–This has been the best couple of weeks to be a Reds fan in at least 15 years, maybe 20. I’m having a blast.

– If you’re like me, your hair is going prematurely gray. Also, you love Calvin & Hobbes. I present: [...]]]>

Couldn't you just stare at this all day? (9-02-10)

–This has been the best couple of weeks to be a Reds fan in at least 15 years, maybe 20. I’m having a blast.

– If you’re like me, your hair is going prematurely gray. Also, you love Calvin & Hobbes. I present: The Calvin & Hobbes Search Engine.

– It’s a couple of days old, but FanGraphs treatment of the Legend of Aroldis Chapman is worth a read: Myth and Legend, Meet Cincinnati.

– This has been floating around for a while, but I liked it: The 30 worst baseball cards of all time. There are a ton I remember that are worse (Mike LaCoss, 1984 Topps), but these are good. I’m glad they included Oscar Gamble.

That brings up a memory. When I was in law school, one of the guys I lived with brought from home a big box of baseball cards. They were all late-70s, early 80s cards, and there were plenty of gems in there, including the aforementioned Gamble. We took that box and pasted them to one entire wall of our apartment; it was our Baseball Card Wall, and it was a great conversation piece.

And now you have heard the one somewhat-happy memory I have from law school.

– There has been a Bigfoot sighting, and this one seems legit. Govern yourselves accordingly.

– I’m not a huge fan of Danny McBride, an actor who has been in a couple of movies I like (Tropic Thunder, Pineapple Express). Since I didn’t really care for him, I never took the time to watch Eastbound & Down, his HBO series.

That was a mistake. Eastbound & Down is belly-laugh hilarious. McBride plays Kenny Powers, a washed-up former MLB pitcher (in the mold of John Rocker) who thinks he is still a superstar. It’s very funny, and I’m looking forward to the upcoming start of season two.

On a related note, I found out something funny yesterday. A friend of mine has a younger brother who has pitched in the big leagues for the last few years. He’s a big guy, throws hard, but he was unable to catch on with another team this year. Yesterday, I discovered that they now call him Kenny Powers. That cracks me up. (I won’t tell you who the guy is, unless someone guesses correctly.)

– ESPN’s Page 2 had some National League logo revisions. Some are pretty cool. Some are exceptionally lame.

– I’m halfway through season two of Arrested Development. Good grief, that show was funny. Why didn’t I watch it when it was actually on television? Why didn’t anyone else watch it?

– I remain disappointed that the Reds couldn’t even draw 20,000 bodies for any of the three games of the Milwaukee series sweep. As I mentioned before, this has been the best couple of weeks to be a Reds fan in at at least fifteen years. I’ve heard all the excuses, and many of them are completely reasonable, but is it possible that Cincinnati isn’t as good a “baseball town” as advertised?

Minor League Player of the Day: Dayton P Edinson Volquez: He got no decision as he went 7 IP and gave up 1 R, 0 ER, on 5 H and 1 BB with 9 K.

AAA

Louisville 8 – Toledo 3

Devin Mesoraco went 2 for 5 with 2 [...]]]>

Games Played on 09/01/10

Minor League Player of the Day: Dayton P Edinson Volquez: He got no decision as he went 7 IP and gave up 1 R, 0 ER, on 5 H and 1 BB with 9 K.

AAA

Louisville 8 – Toledo 3

Devin Mesoraco went 2 for 5 with 2 2B. David Sappelt went 2 for 3 with 2 BB. Michael Griffin went 2 for 2 with a HR and a 2B. Mike Costanzo went 1 for 2 with a 2B and 2 BB. Zack Cozart hit his 17th homer. Wladimir Balentein doubled and walked.

Ben Jukich got the win as he went 7 IP and allowed 0 R on 3 H and 1 BB with 7 K. Jared Burton added 1 IP of scoreless relief.

AA

Birmingham 5 – Carolina 0

Jake Kahaulelio singled for the only Mudcat’s hit in the game.

Travis Webb took the loss as he went 6 IP and allowed 3 R on 6 H and 2 BB with 4 K. Ruben Medina addes 1 IP of scoreless relief.

High A

Winston-Salem 10 – Lynchburg 2

Cody Puckett went 3 for 4. Didi Gregorius went 2 for 4.

Curtis Partch took the loss as he went 4.2 IP and gave up 9 R on 8 H and 2 BB with 1 K. Blair Carson (1.1 IP) and Nick Christiani (1 IP) added scoreless relief outings.

Low A

Bowling Green 5 – Dayton 3

Justin Reed went 1 for 4 with a HR and a BB. Cameron Satterwhite and Samuel Diaz each doubled.

Edinson Volquez got no decision as he went 7 IP and gave up 1 R, 0 ER, on 5 H and 1 BB with 9 K. Josh Smith took the loss allowing 4 R in 2 IP of relief.

Rookie Ball

Billings at Missoula – Suspended Rain

AZL Reds – Season Completed
– 31-24 2nd Place in the AZL Central 2.5 G behind the AZL Brewers
– Beat the AZL Giants 1 game to none in the AZL Playoff Semi-finals
– Lost to the AZL Brewers 0 game to 1 in the AZL Playoff Finals

September 2, 1870: The Cincinnati Red Stockings exacted some revenge on the Brooklyn Atlantics by defeating them, 14-3, in Cincinnati. The Atlantics had broken the Red Stockings 81 game winning streak back on June 14, 1870, in 11 innings. The loss led to cracks [...]]]>

September 2…the baseball gods have been busy in Cincinnati…

September 2, 1870: The Cincinnati Red Stockings exacted some revenge on the Brooklyn Atlantics by defeating them, 14-3, in Cincinnati. The Atlantics had broken the Red Stockings 81 game winning streak back on June 14, 1870, in 11 innings. The loss led to cracks in the Red Stocking support system that ultimately led to the end of the professional franchise at the end of the 1870 season.

There was some additional drama to the game, having to do with player behavior. Red Stockings second baseman Charlie Sweasy had gotten into some trouble on August 29 and had been expelled from the Red Stockings baseball club due to “disgraceful” conduct on a steamboat. Sweasy was the Red Stockings’ best home run hitter in 1870, totaling 18, including a grand slam home run to win a game against Portsmouth in the bottom of the ninth inning to win the game, 29-27. Sweasy’s expulsion come as a result of some actions on a steamboat called the “Fleetwood” on the way home from Portsmouth following a game on August 26. From “Redleg Journal” by Greg Rhodes and John Snyder:

“According to the captain of the boat, two or three members of the team, including Sweasy, were drunk and began fighting at the breakfast table. Calling his behavior “disgraceful,” the club expelled the second baseman on August 29, but took no action against the other players. The club hinted at more suspensions, however, saying it intended to “purge the nine of all intemperate, insubordinate, and disorderly members.” Despite the firm stance, the club reinstated a sorrowful and repentant Sweasy the next day, on the eve of a match against the visiting Atlantics.”

No doubt, the nature of the opponent and Sweasy’s ability had something to do with the forgiveness. The fans apparently gave Sweasy polite applause as he took his place on the field and he “repeatedly touched his cap in grateful acknowledgment.” He proceeded to hit a home run and score three runs in the game.

September 2, 1950: Ewell Blackwell hurls his only shutout of the year, as he one-hits the Chicago Cubs, 5-1, in Chicago. The Cubs’ only hit was a leadoff single in the bottom of the ninth inning by first baseman Phil Cavaretta, who was later erased on a double play to end the game. The Cubs’ only run came in the eighth inning when Blackwell walked two and then induced pinch hitter Ron Northey to hit into a force play at second base. The Cubs Carmen Mauro then flied out to left field and pitcher Blackwell threw to second base to get runner Wayne Terwilliger who was trying to advance after the catch. Carl Sawatski scored from third on the play for the Cubs’ only run.

The Reds scored all five of their runs in the the third inning on a two-run single by Bob Usher, a two-run homer by Johnny Wyrostek, and a sacrifice fly by Connie Ryan. Wyrostek was a Reds all-star both in 1950 (.285, 8 HR, 76 rbi, 103 OPS+) and 1951 (.311, 2, 61, 105 OPS+). Blackwell was a six-time all-star for the Reds. In 1950, Blackwell finished 17-15 with a 2.97 ERA, allowing only 203 hits in 261 innings pitched.

September 2, 1951: The very next year, Reds “crafty” lefty Ken Raffensberger fires a one-hitter in the first game of a doubleheader as the Reds beat the Chicago Cubs, 7-0, at Chicago’s Wrigley Field, exactly one year after Blackwell has one-hit the Cubs in the same locale. The only Cubs’ hit was an infield single down third base line by Eddie Miksis in the third inning. Miksis was the only baserunner of the game for the Cubs. The Reds lost the second game, 2-0, as the Cubs’ Bob Rush tossed a four-hitter.

The pitching gem was Raffensberger’s fourth career one-hitter. Known for his outstanding control, Raffensberger only walked 38 batters in 248 innings in 1951, finishing the year 16-17 with a 3.44 ERA and leading the league with a 1.086 WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched). Raffensberger threw 31 career shutouts, leading the league twice with five in 1949 and six in 1952. His career record was 119-154 with a 3.60 ERA; with the Reds he was 89-99 with a 3.64 ERA.

September 2, 1963: Jim Maloney having a breakout season on his way to a 23-7 record with a 2.77 ERA, fires a three-hitter, walking six, but striking out 13, as the Reds defeat the New York Mets in the second game of a double header, 1-0. The only run of the game came when Reds’ rookie second baseman Pete Rose hit the first pitch of the game out of the park for a home run. Formed Reds pitcher Jay Hook allows only four hits in the game, walking one, in the loss.

In the game, Maloney struck out every member of the Mets starting lineup except for their rookie second baseman, Ron Hunt. The Mets’ only three hits come from .211 batting first basemen Tom Harkness (a single and a double) and a single from Hook. The Mets had won the first game, 5-3, behind the complete game pitching of Al Jackson.

The home run was Rose’s sixth and final one of the 1963 season. Named Rookie of the Year, Rose batted .273 with 101 runs scored in 157 games, 25 doubles, nine triples, and six home runs.

September 2, 1970: Reds ace Gary Nolan gets some “help” from reserve outfielder Angel Bravo to defeat Hall of Fame pitcher Juan Marichal, 2-0, in Cincinnati. Nolan throws a three-hitter and drives in both runs on a single and sacrifice fly to earn the victory. Here’s the fun story from “Redleg Journal”:

“A little ‘black magic’ helps Gary Nolan defeat the Giants and Juan Marichal, 2-0, at Riverfront Stadium. Before the game, Reds outfielder Angel Bravo, who delighted and mystified his teammates with his superstitions and uncannily accurate predictions, handed Nolan a rubber ball to carry with him during the game for good luck. ‘It only works,’ said Bravo, ‘when it is in the left pocket.’ After Nolan pitched a three-hit shutout and drove in both runs with a single and sacrifice fly, he was afraid to go back to the clubhouse. ‘I don’t know what kind of voodoo he has.’ stated Nolan.”

Nolan had an exceptional 1970, finishing the year 18-7 with a 3.27 ERA. For his career, he finished 110-70 with a 3.08 ERA. He did need last out relief help from Wayne Granger after Nolan gave up a ninth inning single and a walk (may be Nolan moved the rubber ball to his right pocket?). Granger set a major league record (since broken) by saving 35 games that year; the previous year (1969) he set a major league record (since broken) by appearing in 90 games as a pitcher.

Bravo had a short Reds career. Acquired by the Reds from the Chicago White Sox in trade, he appeared in 70 games with the Reds with 83 plate appearances, batting .271 with two extra base hits. He was traded to the San Diego Padres in 1971 for veteran outfielder Al Ferrara. Ferrara was an interesting fellow; nicknamed the “Bull” for his muscles, he was also a musician and a television actor. From baseball-reference.com’s bullpen concerning Ferrara:

Nicknamed “The Bull”, he was very muscular. A teammate, on hearing that Ferrara had played piano at Carnegie Hall, quipped that Ferrara was probably a piano mover instead of a piano player, because of the muscles. He once played a headhunter on an episode of Gilligan’s Island, and was in several episodes of the TV show Batman.

Once upon hearing that a fan had complained about the Reds only getting Ferrara in trade for Bravo, Ferrara was said to have quipped: “Who did they expect for Angel Bravo…Willie Mays?”

September 2, 1974: The Reds lose, 4-3, to the Houston Astros in a game where Joe Morgan is thrown out at home with the potentially tying run, in a nationally televised game. The Reds loss misses an opportunity to cut the Los Angeles Dodgers lead to 1 1/2 games and the Cincinnati City Council later passes a resolution against an “atrocious” call in the game.

The defending National League Western Division champion Reds had been chasing the Dodgers all summer. The Dodgers’ biggest lead over the Reds had been 10 1/2 games in early July, but the Reds had caught fire. From July 10 through September 1, the Reds had gone 32-16 and cut the Dodger lead to 2 1/2 games. The Reds-Astros games was chosen to be the national baseball game of the week at a time when only one game was shown to the world at a time, not like today when nearly every game is shown in its entirely somewhere in the technological world.

The Reds struck in the top of the first inning when Tony Perez singled home Pete Rose with the game’s first run and they made it 2-0 on Morgan’s second inning home run. The Astros got on the board in their half of the third when they scored on a fielder’s choice ground out, and then took the lead in the fifth inning on a run-scoring single to centerfield and a suicide squeeze bunt, the Astros second sacrifice bunt of the inning. The Astros stretched their lead to 4-2 when Doug Rader homered off Reds starter Tom Carroll.

The Reds seventh inning comeback fell just short. With one out, Rose singled to left field. Morgan singled to right field with Rose advancing to third base and Morgan advancing to second base on an Astros error by rightfielder Greg Gross. The Astros called on Ken Forsch to relieve Larry Dierker on the mound and Johnny Bench followed with a double into shallow left field scoring Rose. Morgan, however, was called out at the plate when TV angles appeared to show him being safe at home. Perez struck out to end the rally. Forsch retired the Reds in order in both the eighth and ninth innings to save the game.

From the book “Day by Day in Cincinnati Reds History” by Floyd Conner and John Snyder:

“A bad call in a game in Houston costs the Reds a possible victory in the torrid Western Division pennant race. In the seventh inning with the Astros leading 4-2, Pete Rose on third base and Joe Morgan on second, Johnny Bench hit a single into left field, easily scoring Rose. Morgan also attempted to score, and appeared to bat throw to the plate, but umpire Jerry Dale signaled out. The game was nationally televised by NBC, and replays clearly showed Morgan to be safe. The Reds wound up 4-3 losers. Two days later, the Cincinnati City Council passed a resolution expressing “shock and dismay” at the “atrocious call.”

The Reds were scheduled to play the Dodgers in the next series at home, but lost two of the three to the eventual National League champions, placing the Reds 3 1/2 games behind. The Reds did eventually cut the lead to 1 1/2 games on September 14 after a 4-2 win over the Dodgers in Los Angeles, but the Dodgers eventually won the division by four games, despite the Reds’ exceptional 98-64 record.

Wait…what? Oh, I guess Poz was ranking the playing talents of the current managers (plus a couple of recently-fired ones). Dusty comes out pretty well in that ranking, as [...]]]>

According to Joe Posnanski, our old friend (great podcast with Joe here), Dusty Baker is the third-best manager in the major leagues. That’s right.

Wait…what? Oh, I guess Poz was ranking the playing talents of the current managers (plus a couple of recently-fired ones). Dusty comes out pretty well in that ranking, as he should. He had a fine playing career.

FINAL Milwaukee 1 Cincinnati 6 WP: Chapman (1-0) LP: Coffey (2-3) BOX SCORE

POSITIVES –Aroldis Chapman did it again. A scoreless inning, 1-2-3, two strikeouts, picking up his first major league win. More impressively, Chapman hit 104 on the radar gun. Twice. Read that again…twice.

Simply amazing.

Johnny Cueto pitches tonight, but we’re throwing up a game thread early at renbutler’s suggestion so we can all root against the WLBs.

Here’s your [...]]]>

Let’s start September! I’m not happy to see August end, as it was a friendly month to our Cincinnati Reds, but let’s hope September has more in store.

Johnny Cueto pitches tonight, but we’re throwing up a game thread early at renbutler’s suggestion so we can all root against the WLBs.

Here’s your game preview. Go Redlegs.

The entire press release from the Reds is below the fold.

CINCINNATI (Sept. 1, 2010) — The Cincinnati Reds announce the details for purchasing tickets for [...]]]>

I can’t believe I just typed that headline up there, but it’s true. Go here to register for the opportunity to purchase Reds 2010 post-season tickets.

The entire press release from the Reds is below the fold.

CINCINNATI (Sept. 1, 2010) — The Cincinnati Reds announce the details for purchasing tickets for Postseason games at Great American Ball Park.

Full season ticket holders are offered their seats for all Postseason games, as well as the option to purchase the same number of additional Postseason tickets starting Sept. 8 through Sept. 13.

Partial plan holders, defined as Baker’s Dozen packages (13 games) and larger have the opportunity to purchase the same number of Postseason tickets as what is on their plan from Sept. 10 through Sept. 13.

Starting Sept. 1 at Noon EDT, fans can register for the opportunity to purchase tickets for any 2010 Reds Postseason games that may be played at Great American Ball Park.

Fans may register for the drawing on reds.com only. The online registration runs from Wednesday, Sept. 1 at Noon to Thursday, Sept. 9 at Noon. All terms and conditions of registration.

Fans that are selected for the opportunity to purchase tickets for National League Division Series games that may be played at Great American Ball Park will be notified via e-mail on or about Monday, Sept. 13.

Winners will be notified via e-mail and will have from Tuesday, Sept. 14 at 9 am EDT to Wednesday, Sept. 15. at 11:59 pm EDT to purchase tickets.

There will be a six-ticket purchase limit for each winner selected. Ticket locations will be subject to availability based on remaining inventory and all orders for the National League Division Series will be subject to convenience fees and processing fees.

Applicants for National League Championship Series (“NLCS”) and World Series (“WS”) drawings will be selected from the same pool of applicants at later dates and notified via e-mail with instructions on the ticket purchase process including dates and times for these sales. Applicants (including selected applicants of previous drawings) will be eligible for each drawing. You may not use any tickets purchased in connection with the drawings for any promotional purposes whatsoever. Registrations have no cash redemptions or substitutions.

For fans who do not have internet access, or those not selected in the online random drawing, a limited number of tickets will be set aside for purchase by telephone (while supplies last) beginning at Saturday, Sept. 18 at 9 am EDT by calling (513) 381-REDS. No tickets will be available at the Great American Ball Park ticket office.

2010 CINCINNATI REDS POSTSEASON REGISTRATION SCHEDULE

NLDS REGISTRATION PERIOD BEGINS: Noon EDT, 09/01/10

NLDS REGISTRATION PERIOD ENDS: Noon EDT, 09/09/10

NLDS RANDOM DRAWING: On or about 09/10/10

NLDS WINNERS NOTIFIED VIA E-MAIL: On or about 09/13/10

NLDS SALE FOR WINNERS: 9 am EDT 09/14/10 to 11:59pm EDT 09/14/10

NLCS REGISTRATION PERIOD BEGINS: Noon EDT Wednesday, 09/01/10

NLCS REGISTRATION PERIOD ENDS: TBD

NLCS RANDOM DRAWING: TBD

NLCS WINNERS NOTIFIED VIA E-MAIL: TBD

NLCS SALE FOR WINNERS: Details will be communicated via e-mail.

WS REGISTRATION PERIOD BEGINS: Noon EDT, Wednesday, 09/01/10

WS REGISTRATION PERIOD ENDS: TBD

WS RANDOM DRAWING: TBD

WS WINNERS NOTIFIED VIA E-MAIL: TBD

WS SALE FOR WINNERS: Details will be communicated via e-mail.

Sale dates for potential 2010 National League Championship Series and 2010 World Series games played at Great American Ball Park will be announced at a later date. Such winners will be selected from the pool of registrants for each subsequent drawing and notified via e-mail with instructions on the ticket purchase process including dates and times for these sales.

September 1, 1924: Reds pitchers Carl Mays and Rube Benton both pitch complete game shutouts as the Reds sweep a Labor Day doubleheader from the St. Louis Cardinals in Cincinnati.

The Reds 1924 season had [...]]]>

September 1: the day that rosters expand in baseball and a day of Reds pitching feats (not feets):

September 1, 1924: Reds pitchers Carl Mays and Rube Benton both pitch complete game shutouts as the Reds sweep a Labor Day doubleheader from the St. Louis Cardinals in Cincinnati.

The Reds 1924 season had started in an awful way. Manager Pat Moran, who had guided the Reds to a 425-329 record and the 1919 World Series victory in five seasons, died in spring training from Bright’s disease. According to “Redleg Journal” (by Greg Rhodes and John Snyder), Moran fell ill on a train on March 1 during spring training, was admitted to a hospital on March 4, and died on March 7. In the recent book “Evaluating Baseball’s Managers” (by Chris Jaffe), Moran is listed as possibly the most underrated manager in baseball history.

Moran was replaced by Jack Hendricks who went on to manage six years for the Reds and has the third most wins of any Reds manager (469-450). Hendricks inherited a team built on pitching and defense in a big ballpark where the new home run balls often fell into outfielder’s gloves for outs.

The Reds overcome their spring training adversity to finish fourth for the season (83-70), ten games behind the pennant winning New York Giants. The Reds led the league with a 3.12 ERA, while finishing next to last in runs scored per game (4.24) despite the hitting of Hall of Fame centerfielder Edd Roush (.348, led the league with 21 triples). The Reds primarily used a four man rotation of Hall of Famer Eppa Rixey (15-14, 2.76 ERA), Mays (20-9, 3.15), Pete Donohue (16-9, 3.60), and Dolf Luque (10-15, 3.16). Their fifth starter was Rube Benton (7-9, 2.77).

In fifth place on September 1, the Reds sent Mays to the mound in the first game versus the Cardinals. Mays is probably best known today as the only pitcher to kill a batter with a pitched ball. While pitching for the New York Yankees in 1920, a Mays pitch hit Cleveland Indians shortstop Ray Chapman in the temple and Chapman died the next morning. Mays, known to be a “head hunter” as a pitcher always claimed the pitch was an accident, but the memory always affected Mays’s reputation. Mays was a five-time 20 game winner and one of the best pitchers in the American League in the early 1920′s at the time of Chapman’s beaning. Mays wasn’t generally liked by players of his day anyway. From baseball-reference.com’s bullpen section:

“He (Mays) developed a unique submarine delivery which had him often scrape his knuckles against the mound when pitching. He could release the ball at a variety of angles, making it very hard for opposite batters to pick up the ball. His pitches had a very heavy sinking effect that one opposite batter, Hod Ford, compared to “hitting a chuck of lead; It would go clunk and you’d beat it into the ground”. This would induce an incredible amount of ground balls, and he set Boston team records for assists by a pitcher from 1916 to 1918, recording over 117 each season. Yet, for having a style that made him keep the ball down, he would always hit a fair share of opposing batters, as he never wanted to surrender the inside of the plate to them. Coupled with a surly demeanor, “like a man with a permanent toothache” and a tendency to berate his fielders when they made errors, he was one of the least-liked men in baseball during his prime.

The Reds purchased Mays from the Yankees in December of 1923 that further solidified an already outstanding pitching staff. On September 1, 1924, Mays pitched a four-hitter in a Reds 5-0 win, with May contributing three hits of his own. Mays was a .268 lifetime hitter over 15 major league seasons to go with his career 208-126 record with a 2.92 ERA.

The second game was pitched by Rube Benton who hurled a two-hitter himself, his only shutout of the season. The Reds won this game, 9-0, as the Reds laced Hall of Fame pitcher Jesse Haines for 16 hits, including three triples. Jake Daubert had three hits, and Roush had two hits, including a triple and a home run to go with four rbi.

It was Benton’s second go-round with the Reds, pitching for the Reds from 1910-15 and from 1923-25, the alpha and omega of Benton’s career. Benton had been implicated in the 1919 World Series betting scandal and admitted to gambling on baseball, but claimed to have no knowledge of the Black Sox scandal. He was banned from baseball for a short-time, but reinstated in 1921 while pitching for the New York Giants.

Benton’s career record was 150-144 in 15 seasons; with the Reds he was 84-91 with a 3.28 ERA in nine seasons.

September 1, 1964 and September 1, 1965: Jim Maloney only pitched on September 1 twice in his 12 year big league career, but both times he came up big.

On September 1, 1964, he allowed only three hits and struck out 13 as the Reds beat the Chicago Cubs, 2-1. Leo Cardenas drove in what proved to be the winning run with a fourth inning single.

Maloney struck out the first four batters he faced and seven of the first nine batters he faced, all on swinging strike threes. He finally gave up a run on two hits in the fourth inning, but allowed only one other single and walked one in the complete game victory. Maloney finished the 1964 season 15-10 with a 2.71 ERA. One note (to save for later)…rookie Mel Queen was in right field on this day for the Reds. He later switched to pitcher and comes up big on September 1, 1967.

Maloney also pitched September 1, 1965 and nearly duplicated his 1964 effort. Pitching the second game of a double header for the Reds in a 2-0 shut out victory over the Milwaukee Braves, Maloney fires a five-hitter, walking one, and striking out 12.

The Reds scored their runs early on a second inning home run by Tony Perez and a third inning sacrifice fly by Vada Pinson. Rookie shortstop Tommy Helms had three hits, including a triple, in this game during his September cup of coffee. In the first game of the day, Helms had provided a bottom of the ninth inning pinch-triple to tie the game and later scored the winning run. Helms had 21 career triples in 5333 plate appearances, and two of them came within is first nine major league plate appearances (he also had a double in those first nine PA).

For 1965, Maloney finished 20-9 with a 2.54 ERA. For his career, he was 134-84 with a 3.19 ERA.

September 1, 1967: The Reds lose the longest game in their history, 1-0, in 21 innings to the San Francisco Giants at Crosley Field in Cincinnati.

Amazingly enough, the Giants used only two pitchers and the Reds used only four pitchers themselves. Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry started for the Giants and pitched 16 innings, allowing 10 hits, walking two, and striking out 12. Frank Linzy was the winning pitcher, having pitched five innings of two-hit ball in relief, walking no one and striking out three.

Converted right fielder Mel Queen started for the Reds and pitched 9 1/3 innings, allowing eight hits, walking one, and striking out 10. Ted Abernathy and Don Nottebart combined to pitch 8 2/3 innings, allowing four hits, one walk, and striking out five. Bob Lee was the losing pitcher for the Reds, pitching three innings, allowing three hits, walking two, and striking out three.

The Giants scored the only run in the top of the 21st inning. Jim Ray Hart singled with one out and Ollie Brown followed with a double to left, sending Hart to third base. Hal Lanier was intentionally walked to load the bases. Dick Groat then drew a walk to force in the only run of the game. Linzy then grounded into a force out at home and Jesus Alou grounded out to the end the inning. Linzy retired the Reds in order in the 21st to end the game.

Only once in 21 innings did the Reds get a player to third base in the game. That came in the home half of the 10th inning when Perez opened the inning with a single. Chico Ruiz replaced Perez as a pinch runner. Helms struck out attempting to sacrifice Ruiz to second. Cup of coffee rookie Johnny Bench, who, like Giants catcher Tom Haller, caught the entire 21 innings for the game, singled Ruiz to third base. Cardenas was intentionally walked to load the bases, forcing Bench to second. However, Deron Johnson and Tommy Harper both flied out to end the threat.

Following the loss, the Reds were still in second place, 11 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals. The Reds finished the season 87-75, in fourth place, 14 1/2 games behind the eventual World Champion Cardinals. Queen was fantastic in his first year as a starting pitcher, finishing 14-8 with a 2.76 ERA (career 20-17, 3.14). This was also Abernathy’s best year, finishing 6-3 with a 1.27 ERA and 28 saves, allowing only 63 hits in 106 innings spread across 70 games.

AAA Toledo 4 – Louisville 1 Eric Eymann doubled, Dave Sappelt tripled, and Danny Dorn hit his 12th homerun of the season. Unfortunately for the [...]]]>

Minor League Player of the Day:  Henry Rodriguez (Dayton) 3-4, 1 double, 2 runs scored, 4RBI and Mark Fleury (Dayton) 4-5, 2 doubles, 1 run scored, 3 RBI.

AAA
Toledo 4 – Louisville 1
Eric Eymann doubled, Dave Sappelt tripled, and Danny Dorn hit his 12th homerun of the season. Unfortunately for the Bats, that was 3 of the team’s 4 hits on the night.

Enerio Del Rosario allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk in 3.1 innings of relief to pick up the loss and drop to 4-1 on the season.  Matt Maloney made the start and went 3 innings, allowing one run on 4 hits while striking out 3.

AA
Carolina 9 – Birmingham 4
Chris Denove and Mike Costanzo had multi-hit games.  Denove went 3-5 with 3 singles, 2 RBI, and a run scored while Costanzo went 2-4 with a single, double, run scored, and 2 RBI.  Jake Kahaulelio belted his 12th homerun of the season and had 3 RBI.  Denis Phipps singled in 4 at-bats, but drove in 2 RBI and scored a run.

James Avery surrendered 10 hits and a walk in 5.1 innings pitched, allowing 4 runs while striking out 2.  That was still good enough to pick up his 2nd win in Carolina compared to 3 losses.  Joseph Krebs and Brad Boxberger combined to throw 3.1 scoreless innings of relief, allowing 4 hits while striking out 2.

High A
Winston-Salem 6 – Lynchburg 0
Ezequiel Infante and Doug Salinas combined to pitch 5 scoreless inning of relief, scattering 4 hits and striking out 1.  Unfortunately, there is not a whole lot more worth mentioning.  The offense managed only 4 hits in the loss and Winston-Salem scored all 6 of their runs in the 2nd inning.

A
Dayton 12 – Lansing 0
Aside from Rodriguez and Fleury, who were my picks for co-players of the day, Kevyn Feiner also had a great day going 3-6 with an RBI and a run scored.  These three guys, batting in the 2, 3 and 4 slots in the lineup, combined to go 10-15 with 3 doubles, 4 runs scored, and 8 RBI.

Ricky Bowen could have also qualified for the player of the day.  Bowen pitched 7 shutout innings, allowing only 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 3.  The win improved his record to 5-8 on the season.

Rookie
Billings 7 – Helena 5; game 1
Billy Hamilton went 2-5 with 2 runs scored, an RBI, and 3 stolen bases.  The 3 stolen bases gives him 29 on the season.  Devin Lohman had 2 doubles in 4 at-bats, scoring twice, and driving in an RBI.

Daniel Wolford picked up his 2nd win of the season in relief, despite allowing 3 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks in 3.2 innings pitched.  Pat Doyle allowed 2 runs in 2.1 innings pitched but still recorded his 3rd save.

Helena 3 – Billings 2; game 2
Yorman Rodriguez had 2 of the Mustangs 4 hits in a 2-4 night.  One of the hits was a triple, as Rodriguez also scored a run and drove in a run. 

Kevin Arico pitched 3 scoreless innings in relief, allowing only 1 hit while striking out 3.

AZL Brewers 10 – AZL Reds 8
This game was for the AZL Crown.  The Reds had leads of 3-0 and 5-3, and then after falling behind 8-6, managed to tie it at 8-8 before Jose Marizan allowed 2 runs in the bottom of the 8th for the loss.  Robert Maddox went 3-5 went 3-5 with a homerun, his 7th of the season.  Kurtis Muller tripled, scored a run, and drove in a run in a 3-5 night.  Ronald Torreyes, Drew Poulk, and Juan Silva each went 2-4 with a double and a run scored.

FINAL Milwaukee 4 Cincinnati 8 WP: LeCure (2-4) LP: Gallardo (11-7) BOX SCORE

POSITIVES –Aroldis Chapman was electrifying in his major league debut, hitting 103, 102, and 100…but most impressively, demonstrating a wicked slider. Chapman served notice on the National League by delivering a 1-2-3 eighth inning. It [...]]]>

Let’s recap tonight’s titanic struggle….

FINAL
Milwaukee 4
Cincinnati 8
WP: LeCure (2-4)
LP: Gallardo (11-7)
BOX SCORE

POSITIVES
–Aroldis Chapman was electrifying in his major league debut, hitting 103, 102, and 100…but most impressively, demonstrating a wicked slider. Chapman served notice on the National League by delivering a 1-2-3 eighth inning. It was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen.

–Joey Votto was 2-3 with two doubles and three RBI. MVP.

–Scott Rolen was 2-4 with two doubles and two RBI. Paul Janish was 2-4 with a double and an RBI. Jonny Gomes hit a two-run laser homerun to the opposite field.

–Sam LeCure was very good out of the pen again. So was Bill Bray.

NEGATIVES
–None (except for the Little League-esque error committed by Gomes. Brutal.).

NOT-SO-RANDOM THOUGHTS
–Cincinnati is now 22 games over .500, at 77-55. The Cardinals lost again, so the Reds now hold a seven-game lead in the National League Central. Unbelievable.

–The Reds went 19-8 in August. That’s the best record of any team in the major leagues during the month. Do you believe yet?

–To match last year’s record, the Reds would have to go 1-29 the rest of the way. If Cincinnati plays .500 ball the rest of the season, they would end up with 92 wins.

–Votto and Rolen made incredible defensive plays to record the last two outs of the game.

–This team is so much fun to watch.

–Loved that the (very small) crowd cheered loudly when Chapman was shown on the scoreboard warming up in the bullpen.

–Aaron Harang wasn’t great, but he was better than he’d shown in his rehab outings. We’ll wait to see what the Reds decide about Harang’s role on this team for the last month.

–Sorry, this is quick and dirty (I’ll work on a better one later), but I had to throw something together to celebrate this occasion:

An old friend returns to the mound tonight: Aaron Harang. I’m trying to be [...]]]>

I almost wish August wouldn’t end. After that St. Louis debacle early in the month, would any of you have guessed that August would turn out to be the most enjoyable month to be a Reds fan in years?

An old friend returns to the mound tonight: Aaron Harang. I’m trying to be optimistic, but I can’t deny that I’m a bit worried about Harang after his poor performances while rehabbing. I’d like nothing more, however, than to see the big guy catch lightning in a bottle, and pitch like vintage Harang for the next month. He deserves that, as a mainstay of this organization for so many years.

Yes, I’m too sentimental about the Reds.

Anyway, Yovani Gallardo pitches for Milwaukee. He’s a good pitcher, but the Reds have had some success against him in the past (including his last outing vs. Cincinnati, when Gallardo couldn’t get out of the third inning). I’m cautiously optimistic.

Here’s your game preview. Go Redlegs.

Chapman, 22, a Cuban left-hander, has been dominant, overpowering, nasty, filthy or whatever adjective you want to insert for his Louisville performance recently. He is 4-1 with a 2.40 earned run average as a reliever. [...]]]>

Aroldis Chapman and his 105-mph heater will be called up to the big leagues before tonight’s titanic struggle:

Chapman, 22, a Cuban left-hander, has been dominant, overpowering, nasty, filthy or whatever adjective you want to insert for his Louisville performance recently. He is 4-1 with a 2.40 earned run average as a reliever. He’s allowed 17 hits, 12 walks and struck out 49 in 30 innings, since the move to bullpen. His ERA is 0.83 over his last 20 appearances.

In his last eight outings, he’s gone eight innings and allowed two hits and three walks while striking out 15.

How excited are you? Further, how excited are you about this season, in general?