Show preview 
Monday: 3-6pm, ESPN 1530, listen HERE, 6:05, Inside Pitch, 700 WLW, listen HERE
New segment: Brennaman and Jones debut at 4:55 daily
Guests
Topics

Tuesday: 3-6pm, ESPN 1530, listen HERE, 6:05, Inside Pitch, 700 WLW, listen HERE
Wednesday: 6:05, Sports Talk, 700 WLW, listen HERE
Thursday: 6:05, Sports Talk, 700 WLW, listen HERE  
Friday:  Mo live 3-6pm, ESPN 1530, from the Holy Grail, listen HERE, 6:05, Inside Pitch, 700 WLW, listen HERE  

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Reds 

Philadelphia Phillies' Freddy Galvis leaps into the group of his teammates after hitting a game-winning solo-home run. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)

Sunday observations
*What a kick in the groin that was.
*What a tone changer. Instead of taking 2 of 3 they drop 2 of 3. Now 4-2 on trip.
*I was laughing when Cliff Lee pinch-ran and got picked off by Chapman in 9th.
*I wasn't laughing when Erik Kratz homered off Chapman to tie.
*I was curled up in fetal position when a guy named Freddy Galvis followed with a walk-off HR. 
*No need for MLB At-Bat app for the trajectory on the HR pitches....straight line...no movement....if you can't hit a 95/98 straight line fastball, you aren't in MLB for long.
*Broxton: .2, H, BB, R and a hold....seriously.
*Marshall: .1, H and a hold...seriously.
*Stud-like 7 shutout innings from Homer. 96 pitches. Didn't have nearly best stuff after 125 pitches Tuesday, found a way. Big time. 
*Can't be many teams that turn 5-4-3 better than the Reds...Frazier made a nice short hop play, BP got flipped turning it at 2B and Votto scooped.
*Bruce extends hit streak to 10-row: 16 for 41, .390 , 4 HR, 12 RBI.
*Votto hit streak reaches eight games with two more hits.
*Series to series we continue to see the advantage the Reds have in defense, hitting cutoff man, doing little things....compared to opponents.
*Reds went 21-12 while Johnny Cueto was on the DL. 
*Reds went 33-16 while Joey Votto was on DL last year. 

Leading off the inning
Dusty continues to bat Zack Cozart second spot in the order, despite his .203 batting average and .233 on-base percentae. The issues with that:
1. It is not loading the top of the order with the guys that get on base the most. 
2. It is not maximizing the opportunites for Joey Votto to bat with a runner(s) on base. 
3. It seems like Cozart is making the final out of the inning a lot, forcing Votto to lead off the next inning. 
Votto led of an inning twice Saturday, for a total of 44 times this season (through Saturday). That represents 21.6 percent of his plate appearances. How does that compare to other #3 hitters? 
% times leading off inning/times leading off & total plate appearances: 
30.6, Nick Markakis, Orioles, 45 of 147
23.4, Bryce Harper, Nationals, 35 of 149
21.6, Joey Votto, Reds, 44 of 203
20.0, Jose Bautista, Blue Jays, 26 of 130
19.4, Albert Pujols, Angels, 37 of 190
18.9, Justin Upton, Braves, 33 of 174
18.6, Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies, 33 of 177
18.5, Andrew McCutchen, Pirates, 33 of 178
18.4, Anthony Rizzo, Cubs, 31 of 168
17.9, Ryan Braun, 29 of 162
17.7, Alex Rios, 31 of 175
15.9, Dustin Pedroia, 31 of 194
15.0, David Wright, 24 of 160
14.2, Pablo Sandoval, Giants, 26 of 183
13.0, Miguel Cabrera, Tigers, 25 of 192
12.5, Matt Holliday, Cardinals,21 of 167 
(At least 130 at-bats in 3rd spot)

Cueto contemplating mechanical change
Mark Sheldon, MLB.com 
"This is part of the game, to get hurt. Maybe the rotation I do and that mechanic I do is affecting me," Cueto said Sunday as Tomas Vera translated. "I'm going to have to see what's going on. If that continues to happen, I'm going to have to make some changes in my mechanics."

From my blog 2 weeks ago:
Is there a correlation between Johnny Cueto's injuries  and his change in windup in June of 2011?  
Injuries/issues since change in Cueto's windup:
September 9, 2011: Strained right lat in final start of vs Cubs.
October 6, 2012: Strained right oblique muscle, Game 1 NLDS vs Giants.
April 13, 2013: Strained lat vs Pittsburgh/Placed on DL
May 2, 2013: Soreness in oblique following bullpen session.
What if Cueto's body can't sustain the mechanics? What happens if he has to adjust mechanics?

Cingrani: Win-win
When Johnny Cueto walked off the mound with a strained lat on Saturday, April 13, there was a sense of growing trouble for the Reds. Cueto joined Ryan Ludwick and Sean Marshall on the DL.
But what followed was a win-win. The Reds recalled 23-year old LHP Tony Cingrani. He made six starts (the first of his career), went 2-0 3.27 and the Reds went 4-2 in his starts. 
But clearly, the more Cingrani pitched, the more he was exposed. He got by on a deceptive delivery and lack of a scouting report for three starts. But his inability to throw effective secondary pitches (curve/change) was too much to overcome. Teams realized they could sit on the fastball and Cingrani was stuck without an answer. As a result, he got hit harder, more frequently and saw his pitch count climb.
1st three starts: 18 innings, 2 HR, 1.50 ERA, .188 BAA
Final three starts: 15 innings, 5 HR, 5.40 ERA, .241 BAA
In his final three starts Cingrani lasted 6,4, and 5 innings and threw 97,85, and 100 pitches (192). Now, Cingrani can head to Louisville and work on secondary pitches with pitching coach Ted Power. The Reds can also monitor his innings while he's at Louisville.
If an injury occurs to a ML staring pitcher, Cingrani will hopefully be better prepared to help the next time. Or, he can return in September as a valuable stretch run and playoff piece. 
The Reds won. Cingrani learned, while tasting success. A win-win. 

From the Reds
The Reds optioned to Class AAA Louisville LHP Tony Cingrani and recalled from Louisville IF Neftali Soto (#50)...Soto began the season with the Bats and made 33 apps overall, including 18g at 1B and 16g at 3B (.269, 7 2b, 3hr, 16rbi, 1sb)...when he plays Soto will become the third Reds player this season to make his Major League debut(OF Derrick Robinson, OF Donald Lutz).

Votto's Saturday

(Al Behrman/Associated Press)

From Germany, playing a sport he once game no thought
NY Times 
Several years later, Donald Lutz recalls the scene with a mix of amusement and embarrassment. He was a camper at Major League Baseball’s International European Academy in Italy, and the other teenagers lined up to get the autograph of an instructor. Lutz followed their lead, but he did not know why he should care about having Rod Carew’s name on a baseball.

Cardinal place Garcia on DL, 2nd pitcher to DL in last week

Prospects helping Cards ease the pinch and price of injuries

Rosenthal on Choo

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Bengals

Road trip!: Bengals vs Dolphins in sunny Miami
From Mike: Come join us as travel to Miami, Florida to watch the Bengals beat the Dolphins on Thursday night football.  Cost is $800.00 per person and includes: roundtrip airfare from Dayton to Fort Lauderdale, 3 nights hotel (based on double occupancy) at the Wyndham Deerfield Beach Hotel, lower bowl tickets, and bus transportation.  We will be departing on Wednesday 10-30 and returning Saturday November 2.  For more information or questions, please call Mike at 513-739-4794 or Len at 513-522-7706.  Space is limited so don't delay.

Whitworth pays for funeral expenses of Louisiana football player

Woodson 'open' to playing for Lions if money is right
Detroit News 
"If I make it out of my visit with Oakland, like I just made it out of the visit with Denver, then I'm open," Woodson said. "Here's the thing about the Lions, the Lions have players. What the Lions haven't been able to do is put it together. That winning attitude and to be able to start those winning ways, it has to start somewhere. So, would I be open? Sure."

Groundswell of support building for Woodson to return to Raiders

Video The Sports Car: Terrence Newman
Cincinnati Bengals safety Terence Newman lets down his guard on his travels through Los Angeles with Dave Dameshek.

Bruce Arians: 'Carson Palmer still has it'

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Indy 500
A Butler Bulldog speeds to Indy 500 pole. Congrats to Ed Carpenter!

(CBS Sports)

Congrats to Ed Carpenter!

— Brad Stevens (@BUCoachStevens) May 19, 2013

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NBA

From Elias: The Indiana Pacers reached the Conference Finals without a top 5 draft pick. Last team to do that: 1994 Jazz. 
From ESPN: The Pacers' highest-drafted player is D.J. Augustin, a No. 9 overall pick by the Bobcats.

How about the Pacers and the UC/XU combo?
The Pacers advanced to Eastern Conference Finals vs Miami by beating the Knicks  106-99 in Game 6 Saturday night.
Lance Stephenson: 25 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal
David West: 17 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists 

Stephenson's best lifts Pacers over Knicks
ESPN 
"Larry Bird gave me the confidence to feel I could play in this league," Stephenson said. "We text all the time to this day. I want to thank him because he's a legend, and when he tells you that you can do something, it just gave me the confidence."
Stephenson had 25 points and 10 rebounds Saturday and played with a force that knocked the Knicks on their heels early and then knocked them out late.

Bird's faith in Stephenson pays off
Yahoo 
As Pacers president three years ago, Bird drafted a dysfunctional 19 year old and surrounded him with the perfect balance of tough love, structure and tenderness. As everyone else derided Stephenson as a lost cause, Bird privately called him the most gifted player in the franchise.
"I owe Larry Bird so much," Stephenson told Yahoo! Sports late Saturday. 

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Xavier

Xavier lands European standout
GoXavier.com 
CINCINNATI --- Xavier University head coach Chris Mack announced today that he has received a signed National Letter of Intent from 6-8 and 210-pound forward Aleksandar Vezenkov, who is considered one of the best players in his age group in Europe. Vezenkov played for the Bulgarian junior national teams and as an amateur member of the Greek pro team Aris in the Greek Basket League.

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Stuff

Ever been to a Columbus Crew game? I'm thinking about taking Peyton to see a game for the first time? Any advice?

Bubble: Well, the Miami Redhawks will get a football practice bubble

To help you start your week, Alyssa Miller from SI swimsuit

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Twitter

Get Reds, Bengals, UC, XU, UK, OSU and other sports news as it happens. 
Get a heads up on upcoming guests and topics on the show. Get involved in the show. You decide who you follow and what news you get. You don't even have to tweet. You can follow me @lancemcalister. Big thanks if you are one of the 20,000+ following me!

Got iHeart Radio?

Can't get to a radio? Are you out of town on business or vacation and want to keep up on the Reds and Bengals? Need a quick fix of Cincinnati sports? 
The iHeart radio app allows you to listen to 700 WLW anytime, anyplace.
Listen to ESPN 1530 HERE. 

Can't call in? 
Join the show discussion, like my Facebook page.

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Are you looking to get involved/help an organization? I would recommend The Dragonfly Foundation. The vision of Christine Neitzke and Ria Davidson is powerful and inspiring. 
The help they provide is life changing.

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2013 Cincinnati Bengals Taste of the NFL

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Kicks for Kids First Annual Pete Minor Father/Child Basketball Camp
The first annual Pete Minor Father/Child Basketball Camp benefiting Kicks For Kids is taking place at the NKU Health Center in Highland Heights. Camp will be held on Saturday, June15th, 2013 from 4pm-8pm, immediately followed by dinner and a movie.  Admission is $75.00 for one father figure and one child; additional children cost $50.00 each. For more information about the basketball camp, please contact Christine Sebastian at 859-331-8484 or chris.sebastian@kicksforkids.org To RSVP online, please visit HERE.

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Pray~Hope~Believe Foundation 5K Walk/Run
July 4th 
"The Pray~Hope~Believe Foundation (PHBF) is a nonprofit organization established to honor the memory of Tony Merk – a 6-year-old boy who died on July 4, 2011 after an almost three-year battle with brain cancer. The PHBF provides funding for pediatric brain tumor research, supports children/teens who have a life-threatening condition and their families, and honors the memory of Tony Merk through scholarships or other community events. Pray~Hope~Believe became the theme for Tony's journey on earth and is now his family's theme for healing and living."

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Events for a cause

Register now for the 12^th annual Redlegs Run

Saturday, June 1 - Great American Ball Park

 CINCINNATI (April 8, 2013) – Sign up now for the 12^th annual Redlegs Run on Saturday, June 1, 2013. Runners, walkers and families have many options to participate:

• Coldwell Banker West Shell 5K: Chip-timed 3.1-mile course starts on Mehring Way behind Great American Ball Park, winds along the riverfront and finishes inside the ballpark near home plate.
• 10K: Chip-timed 6.2-mile course starts on Mehring Way, winds along the riverfront, crosses over the Ohio River on the Taylor Southgate Bridge into Newport and back across the Purple People Bridge and finishes inside the ballpark near home plate.
• One Mile Family Run/Walk presented by UnitedHealthcare: 1-mile course starts starts on Mehring Way and finishes inside the ballpark near home plate. (not chip timed)
• Gapper’s Kids Fun Run presented by UnitedHealthcare: Kids run around the warning track of the ballpark.
All events are for walkers and runners of all ages, with the exception of the Gapper’s Kids Fun Run, which is limited to kids ages 10 and under.
All participants receive a race T-Shirt (technical shirt for 10K participants), post-race party in the Kroger Fan Zone and one View Level ticket voucher for the Reds vs. Rockies game on Tuesday, June 4 at 7:10 pm.
Register online by May 22 to receive discounted entry fees:
• Coldwell Banker West Shell 5K: $30 ($40 after May 22)
• 10K: $40 ($50 after May 22)
• One Mile Family Run/Walk presented by UnitedHealthcare: $20
• Gapper’s Kids Fun Run presented by UnitedHealthcare: $15 (for kids 10 and under)
To register online visit www.reds.com/run. (Online registration closes May 22 at 11:59 pm)

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8th Annual NKOA Golf Scramble
When: Saturday June 1, 2013, Shot Gun Start at 12:00PM
Where: Flagg Springs Golf Course, California, KY
Why: Come out and help us raise money to support and fund the 2013 Northern
Kentucky Officials Association Scholarship Fund; which is awarded each year to a male
& female senior student football participant* from a Northern Kentucky High School in
which the NKOA services to help fulfill their college dream.

How: Register by May 15, 2013
Cost: $65 per Golfer (includes the following:)
      18 Holes of Golf with Cart
      Adult Beverages
      Dinner
      Friendship, Fun, Frustration, Hazards, Laughs and so much more…

Who:
Mail check payable to “NKOA Golf” and this form to:
Daniel Brummett
c/o NKOA Golf Outing
6406 Waterview Way
Independence, KY 41051
If you need assistance, please contact the NKOA at 859-474-5003 or email: golf@nkoafootball.org .

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9th annual Scott Christian Scholarship Cup

• Saturday, June 1st, 2013
• Shot-Gun Start at 8:00am
• Golfers receive gift bag full of great items
• Breakfast provided
• Barbecue Buffet following the golf outing
• Water, soft drinks & beer during the event
• Award Presentation
• Silent Auction
• Raffle Prices
• Multiple Golf Contests
• Twin Oaks Golf Course
• Cost: $100 per golfer - or - $90 if registered by May 17th.

The purpose of the Scott Christian Memorial Soccer Foundation is to perpetuate the memory of this fine outstanding young man by promoting soccer among youth soccer players and establishing an educational scholarship. Each year a female and male senior student athlete who best demonstrates his/her commitment to excellence In academics and the game of soccer will be awarded The Scott Christian Memorial Soccer Scholarship. This scholarship seeks to reward students striving to develop their individual talents to further the common good of the team and community.

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The Kid Glove Way
You can attend a Reds game and help out boys and girls tri-state baseball and softball programs. The Kid Glove Game program is 65 years. The program has furnished $300,000 in equipment each year for the past five years and over $9.1 million since 1949. 
Game 3: Reds vs Rockies, Monday, June 3, 7:10
Game 4: Reds vs Diamondbacks, Monday, August 19, 7:10
Game 5: Reds vs Diamondbacks, Tuesday, August 20, 7:10
Ticket vouchers: $10 each. Each voucher entitles you to a $17 View Level seat at GABP. If you don't want the tickets, you can designate them to be sent to your favorite charity or a charity selected by The Kid Glove committee.
I am proud to be involved with The Kid Glove game again this year.
Click HERE for a Kid Glove order form. Fill out the form and send in your order. 

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Spend the day at the Masters!

Masters Sunday Getaway
Drawing will be at the annual Down Syndrome Association Golf Tournament hosted by Dave Lapham on June 17, 2013. 
You and a guest will depart Sunday 4/13/14 at 8 am AND   
Return Sunday 4/13/14 at approx. 8 pm.

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Bengals Bowling Bash
MostValuableKids.org 
Saturday, June 8th--Princeton Bowl
Cincinnati Bengals Defensive End, Michael Johnson and teammates will be partnering with MVK to host The Bengals Bowling Bash.  Sponsorship will include 2 games of bowling, lunch, autographs, face painting, silent auction, photos and more!  Money raised will benefit both Most Valuable Kids and the Michael Johnson Foundation.

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From Evan
My nephew, Harrison Mummert passed away from Trisomy 18 on 5/29/12.  Fortunately, his parents, James & Emily Mummert (my sister and brother-in-law), are in the Air Force, and were able to handle the extreme medical costs and high-risk pregnancy thanks to the health insurance provided by the Air Force.  As I’m sure you are aware, many families aren’t so lucky…and if they have a situation like this happen to them, it could bankrupt them.  So our family has decided to put on the Harrison’s Heroes 5k/10k to raise money for the NICU at Dayton Children’s Hospital.  All the money that’s raised – every dollar – will go towards helping families that find themselves in the tragic situation that the Mummerts experienced. 
The race will be held at Beavercreek High School in Dayton on 6/1/13 at 9 AM.  
Jame Mummert's blog. 

Father returns from Afghanistan to surprise daughter at game
Tampa Bay Times 
A man wearing a Rays uniform and a catcher's mask and pads squatted behind the plate. As the ball rolled toward him, he stepped forward and scooped the ball in his glove.
Alayna thought there was something odd about the way he caught the ball. It wasn't quite how a professional ballplayer would do it.
The man at the plate stood and lifted his mask. It was her father, Lt. Col. Will Adams.
She sprinted to him. He swept her into his arms. VIDEO

Down on the Farm
Rickey Henderson loves Billy Hamilton 

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Bengals

(Al Behrman/AP)
Eifert-Bengals pairing could be mutally beneficial
SI
As soon as the Bengals selected Tyler Eifert with the No. 21 pick in this year’s draft, speculation began regarding exactly how much the Notre Dame product could help Cincinnati’s offense.
What we all might have failed to consider here is the reverse hypothetical — how big a boost Eifert will receive from being a piece of the Bengals’ attack.

Which offensive rookie will have the biggest impact this year?
CBSSports.com
1. Giovani Bernard, Bengals
This bandwagon, I am driving it. Good luck finding people who are as high on Bernard as I am. I think ultimately he ends up stealing the every-down role from BenJarvus Green-Ellis and winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Why is that exactly? Because Bernard can make an impact in multiple facets of the game. He's not a scatback, he's what Pete Prisco likes to call an "air back." Bernard's capable of getting out in space and generating big plays, he can be a feature runner when they need him to be, he's a dynamic pass-catching back (92 catches in 2011 and 2012 at North Carolina) and he's a force on special teams as well (ask former NC State coach Tom O'Brien about his punt-returning skills). Color me all in on Gio blowing up for the Bengals.

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Reds: Are we having fun yet?

(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Sweep...six row...the resilient Reds....25-16
4th inning: Votto went the other way for 2B, Bruce other way RBI 1B
Choo on base three more times, H, 2 BB
Phillips 7th HR, 2 RBI, NL best 36 RBI, ML best 8 game winning RBI (per MLB.com)
Bruce 3 RBI, 2 big insurance runs in 10th, 24 RBI, hitting .269
Bruce last 6 games: .400, 2 HR, 8 RBI, last 15 games .293, 2 HR, 13 RBI
Bruce projections: 55 doubles, 87 runs, 95 RBI, 213 K
Frazier 0-5, Cozart 0-4.
Cozart 2 last 16
Frazier 18 games/60 AB since last HR.....60 AB, .167.....hitting .162 last 33 games.
Latos threw 45 thru 5 innings, with 9 balls, and 85 pitches through 8 innings.
8th inning: Cozart boot ball. Marlins loaded , 1 out, Latos huge 5-2-3 DP
9th inning Latos allowed triple. Chapman on with 1-out, allowed Ozuna 2-out triple tie
10th: Lutz PH rip 1B, Choo BB, Cozart Sac, BP rope, 3-2, Bruce pull 2-RBI double
Latos 8.1,  5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K..no decision. Victims of all 3 blown saves by bullpen.
Chapman fails at his job, but gets the win, ugh.

WSJ: Is this guy a threat to Rose's 4,256?

Cards success starts at the top
Bernie Miklasz, St Louis Post-Dispatch 
In 2013 the Cardinals’ player-development system is the buzz of baseball. The franchise is producing a trove of coveted talent, led by a procession of power-armed pitchers who come to the majors equipped with radiating fastballs.

Blast from the past

The guys at Redleg Nation did a two part interview with former Reds LHP Fred Norman.
Part 1 HERE, Part 2 HERE 

Joey Votto on hard work and getting better

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Bengals/NFL

If Charles Woodson is still looking and plans to visit the Raiders next week, how about the Bengals?

Rating O-linemen
CBSports .com
Left Tackle
5. Andrew Whitworth Bengals, 9-17-32: 
Whitworth is the heart and soul of the Bengals offense, and his leadership shines as brightly as his skills. Holding down the fifth spot will be tough in coming years with a very strong honorable mention list and great young talent on the players-on-the-rise list. 

10 most underrated
CBSSports.com
10. Geno Atkins, Bengals DT: It's not a coincidence that the Bengals' playoff resurgence is in conjunction with the growth of Atkins. He's that good but remains a hidden gem to many in the sport. 

Best players under age of 23
CBSSports.com
2. Luke Kuechly, ILB, Carolina Panthers  
He led the NFL in tackles as a rookie. That's impressive. He was all over the field and did so without the help of good down tackles in front of him. 

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Stuff

Photo of the year

Father returns from Afghanistan to surprise daughter at game
Tampa Bay Times 
A man wearing a Rays uniform and a catcher's mask and pads squatted behind the plate. As the ball rolled toward him, he stepped forward and scooped the ball in his glove.
Alayna thought there was something odd about the way he caught the ball. It wasn't quite how a professional ballplayer would do it.
The man at the plate stood and lifted his mask. It was her father, Lt. Col. Will Adams.
She sprinted to him. He swept her into his arms. VIDEO

MLB hoping for large replay expansion in 2014

It's Friday, here is Alyssa Miller, you are welcome

Keep forgetting to add this....ooops

NFL: Arrest warrant issued for Chad Johnson

UC baseball
CINCINNATI – Brian Cleary has been relieved of his duties as the head baseball coach at the University of Cincinnati, director of athletics Whit Babcock announced Thursday. A national search for a successor will begin immediately. 
Cleary will coach the team this weekend as the Bearcats close out the 2013 season against Notre Dame at Marge Schott Stadium. 
“Coach Cleary has been a great representative on many fronts for many years.  He has been a tremendous ambassador for the University and the athletic department, however, we feel it is time to take the program in a new direction,” said Babcock. “It is never an easy decision to make a change, especially for a coach with the character and integrity of Coach Cleary, but in the end I felt that the program has not achieved at the level on the field we expect.”
This season, Cleary is 22-31 (.415) overall and 4-17 (.190) in the BIG EAST Conference, with a seventeen-year career record of 434-528-1 (.451) and a team grade point average of 3.2 this spring.

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