A FEW MO' THINGS, 10/9/12

-You know who I'm glad I'm not?  I mean, other than a Cubs fan, I'm really glad I'm not in charge of employees today. 

Imagine having to run an office, a job site, or any kind of workplace today.  Useless exercise.  Let 'em out early, no later than 3:00.  And if you're running a second shift shop, wheel in the TV.  No work is getting done anyway, everyone is gonna be doing what they can to find out what's going on at GABP, workplace morale could likely use a boost, so do the right thing.

-We haven't had many days like this the last two decades, and when we have, it hasn't gone so well.  Cincinnati isn't showcased on Opening Day like it once was, we've had zero winning postseason games in this city since 1995, the Bengals have lost both home playoff contests they've played in recent years, the Reds went out quietly at home in 2010, and even our annual college basketball moment in the spotlight turned ugly.

That's why I want the Reds to take care of business tonight. Winning in four or five will serve the same purpose, but that perception - fair or not - is still there: when all eyes are on Cincinnati: the local teams dribbles down their legs.

Today the yard will be absolutely electric, the hopes for the postseason higher than they've been in weeks, and with nothing else to occupy the eyes and ears of sports fans in this country, our city is in the cross-hairs.

Let's hope the Reds have their Giants squarely in theirs.

-Loaded radio show today, and since I believe in transparency, I'll have you know a significant portion of it might have been taped earlier.  I'm guessing you understand why.

You'll hear Aaron Boone, Jim Bowden, Tracy Jones, C. Trent Rosecrans, Corky Miller, and Joe Reedy.  Plenty of room for you, especially in hour one, in there as well.

-Among the many Reds who's contributions to this team have been thrust into the spotlight is Ryan Hanigan.  When all hell was breaking loose on Saturday night, I remember thinking "Ryan is the guy I want behind the dish."  Paul Daugherty gives him some run today, and it's overdue

What I like most about Ryan is that he's thrived while the Reds had either what they thought would be a better option. Ramon Hernandez was expendable, not only because the Reds had young catching prospects but because of Ryan Hanigan's reliability.   Devin Mesoraco's growing pains were tolerable because Ryan Hanigan's experience. 

His arrival in Cincinnati was hardly heralded.  Unlike most players on this team, I can't even remember his debut.  But he's turned himself into one of the most important players on a very, very good team.

-The Reds Rally Towel they'll be handing out arrived at the radio station today.  Yes, people have been waving them all day.

-From The Pop Culture Broad, here's some rules for those heading to the game tonight.

-Here's one of the many reasons the Reds' 2-0 lead stands out: the postseason play thus far has been very, very, sloppy. From the always-outstanding Sweetspot Blog at ESPN.com....

• The Braves making three throwing errors in their loss to the Cardinals.
• The controversial infield pop fly in the same game.
• Coco Crisp dropping a routine fly ball in Sunday's game that allowed two runs to score.
• The A's and Tigers both wild pitching in runs in the same game.
• Cardinals shortstop Pete Kozma's error leading to the winning two (unearned) runs for the Nationals).
• Gio Gonzalez walking seven batters in that game.
• The Cardinals getting a bases-loaded, no-out situation. Two pitches later, the Nationals had escaped the inning.
• The Nationals winning despite two errors.
• Orioles closer Jim Johnson entering in a tie game and surrendering five runs.

To be fair, I haven't seen a second of the Tigers/A's series, but the Reds look the part more than anyone I have seen this October.

-They say the challenge of working where I do is that it cuts into your ability to be a fan.  When this happens to me, I will find a new line of work. Overheard today at the radio station:

"I hope they win it in five to help our billing."

Yes, I gave him the verbal-beatdown he deserved.

-My Reds headphones from BiGR Audio arrived today....

Wanna win a pair of your own?  Go here.

-Enough for now....get set for Game Three this afternoon at 3:04 on ESPN1530.  And join me for the weekly chat tomorrow, which will go down at the special start time of 12:00 noon.  Here's a picture of Larry Bird and Skeletor, complete with analysis of it.