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
Cincinnati Reds
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!
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
National Soft (Serve) Ice Cream Day
Warning: do not let your children (or grandchildren) see this post. Ice Cream is always a delightful sweet treat during hot summer days. While my favorite will always be the Graeter's brand from Cincinnati, I also enjoy a nice soft-serve cone. The concept was born by a young fellow named Tom Carvel - you may … Continue reading National Soft (Serve) Ice Cream Day
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
National Chili Dog Day
I've said it before and will happily say it again. My favorite Chili Dog is known as a Cheese Coney in Cincinnati Chili Parlors. Bun, stripe of yellow mustard, hot dog, diced onions, Cincinnati Chili*, generous heap of mild cheddar cheese. Deeeeeeelicious treat. You can find one in Edward's restaurant this Monday (Cincinnati brands every … Continue reading National Chili Dog Day
National Hammock Day
It is perfect that National Hammock Day falls in the middle of the dog days of summer. Strung between two shade trees, there is nothing more relaxing than a (yawn) hammock. As you slowly rock back and forth and the sun gently dapples your eyes (yaaaawn) one gets so verrrrry rrrrrestful. Mmmmble. It's just perfect. … Continue reading National Hammock Day
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
FootNotes #4 – Next Steps…or no steps at all for a while!
Good news about my ankle break is that it is coming along nicely with slow progress. The doctors have chosen not to operate for a variety of reasons but assure me that with their care and binding that it will heal just fine. Just as well with me as surgery can always pose other risks. … Continue reading FootNotes #4 – Next Steps…or no steps at all for a while!
Some Broadway Musings
My recent ankle injury will keep me from getting to the theatre for a while but that doesn't stop me from paying attention. This is not encyclopedic but a few comments... The shakeout from the recent Tony awards did not reward "Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus" and "Hillary and Clinton" and quickly closed. Unfortunate, … Continue reading Some Broadway Musings
National Strawberry Parfait Day
If Strawberries aren't the fruit of summer, some marketing firm has sure been working hard to make it so. When I went looking for recipes for todays special day I found lots with ice cream, various crumbled cookies, rich whipped cream, frozen strawberries, even canned strawberry pie filling. Yuck. You can make it much more … Continue reading National Strawberry Parfait Day
Review – Gary: The Sequel to Titus Andronicus
Start with the "source material" - Shakespeare's bloodiest play "Titus Andronicus." This isn't really a sequel. Sure Taylor Mac's script starts by plucking three minor characters from Will's play to follow as they clean up all the corpses (and they are stacked high in Santo Loquasto's set). In theory they are here to clean up … Continue reading Review – Gary: The Sequel to Titus Andronicus
His own private screen at dinner
Quick note. I recently went to a restaurant where I noted there was a perfectly behaved and quiet child at a nearby table. Then I spied why. He had his own private cartoon show screen on a smart phone for his entire dinner. He was enthralled and paid only half attention to his Cheerios. I … Continue reading His own private screen at dinner
