...well, gotta say it...lol...larue came through tonight...i've been
waiting, and sure that sooner or later the reds would be on the
winning side because he was in there...
...yeah, i like ross, but still am not convinced he's a long-term
guy...he definitely brings some good stuff, but weak behind the
plate, and i don't think it's just defense...good catchers run games,
keep pitchers focused...if nothing else, larue is pretty good behind
the mask...
...it's getting wild now...just catching up to all the other
games...stlouis pulled one out, and the giants didn't let getting
behind 4 runs bug them much...haven't caught the end yet, but the
dodgers blew a 7-0 lead, then tied it 8-8...cubbies are trying to do
everyone a favor there...
...astros losing to cards...a favor there, as i still think the stros
could be just as much a problem as everyone else...and the braves, if
they have a big series with the phillies...well...now that would be a
mess...and bobby cox knows a little about winning...
...just looked up a couple of things about dunn and freel...dunn has,
before tonight's game, 29 more runs, 3 more hits, 32 more homers, 66
more rbi's, 46 more BB's, and is hitting only 33 points less than
freel...freel has only 7 more doubles, 2 triples to none for
dunn...but the big thing to me...dunn, 169 K's, but freel has
90!!...and when i look at it, yeah...i love ryan freel...and he
brings a lot to the team...but he's also been caught stealing 10
times, been picked off at least twice that i know of, and made
several other horrible baserunning blunders...and i know, it's all
part of his drive and insistence on going full-bore...
...but, now that i'm looking at it all...well, dunn isn't so bad as
some would say...the other night, he went from 1st to 2nd on a flyout
to left, and that became the pivotal run in the reds' win...he also
ran down a drive into the alley in leftcenter that marty's call made
plain...nobody thought he'd get that one...
i'm still one who thinks dunn could help bring in some really good
pitching, one way or another...but the thing i'm saying here...adam
dunn is as much a plus for the reds as freel has been...just in
different ways...and the guy plays everyday, too...
...i'm sure i'll get some contradictory views in response here, and
that's great...just felt like it would be only right to give adam
dunn a little credit here...he could probably be better, but that
doesn't mean he hasn't been pretty good...
see ya'll...

...astros right on the reds' heels, the braves bumping the astros...
...padres beat the giants...giants, marlins, and phillies all 2.5
back in wild card...reds 3.5, and 4.5 back of the cardinals...
...reds get 3 games each with the marlins, padres, and astros...they
can really cut their problem down if they handle those three teams...
...meanwhile, the cardinals have more than they can handle, i
think...this could be very good for the reds if they just go about
their business like they can...still think the padres and astros are
the big problem overall...better pitching than anyone else in the
race, and the know how to win...
...guess everyone can tell i'm wound up about all this...like most, i
really thought the reds should have been way ahead of their present
status, but they aren't, and the drama is cool...
...with the various matchups over the next week, it very well could
be that half of these clubs could be out of the running by next
sunday...don't bet on it, though...it sure looks like it could go
down to the last day to decide it all...even the central
division...and the astros are really in a position to win that just
like the reds, especially since they play the cardinals so much...
...it's all really weird, and i'm still convinced it's mostly a
product of the across-the-board mediocrity of all these teams...if we
had another six weeks, it looks like even the pirates could be in
it...and they play a lot of these teams over the next 3 weeks,
too...not just the reds...if they play like they have since the all-
star break, the pirates are going to have a lot to do with how it all
comes out...
...ditto the braves...don't think they'll do it, but they are sure
showing a willingness to go up the ladder as teams fall off...
...wonder if carson palmer would like to pitch for the reds a little
on his off days...he threw pretty well last night against the
chiefs...
...and has anyone noticed that the twins have gotten within 2 games
of the tigers?...the white sox right behind the twins, too...
...man, this is just nutso...i mean, it's getting down to the point
that a pinch hitter could mean everything...or nothing...one little
goof in baserunning, and somebody goes home for the winter...it's
great...but i think i might put some scotch in my scotch on the rocks
from now on...
...have a great day everybody...!!!

the cardinals have 7 games with houston, 3 with the giants, 3 with the
padres, and 7 with the brewers...they could be in big-time trouble,
folks...especially if the brewers play them at least a bit tough...all
those teams have as good pitching as the cards, and except for the
brewers, they are all in the hunt...houston could be the big winner
here, and if so, the reds really get both a big lift and a big
worry...the astros are right on the reds' buttski's...
...but the real thing to notice is this...the cardinals, even with the
lead they have, are not a lock by any means to win the division...of
course, if they handle the astros and just play decent ball with the
rest of their opposition, they will be hard to catch...but after
carpenter, who do they have who is really reliable?...
...gotta say i like it...

...the reds played a very good game today...highlight of the day had
to be dunn going to second on ross' sacrifice fly to left...big time
read by dunn and it resulted in the reds scoring that second run of
the inning...
...not to take anything from arroyo...you know, when this guy stays
focused and just pitches the way he can, he is very tough...
...could scott schoenweiss be a closer?...he's been very tough every
time about, just about...e.r.a is just 0.96...might not be a long
term answer, but how about if he filled the spot next year and see
where things go?...nothing seems to bother him, and he just does what
he can do, stays within himself, and simply gets the job done...
...clayton...timely hit and helped get that insurance run...
...if the reds play this way every game, they really have a shot at
overtaking either the wild card lead or the cardinals...they won 2 of
3 with the pirates, and the pirate's pitching really only had one
truly bad inning throughout the three games...i like the way the reds
have been scoring a bit in several innings as opposed to needing a
big inning all the time...
...goofy thought...wonder what the result would be if the reds told
adam dunn that he would hit leadoff, and his only requirement was to
put the ball in play...cut the K's down to about 80 for the
year...lol...i think this guy hits the ball so well when he does
swing, and by going after the pitches where they're pitched...instead
of looking for something just in his zone...lol...be interesting to
see if the league's shortstops started playing back a bit on the
shortstop side of second...and about 30 feet back on the outfield
grass...
...and of course...i'm anxious to see what the catching situation
will be for next year...don't think the reds will want to carry 3
catchers again, though it really sort of made sense this year...after
all, valentin has been great pinchhitting, and could play a bit of
first base, if i remember right...and with larue's defensive ability,
i think he'd be able to do the same...but they really need, for the
first time in years, to have another outfielder...with freel playing
regularly and kearns gone, the glut of outfielders isn't like it has
been...most likely, larue will be traded to a catching-short club,
probably for a pitcher that has some hope and a fairly large
contract, or for prospects...but i think they'll need to find either
a second baseman or shortstop who can make the plays and maybe hit a
little as well...
...look for clayton to go, again probably to someone looking for
backup in the infield...with castro there, he's the odd guy out...and
though he's not been great, he has contributed here and there, so
someone will find him attractive...
...i'm betting norris hopper will get all the chances he can handle
to prove he can do it in the big leagues...he won the AAA batting
title this year, and has speed...remember cesar geronimo, the big red
machine center fielder?  he hit .300 year in and year out in the
eighth spot, keeping the pitcher's spot coming up so it didn't have
to lead off the next inning...if hopper could fill that one, the reds
would win 10 extra games a year...also, i like brandon phillips in
the eight hole...yeah, good hitter, and i've always believed the
eight hole was just as important as the leadoff spot...
...and i'm more and more convinced...the reds will want dunn or
griffey to play first next year, at least part time...if they don't
trade dunn...would anyone go with hollingsworth starting in his
place?...he'd hit about .285, maybe 15 homers...is a good gap
hitter...with encarnacion showing good power and consistently driving
the ball for good average, they have someone to back griffey in the
order...
...just hashing things around...of course, the big need is still
starting pitching...the bullpen hasn't looked nearly so lost lately,
and another 180-200 inning starter, going with arroyo, harang, lohse,
and milton...that could turn this staff into a gator in the national
league...cut down on the fielding gaffs, and this team would be a lot
harder to beat...not to mention, they'd not lose so often when they
should have won, their biggest problem this and past years...
...a little prediction here...if krivsky does what he seems good at
doing, next year will be a whole lot better...and jerry narron won't
be in a corner all the time when it comes decision-making time...and
unlike so far, he won't get burned very often...
...other guys likely not to be here next year...bill bray...he's
young, still got a lot of potential, but the reds have a glut of
lefties out in the pen, and cormier and schoenweiss are looking like
they have the inside track...a young lefty like bray could bring a
good deal...and the spots held by weathers and majewski, while by no
means shaky, could wind up in the trade winds...i think it a
possibility that homer bailey will we up, if he shows well in the
spring...and he'll sure get the opportunity down in florida next
year...if he makes the club, he just might be that fifth starter...a
good spot for a rookie, in that his spot would be most likely the
least used...good for a young guy while building up to the long major
league season...
...well...a day off tomorrow...then the big series with the
padres...man, wouldn't a sweep be big?

...okay, let's assume the reds aren't going to be the club going away
for the moment...meaning that if those other teams want to win the
wild card, they won't be going away either...the schedules for each
of them clearly show that, in the end, one or two of them will be
going away, simply because somebody has to win and somebody has to
lose, and they play each other a lot...
...the reds have a real shot because they play both san diego and
houston, meaning that if they can take two of three from each of
them, they'll be moving up on the padres and the astros would be
losing ground to both...
...the houston games really mean a lot, since the astros have quite a
few left with the cardinals, and let's face it...we want them to beat
the cardinals...a lot...and of course, the padres need to be beaten
to make up some ground as well...2 of 3 would mean gaining a game,
while a sweep would gain 3 games...
...navycook makes some good points, in that this team can beat both
those ballclubs...the astros and padres both have pretty good
pitching, but neither offense is much, and holding them to 4 runs or
less in each game should mean good results...the real problem, as we
know...the reds have to play smart baseball, make the routine plays,
and look to hit good pitches hard rather than look for pitches they
like to hit...those two teams have much better pitching than that,
and waiting for mistake pitches just isn't going to get the reds very
far offensively...
...then there are the giants, the marlins, the phillies...wow, those
marlins have been really hot, and have very likely kept the phillies
from catching the padres...since the giants have done very well
against that team...if the giants win again tonight, they'll only be
a half-game below the padres, with the phillies and marlins 1.5 back,
then the reds at 2.5 down...
...but the big news to me...the cardinals lost again...only 5 ahead
of cincy now, and they have to play the astros and brewers a lot
yet...both those teams would love to hang in, and their road is
through st louis...and they could very well wreck the birds for
good...so i'm still thinking division here for the reds, if they just
play solid baseball...and i still think it more likely than gaining
the wild card, too...i think they could win the division with 13 more
wins, while it's likely to take 14 to win the wild card...
...honestly, neither is really likely...just not enough games left,
and all the cardinals have to do is win 11 to just about make sure
the reds don't catch them...and of course, houston is right there
with the reds, too...so, with them beating the cards, they gain just
as much as the reds do...makes that tough...but the wild card thing
is just the same, and there are four or five clubs all with the
chance to win with just 12 or 13 wins...the reds' chances hang mainly
on all of them going about .500 while the reds pump up to
about .650...
...but they've still done well, no matter how it all turns
out...probably about 20 more wins already than anyone thought they'd
have...so here we go, folks...

i know what you mean...i keep thinking much the same things...though,
yeah, i disagree about the calls from the dugout...some have been
different than i thought should have been, but most times it's really
just been a case of going with the best option available, often not
working out of course...
...the other thing...this team just isn't good with the basic
fundamentals of the game...they make way too many basic mistakes and
the only real reason they haven't been buried long ago is that most
of the national league is just about the same...
...and i haven't checked, but the pirates have a winning record since
the all-star break, and that would make them, in the second half, a
better ball club than the reds have been for sure...i know they're in
5th place, but their pitching has been pretty darn good lately,
though their hitting hasn't been...tells me something once again,
folks...get some steady pitching and you don't need a killer
lineup...jason bay was the only pirate with more than 2 homers since
the break, until they came to cincy the other day...and doumit has
collected a couple more in these games...giving him something like 4
or 5 for the season...
...encarnacion may well turn into a stellar third baseman, and i was
only brainstorming a little...but he's made about 25 errors there
this year, way more than acceptable...and the idea of him making the
same sort of stops at first as he does at third, and not having to
throw the ball much would solve a lot of that...been a lot of third
basemen go to first just because of that...
...like i said, just thinking and all that...i've always had a little
fun doing that, wondering how the reds will address their needs and
shortcomings...but one thing seems sure...this winter will be a real
upheaval and there's almost certainly going to be a big and intense
emphasis on defense and getting the pitching honed...
...so...lol...whatever happens...fasten your seatbelts, guys...and
get your notebooks out...we might all need to start checking out a
lot of new names, and wondering just how it all will work out again...
...and navycook...it really is okay to whack on narron...these games
over this season have constantly been crazy and the only time any of
us have felt like we could breathe has been when they are over...and
they've won enough to keep most of us from actual heart attacks...but
i'm just one to always understand that half the players out there
wear different uniforms and they are mostly just as good or better
than anyone the reds have out there...the reds have done two things
this year, over and over...they've lost a lot of games in which they
simply haven't played very well, one way or another...and they've
definitely won a lot of games that they probably wouldn't have if
those other teams hadn't played pretty much like the reds
have...inconsistently, poorly, and without executing the basics...if
narron is a poor manager, then just about every other manager is just
as poor this year in the national league...only the mets have been
consistently solid, and when you have this overall it just tells me
that pretty much nobody would have done any better with the reds...
...that's why i'm not ready to blast jerry narron...sparky anderson
or lou pinella would be pretty much right where narron is right now,
at least in my opinion...and if anyone looks at the results for those
two after leaving the reds, you'll find that they both found it
difficult to win most of the time...they just had bad clubs, and it's
hard to overcome that from the bench...
...but you're right...hanging in and keeping hope is what it's all
about...i still think they could get hot and run off 8 or 9 in a row
and completely upset everyone else...this team has the ability...they
just need to get into focus, do the little things, and...of
course...have the rest of them keep on playing the same mediocre ball
they've played all year, right along with the reds...
...have a great day!!




--- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "navycook36"
<curtisclifford@...> wrote:
>
> well i have to disagree on the lineup that you propose.encarnacion
is
> young and will be a great 3rd baseman someday,he has shown
brilliance at
> times and other times not so good.thats about the hardest place to
play
> at 3rd since most of the time you dont have very long to react to
the
> ball.most of you will disagree but i really think that this team is
> pretty good and if you look back on some of these games they could
have
> been won if not for the right calls from the dugout and i know you
dont
> like me talking smack about jerry narron but you have to face the
facts
> and those are that he has made a lot of bad decisions leaving
pitchers
> in too long.i dont know how many games i have watched and im
yelling at
> the tv to take the pitcher out and guess what?99 percent of the
time he
> stays in and a 2 or 3 run lead turns in a 4or more lead and that is
a
> morale bummer.i say keep aurilia playing short he is solid over
there
> and why does narron keep changing the lineup?stay with what
works!!!!i
> didnt get to catch the game since i was watching ohio state own
texas
> but man the reds are acting like they are already packing it
in.these
> games against a last place team are vital and things arent going
right.i
> dont see a team who has that swagger in the dugout,just guys goofing
> around i know its a long season but come on you need to get that
freel
> attitude where no matter what happens you are going to make a
play.lets
> get pumped up people we are playing to win and go in the playoffs
and i
> sure would like to see griffey win while he is still a red.so the
big
> game is today-go bengals and go reds,there is still hope!!!!!!!!
> --- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "Alan" <alcory11@> wrote:
> >
> > ...don't look now, but the reds are now behind houston as well as
> > those other four teams...the only good news is that the cardinals
> > lost last night too...
> > ...with only 20 or 21 games to go for each of these teams, the
> > problem is simple...if the reds don't run off about 8 in a row
pretty
> > quick, they will be in deep trouble...well, they already are...but
> > you know what i mean...
> > ...but you have to figure that one of these other teams will get
12
> > or 13 more wins...and since the reds are behind all of them, that
> > means they have to reel off about 17 wins to make sure they pass
that
> > team up...
> > ...so, i'm really thinking now about the cardinals...they aren't
> > really having much going for them, and could wind up losing 11 or
12
> > of their remaining games...and it wouldn't surprise me if that
even
> > hit 14...either wild card or division, it's now a really long haul
> > for the reds..
> > ...just an observation, something i've said before...this team has
> > really done far more than anyone thought it could, and i know
there
> > has been a lot of dismay over a lot of things over the
season...but,
> > if you're fair, the reality is that they are more a team of
potential
> > than anything else...in most ways, it isn't as good as the '99
team,
> > and that team won a whole lot of games it shouldn't have, just as
> > this one has...yeah, they've lost quite a few they shouldn't have,
> > too, but the reality was really shown in this last game with the
> > pirates...
> > ...the reds hit pretty well...they stayed in it, came back a
couple
> > of times, but in the end it was fielding that set the stage and
> > pitching that gave it up...if encarnacion makes a good throw on
that
> > routine grounder, the pirates don't score at all...and if aurilia
> > hadn't had a brain cramp on that grounder earlier, forgetting the
> > runner on third and simply going for the bag, that run wouldn't
have
> > scored either...and let's not even mention the pitching...well,
okay,
> > harang wasn't bad, but he wasn't sharp...coffey let things slip
off
> > before he started making good pitches...and franklin was his
typical
> > self...
> > ...wasn't as bad as some games in the past, but it was very
> > representative of the season...wobbly pitching, bad defense, and
the
> > hitting couldn't quite keep up...the bright spots? clayton hit
well
> > in the clutch, and dunn made a fine running catch in the alley to
> > keep a couple of runs from scoring...and narron made all the right
> > calls...they just didn't work...well, freel took two strikes in a
> > bunt situation...what's that about?...and did finally get a two-
> > strike sacrifice down...
> > ...the reds aren't a bad team, they just don't execute
well...they do
> > need some pitching, but from what i see, they have a lot of
pitchers
> > who can pitch, but simply fail to do it sometimes...they have
great
> > ability to stop hits, only to go on and make a bad throw or
> > whatever...they hit well, but in clutch situations are not very
> > aggressive, sometimes taking a couple of strikes before swinging
at
> > all...when good hitters know to hit the ball where it is pitched
and
> > drive it that way instead of getting in a hole and then trying to
> > pull the ball...good hitters know what they'll see from a
particular
> > pitcher, and in clutch situations look for the pitcher's
pitch...get
> > ready for it...drive it...the reds have lots of good hitting, but
> > sometimes not very smart hitting...
> > ...bottome line, it isn't all lost yet, but the time for miracles
has
> > arrived...thdy have so many clubs ahead of them that they could
win
> > with the pirates tomorrow and then sweep san diego, and still be
> > about 3 or 4 games out, depending on what the other teams do...and
> > right now, this isn't a team that can rely on winning more than a
> > couple in a row, anyway...not to mention that the padres probably
> > have overall the best pitching in the national league...it isn't
over
> > yet, but it's quickly becoming more a question of which other team
> > will be the wild card...
> > ...time to start hoping the cards go on a six or eight game losing
> > streak...and the reds win a few at the same time...of course,
houston
> > is now between them in the standings...
> > ...okay, i'm a little down for the moment...like everyone, i've
sure
> > had my hopes, even if they stood little chance to survive at all
in
> > the post season...but on a better note, they are going in the
right
> > direction, and my mind is already whirring about the winter...
> > ...for some reason, this one thought occurs...what would you
think of
> > this?...encarnacion at first, aurilia at third, phillips at short,
> > and find a second baseman?...i'd say hatteburg might bring a
pretty
> > solid middle infielder, especially if a clayton or ray olmeido
went
> > with the deal...probably looking at an infield then that would
> > average .290, have maybe 70 homers among them, and pretty slick on
> > defense...and i still say griffey in right, freel in left, and
take a
> > good look at this hopper kid in center...still have hollingsworth,
> > who's showing he can still hit, so that could be adjusted...and
dunn
> > would be getting $11 million next year, so a trade would sure
leave
> > some bucks for pitching...a team with a lot fewer homers, but more
> > speed, defense, and pitching...doesn't sound bad to me,
anyway...i do
> > hate losing dunn...don't think he's quite the problem many do,
but i
> > am still convinced 50 homers doesn't make up for a 200-inning
> > starter, even if he's a .500 pitcher...
> > ...so i'm anxious to see what krivsky comes up with, because one
> > thing is sure...the reds will be a very different team soon...and
a
> > better team, too...the real trick is to get ahead of houston, st
> > louis, and milwaukee in the run for available players...and i'm
also
> > thinking chicago and pittsburgh will both be better next year
> > too...the whole division could be a real catfight...unless
somebody
> > gets it done right and early, it wouldn't surprise me if it only
took
> > 88 wins to finish on top next year...
> > ...well, on to tomorrow...by next weekend the whole outlook will
be
> > different, i think...look for the phillies to catch the padres,
and
> > either houston or san francisco to fade...and just because i'm
> > stubborn, i think the reds will have a really good week...if this
> > game last evening wasn't anything else, it really should have
been a
> > wakeup call...i'm gonna say they are paying attention, hopefully
not
> > too late...
> >
>

well i have to disagree on the lineup that you propose.encarnacion is
young and will be a great 3rd baseman someday,he has shown brilliance at
times and other times not so good.thats about the hardest place to play
at 3rd since most of the time you dont have very long to react to the
ball.most of you will disagree but i really think that this team is
pretty good and if you look back on some of these games they could have
been won if not for the right calls from the dugout and i know you dont
like me talking smack about jerry narron but you have to face the facts
and those are that he has made a lot of bad decisions leaving pitchers
in too long.i dont know how many games i have watched and im yelling at
the tv to take the pitcher out and guess what?99 percent of the time he
stays in and a 2 or 3 run lead turns in a 4or more lead and that is a
morale bummer.i say keep aurilia playing short he is solid over there
and why does narron keep changing the lineup?stay with what works!!!!i
didnt get to catch the game since i was watching ohio state own texas
but man the reds are acting like they are already packing it in.these
games against a last place team are vital and things arent going right.i
dont see a team who has that swagger in the dugout,just guys goofing
around i know its a long season but come on you need to get that freel
attitude where no matter what happens you are going to make a play.lets
get pumped up people we are playing to win and go in the playoffs and i
sure would like to see griffey win while he is still a red.so the big
game is today-go bengals and go reds,there is still hope!!!!!!!!
--- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "Alan" <alcory11@...> wrote:
>
> ...don't look now, but the reds are now behind houston as well as
> those other four teams...the only good news is that the cardinals
> lost last night too...
> ...with only 20 or 21 games to go for each of these teams, the
> problem is simple...if the reds don't run off about 8 in a row pretty
> quick, they will be in deep trouble...well, they already are...but
> you know what i mean...
> ...but you have to figure that one of these other teams will get 12
> or 13 more wins...and since the reds are behind all of them, that
> means they have to reel off about 17 wins to make sure they pass that
> team up...
> ...so, i'm really thinking now about the cardinals...they aren't
> really having much going for them, and could wind up losing 11 or 12
> of their remaining games...and it wouldn't surprise me if that even
> hit 14...either wild card or division, it's now a really long haul
> for the reds..
> ...just an observation, something i've said before...this team has
> really done far more than anyone thought it could, and i know there
> has been a lot of dismay over a lot of things over the season...but,
> if you're fair, the reality is that they are more a team of potential
> than anything else...in most ways, it isn't as good as the '99 team,
> and that team won a whole lot of games it shouldn't have, just as
> this one has...yeah, they've lost quite a few they shouldn't have,
> too, but the reality was really shown in this last game with the
> pirates...
> ...the reds hit pretty well...they stayed in it, came back a couple
> of times, but in the end it was fielding that set the stage and
> pitching that gave it up...if encarnacion makes a good throw on that
> routine grounder, the pirates don't score at all...and if aurilia
> hadn't had a brain cramp on that grounder earlier, forgetting the
> runner on third and simply going for the bag, that run wouldn't have
> scored either...and let's not even mention the pitching...well, okay,
> harang wasn't bad, but he wasn't sharp...coffey let things slip off
> before he started making good pitches...and franklin was his typical
> self...
> ...wasn't as bad as some games in the past, but it was very
> representative of the season...wobbly pitching, bad defense, and the
> hitting couldn't quite keep up...the bright spots? clayton hit well
> in the clutch, and dunn made a fine running catch in the alley to
> keep a couple of runs from scoring...and narron made all the right
> calls...they just didn't work...well, freel took two strikes in a
> bunt situation...what's that about?...and did finally get a two-
> strike sacrifice down...
> ...the reds aren't a bad team, they just don't execute well...they do
> need some pitching, but from what i see, they have a lot of pitchers
> who can pitch, but simply fail to do it sometimes...they have great
> ability to stop hits, only to go on and make a bad throw or
> whatever...they hit well, but in clutch situations are not very
> aggressive, sometimes taking a couple of strikes before swinging at
> all...when good hitters know to hit the ball where it is pitched and
> drive it that way instead of getting in a hole and then trying to
> pull the ball...good hitters know what they'll see from a particular
> pitcher, and in clutch situations look for the pitcher's pitch...get
> ready for it...drive it...the reds have lots of good hitting, but
> sometimes not very smart hitting...
> ...bottome line, it isn't all lost yet, but the time for miracles has
> arrived...thdy have so many clubs ahead of them that they could win
> with the pirates tomorrow and then sweep san diego, and still be
> about 3 or 4 games out, depending on what the other teams do...and
> right now, this isn't a team that can rely on winning more than a
> couple in a row, anyway...not to mention that the padres probably
> have overall the best pitching in the national league...it isn't over
> yet, but it's quickly becoming more a question of which other team
> will be the wild card...
> ...time to start hoping the cards go on a six or eight game losing
> streak...and the reds win a few at the same time...of course, houston
> is now between them in the standings...
> ...okay, i'm a little down for the moment...like everyone, i've sure
> had my hopes, even if they stood little chance to survive at all in
> the post season...but on a better note, they are going in the right
> direction, and my mind is already whirring about the winter...
> ...for some reason, this one thought occurs...what would you think of
> this?...encarnacion at first, aurilia at third, phillips at short,
> and find a second baseman?...i'd say hatteburg might bring a pretty
> solid middle infielder, especially if a clayton or ray olmeido went
> with the deal...probably looking at an infield then that would
> average .290, have maybe 70 homers among them, and pretty slick on
> defense...and i still say griffey in right, freel in left, and take a
> good look at this hopper kid in center...still have hollingsworth,
> who's showing he can still hit, so that could be adjusted...and dunn
> would be getting $11 million next year, so a trade would sure leave
> some bucks for pitching...a team with a lot fewer homers, but more
> speed, defense, and pitching...doesn't sound bad to me, anyway...i do
> hate losing dunn...don't think he's quite the problem many do, but i
> am still convinced 50 homers doesn't make up for a 200-inning
> starter, even if he's a .500 pitcher...
> ...so i'm anxious to see what krivsky comes up with, because one
> thing is sure...the reds will be a very different team soon...and a
> better team, too...the real trick is to get ahead of houston, st
> louis, and milwaukee in the run for available players...and i'm also
> thinking chicago and pittsburgh will both be better next year
> too...the whole division could be a real catfight...unless somebody
> gets it done right and early, it wouldn't surprise me if it only took
> 88 wins to finish on top next year...
> ...well, on to tomorrow...by next weekend the whole outlook will be
> different, i think...look for the phillies to catch the padres, and
> either houston or san francisco to fade...and just because i'm
> stubborn, i think the reds will have a really good week...if this
> game last evening wasn't anything else, it really should have been a
> wakeup call...i'm gonna say they are paying attention, hopefully not
> too late...
>

...don't look now, but the reds are now behind houston as well as
those other four teams...the only good news is that the cardinals
lost last night too...
...with only 20 or 21 games to go for each of these teams, the
problem is simple...if the reds don't run off about 8 in a row pretty
quick, they will be in deep trouble...well, they already are...but
you know what i mean...
...but you have to figure that one of these other teams will get 12
or 13 more wins...and since the reds are behind all of them, that
means they have to reel off about 17 wins to make sure they pass that
team up...
...so, i'm really thinking now about the cardinals...they aren't
really having much going for them, and could wind up losing 11 or 12
of their remaining games...and it wouldn't surprise me if that even
hit 14...either wild card or division, it's now a really long haul
for the reds..
...just an observation, something i've said before...this team has
really done far more than anyone thought it could, and i know there
has been a lot of dismay over a lot of things over the season...but,
if you're fair, the reality is that they are more a team of potential
than anything else...in most ways, it isn't as good as the '99 team,
and that team won a whole lot of games it shouldn't have, just as
this one has...yeah, they've lost quite a few they shouldn't have,
too, but the reality was really shown in this last game with the
pirates...
...the reds hit pretty well...they stayed in it, came back a couple
of times, but in the end it was fielding that set the stage and
pitching that gave it up...if encarnacion makes a good throw on that
routine grounder, the pirates don't score at all...and if aurilia
hadn't had a brain cramp on that grounder earlier, forgetting the
runner on third and simply going for the bag, that run wouldn't have
scored either...and let's not even mention the pitching...well, okay,
harang wasn't bad, but he wasn't sharp...coffey let things slip off
before he started making good pitches...and franklin was his typical
self...
...wasn't as bad as some games in the past, but it was very
representative of the season...wobbly pitching, bad defense, and the
hitting couldn't quite keep up...the bright spots?  clayton hit well
in the clutch, and dunn made a fine running catch in the alley to
keep a couple of runs from scoring...and narron made all the right
calls...they just didn't work...well, freel took two strikes in a
bunt situation...what's that about?...and did finally get a two-
strike sacrifice down...
...the reds aren't a bad team, they just don't execute well...they do
need some pitching, but from what i see, they have a lot of pitchers
who can pitch, but simply fail to do it sometimes...they have great
ability to stop hits, only to go on and make a bad throw or
whatever...they hit well, but in clutch situations are not very
aggressive, sometimes taking a couple of strikes before swinging at
all...when good hitters know to hit the ball where it is pitched and
drive it that way instead of getting in a hole and then trying to
pull the ball...good hitters know what they'll see from a particular
pitcher, and in clutch situations look for the pitcher's pitch...get
ready for it...drive it...the reds have lots of good hitting, but
sometimes not very smart hitting...
...bottome line, it isn't all lost yet, but the time for miracles has
arrived...thdy have so many clubs ahead of them that they could win
with the pirates tomorrow and then sweep san diego, and still be
about 3 or 4 games out, depending on what the other teams do...and
right now, this isn't a team that can rely on winning more than a
couple in a row, anyway...not to mention that the padres probably
have overall the best pitching in the national league...it isn't over
yet, but it's quickly becoming more a question of which other team
will be the wild card...
...time to start hoping the cards go on a six or eight game losing
streak...and the reds win a few at the same time...of course, houston
is now between them in the standings...
...okay, i'm a little down for the moment...like everyone, i've sure
had my hopes, even if they stood little chance to survive at all in
the post season...but on a better note, they are going in the right
direction, and my mind is already whirring about the winter...
...for some reason, this one thought occurs...what would you think of
this?...encarnacion at first, aurilia at third, phillips at short,
and find a second baseman?...i'd say hatteburg might bring a pretty
solid middle infielder, especially if a clayton or ray olmeido went
with the deal...probably looking at an infield then that would
average .290, have maybe 70 homers among them, and pretty slick on
defense...and i still say griffey in right, freel in left, and take a
good look at this hopper kid in center...still have hollingsworth,
who's showing he can still hit, so that could be adjusted...and dunn
would be getting $11 million next year, so a trade would sure leave
some bucks for pitching...a team with a lot fewer homers, but more
speed, defense, and pitching...doesn't sound bad to me, anyway...i do
hate losing dunn...don't think he's quite the problem many do, but i
am still convinced 50 homers doesn't make up for a 200-inning
starter, even if he's a .500 pitcher...
...so i'm anxious to see what krivsky comes up with, because one
thing is sure...the reds will be a very different team soon...and a
better team, too...the real trick is to get ahead of houston, st
louis, and milwaukee in the run for available players...and i'm also
thinking chicago and pittsburgh will both be better next year
too...the whole division could be a real catfight...unless somebody
gets it done right and early, it wouldn't surprise me if it only took
88 wins to finish on top next year...
...well, on to tomorrow...by next weekend the whole outlook will be
different, i think...look for the phillies to catch the padres, and
either houston or san francisco to fade...and just because i'm
stubborn, i think the reds will have a really good week...if this
game last evening wasn't anything else, it really should have been a
wakeup call...i'm gonna say they are paying attention, hopefully not
too late...

I'd move Griffey to Left wether he likes it or not and play Freel in Center.
   Then I'd use the nearly 8 Million saved from letting Dunn walk and get a
Dontrel Willis type pitcher with that kind of money.  I like Denorfia in
right.  I think with more PT he could develope into a quality OF and in time
his offense will come along.
MJ

"It is by the goodness of God that in our country we have those three
unspeakably precious things, freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and
the prudence never to practice either of them."
-- Mark Twain

>Date: Fri, 8 Sep 2006 04:44:34 -0700 (PDT)
>
>I agree with Alan that the Reds should not resign Adam Dunn when his
>contract ends.  He strikes out way too much with a batting average of .243.
>  He is making 7,500.00 this year which is way more than a lot of the
>players combined.  I could accept the high strikes outs more if he was a
>half way decent left field player but his defense has a lot to be desired.
>Yes, he can bang out a long ball sometimes but I would rather see him hit
>more singles and doubles and drive more of his team mates in.  A home run
>is not much good when you have 2 runs scored and the other team has 7.  I
>know a lot of us do not agree on Adam but this is one opinion.
>Vallerie

...reds sweep the pirates, the phillies sweep the marlins, the giants
and padres split there next two games...then it would be the padres,
the phils back a half game, and the reds tied with the giants, 2.5
back...the marlins fall behind them all another game or so...it would
give the reds a shot at being on top by sweeping the padres
next...and no worse than 1.5 back if they go 2-1 in that
series...actually, i like that better...lol...
...hmmm...gotta go check the giants and dodgers upcoming schedule,
along with the cardinals...that's the trouble with being down a few
games at this point, and behind 3 or 4 teams to boot...everything the
reds do is important, but what the others do is just as important...
...by the way...that idea of having johnny bench work with david ross
is great...i'm sure something like that is in the works already...and
yeah...bench is without doubt the best catcher this game ever saw,
rivaled only by pudge rodriguez...whatever happens, the most
important thing about a catcher is his control of the game, and his
ability to keep it focused for the pitcher...and that is a lot of
what turns relatively average pitchers into tough guys on the
mound...when they can relax and know their catcher will call the best
pitch, stop the breaking balls in the dirt, and keep the game under
control, it makes up for a lot of things not going well on the
mound...
...looking forward though...wouldn't it be good to find a young
catcher in the draft, another joe mauer or a bench?...i just think
that is a cornerstone of truly great teams, a really top-notch
catcher who can run the game, keep the pitcher focused, and throw the
ball well...and if they can hit a bit, it sure helps...
...well...back to the chores...

...got the phillies and giants between the reds and the padres for
the wild card...be nice if the marlins, now tied with the reds, beat
the phillies the next couple of games...the giants win 2 more against
the padres, and the reds finish a sweep of pirates...let's see, i
think that would put it this way...padres still first for the wild
card...then the giants, back a half-game...then the phillies, reds
and marlins all tied at one and a half games back...
...okay...i'm laughing, too...but the reds' biggest obstacle isn't
being 3.5 games back, it's having 3 teams ahead of them...that means
they need to have all three play worse than they do, instead of just
having to catch one team...so i'm dreaming a bit here...lol...
...of course, that is followed by sweeping the padres and the marlins
when they meet, and beating chicago 5 times and the pirates 2 of 3 on
the final weekend...that would pretty much mean the reds were in, no
matter what...
...but seriously, what i'm actually looking at is this...they could
still catch the cardinals, given that the birds aren't really playing
too well anyway...and that may still be the reds' best chance this
year...so watch that for a couple of weeks and let's see where we
are...the division may just be a lot easier to win than the wild
card, after all...
...by the way, i kind of liked what i saw of majewski last night...he
threw well, challenged hitters, and though he gave up a hit and then
hit a batter, he showed he can throw strikes that wind up being
ground balls...the jury is still out, but if i were him, i'd be
really pumped...
...and kudos to javier valentin...man, he won't likely ever be a
first-string catcher, but he really brings his best game out just
about every chance he gets...
...okay...yeah...i'm doing the upbeat thing here...and no
apologies...i love the reds, and love finding the pluses, no matter
what else is happening...but no matter what the team, it's the pluses
that make or break...have a great day everyone....!!!!!!!!!!!!

...the whole adam dunn question leaves me with doubts on both
sides...and for me, it isn't the strike outs that matter so
much...very often, striking out is better than some of the
alternatives...hitting into double plays, etc...i guess i'm still on
the thing about contact...he's so strong that he occasionally misses
goes after a pitch that he can't quite handle, yet still hits it
out...i just think he'd crush pitchers if he simply learned to let
himself hit the pitch where it's located...but, instead...and he is
incredibly disciplined, doesn't swing much at pitches he doesn't want
to hit...dunn so often simply takes strikes and winds up hitting
behind in the count, not good even for dimaggio or ruth or bonds...
...the other thing, something i mention a lot i guess...we all know
the reds need pitching...unlike a lot of people, i don't think their
present staff is far from being very good...the big problem really is
having another couple of starters who can usually get into the 6th or
7th inning, which goes a long way toward making the bullpen effective
and keeping it that way...and they need a closer...i still sort of
think coffey might grow into that role, but the big thing i see is
that they don't have a real vet down there who knows what it's all
about coming into a game late...guardado did, and it looked to me
like just his presence made a difference...this bullpen hasn't been
nearly as shaky the last month or so as it was...but it needs
leadership, someone who knows how to pitch within himself and still
get the job done on a regular basis...guardado doesn't blow anyone
away, but he's fearless...they need that...those younger guys aren't
bad pitchers, but they're still finding out what they can do...
...the only real question down there, in my mind, is ryan
franklin...this guy has good stuff, but it looks to me like he just
forgets he isn't nolan ryan sometimes...and he wants to start, but
with his apparent lack of ability to stay with a gameplan, he won't
be getting much of a chance at that...
...and of course, dunn's contract would go a long way toward all
that...i like dunn, defense notwithstanding, Ks too...a few line
drives into center and left center would make him worth twice the
money...so yeah, i'm on the fence...and maybe a little doubtful about
him...one thing is certain, he's durable and likely to still be
hitting 40 homers or more for the next 10 or 12 years...so my real
question is simple...can the reds pay him, say, $15 million a year on
his next contract?...if not, i can't think of a better time to shop
him than this winter...
...oh, by the way...i mentioned the other day that new
rookie...called him nickols or whatever...i meant hopper...only
caught a few at bats, but this guy's only rap is lack of patience at
the plate...chris chambliss has the rest of the team doing well on
that score, and if he can work his magic on hopper, the kid could be
a real big one soon...





--- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "navycook36"
<curtisclifford@...> wrote:
>
> ALAN, YOU HAVE MADE ALOT OF VALID POINTS BUT I HAVE TO DISAGREE
WITH YOU
> ON THE DUNN TRADE.ALTHOUGH HE STRIKES OUT ALOT HE IS STILL ONE OF
THE
> BIGGEST THREATS IN BASEBALL.GOT TO KEEP HIM.AURILIA HAS LOOKED
SOLID AT
> SHORT,KEEP HIM THERE-GET RID OF CLAYTON.MOVE GRIFFEY TO RIGHT,FREEL
TO
> CENTER.TRADE LARUE GOT TO KEEP ROSS AND HAVE ROSS WORK ON HIS
DEFENSE IN
> OFFSEASON-GET WITH THE GREATEST CATCHER IN HISTORY(MY OPINION)
JOHNNY
> BENCH.BUT I HEARD THATS WHY LARUE IS STILL WITH THE REDS BECAUSE OF
> BENCH.GO OUT THIS OFFSEASON AND GET A QUALITY STARTER AND REVAMP THE
> BULLPEN.NEED A CLOSER BAD SINCE EVERYDAY EDDIE'S CAREER MIGHT BE
> DONE.THIS TEAM STILL HAS A OUTSIDE CHANCE BUT IT DONT LOOK GOOD BUT
IM
> STILL HOPING AND OH BY THE WAY ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?GO
> BENGALS
> --- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "Alan" <alcory11@> wrote:
> >
> > ...now that is just right on...i was really surprised aurilia
wasn't
> > bunting...all i can think is that he almost always hits the ball
hard
> > somewhere, and can hit to the right side, which would get the
runner
> > to third just as a bunt would...and of course, dunn is notorious
for
> > not getting sacrifice flies or whatever is needed...and of
course, a
> > clean single would have made it all of no consequence...i've
seldom
> > seen a team that is in contention this late have quite so much
> > trouble scoring runs in that situation, and this is something the
> > reds have been doing for several years now...or failing to do, i
> > guess would be more accurate...
> > ...the only good news is that a 3 or 4 fame win streak could put
them
> > right back on top of the marlins, phillies and giants, with only
san
> > diego still ahead...the bad news is that at this time of the year,
> > it's only part of the story to look at games behind...having 4
teams
> > ahead of you is almost always the real problem...catching one team
> > means you only need that one team to play at a lesser clip than
you
> > play...but four teams ahead means all four must do so...and that
> > seldom happens...
> > ...but...a sweep of the pirates this weekend and winning 4 more
next
> > week would almost certainly put the reds in a much better
position,
> > particularly if they also swept the padres...
> > ...and the padres are a showcase of what i've said all
along...they
> > have no one who will reach 25 homers, only one hitter over .300,
> > nobody who will drive in 100 runs...they are near the bottom in
> > hitting as a club, runs scored, and every other offensive
> > category...but their pitching is solid, they have a fine bullpen,
and
> > can actually make the routine plays, if not always the spectacular
> > ones...
> > ...the point is that we all love to see dunn and griffey and all
the
> > rest slam the ball out of the park, into the corners for doubles,
and
> > all that...but how many times have we watched this club get four
hits
> > in an inning and come up with only one run?...gee, i've even seen
> > them get two walks and three hits once this year, and only get one
> > run...and even when they score 5 or 6 runs, it's not a sure bet
for
> > them, not with the pitching they have shown...
> > ...i think they have the makings of a great staff...but so much
has
> > gone bad on the mound, and with the defense behind them, that it
> > looks to me like a lot of those guys, coming into the game, are
> > pitching like they have to do it all, make the perfect pitch all
the
> > time...so they nibble, put themselves into bad pitch counts, and
all
> > that...and that isn't a good deal for anyone...even roger clemons
or
> > greg maddux gets killed if they do that...
> > ...anyway, it would be good to just see these guys go out and
> > challenge hitters from the start...this team is walking far less
> > hitters than last year, it seems, but pitching much the same...the
> > big difference is that this year, they are grooving the fourth or
> > fifth pitch to avoid walks, and yesterday shows that they aren't
> > taking care of things when being ahead, even...durham's two homers
> > came on 1-2 and 0-2 counts...that is simply bad pitching, and not
> > taking advantage of the hitter's need to protect the plate with
two
> > strikes...
> > ...i'm not ready to give it all up yet this year, but one thing
i'm
> > sure of...this club really needs to take a good look at minnesota,
> > oakland, san diego, and a few others over the offseason...and as
much
> > as i hate to say it, be willing to do some wholesale changes...the
> > good news is they have, for once, a glut of pitching now...a lot
of
> > it's been shaky, sure, but the addition of a couple of good
starters
> > who can eat innings and keep the team in the game every time out
> > would make a tremendous difference...and the arms already in the
> > bullpen aren't bad, they just need to refocus and...most
> > importantly...not coming in so often with the team a run or two
> > down...i don't think most people realize how much more the
opposition
> > can do when already up a run or two, and that makes it hard on
anyone
> > coming in...if the reds are up a run or two, it just takes away a
lot
> > of options for the other team...
> > ...but, no matter how this year turns out, i'm convinced of a
couple
> > of things...first, i like the platoon with aurilia and hatteburg
at
> > first, which also allows for aurilia to play elsewhere when
hatteburg
> > is in the lineup...and that also gives the reds a solid pinch
hitter
> > if one is not playing...and i believe it's time for griffey to
move
> > to right or left field...i know a lot of people would say right
> > field, but try this on for size...griffey in left, freel in right,
> > and maybe try that new kid...can't remember his name, but he won
the
> > batting title this year in AAA and has had a couple of solid pinch
> > hits this past week or so...nichols?...oh well, try him in
> > center...he's speedy, and if he hits, could be a tremendous
> > outfield...that would allow the reds to trade dunn...i sort of
hate
> > losing him, but he'd bring a decent pitcher from one of the clubs
> > needing a big hitter, for sure...
> > ...also, in spite of everything, i'm not sold on ross just
yet...he's
> > had a good year, but tailed off a lot and i have to wonder if he's
> > the answer...he still isn't very good defensively, and i also
wonder
> > about his ability to call a game...larue might never recover,
either,
> > so i'm thinking it's really time to look for someone else...would
> > keep valentin, though he's not an everyday catcher, either...but i
> > have to wonder if the reds might just get a real deal or two with
> > ross and larue being available...
> > ...the last thing is shortstop...i'm inclined to think phillips
might
> > make a good transition from second...he's still a little raw in
the
> > field, but who knows?...
> > ...all in all...it's still about the pitching...arroyo, harang,
and
> > milton have all shown some good stuff, been solid on a regular
> > basis...lohse has shown he can throw a good game, as well...but
i'd
> > still like to see one or two more guys who can just go out and
give
> > the team six or seven good innings most times...and in doing so,
> > allow those other guys to relax and not feel like they have to
stop
> > the bleeding all the time...this team has shown just too often the
> > ability to lose 5 games in a row, and it's not just the offense
going
> > quiet...all of it gets to be a vicious cycle, and no team can
count
> > on performances like harang's 1-0 win over carpenter early in the
> > year to get the team past a quiet offensive showing...
> > ...the bottom line...before the year started we all knew this was
a
> > very mediocre team with some great individual potential, some
solid
> > players...but too many holes and weaknesses...very much like
the '99
> > team, it has really played about 15 games over its head once
again,
> > and if we all really get honest, we're amazed to see them anywhere
> > near contention at this point...'99 was a heartbreak year, and
unless
> > something really crazy happens, this one, too, will be the
> > same...mckeon did a remarkable job in '99, and though i disagree
with
> > narron a lot, he's done a pretty fair job as well...just keeping
> > these guys together couldn't have been easy, and probably a lot
> > harder than '99, as that team was nearly all youngsters with only
> > larkin and harnisch and a couple of the bullpen with any real
major
> > league time...they had a naivete that this team can't possibly
have,
> > and if any of us can see how outclassed they are a lot of the
time,
> > then the veterans on this club can, too...
> > ...so, here's hoping for the rest of this year...still possible,
> > folks...and most of all, for the year to come...it wouldn't take
much
> > to take this team and make it a really tough bunch for the rest of
> > the league to deal with...but one thing is sure...no matter what
you
> > see right now, a lot of it will be different next year...here's to
> > the difference, for once, being pitching and defense, and not just
> > new hitters...
> > ...see ya'll
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "navycook36"
> > curtisclifford@ wrote:
> > >
> > > WHAT HAPPENED TO BUNT THE RUNNER OVER TO 3RD WITH 0 OUTS? COME
ON
> > NARRON
> > > YOU ARE IN A RACE FOR THE WILD CARD IN CASE YOU DIDNT KNOW.I DO
NOT
> > SEE
> > > A SENSE OF URGENCY IN THIS TEAM! I KNOW ITS NOT ALL NARRONS
> > FAULT,THE
> > > HITTING HAS GONE SOUTH AND CANT GET A HIT WITH RUNNERS ON.I
THINK
> > DUNN
> > > NEEDS A COUPLE GAMES OFF HES JUST NOT GETTING IT DONE.WE NEED
> > RUNNERS ON
> > > BASE!!! YOU WOULD THINK THAT THE OLD GUYS WOULD BE EXHAUSTED
ABOUT
> > THIS
> > > TIME BUT ITS THE YOUNG GUYS THAT LOOK TIRED.YOU HAVE TO FIND A
WAY
> > TO
> > > PLAY AURILIA AND HATTEBERG THE REST OF THE WAY.GO
REDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
> > > --- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "Alan" <alcory11@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > ...hey!!...so right about all that...dunn, though, is just
being
> > > > dunn...think that's why i like him hitting in the 2 hole...he
> > seems
> > > > to take notice and concentrate on just driving the ball, even
> > left of
> > > > center...he sure hit better there...
> > > > ...and arroyo's difficulties, i think anyway, are a lot the
same
> > as
> > > > the other starters...they seem to lose focus for an
inning...he
> > does
> > > > it in the middle of the game...milton takes an inning or so to
> > get it
> > > > in focus...don't know why, but they all seem to have that
stretch
> > of
> > > > about 15 pitches that gets them into trouble...
> > > > ...but i'm just looking at the rest of the schedule...and the
reds
> > > > really could make some big strides by handling the giants
today
> > and
> > > > taking 2 of 3 from the padres...and the next to last series is
> > with
> > > > florida...13 games total left with chicago and pittsburgh...i
> > really
> > > > think they can do 6 of 7 with the cubs, but the pirates are
> > always a
> > > > problem...would love to see a sweep in the 3 games up front,
> > because
> > > > that last 3 games will be an all-out for the pirates...they
have
> > > > nothing else after that, and they know it...and the pirates'
> > pitching
> > > > really isn't too bad...
> > > > ...i guess i have to say that the reds need to play about .700
> > ball
> > > > over these last 23 games to really lock in, but then...if the
> > padres
> > > > run into a buzzsaw a couple of times and the phillies stumble
a
> > > > bit...that only leaves the marlins...and i just don't see them
> > > > maintaining once again...they have been so hot...but maybe
they
> > are
> > > > just too young and inexperienced to realize they can't do it,
and
> > > > that could make them very difficult...
> > > > ...yeah, the cornrows were a bit much...lol...see ya!!
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "navycook36"
> > > > curtisclifford@ wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > GREAT PITCHING FROM ARROYO,WHERE HAS THAT BEEN?FINALLY GOT
RID
> > OF
> > > > THOSE
> > > > > UGLY CORNROLLS!THE OFFENSE IS STILL SLUGGISH DUNN HAS TO
COME
> > OUT
> > > > OF HIS
> > > > > SLUMP HES LOOKING CONFUSED AND FRUSTRATED.I HAVE TO AGREE
> > AURILIA
> > > > IS THE
> > > > > REDS MVP SO FAR,HE IS A BETTER FIT AT SHORT THAN CLAYTON.I
HOPE
> > KIM
> > > > > LEAVES HIS 16 ERA AND STARTS FRESH BUT WE WILL SEE.EVERY
GAME
> > COUNTS
> > > > > FROM HERE ON OUT,GO REDS
> > > > > --- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "Alan" <alcory11@>
wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ...arroyo was on and kept his focus all the way...and matt
> > morris'
> > > > > > one bad inning was all he really gave...great game...and
rich
> > > > aurilia
> > > > > > showing again why i still think he's the reds' mvp this
> > year...he
> > > > > > just does it every day, stays consistent, and his only
> > mistakes
> > > > are
> > > > > > an error now and then...which everyone makes...without
aurilia
> > > > this
> > > > > > club is fighting with pittsburgh and chicago for the
bottom of
> > > > this
> > > > > > division...taking nothing away from freel and hatteburg
and
> > the
> > > > rest,
> > > > > > aurilia is the guy...
> > > > > > ...so the reds are 3 down to san diego and still behind
> > > > philadelphia
> > > > > > and florida...they play the padres and marlins 3 each
pretty
> > > > > > soon...win 2 of 3 from both teams and they pass
florida...the
> > > > padres
> > > > > > will have to play their division rivals a lot, and i'm
> > thinking
> > > > > > they'll have their hands full...so the reds could run
right by
> > > > them
> > > > > > by taking on the cubs and pittsburgh the way they
should...not
> > > > > > looking for the cardinals to do so badly they come back
and
> > let
> > > > the
> > > > > > reds catch them though...but i'm thinking the reds have a
very
> > > > good
> > > > > > opportunity to be the wild card now, if they simply play
> > > > consistently
> > > > > > to their strengths...
> > > > > > ...freel is tired and needs a break, but griffey is
> > > > down...phillips
> > > > > > is pressing...and of course the bullpen is still a
question,
> > to
> > > > say
> > > > > > the least...i do think that has looked a bit better
lately,
> > and
> > > > might
> > > > > > just take off...be nice to get guardado back,
though...he's
> > not
> > > > > > lights out, but still a real force for the mental
and "guts"
> > side
> > > > of
> > > > > > things, just having him there...
> > > > > > ...don't know much about this new guy, kim or whatever,
they
> > got
> > > > from
> > > > > > arizona...sounds big and hard...we'll get a look
tomorrow, it
> > > > seems...
> > > > > > ...everyone is going to call me crazy, but i'm looking for
> > larue
> > > > to
> > > > > > come up with a couple of really big hits in the next
couple of
> > > > > > weeks...this is a proven tough guy who, i think, has just
had
> > a
> > > > > > really tough year...if his past comes out, he'll be a
plus...
> > > > > > ...and who knows...there are just too many teams still
near
> > > > enough to
> > > > > > make some real noise...and this entire league has been a
> > quagmire
> > > > of
> > > > > > sinking teams that keep bobbing back to the surface...i
still
> > say
> > > > > > that it'll be the team that manages to run off five or six
> > wins
> > > > > > pretty soon that will get there...
> > > > > > ...see ya'll
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

...so right...i don't mind the K's...but he could hit for contact and
still have 50 homers a year...with probably a .300 average if he just
hit the ball back up the middle...but the big thing is that he could
very well bring pitching in any deal, especially to an AL team
looking for a DH...and yeah, it would be nice to have a left fielder
who wasn't quite so much an adventure out there...i really don't have
anything against dunn, like him in fact...but he is the one guy who,
again, could bring pitching in any deal...the other is david ross,
who has to be tempting to a catching-poor club...and i really am not
sold on david ross...at least yet...
...anyway...i'm still in hopes for this year...it looks bad, but a
week can make a big difference right now...the reds really could make
up a lot of ground by handling the pirates and then the padres...
...we'll see...best to everyone...




-- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, Vallerie Edmonds
<vjedmonds@...> wrote:
>
> I agree with Alan that the Reds should not resign Adam Dunn when
his contract ends.  He strikes out way too much with a batting
average of .243.  He is making 7,500.00 this year which is way more
than a lot of the players combined.  I could accept the high strikes
outs more if he was a half way decent left field player but his
defense has a lot to be desired.  Yes, he can bang out a long ball
sometimes but I would rather see him hit more singles and doubles and
drive more of his team mates in.  A home run is not much good when
you have 2 runs scored and the other team has 7.  I know a lot of us
do not agree on Adam but this is one opinion.
> Vallerie
>

ALAN, YOU HAVE MADE ALOT OF VALID POINTS BUT I HAVE TO DISAGREE WITH YOU
ON THE DUNN TRADE.ALTHOUGH HE STRIKES OUT ALOT HE IS STILL ONE OF THE
BIGGEST THREATS IN BASEBALL.GOT TO KEEP HIM.AURILIA HAS LOOKED SOLID AT
SHORT,KEEP HIM THERE-GET RID OF CLAYTON.MOVE GRIFFEY TO RIGHT,FREEL TO
CENTER.TRADE LARUE GOT TO KEEP ROSS AND HAVE ROSS WORK ON HIS DEFENSE IN
OFFSEASON-GET WITH THE GREATEST CATCHER IN HISTORY(MY OPINION) JOHNNY
BENCH.BUT I HEARD THATS WHY LARUE IS STILL WITH THE REDS BECAUSE OF
BENCH.GO OUT THIS OFFSEASON AND GET A QUALITY STARTER AND REVAMP THE
BULLPEN.NEED A CLOSER BAD SINCE EVERYDAY EDDIE'S CAREER MIGHT BE
DONE.THIS TEAM STILL HAS A OUTSIDE CHANCE BUT IT DONT LOOK GOOD BUT IM
STILL HOPING AND OH BY THE WAY ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?GO
BENGALS
--- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "Alan" <alcory11@...> wrote:
>
> ...now that is just right on...i was really surprised aurilia wasn't
> bunting...all i can think is that he almost always hits the ball hard
> somewhere, and can hit to the right side, which would get the runner
> to third just as a bunt would...and of course, dunn is notorious for
> not getting sacrifice flies or whatever is needed...and of course, a
> clean single would have made it all of no consequence...i've seldom
> seen a team that is in contention this late have quite so much
> trouble scoring runs in that situation, and this is something the
> reds have been doing for several years now...or failing to do, i
> guess would be more accurate...
> ...the only good news is that a 3 or 4 fame win streak could put them
> right back on top of the marlins, phillies and giants, with only san
> diego still ahead...the bad news is that at this time of the year,
> it's only part of the story to look at games behind...having 4 teams
> ahead of you is almost always the real problem...catching one team
> means you only need that one team to play at a lesser clip than you
> play...but four teams ahead means all four must do so...and that
> seldom happens...
> ...but...a sweep of the pirates this weekend and winning 4 more next
> week would almost certainly put the reds in a much better position,
> particularly if they also swept the padres...
> ...and the padres are a showcase of what i've said all along...they
> have no one who will reach 25 homers, only one hitter over .300,
> nobody who will drive in 100 runs...they are near the bottom in
> hitting as a club, runs scored, and every other offensive
> category...but their pitching is solid, they have a fine bullpen, and
> can actually make the routine plays, if not always the spectacular
> ones...
> ...the point is that we all love to see dunn and griffey and all the
> rest slam the ball out of the park, into the corners for doubles, and
> all that...but how many times have we watched this club get four hits
> in an inning and come up with only one run?...gee, i've even seen
> them get two walks and three hits once this year, and only get one
> run...and even when they score 5 or 6 runs, it's not a sure bet for
> them, not with the pitching they have shown...
> ...i think they have the makings of a great staff...but so much has
> gone bad on the mound, and with the defense behind them, that it
> looks to me like a lot of those guys, coming into the game, are
> pitching like they have to do it all, make the perfect pitch all the
> time...so they nibble, put themselves into bad pitch counts, and all
> that...and that isn't a good deal for anyone...even roger clemons or
> greg maddux gets killed if they do that...
> ...anyway, it would be good to just see these guys go out and
> challenge hitters from the start...this team is walking far less
> hitters than last year, it seems, but pitching much the same...the
> big difference is that this year, they are grooving the fourth or
> fifth pitch to avoid walks, and yesterday shows that they aren't
> taking care of things when being ahead, even...durham's two homers
> came on 1-2 and 0-2 counts...that is simply bad pitching, and not
> taking advantage of the hitter's need to protect the plate with two
> strikes...
> ...i'm not ready to give it all up yet this year, but one thing i'm
> sure of...this club really needs to take a good look at minnesota,
> oakland, san diego, and a few others over the offseason...and as much
> as i hate to say it, be willing to do some wholesale changes...the
> good news is they have, for once, a glut of pitching now...a lot of
> it's been shaky, sure, but the addition of a couple of good starters
> who can eat innings and keep the team in the game every time out
> would make a tremendous difference...and the arms already in the
> bullpen aren't bad, they just need to refocus and...most
> importantly...not coming in so often with the team a run or two
> down...i don't think most people realize how much more the opposition
> can do when already up a run or two, and that makes it hard on anyone
> coming in...if the reds are up a run or two, it just takes away a lot
> of options for the other team...
> ...but, no matter how this year turns out, i'm convinced of a couple
> of things...first, i like the platoon with aurilia and hatteburg at
> first, which also allows for aurilia to play elsewhere when hatteburg
> is in the lineup...and that also gives the reds a solid pinch hitter
> if one is not playing...and i believe it's time for griffey to move
> to right or left field...i know a lot of people would say right
> field, but try this on for size...griffey in left, freel in right,
> and maybe try that new kid...can't remember his name, but he won the
> batting title this year in AAA and has had a couple of solid pinch
> hits this past week or so...nichols?...oh well, try him in
> center...he's speedy, and if he hits, could be a tremendous
> outfield...that would allow the reds to trade dunn...i sort of hate
> losing him, but he'd bring a decent pitcher from one of the clubs
> needing a big hitter, for sure...
> ...also, in spite of everything, i'm not sold on ross just yet...he's
> had a good year, but tailed off a lot and i have to wonder if he's
> the answer...he still isn't very good defensively, and i also wonder
> about his ability to call a game...larue might never recover, either,
> so i'm thinking it's really time to look for someone else...would
> keep valentin, though he's not an everyday catcher, either...but i
> have to wonder if the reds might just get a real deal or two with
> ross and larue being available...
> ...the last thing is shortstop...i'm inclined to think phillips might
> make a good transition from second...he's still a little raw in the
> field, but who knows?...
> ...all in all...it's still about the pitching...arroyo, harang, and
> milton have all shown some good stuff, been solid on a regular
> basis...lohse has shown he can throw a good game, as well...but i'd
> still like to see one or two more guys who can just go out and give
> the team six or seven good innings most times...and in doing so,
> allow those other guys to relax and not feel like they have to stop
> the bleeding all the time...this team has shown just too often the
> ability to lose 5 games in a row, and it's not just the offense going
> quiet...all of it gets to be a vicious cycle, and no team can count
> on performances like harang's 1-0 win over carpenter early in the
> year to get the team past a quiet offensive showing...
> ...the bottom line...before the year started we all knew this was a
> very mediocre team with some great individual potential, some solid
> players...but too many holes and weaknesses...very much like the '99
> team, it has really played about 15 games over its head once again,
> and if we all really get honest, we're amazed to see them anywhere
> near contention at this point...'99 was a heartbreak year, and unless
> something really crazy happens, this one, too, will be the
> same...mckeon did a remarkable job in '99, and though i disagree with
> narron a lot, he's done a pretty fair job as well...just keeping
> these guys together couldn't have been easy, and probably a lot
> harder than '99, as that team was nearly all youngsters with only
> larkin and harnisch and a couple of the bullpen with any real major
> league time...they had a naivete that this team can't possibly have,
> and if any of us can see how outclassed they are a lot of the time,
> then the veterans on this club can, too...
> ...so, here's hoping for the rest of this year...still possible,
> folks...and most of all, for the year to come...it wouldn't take much
> to take this team and make it a really tough bunch for the rest of
> the league to deal with...but one thing is sure...no matter what you
> see right now, a lot of it will be different next year...here's to
> the difference, for once, being pitching and defense, and not just
> new hitters...
> ...see ya'll
>
>
>
>
> --- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "navycook36"
> curtisclifford@ wrote:
> >
> > WHAT HAPPENED TO BUNT THE RUNNER OVER TO 3RD WITH 0 OUTS? COME ON
> NARRON
> > YOU ARE IN A RACE FOR THE WILD CARD IN CASE YOU DIDNT KNOW.I DO NOT
> SEE
> > A SENSE OF URGENCY IN THIS TEAM! I KNOW ITS NOT ALL NARRONS
> FAULT,THE
> > HITTING HAS GONE SOUTH AND CANT GET A HIT WITH RUNNERS ON.I THINK
> DUNN
> > NEEDS A COUPLE GAMES OFF HES JUST NOT GETTING IT DONE.WE NEED
> RUNNERS ON
> > BASE!!! YOU WOULD THINK THAT THE OLD GUYS WOULD BE EXHAUSTED ABOUT
> THIS
> > TIME BUT ITS THE YOUNG GUYS THAT LOOK TIRED.YOU HAVE TO FIND A WAY
> TO
> > PLAY AURILIA AND HATTEBERG THE REST OF THE WAY.GO REDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
> > --- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "Alan" <alcory11@> wrote:
> > >
> > > ...hey!!...so right about all that...dunn, though, is just being
> > > dunn...think that's why i like him hitting in the 2 hole...he
> seems
> > > to take notice and concentrate on just driving the ball, even
> left of
> > > center...he sure hit better there...
> > > ...and arroyo's difficulties, i think anyway, are a lot the same
> as
> > > the other starters...they seem to lose focus for an inning...he
> does
> > > it in the middle of the game...milton takes an inning or so to
> get it
> > > in focus...don't know why, but they all seem to have that stretch
> of
> > > about 15 pitches that gets them into trouble...
> > > ...but i'm just looking at the rest of the schedule...and the reds
> > > really could make some big strides by handling the giants today
> and
> > > taking 2 of 3 from the padres...and the next to last series is
> with
> > > florida...13 games total left with chicago and pittsburgh...i
> really
> > > think they can do 6 of 7 with the cubs, but the pirates are
> always a
> > > problem...would love to see a sweep in the 3 games up front,
> because
> > > that last 3 games will be an all-out for the pirates...they have
> > > nothing else after that, and they know it...and the pirates'
> pitching
> > > really isn't too bad...
> > > ...i guess i have to say that the reds need to play about .700
> ball
> > > over these last 23 games to really lock in, but then...if the
> padres
> > > run into a buzzsaw a couple of times and the phillies stumble a
> > > bit...that only leaves the marlins...and i just don't see them
> > > maintaining once again...they have been so hot...but maybe they
> are
> > > just too young and inexperienced to realize they can't do it, and
> > > that could make them very difficult...
> > > ...yeah, the cornrows were a bit much...lol...see ya!!
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "navycook36"
> > > curtisclifford@ wrote:
> > > >
> > > > GREAT PITCHING FROM ARROYO,WHERE HAS THAT BEEN?FINALLY GOT RID
> OF
> > > THOSE
> > > > UGLY CORNROLLS!THE OFFENSE IS STILL SLUGGISH DUNN HAS TO COME
> OUT
> > > OF HIS
> > > > SLUMP HES LOOKING CONFUSED AND FRUSTRATED.I HAVE TO AGREE
> AURILIA
> > > IS THE
> > > > REDS MVP SO FAR,HE IS A BETTER FIT AT SHORT THAN CLAYTON.I HOPE
> KIM
> > > > LEAVES HIS 16 ERA AND STARTS FRESH BUT WE WILL SEE.EVERY GAME
> COUNTS
> > > > FROM HERE ON OUT,GO REDS
> > > > --- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "Alan" <alcory11@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > ...arroyo was on and kept his focus all the way...and matt
> morris'
> > > > > one bad inning was all he really gave...great game...and rich
> > > aurilia
> > > > > showing again why i still think he's the reds' mvp this
> year...he
> > > > > just does it every day, stays consistent, and his only
> mistakes
> > > are
> > > > > an error now and then...which everyone makes...without aurilia
> > > this
> > > > > club is fighting with pittsburgh and chicago for the bottom of
> > > this
> > > > > division...taking nothing away from freel and hatteburg and
> the
> > > rest,
> > > > > aurilia is the guy...
> > > > > ...so the reds are 3 down to san diego and still behind
> > > philadelphia
> > > > > and florida...they play the padres and marlins 3 each pretty
> > > > > soon...win 2 of 3 from both teams and they pass florida...the
> > > padres
> > > > > will have to play their division rivals a lot, and i'm
> thinking
> > > > > they'll have their hands full...so the reds could run right by
> > > them
> > > > > by taking on the cubs and pittsburgh the way they should...not
> > > > > looking for the cardinals to do so badly they come back and
> let
> > > the
> > > > > reds catch them though...but i'm thinking the reds have a very
> > > good
> > > > > opportunity to be the wild card now, if they simply play
> > > consistently
> > > > > to their strengths...
> > > > > ...freel is tired and needs a break, but griffey is
> > > down...phillips
> > > > > is pressing...and of course the bullpen is still a question,
> to
> > > say
> > > > > the least...i do think that has looked a bit better lately,
> and
> > > might
> > > > > just take off...be nice to get guardado back, though...he's
> not
> > > > > lights out, but still a real force for the mental and "guts"
> side
> > > of
> > > > > things, just having him there...
> > > > > ...don't know much about this new guy, kim or whatever, they
> got
> > > from
> > > > > arizona...sounds big and hard...we'll get a look tomorrow, it
> > > seems...
> > > > > ...everyone is going to call me crazy, but i'm looking for
> larue
> > > to
> > > > > come up with a couple of really big hits in the next couple of
> > > > > weeks...this is a proven tough guy who, i think, has just had
> a
> > > > > really tough year...if his past comes out, he'll be a plus...
> > > > > ...and who knows...there are just too many teams still near
> > > enough to
> > > > > make some real noise...and this entire league has been a
> quagmire
> > > of
> > > > > sinking teams that keep bobbing back to the surface...i still
> say
> > > > > that it'll be the team that manages to run off five or six
> wins
> > > > > pretty soon that will get there...
> > > > > ...see ya'll
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

...now that is just right on...i was really surprised aurilia wasn't
bunting...all i can think is that he almost always hits the ball hard
somewhere, and can hit to the right side, which would get the runner
to third just as a bunt would...and of course, dunn is notorious for
not getting sacrifice flies or whatever is needed...and of course, a
clean single would have made it all of no consequence...i've seldom
seen a team that is in contention this late have quite so much
trouble scoring runs in that situation, and this is something the
reds have been doing for several years now...or failing to do, i
guess would be more accurate...
...the only good news is that a 3 or 4 fame win streak could put them
right back on top of the marlins, phillies and giants, with only san
diego still ahead...the bad news is that at this time of the year,
it's only part of the story to look at games behind...having 4 teams
ahead of you is almost always the real problem...catching one team
means you only need that one team to play at a lesser clip than you
play...but four teams ahead means all four must do so...and that
seldom happens...
...but...a sweep of the pirates this weekend and winning 4 more next
week would almost certainly put the reds in a much better position,
particularly if they also swept the padres...
...and the padres are a showcase of what i've said all along...they
have no one who will reach 25 homers, only one hitter over .300,
nobody who will drive in 100 runs...they are near the bottom in
hitting as a club, runs scored, and every other offensive
category...but their pitching is solid, they have a fine bullpen, and
can actually make the routine plays, if not always the spectacular
ones...
...the point is that we all love to see dunn and griffey and all the
rest slam the ball out of the park, into the corners for doubles, and
all that...but how many times have we watched this club get four hits
in an inning and come up with only one run?...gee, i've even seen
them get two walks and three hits once this year, and only get one
run...and even when they score 5 or 6 runs, it's not a sure bet for
them, not with the pitching they have shown...
...i think they have the makings of a great staff...but so much has
gone bad on the mound, and with the defense behind them, that it
looks to me like a lot of those guys, coming into the game, are
pitching like they have to do it all, make the perfect pitch all the
time...so they nibble, put themselves into bad pitch counts, and all
that...and that isn't a good deal for anyone...even roger clemons or
greg maddux gets killed if they do that...
...anyway, it would be good to just see these guys go out and
challenge hitters from the start...this team is walking far less
hitters than last year, it seems, but pitching much the same...the
big difference is that this year, they are grooving the fourth or
fifth pitch to avoid walks, and yesterday shows that they aren't
taking care of things when being ahead, even...durham's two homers
came on 1-2 and 0-2 counts...that is simply bad pitching, and not
taking advantage of the hitter's need to protect the plate with two
strikes...
...i'm not ready to give it all up yet this year, but one thing i'm
sure of...this club really needs to take a good look at minnesota,
oakland, san diego, and a few others over the offseason...and as much
as i hate to say it, be willing to do some wholesale changes...the
good news is they have, for once, a glut of pitching now...a lot of
it's been shaky, sure, but the addition of a couple of good starters
who can eat innings and keep the team in the game every time out
would make a tremendous difference...and the arms already in the
bullpen aren't bad, they just need to refocus and...most
importantly...not coming in so often with the team a run or two
down...i don't think most people realize how much more the opposition
can do when already up a run or two, and that makes it hard on anyone
coming in...if the reds are up a run or two, it just takes away a lot
of options for the other team...
...but, no matter how this year turns out, i'm convinced of a couple
of things...first, i like the platoon with aurilia and hatteburg at
first, which also allows for aurilia to play elsewhere when hatteburg
is in the lineup...and that also gives the reds a solid pinch hitter
if one is not playing...and i believe it's time for griffey to move
to right or left field...i know a lot of people would say right
field, but try this on for size...griffey in left, freel in right,
and maybe try that new kid...can't remember his name, but he won the
batting title this year in AAA and has had a couple of solid pinch
hits this past week or so...nichols?...oh well, try him in
center...he's speedy, and if he hits, could be a tremendous
outfield...that would allow the reds to trade dunn...i sort of hate
losing him, but he'd bring a decent pitcher from one of the clubs
needing a big hitter, for sure...
...also, in spite of everything, i'm not sold on ross just yet...he's
had a good year, but tailed off a lot and i have to wonder if he's
the answer...he still isn't very good defensively, and i also wonder
about his ability to call a game...larue might never recover, either,
so i'm thinking it's really time to look for someone else...would
keep valentin, though he's not an everyday catcher, either...but i
have to wonder if the reds might just get a real deal or two with
ross and larue being available...
...the last thing is shortstop...i'm inclined to think phillips might
make a good transition from second...he's still a little raw in the
field, but who knows?...
...all in all...it's still about the pitching...arroyo, harang, and
milton have all shown some good stuff, been solid on a regular
basis...lohse has shown he can throw a good game, as well...but i'd
still like to see one or two more guys who can just go out and give
the team six or seven good innings most times...and in doing so,
allow those other guys to relax and not feel like they have to stop
the bleeding all the time...this team has shown just too often the
ability to lose 5 games in a row, and it's not just the offense going
quiet...all of it gets to be a vicious cycle, and no team can count
on performances like harang's 1-0 win over carpenter early in the
year to get the team past a quiet offensive showing...
...the bottom line...before the year started we all knew this was a
very mediocre team with some great individual potential, some solid
players...but too many holes and weaknesses...very much like the '99
team, it has really played about 15 games over its head once again,
and if we all really get honest, we're amazed to see them anywhere
near contention at this point...'99 was a heartbreak year, and unless
something really crazy happens, this one, too, will be the
same...mckeon did a remarkable job in '99, and though i disagree with
narron a lot, he's done a pretty fair job as well...just keeping
these guys together couldn't have been easy, and probably a lot
harder than '99, as that team was nearly all youngsters with only
larkin and harnisch and a couple of the bullpen with any real major
league time...they had a naivete that this team can't possibly have,
and if any of us can see how outclassed they are a lot of the time,
then the veterans on this club can, too...
...so, here's hoping for the rest of this year...still possible,
folks...and most of all, for the year to come...it wouldn't take much
to take this team and make it a really tough bunch for the rest of
the league to deal with...but one thing is sure...no matter what you
see right now, a lot of it will be different next year...here's to
the difference, for once, being pitching and defense, and not just
new hitters...
...see ya'll




--- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "navycook36"
<curtisclifford@...> wrote:
>
> WHAT HAPPENED TO BUNT THE RUNNER OVER TO 3RD WITH 0 OUTS? COME ON
NARRON
> YOU ARE IN A RACE FOR THE WILD CARD IN CASE YOU DIDNT KNOW.I DO NOT
SEE
> A SENSE OF URGENCY IN THIS TEAM! I KNOW ITS NOT ALL NARRONS
FAULT,THE
> HITTING HAS GONE SOUTH AND CANT GET A HIT WITH RUNNERS ON.I THINK
DUNN
> NEEDS A COUPLE GAMES OFF HES JUST NOT GETTING IT DONE.WE NEED
RUNNERS ON
> BASE!!! YOU WOULD THINK THAT THE OLD GUYS WOULD BE EXHAUSTED ABOUT
THIS
> TIME BUT ITS THE YOUNG GUYS THAT LOOK TIRED.YOU HAVE TO FIND A WAY
TO
> PLAY AURILIA AND HATTEBERG THE REST OF THE WAY.GO REDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
> --- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "Alan" <alcory11@> wrote:
> >
> > ...hey!!...so right about all that...dunn, though, is just being
> > dunn...think that's why i like him hitting in the 2 hole...he
seems
> > to take notice and concentrate on just driving the ball, even
left of
> > center...he sure hit better there...
> > ...and arroyo's difficulties, i think anyway, are a lot the same
as
> > the other starters...they seem to lose focus for an inning...he
does
> > it in the middle of the game...milton takes an inning or so to
get it
> > in focus...don't know why, but they all seem to have that stretch
of
> > about 15 pitches that gets them into trouble...
> > ...but i'm just looking at the rest of the schedule...and the reds
> > really could make some big strides by handling the giants today
and
> > taking 2 of 3 from the padres...and the next to last series is
with
> > florida...13 games total left with chicago and pittsburgh...i
really
> > think they can do 6 of 7 with the cubs, but the pirates are
always a
> > problem...would love to see a sweep in the 3 games up front,
because
> > that last 3 games will be an all-out for the pirates...they have
> > nothing else after that, and they know it...and the pirates'
pitching
> > really isn't too bad...
> > ...i guess i have to say that the reds need to play about .700
ball
> > over these last 23 games to really lock in, but then...if the
padres
> > run into a buzzsaw a couple of times and the phillies stumble a
> > bit...that only leaves the marlins...and i just don't see them
> > maintaining once again...they have been so hot...but maybe they
are
> > just too young and inexperienced to realize they can't do it, and
> > that could make them very difficult...
> > ...yeah, the cornrows were a bit much...lol...see ya!!
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "navycook36"
> > curtisclifford@ wrote:
> > >
> > > GREAT PITCHING FROM ARROYO,WHERE HAS THAT BEEN?FINALLY GOT RID
OF
> > THOSE
> > > UGLY CORNROLLS!THE OFFENSE IS STILL SLUGGISH DUNN HAS TO COME
OUT
> > OF HIS
> > > SLUMP HES LOOKING CONFUSED AND FRUSTRATED.I HAVE TO AGREE
AURILIA
> > IS THE
> > > REDS MVP SO FAR,HE IS A BETTER FIT AT SHORT THAN CLAYTON.I HOPE
KIM
> > > LEAVES HIS 16 ERA AND STARTS FRESH BUT WE WILL SEE.EVERY GAME
COUNTS
> > > FROM HERE ON OUT,GO REDS
> > > --- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "Alan" <alcory11@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > ...arroyo was on and kept his focus all the way...and matt
morris'
> > > > one bad inning was all he really gave...great game...and rich
> > aurilia
> > > > showing again why i still think he's the reds' mvp this
year...he
> > > > just does it every day, stays consistent, and his only
mistakes
> > are
> > > > an error now and then...which everyone makes...without aurilia
> > this
> > > > club is fighting with pittsburgh and chicago for the bottom of
> > this
> > > > division...taking nothing away from freel and hatteburg and
the
> > rest,
> > > > aurilia is the guy...
> > > > ...so the reds are 3 down to san diego and still behind
> > philadelphia
> > > > and florida...they play the padres and marlins 3 each pretty
> > > > soon...win 2 of 3 from both teams and they pass florida...the
> > padres
> > > > will have to play their division rivals a lot, and i'm
thinking
> > > > they'll have their hands full...so the reds could run right by
> > them
> > > > by taking on the cubs and pittsburgh the way they should...not
> > > > looking for the cardinals to do so badly they come back and
let
> > the
> > > > reds catch them though...but i'm thinking the reds have a very
> > good
> > > > opportunity to be the wild card now, if they simply play
> > consistently
> > > > to their strengths...
> > > > ...freel is tired and needs a break, but griffey is
> > down...phillips
> > > > is pressing...and of course the bullpen is still a question,
to
> > say
> > > > the least...i do think that has looked a bit better lately,
and
> > might
> > > > just take off...be nice to get guardado back, though...he's
not
> > > > lights out, but still a real force for the mental and "guts"
side
> > of
> > > > things, just having him there...
> > > > ...don't know much about this new guy, kim or whatever, they
got
> > from
> > > > arizona...sounds big and hard...we'll get a look tomorrow, it
> > seems...
> > > > ...everyone is going to call me crazy, but i'm looking for
larue
> > to
> > > > come up with a couple of really big hits in the next couple of
> > > > weeks...this is a proven tough guy who, i think, has just had
a
> > > > really tough year...if his past comes out, he'll be a plus...
> > > > ...and who knows...there are just too many teams still near
> > enough to
> > > > make some real noise...and this entire league has been a
quagmire
> > of
> > > > sinking teams that keep bobbing back to the surface...i still
say
> > > > that it'll be the team that manages to run off five or six
wins
> > > > pretty soon that will get there...
> > > > ...see ya'll
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

WHAT HAPPENED TO BUNT THE RUNNER OVER TO 3RD WITH 0 OUTS? COME ON NARRON
YOU ARE IN A RACE FOR THE WILD CARD IN CASE YOU DIDNT KNOW.I DO NOT SEE
A SENSE OF URGENCY IN THIS TEAM! I KNOW ITS NOT ALL NARRONS FAULT,THE
HITTING HAS GONE SOUTH AND CANT GET A HIT WITH RUNNERS ON.I THINK DUNN
NEEDS A COUPLE GAMES OFF HES JUST NOT GETTING IT DONE.WE NEED RUNNERS ON
BASE!!! YOU WOULD THINK THAT THE OLD GUYS WOULD BE EXHAUSTED ABOUT THIS
TIME BUT ITS THE YOUNG GUYS THAT LOOK TIRED.YOU HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO
PLAY AURILIA AND HATTEBERG THE REST OF THE WAY.GO REDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
--- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "Alan" <alcory11@...> wrote:
>
> ...hey!!...so right about all that...dunn, though, is just being
> dunn...think that's why i like him hitting in the 2 hole...he seems
> to take notice and concentrate on just driving the ball, even left of
> center...he sure hit better there...
> ...and arroyo's difficulties, i think anyway, are a lot the same as
> the other starters...they seem to lose focus for an inning...he does
> it in the middle of the game...milton takes an inning or so to get it
> in focus...don't know why, but they all seem to have that stretch of
> about 15 pitches that gets them into trouble...
> ...but i'm just looking at the rest of the schedule...and the reds
> really could make some big strides by handling the giants today and
> taking 2 of 3 from the padres...and the next to last series is with
> florida...13 games total left with chicago and pittsburgh...i really
> think they can do 6 of 7 with the cubs, but the pirates are always a
> problem...would love to see a sweep in the 3 games up front, because
> that last 3 games will be an all-out for the pirates...they have
> nothing else after that, and they know it...and the pirates' pitching
> really isn't too bad...
> ...i guess i have to say that the reds need to play about .700 ball
> over these last 23 games to really lock in, but then...if the padres
> run into a buzzsaw a couple of times and the phillies stumble a
> bit...that only leaves the marlins...and i just don't see them
> maintaining once again...they have been so hot...but maybe they are
> just too young and inexperienced to realize they can't do it, and
> that could make them very difficult...
> ...yeah, the cornrows were a bit much...lol...see ya!!
>
>
>
>
> --- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "navycook36"
> curtisclifford@ wrote:
> >
> > GREAT PITCHING FROM ARROYO,WHERE HAS THAT BEEN?FINALLY GOT RID OF
> THOSE
> > UGLY CORNROLLS!THE OFFENSE IS STILL SLUGGISH DUNN HAS TO COME OUT
> OF HIS
> > SLUMP HES LOOKING CONFUSED AND FRUSTRATED.I HAVE TO AGREE AURILIA
> IS THE
> > REDS MVP SO FAR,HE IS A BETTER FIT AT SHORT THAN CLAYTON.I HOPE KIM
> > LEAVES HIS 16 ERA AND STARTS FRESH BUT WE WILL SEE.EVERY GAME COUNTS
> > FROM HERE ON OUT,GO REDS
> > --- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "Alan" <alcory11@> wrote:
> > >
> > > ...arroyo was on and kept his focus all the way...and matt morris'
> > > one bad inning was all he really gave...great game...and rich
> aurilia
> > > showing again why i still think he's the reds' mvp this year...he
> > > just does it every day, stays consistent, and his only mistakes
> are
> > > an error now and then...which everyone makes...without aurilia
> this
> > > club is fighting with pittsburgh and chicago for the bottom of
> this
> > > division...taking nothing away from freel and hatteburg and the
> rest,
> > > aurilia is the guy...
> > > ...so the reds are 3 down to san diego and still behind
> philadelphia
> > > and florida...they play the padres and marlins 3 each pretty
> > > soon...win 2 of 3 from both teams and they pass florida...the
> padres
> > > will have to play their division rivals a lot, and i'm thinking
> > > they'll have their hands full...so the reds could run right by
> them
> > > by taking on the cubs and pittsburgh the way they should...not
> > > looking for the cardinals to do so badly they come back and let
> the
> > > reds catch them though...but i'm thinking the reds have a very
> good
> > > opportunity to be the wild card now, if they simply play
> consistently
> > > to their strengths...
> > > ...freel is tired and needs a break, but griffey is
> down...phillips
> > > is pressing...and of course the bullpen is still a question, to
> say
> > > the least...i do think that has looked a bit better lately, and
> might
> > > just take off...be nice to get guardado back, though...he's not
> > > lights out, but still a real force for the mental and "guts" side
> of
> > > things, just having him there...
> > > ...don't know much about this new guy, kim or whatever, they got
> from
> > > arizona...sounds big and hard...we'll get a look tomorrow, it
> seems...
> > > ...everyone is going to call me crazy, but i'm looking for larue
> to
> > > come up with a couple of really big hits in the next couple of
> > > weeks...this is a proven tough guy who, i think, has just had a
> > > really tough year...if his past comes out, he'll be a plus...
> > > ...and who knows...there are just too many teams still near
> enough to
> > > make some real noise...and this entire league has been a quagmire
> of
> > > sinking teams that keep bobbing back to the surface...i still say
> > > that it'll be the team that manages to run off five or six wins
> > > pretty soon that will get there...
> > > ...see ya'll
> > >
> >
>

ITS GOING TO BE A CLOSE WILD CARD RACE!!!!!!!!!!!
--- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, Augusto Hernandez <nitropr45@...>
wrote:
>
> Well, we got a 23 game killer season to play, and the key is taking
todays game and the Padres series. Florida is tough but I think they'll
fall soon. We must beat cubs and pirates, the astros are also a concern.
So there is only one way, win 16-18 of these last series.
>
> Alan alcory11@... wrote: ...hey!!...so right about all that...dunn,
though, is just being
> dunn...think that's why i like him hitting in the 2 hole...he seems
> to take notice and concentrate on just driving the ball, even left of
> center...he sure hit better there...
> ...and arroyo's difficulties, i think anyway, are a lot the same as
> the other starters...they seem to lose focus for an inning...he does
> it in the middle of the game...milton takes an inning or so to get it
> in focus...don't know why, but they all seem to have that stretch of
> about 15 pitches that gets them into trouble...
> ...but i'm just looking at the rest of the schedule...and the reds
> really could make some big strides by handling the giants today and
> taking 2 of 3 from the padres...and the next to last series is with
> florida...13 games total left with chicago and pittsburgh...i really
> think they can do 6 of 7 with the cubs, but the pirates are always a
> problem...would love to see a sweep in the 3 games up front, because
> that last 3 games will be an all-out for the pirates...they have
> nothing else after that, and they know it...and the pirates' pitching
> really isn't too bad...
> ...i guess i have to say that the reds need to play about .700 ball
> over these last 23 games to really lock in, but then...if the padres
> run into a buzzsaw a couple of times and the phillies stumble a
> bit...that only leaves the marlins...and i just don't see them
> maintaining once again...they have been so hot...but maybe they are
> just too young and inexperienced to realize they can't do it, and
> that could make them very difficult...
> ...yeah, the cornrows were a bit much...lol...see ya!!
>
> --- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "navycook36"
> curtisclifford@ wrote:
> >
> > GREAT PITCHING FROM ARROYO,WHERE HAS THAT BEEN?FINALLY GOT RID OF
> THOSE
> > UGLY CORNROLLS!THE OFFENSE IS STILL SLUGGISH DUNN HAS TO COME OUT
> OF HIS
> > SLUMP HES LOOKING CONFUSED AND FRUSTRATED.I HAVE TO AGREE AURILIA
> IS THE
> > REDS MVP SO FAR,HE IS A BETTER FIT AT SHORT THAN CLAYTON.I HOPE KIM
> > LEAVES HIS 16 ERA AND STARTS FRESH BUT WE WILL SEE.EVERY GAME COUNTS
> > FROM HERE ON OUT,GO REDS
> > --- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "Alan" <alcory11@> wrote:
> > >
> > > ...arroyo was on and kept his focus all the way...and matt morris'
> > > one bad inning was all he really gave...great game...and rich
> aurilia
> > > showing again why i still think he's the reds' mvp this year...he
> > > just does it every day, stays consistent, and his only mistakes
> are
> > > an error now and then...which everyone makes...without aurilia
> this
> > > club is fighting with pittsburgh and chicago for the bottom of
> this
> > > division...taking nothing away from freel and hatteburg and the
> rest,
> > > aurilia is the guy...
> > > ...so the reds are 3 down to san diego and still behind
> philadelphia
> > > and florida...they play the padres and marlins 3 each pretty
> > > soon...win 2 of 3 from both teams and they pass florida...the
> padres
> > > will have to play their division rivals a lot, and i'm thinking
> > > they'll have their hands full...so the reds could run right by
> them
> > > by taking on the cubs and pittsburgh the way they should...not
> > > looking for the cardinals to do so badly they come back and let
> the
> > > reds catch them though...but i'm thinking the reds have a very
> good
> > > opportunity to be the wild card now, if they simply play
> consistently
> > > to their strengths...
> > > ...freel is tired and needs a break, but griffey is
> down...phillips
> > > is pressing...and of course the bullpen is still a question, to
> say
> > > the least...i do think that has looked a bit better lately, and
> might
> > > just take off...be nice to get guardado back, though...he's not
> > > lights out, but still a real force for the mental and "guts" side
> of
> > > things, just having him there...
> > > ...don't know much about this new guy, kim or whatever, they got
> from
> > > arizona...sounds big and hard...we'll get a look tomorrow, it
> seems...
> > > ...everyone is going to call me crazy, but i'm looking for larue
> to
> > > come up with a couple of really big hits in the next couple of
> > > weeks...this is a proven tough guy who, i think, has just had a
> > > really tough year...if his past comes out, he'll be a plus...
> > > ...and who knows...there are just too many teams still near
> enough to
> > > make some real noise...and this entire league has been a quagmire
> of
> > > sinking teams that keep bobbing back to the surface...i still say
> > > that it'll be the team that manages to run off five or six wins
> > > pretty soon that will get there...
> > > ...see ya'll
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Augusto Hernandez
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+
countries) for 2¢/min or less.
>

...hey!!...so right about all that...dunn, though, is just being
dunn...think that's why i like him hitting in the 2 hole...he seems
to take notice and concentrate on just driving the ball, even left of
center...he sure hit better there...
...and arroyo's difficulties, i think anyway, are a lot the same as
the other starters...they seem to lose focus for an inning...he does
it in the middle of the game...milton takes an inning or so to get it
in focus...don't know why, but they all seem to have that stretch of
about 15 pitches that gets them into trouble...
...but i'm just looking at the rest of the schedule...and the reds
really could make some big strides by handling the giants today and
taking 2 of 3 from the padres...and the next to last series is with
florida...13 games total left with chicago and pittsburgh...i really
think they can do 6 of 7 with the cubs, but the pirates are always a
problem...would love to see a sweep in the 3 games up front, because
that last 3 games will be an all-out for the pirates...they have
nothing else after that, and they know it...and the pirates' pitching
really isn't too bad...
...i guess i have to say that the reds need to play about .700 ball
over these last 23 games to really lock in, but then...if the padres
run into a buzzsaw a couple of times and the phillies stumble a
bit...that only leaves the marlins...and i just don't see them
maintaining once again...they have been so hot...but maybe they are
just too young and inexperienced to realize they can't do it, and
that could make them very difficult...
...yeah, the cornrows were a bit much...lol...see ya!!

--- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "navycook36"
<curtisclifford@...> wrote:
>
> GREAT PITCHING FROM ARROYO,WHERE HAS THAT BEEN?FINALLY GOT RID OF
THOSE
> UGLY CORNROLLS!THE OFFENSE IS STILL SLUGGISH DUNN HAS TO COME OUT
OF HIS
> SLUMP HES LOOKING CONFUSED AND FRUSTRATED.I HAVE TO AGREE AURILIA
IS THE
> REDS MVP SO FAR,HE IS A BETTER FIT AT SHORT THAN CLAYTON.I HOPE KIM
> LEAVES HIS 16 ERA AND STARTS FRESH BUT WE WILL SEE.EVERY GAME COUNTS
> FROM HERE ON OUT,GO REDS
> --- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "Alan" <alcory11@> wrote:
> >
> > ...arroyo was on and kept his focus all the way...and matt morris'
> > one bad inning was all he really gave...great game...and rich
aurilia
> > showing again why i still think he's the reds' mvp this year...he
> > just does it every day, stays consistent, and his only mistakes
are
> > an error now and then...which everyone makes...without aurilia
this
> > club is fighting with pittsburgh and chicago for the bottom of
this
> > division...taking nothing away from freel and hatteburg and the
rest,
> > aurilia is the guy...
> > ...so the reds are 3 down to san diego and still behind
philadelphia
> > and florida...they play the padres and marlins 3 each pretty
> > soon...win 2 of 3 from both teams and they pass florida...the
padres
> > will have to play their division rivals a lot, and i'm thinking
> > they'll have their hands full...so the reds could run right by
them
> > by taking on the cubs and pittsburgh the way they should...not
> > looking for the cardinals to do so badly they come back and let
the
> > reds catch them though...but i'm thinking the reds have a very
good
> > opportunity to be the wild card now, if they simply play
consistently
> > to their strengths...
> > ...freel is tired and needs a break, but griffey is
down...phillips
> > is pressing...and of course the bullpen is still a question, to
say
> > the least...i do think that has looked a bit better lately, and
might
> > just take off...be nice to get guardado back, though...he's not
> > lights out, but still a real force for the mental and "guts" side
of
> > things, just having him there...
> > ...don't know much about this new guy, kim or whatever, they got
from
> > arizona...sounds big and hard...we'll get a look tomorrow, it
seems...
> > ...everyone is going to call me crazy, but i'm looking for larue
to
> > come up with a couple of really big hits in the next couple of
> > weeks...this is a proven tough guy who, i think, has just had a
> > really tough year...if his past comes out, he'll be a plus...
> > ...and who knows...there are just too many teams still near
enough to
> > make some real noise...and this entire league has been a quagmire
of
> > sinking teams that keep bobbing back to the surface...i still say
> > that it'll be the team that manages to run off five or six wins
> > pretty soon that will get there...
> > ...see ya'll
> >
>

...the marlins have TEN games with the phillies left...and four with
the mets...3 with atlanta...man, i'd have to say the fish have a
problem...of course, if either the phils or the fish win 8 of those
10, while one goes away, the other really puts a big push on for
staying on top of things...
...the padres have a killer schedule, too...mostly with the dodgers,
giants and diamondbacks...
...i'm still thinking if our reds can just play well against the fish
and padres, win this one today with the giants, and take about 9 of
the 13 left with the cubs and pirates, they are in good shape...but
they really have to win each series as it comes to them...
...well...like most of you all...gotta get ready for the real
world...i hope everyone hangs in there!!

...hey!!...so right about all that...dunn, though, is just being
dunn...think that's why i like him hitting in the 2 hole...he seems
to take notice and concentrate on just driving the ball, even left of
center...he sure hit better there...
...and arroyo's difficulties, i think anyway, are a lot the same as
the other starters...they seem to lose focus for an inning...he does
it in the middle of the game...milton takes an inning or so to get it
in focus...don't know why, but they all seem to have that stretch of
about 15 pitches that gets them into trouble...
...but i'm just looking at the rest of the schedule...and the reds
really could make some big strides by handling the giants today and
taking 2 of 3 from the padres...and the next to last series is with
florida...13 games total left with chicago and pittsburgh...i really
think they can do 6 of 7 with the cubs, but the pirates are always a
problem...would love to see a sweep in the 3 games up front, because
that last 3 games will be an all-out for the pirates...they have
nothing else after that, and they know it...and the pirates' pitching
really isn't too bad...
...i guess i have to say that the reds need to play about .700 ball
over these last 23 games to really lock in, but then...if the padres
run into a buzzsaw a couple of times and the phillies stumble a
bit...that only leaves the marlins...and i just don't see them
maintaining once again...they have been so hot...but maybe they are
just too young and inexperienced to realize they can't do it, and
that could make them very difficult...
...yeah, the cornrows were a bit much...lol...see ya!!




--- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "navycook36"
<curtisclifford@...> wrote:
>
> GREAT PITCHING FROM ARROYO,WHERE HAS THAT BEEN?FINALLY GOT RID OF
THOSE
> UGLY CORNROLLS!THE OFFENSE IS STILL SLUGGISH DUNN HAS TO COME OUT
OF HIS
> SLUMP HES LOOKING CONFUSED AND FRUSTRATED.I HAVE TO AGREE AURILIA
IS THE
> REDS MVP SO FAR,HE IS A BETTER FIT AT SHORT THAN CLAYTON.I HOPE KIM
> LEAVES HIS 16 ERA AND STARTS FRESH BUT WE WILL SEE.EVERY GAME COUNTS
> FROM HERE ON OUT,GO REDS
> --- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "Alan" <alcory11@> wrote:
> >
> > ...arroyo was on and kept his focus all the way...and matt morris'
> > one bad inning was all he really gave...great game...and rich
aurilia
> > showing again why i still think he's the reds' mvp this year...he
> > just does it every day, stays consistent, and his only mistakes
are
> > an error now and then...which everyone makes...without aurilia
this
> > club is fighting with pittsburgh and chicago for the bottom of
this
> > division...taking nothing away from freel and hatteburg and the
rest,
> > aurilia is the guy...
> > ...so the reds are 3 down to san diego and still behind
philadelphia
> > and florida...they play the padres and marlins 3 each pretty
> > soon...win 2 of 3 from both teams and they pass florida...the
padres
> > will have to play their division rivals a lot, and i'm thinking
> > they'll have their hands full...so the reds could run right by
them
> > by taking on the cubs and pittsburgh the way they should...not
> > looking for the cardinals to do so badly they come back and let
the
> > reds catch them though...but i'm thinking the reds have a very
good
> > opportunity to be the wild card now, if they simply play
consistently
> > to their strengths...
> > ...freel is tired and needs a break, but griffey is
down...phillips
> > is pressing...and of course the bullpen is still a question, to
say
> > the least...i do think that has looked a bit better lately, and
might
> > just take off...be nice to get guardado back, though...he's not
> > lights out, but still a real force for the mental and "guts" side
of
> > things, just having him there...
> > ...don't know much about this new guy, kim or whatever, they got
from
> > arizona...sounds big and hard...we'll get a look tomorrow, it
seems...
> > ...everyone is going to call me crazy, but i'm looking for larue
to
> > come up with a couple of really big hits in the next couple of
> > weeks...this is a proven tough guy who, i think, has just had a
> > really tough year...if his past comes out, he'll be a plus...
> > ...and who knows...there are just too many teams still near
enough to
> > make some real noise...and this entire league has been a quagmire
of
> > sinking teams that keep bobbing back to the surface...i still say
> > that it'll be the team that manages to run off five or six wins
> > pretty soon that will get there...
> > ...see ya'll
> >
>

GREAT PITCHING FROM ARROYO,WHERE HAS THAT BEEN?FINALLY GOT RID OF THOSE
UGLY CORNROLLS!THE OFFENSE IS STILL SLUGGISH DUNN HAS TO COME OUT OF HIS
SLUMP HES LOOKING CONFUSED AND FRUSTRATED.I HAVE TO AGREE AURILIA IS THE
REDS MVP SO FAR,HE IS A BETTER FIT AT SHORT THAN CLAYTON.I HOPE KIM
LEAVES HIS 16 ERA AND STARTS FRESH BUT WE WILL SEE.EVERY GAME COUNTS
FROM HERE ON OUT,GO REDS
--- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, "Alan" <alcory11@...> wrote:
>
> ...arroyo was on and kept his focus all the way...and matt morris'
> one bad inning was all he really gave...great game...and rich aurilia
> showing again why i still think he's the reds' mvp this year...he
> just does it every day, stays consistent, and his only mistakes are
> an error now and then...which everyone makes...without aurilia this
> club is fighting with pittsburgh and chicago for the bottom of this
> division...taking nothing away from freel and hatteburg and the rest,
> aurilia is the guy...
> ...so the reds are 3 down to san diego and still behind philadelphia
> and florida...they play the padres and marlins 3 each pretty
> soon...win 2 of 3 from both teams and they pass florida...the padres
> will have to play their division rivals a lot, and i'm thinking
> they'll have their hands full...so the reds could run right by them
> by taking on the cubs and pittsburgh the way they should...not
> looking for the cardinals to do so badly they come back and let the
> reds catch them though...but i'm thinking the reds have a very good
> opportunity to be the wild card now, if they simply play consistently
> to their strengths...
> ...freel is tired and needs a break, but griffey is down...phillips
> is pressing...and of course the bullpen is still a question, to say
> the least...i do think that has looked a bit better lately, and might
> just take off...be nice to get guardado back, though...he's not
> lights out, but still a real force for the mental and "guts" side of
> things, just having him there...
> ...don't know much about this new guy, kim or whatever, they got from
> arizona...sounds big and hard...we'll get a look tomorrow, it seems...
> ...everyone is going to call me crazy, but i'm looking for larue to
> come up with a couple of really big hits in the next couple of
> weeks...this is a proven tough guy who, i think, has just had a
> really tough year...if his past comes out, he'll be a plus...
> ...and who knows...there are just too many teams still near enough to
> make some real noise...and this entire league has been a quagmire of
> sinking teams that keep bobbing back to the surface...i still say
> that it'll be the team that manages to run off five or six wins
> pretty soon that will get there...
> ...see ya'll
>

...arroyo was on and kept his focus all the way...and matt morris'
one bad inning was all he really gave...great game...and rich aurilia
showing again why i still think he's the reds' mvp this year...he
just does it every day, stays consistent, and his only mistakes are
an error now and then...which everyone makes...without aurilia this
club is fighting with pittsburgh and chicago for the bottom of this
division...taking nothing away from freel and hatteburg and the rest,
aurilia is the guy...
...so the reds are 3 down to san diego and still behind philadelphia
and florida...they play the padres and marlins 3 each pretty
soon...win 2 of 3 from both teams and they pass florida...the padres
will have to play their division rivals a lot, and i'm thinking
they'll have their hands full...so the reds could run right by them
by taking on the cubs and pittsburgh the way they should...not
looking for the cardinals to do so badly they come back and let the
reds catch them though...but i'm thinking the reds have a very good
opportunity to be the wild card now, if they simply play consistently
to their strengths...
...freel is tired and needs a break, but griffey is down...phillips
is pressing...and of course the bullpen is still a question, to say
the least...i do think that has looked a bit better lately, and might
just take off...be nice to get guardado back, though...he's not
lights out, but still a real force for the mental and "guts" side of
things, just having him there...
...don't know much about this new guy, kim or whatever, they got from
arizona...sounds big and hard...we'll get a look tomorrow, it seems...
...everyone is going to call me crazy, but i'm looking for larue to
come up with a couple of really big hits in the next couple of
weeks...this is a proven tough guy who, i think, has just had a
really tough year...if his past comes out, he'll be a plus...
...and who knows...there are just too many teams still near enough to
make some real noise...and this entire league has been a quagmire of
sinking teams that keep bobbing back to the surface...i still say
that it'll be the team that manages to run off five or six wins
pretty soon that will get there...
...see ya'll

...but one thing this season has shown everybody...there just isn't
any way at all to tell how things will be a few days down the
road...with all the inconsistency among all these clubs, there is one
thing for sure...the end will be a surprise for everybody...i think
it could work out to be maybe 15 or 16 wins being enough...of course,
like i've said...a team on a good streak could make anything else
come up short...
...let's see how things go...




--- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, Augusto Hernandez
<nitropr45@...> wrote:
>
> I feel dissapointed but hopeful. Like I say before we started this
10 road games, we needed to get out with a 6-4 at least, did not
happened. So what is the deal now, easy, we ned to win at least 18
more games to get in, but phillies, fish, padres and 'stos are in
there. The home games got to be won, starting today. Anything less is
bye bye reds.
>
> Alan <alcory11@...> wrote:          ...well, i've been out of town
the whole weekend and didn't get to
> keep up with everything...just looking at the past couple of
days...i
> had thought the first game with the padres might have signalled
some
> renewal with the offense, but peavy and wells really put the kibosh
> on that...
> ...falling behind the padres is one thing, and that can be made up
> when they face each other at GABP soon...but finding themselves
> behind two other teams...phillies and marlins...complicates
> things...it's always a lot easier to just have to catch one
> team...and better to be, say 5 behind just one team than like they
> are...this means that there are three teams with only one needed to
> catch fire...and the marlins surely have done that lately...
> ...looks like quite a lot else has not been good...freel just isn't
> hitting, and he has to set the table...ross had two straight games
> with throwing errors...the list goes on...majewski was only part of
> the problem when he pitched...he did okay the night before...he's
one
> of the guys they really need to come around, and if he is healthy
> could still be a plus...i personally don't think anyone can really
> say jerry narron did anything wrong...seems to me that anyone
> managing the reds lately would be in for some hard results...this
> team is finding everything difficult to do...
> ...i do have to say that they need to use this homestand to make
some
> hay...they are still right there, and a simple 5 game win streak
> would not only gain them some ground, but also help them realize
the
> wheels haven't come off yet...
> ...of course, it doesn't look good in a lot of ways, but i'll hold
> off awhile yet on all that...
> ...let's go reds...
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Augusto Hernandez
>
>
> ---------------------------------
>  All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things
done faster.
>

...well, i've been out of town the whole weekend and didn't get to
keep up with everything...just looking at the past couple of days...i
had thought the first game with the padres might have signalled some
renewal with the offense, but peavy and wells really put the kibosh
on that...
...falling behind the padres is one thing, and that can be made up
when they face each other at GABP soon...but finding themselves
behind two other teams...phillies and marlins...complicates
things...it's always a lot easier to just have to catch one
team...and better to be, say 5 behind just one team than like they
are...this means that there are three teams with only one needed to
catch fire...and the marlins surely have done that lately...
...looks like quite a lot else has not been good...freel just isn't
hitting, and he has to set the table...ross had two straight games
with throwing errors...the list goes on...majewski was only part of
the problem when he pitched...he did okay the night before...he's one
of the guys they really need to come around, and if he is healthy
could still be a plus...i personally don't think anyone can really
say jerry narron did anything wrong...seems to me that anyone
managing the reds lately would be in for some hard results...this
team is finding everything difficult to do...
...i do have to say that they need to use this homestand to make some
hay...they are still right there, and a simple 5 game win streak
would not only gain them some ground, but also help them realize the
wheels haven't come off yet...
...of course, it doesn't look good in a lot of ways, but i'll hold
off awhile yet on all that...
...let's go reds...

...well, i've been out of town the whole weekend and didn't get to
keep up with everything...just looking at the past couple of days...i
had thought the first game with the padres might have signalled some
renewal with the offense, but peavy and wells really put the kibosh
on that...
...falling behind the padres is one thing, and that can be made up
when they face each other at GABP soon...but finding themselves
behind two other teams...phillies and marlins...complicates
things...it's always a lot easier to just have to catch one
team...and better to be, say 5 behind just one team than like they
are...this means that there are three teams with only one needed to
catch fire...and the marlins surely have done that lately...
...looks like quite a lot else has not been good...freel just isn't
hitting, and he has to set the table...ross had two straight games
with throwing errors...the list goes on...majewski was only part of
the problem when he pitched...he did okay the night before...he's one
of the guys they really need to come around, and if he is healthy
could still be a plus...i personally don't think anyone can really
say jerry narron did anything wrong...seems to me that anyone
managing the reds lately would be in for some hard results...this
team is finding everything difficult to do...
...i do have to say that they need to use this homestand to make some
hay...they are still right there, and a simple 5 game win streak
would not only gain them some ground, but also help them realize the
wheels haven't come off yet...
...of course, it doesn't look good in a lot of ways, but i'll hold
off awhile yet on all that...
...let's go reds...

WELL HERE WE GO AGAIN.THE REDS CAME TO TOWN OVER THE WEEKEND AND I
WENT TO SEE THEM PLAY AT PETCO PARK.MAN WAS I DISSAPOINTED! GOOD GAME
UP UNTIL NARRON BROUGHT IN MAJEWSKI.I KNEW WHAT WAS GOING TO
HAPPEN,EVEN MY WIFE WAS SAYING WHY ARE THEY BRINGING IN MAJEWSKI WITH
A 1-1 TIE AND HE WOULD BE THE LAST PERSON TO PITCH IN A CLOSE GAME
LIKE THAT.EVERY GAME COUNTS NOW,DOESNT NARRON KNOW HIS TEAM IS
FIGHTING FOR THE WILD CARD?FREEL HAD A COUPLE OF GREAT CATCHES AND
THAT WAS NICE TO WATCH.I LOST MY VOICE I WAS SCREAMING SO LOUD!I WAS
IN RIGHT FIELD AND WAS DISSAPOINTED WHEN GRIFFEY WASNT ANNOUNCED TO
START,THAT WAS THE MAIN REASON I WENT.BUT LIKE I HAVE BEEN SAYING ALL
SEASON LONG NARRON IS A SORRY MANAGER AND TO BRING IN THE WORST
RELEIVER IN THAT SITUATION JUST PROVES MY POINT THAT NARRON HAS HIS
HEAD UP HIS YOU KNOW WHAT!WELL THERES ALWAYS THE BENGALS

hi david...great to hear from you...lol...just spent a couple minutes
doing a reply and it disappeared...so here goes again...
...been a fan since moving to cincy in '56 and finding out about
baseball...lived away from there since '61, but the reds have always
been "it" for me...haven't had the techie stuff all that time, so
it's been the papers and occasional tv games...but i've never lost my
love for this team...
...yep, the lopez/kearns deal hasn't looked too good...but bray is a
rookie and has shown up well at times...needs to learn, and could be
a good one...majewski was hurt, but am hearing his rehab is good and
he is doing well...got some zip back and his pitches are moving...he
had a couple of good years, so he has the stuff...i never liked lopez
much...he's pretty good at the plate, though one solid year doesn't
mean a great career, and he's just not too good in the field...and
somehow i really don't think that'll improve much...hated to lose
kearns, but good outfielders are easy to come by, and the reds have a
glut of them every year...and those two would command large contracts
soon, something the reds can't do at every position...i still think
the deal for griffey...and i love him here...was a mistake when it
was made...too much for any position player on this club, and it has
prevented them from going after solid pitching...the only reason they
have the pitching they have now is that the payroll went up $25
million since that trade...and i think that $65 million is about as
much as they can continually work with...
...and you are right about the long ball...this club isn't very good
at getting the runs in when they don't get it...i think i've seen
about 400 runs missed out on when they've had runners in scoring
position and less than two outs this year...good teams get those runs
in...how many times have we seen the reds have the bases loaded with
no outs and fail to score...that really is bad...
...i, too, like phillips...don't know where he'll settle as far as
production goes in his career, but he has a great attitude...he
learns and rebounds...i remember joe morgan coming in from
houston...everyone knew he could hit and run, but his fielding was
average at best...he made himself into a great defensive player...
...ross has been a nice find...been around a few years though, and
i'm not ready to write him in as the answer behind the plate...his
defense and so on is very average at best...and i'm not completely
convinced larue is done...saying his one bad year is how it is just
seems too much like saying ross' one good year is how it is...larue
has always been streaky, but he's solid behind the plate, pitchers
like throwing to him, and he's always been streaky, but a solid .260
hitter with some pop...he knows how the game is played...
...i really like wayne krivsky...he knows a winning team starts in
the bullpen, and that is most effective behind solid innings-eaters
for starters, and that is set up by good defense and a lineup that
knows how to score runs...i lived in dalls for 4 years, and watched a
booming lineup score bunches of runs nearly every day...6, 8,
11...and still lose many of those games, even with starters like
kevin brown and kenny rogers...their defense and bullpen was just not
there too often, and it seemed every team could outscore them, no
matter how many runs they put up...over history, the great teams have
always had solid pitching and defense...even the big red machine days
were like that...a lot of people don't recall who they had for
pitchers, but if you check back, you'll find they didn't need to
score 15 runs a game to win...
...anyway...hope you'll keep on chiming in...i know lots of us kind
of go with how the reds go, but even if they take it on the chin,
it's still good to flex a little, let it out...i spent so many years
off somewhere else, and of course, the reds weren't quite as much to
people in arizona or hawaii or germany...so it was a little difficult
even talking about the reds...this group is great for me, and i sure
hope a lot of people will just start posting or whatever...doesn't
matter what it is, it's great to know someone else
understands...lol...





--- In CincinnatiReds@yahoogroups.com, david frieden
<dogtown_zboys1975@...> wrote:
>
> Whats up gang,Ive sat bye the whole season reading posts watching
the games,but never adding my 2 cents.Im a long time Reds fans since
Ive been a kid back in the seventies and I now live in Georgia,but
thanks to the internet and cable with the mlb package I dont miss a
game at least I dont miss many I should say.
>     I must say this is one weird season with alot of up and downs,I
think we should be thankful that the cardinals are having a down year
or we would really be hurting right not,so thank you cardinals for
letting us stay close.
>     I feel we got ripped on the lopez and kearns deal,but I also
feel the Freel has done outstanding in right field.I didnt mind
trading lopez and Kearns,but our return was average at best,I do
understand that we have a shortstop in the minors about 2 years away
so I guess we have clayton for 2 years-- maybe we can get castros bat
to come alive,Im not a big Clayton fan.
>      I remember some of our earlier winning streaks was when
Griffery was on the DL???????? Now dont get me wrong I like Griffery
and he has saved our butts with walkoff homeruns,but sometimes I
think that is our problem everyone waiting for the long ball.
>     Brandon Phillips what can you say,I have fallen in love with
phillips(dont take out of context,lol)Im so glad that he is having a
great year.
>     David Ross work on his defensive and we have our catcher,I cant
stand his batting stance,but he has pop in that bat.
>     I didnt mean to go on and on,but here is our solution for a
post season birth and that is to bring Joe Nuxell   back into the
booth with Marty wow what a team they are the best.I just bought the
1975 cincinnati  reds season hightlights on cd off ebay and to sit
back and listen to joe and marty really brings back the memories of
the big red machine a well oiled machine is what they were.My ring
tone on my cell phone is joe and marty calling a homerun shot from
johnny bench,so everytime someone calls i hear marty saying"its hit
to deep left field,(and joe in the backgound yelling GET OUT! GET
OUT!)---and then marty saying and this one belongs to the reds".
>      I will close with this PUT PETE ROSE IN THE HALL OF
FAME........
>
>                                          Take Care
>
>
>                                            David
>
> Alan <alcory11@...> wrote:
>           ...6 more games with san diego, 3 with san fran, 3 with
houston, 3
> with florida...plus 7 with chicago, 6 with pittsburgh...the reds
have
> a real opportunity to push the bulk of their main rivals for the
post
> season behind them, and have 13 games with the two bottom dwellers
in
> their own division...
> ...i'm looking for the reds to finally be ready to show their stuff
> now...can't exactly put my finger on it, but a couple of things
come
> to mind right away...first, they have all season gone on a hitting
> tear after their past funks at the plate...if they stay true to
form,
> this next week could be very profitable for them...and have you
> noticed that a couple of the guys in the bullpen have been pretty
> good lately? david weathers and rheal cormier are more in usual
> form...yeah, there were a couple of runs given up by the pen over
the
> past week here and there, but it has been significantly better than
> before...okay, not all roses, of course, but they just look
> better...i really liked coffey his last couple times out...and i'd
> sure rather they challenged and gave up something than the way they
> had been nibbling and getting into trouble of their own making...
> ...i see they've sent belisle down...is it just me? i know he gave
> up 4 straight singles the other night, and he is noted for control
> problems, but they only pitch i saw hit with any authority was
picked
> of by aurilia and turned into a 3-2-3 double play...well, he's just
> off the DL...maybe needs some work...just seemed to me he was more
> snakebit than hit, know what i mean?
> ...can't say what i really believe in terms of how the season will
> turn out...a lot depends on those other teams still close...jeez,
> even atlanta has worked into the fray, and only needs to run off
> about 7 in a row to be up close...still, san diego and philly are
> most biggest concern...they both have pretty solid clubs, and if
> their pitching is good they will be hard to deny...i'm looking for
> san fran and florida to fade, as neither really has much more than
> desire...both lack pitching depth, and september is always all
about
> pitching...that brings me back to the reds...
> ...our boys really do have the horses...this past week showed
> that...i know they got whacked, but this time it was more a lack of
> hitting than anything else...i would still like to see them smooth
> out on defense...but like i mentioned, the pitching wasn't really
too
> bad...a couple of really rough innings, but overall, if the hitting
> had been there, they could easily be 5-2 rather than 1-6 on this
> trip...
> ...i think freel needs some rest, and maybe encarnacion as well...i
> know we need them in the lineup, but remember, the idea is to win
> about 18 of the final 28...and those two look like they are
> pressing...would also like to see freel move to center and griffey
to
> right...much as i hate to say it, but junior is not the junior we
> know from years gone by...might not be a good move this year, but
for
> the remaining couple of years on his contract, junior really needs
to
> step into a lesser position...he still has the arm to play right
> field, and it would be a lot less taxing on him over the season...
> ...i know lots don't like it, but with the club as it is, i really
> have liked dunn hitting second...lots more bats behind him means he
> gets more pitches in the zone...he just hits better there, and when
> combined with his walks and homers, it's a plus...besides, with his
> strike outs, it means that when the leadoff hitter gets on, there's
> less probability he hits into a double play...just something to
think
> about...
> ...well, it's down to the final four weeks...i know the team has
> slipped, and i know it's got a lot to do with how those other teams
> play down the stretch...but i'm pretty optimistic about the reds
just
> now...maybe overly so, but they've played just this way all year,
and
> i'm looking for nothing to change...a bad streak followed by a
solid
> run...
> ...and one more time...i still think jerry narron has somehow
gotten
> this team to this point...don't agree with all he's done, but with
> all the obvious inconsistency inherent to these guys, i think he's
> gotten a lot more out of them than most would have...
> ...see ya...
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
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call rates.
>

...6 more games with san diego, 3 with san fran, 3 with houston, 3
with florida...plus 7 with chicago, 6 with pittsburgh...the reds have
a real opportunity to push the bulk of their main rivals for the post
season behind them, and have 13 games with the two bottom dwellers in
their own division...
...i'm looking for the reds to finally be ready to show their stuff
now...can't exactly put my finger on it, but a couple of things come
to mind right away...first, they have all season gone on a hitting
tear after their past funks at the plate...if they stay true to form,
this next week could be very profitable for them...and have you
noticed that a couple of the guys in the bullpen have been pretty
good lately? david weathers and rheal cormier are more in usual
form...yeah, there were a couple of runs given up by the pen over the
past week here and there, but it has been significantly better than
before...okay, not all roses, of course, but they just look
better...i really liked coffey his last couple times out...and i'd
sure rather they challenged and gave up something than the way they
had been nibbling and getting into trouble of their own making...
...i see they've sent belisle down...is it just me? i know he gave
up 4 straight singles the other night, and he is noted for control
problems, but they only pitch i saw hit with any authority was picked
of by aurilia and turned into a 3-2-3 double play...well, he's just
off the DL...maybe needs some work...just seemed to me he was more
snakebit than hit, know what i mean?
...can't say what i really believe in terms of how the season will
turn out...a lot depends on those other teams still close...jeez,
even atlanta has worked into the fray, and only needs to run off
about 7 in a row to be up close...still, san diego and philly are
most biggest concern...they both have pretty solid clubs, and if
their pitching is good they will be hard to deny...i'm looking for
san fran and florida to fade, as neither really has much more than
desire...both lack pitching depth, and september is always all about
pitching...that brings me back to the reds...
...our boys really do have the horses...this past week showed
that...i know they got whacked, but this time it was more a lack of
hitting than anything else...i would still like to see them smooth
out on defense...but like i mentioned, the pitching wasn't really too
bad...a couple of really rough innings, but overall, if the hitting
had been there, they could easily be 5-2 rather than 1-6 on this
trip...
...i think freel needs some rest, and maybe encarnacion as well...i
know we need them in the lineup, but remember, the idea is to win
about 18 of the final 28...and those two look like they are
pressing...would also like to see freel move to center and griffey to
right...much as i hate to say it, but junior is not the junior we
know from years gone by...might not be a good move this year, but for
the remaining couple of years on his contract, junior really needs to
step into a lesser position...he still has the arm to play right
field, and it would be a lot less taxing on him over the season...
...i know lots don't like it, but with the club as it is, i really
have liked dunn hitting second...lots more bats behind him means he
gets more pitches in the zone...he just hits better there, and when
combined with his walks and homers, it's a plus...besides, with his
strike outs, it means that when the leadoff hitter gets on, there's
less probability he hits into a double play...just something to think
about...
...well, it's down to the final four weeks...i know the team has
slipped, and i know it's got a lot to do with how those other teams
play down the stretch...but i'm pretty optimistic about the reds just
now...maybe overly so, but they've played just this way all year, and
i'm looking for nothing to change...a bad streak followed by a solid
run...
...and one more time...i still think jerry narron has somehow gotten
this team to this point...don't agree with all he's done, but with
all the obvious inconsistency inherent to these guys, i think he's
gotten a lot more out of them than most would have...
...see ya...