2009 Cincinnati Reds

[Jackdog]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

Count me in. Just let me know the date and I'll try my best to be there.

Just sent you a PM.

[slickdtc]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

I agree. I hope it all works out for him. He's a great kid.

Here's a long story about Joey. A few years back while I was still living in Johnson City Tennessee I took my family over to see the Smokies vs Lookout series in Sevierville. We usually stay closer to Gatlinburg when we head over because we hit the water park at Dollywood as well. It was a Memorial Day weekend and all the hotels closer to Dollywood were booked. I had to settle for a Days Inn 15 miles out from Dollywood. The good news was it was only a mile from Smokies Park. The better news was the Lookouts bus pulled in about an hour after we checked in.

My son was in the pool before I could check in. He was 10 then and the pool wasn't very big. Votto,Dickerson and Anderson Machado came down shortly. They all looked at the size of the pool and kinda laughed. Machado jumped in and started splashing around with my son. Votto sat in a chase lounger and started reading a book. Dickerson bailed for some sleep. My wife and son had no idea who these guys were.

Long story short,Anderson decided that Joey needed to get wet. He winked at me and whispered if it was cool to use my son in the gag? I shook my head yes. They both kinda slid over to where Votto was sitting and started splashing him with water. He jumped up and dropped his book into the pool. My son stopped immediately,grabbed the book out of the pool and started to apologize. Joey laughed it all off and asked my son if he was a Reds fan. Dominic told him yes and in fact we were going to see their Minor League team play that night. He then informed Votto about Votto. Again,my son has no idea who he talking to.

Joey asked Dom if he thought Votto was any good. Dominic,being a huge Griffey fan told Joey that he was OK,but Griffey was his favorite Reds player,but his cousin Jay Payton was his all time favorite. Votto told him Griffey was a good choice. Dom then invited Joey and Anderson to the game. They both kinda laughed and told him they couldn't afford to go. Dom then asked me if it was OK to spend some of his savings to buy these guys a ticket to the game. He told them he could afford to do it plus it was Firework Friday. They laughed and thanked him. They all kinda splashed around a bit then my son got hungry and my wife took him next door to Wendy's. Before leaving the pool he asked Votto and Anderson if they wanted anything from the dollar menu,he was buying. Again they laughed and thanked him and said they ate before they came out to the pool.

After my wife and son left,Votto complemented me on my son's behavior and his unselfish attitude. He told me his father was his best friend and he enjoyed the kind of trips my family was on when he was a kid. He asked if we had tickets for the game. I thanked him and told him we did,right behind their dugout. He informed me that he was going to give my son a ball that night and asked if that was OK? I laughed this time and told him hell yes.A few hours later we headed to the park to catch batting practice. When we got to our seats I pointed out Votto and Anderson and asked my son if they looked familiar, he got all wide eyed and yelled yes!!! Votto finished his round and headed to the dugout to grab his mitt. He saw us and waved. He came up to the rail and gave my son a baseball. He also asked if we wanted to come into the dugout after the game to watch the Fireworks, we all agreed.That was a good night.

The next day we didn't see any of the guys because we went to Splash Country. When we got to the park,Votto again gave my son another ball. It was signed by the team. He then asked if it was OK to take Dom into the clubhouse. My wife and I gave the OK and off they went. We didn't see our son the rest of the game. He sat in the dugout with the Lookouts. Myron Noodleman was performing in the park that night as well. Votto hit a three run bomb to top it off.

When Votto brought our son back to us after the game,we thanked him and took some pictures. He pulled me aside and thanked me for my service and explained that my son had informed him how I lost my right leg in Iraq. He asked if my country was taking care of me. I told him about my rehab at VA and my work with the WWP. He invited me to play Uker at the hotel that night. I did and we beat the hell out of Ryan Hanigan and Miguel Perez. It was a very good night.

Since that weekend I have met with Votto a few times. He has helped the WWP cause with his time and money. Not bad for a Canadian. He also sends my son a few quick emails of encouragement before and doing Dominic's baseball season. We have been down to spring training and had dinner with his family a few times. I haven't spoke to Joey much this season. I do know that his fathers passing had a huge effect on him. He's a very polite and quite kid that loves his family. I hope that whatever is bothering him gets corrected and he can live a normal healthy life.

That's just awesome. It just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. That's what baseball is about. It's a game. It's great that Votto and his former teammates know that and try to share the joy of being a ballplayer with others. Very, very cool.

[SlimKibbles]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

Someone posted this on FARK. Hmmmm....

http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2009/6/4/896616/dissecting-the-disabled-list-by

[Jackdog]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

Big win last night. Good job Maloney!

[tweadle]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

Yep we needed that one badly and he pitched a great game. Weathers just didn't have his usual stuff last night and kept missing that outside corner.

Nice to see that GABP sold out again! Its sure nice to see that stadium rocking in a close game - seems like its been awhile.

[Jackdog]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

Yep we needed that one badly and he pitched a great game. Weathers just didn't have his usual stuff last night and kept missing that outside corner.

Nice to see that GABP sold out again! Its sure nice to see that stadium rocking in a close game - seems like its been awhile.

Cubs are a good draw. Half the fans were Cub fans.

Would have been nice to see Weathers hold it together for Maloney's first MLB win.

Dickerson can play some Centerfield!!!!

[Jackdog]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

Damn!! That one hurt. 16 runners left on base. Unreal.

[SlimKibbles]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

Yeah that LOB total was awful. They had chances.

Well, hopefully playing the Washington Reds this week will be just what they need to get some momentum going.

[Motown]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

i like Rosales' hustle, but he ain't ready for the Bigs. he needs to go. Also Lincoln? a liability...3 words designate for assignment. If Bruce don't start hittin'...he needs to be sent down, & bring up Stubbs.
that is all.

[Jackdog]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

i like Rosales' hustle, but he ain't ready for the Bigs. he needs to go. Also Lincoln? a liability...3 words designate for assignment. If Bruce don't start hittin'...he needs to be sent down, & bring up Stubbs.
that is all.

I would love to see what Stubbs could do. Rosales is a fan favorite with his hustle,but I agree I don't think he has the bat to be in the Bigs. I'm actually looking forward to Edwin coming back. As far as Bruce goes,I don't believe he needs to be sent down. He's trying to pull everything,Dusty sat him next to him yesterday and schooled him up a bit. Check out this blog. It makes me love BP even more. http://www.daytondailynews.com/o/con...incinnatireds/ All that being said this guy has a valid point about BP.

BP jogging to first base, after hitting a ground ball, with his head down, with runners on 2nd and 3rd, in the 5th inning with two outs:Until he noticed an offline throw at 1st-then decided he would sprint and try to duck under the tag at 1st—only it was too late to hustle!He was tagged out. Running hard from the start,with his head up, he is safe, and a run scores. It’s 3-2 and runners on 1st and 3rd. BP is immature and doesn’t play hard on all occasions. A hotdog with sometimes talent.I’m afraid THAT is what Cleveland didn’t like about him.Captains and REAL leaders hustle all the time!When Brandon starts playing like a leader, he’ll have others respect. Right now he’s a boring bag of wind.Stats are often misleading—he has loafed more than once this year, feeling sorry for Brandon—and costing his team! Hustle is an attitude and respect for the game and your team. Loafing is also an attitude; and a demonstration of disrespect for the game, and your team!Not sliding into third-pure and simpleISRESPECT.

[jake44np]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

I really dont think Rosales has what it takes to play in the big leagues.
I love his hustle and he plays the game the right way, the simple fact is he doesnt have much God given talent! I too any looking forward to EE coming back. (never thought I would say that!)
Also how many more times are they going to send Lincoln out there??? He is just horrible, I wouldnt be surprised to see him release today being it is an off day. Marty cracks me up everytime they bring Lincoln in, the other night this is what he said "And for some reason Mike Lincoln is trotting out to the mound, this isnt going to end well!" I couldnt believe he said that, you have to love Marty.
Jay Bruce is just lost, I am not for sure what to do with him. Maybe he should be sent down for a couple weeks?

[Jackdog]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

Jake..Marty really said that??

I'm torn about Bruce man. Everyone goes through a slump,I really think hitting all those bombs early made him pull crazy. I hope sitting on the bench a few games will cure him of that. Sounds like Dusty is in his ear about it and that's a good thing.

I wish the whole team had the mindset of Rosales. If careers were made on desire he would be an Allstar.

[jake44np]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

Jake..Marty really said that??

I'm torn about Bruce man. Everyone goes through a slump,I really think hitting all those bombs early made him pull crazy. I hope sitting on the bench a few games will cure him of that. Sounds like Dusty is in his ear about it and that's a good thing.

I wish the whole team had the mindset of Rosales. If careers were made on desire he would be an Allstar.

Yes he did.
And last night listening to the post game show, when he was going over the scoring for both teams he said "and another typical bad outing for Mike Lincoln."

[Jackdog]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

Yes he did.
And last night listening to the post game show, when he was going over the scoring for both teams he said "and another typical bad outing for Mike Lincoln."

[Speedy]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

I'm torn about Bruce man. Everyone goes through a slump,I really think hitting all those bombs early made him pull crazy.

Bruce has a .221 average with BABIP (batting average, balls in play) this year while the league average is usually .290 to .300.