Big Reds Machine manager Sparky Anderson with second baseman Joe Morgan I grew up idolizing my Cincinnati Reds and through the 1970's they were the greatest team in Major League Baseball. Their amazing second baseman, Joe Morgan, passed away yesterday. He was a powerful hitter for what was a smaller than standard sized player. He … Continue reading In Memoriam – Joe Morgan
Baseball
In Memoriam: Bob Gibson
When I was growing up, my mom was a Detroit Tigers fan because it was the city where she was born and grew up. When I was ten years old they were in the World Series but my mom taught me respect for the dominate opposing pitcher, Bob Gibson of the St. Louis Cardinals. His … Continue reading In Memoriam: Bob Gibson
The Unfortunate End of the 2020 Cincinnati Reds Season
The first Reds postseason in seven years was painfully short. We didn't score a run or win a game. The Atlanta Braves gave us a nasty spanking. But now we Reds fans take up the motto of the last thirty years. "Wait till next year!" Go Reds! Time to put up the 2020 uniforms. As … Continue reading The Unfortunate End of the 2020 Cincinnati Reds Season
Let the Playoffs begin!
I've only been publishing this blog for a few years and the Cincinnati Reds have not been in the playoffs since 2013. So this is the first time I can revel in October baseball for my favorite club. They start the series in Atlanta in this compressed oddest of baseball years. Only a three game … Continue reading Let the Playoffs begin!
Cincinnati Reds are in the 2020 Playoffs!
For the first time in 7 years my Cincinnati Reds will be in the post season! Finally! All long suffering Reds fans are thrilled and will take whatever asterisk people want to attach to the 2020 season. After middling play for most of the season the Reds caught fire in the final weeks and this … Continue reading Cincinnati Reds are in the 2020 Playoffs!
Hoping my Reds don’t Break my Heart
We are down to the last week of this shortened baseball season. My Cincinnati Reds have gotten hot when they need it most and have reached .500 and are in the group who would be in the playoffs if the season ends today. But there are six games left to go and my Redlegs must … Continue reading Hoping my Reds don’t Break my Heart
Good and Bad for the Reds so far…
My Cincinnati Reds aren't out of it yet. That's the good news. In this shortened season they are 9-11 and about a third of the way through. Translated to a regular season they would be about 24-30 at the end of May. They need to pick it up but just had the weekend games postponed … Continue reading Good and Bad for the Reds so far…
Baseball 2020 Style is Here!
I'm old-fashioned. I love baseball. I have missed it so. Tonight is a long delayed Opening Day because of the Coronavirus Crisis. The season is trimmed from 162 games to only 60. Teams will play in empty stadiums and only regional teams and with special rules. This season will certainly carry an asterisk. No problem. … Continue reading Baseball 2020 Style is Here!
2020 MLB finally getting underway – Go Reds!
After an interruption from a particularly nasty virus Major League Baseball gets underway today in an abbreviated season. Schedule adjustments and rule changes abound to squeeze in a semblance of a season as training will be held at home stadiums and Opening Day will happen on July 23. There is good and bad news for … Continue reading 2020 MLB finally getting underway – Go Reds!
A surprised thank you to Korea
I've already lamented the delayed start to Major League Baseball and my Cincinnati Reds season and it is very depressing. On a lark I caught up with the opening of professional baseball in South Korea this week being broadcast on ESPN. There are only ten teams in this small nation's league but they started playing … Continue reading A surprised thank you to Korea
Finally – a crisis suited to my skills
I would be no good in case of a flood as I am not a great swimmer. I can't run that fast, so getting to a shelter when a tornado threatens would be a problem. But the current COVID-19 crisis simply calls for me to stay at home and do nothing. This I can do. … Continue reading Finally – a crisis suited to my skills
First Cincinnati Reds Spring Training Game
Last year I celebrated the Cincinnati Reds season with bombast and boasting, thinking the title was in the bag. Wasn't. I was wrong. Another disappointing season. This year I will be more quiet but still enthusiastic. We can do this guys. Today is the first spring training game of the 2020 campaign. Welcome baseball. Go … Continue reading First Cincinnati Reds Spring Training Game
A very warm, very special day
I'm sure you already know what a special day today is. I bet you're already feeling warm and happy. Because unofficially winter is over. You see, pitchers and catchers report to the Cincinnati Reds camp today to start Spring Training so I have a happy and warm feeling all over. Wait a moment, someone is … Continue reading A very warm, very special day
National Football Hangover Day
Okay, everyone who didn't watch the big game last night, raise your hand. Hmmm. Thought so. What I love is that TiVO has a feature where the DVR will play back the recording skipping the game and letting you watch just the commercials. Though generally, I thought they were a deeply mixed group (except for … Continue reading National Football Hangover Day
The Cincinnati Reds 2020 campaign
I thought last year was the season we would win it all but I was wrong. Turns out this season will be that magic year. I'm sure of it (as any baseball fan will let you know). Pitchers and catchers report in 43 days. Of course, hope springs eternal every year for baseball fans, especially … Continue reading The Cincinnati Reds 2020 campaign
2019 World Series rooting interest
As we reach the end of the 2019 baseball season I find myself without the Cincinnati Reds or even the New York Yankees with good ex-Reds representatives to root for. While I admire the Houston Astros and all they have accomplished since they transferred to the AL, I'm basically a National League sort of guy. … Continue reading 2019 World Series rooting interest
Final #ATOBTTR Update
Another Cincinnati Reds season has come to a close without a playoff berth. My predictions of glory in the 150th year of the team, in the final career year of great broadcaster Marty Brennaman, were wrong. There is no joy in Mudville. But the team showed unusual resilience and spark with lots of possibilities and … Continue reading Final #ATOBTTR Update
We need more than #SneakOnIn
#ATOBTTR update - As my Cincinnati Reds have flirted with a playoff run in the second half of the season a new hashtag has emerged from a phrase by our superstar first baseman, Joey Votto. His strategy is to "sneak" into the playoffs while other teams are focused on someone else. After getting swept by … Continue reading We need more than #SneakOnIn
Mid-Season #ATOBTTR Update
Here we are just before the All-Star Game (where we Cincinnati Reds are woefully under-represented) and just past the numerical middle of the season. I've been rooting for my favorite team all year, convinced that a confluence of factors would lead us to a Championship Season. We're still under 500%, bottom of the division and … Continue reading Mid-Season #ATOBTTR Update
#ATOBTTR Special Edition
You may have noted on my blog this year that after select postings (after each complete series) I've included a segment celebrating the call of announcer Marty Brenneman whenever the Cincinnati Reds win a ballgame - And This One Belongs To The Reds! Hasn't happened nearly enough this season. I provide a pep talk to … Continue reading #ATOBTTR Special Edition
National Apple Pie Day
Today is National Apple Pie Day and later today I plan to bake one just to honor this special day. I'll start with a Pillsbury Pie Crust unrolled and pressed into a glass pie baking dish. Before you get all persnickety about pre-made pie crusts, you can check out exactly why I do so with … Continue reading National Apple Pie Day
#ATOBTTR comes to New York City
My hometown Cincinnati Reds are in my dearly adopted New York City for a four game series against the Mets. I can't wait and will be watching closely. I will do all I can to help my Reds, including wearing their gear and joining them at CitiField Tuesday night. Of course, all will also be … Continue reading #ATOBTTR comes to New York City
“At the Diner with Dad” to be performed in Hood River, Oregon
My short play "At the Diner with Dad" will be performed at the Adult Center Theater in Hood River, Oregon over the next two weekends. Performances are scheduled for April 26-28 and May 5-8. It will be part of a program of four short play on the theme of "Parents and Their Adult Children." As … Continue reading “At the Diner with Dad” to be performed in Hood River, Oregon
Ahem, about that #ATOBTTR post
So last week I celebrated the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day win saying I would crow with the hashtag ATOBTTR - the signal winning call of vaunted Marty Brenneman "And This One Belongs To The Reds." Problem is that it has not been heard since. Yep, we have lost every game since Opening Day and stand … Continue reading Ahem, about that #ATOBTTR post
#ATOBTTR
Get used to seeing the above in my social media. It is the hashtag of Marty Brenneman's signature sign off after Cincinnati wins a game "And This One Belongs To The Reds." We won't hear it again after this season as Marty is retiring and replacement announcers are careful not to co-opt it while he … Continue reading #ATOBTTR
