Reds

Big Red Machine bobblehead for May: George Foster


CINCINNATI (May 9, 2012) — The Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum’s 2012 Big Red Machine bobblehead series, presented by Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, continues in May with the release of the George Foster bobblehead, the second in the six bobblehead collection.
The George Foster bobbleheads are free with full-price paid admission to the Reds Hall of Fame & Museum on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in May while supplies last.
There is a strict limit of one bobblehead per ticket purchaser per day and the limited number of bobbleheads available for public distribution are expected to will go quickly.
George Foster was one of the most feared sluggers of his era, belting a club-record 52 home runs in his 1977 Most Valuable Player season and pacing the National League in RBI each season from 1976-1978. Inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame in 2003, Foster ranks fifth on the franchise’s all-time home run list.
The best way to ensure a bobblehead is through the purchase of a museum membership. For more information or to purchase a membership, please visit the membership page on redsmuseum.org or call (513) 765-7923.

 

George Foster Night May 16 at Tap House Grill
Meet George and receive a signed bobblehead at a special event at The Tap House Grill on Wednesday, May 16 at 6 p.m.
Each event ticket includes an opportunity to meet George, participation in a Q&A session, a full dinner buffet and drink ticket and an autographed 2012 Reds Hall of Fame George Foster bobblehead.
The event will take place at The Tap House Grill located at 8740 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, OH, 45236.
Each guest will receive their signed Foster bobblehead as they leave the event. There is a limit of one bobblehead per ticket purchaser. George will not be signing any other items at this event.
Tickets are $40 for museum members, $45 for non-members. Space is limited. For tickets, please call: 513-765-7921 or online at redsmuseum.org.

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Bengals

Jacob Bell decides football isn't worth the risk
St Louis Post Dispatch
"One of my biggest concerns when it comes to the game in general is my personal health. One thing that's obviously on the minds of a lot of people lately is brain research and all the stuff that's going on with that. One of the big things that I thought about when I was considering this is how much do I love the game? How much can they pay me to take away my health and my future and being able to be with my family and just have a healthy lifestyle?"

The neanderthal mentality
The NFL hot button issues are concussions, safety and the long term health of players.
I have no idea if Junior Seau killed himself because of concussions. Who can say it wasn't steroids, trouble dealing with the next phase of his life, loss of fame and financial security or multiple other reasons? I do know three former players have committed suicide in the last 15 months. I do know the ESPN Outside the Lines interview with former QB Jim McMahon was scary and sad. I do know over 1,800 former players have filed a suit against the NFL for failing to properly protect them from concussions.
But the biggest hurdle facing discussion of concussions and change in the way the game is played and players are protected is pretty clear. It's the neanderthal mentally of so many that play, coach and/or follow the game.
You hear it all the time in response to concern for the health of players: "Put a skirt on 'em!"........."why don't you just make it flag football?".
If you worry about brain injuries you are soft.
Former QB Kurt Warner expressed concern over his children playing football. He was ripped by Merril Hoge, Amani Toomer, LaVar Arrington and others. Arrington called it all part of the "sissification of the game". I listened to the Golic brothers on Mike and Mike this morning. They laughed and joked about putting hits on guys, putting on a dress, etc. Not sure what is funny about players having their lives altered by brain injuries. It is sad. Yea, why worry about health when you can celebrate knocking a player out of the game and then grunting as you stand over him?
That is the attitude that led the NFL to this situation and is the attitude that will keep the NFL in this situation.

ESPN: Can these new Bengals handle success?

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Homer and the fantasy sports mentality
Homer Bailey's rough outing last night=release, trade, demotion.
That sums up the fan reaction to Bailey during the 4th inning last night.
Never mind that:
*Bailey took a streak of four consecutive quality starts into the game.
*The streak was his longest since his first four starts of 2011.
*His ERA was 3.20 in his previous four starts
*His ERA to begin the night was 3.77
*His ERA was better than two other starters in the rotation.
Forget about the fact:
*He just turned 26 years old last week.
*He has thrown a grand total of 470.2 innings in his ML career.
*His ERA, WHIP and walks per 9 innings had improved in consecutive seasons.
*He's never had success at Miller Park/against the Brewers.
No, Homer got roughed up, Homer must go. Now. Immediately. No questions asked. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. If it sounds silly it's because it is silly.
Welcome to the fantasy sports mentality. Fans that play fantasy sports find it easy to deal with frustrating players or unproductive players. They just release that player and make a waiver claim to add a new player.
Bailey is one of those classic guys that can't do anything right in the fans eyes.  Based on reaction last night most fans are either.... A. oblivious to his ERA, quality start streak and improvements the last two years, or B. they simply don't care.
Information that doesn't fit the preconceived notion of Bailey is simply discarded by fans. Those fans would argue the sky isn't blue because they have made up their mind it is green.
Is Bailey frustrating? Sure he is. Will he be the #1 that he was projected to be when he was the 7th pick overall in 2004? Probably not.
But can you imagine the musical chairs of a roster in pro sports if GM's operated like fans? Escape the world of fantasy sports. Enter the world of reality.

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Happy Birthday: Billy Joel is 63

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MLB


Why the Red Sox should trade Youkilis
ESPNBoston
Youkilis is on track to come off the 15-day disabled list on Monday, Bobby Valentine said Tuesday night in Kansas City, where he added he hadn't intended to suggest that Youkilis was "a cripple" when describing the walking program that had been prescribed for the third baseman.
But how do you immediately restore Youkilis to the lineup if Middlebrooks, who tied a big league record with nine RBIs in his first four games, is still swinging a hot bat?

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Reds

Homer hammered, Reds lose 8-3

Sheldon: Ludwick eager to shake early slump

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Down on the Farm

Billy Hamilton batting .217 in May

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MLB

The Natural

Four of a kind
Forth Worth Star Telegram
"That's the most incredible individual performance I've ever seen," veteran Michael Young said. "I'm not sure if we'll ever see something like that again."


Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/05/08/3946528/rangers-10-orioles-3.html?storylink=addthis#.T6pPQXQN_to.mailto#storylink=cpy

List: Four-homer games in MLB history

Rare air: Number of occurrences
Twenty strikeout games  5
Unassisted triple plays 15
Four homer games 16
Perfect games 21
No-hitter 252
Hitting for cycle 296


(ESPN)

Oh, Coco!


(Reuters)


Franciso Cordero served up a walk off grand slam last night
Toronto Sun
“I’ve got to do my job. I’ve got to do it or I’m not going to have a job at all. You’ve got a team that battles and battles and gives me a lead in the ninth inning and I just blew it again. It’s my third blown save in a row.

**Read the fan comment section in the story above
"Cordero was washed up two years ago but Little Alex signed the guy and told Jays fans Cordero would get the job done"

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Bengals

Jacob Bell to retire

Reedy: Did someone say Braylon Edwards?

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Stuff

Shot clock rejected for high school basketball

Ex-Wright State star has offer from UK

NCAA sniffing around top UK recruit

Steve Kerr: The case for the 20-year old age limit in NBA

Dear American Soccer  Haters: We don't need you anymore

Big East is beyond repair
TheDay.com
The Big East must split. Now. It is utterly fruitless to think a new commissioner can unite the football schools and the basketball schools whose enrollments, vocations, locations and traditions couldn't be more disparate.

Big East split could be happening sooner rather than later
Boston Globe
If there is a common thread, it is that football once again is at the top of the agenda, which makes the core group of basketball-playing Catholic schools nervous; a split within the conference appears to be more of a possibility than ever before.
Included in that group are Marquette, Providence, Georgetown, Seton Hall, Villanova, DePaul, and St. John’s, with the possibility of Xavier, Dayton, and even Butler (although Butler has committed to the Atlantic 10) being targeted as part of a 10-team - primarily Catholic - basketball conference. (Notre Dame said it would not take part in a split.)

Burwell: Boxing used to be great, remember?

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UC/UK

 

Enquirer: Bearcats could host Wildcats

 

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Reds Tweet Up 2012

From the Reds
Please join us for an evening of socializing and tweeting on Friday, May 11 as the Reds take on the Washington Nationals. It's also the first Fireworks Night of the season, Girls Night Out, and Free Agent Friday! Enjoy the game from a special #RedsTweetUp section, alongside Tweeting Reds fans and media.

For only $25, the special #RedsTweetUp package includes:

  • One mezzanine level ticket
  • A $10 concession credit to be used at that night's game
  • An exclusive, limited edition Reds TweetUp t-shirt

Total Value: $59 You Pay: $25

After you purchase your ticket, please tweet @lisabraun to let us know you are coming! And then meet up with us in the Fan Zone on May 11th to pick up your shirt and have some pre-game fun!

Get your tickets HERE

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