A FEW MO' THING, 8/3/12
Short and sweet today. The blogging schedule has been inconsistent this week. We'll try to get back to a normal pattern next week.
-Programming Notes: Radio show on ESPN1530. It starts at 3:04. Ends at 6:00. There will be a serious discussion about sports in between.
-Promotional Notes: We have a Reds Watch Party at Dave and Buster's on Tuesday. You should come. Everyone wants to see you.
-The pennant race officially starts tonight. Reds. Pirates. A shorthanded team that seemingly can't lose playing one that has yet to make its anticipated freefall.
This weekend should be fun. (Alas, I am heading out of town tomorrow morning. Great planning.)
The Reds have a chance to deliver a knockdown blow (note I used the word "knockdown," not "knockout"). The Pirates have a chance to tighten the race. And Steelers fans who live in the area have a chance to publicly pretend they care about Pittsburgh's baseball team.
Regardless of what happens this weekend, how's about a quick reflection on what this team has been doing?
Don't care who you're playing, you win 20 of 23 and it's impressive. It'd be impressive with a full compliment of available players, but no Votto, no BP for a bit, and a roster and lineup that we've wanted tweaked, reshuffled, blown up, and reassembled right now has the best record in the game.
Think about that. The Cincinnati Reds have the best record in the game.
-Yesterday exemplified why it's great to have an ace. Johnny Cueto did not have a "great outing," four runs in seven and a third doesn't qualify as such. But on a day when he wasn't at his best, and with the bullpen in need of rest, he pitched into the eighth inning. It was especially huge given how shorthanded the Reds were.
Johnny Cueto was exactly the guy you wanted with the ball in that situation, and as he has so often this season, he delivered.
-I spent all day at Paul Brown Stadium yesterday, doing our radio show and talking to players. I probably spoke with a dozen or so guys, both on and off air. The most impressive thing about chatting with them was that many qualified their answers with "if I make the team..."
That wasn't from players who are longshots to make the roster, it was from guys who are virtual locks to not only make the the team, but start.
Very refreshing.
-If the US Men's Basketball Team wins games by single-digits, we'll hear people knock them for not being as good as the Dream Team.
If they win by 83 as they did yesterday, they've run up the score.
-Again, regular blogging returns next week. Contain your excitement. Here's some life lessons for college....
