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MLB: Cincinnati Reds
NFL: Cincinnati Bengals
NCAA Hoops: Xavier Musketeers
NCAA Football: Miami Hurricanes
NHL: Calgary Flames
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." - Edmund Burke
"The wisest men follow their own direction." - Euripides -
Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds
According to media reports Baker is in love with Hopper. Hopper at best IMO should spilt time with Bruce in CFComment
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Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds
Great site for us Reds fans. Some more as well listed on the right hand side, like Red-Hot-Momma.Comment
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Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds
I wouldn't mind Votto being the Opening Day starter at 1BSARASOTA, Fla. - First base is one of the open positions in Reds camp, and it's obvious that Joey Votto is going to get a long look from manager Dusty Baker.
Votto is one of the club's top prospects. He's coming off terrific back-to-back seasons in the minors, and he did well in a September audition with the Reds.
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Scott Hatteberg was the starter at first base last season and has played well in his two years with the Reds. He hit .310 last year with 10 home runs and 47 RBI in 361 at-bats.
But early comments from Baker suggest the guard could change this year.
"What's Hatteberg? Thirty-eight?" Baker said. "Votto's the future here. I talked to Hatteberg about Votto. He thinks he's going to be a heck of a player. He's not conceding his position. ... I think he understands to be part of the club that Votto might have to be a major part of it. It might be Votto's time."
Hatteberg said he doesn't view the first-base position as a spring training battle.
"As far as a tryout, I don't know," he said. "I've been here for three years. It's going to be an organizational decision."
Votto gives the Reds more power and speed at first base. He has averaged 24 home runs and 21 stolen bases the last two seasons.
The 24-year-old Votto was the Reds' second-round pick in the 2002 draft, and he's had a knack for getting on base in the minors (.396 career on-base average). He admitted he wondered what he had to do last year to get called up - he hit .294 with 22 home runs and 92 RBI in 133 games at Triple-A Louisville.
But he isn't treating this year's camp any differently.
"I treat all camps the same," Votto said. "The other camps I didn't go in with the expectation of winning a job, but I went in and played like I wanted it. This is no different."
Last season, Votto didn't get called up until September when major-league rosters were expanded. He responded by hitting .321 with four home runs and 17 RBI in 24 games.
"It gives you confidence," Votto said. "If I had done poorly, I don't think I would have doubted myself. But it was good to do well."
Votto is thankful he got a chance to get acclimated to the big leagues.
"I think it was a big help, getting that out of the way, seeing what the major leagues were like, going through things that I don't think would be good for someone like me to go through for the first time on Opening Day," Votto said.
Baker noticed Votto's effort.
"He performed pretty well in September," Baker said. "You don't take nothing away from that, but September is a little different than April.
"But it's better than nothing."
In a perfect scenario, either Votto or Hatteberg would be a right-handed hitter. Both hit left-handed, so there's no opportunity to platoon them.
If Votto gets the nod to start, Hatteberg will be in a new role.
"I've never been in a pinch-hit role," Hatteberg said. "I don't know how successful I'll be. I've been in a platoon role, but that's different."
Hatteberg is also treating this camp like any other.
"I don't know how much fighting for a job there's going to be," he said. "I'm definitely getting ready for the season. I want to stay healthy. However this falls into place, I don't know. I think it's purely going to be a decision on which way they want to go.
"I'm going to be prepared and on top of my game."Comment
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MLB: Cincinnati Reds
NFL: Cincinnati Bengals
NCAA Hoops: Xavier Musketeers
NCAA Football: Miami Hurricanes
NHL: Calgary Flames
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." - Edmund Burke
"The wisest men follow their own direction." - EuripidesComment
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Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds
here's a link to nice write up of some of the Reds prospects at all levels. Definitely worth a read when you have a few free minutes.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/n...milb&fext=.jspLux y VeritasComment
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Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds
I am getting ready to listen to the first Spring Training game of the year right now on 700 WLW.
I cant wait for baseball to start!ND Season Ticket Holder since '72.Comment
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Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds
i'm listening to the stream on mlb.comIndividuality: Always remember that you are unique. Just like everybody else.
Fan of:Indiana HoosiersCincinnati RedsJoey LoganoComment
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Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds
Sunday's game (I forget who it's against) will be on MLB.tv.
Looking forward to watching it.Lux y VeritasComment
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Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds
Gonzalez out at least 3 weeks ouch......
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Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds
that just means more time for kepp .... on a side note, a mod should let us change this thread name to ....
the 2008 joe nuxhall memorial reds threadIndividuality: Always remember that you are unique. Just like everybody else.
Fan of:Indiana HoosiersCincinnati RedsJoey LoganoComment
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Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds
Bruce has been hitting pretty good so far, although I am only going by box score as I haven't seen a game yet. But I like the box scores so far for him. I truly hope he hits his way into the starting lineup. As much as I liked Hopper's toughness last year and ability to hit, I don't want anything or anyone to mess up Bruce's career. He has immense talent and should be allowed to show it.#WeAreUKComment
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