Hi Hello and Welcome, Cards fans! We've been expecting you . . .

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If you have all night with nothing else to do, and you're in Chicago, and you like burgers, and you don't mind loud goth metal, go to Kuma's Corner.

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Yup, it's final this time.  Really.  Seriously.  1 year, $2 million with incentives.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/29267535/

Apparently Atlanta is having a hard time knowing when its deals are done.  First Furcal, now Griffey. 

I think this is what everyone wanted, but wasn't the offer originally for two years?  It'll be fun to see him appreciated again, and not living out his days as a part-timer in Atlanta.  Word.

No really, it's true. 

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/26664476/

In his diary entry of March 31, 1755, he says “Went to Stoke Ch. This morning. After Dinner Went to Miss Jeale’s to play at Base Ball with her, the 3 Miss Whiteheads, Miss Billinghurst, Miss Molly Flutter, Mr. Chandler, Mr. Ford & H. Parsons & Jelly. Drank Tea and stayed till 8.”

But then, "Mr. Baker pulled me to allow Mr. Weathers to confront the righty and prompty blow the bloody game to hell."  Buggers.

On a side note, why did they hide the "new diary post" link in its current location?  This format sucks.  JD, can we end this trial period and go back to the old site?

Wow, I missed this announcement last week:

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AkVI3lR6REYP1g6yKrk5pMyFCLcF?slug=txsutcliffecancer&prov=s t&type=lgns

BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT (TICKER) --Former Cy Young Award winner Rick Sutcliffe has been diagnosed with cancer.

A baseball analyst for ESPN, Sutcliffe was diagnosed with colon cancer following a routine physical, the network said in a statement.

"I deeply appreciate the support of the ESPN family and my family and friends around the country," Sutcliffe said in a statement.

The 51-year-old Sutcliffe will undergo chemotherapy and surgery over the next four months.

In a 15-year career in which he played for five teams, Sutcliffe compiled a record of 171-139 and a 4.08 ERA. He won the National League Rookie of the Year in 1979, the NL Cy Young Award five years later and was a three-time All-Star.

I'm no doctor, but colon cancer sucks.  Hopefully they caught it early like they did with ED.  (And I hope they caught his ED early too.)

On a related note, I can't think of any other broadcaster who is as bad as Rick Sutcliffe in the tv booth.  Except Jeff Brantley, I mean.  So, have a speedy recovery, Rick.  But please, don't call ESPN when you're ready to come back to work.

If that's what you want to call it.

If you haven't already seen it, mlbtraderumors.com </insert link here> took a stab at analyzing Jim Bowden as a GM.  Part I is Leatherpants' 10.5 years with the Reds.  

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/02/jim-bowden-trad.html#comments

To say the least, it's a cursory observation.  However, I do like the handy spreadsheet of Bowden trades through mid-2003.  And Big Mike Glab(who is new to the site) does single out JimBo's common trade trade partners.  

However, the report's draft analysis looks only at Assface's first round picks, ignoring other gems that Boy Wonder grabbed in "later" rounds (see Dunn, Adam, sidnancy, comments).  

And Big Mike claims that the October 30, 1999 trade for Dante Bichette was a playoff-stretch deal.  So Trader Jim was just a couple months late on that one or what?

All in all, it's a fun feature.  But this one was written by either (a) some dude who did a book report on someone else's article on Jim Bowden, (b) a Reds fan who knows what we know but tried to dumb it down for a larger audience, or (c) some respectable guy I don't know who will beat me down with my own arm.

Bereavement pool update:  Apparently, Edna Parker of Shelbyville, IN, may not be the oldest living human after all.  A 120-year old dinosaur in Israel has applied for an identity card.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23173016/

Sorry, Fat Vegas.

Second Bereavement Update [2008-2-16 12:0:18 by Brian B]: Steve Fossett has been declared legally dead on February 15, 2008, not the date he went missing (September 3, 2007). I still don't feel like he fits into the Osama Rule, but that's okay. There should be a rule against missing persons anyway.

This from mlbtraderumors . . .

Reds In On Cameron?
According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Mike Cameron's agent tonight said he has a new suitor.  Krasovic makes an educated guess that the Reds are that team.  He cites Cameron's desire to play for Dusty Baker, the possible defensive improvement, and the availability of Josh Hamilton as factors.  It would be odd for the Reds to spend their remaining money on a position player though.

Cameron enjoyed his time in Cincinnati in 1999, hitting .256/.357/.469 as a 26 year-old before being included in the Griffey trade.  Wouldn't it be interesting if the Reds brought back Cameron and Brett Tomko?  And Antonio Perez is probably kicking around somewhere too.

This is pretty much garbage.  How can this guess be educated?  I like Mike Cameron and all, but seriously.  Still, I thought it was worth a post so we can laugh it off before it actually happens.  This would be just the thing that could start another classic Wayne Krivsky bender . . . with Castro getting an extension through 2012.  

My "educated" guess is the mystery team is Washington, because . . . well, you know why.

In the first big trade of the winter, the Phillies acquired Brad Lidge and Eric Bruntlett from the Astros for Michael Bourn, Geoff Geary, and Mike Costanzo today.  This means Brett Myers is back in the starting rotation.

Didn't they do this with Billy Wagner a few years ago?  

Does anyone honestly see the Reds dealing anyone this winter?  If so, who makes the wish list?

Okay, here it is.  No write-in candidates.  Your choices are limited.  And as they say, One-line diaries are prohibited on Red Reporter. Give your diary a bit more thought, then give it another shot. If you have nothing to add to your proposed diary, then it probably belongs as a comment under another appropriate thread.  

Conduct yourselves accordingly.

I was at a Cubs game a few years ago (2002?) when Angel Hernandez made a bad call on a tag at home plate.  The next half-inning, Steve McMichael (the ex-'85 Bear) took the mic for Take Me Out to the Ballgame saying he's "gonna have words with the umpire after the game."  Hernandez stands with his hands on his hips looking up at Mongo in the tv booth.  McMichael was ejected from the park.

Tonight, Hernandez is behind the plate for the Angels-Astros matchup in Anaheim.  Wandy Rodriguez throws a beautiful looking overhand curve for what appeared to be strike three on Chone Figgins.  Wandy takes two steps off the mound expecting the strike three call, except Hernandez never makes the call.  Wandy turns and walks back onto the mound, no grimace, no words, no signs of disappointment.  Meanwhile, Angel Hernandez stands at home plate with his arms out and palms to the air saying "what? . . . what? . . . you got a problem out there, boy?"

Phil Garner comes storming out onto the field and gets in Hernandez' face.  No doubt Garner's bitching about Hernandez showing up his pitcher, while Hernandez is bitching about Garner's pitcher showing him up.  Eventually, Garner turns and heads back to the dugout.  He gets about half way when he realizes that Hernandez is on his way out to the mound to have a chat with Wandy Rodriguez.  Garner turns and runs out to the mound and gets in between his pitcher and Hernandez.  

From there, things settle down and everyone goes their own way.  Until Mike Scioscia comes out to argue that Garner just used one of his trips to the mound . . . but that's another story.

One out later, Wandy throws another curve ball right over the plate for strike three.  Same thing.  He takes two steps off the mound, freezes, and doesn't get the call.  Wandy bites his lip and retreats to the mound, but Hernandez steps forward like he's going to charge the mound.  Unbelievable.  Not only can the guy not call a game, but he's now he's looking for a fight.  

Seriously, Sportscenter better show the replay, because Wandy Rodriguez did absolutely nothing wrong.  

Rex Hudler just told a story on the air about how Hernandez was umping a game in A-ball in Tampa when he was coming up.  Some of his teammates were talking back to him about balls and strikes, and Hernandez threw some guys out of the game.  The trainer passed out some tape to the guys on the bench to put over their mouths.  They did, but Hernandez didn't find it funny.  He ran every single one of them.

Share your favorite Angel Hernandez story here.

Nice to know that the world hasnt' forgotten Griffey.  The Onion is a good barometer:

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/nation_to_ken_griffey_jr_we_wish

"I would be proud to have Ken Griffey Jr. break my home-run record," current record-holder and Hall of Fame legend Hank Aaron said upon being told of the nation's statement. "I would most certainly attend any game in which he had a chance of doing so. And I would come down from the stands and hug him fiercely after he crossed the plate and had been congratulated by his teammates. I really don't think I'd be able to help myself."

"Hell, I'll probably attend the game he's playing in when my record is broken in any case," Aaron added.

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig, responding to overwhelming demand, has confirmed that an asterisk will be placed next to Griffey's name in the record books in order to indicate that, in a perfect world where dignity is always rewarded, cheaters never triumph, and people always get what they really deserve, Griffey would have hit one more home run than Barry Bonds' career total.

Although some of you don't get Jack-in-the-Box commercials in your area, you may have seen some of them on Extra Innings when the Reds were on the west coast.  Anyway, they always have some of the funniest commercials on tv, and now they're being sued because of their latest Angus commercials.

Check it out:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18894390/

I don't have a YouTube login ID, so maybe one of you can post the commercials I'm talking about.  At YouTube, they're called Jack-in-the-Box "Chuckles" and "Angus Diagram".  

Since the Reds went down quietly again tonight, and most of you feel cheated that you didn't get your baseball fill, here's an open game thread for this evening's MLB action.  We've got:

Phillies at Marlins
Blue Jays at Orioles
Mets at Braves
Indians at Royals
Astros at DBacks
Cubs at Padres (10:00 EDT)

If you're watching, let us know what real baseball looks like!

As if Joey Porter could be hated more:

Dolphins' Porter charged after casino scuffle with Bengals T Jones  
  March 19, 2007
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports      

LAS VEGAS -- Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter was accused of punching Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Levi Jones after police said the players exchanged trash talk at a casino blackjack table.

Porter was issued a summons on a misdemeanor battery charge after the Sunday altercation that began inside the Palms hotel-casino, Las Vegas police Officer Martin Wright said.

"They went outside. In the valet area, one struck the other, causing a small laceration above the eye," Wright said Monday, calling the injury minor.

Porter could face up to a year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine, Wright said, but no court date was immediately available.

Porter, 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, left the Pittsburgh Steelers after eight years and signed a five-year, $32 million deal with the Dolphins earlier this month. Jones, 6-5 and 307 pounds, missed much of last season with a knee injury.

Interesting story.  

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2752285

"Former Chicago White Sox starter Jim Parque, attempting a comeback after being out of baseball three seasons with shoulder trouble, has agreed on a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners."  

I had no idea that Parque is still just 30 years old.

Most interesting about it is this:

"Parque held a series of auditions and chose Seattle over Texas and Cincinnati, among other clubs."

Maybe if he were 37 the Reds would have done more to sign him.

From ctrent:

The Reds traded for RHP Kirk Saarloos and a player to be named later from Oakland for RHP David Shafer and a plaer to be named later. The team also signed IF Mark Bellhorn to a minor league contract.

Interesting.  Isn't he a soft-tosser who had one good debut with Houston and that's it?  At least, that's my impression without looking into it any further.

Bellhorn won't make the team, will he?

Why is there no diary yet for the Dayton Daily News article about Griffey's potential move to right field?  I thought we'd have over 300 comments and a part II diary with another 300 by now.  Speaking of 300, have I typed enough characters for this diary to be legal?  

No?  Okay then.  Here's the link . . .

http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/pro/reds/2007/01/16/ddn011707reds.html

Saw this in the news today:

The NFL has rejected Britney Spears' request to be in a Super Bowl commercial to tout the NFL Network, the New York Daily News reported Tuesday.

"She's too much of a train wreck. Besides, we already have Paris Hilton," the Daily News cited its source as saying.

The commercial will feature L.L. Cool J and country band Rascal Flatts and will be a celebrity cast of characters showing up for Chad Johnson's Super Bowl party.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16654215/

First, does the New York Daily News has more credibility than Britney Spears?  Second, I can't wait for that commercial!

I posted this in the Griffey thread, but I thought it was interesting enough to put it in a diary by itself:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/1998/target61/timeline/griffey/index.html

January 1988:  What price stardom? Racial slurs hurled at him by Bellingham teenagers and disagreements with his father prompt 18-year old Griffey to swallow over 200 aspirin in a suicide attempt. His stomach is pumped and he is placed in intensive care. "It seemed like everyone was yelling at me in baseball, then I came home and everyone was yelling at me there," Griffey told The Seattle Times when he revealed the story in 1992. "I got depressed. I got angry. I didn't want to live."

I think this really puts his career in perspective as well as what his public image has had to endure over the years.  

No time to digest just yet, but here it is from Marc:

http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/spring/

Reds trade two minor leaguers for 1B Jeff Conine. More to come.

UPDATE: The Reds sent infielder Brad Key and outfielder Javon Moran to the Phillies for Conine. Brendan Harris was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

I think this is kind of a big deal.  It will be an even bigger deal if Rose doesn't use the stage as a self-promotion tactic.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AoLG59FcqgzC5jkro4v5LEkRvLYF?slug=ap-reds-rose&prov=ap& ;type=lgns

Rose to attend Hall of Fame news conference -- for Reds Hall of Fame

December 18, 2006

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Pete Rose is to attend a Hall of Fame news conference -- for the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.

The banned career hits leader is scheduled to appear Tuesday at the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum when plans are announced for an exhibit recognizing his achievements.

 Rose was banned from the ballot for baseball's Hall of Fame after he agreed in 1989 to be banned for life for gambling on baseball games. His eligibility for the Baseball Writers' Association of America ballot ended last year.

Cincinnati inquired with the commissioner's office to make sure Rose could attend the event. Under the terms of his lifetime ban, he cannot be employed by major league teams and is generally not allowed into areas of ballparks that aren't accessible to fans.

"They checked with us and asked permission," baseball spokesman Pat Courtney said.

Jason Marquis gets 3 years for $28 million?  Just . . . wow.  Here's the report from ESPN news services:

The Chicago Cubs aren't done spending money just yet. Free-agent pitcher Jason Marquis has signed a three-year deal with the team, according to multiple reports.
The St. Louis Post Dispatch first reported the deal late Friday as being worth $28 million. Sources told the Chicago Tribune in a report Saturday that the deal was worth approximately $20 million.

The 26-year-old Marquis went 14-16 for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006 with a 6.02 ERA. He struggled after the All-Star break, going just 3-10, and did not make the postseason rotation for the eventual World Series champions.

His best season came in 2004, when he posted a 15-7 record and a 3.71 ERA. He is 194-137 with a 4.55 ERA for his career in seven seasons.

The Cubs have already made a big splash in free agency, signing Henry Blanco, Mark DeRosa, Ted Lilly, Wade Miller, Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano, and Kerry Wood to a combined $272.5 million in contracts.

Okay, here it is again.  If you voted earlier, and many of you had, then you'll have to re-vote.  I'd apologize, but America works like that sometimes.  

.................................................................................................... ........................................

So without further delay, here is the Royce Clayton nickname poll. . . (if I forgot one, feel free to write it in the comments) . . .

Marty Brenneman said tonight in the 8th inning that the Reds cannot possibly contend with just three starting pitchers - Eric Milton has to step up and contribute.  And tonight, Marty said, Milton stunk.  

First of all, Milton did just fine for 6 innings.  Narron somehow thought the bullpen wasn't well enough rested after the day off, and let Milton load the bases AND THEN pitch to Beltran.  

Even still, we have the Cards to catch.  Tonight, Tony LaRussa left Jason Marquis in for 5 innings to give up 14 hits and 12 earned runs.  Marquis is 11-7, but he also lost the June 21st game to the White Sox 13-7, giving up all 13 runs in 5 innings.  PLUS, Marquis leads the league in the chase for the Milton Cup, which of course is given to the pitcher who gives up the most home runs.  

Interesting when you think about it.  Not only did the Cards just dump junk (Ponson) and claim garbage (Weaver), but Marquis and Suppan (5.52 ERA) stink too.  Mulder is still hurt and wasn't effective at all this year anyway.  

That leaves Carpenter and Anthony Reyes.  Do they have the cash left to make a move before the deadline?  Not likely.  

Thoughts?

Reds Preseason Top 20 in Review

Here's a preview:

Top 20 PRE-SEASON Reds Prospects in Review

    This is the PRE-SEASON list. That means it was generated BEFORE THE SEASON STARTED and that the grades were PRE-SEASON. Anyone complaining about the grades based on 2006 performance will be smacked up the side of the head with a Gookie Dawkins autographed bat.

17) Elizardo Ramirez, RHP, C
     3-6, 4.16 in 14 starts for the Reds, 55/19 K/BB in 84 innings. This is in line with expectation.

What is surprising about this is that he graded Ramirez a C, listed his stats, and concludes that "this is in line with expectation."  That kind of line at worst isn't bad for a major league pitcher.  How then is it in line for a "C" rated prospect?

And WHERE IS OLMEDO!