I am currently in summer school, so I haven't been posting as often as I would like lately. With that, I'm gonna start a new idea.
I'm gonna give 5 things everyday I can that catch my attention. Hopefully this will allow me to contribute more every day.
With that......
#1- Reds young pitchers- Anyone else impressed? The 3 game series with the Yankees over the weekend had to make every Reds fan feel a little better. Having three guys at the ages of 24, 22, and 22 throw that way against that lineup was impressive. Many of the Yankees themselves were impressed. We all know how good Volquez is, as he's got a good chance to start the all-star game this year, and we know what Johnny Cueto is capable of, showing his brilliant potential every couple of starts. And then, Daryl Thompson looks every bit as good? I know, you can't predict a career off of one start, but at least he showed me the fortitude to stare down a rough couple of innings and bear down to get out of them unscathed. Maybe one day Homer Bailey will notice he's been passed 3 times and fall in line with the other guys.
#2- Chad Johnson comes crawling back- Once more, good for Marvin to be one of the very few to stand up to Drew Rosenhaus and turn him away. Chad came to camp, while Shockey and some other of Drew's athletes hold out. I believe that come this fall, nobody will be thinking about the offseason last year and CJ and the rest of the team will come ready to play and play well.
#3- Great baseball read- This book is several years old, but I still love it. It is called Fair Ball: A Fan's Case for Baseball by Bob Costas. If you aren't a big fan of big market teams like the Yankees or Bud Selig (which describes me), then you'll love it. Costas is a smart baseball fan and points out a lot of the weaknesses in the game and what could be done to bring baseball back to what it used to be. He also notes that Bud Selig shouldn't be the commisioner based on his very obvious conflict of interest. He "used" to own the Milwaulkee Brewers, "letting go" of the team when he got into office. His family still owns it. So.....an owner is the comish. Shouldn't that be a problem? One of the first things he did in office was move his own team to another league, making the leagues uneven, 16 to 14. The whole all-star game counting fiasco. I can't wait until we have a real commish.
#4- Corey Patterson will always suck- I can't believe he is still on the team. Everybody else associated with Major League Baseball is laughing at us. How many times has he come up in the last two weeks in the last couple of innings of a ball game with a chance to put the Reds ahead or tie the game, only to swing at the first pitch and make an out EVERY TIME? Walt needs to show he's running the show, cause Dusty Patterson can't start his kid if he's not on the team. If Dusty says he'll walk, good. Bring back McKanin.
#5- Trades- Jocketty is known as a trader and there have been many rumors surrounding Grif, Dunners, Votto, and our new draft pick, Yonder Alonso. Something will happen before the trading deadline and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out. We need to get a young catcher, and maybe a young outfielder, as its looking more and more likely that Bruce will be the only outfielder returning next year. Stay Tuned..
Maltzy
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Happy Father's Day
Father's day is the day we honor our fathers, the men who cared for the family, set examples, and protect his family. My own father did all those things for me growing up. My dad always worked more and more to leave our family financially secure while I was living there. We never starved. He made us be responsible for ourselves. My father made sure we were in church, Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings, and Wednesday evenings. When we (my sister and I) were old enough to drive, he got us a car to drive. And in my case, many more cars....
Whenever I think of my own father, these are the things that come to my mind.
I've always looked up to my father. I remember living in Memphis, as a kid. Having lots of snow on the ground for the first time I remember getting to play in it. My dad would spend hours pulling me on the sled and pushing me down hills. We both laughed as I ran into backyard fences and over the little cliff into the garden. He built us a pool. He moved us to Cincinnati. The year after we moved there, my dad took me to about 10 Reds games, where I immediately loved the game of baseball and the Reds. At the end of that season, my dad took me to a postseason game. It was in October and together we saw Jose Rijo, Eric Davis, and the rest of the Reds begin their domination over the Oakland Athletics on their way to the 1990 World Series title. I yelled so much, I lost my voice for the next 6 weeks. It is still one of the greatest 5 days of my life.
He took me to Bengals games. When I started playing games myself, he made sure I had new cleats, gloves, batting gloves, bats, whatever I needed. He pitched to me (and i payed him back by hitting him in the forehead more than once with the tennis balls). I still remember my dad and I sneaking out of the end of church to head downtown and catch the Reds' game.
I will never forget the time I got called out of class in 6th or 7th grade where I got called to the principle's office and was told to bring my books. When I got to the office, my dad was waiting there, looking somber. He told the school we had a family matter to deal with. Walking out to the car, I didn't know what to expect.
When I got to the car, I noticed my dad had packed our clothes and fishing poles and he started to chuckle. He was taking me out of school for 2 and a half days to go fishing in central Kentucky.
I remember getting my first car, a 1983 Ford Ranger 4x4 V6. It was black, and it had a manual transmission. One of the things my dad wanted for us was to be able to drive a stick. I remember making that truck hop and jump around like a giant bullfrog, all the while my dad is laughing so hard he can hardly breathe. I remember my dad being at the game in high school where I almost threw a no-hitter up in Hamilton, OH.
I remember going to Rangers' games, Mavericks games, stuff my dad always made sure we got to do. There was even a year after I moved out where my dad got the three of us (Mom, Dad, and I) tickets to see the Cincinnati Reds play in Texas vs. the Rangers.
I don't think I'll ever be able to repay my dad for all the things he did for me, mentioned and unmentioned. There's not a thing he could do that I wouldn't forgive him for. He's my dad, and always will be. Allowing me to write sports stories for the newspaper he still owns.
Thank you dad, for everything. For the things I know you did for me and the many things you did that I still don't know you did them for me. Thanks for being my dad.
I love you Dad.
Maltzy
Whenever I think of my own father, these are the things that come to my mind.
I've always looked up to my father. I remember living in Memphis, as a kid. Having lots of snow on the ground for the first time I remember getting to play in it. My dad would spend hours pulling me on the sled and pushing me down hills. We both laughed as I ran into backyard fences and over the little cliff into the garden. He built us a pool. He moved us to Cincinnati. The year after we moved there, my dad took me to about 10 Reds games, where I immediately loved the game of baseball and the Reds. At the end of that season, my dad took me to a postseason game. It was in October and together we saw Jose Rijo, Eric Davis, and the rest of the Reds begin their domination over the Oakland Athletics on their way to the 1990 World Series title. I yelled so much, I lost my voice for the next 6 weeks. It is still one of the greatest 5 days of my life.
He took me to Bengals games. When I started playing games myself, he made sure I had new cleats, gloves, batting gloves, bats, whatever I needed. He pitched to me (and i payed him back by hitting him in the forehead more than once with the tennis balls). I still remember my dad and I sneaking out of the end of church to head downtown and catch the Reds' game.
I will never forget the time I got called out of class in 6th or 7th grade where I got called to the principle's office and was told to bring my books. When I got to the office, my dad was waiting there, looking somber. He told the school we had a family matter to deal with. Walking out to the car, I didn't know what to expect.
When I got to the car, I noticed my dad had packed our clothes and fishing poles and he started to chuckle. He was taking me out of school for 2 and a half days to go fishing in central Kentucky.
I remember getting my first car, a 1983 Ford Ranger 4x4 V6. It was black, and it had a manual transmission. One of the things my dad wanted for us was to be able to drive a stick. I remember making that truck hop and jump around like a giant bullfrog, all the while my dad is laughing so hard he can hardly breathe. I remember my dad being at the game in high school where I almost threw a no-hitter up in Hamilton, OH.
I remember going to Rangers' games, Mavericks games, stuff my dad always made sure we got to do. There was even a year after I moved out where my dad got the three of us (Mom, Dad, and I) tickets to see the Cincinnati Reds play in Texas vs. the Rangers.
I don't think I'll ever be able to repay my dad for all the things he did for me, mentioned and unmentioned. There's not a thing he could do that I wouldn't forgive him for. He's my dad, and always will be. Allowing me to write sports stories for the newspaper he still owns.
Thank you dad, for everything. For the things I know you did for me and the many things you did that I still don't know you did them for me. Thanks for being my dad.
I love you Dad.
Maltzy
Friday, June 6, 2008
Im baaaaaaack
Wow. The last week was a whirlwind and now I'm finally back in town. I spent the last week in Cincinnati with my wife and we had a wonderful time. We drove up last Friday and caught both Friday and Saturday's Reds games, and they were some of the best I have ever witnessed. Friday night, after a long day of driving, we sat in the 9th row in left field stands at GABP and had to deal with some loud Braves fans, but I had fun calling Chipper Jones "Larry" all night, because he's known to hate that. The Larry chant got loud when BP's grounder went between Larry's legs to let in the winning run in the bottom of the 11th. Volquez is the real deal. He is as good a pitcher right now as the Reds have ever had.
Saturday was a different story all together. The wife and I had 9th row seats, this time in the section next to the Reds dugout, great seats. Before the game, Jay Bruce stayed out signing autographs for as long as Dusty allowed him. He was very gracious and nice to everyone. Of course, the minute his name was spoken over the loudspeaker, the now familiar chant "Bruuuuuuuuuucccee" rang out loudly throughout the stadium. No matter what Bruce does, he will get that chant for a loooong time in Cincinnati (and Philly too, if you listened closely to the telecasts against the Phillies).
In the first inning, we were treated to Griffey's 599th home run. Everybody in the stadium knew it was gone. My wife got a great picture of Griffey finishing his swing and dropping his bat. I'll be sure to post some pics from the game over the weekend. Bruce looked like a future superstar all game and Fogg looked like the below average pitcher he is. The crowd was electric and the 9th inning and finish were outstanding. Dunn walked in the bottom of the ninth, Reds down 7 to 6. Freel pinch runs for him, and eventually works his way over to 3rd base with one out. David Ross comes up, and hits a squibber back towards the pitcher. As soon as the ball is released in the direction of first base, Ryan Freel breaks for home and gets in just under the tag of Brian McCann to score the tying run. The throw beat him to the plate, but Freel had a great slide and made it under the tag.
All this led up the the best part of the game. I, for the record, was wearing a Jay Bruce Tshirt that I had purchased earlier that day to the game, and the game ended in the 10th inning, with one swing of the bat by Jay Bruce. Is there nothing this kid can't do???? His first major league home run is a walk-off home run against the braves??? Is he that good???
So much stuff happened on the trip, but the baseball games made the week start off great. That and the Skyline cheese coneys. I'll tell more later.
In the draft, the Reds picked the best bat available, Yonder Alfonso. He's a great all around hitter who, with the major league contract he's expected to sign, may contribute sometime next year.
I'll break it down more later, but I just wanted to get back and say a couple of things.
Maltzy
Saturday was a different story all together. The wife and I had 9th row seats, this time in the section next to the Reds dugout, great seats. Before the game, Jay Bruce stayed out signing autographs for as long as Dusty allowed him. He was very gracious and nice to everyone. Of course, the minute his name was spoken over the loudspeaker, the now familiar chant "Bruuuuuuuuuucccee" rang out loudly throughout the stadium. No matter what Bruce does, he will get that chant for a loooong time in Cincinnati (and Philly too, if you listened closely to the telecasts against the Phillies).
In the first inning, we were treated to Griffey's 599th home run. Everybody in the stadium knew it was gone. My wife got a great picture of Griffey finishing his swing and dropping his bat. I'll be sure to post some pics from the game over the weekend. Bruce looked like a future superstar all game and Fogg looked like the below average pitcher he is. The crowd was electric and the 9th inning and finish were outstanding. Dunn walked in the bottom of the ninth, Reds down 7 to 6. Freel pinch runs for him, and eventually works his way over to 3rd base with one out. David Ross comes up, and hits a squibber back towards the pitcher. As soon as the ball is released in the direction of first base, Ryan Freel breaks for home and gets in just under the tag of Brian McCann to score the tying run. The throw beat him to the plate, but Freel had a great slide and made it under the tag.
All this led up the the best part of the game. I, for the record, was wearing a Jay Bruce Tshirt that I had purchased earlier that day to the game, and the game ended in the 10th inning, with one swing of the bat by Jay Bruce. Is there nothing this kid can't do???? His first major league home run is a walk-off home run against the braves??? Is he that good???
So much stuff happened on the trip, but the baseball games made the week start off great. That and the Skyline cheese coneys. I'll tell more later.
In the draft, the Reds picked the best bat available, Yonder Alfonso. He's a great all around hitter who, with the major league contract he's expected to sign, may contribute sometime next year.
I'll break it down more later, but I just wanted to get back and say a couple of things.
Maltzy
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