CSNbbs

Mike Leake makes strong pitch to be the Cincinnati Reds' No. 5 starter
Team might make decision Thursday

By John Fay • jfay@enquirer.com • March 31, 2010


Associated Press file photo
Mike Leake pitched six innings, allowing two runs on five hits in the Reds' 8-3 victory over Oakland.

PHOENIX - Mike Leake knew curiosity would get the best of him. He planned to check how Travis Wood was doing against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Wednesday night's game in Las Vegas.

Leake forced Wood into a situation where he had to pitch very well in order to win the job as the Reds' No. 5 starter. Wood responded by winning over the lackluster Dodgers, 12-4. He allowed three runs on five hits over four innings.

Leake pitched six innings, allowing two runs on five hits in the Reds' 8-3 victory over Oakland in first game of a day-night, road doubleheader.

"I did what I could," Leake said. "Now I'm patiently waiting."

Wood's outing in Las Vegas will weigh heavily in the decision, but Leake's performance kept it a two-man race.

"That's what I needed to do," Leake said. "If I came out here and didn't do so hot, it would have helped them make a decision. Hopefully, what I did was good enough in their eyes."

Wood and Leake haven't talked about the situation.

"We really don't want to add pressure," Leake said. "We're going to be happy either way. We got to know each other a little bit, not too much. Either way, it will be a good person that gets the job."

Left-hander Aroldis Chapman, the third pitcher in the mix, also pitched well Wednesday. Chapman went two innings, allowing a run on two hits. His spring ERA is 1.69, and he has that 100 mph fastball.

But his back problem put him behind Wood and Leake.

"He looked good," pitching Bryan Price said. "He's throwing the ball fine. We would have really liked to avoid that lower back issue. We didn't get the chance to get the long looks that we got with Wood and Leake - get to see how he deals with multiple runners on base ... and see how he reacts that second and third time through the order."

If Leake hadn't pitched well, the Reds might have tried to get Chapman ready for the April 11 start - the first for the fifth starter.

Leake's outing was typical for him.

"He worked at the bottom of the (strike) zone," Price said. "He never gave in with a hitter. It was good to see him with some runners on to see how he reacted to the home run and sacrifice fly. He was able to come back and roll with a 1-2-3 inning in the sixth."

Leake, the team's No. 1 draft choice last year out of Arizona State, is getting his first extended taste of professional competition. He's passed every test.

"He's stretched out," Price said. "He's done everything in his power to make the club. Now, we have to make the decision. We'll look at Woody (Wednesday night)."

Wood has advantages: He's left-handed, has five years of pro experience and is on the 40-man roster.

The Reds are a bit concerned that Leake has never pitched in a five-man rotation.

"I don't think that's going to be that big of an issue," Leake said. "I could have done it in college. It just doesn't work out that way."

Leake is a mellow California guy.

"I made it to the last cut," he said. "I can't complain."

Chapman would be the sexy choice for the job. He has the best stuff and the $30 million contract.

But the back problem, however minor, threw the timetable off. He said he's OK with starting in the minors.

"I don't worry about that," he said. "I just want to be in the game. Wherever they send me, I know I have to do a good job. I know I'm going to pitch the big leagues.

"When, I don't know."

Neither does Leake, but he's going to find out soon.

"I'll come in (Thursday) and see what they've decided," he said.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100...ter-sports

Wood: 4 ip, 5 hits, 3 runs, 3 walks, 5 Ks
Posted by jfay March 31st, 2010, 10:26 pm

Travis Wood went four innings against the Dodgers Wednesday night. He allowed three runs on five hits. He walked three and struck out five.

Obviously, Mike Leake outpitched Wood on Wednesday. Leake went six innings and allowed two runs against the A’s.

But Wood was facing the Dodgers, one of the toughest lineups in baseball, in tough conditions. You’ve also got to consider Leake is not on the roster.

But, if I had to guess, I’d say it will be Leake.

The Reds won the game 12-4.

Logan Ondrusek (two innings) and Justin Lehr (one inning) pitched scoreless ball over the last three.

The Reds started the game with five straight singles to take a 4-0 lead. Orlando Cabrera and Brandon Phillips were among the guys with hits. They got extra at-bats yesterday in minor league games.

1-2-3 first for Wood with a strikeout.

Five more for the Reds in the second, including a Chris Dickerson home run. Reds’ leadoff men have seven homers this spring.

Wood walked three with two outs in the second. Got out of it.

Wood gave up a run on two hits in the third. He has five strikeouts on the night.

Wood gave up two runs in the fourth.

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2010/03...ng-to-bat/

Reds vs. Rangers
Posted by jfay April 1st, 2010, 12:03 pm

Lineup vs. Texas. 4:05 p.m. It’s on WLW.

Drew Stubbs 8

Chris Burke 4

Wladimir Balentien 7

Scott Rolen 5

Laynce Nix 9

Ramon Hernandez 2

Miguel Cairo 3

Paul Janish 6

Johnny Cueto 1

Francisco Cordero and Nick Masset will follow Cueto.

One Joey Votto note: After going 3-for-3 in the last game last night, he has a 5-game hitting streak, including four multi-hit games (11-for-13, .846, 4 2b, 2hr, 7rbi). He has 10 RBI in his last eight games.

The cuts are coming today. We won’t know for a while. Dusty Baker’s not due in until 10 or so local time.

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2010/04...s-rangers/

Laynce Nix uses bat to make case
Reds notebook

By John Fay • jfay@enquirer.com • March 31, 2010


Associated Press file photo
Laynce Nix, seen here being congratulated by teammate Ramon Hernandez (left), went 2-for-4 Wednesday with a home run in the Reds' 8-3 win over Oakland.

PHOENIX - Laynce Nix did what a guy on the bubble needs to do: He spoke with his bat Wednesday.

Nix went 2-for-4 with a home run in the Reds' 8-3 win over Oakland. It was his fourth homer of the spring. He's hitting .262.

The 29-year-old outfielder spent last season with the Reds, hitting .239 with a career-high 15 home runs and 46 RBI in 309 at-bats.

But the Reds didn't offer him arbitration, instead bringing him back as a minor-league free agent.

"I had a few options," Nix said. "The way things went last year I liked being here, and I felt the opportunity was here."

But because Nix is on a minor-league deal, making the team is more difficult.

"It's hard to know what to make of it," Nix said. "I've been through this before. Everything seems to work out good when I'm healthy. We'll see what happens."

The Reds are considering starting the season with 11 pitchers and 14 position players because a fifth starting pitcher won't be needed until April 11.

That bodes well for Nix. He would give the club left-handed power off the bench. He was 8-for-34 with a home run and five RBI as pinch-hitter last year.

The good spring has to help his chances.

"I'm pleased for the most part," he said. "I'm healthy. My body feels great. I'm ready to start the season."

Nix tweaked a few things in the offseason.

"There are a couple of little things," he said. "I have myself in a better slot. ... I'm pretty pleased with it. I'm really excited to bring it into the season."

DECISION TIME: The Reds have some decisions to make. Their roster stands at 40, 15 above the limit. Most or all of cuts will come Thursday.

There are six or seven spots open: Two for extra infielders, one for a fifth outfielder, two or three in the bullpen and one for a fifth starter.

Based on what manager Dusty Baker said Tuesday, there's a good chance that all the fifth starter candidates - Mike Leake, Travis Wood and Aroldis Chapman - will begin the year in the minors.

"(We might) carry another position player until then (April 11)," Baker said.

That would mean a sixth outfielder or a seventh infielder.

• Bullpen: Jared Burton was close to a lock coming into camp, but he's struggled (four home runs in eight innings) and Logan Ondrusek and Justin Lehr have been very good. Two spots will probably go to Micah Owings and Mike Lincoln. Owings adds a good bat. Lincoln makes $2 million. As for the third slot, it will come down to Burton, Ondrusek or Lehr.

• Infield: This is the hardest to predict. The only certainty is Paul Janish. He's the best fielder of the group, and he's hit this spring (.364, two homers). Miguel Cairo and Chris Burke aren't on the roster and haven't hit very well. The second job will come down to Aaron Miles, Juan Francisco and Drew Sutton. Miles is owned $2.7 million. But he's 5-for-32 this spring and coming off a year in which he hit .185. Sutton is down to .233 after a good start and has made three errors at short. Francisco is the most intriguing of the bunch. He probably needs more time in Triple-A, but he has hit .310 this spring.

• Fifth starter: It's between Leake and Wood, with Chapman an outing or two from joining the fray.

• Fifth outfielder: It's down to Nix and Wladimir Balentien, who is on the roster and out of options. But because of the situation with the fifth starter, both could make it. Another possibility is Francisco comes north with the team. If the Reds go with 11 pitchers and 14 position players, you'll likely see Nix or Francisco on the roster to provide pop off the bench.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100...+make+case

Reds intact for one more run at winning

By JOE KAY, The Associated Press Updated 10:29 PM Wednesday, March 31, 2010

CINCINNATI — Bronson Arroyo knows he may well be strumming his guitar somewhere else next season if this one doesn't turn out better than the last few. Aaron Harang might be looking for a spot in someone else's rotation. Manager Dusty Baker? Could be in the job market, too.

For some of the Cincinnati Reds, this could be a last go-around.

The Reds kept their roster intact to make one more run at a winning season, something they haven't pulled off since 2000. Their longest streak of losing in a half-century brings them to one of those fork-in-the-road seasons.

If they win in 2010, there's reason to keep the manager and at least some of those high-priced veterans around.

If they lose...

"Is there a chance that myself, Dusty, (closer Francisco) Cordero, Harang, one of us might be here after this year if we don't play well? Yeah, maybe," Arroyo said. "But you're not going to have the whole crew. You're not going to have as many veterans around here as we do now.

"So I think it's either get the job done now or they're going to get pretty young, which doesn't mean that they can't compete, but it's probably going to be a little tougher."

Whether the Reds pull it off could well come down to something totally out of their control, something they couldn't do at all last year: They have to stay healthy.

Nineteen players went on the disabled list last season. Four-fifths of the rotation was wiped out by injury or illness, along with every starting position player except second baseman Brandon Phillips. The daily injury report was more like Anatomy 101 class.

Name an ailment, someone had it at least once. Carpal tunnel syndrome. Bad shoulder. Bum wrist. Bruised chest. The flu. Inner-ear infection. Debilitating stress. Shredded pitching elbow. Bulging neck disc. Concussion. Emergency appendectomy. Broken wrist. Broken thumb. Broken toe. Locked-up knee. Sprained ankle.

Amazingly, the Reds stayed in contention for three months while the bulk of their roster was putting down roots in the trainer's room. Baker was getting mentioned as a possible Manager of the Year candidate. The Reds had a winning record on July 4, then flamed out like a spent firework, nagged by the empty feeling that they never got to find out how good they really were.

Now, they have another chance. A last chance.

Ownership kept Arroyo ($11 million) and Harang ($12.5 million) for the final guaranteed year on their deals. Cordero stayed as well — he's owed $12 million this year and next. Orlando Cabrera was brought in to play shortstop, filling the only hole in an everyday lineup that returns intact.

The Reds also made an offseason splash by signing Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman to a six-year, $30.25 million deal, an investment in the future that could start paying off at some point this season if he keeps his 100 mph fastball under control.

The pitching is potentially good enough to keep them in the chase.

Harang is the biggest question, 31 years old and coming off two subpar seasons. Arroyo, Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey fill out the rotation, with Edinson Volquez — the team's best starter — expected back around midseason from reconstructive elbow surgery.

The bullpen should be solid again, with Cordero coming off an All-Star season — 39 saves in 43 chances.

That leaves it up to an everyday lineup that was well below average last season, when Baker was constantly trying to plug holes left by all the injuries. A core of young players — 24-year-old right fielder Jay Bruce, 25-year-old center fielder Drew Stubbs, 26-year-old first baseman Joey Votto — is supplemented by 30-somethings Cabrera, third baseman Scott Rolen and catcher Ramon Hernandez.

Baker liked the way his roster meshed during spring training, when everybody seemed to get along and hardly anyone got hurt. A lot of players showed up early to the Reds' new training complex in Arizona and stayed late.

Unusual?

"It's not unusual on good teams because you have more team-oriented goals than personal goals and you come to spring training knowing you've got a pretty good chance to go somewhere as a team," Baker said.

The Reds lack a proven leadoff hitter — a problem for the last few years. Stubbs got the job based on his solid showing in his first big-league promotion last season, when he hit .267 in 42 games with 10 steals. There's no prototype cleanup hitter, either, so Phillips (.276, 20 homers, 98 RBIs) will fill the role again.

Arroyo pointed out that it's still a vast improvement over the cobbled-together batting orders from last season.

"What I like about this team is I feel like we've finally got a lineup that doesn't have a whole lot of weaknesses in it," Arroyo said. "We're going to have somebody in the lineup every day that's going to battle for an at-bat. We don't have three and four guys that you think are going to hit .220 and swing and miss a whole lot."

If they manage to pull off that first winning season in a decade, it would be a good argument to keep the team intact and keep going.

"Who says it's the last chance?" Baker said. "If you win, you get another chance. If you win, there's no way that they can get rid of everybody. I've seen it too many times."

http://www.journal-news.com/hamilton-spo...29698.html

Cincinnati Reds 2010 preview

Stan McNeal

Thursday, Mar. 11, 2010 - 1:36 p.m. ET

Cincinnati's 27-13 finish in 2009 provided some hope. But will Joey Votto have his breakout season? Can Scott Rolen stay healthy? Will Aaron Harang bounce back in a contract year? Will Homer Bailey's strong second half carry over? How good is Aroldis Chapman, and when will he arrive?

And the biggest question: Can the Reds be surprise contenders in the NL Central? If they get positive results to even half of their questions, the answer is yes.


Joey Votto has power, but can he stay healthy?

Three questions

1. What happened in the offseason?
General manager Walt Jocketty didn't make a lot of moves, but the ones he made bode well for the future. For the long term: The Reds pulled off the surprise of the offseason by outbidding the big-money clubs for 22-year-old Aroldis Chapman. The Reds could feature a rotation of Chapman, Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez as soon as next season. For the short-term: Jocketty dumped Willy Taveras and his contract on the A's, which allowed the Reds to sign shortstop Orlando Cabrera to a one-year deal. Cincinnati also brought back Johnny Gomes -- an underrated move because of his power.

As a result, the Reds are better. They will replace Taveras, who disappointed in his only season in Cincinnati, with Drew Stubbs. And Cabrera provides an upgrade over Paul Janish at shortstop. The rest of the lineup returns intact.

2. Where's the offense?
The Reds play in a hitter-friendly park and have a potentially strong middle of the lineup. However, health is a concern. Votto, Rolen and Jay Bruce all have the power to hit 25 homers, but they need to stay in the lineup for more than 131 games. None of the three did so last season. Neither did Ramon Hernandez, another player capable of reaching double figures in homers.

The Reds need their thumpers to thump because they don't have a lot of speed. Their cleanup hitter, Brandon Phillips, tied Taveras for the team lead in steals with 25 last season.


Will Aroldis Chapman earn a spot on the Reds' opening day roster?

3. Is Chapman ready?
Most scouts seem to favor Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg over the Reds' Chapman. But Chapman signed the bigger contract and could reach the majors first. He has done little but impress all who have watched him since he began working out with pitching coach Bryan Price in January. He pitched two scoreless innings against the Royals in his debut Monday, which didn't hurt his chances of leaving spring training as part of the Reds' rotation. Those chances seem to be improving almost daily.

Manager Dusty Baker said Chapman throws his fastball with such ease that it is difficult to tell how fast it is (it has touched triple digits). "He's a tremendous athlete with a great arm, great pitching body and great aptitude for baseball," Baker said. If he proves as capable at adapting to a new country, Chapman could be starting in the majors next month.

Projected lineup
CF Drew Stubbs: Team-best 8 HRs after Aug. 19 call-up.
SS Orlando Cabrera: Led AL SSs with 77 RBIs in '09 with A's/Twins.
1B Joey Votto: .981 OPS was third in NL last season.
2B Brandon Phillips: Only NL 2B projected to hit cleanup.
3B Scott Rolen: .305 AVG, .368 OBP in 128 games in '09.
RF Jay Bruce: Lowest AVG (.223) among 20-plus-HR hitters in NL.
C Ramon Hernandez: Knee limited him to 81 games in '09.
LF Chris Dickerson: .383 OBP in 2 seasons could make him leadoff option.

Projected rotation
1. RHP Aaron Harang: 12-31, 4.52 ERA over past 2 seasons.
2. RHP Bronson Arroyo: Team-best 30 W's and 420 1/3 IP over past 2 seasons.
3. RHP Homer Bailey: 7.53 ERA first 11 starts; 1.70 in final 9.
4. RHP Johnny Cueto: 61 career starts; has lasted 8 IP only once.
5. RHP Justin Lehr: One of the candidates to hold the spot for Chapman.

Projected closer
RHP Francisco Cordero: 2.16 ERA was third-best among NL closers.

Grades

Offense: C. For the team's power production to improve, Votto and Bruce must stay on the field. The Reds play in one of the NL's most hitter-friendly parks, but they finished eighth in the NL in homers and 15th in average (.247).

Pitching: C. The continued development of Bailey and Cueto, plus the expected arrival of Chapman, bodes well for the future. For the present, however, the Reds need Harang to return to his 2007 form. They will be without Volquez (elbow) for most, if not all, of the season.

Bench: C. Gomes brings power and depth to an outfield that needs both. Rookie Chris Heisey should help, too, but he could start the season in the minors. Janish is a plus defender at shortstop but isn't a proven hitter. Aaron Miles brings a veteran presence to infield but hit only .185 last season with the Cubs.

Manager: B. In his third season with the Reds, Baker has yet to reach the postseason -- something he did with the Giants and Cubs in his pervious managerial stops. He is in the final season of his three-year contract and still is looking for his first winning season in Cincinnati.

Sporting News prediction: The Reds have the makings to surprise in the mediocre NL Central if some of their under-25 core -- Bruce, Bailey, Cueto -- step up. But their lack of power should keep them in the lower half of the division.

Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.

It is a crying assed shame when your whole team is graded at a C, and Dusty Baker is graded at a B.....

No cuts yet, no decision on 5th
Posted by jfay April 1st, 2010, 2:09 pm

We just met with Dusty Baker. The Reds haven’t made any cuts or decided on the fifth starter.

“Nothing yet,” Baker said. “It’s a serious cut day today, which is always an unpleasant day but necessary and real.”

The fact that the Reds played a night game in the Las Vegas last night messed with the schedule. Baker didn’t arrive at the complex until 10 a.m. local time.

“It’s something that’s out of my control,” Baker said.

Baker said the club hasn’t decided on the fifth starter.

“The key word is have we decided,” Baker said. “Not me. We. I don’t have quite that much power.”

Baker, like all managers, hates cut day.

“I dread this day a lot,” he said. “This is a very unpleasant day. You realize the truth of the situation. You try to be as honest as you can with young men. You certainly don’t want to lie to them. Most things I can tell them, some things I can’t tell them.”

Baker hopes to have the roster set before the Reds break camp on Saturday.

“This has been the toughest decisions since I’ve been here,” Baker said. “That means we’re getting. Billy Hatcher said it’s the toughest since he’s been here. He’s been here a lot longer than me. He said there was times when they were just trying to fill out the roster.”

Baker liked for most part what he saw from Travis Wood. Wood went four innings in Las Vegas. He allowed three runs on five hits. He walked three and struck out five.

“He was pretty good,” Baker said. “He was very good when he was in the strike zone. Command has never been his problem. That’s what happens sometimes when you try to hard and you’re overthrowing. He was up and away a lot. They told me he kept the ball down a lot. The toughest thing for a young player is when you’re this close.”

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2010/04...on-on-5th/

Final: Reds 7, Rangers 6
Posted by jfay April 1st, 2010, 4:54 pm

The Reds won it on Danny Dorn’s two-out, walkoff home run to dead center.

Not a good final tuneup for Johnny Cueto: 4 ip, 10 hits, 5 runs, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts.

“I feel good,” Cueto said. “But when I threw in the bullpen my back got tight.”

Cueto wasn’t overly concerned.

“Tomorrow maybe, I’ll be OK,” he said.

Louisville trainer Tomas Vera, who was with Cueto, said it won’t be an issue. “It’s just stiffness.”

Cueto gave up a leadoff home run to Julio Borbon and two other runs in the first.

Scott Rolen hit a two-run home run in the Reds’ first.

The Rangers loaded the bases again the second but Cueto struck out Josh Hamilton and got Nelson Cruz to ground out. Cueto hit two batters in the third but stranded them as well.

The Reds tied it in the third. Chris Burke doubled and Wladimir Balentien singled to start the inning. After Rolen struck out, Laynce Nix hit a sac fly to center.

The Rangers scored two runs over Cueto in the fourth.

The Reds tied it in the fifth. Wladimir Balentien led off with a home run. Paul Janish got the tying-run in with a single.

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2010/04...fter-2-12/

What’s new at Great American
Posted by jfay April 1st, 2010, 5:17 pm

From the Reds:

What’s new with the Reds and GABP for 2010

Opening Night on April 7 – Reds vs Cardinals, 7:10pm

Be a part of Cincinnati’s newest tradition for Opening Night on April 7. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to get a Reds Fleecie snuggly blanket (free to the first 20,000 fans) presented by hhgregg. The ballpark gates near the Hall of Fame will open at 5:10pm for a pregame “meet and greet” with current Reds players and a special appearance by Hall of Famer Joe Morgan. There will also be carnival performers, games for the kids and Reds house DJ “DJ Sab.” Fans will want to stay late after the game to see the 101st Airborne Rangers U.S. Army Parachute Demonstration Team and the fireworks spectacular, presented by Hollywood Casino.

New Ballpark Features:

- United Dairy Farmers Reds Market: Located inside the main Crosley Terrace gates, this “grab-n-go” store features a variety of new items in addition to your ballpark favorites. Items include sandwiches and wraps made fresh each day, sushi, wine, fresh fruit, an extended selection of import and domestic beers, Coca-Cola products, snacks and candy, plus sundries such as sunglasses, lip balm, sunscreen and more.

- New Terrace Level Bars: Two new full service walk-up bars have been installed on the first base side Terrace Level concourse, featuring a variety of draft beers and cocktails.

New Merchandise Highlights:

- Forty Seven Brand Store: The Forty Seven brand is known to sports fans as the most exclusive supplier of vintage and retro apparel and hats and has long been the brand of choice of countless sports figures and celebrities. The new Forty Seven Brand Store is located on the first base Terrace Level near section 136.

- Item of the Homestand: Each homestand will feature one or more of your favorite items at 10% off to help fans show their Reds pride. Available at the Reds Team Shop by Majestic on Crosley Terrace and the Gameday Pro Shop on the third base concourse.

- Walk off Wednesdays: At every Wednesday home game fans can receive $5 off your favorite sluggers name and number t-shirt through the fifth inning. Then, if that player hits a walk-off home run during the game, you receive a free replica jersey!

Ticketing:

- Budweiser 2 for $22 Deal: The Reds and Budweiser are teaming up to give fans a great deal for every Tuesday game. Fans can purchase two Field Box tickets and two beverages for just $22, regularly a $78 value. Online only: http://www.reds.com/bud. Must be 21.

- $5 Single Game Tickets: Back by popular demand, the $5 Outer View Level tickets give fans a great value throughout the season. Tickets are in sections 509-510 and 536-537 (corners of the upper deck) and are available in advance and on game day.

$1 Menu Items

Back by popular demand, the $1 hot dogs, $1 12 oz. Coca-Cola sodas, $1 bags of peanut, $1 popcorn and $1 ice cream cups are available at two concession stands: one in the Fan Zone and one on the View Level.

Reds Hall of Fame and Museum:

- 1990 Exhibit: Relive the 1990 wire-to-wire season and World Championship with a special exhibit this year featuring interactive displays, game-worn jerseys from each member of the 1990 team, a replica of Riverfront Stadium and the 1990 World Series trophy.

- HOF Induction: Third baseman Chis Sabo, pitchers Pedro Borbon and the late Tony Mullane will be inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame this year. The trio will be honored on Saturday, July 17 during on-field ceremonies prior to the Reds vs. Colorado Rockies game and at a star-studded Induction Gala on Sunday, July 18 at the Duke Energy Convention Center.

Split The Pot

Support the Reds Community Fund by purchasing a “Split The Pot” ticket at every Reds home game this season. The $2 tickets are available at the Community Corner presented by Coldwell Banker West Shell, located near section 120. One lucky fan each game will win 50% of the net proceeds, with the remainder of the proceeds benefiting the baseball-themed outreach initiatives of the Reds Community Fund. Ticket prices: 1 for $2, 3 for $5, 7 for $10 and 15 for $20.

Reds Go Green

- Green Game Day Uniforms: Over 1,000 members of the ballpark staff will be wearing polo shirts made from recycled PET plastic bottles. Security staff, ushers, video production/scoreboard staff, ticket takers and guest relations personnel will all wear the shirts, which contain yarn made from six to seven recycled plastic bottles.

- Green Team: During the 7th inning stretch of Opening Day, Opening Night and every weekend game this year, a Green Team comprised of 30-40 volunteers will walk the aisles collecting recyclables from fans. The Reds and Rumpke are working with community groups to identify volunteers to work the games this season.

Ballpark Texting

Fans can text the Reds Safety & Security staff during games to report unruly or intoxicated fan behavior, request assistance from the medical team or report beverage or food spills and more. Just text: RedsFan (space) ‘Your Issue and Seat Location’ to 9-0-8-0-8 and a member of the Reds staff will be on hand shortly to assist. The RedsFan texting service is courtesy of Cincinnati Bell Technology Solutions and normal text messaging rates apply.

Strike Out Hunger:

In a partnership with the Freestore Foodbank, leftover food from concessions and restaurants at Great American Ball Park will be “rescued” (saved and frozen) and distributed to many of the Freestore’s agencies in Greater Cincinnati.

Toyota Tundra

- For the third year in a row, a brand-new Toyota Tundra is parked atop the platform in left-center field. If a Reds player hits the truck or either of the two “Hit It Here” signs located on the Power Stacks in right field or under the bleacher in left field, one lucky fan will win the truck.

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2010/04...-american/

The Reds, Opening Day and Ruth Lyons
Posted by cludwig April 1st, 2010, 1:19 pm

Now that the white lid of winter has been lifted — thank goodness — my thoughts turn to the Cincinnati Reds and Opening Day (Monday, April 5, vs. the St. Louis Cardinals, 1:10 p.m., at Great American Ball Park).

Of all the Rites of Spring — the NCAA Tournament “Final Four,” the Masters, Kentucky Derby and Indianapolis 500 — I like the Reds’ Opening Day the best because of what it represents.

The change of seasons (“Silver white winters that melt into spring”) and a renewal of hope.

And when I think of the Reds and Opening Day, my thoughts drift back to my childhood …


Ruth Lyons

I’m sitting in the upper deck of Crosley Field, behind third base with my dad, and we’re watching Art Shamsky hit three consecutive home runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Aug. 12, 1966.

I’m sitting in the box seats, near the field, for Stan Musial’s final appearance in Cincinnati. A handful of Reds are relaxing nearby during pregame. I lean over with a notebook and pen, and ask for an autograph. Don Blasingame obliges.

I’m sitting in Grandma Ludwig’s house on West Eighth Street in St. William Parish, and we’re watching the Ruth Lyons Fifty-Fifty Club.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/o/content...7dale.html

Ruth is singing, “Let Me Entertain You.” With her, of course, is Bob Braun, Marian Spelman, Bonnie Lou, Ruby Wright, Colleen Sharp, Peter Grant and the unforgettable Cliff Lash and his Orchestra.


http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi...id=7604404

I was just wondering …

How many loyal “Typing Away With Chick Ludwig” readers did the same thing — sit with their moms and grandmothers and watch the Fifty-Fifty Club? What are your memories?

How many of you — like me — went to bed with a transistor radio listening to Reds games?

How many of you — like me — cried yourself to sleep when the Reds lost?

Now let’s take it a step father: Who out there remembers Uncle Al, Bob Shreve, Skipper Ryle and “The Cool Ghoul?”

Ahh, those were the days.

To me, the coolest thing about Opening Day is the Findlay Market Opening Day Parade.

http://www.findlaymarket.org/news.htm

The Queen City has the feel of a national holiday.

The only thing I’m bitter about is Major League Baseball not allowing the Reds’ opener to be the first game of the season anymore.

Who gives a rat about Sunday night baseball on national TV?

The Reds deserve MLB’s Opening Day.

As time goes by and the years swiftly pass, I’m constantly reminded of several facts.

Age is just a number.

There’s a little boy in Chick Ludwig.

There’s a little kid in all of us.

CHICK LUDWIG TRIVIA

I underwent an operation to have my appendix removed in the summer after second grade at St. William School in Price Hill.

The day I was released from the hospital, I received a present — The Chipmunks’ Cross Country Game — courtesy of the “Ruth Lyons Chrildren’s Christmas Fund.”

Thanks, Ruthie!

UNTIL NEXT TIME …

This is The Chickster saying, “Make Love, Not War; Give Peace A Chance; and Strawberry Fields Forever.”

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/ludwig/2010/...uth-lyons/

Fisher, Miller cut
Posted by jfay April 1st, 2010, 7:30 pm

So much for serious cuts.

The Reds optioned right-hander Carlos Fisher and re-assigned Corky Miller to the minor league camp. No shockers there. The roster remains at 38 — 13 over the limit.

“Most of the moves will come tomorrow,” Dusty Baker said.

The announcement on the fifth starter was made Thursday either.

“A few things we’ve got to discuss first,” Baker said ”We’ll see. A lot more to it than being the fifth starter.”

What’s the delay? Baker didn’t say.

But Mike Leake, the top candidate for the fifth spot, is not on the 40-man roster. The same is true of Laynce Nix, who will probably make the team as an extra outfielder. The Reds would have to open roster space for them.

The Reds could release Aaron Miles, who is hitting .152, to open a spot or designate him for assignment.

It’s not critical that they open a spot for Leake right now since he won’t start until April 11 if he’s named the fifth starter.

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2010/04...l-waiting/