Bengals
WR Mohamed Sanu suffers stress frature in foot, likely out for season.
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Show preview
6:05, Sports Talk
Guests
Joe Reedy, Enquirer
Zach Collaros, former UC QB, won CFL Grey Cup
Ken Shields
Gerry Faust: Moeller plays for state title, ND will play for national title. Who better to talk to?
Topics
Reds: Who leads off?
Bengals: In it with 5 to go, all you could ask for...right?
Butch Jones: Would you understand if he took PU job?
Ethics in Sports: Spurs coach Greg Popovich chose to rest 4 of his top 5 players and not have them travel to play Miami last night. Got an issue with it?
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My guest at 7:40 tonight
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UC athletics
Enquirer: $160M needed to get UC ready for big leagues
Bearcats want to get where Pitt is now but seem to lack courage and vision. Fixing Nippert is throwing good money after bad. Pitt made the bold move to blow up Pitt Stadium, play at Heinz, build Grade-A hoops arena. How'd that work out? Michael DeCourcy @tsnmike
UC AD Bob Goin, in 2001, on his vision for construction of Varsity Village
The Varsity Village project began under the leadership of University of Cincinnati’s former athletics director, Bob Goin. In 2001, Goin said, “We don’t have accommodations befitting a Division I program. When you list the universities across the country and walk in the front door of the athletics complex, it shows a comprehensive program of excellence. We will become the university of choice. This will allow us to compete with the Kentuckys, the Purdues, the Indianas and the Louisvilles.”
The $109 million Varsity Village is a major campus district, one of three entry portals into the campus, the crossroads for everyday student activities, and a major public attraction. The village provides a hub for all varsity athletes and administration.
Butch rumors
Twitter
"BREAKING: Purdue has offered Butch Jones its head football coaching position, I've been able to confirm. Decision expected soon." Brendan Murphy @BMurphySports
Formerly of Journal & Courier and ESPN 1450, now part of Purdue football tailgate show at BoilerRadio.com.
Things I'm told, from a person close to the Purdue program:
"It's a good job. Unlike most "basketball" schools, we care about football. There is some rebuilding to be done, but the cupboard isn't entirely bare. We'll never be Ohio St., but the right coach can succeed here. Personally, I'd be happy with Butch."
Butch Jones offered Purdue job?
Bill Koch, Enquirer
“I’m not going to comment on other schools’ coaching searches and speculation. I look forward to being with Coach Jones and our football team at UConn this weekend.”
UC basketball
Things heard during Mick Cronin Show on 700 WLW last night:
Realignment
Dan Hoard: Do you expect UC to wind up in difference confedence?
Cronin: Probably, but I live day to day and they pay me to be the basketball coach.
Saturday: 2 tickets for $20 for Alabama:
Mick: "I hear all about our non conference schedule I would hope there aren't any tickets left"
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Bengals
Best team in the AFC? Don't forget the Bengals
Paul Dehner Jr, CBS Sports
Nobody should be calling the Bengals Super Bowl contenders yet, but thanks to Lewis' motivational tactic, everyone should keep Cincinnati in the conversation.
When discussing thoughts on the effectiveness of challenging the two players to step up as leaders, Lewis sprouted a proud, wide grin seen often around the facilities these days and succinctly allowed the understatement of the season.
“I think it's done well,” he said.
Did you miss The Roundtable Show? Here is the podcast from last night.
Hour 1 We discuss the Raiders game, the OL/DL play, John helping Michael Johnson in the offseason.
Hour 2 We discuss Whit's fight, Marvin naming Andy/Rey captains, traveling to West Coast, the Chargers and Carson once offering a teammate $5,000 for a parking spot:
Looking ahead: Vick could miss rest of season
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Reds
Odds are against Chapman
The Sporting News
One executive told me that even considering a switch to the rotation for the hard-throwing left-hander is “insane.”
I wouldn’t go that far. In fact, I believe the Reds would be making a mistake if they didn’t give Chapman a chance to start. As their pitching coach Bryan Price says, “That’s what he was when we signed him.” (And at a starter’s price, too, at $30.25 million).
Multi-year deals could follow Reds' tender decisions
MLB.com
While there are no obvious non-tender candidates after the departures of Bray and Valdez, a surprise is always possible. What is known: All of the players on this list are in line for significant raises. And recent club history indicates a couple could land multi-year contracts. With starting pitching being the most coveted area of the game, it could very well mean those types of deals fall to the likes of Latos and Bailey.
Hamilton could make history in a flash
MLB.com
It's difficult to grasp Hamilton's speed without watching him play in person.
I saw almost every game in which he played during the recently concluded Arizona Fall League.
While not his only skill, speed is Hamilton's best and most advanced tool. It is a powerful weapon that forces defensive mistakes, as well as putting Hamilton in a position to score runs that are more improbable without his graceful running skills.
Using gliding acceleration as the centerpiece of his game-changing running ability, Hamilton's instincts and self-confidence form the peripheral qualities that complement his best tool.
Leading off: Cross this guy off the list
The Minnesota Twins traded CF Denard Span to the Washington Nationals in exchange for RHP Alex Meyer. Meyer is from Greensburg, IN and attended the University of Kentucky. He was the 23rd pick of the Nationals in the 2011 draft.
MLB.com rated him as the Nationals #2 prospect. He went 10-6 with 2.86 ERA, 45 walks and 139 strikeouts in 25 starts between Single-A Hagerstown and Single-A Potomac last season. Reaction in D.C. is HERE.
Reaction from Minneapolis HERE.
Span stats
Age: 28, LH, '12 salary: $3M
2012: .282/.342/.395/.738, 38 2B, 4 3B, 17 SB, 47 BB, 62 K
Career: ..284/.357/.389/.746
Career home: .312/.387/.433/.820. Career road:.260/.330/.349/.679
Career vs RHP: .280/.349, vs LHP .293/.374
Salary: '13 $4.75M, '14 $6.5M, '15 $9.0M ($500K buyout)
Career stats
Twitter reacation:
The Twins let everyone know at GM meetings that Span was available simply because of Ben Revere, and no need for both of them.
Bob Nightengale @BNightengale
Alex Meyer pitched in Futures Game last season. Twins need to rebuild pitching staff
Mel Antonen @MelAntonen
Nationals solve two key weaknesses in the Span trade...improving defense in CF and getting the lead-off hitter they needed.
JIM BOWDEN @JimBowdenESPNxm
Other candidates:
Free agents..........
Michael Bourn
Age: 29, LH, '12 salary: $6.8M
'12: .274/.348, 96 R, 26 2B, 10 3B, 9 HR, 42 SB, 70 BB, 155 K
19th in OBP in '12 among leadoff batters with at least 100 AB
Career: .272/.339
Career vs RHP: .281/.350, vs LHP: .249/.306,
Led NL SB 3-years row 2009-2011. SB seasons: 61, 52, 61, 41
Gold Glove 2009, 2010. Scott Boras client
CBS Sports: A yearly salary between $11 and $12 million would make sense.
Career stats
Angel Pagan
Age: 31, Switch-hitter, '12 salary: $4.85M
'12: .288/.338, 95 R, 3B 2B, 15 3B, 8 HR...61 extra-base hits
'12 led NL with 15 3B, including 10 in second half season
Career: .281/.333
vs RHP .291/.344, vs LHP .259/.306
Career GABP: .352/.407 in 54 AB
SB totals: 29, 32, 37. Good glove. Career stats
Buster Olney says MLB executives would not be shocked to see Pagan get a 4-year deal in the range of $50+M
Shane Victorino
Age: 32, Switch-hitter, '12 salary: $9.5M
'12: .255/.321, 29 2B, 7 3B, 11 HR, 39 SB
'12 .245 in 53 games after trade to LA
Career: .275/.341. 46 postseason games, 2 World Series, 1 ring
Career stats
Grady Sizemore
Age: 29, LH, '12 salary $5M
2012: Missed season due to back/knee injuries
2011: .224/.285 in 71 games
Injuries a constant problem. Played 0, 71, 33, 106 games last 4 years
Played all games in 2006/2007 with a streak of 382 consecutive games played into the 2008 season.
Over three-year span starting in 2009, missed more games (276) than he played (210).
3 time All-Star
From 2005-08 averaged 27 HR, 81 RBI, 29 SB, 41 2B
Gold Glove 2007, 2008. Career stats
Trade prospects............
Coco Crisp
Age: 32, switch-hitter, '12 contract: $6M
Contract status: '13 $7M, '14 $7.5M (team option/$1M buyout)
2012: .259/.325, 25 2B, 7 3B, 11 HR, 45 BB, 64 K, 39 SB in 43 attempts
2012 vs RHP .265/.337, vs LHP .244/.296
Career vs RHP .276/.333, vs LHP .270/.322
Career stats
Dexter Fowler
Age: 27, switch-hitter, '12 salary $2.35M
2012: .300/.389/.474/.863
'12: 18 2B, 11 3B, 13 HR, 72 R, 12 SB
Career: .271/.364/.427/.791
Career: Home: .295/.395/.487/.882.....Road: .248/.331/.367/.698
vs RHP .263/.356, vs LHP .289/.380
K totals: 128, 130, 104, 116
Contract: Rockies control through 2015, 3 arbitration remaining--should get around $4.5M for '13. Rockies need starting pitching. Average/below average as defensive CF. Career stats. Crasnick: Rockies unlikely to deal Fowler.
Jacoby Ellsbury
Age 30, LH, '12 contract: $8.05M
Contract: Headed to arbitration again, FA after '13
2012: 74 games, .271/.313/.370/.682
Career: .297/.349/.442/.791
'11: .321, 32 HR, 105 RBI, 2nd MVP voting
Career: vs RHP .298/.350, vs LHP .296/.349
Gold Glove 2011. Led AL SB '08-'09 with 50, 70
Injuries: 18 games played '10, 74 games '12
Scott Boras client. Red Sox need starting pitching.
Career stats
Brett Gardner
Age: 29, LH, '12 contract $2.8M
2 years of arbitration still ahead
2012: .323/.417 (injured right elbow-surgery/played just 16 regular season games)
Career: .266/.355
vs RHP .269/.352, vs LHP .256/.363
More of a LF: Played 18 games in CF '11, 44 games '10, 99 games '09.
OBP .383 in 2010
SB totals: 26, 47, 49 in career
His salary, age and speed are more ingredients Yanks need than would likely look to deal.
Career stats
(From October) Starting at the top
The Reds offseason list of priorities will include finding a leadoff hitter.
The Reds leadoff spot was the least production of any team in MLB.
Leadoff spot/batting average 2012:
Reds .206, MLB average .261
Leadoff spot/on-base percentage
Reds .254, MLB average .323
Reds leadoff hitters walked 37 times, struck out 148 times and stole 10 bases in 162 games. The Reds played leadoff roulette in 2012, with no success:
Zack Cozart: .223/.262 in 443 AB
Brandon Phillips: .202/.254 in 114 AB
Drew Stubbs: .159/.237 in 69 AB
Chris Heisey: .208/.269 in 48 AB
It would be tough to sell most on an in-house candidate again in 2013. If the Reds choose to go that route an option is to platoon Stubbs and Heisey. Dusty has not done that, despite offensive evidence to support it. Stubbs has no business facing right-handed pitching. He is a .228 hitter vs RHP, in over 1,300 at-bats. Heisey is a career .277 hitter vs RHP. Overall, the two players have almost identical numbers in the leadoff spot.
Overview
By process of elimination, the leadoff batter is going to be playing CF, unless Ryan Ludwick walks in free agency and LF opens up. Or, the Reds trade another position player and their position opens. So, what do the Reds have to work with/pursue?
In-house candidates
Drew Stubbs
2012: .186/.259 vs RHP, .283/.324 vs LHP
Career: .228/.301 vs RHP, .276/.344 vs LHP
Career batting leadoff: .243/.320
Batting average has declined in three consecutive seasons.
OBP, SLG, OPS has dropped in back to back seasons.
Chris Heisey
Career: .277/.332 vs RHP, .214/.272 vs LHP
Career as starter: .251/.308
Career leading off: .240/.320
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Stuff
Dale Mueller won't coach state title game for Highlands tonight
DeCourcy: UK loss at ND should not come as surprise
Ethics in Sports
Spurs coach Greg Popovich decided to rest 4 of his top 5 scorers in last night's game at Miami. Does he have an obligation to the NBA and fans to play his best players? NBA commish David Stern is steamed: "I apologize to all NBA fans. This was an unacceptable decision by the ... Spurs and substantial sanctions will be forthcoming.” Many are weighing in around the country. CBS: Popo sat his starts, so what? Everyone is wrong.
I forgot to post this last week:
What is the best offensive stat?
CBS Sports
Here are our nine candidates for best primary offensive stat -- and please note that every offensive stat here is very important, we're just trying to pick which is the top dog. Also note, categories such as doubles, triples and stolen bases are clearly important but couldn't be rationally argued as the most important stat. Thus, they were left out. - Matt Snyder
This is cool
UL QB Teddy Bridgewater came off the bench to lead UL to a win over Rutgers and the Big East title last night. He played with a broken wrist and ankle injury suffered last week. He did not practice this week. After the game he embraces offensive coordinator Sean Watson:
Bo knows 50 today
Vegas Odds 'n Ends
From RJ Bell of Pregame.com
Browns: First time favored this season. Only second time favored on road since 2007.
Browns: Teams favored week after playing Mike Tomlin’s Steelers: 11-31 against the spread
Steelers: First time since 2009 Steelers have lost TWO straight games.
Steelers (last 4 seasons):
With Troy Polamalu: 28-9 SU
Without Troy Polamalu: 11-11 SU
Projected BCS Point Spread: Alabama favored by 10-points over Notre Dame
Alabama vs. Notre Dame would be the biggest bet CFB game IN HISTORY with an estimated $2 BILLION wagered worldwide!
This week is the 40th STRAIGHT game overall Alabama is favored!
Notre Dame was 50 to 1 to win BCS Title before the season.
Vegas Ranks 11 teams equal to or better than Notre Dame.
Projected Hypothetical Undefeated Match-Up: Alabama favored by 14-points over Ohio State
Vegas Ranks 14 teams better than Ohio State.
How come I never win Powerball playing Big Red Machine numbers?
Did a Royals fan win Powerball?
(NBC)
Cool story
From Athens Messenger:
Janet Eblin, a resident at Kimes Nursing Home in Athens, Ohio, gets a big surprise with a memorabilia package from the Cincinnati Reds, including a Jay Bruce autographed baseball. See www.athensohiotoday.com for the story and photo. Video by Athens Messenger staff journalist Sara Brumfield. Rest of story HERE.
Christian Laettner brings clinic to Purcell Marian High School
Holiday Basketball Community Clinic
New Purcell-Marian Athletic Director Kenny Pope, The Christian Laettner Basketball Academy and AP Sports is teaming up to put on a basketball clinic.
A portion of the proceeds will go directly to the Purcell-Marian Athletic fund.
The clinic will emphasize skills training. It will run from 1 – 4 pm on Saturday, December 1 and from 9 – 11 am on Sunday morning. Cost for the Saturday session is $75 and Sunday cost is $50. Students who register for both sessions will receive a $25 discount, making the cost for both sessions just $100.
Anyone interested in attending the clinic should contact Purcell Marian athletic director Kenny Pope at (513) 487-3122 or kennypope@purcellmarian.com
Click here for Enquirer story on clinic.
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2012 Holiday Auction
· Bid on Cincinnati in our annual auction for some great Christmas gifts.
· Savings up to 70 percent
· Everything from jewelry and day spas to bikes and motorcycles*
· Auction ends Friday at 5pm
· Check out all the items HERE
*Other items available: Golf Packages |Restaurant Certificate | A Wedding Reception | Home Improvement Certificate |Cincinnati Reds, Bengals, UC and other Sports Memorabilia | A 2012 Harley Davidson Motorcycle | Diamond Rings and necklaces |Casino one-night stay and a $100 resort credit | Pool Table | Hot tub | Grandfather clock
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Help
Dear Moeller Classes of 1977, 1978 and 1979,
One of our own, Vince Sylvester a '78 Moeller High School grad who played football at Moeller and at the University of Cincinnati has been fighting two forms of cancer for the past 8 weeks behind closed doors with the support of a handful of friends and his wife and children. Vince had been ill for a few months prior to being diagnosed with plasma blastic lymphoma and a form of bone marrow cancer, which affected his ability to do any type of gainful employment, so needless to say; things are not good for the Sylvester family. Vince is a prideful man and up until last Friday at the UC/South Florida game, had resisted any "announcement" of his condition to anyone outside his close circle.
After Vince told me his diagnosis, I told him it was time to reach out to his friends and teammates because there were a lot of people who care, and would want to help the family if given the chance. The Sylvester family has listed their house for sale in Montgomery to help pay medical costs and Vince lost his health insurance a few days ago. I have reached out to his UC Family and I now want to offer the same opportunity to the Moeller Family to help out the Sylvesters during this difficult time. Donations are being accepted to the:
Vince Sylvester Family Fund Guardian Saving Bank (877) 351-0613
You may call and direct contributions into a savings account in Vince's name.
Or, they can mail a check to:
Guardian Savings Bank c/o Pam Yokeley
6100 West Chester Road West Chester, Ohio 45069.
Please make check out to Vince Sylvester
The Sylvester family is deeply grateful that people have expressed so much interest in helping the family. The entire Moeller Family will continue to keep Vince and the entire Sylvester Family in our prayers during this difficult time.
Thanks for your consideration,
Karl Woods ‘77
