the sheer excitement these kids experience, and the love they have for baseball. Even when the adults try to make it seem like work, the kids just want to play. Sure, they’re playing at a very high level for eleven- and twelve-year olds, but at heart, they’re just kids playing a game. “Little League, Big Dreams” is an enjoyable ride with these kids through the most famous youth sporting event in the world.

The book is outstanding (and a fine complement to Euchner’s previous effort, “The Last Nine Innings,” which we reviewed here at Redleg Nation), and I encourage you to check it out. It’s worth every second, especially if you have children.

Heck, read this book if for no other reason than the appearance by former Red Dante Bichette, who is the coach of one of the teams that qualified for the Series. I mean, come on, Dante Bichette!

AFL

Phoenix beat Grand Canyon 8-3. Drew Anderson was 0 for 2 with a strikeout. Jon Coutlangus pitched yet another scoreless inning. He gave up a hit and struck out a batter. His ERA is now down to 1.42.

Mexican

In games on 10/29

Navojoa over Mexicala 5-4 in game one of a DH. Jesse Gutierrez was 1 for 4 with a BB and a strikeout. Justin Mallett got the win, pitching one and two thirds scoreless innings. He gave up a BB, struck out two, and unleashed two wild pitches.

Novojoa swept Mexicala in the DH by taking game two 8-1. Jesse Gutierrez was 0 for 4, but was HBP, and scored a run. Tom Shearn was the starter and got the win. He gave up one run over 5 IP. He surrendered 6 H, a BB, struck out 4, and chucked a WP.

Dominican

In games on 10/28

Licey beat Escogido 6-4. Playing for Escogido, Joey Votto was 0 for 4 with 3 Ks, and Chris Denorfia was 1 for 4.

Cibao beat Aguilas 3-2. Johnny Cueto pitched 3 scoreless innings of relief. He gave up a hit and a BB and struck out three.

In games on 10/29

Aguilas topped Escogido 13-3. Joey Votto was 0 for 2 with 3 BBs and a strikeout. Chris Denorfia was 1 for 5 with a RBI.

Venezuelan

In games on 10/29

Caribes beat Aguilas 8-0. Luis Bolivar went 0 for 4 with a strikeout for Aguilas.

Tigres beat Tiburones 9-5. Ray Olmedo was 1 for 5 with a K for Tiburones.

Cardenales topped Pastora 13-5. Anderson Machado didn’t have an official AB, but knocked in a run with a SF for Pastora.

If the Reds trade Adam Dunn for Brad Lidge, I will snap. I may have to take a hostage.

What a complete disaster that would be. (Yes, I know it’s some mailbag guy, and not a real rumor, but still…it’s insane).

RP? David Weathers, SS? Royce Clayton, and P? Jason Johnson have all filed for free agency. I wouldn’t shed a tear over losing any of these guys, though I know there is an argument for bringing Weathers back.

(I hope Weathers is gone. He has given me more sleepless nights than any Reds reliever, post-Graves.)

Once again, a fine group of Cincinnati Reds bloggers got together for a roundtable look at the season just concluded. It’s a good read, and I’m reminded once again what a talented bunch of bloggers we have in the Reds blogosphere.

Unfortunately, we weren’t able to participate this time (next time, we promise), but here are the links to the roundtable discussion:

Part One: Church of Baseball (okay, it isn’t posted yet, but it should be up soon)
Part Two: Red Hot Mama
Part Three: Cutting Edge
Part Four: The Olde 320 Pub
Part Five: Shawn!

The Reds may name their new pitching coach this coming week. The five candidates for the open position are:

Dave Wallace - Boston Red Sox pitching coach
Dick Pole - Chicago Cubs bench coach
Jim Hickey - Houston Astros pitching coach
Ted Power - Triple-A Louisville pitching coach
Mike LaCoss - Red’s minnor league roving instructor and scout

Article also mentions that Butch Wynegar was interviewed for the open hitting coach position, but the focus is getting the pitching coach hired.

I’ve always thought that the pitching and hitting coaches got too much credit and/or too much blame for what usually boils down to the amount of talent they are given to work with.

Also read today that David Weathers, Royce Clayton, and Jason Johnson declared free agency.

Weathers is the only player there that I hope the Reds have any interest in retaining.

AFL

Phoenix lost to Mesa 5-3. Cody Strait was 1 for 5 with a 2b and 2 strike outs. Javon Moran was 0 for 4 with two strikeouts. Drew Anderson went 1 for 3 with a 2b, an RBI, a sac fly, and was picked off of second base.

Calvin Medlock pitched one inning giving up one run on a HR.

Mexican

Navojoa topped Mexicala 7-4 in 11 innings. Jesse Gutierrez was 1 for 6 with a 2B and a strikeout.

Justin Mallett pitched one scoreless inning giving up a walk.

Dominican

In games on 10/27.

Escogido beat Este 5-0. Chris Denorfia was 0 for 3 with a BB.

Venezuelan

Caribes over Aguilas 4-3 in the first game and Aguilas won 3-1 in the second game of a DH. Luis Bolivar was 1 for 3 with a 2B, and scored a run for Aguilas in the first game. Bolivar was 1 for 4 with a strike out in the second game.

Tiburones lost to Magallanes 6-0. Ray Olmedo was 2 for 4 and had an error for Tiburones.

Tigres over Pastora 5-1. Anderson Machado went 1 for 2 with a BB and a strikeout for Pastora.

AFL

The East beat the West 3-1 in the Rising Stars Showcase, and AFL All Star game of sorts. Jon Coutlangus was the only Red’s Prospect to participate. He pitched a scoreless inning of relief, striking out one batter.

Worst team ever to win a World Series?

Discuss.

AFL

Phoenix beat Peo Saguaros 7-6 in 11 innings. Cody Strait was 1 for 5 with 3 RBIs, a SB, was hit by a pitch, and struck out once.

Calvin Medlock pitched one scoreless inning, gave up one hit, struck out three, and had an error on a pickoff.

Mexican

Navojoa lost 6-1 to Obregon. Jesse Gutierrez was 2 for 3 with a BB, knocked in a run, and scored one.

Thanks to a post yesterday from doug, I figured out that it is the Puerto Rican league that is not yet underway, not the Dominican league. I hope to start including boxscore updates from the Dominican and Venezuealan leagues for the following Reds players who I have found from scanning league stats and rosters.

Dominican

Escogido

BATTING    G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB  AVG  OBP
DENORFIA, CRIS 7 23 1 4  1  0  0   3  2  7  1 .174 .240
VOTTO, JOSEPH  7 23 5 9  3  0  1   5  7  8  4 .391 .533

Aguilas

PITCHING       W L  PCT   ERA   BA G SV  IP H R ER BB SO
CUETO, JOHNNY  0 0 .000 19.31 .462 2  0 2.1 6 5  5  3  2
VALDEZ, EDWARD 1 1 .500  4.50 .313 3  0 4.0 5 3  2  1  0

Azucareros

BATTING    G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB  AVG  OBP
GIL, JERRY 4 12 1 1  0  0  0   1  1  4  0 .083 .154

Venezuelan

La Guaira

Name        AVG  G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS  OBP  SLG  OPS
Ray Olmedo .269 10 26 8 7  0  0  1   4 10  7  3  3  0 .429 .385 .813 

Leones

Name             W L  ERA G GS CG SHO SV  IP H R ER HR BB SO GO/AO  AVG
Carlos Bohorquez 0 0 0.00 4  0  0  0   0 4.2 0 0  0  0  1  3  5.00 .000 

Caribes

Name          W L  ERA G GS CG SHO SV  IP H R ER HR BB SO GO/AO  AVG
Jose A. Rojas 0 0 2.45 4  0  0  0   0 3.2 0 1  1  0  5  3  0.60 .000 

Aguilas

Name          AVG  G AB R  H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS  OBP  SLG  OPS
Luis Bolivar .314 11 35 9 11  2  0  0   1 13  8  5  0  0 .455 .371 .826 

Pastora

Anderson Machado

Aragua

Miguel Perez

If anybody finds any Reds winter ball players that I have overlooked, let me know. Note that I have omitted Kata, Bergolla, Colina, and Granado since they are minor league free agents and no longer with the Reds unless they are re-signed.

Is Adam Dunn going to Houston?

Apparently, Adam Dunn is salivating at the idea of playing for his hometown Astros. And yes, the Reds are throwing around the idea of trading him for pitching. So it’s something that I’m sure both teams will look into this winter.

Maybe Boston?

What do you guys and gals think? Is Dunn headed out of town? What do you think of that possibility? I know what I think about it, but I’ll keep my comments to myself until I see what you think.

According to John Fay and the Enquirer:

(Jeff) Brantley, 43, is expected to join Marty Brennaman and Thom Brennaman as part of the Reds’ primary radio team, according to two sources.

An announcement could come shortly after the World Series ends. Brantley, a former Reds reliever, is working the World Series for ESPN. He could not be reached for comment.

snip…

The Reds hired Marty’s son, Thom, on Oct. 4. Thom’s duties will be split between radio and TV. He’ll do 45 games on each. Marty’s longtime partner, Joe Nuxhall, will do another six to 12 games.

That will leave the bulk of the radio work to Marty and Brantley.

I don’t watch a lot of ESPN, so I’m not familiar with Brantley’s work, but I do like the idea of having a player as part of the radio team.

AFL

Phoenix thumped Peo Javelinas 23-9. Cody Strait was 1 for 7 with a BB. He scored twice, knocked a run in, and Kd 3 times. Drew Anderson was 1 for 2 with a BB, he scored once and had one RBI. Javon Moran was 2 for 3 with a BB, he scored once, and had 2 RBIs.

As the score would suggest, not such a good day for the pitchers. Ty Pelland gave up 8 runs, 4 earned, in 1.2 IPs. He gave up 4 H, 2 HRs and a 2B, walked 4, Kd 3, and chucked a wild pitched. Jon Coutlangus also had a rough go of it. He pitched a third of an innings, giving up one earned run, a BB, a HR, struck out one, and also threw a WP.

Mexican

Navojoa split a DH with Obregon, losing 3-1, and winning 5-2. Jesse Gutierrez was 1-3 with K in the loss. He was 0 for 3 in the win. In 46 ABs he is hitting .348 AVG/.436 OBP/.522 SLG/.958 OPS.

Tom Shearn started in the win and went 6 IP giving up 5 H and 2 BB and one run while striking out 8 batters. Justin Mallet got the save by not allowing a baserunner in two thirds of an inning. Shearn now has a 3.93 ERA in 18.1 IP, and Mallet has a 6.75 ERA in 2.2 IP.

Hopefully I can soon add some information for the Venezuealan and Puerto Rico Winter Leagues (I don’t think the Dominican League is playing yet.). I need to find current rosters to scan for Reds players there and locate a good source for timely box scores for their games. If anyone has any useful links, feel free to share.