Show preview
3:05, ESPN 1530, 6:05 Inside Pitch, 700 WLW 
Guests
John Erardi, Enquirer
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.com
Topics
Reds
Protecting MLB pitchers
Baseball cap wars: Bent or flat billed? 
Bengals: Is Michael Johnson a goner? 

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Reds

The perfect Sports Talk Radio team
On a daily basis I try to come up with interesting and thought provoking topics surrounding the Reds. Some Reds' seasons and teams are tougher than others. This team is easy. This team is perfect. They have all the elements for Sports Talk radio. They created excitement and celebration, they create concern and panic. 
They are good enough to be 43-29, with the 3rd best record in MLB (behind STL/BOS). 
They are flawed enough to sit in 2nd place in the Central, behind a hated rival.
They are good enough to beat bad teams, but flawed enough to struggle with good teams. 
Offensively they rank 8th (MLB), 3rd (NL) in runs and feature the likes of Votto, Bruce, Phillips and Choo.
Yet, offensively they can struggle at the catcher and shortstop position, with 2-spot production, consistency, making contact and hitting with runners in scoring position.
The hitting coach and approach/philosophy are always up for debate.
The starting pitching is really, really good, (3.20, 2nd MLB).
The 'ace' of the staff has been injured three times since last October.
The most consistent starting pitcher is a free agent at end of season.
The bullpen has issues (3.78 16th), six blown leads going to 8th inning and 14 losses.
The closer is one of the most electric arms in MLB.
The closer's use and role is an on-going debate.
The manager is known to 'bristle' over second guessing and tends to be stubborn in his ways. He provides constant hot-button issue for fans, from in-game strategy to lineups, batting order and handling of pitchers.
They have batters that get hit and pitchers that do the hitting, creating beanballs and retaliation debate. 
They have DL and team medical concerns (see Ludwick, Hanigan, Marshall, Cueto, Broxton). 
The injury issues put the state of the franchise depth in the spotlight for debate.
Shin-Soo Choo provides debate for the CF/leadoff spot for the future. 
Billy Hamilton struggles at Triple-A create concern for the future.
Tony Cingrani provides a 'what's best for now/best for future' debate. 
The trading of prospects in recent years means a constant wonder of 'what might have been'...ie Di Di Gregorious.
We love to talk attendance. Attendance is up, but still ranks middle of the pack.
The Reds present a case study in the meaning of the regular season, winning 97 games last year, but blowing a 2-0 playoff series lead vs SF last year. 
They present the hope of the present with 2 playoff appearances in 3 years, but also carry the burden of not having not won a playoff series since 1995. 

Tweet of note

@LanceMcAlister / 2nd time in last 4 games. Weird how this team doesn't feel like the 2nd best team in MLB, isn't it? Frustrating to watch.

— Rob Crawford (@robcrawford_rob) June 19, 2013

Hit batters bother Latos more than snapping streak
Mark Sheldon, MLB.com 
Choo was hit in the leg on Pirates starter Charlie Morton's first pitch of the night, and Latos could be seen on the top step of the Reds' dugout, yelling his displeasure.
"I think it's time that somebody steps up and starts disciplining the team that's drilled the most guys in the league," Latos said after the game. "They've hit a lot of guys, whether it's intentional or it's by accident. Something has got to be done about it."

Reds staring pitchers going 7 innings or more this year
Listener Jeff 
Bailey: 7 of 14 GS (50%).
Leake: 7 of 14 GS (50%).
Arroyo: 6 of 14 GS (43%).
Cueto: 3 of 7 GS (43%).
Cingrani: 2 of 7 GS (29%).
Latos: 4 of 15 GS (27%).

No HR for you
From Reds
Tuesday’s game was only the 68th homerless contest in the 11-year, 849-game history of Great American Ball Park, the fourth this season (4/16 vs Phi, 5/25 vs Chi, 6/7 vs StL)...only 3 times in this ballpark’s 11-year existence has there been a streak of 2 straight games without a home run by either team (8/6-8/7, 2005 vs Fla; 4/5-4/6, 2011 vs Hou; 9/12 vs Pit & 9/21 vs LAD, 2012)...there never has been a 3-game homerless stretch at GABP.

Seminar to address gambling and baseball
John Erardi, Enquirer 
The "national pastime and gambling" is still a front-burner topic in Cincinnati.
You wouldn't expect anything less in the home of professional baseball, would you?
From 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Crosley Room at Great American Ball Park - just before the Reds lock horns with the Pirates again – Cincinnati attorneys James Crowley and Jack Greiner will present a seminar that discusses the impact on baseball of Pete Rose and the Black Sox Scandal of 1919.

Should Cards deal for Lee?
Bernie Miklasz, St Louis Post Dispatch 
Should the Cardinals pursue Lee?
There’s no question that Lee would make the Cardinals more formidable as a contender for baseball’s top prize in 2013. It’s exciting to think of the Cardinals lining up with Wainwright, Lee, Lynn and Miller to take on all postseason challengers.
Our baseball fantasies aside, this is a complex issue that defies ludicrously simplistic answers.
Let’s take a look:

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Down on the Farm

Louisville Bats
Billy Hamilton 0 for 5
Zach Duke: Save, 2.1 IN, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K, 0 R, 29 pitches/19 strikes 
Listener Jeff points out Hamilton is batting .220 with a .225 OBP from the right side.
In 102 right handed PA's, Hamilton has just 1 walk and 27 K's.

Winker pumps homers, bumps Foster
Dayton Dragons 
DAYTON, Ohio -- Jesse Winker of the Dayton Dragons bumped fists with former Cincinnati Reds great George Foster, then went out and won Tuesday night's Home Run Derby contest prior to the Midwest League All-Star Game at Fifth Third Field.

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Stuff

Nick Van Exel added to Milwaukee Buck's coaching staff

Are sports fans getting bored with social media?

Why do so many hate Phil Mickelson?

See you at GABP Friday for a test drive and free Reds tickets!
I will be hanging out from 9:30 to 11:30. Stop by and say hello!

Test drive a new Chevy at GABP on Friday and get two free Reds tickets
CINCINNATI (June 17, 2013) — Reds fans are invited to Great American Ball Park on Friday, June 21 for the annual Chevy Ride & Drive event from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All fans that test drive a Chevrolet at the ballpark will receive two tickets to an upcoming Reds game on Sept. 4 or Sept. 23.
The Chevy vehicles available for test drive include: all-new 2014 Impala, Traverse, Equinox, Camaro, Cruze, Malibu and Volt.
Chevy representatives will meet fans near the entrance to the Reds Hall of Fame & Museum at 100 Joe Nuxhall Way. 
Must be 21 years of age and have a valid driver’s license. 
Limit one pair of tickets per fan, while supplies last.

Holy big shot, Batman!
What were you doing at midnight? I was watching Game 6 with Casey.
We were trying our best not to wake Kelly and Peyton. What a game!
Twitter was exploding. I didn't even know how to spell some of the sounds I was watching as we were jumping around/rolling around in the family room. 

(Getty Images)

Heat beat Spurs in OT classic, force Game 7
NBA.com 
LeBron's triple-double should quiet critics, for now

Bengals

'Hard Knocks' increases pressure on Dalton, Lewis
Adam Schein, NFL.com 
Now, ask yourself this: Is Cincinnati a team that currently has a franchise quarterback?
Take out a sheet of paper. Rank the quarterbacks in the NFL. Where do you have Dalton on your list? I have him as the 22nd-best quarterback in football.
One NFL executive told me on Monday night the ranking was "spot-on," while another wondered why he was "that high on the list."

As franchise tag deadline nears, don't expect many deals
Jason LaConfora, CBS Sports 
Michael Johnson, DE, Bengals: There doesn't seem to be much optimism at all regarding this situation. They haven't been able to agree on a market value and the Bengals are going to have to prepare to franchise all-world defensive tackle Geno Atkins ome 2014 given the chasm that exists in their early negotiations with him. There is some skepticism about how deep the Bengals will dig to keep talent, and with three defensive linemen needing to get paid in the next nine to 10 months, Johnson looks like a goner unless the Bengals step up significantly between now and mid-July.

Bengals can't blame 'Hard Knocks' for losing
Wall Street Journal 
The alleged "curse" of Hard Knocks also appears to be rubbish. The 2001 Baltimore Ravens, who were coming off a Super Bowl win in the season prior to filming, weren't able to repeat, but still managed to win 10 games.

I recently completed a 30x40" canvas painting of Geno flexing the guns. With hopes of getting it signed, I tweeted him and asked if he would be willing to take pictures with the painting. I was surprised to see him quickly reply and agree to do so. I asked if he would meet me at PBS in front of the Pro Shop before the Taste of the NFL event last Wednesday at 6:15pm. Keeping to his word, Geno came walking up the driveway alone and took pictures with me after autographing it the painting.
We chatted for a few minutes. The man couldn't be more down to earth and approachable, and he should be commended for being so fan-friendly and accessible. He didn't need to do this, or even reply to my tweet, yet took the time to go out of his way and meet up.

Just wanted to give a shout out to an elite pro-athlete for a simple good deed when so many of these small deeds go unnoticed. 

MLB

Protecting pitchers must be a priority
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN 
I would love to sit here and pontificate about how Major League Baseball needs to do something drastic -- and soon -- to ensure that pitchers are finally safe from ill-fated line drives through the box. It would be wonderful to never again endure the anxious, gut-churning moments that accompany a fallen pitcher being carried from the field, and waiting for him to flash a "thumbs up'' sign to let the crowd know that he's conscious and in good spirits.
Now for the reality check:

No simple solution for protecting pitchers
MLB.com
 "It's a situation we all kind of fear," Hamels said after the game. "At some point when you make enough pitches, it's probably going to happen. I'm just glad I was able to get my glove in the way and catch it."

Can MLB protect pitchers from inherent danger?
Star Tribune 
Pitchers undoubtedly will resist anything that interferes with their vision, focus or ability to function normally, even if it significantly reduced their risk of head injury. That’s just the competitive nature of professional athletes.
“I’m one of those guys that if somebody said, ‘You have to wear a helmet,’ I’d rather take the chance that I’m either not going to get hit, or if I get hit that I’ll survive,” Twins closer Glen Perkins said.

From October of 2012
MLB puts protecting pitchers on "fast track"
National Post 
DETROIT — Major League Baseball is looking at ways to protect pitchers from being injured by batted balls such as the one that struck Doug Fister in the head, and says hat liners are a possibility in the minors next year.
The safety issue is on a “fast track,” MLB senior vice-president Dan Halem said Friday night.
“Hopefully, we can come up with something,” he said. “We’re making progress.”

Last Saturday

Baseball Caps
I added to my Reds baseball cap collection on Saturday at GABP.
I wore a baseball cap almost every day of my life, until I was about 17-years old.
Now, I wear them simply because I don't have enough hair to protect me from the sun.
I collect various styles of hats, throw them on the shelf in my closet and rotate through them.
Saturday, after being told by Casey that I "wasn't cool enough" to wear my first choice, I went with Plan B. I got this 39Thirty style from New ERA. Nothing special about it, I've just never owned a white Reds hat, so I got one:

While studying the landscape of baseball caps in recent years, I've come to the conclusion that the industry has come off the tracks. What has happened? I watched Indiana vs Louisville in the College World Series Saturday night. I found myself wanting to reach through the TV screen and bend the bill on the cap of each player.

(AP photo)

What is it about the flat bill? Is it simply generational? Casey and Peyton often call me (lovingly, I think) a dork. To me, a dork wears a flat billed baseball cap. The first thing I always do when putting on a cap is bend the bill. It's a reflex reaction. The bill of a baseball cap wasn't designed to balance food on it. Which style do you prefer: Flat bill or bent?
VOTE in blog poll. 

MLB
How well do you know the rules? Take the quiz.

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Reds

Final: Reds 4 Pirates 1
28,892 at GABP
Record: 43-28
Reds season high 15 games over .500...reached in 6th try.
16th time in 71 games Reds have allowed 1 run or less in game, 29th time allowing 2 runs or less. Amazing.
Leake: 7 IN, 6 H, 1 R,  1 BB, 3 K,  101 pitches/70 strikes.
Cingrani gets 1st ML hold. I’d argue he would deserve 1st ML save. He saved it. Chapman got last 3 outs, bottom order.
Stay tuned? Leake hit McCutchen in back, Chapman buzzed Walker
Wouldn’t you think baseball would look at that game and say, “we really need to think about changing our save rule”?
Holy solo blasts, Batman: Cozart, Frazier, Votto, Bruce
Well done, Tony. That was a Sean Marshall situation and Cingrani was nails. The kid's got a pair.
Cool seatbelt wraps or not, shouldn't the FS Ohio girl and friend get a ticket from that cop for leaving the car parked on Crosley Terrace?
MLB At-Bat shows 17 pitches for Cingrani, 15 fastballs, 1 curve, 1 slider.

Mike Leake
Season: 7-3 2.64
Last seven starts: 5-1 1.15
Last 12 starts: 7-3 2.00
Allowed 2 or less in 9 of 14 starts
Allowed 3 or less in 11 of 14 starts 

Pitcher's best friend
Most double plays induced this year
16 Felix Hernandez, Mariners
16 Lucas Harrell, Astros
14 Mike Leake, Reds
Reds' staff:
14 Mike Leake
7 Mat Latos
6 Homer Bailey
6 Bronson Arroyo 

Mat Latos
*6-0 2.87 in 13 starts, only 2nd pitcher in franchise history to produce undefeated record and ERA under 3.00 in 1st 13 starts of season. (Mike LaCoss, 1979, 8-0 2.26).
*23 no decisions in 47 starts....8 in 14 this season.
*5 blown saves by bullpen in start by Latos this year.
*Latos has not lost decision in 21 consecutive starts, longest in franchise history (10-0 2.80). (Elias Sports Bureau).
*Latos has just one loss in last 28 starts (August 24 of last year vs St Louis). 
*10 game winning streak Reds' longest since Scott Sullivan won 10 row 2001-2002.
*No Reds pitcher has won 11 row since Denny Neagle over 1999-2000 season. (Elias Sports Bureau).
*Since being acquired in the trade with San Diego, Latos has made 47 starts and is 20-4 3.31 with 23 no decisions. 
*The Reds are 10-4 when Latos starts this year, and 33-14 since the trade. 
*27 career starts at GABP: 13-3 3.02, best ERA for pitcher who has made at least 10 starts at GABP.

Contract status:
Latos
2013: $4.25M
2014: $7.25M
2015: Eligible for arbitration (3rd, last time) 
Bailey:
2013: $5.35M
2014: Arbitration
2015: Free agent
Cueto:  
2013: $7.4M
2014: $10M
2015: $10M club option ($0.8M buyout)
Arroyo:
2013: $6.5M this year, then free agent
Leake:
2013: $3.06M
2014: Arbitration
2015: Arbitration

Trade candidate: Jesse Crain
MLBTradeRumors
Crain, 31, should be a valuable piece nonetheless. His strikeout rate has improved in every season since 2005, and this year he's taken a step forward with his control as well. He's posted an 0.60 ERA this season, with 11.7 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9, and he hasn't allowed a run in 26 straight appearances. The 0.60 ERA isn't sustainable, clearly, but Crain's strikeout rate and walk rate are both very strong. He's capable of getting outs with either his mid-90s fastball or his plus slider. He's also effective against both righties and lefties, which makes him an excellent fit in his current role as a setup man. A creative team in need of a closer could also do worse than to trade for Crain and use him in that position.

Forget Paplebon, target Crain
FanGraphs 
Papelbon’s track record and name recognition are vastly superior to Crain’s, but given their performances over the last few years, its hard to make a case that Crain isn’t at least in the same ballpark in terms of late inning reliever dominance. And yet, unlike Papelbon, Crain isn’t due $13 million in salary each of the next two years, and an acquiring team won’t have to pay the “proven closer” premium that will certainly be attached to Papelbon in trade talks.

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Down on the Farm:
Chris Heisey on rehab: 2 for 4, R, K
Pedro Villarreal: 1.2 IN, 8 R, 8 H, 1 BB, 1 K and a HR.
Jose Arredondo: 2 IN, 3 more BB, , K, H, 0 R, 38 pitches/16 strikes.
Season: 25 BB in 27.1 IN
Corky Miller pitched for 3rd pitch: 2 IN, 3 H, 4 R, HR

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Cardinals
Will Cards' rotation hold up?
Bernie Miklasz, St Louis Post Dispatch 
The organization’s venerated pitching depth, tested repeatedly, has come through in a way that’s exceeded reasonable expectations. But that bank account has been hit with many withdrawals. And with 93 regular-season games to go, will the rotation hold up?
Over the past 14 games Cardinals’ starters have an ERA of 5.03, with five quality starts — two by resident ace Adam Wainwright.

St Louis minor league system rolling:  "We're the new Yankees," said Memphis second baseman Kolten Wong the Cardinals' No. 3 prospect. "We're just stacked with players."

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Stuff

We had a great day celebrating Peyton's 11th birthday. We had breakfast at First Watch, played games at Gameworks and dinner at Miyako Sushi and Steakhouse.

Golf
Photo Gallery US Open 

A father's voice, a former NBA stars' hope
Oregon Live 
"Everybody gets dealt a bunch of crap at times," Grant said. "You deal with the good. You deal with the bad. It's a growing process. I'm still not all the way there. I respect each and every day that I'm given. Depression is always going to knock at my door. I realized, though, that even though I may be down and gloomy some days, I have my kids to turn to. Even though I'm sick, just being around them and having them present, especially my little girls, they always seem to know if I'm having a bad day.
"The little one, she just gets up under me and says, 'Come on Dad, everything is going to be good.'"

Bengals

Brian Billick talks about the impact Hard Knocks can have on a team.

NFL teams who participated in HBO's "Hard Knocks" have a combined 59-59 record (including the playoffs)

— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly_Trib) June 18, 2013

Most over/under rated Bengals of all-time

80-day NFL Warning: The Geno Atkins Diet

Chad Johnson talks about lessons learned

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