Adam Pettyjohn and Kyle Lohse go head-to-head this afternoon in the final game of the 2008 season. Another forgettable season in Redleg Nation, but it’s still sad to see it end.

Discuss it here….

Perhaps the most sad thing is knowing that Baker and the entire staff will be back.

While I am not the biggest fan of the idea of having Eric Davis as a coach, just what was that all about having him hang out during the final two months?

Comment by Y-City Jim — 9/28/2008 @ 1:27 pm

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Jim, I believe the reason for him hanging out was first part of bringing him back into the organization. Castellini wants to surround the current Reds with older more successful Reds. Also probably trying to see if they can find a job he’d fit in with the organization. See if he can help at the major league level or the minors or whatever.

I’m sad the season is over but at the same time I’m relieved I won’t keep punishing myself by tuning in and watching a very very sorry looking team.

I can’t wait to see who or how Walt is going to add the right handed run producer he says is the main priority for the team. I know we still got post-season crap where we watch the Cubs lose and their fans cry but I can’t wait for the hot stove to start cooking.

Comment by Phill — 9/28/2008 @ 1:53 pm

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anyone know how to watch or listen to any of the fall/winter leagues?

Comment by mhopp — 9/28/2008 @ 2:43 pm

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disgusting defensive play…

Comment by BenL — 9/28/2008 @ 2:48 pm

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Can someone tell me how any of those runs should’ve been earned?

And…..seriously what was up with that throw by Bruce it went like 5 feet.

Comment by Phill — 9/28/2008 @ 2:56 pm

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mhopp, I don’t think there is a way to listen or watch although there could be. I know MLB.com has a winterball section so maybe if you are a mlbtv subscriber there is some sort of deal. I don’t know though.

Comment by Phill — 9/28/2008 @ 2:59 pm

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I agree with Jim. The most disappointing thing is knowing that Baker is coming back. Playing Patterson as much as he did and the righty-lefty-righty lineups are enough to drive a person crazy.

Comment by nick in va — 9/28/2008 @ 3:05 pm

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Phill,
I think Bruce tried to hold onto the throw when he looked up and no one was near second base and there was no cutoff man between him and home and the ball just slipped out. If you watched the replay, the ball just rolled forever because everyone was on the lines, no one was in the middle of the field at all.

Comment by doug — 9/28/2008 @ 3:05 pm

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Wow this team sucks. I wonder if they practice on fielding, bunting and baseball basics? Oh probably not since Dumpy says “Like I always say, you’re going to win no matter who you send out.” What a fool, I’ll not be going to any games in Cinci until he’s gone…hopefully others will do the same to show the Dustmaster General needs to go.

Comment by mhopp — 9/28/2008 @ 3:11 pm

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Dusty brings in Majewski to stop the bleeding? Did he think he could do it? He couldn’t even do well against AAA hitters. This is one sorry managed team. Can’t wait until 2010 season when Baker is fired…go Rick Sweet!!

Comment by mhopp — 9/28/2008 @ 3:19 pm

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I really feel like I should watch the rest of this game. After all, there won’t be any more Reds baseball until spring. But it’s too painful. I’m going to the grocery store. Enjoy, guys.

Comment by BenL — 9/28/2008 @ 3:19 pm

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I’m with you mhopp. I’m not giving another cent to this organization until they get rid of Baker.

Comment by John of Muncie — 9/28/2008 @ 3:20 pm

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Well, looks like I was right on the Reds will finish at 74-88 just as I thought in June-July…might I make another prediction? They won’t be over .500 until Dusty Baker and crew is gone!

Comment by mhopp — 9/28/2008 @ 3:21 pm

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Thanks John, spread the word!!

Comment by mhopp — 9/28/2008 @ 3:21 pm

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… and I want to thank the people who run this site. This year watching the Reds has not been all together a positive experience, but I can always count on reading something interesting and entertaining on RN. Thanks!

Comment by BenL — 9/28/2008 @ 3:22 pm

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I’m with you, BenL. Finding this site and reading what you all have to say has helped me understand what’s going on much more than what I’ve read in the newspaper or heard on the radio. Unfortunately, this game is a fitting way to end this season. Maybe next year.

Comment by Dave H. — 9/28/2008 @ 3:40 pm

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I look forward to Votto, Bruce, Cueto, EE, Phillips, Roenokie and Volquez. The team otherwise pretty much sucks

Comment by mhopp — 9/28/2008 @ 3:58 pm

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I have to agree wtih BenL also. Thanks to Chad and the gang here for providing a place where I can “enjoy” the Reds with likeminded fans.

Comment by nick in va — 9/28/2008 @ 4:03 pm

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Yes, thanks to all who allow me to grumble about my frustration with the team. Next year should be better. Thank you

Comment by mhopp — 9/28/2008 @ 4:17 pm

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I can’t even watch or listen to the Reds lose their last game of the year on MLB.com?

Comment by mhopp — 9/28/2008 @ 4:39 pm

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Where are all the people that said the Reds were so much better now that Dunn was gone? It is no better when it continues to get beat like a drum by the likes of Houston and St. Louis.

Votto has made a statement for Rookie of the Year. .297 BA, 24 HRs, 68 runs scored, and 83 RBIs.

Comment by Y-City Jim — 9/28/2008 @ 5:15 pm

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The Reds will get better without Dunn, give it time. Also, exacatly how much did the mighty bat of Dunn help the D-Backs into the playoffs? I mean when he joined them they were in first, whom are they playing in the playoffs?

Comment by Evarmstrong — 9/28/2008 @ 6:41 pm

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I don’t think Dunn was the problem w the Diamondbacks.
Let me add my thanks to Chad and his collegues for maintaining this site. It helps me keep informed about my team out here in Cubs-Cards Country and see some good arguments without too much rancor. Good job!

Comment by art — 9/28/2008 @ 7:09 pm

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2008 Arizona Diamondbacks

BA- .251
OBP- .327
SLG- .415
OPS+ 94

Adam Dunn (Arizona numbers)
BA- .241
OBP- .415
SLG- .468
OPS+ 127

Is he supposed to single handedly carry their offense? Not even Babe Ruth could have single handedly carried the Yankees to all those WS. He needed help from Gehrig, Meusel, Combes, Lazzeri, etc.

BTW, anyone every notice what the team OBP were for the ‘27 Yankees? .381!!! Unreal!

Comment by Y-City Jim — 9/28/2008 @ 8:33 pm

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Ummm, listening to the Sox/Yanks game and see David Ross catching the knuckle baller Mike Timlin…guess he was better than Dusty and the crew thought, would have been nice to see him more often but our management sucks. Guess the Red Sox thought he was good enough, I wish him luck, in the post season!

Comment by mhopp — 9/28/2008 @ 9:28 pm

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I hope the Reds have enough sense to clean house this winter. No more Patterson, Majewski, Bako etc..etc.
You just can’t tell me that there are not AA players that would have been just as effective as those 3 for the major league minimum.

Comment by Glenn — 9/28/2008 @ 9:38 pm

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I wouldn’t mind see Ross come back at a lesser salary.

Comment by Y-City Jim — 9/28/2008 @ 10:12 pm

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Congrats, Brew Crew. Interesting that the wild card came down to two teams that canned their managers during the season. hint, hint

Comment by Y-City Jim — 9/28/2008 @ 10:15 pm

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I went to Nashville to see my favorite football team (The Vikings) to try to take my mind of watching my favorite Baseball teams woes, guess what. Now I have a looooong NFL season to look forward to. I must be some sort of jinx machine or something! First the REDS go in the tank and now the Vikings can’t win if their lives depended on it.

Maybe if I root for the Cowboys I can knock them out of contention at well.

Comment by Mike Martz — 9/28/2008 @ 10:38 pm

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Y-City, you mean like when the Reds canned Narron or Miley or Boone…oh wait that didn’t help.

Comment by Phill — 9/28/2008 @ 10:48 pm

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Dear Walt Jocketty,
Please remove from the Reds organization; Patterson, Bako, Valentin, Weathers, Majewski, DUSTY BAKER, and anyone else who will not hustle, work hard, and shed their blood sweat and tears for this team.

Please add to coaching staff, Eric Davis, Barry Larkin, and Johnny Bench.

Finally, find a power hitting left fielder, an above avergae catcher.

If you do not do this…consider yourself fired.

Your boss and the guy who signs your check,

Bob Castellini

(Would love to see this hit his desk tomorrow)

Comment by The Redhead — 9/28/2008 @ 11:07 pm

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Well, it was an anti-climatic ending to the season…but what else did we expect?

My thanks also go out to the Redleg’s Nation staff for all the hard work and interesting articles. I’m looking forward to a fall/winter filled with Reds’ news and (hopefully) a better team for 2009.

Comment by CeeKeR — 9/29/2008 @ 12:19 am

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Hey Mike…your jinx worked, the Cowboys lost, and to the Redskins at that. Keep it up and while your at it please find another MLB team to root for!

Comment by mhopp — 9/29/2008 @ 8:35 pm

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Finally, here is some truth from MLB.com!

Defining moment: No game had more consequences than a May 25, 18-inning loss at San Diego. Not only was the defeat deflating, in part because of three blown saves and a walk-off homer, it had long-term implications that cost the team heavily. Baker mishandled his bullpen and ran out of relievers, which forced starters Harang and Volquez to pitch. Harang threw 63 pitches over four innings on two days’ rest and instead of being given more rest, he inexplicably ended up pitching three times over an eight-day period. The rotation ace’s already trying season completely went into the tank from there. Plus, a sore right forearm developed that put him on the disabled list for a month. Volquez was also slow to recover from his relief outing, and the team never seemed to get back on its feet.

Comment by mhopp — 9/29/2008 @ 9:34 pm

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and more…
What went wrong: The team didn’t expect Harang, a back-to-back 16-game winner the last two seasons, to struggle like he did and post a single-digit win total and a career high in losses. Offensively, the Reds never seemed able to deliver big hits when it counted. Baker’s installation of Corey Patterson as the leadoff hitter backfired in the first half as Patterson batted below .200 much of the year

Comment by mhopp — 9/29/2008 @ 9:36 pm

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From Dusty:
“The last impression is a lasting impression,” Baker said. “I’m happy with how we’re ending. It doesn’t erase the previous five months, but it sure does a whole lot for your happiness and your team’s self esteem and ego. That’s why I wanted to end strong. I see quite a bit of hope here.”

Umm, gee Dusty you lost the last 5 games of the season…you are still as clueless as you were when you started Patterson as lead off.

Comment by mhopp — 9/29/2008 @ 9:38 pm

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