Brandon Webb Is My New Hero

As of Commencement this past Sunday, Brandon Webb and I now share one thing in common: we’re both alumni of the greatest university this side of Harvard, the University of Kentucky.

What we don’t share in common is our prowess on a pitching mound as Mr. Webb moved to 8-0 in eight starts for the Arizona Diamondbackes tonight after a complete game, three earned run performance against the Phillies. 

Webb is sporting an impressive 2.49 ERA while holding opposing hitters to below the Mendoza Line with an astounding .194 batting average against.  Brandon has only given up two home runs this season while striking out 41.

Brandon Webb, you sir have become my new hero and you sir are a complete bad ass.

♣ Linkage: ESPN.com

Chris Hansen Would Like A Word With Clemens

“Why don’t you have a seat over there, I’d like to ask you a few questions. Try the lemonade, go ahead — help yourself. Do you know who I am? I am Chris Hansen from Dateline NBC.”

To be honest, I am not quite sure how I missed this subtle detail yesterday — and by subtle detail I mean hilarious revelation — but I blame the bourbon. However, thanks goes to loyal reader The General who pointed out that although Roger Clemens’ alleged affair with Mind McCready WAS a decade long, it supposedly started when McCready was an aspiring 15-year old singer while The Rocket was a 28-year old pitching phenom who could have had most any legal woman he wanted.

I still maintain per the Mindy mugshot from yesterday that if Clemens was going to cheat on his wife he should have at least made it worth while, and now knowing Mindy was 15 does not change that position much unless…well, you’re in to that sort of thing. If this isn’t the makings of this week’s To Catch A Predator I don’t know what is and if all of this is true then it sounds like Rog has some explaining to do.

Ahh, back-to-back Clemens posts…I really need to get out more. Did someone say bourbon?

♣ Linkage: Daily News

Clemens Could Have Done Better

Hands off Emmylou, Rog…you’ve already had your taste of Nashville.

Former personal trainer and glorified Andy Dick look-alike Brian McNamee has spilled the beans on Clemens’ decade-long bout of infidelity with country music singer Mindy McCready. The news is the latest in a series of mudslinging accusations between The Rocket and McNamee as part of the defamation of character suit Roger filed against Brian earlier this year.

Now I normally don’t care what people do with their own time as it is none of my business, but apparently when Clemens is suing for questioning his character we have to care. Truth be told I have lost all respect for Roger Clemens.

And not because he cheated on his wife but because it was with this:

Seriously Roger…this was the best you could do? Was Shania Twain not available?…Dude, remember, you’re THE ROCKET.

♣ Linkage: ESPN.com

Barry Zito Is A Rich Loser

“I plan on winning THIS many more games while I’m a Giant.”

Just shy of a year and a half ago Barry Zito signed a very large contract for a pitcher. $126M over 7 years large. Since signing his absurd contract, Zito is a combined 11-19 for the Giants over the past two seasons including a 3 inning, 8 earned run loss in his most recent start against the Redlegs.  No, not the reigning World Champions, those Redlegs. Now, a mere 16 months later, Zito is being demoted to the Bullpen to provide the most expensive 1 inning relief appearances in Major League Baseball history.

Zito earned $10.0M last year and will earn a cool $14.5M for the 2008 season meaning the Giants paid $909,090 per win last season and, well, I would tell you how much they’ve paid per win so far this season but that whole divide by zero issue may crash the site or kill us all.

Clearly Zito’s contract may end being one of the all-time worst contracts for a pitcher, ranking way up there with the Mike Hampton debacle from a few years back. However, It is tough to feel sorry for Zito as he is getting paid a very large sum of money for being a loser.

♣ Linkage: ESPN.com

Cubs Go For 10,000

The Cubs are going for their 10,000 win today (Wednesday, April 23) against the Colorado Rockies. It is nice to talk about such a historic franchise and NOT talk about a record having to do with losing. There is only 1 other team to reach this historic mark, the New York/San Fran Giants. This begs the question: “How can a team that hasn’t won a championship in 100 years and hasn’t even seen the World Series since the ’40s possibly have more wins than a team like the Yankees who have 25 championships?”

The answer is that I have no idea, but it is pretty amazing.

Chicks Dig The Long…Career

Editor’s Note: Discuss this article NOW over at ACC vs. SEC! - Chicks Dig The Long…Career

The now-42-year-old Greg Maddux won his 349th game on Sunday — a day before his birthday — in a 5.0 inning outing against his former hotel stop, the Los Angeles Dodgers. I admittedly couldn’t stand Maddux when he was an Atlanta Brave and, to be truthful, I couldn’t so much as stand John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Steve Avery or, well, any of the Braves either during their run of domination in the 1990s and early 2000s.

But I will also admit that the longer a player most pundits describe as a “class act” continues to perform at high levels in years long after he should be able to, the more I tend to like and respect that player. I think this is the case for most other sports fans and is best outlined most recently with the Brett Favre Love Fest this past NFL season. Most people — myself included — want to see just how long a particular player can continue on at a successful and high professional level past the 40-year-old plateau.

What is more remarkable about Maddux, however, is that he has been taking care of business with unparalleled consistency and durability since 1988, his third year in the league after entering as a rookie in 1986 with the Chicago Cubs, and with a fastball that only tops out around 47 MPH. The “Chicks Dig The Long Ball” commercial for Nike may have vaulted Maddux in to mainstream baseball popularity and 349 wins is an impressive feat, but a quit look at his season-by-season statistics tell the real story:

21 consecutive seasons with 25, or more, starts. 20 consecutive seasons with 198, or more, innings pitched. 20 consecutive seasons with 14, or more, wins. 14 total seasons with an ERA at, or below, 3.50. And all of this while sporting a career winning percentage of .620 with four different teams.

That is durability, that is consistency, and that is longevity.

Greg Maddux may very well be the greatest pitcher of my lifetime and he has acquired this designation without over powering size or power, but with unmatched control and a cerebral approach to the game of baseball. Maddux is a man among boys on the baseball mound in what has come to be known as “the steroid era” in Major League Baseball and all in a frame barely six feet tall and barely 170 pounds.

Greg Maddux’s career is simply amazing and though chicks may in fact dig the long ball, they also dig the long career.

♣ Linkage:

Yahoo! Sports

Baseball Reference

A Red Observation

For the love of God, can somebody PLEASE teach Adam Dunn how to slap one down the 3rd Base line?!?!  Everytime I listen to a Reds radio broadcast, when Adam Dunn comes to bat all that I ever hear is:

“The defense has put the shift on Adam Dunn, the Shortstop is playing directly behind 2nd Base and the 3rd Baseman is playing where the Shortstop would on a double-play situation.  Well I tell ya’, the 3rd Base line is WIDE. OPEN.”

Dunn has all four infielders playing on the right side of 2nd Base….

JUST STICK YOUR BAT OUT.

And oh, to answer your question…he struck out.  I’m not kidding.

Standing O!

The Detroit Tigers, in pre-season, were a hot ticket for not only a playoff selection but a possible contender for the World Series. With a fantastic start of 0-7 following their 5-nil defeat to the Red Sox, the Tigers were mathematically  eliminated from the playoffs. Let’s be honest, there has never been a team in MLB history to start 0-7 and make the playoffs and I’d put my left nut on the line and say they are officially done for. History simply doesn’t lie and I’ll stand by my statement. With their recent trades and signings this off-season, Detroit now has the Major Leagues’ 2nd highest payroll at around $138 million just ahead of the Mets and far behind the Yankees, at $209 million.

Although Curtis Granderson suffered a timely injury they did bring in the same level of production with Miguel Cabrera. We are still talking about the same Tigers team that finished 3rd in the Major Leagues in runs scored with 5.5 runs/game, and yet this season has started off in DEAD LAST averaging 2.1 runs/game. When Curtis does return, with it being a hand injury, he won’t be 100% until he mentally puts the injury behind them. Once that happens Detroit can finally get back on track but by then the Central Division will be out of reach and we know the Wildcard will come out of the east between New York or Boston; chance of playoffs…IT’S A WRAP!

Speaking of Boston, Bill Buckner received a standing ‘O’ from the Red Sox faithful at Fenway. It is officially about time Red Sox Nation pulled the monkey, and the blame, off of Buckner. It is simply childish to blame one single player for a team’s loss in a series long event. Don’t forget it wasn’t even Game 7 so they still had an opportunity to finish off the Mets one game later and failed AS A TEAM. When my Cleveland Indians lost two World Series’ in the 90’s, I as a fan never blamed ONE player for our loss. Omar Vizquel pointed the finger at Jose Mesa for blowing the save against the Marlins. However, no closer is 100% in the history of save opportunities, and it simply was nothing more than bad timing.  So I’m happy to see that after winning two World Series the Red Sox fans finally grew up and came to a realization that there was no such thing as a curse or that Bill Buckner is a (fill in the blank).

Let The Misery Begin

 

Another season of Cubs baseball begins today (March 31), and maybe this year the Cubs will end their century long drought and finally win a Championship.  Here’s to hoping.

Prediction: 89 wins and a Central Division Championship.  End up losing to Mets in the NLCS in 5 games.

Remembering Harry Caray

It was 10 years ago, Feb 18, 1998 that the beloved Cubs’ announcer Harry Caray passed away due to brain damage following cardiac arrest. Many people around the league and Cub fans especially have their favorite Harry Caray moment. Whether it be Will Farrel playing him on Saturday Night Live, The Budweiser and Bud Light commercials, or the seventh inning stretch, there are certain things which will forever remind us of the man with those big glasses. To some Harry Caray might have been a big joke or an embarrassment, but being a kid at the time; to me Harry was a hero. A recognizable voice coming out of the radio to broadcast the lovable losers on warm summer days. His stories, his enthusiasm, and his love of baseball is the reason I still watch baseball and the Cubs. With a hot dog and an ice cold Budweiser, I say this proudly “Holy Cow! Cubs win! Cubs win!”

Miami, Marlins Planning $515M Hole In The Ground

The Florida Marlins are quite an enigma.  They have two World Series rings since 1997, which is tied for second most with the Boston Red Sox behind the Yankees’ three since that year.  The team also operates out of Miami, Florida where the beer flows like wine and it would seem baseball enthusiasts are in tow considering the Grapefruit League that holds court in the state of Florida each spring.   Yet, despite this, the Florida Marlins have the lowest average attendance for home games in Major League Baseball, averaging just over 16,000 cut-throat fans each game — which is less than half of the 37,000 seat capacity of the new, 2011 stadium.

The average Marlins home game:

Now the franchise has made the claim that they cannot survive in south Florida without a new stadium — and I tend to agree that it would suck to play in what is normally an NFL stadium — but it seems tough to justify a $515-million dollar undertaking, with Miami-Dade contributing $347-million of that, when attendance is so low despite some of the recent successes.

I would think a better marketing department would be first in order if they expect to survive in south Florida, among other changes, and I don’t know that building a half-billion dollar stadium for people to not come to will be the long term solution.

♣ Linkage: Yahoo! Sports 

♣ Linkage: ESPN.com

TNB Exclusive: Pictures Found Linking Jeter With Clemens

 

Above is snap shot taken of other snap shots given by Brian McNamee on Capital Hill today as evidence.  Below is an exclusive shot of Clemens ACTUALLY shooting a needle of steroids into Derek Jeter during their passionate pre-game sex romp.  I swear to you that the photo is completely unaltered.  The needle “appears” to be cheaply added in without the use of photoshop; however, the needle was only enlarged and given a white background to show detail.  I will stake my journalistic credibility on the authenticity of the photo.

P.S.  The photo at the top is actually genuine, however there lacks any evidence directly  linking the beer cans, needles, and blood stained gauze to Clemens.  However, the fact that Clemens was born in Dayton, OH (which is known for its drug use) can not and should not be overlooked.

Hometown Hero: Ryne Sandberg

In the days of baseball cheating, scandals, and cutting corners, no one has provided more class to the game then former Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg. For those of you who don’t know, a Hall of Famer, Ryno has complied some of the best numbers ever seen at second base. To go along with his 10 consecutive All Star appearances and his 9 consecutive Gold Gloves, Ryno has posted a MLB 2nd baseman record .989 lifetime fielding percentage.

It is more then just numbers for Ryno, which are amazing, but about the man he was and the Cubs legend which he became. Sandberg drew national attention on June 23, 1984 in what would become known as the “Sandberg Game.” During the nationally telecast game, the Cubs were down 8-9 in the bottom of the ninth to their rival St. Louis Cardinals. The premier closer was on the mound, HOF Bruce Sutter who saved 45 different games in 1984, but this was of little relevance when Ryno belted a solo shot into the left field bleachers to tie the game and send it into extra innings. Then in the 10th, the Cardinals scored 2 more runs and it looked all but over for the loveable losers. However, in the tenth lightning struck twice as Ryno belted a 2 run homer deeper into the left field bleachers to tie the game again. The Cubs would go on to win it in the 11th and Ryno would go on to be loved by Cubs’ fans forever.

Ryno was simply the greatest offensive and defensive second basemen ever to grace the hallowed grounds of Wrigley Field. He did it without taking steroids and cutting corners. He did it with class, hard-work, and with respect. Young kids should listen to Ryno’s HOF induction speech and take these words to heart, “Make a great play, act like you’ve done it before, get a big hit, look for the third base coach and get ready to run the bases, hit a home run, put your head down, drop the bat, run around the bases, because the name on the front is a lot more important than the name on the back. That’s respect.”

Johan Santana Traded To The Mets

In case you have not visted ESPN.com in the last little bit… pending a physical and a contract extension for Santana, the Mets are the winner’s of the Johan Santana sweepstakes. The package includes Mets prospects Carlos Gomez, Philip Humber, Deolis Guerra and Kevin Mulvey. The top prospect of this group is Carlos Gomez, who is a CF that fills a void the Twins have after losing Torri Hunter to Free Agency with the Angels. There will be a 48-72 hour contract extension window for the Mets to work something out with Santana and his agent.

Personally, if this gets done, the Mets will have gotten a steal in my opinion as really none of the prospects the Twins receive are ‘can’t miss’ prospects. I believe the Twins were best suited hanging on to Santana and making a run at the division with a 1-2 punch of Santana & a healthy Liriano leading the way. I understand why the Twins made this move, I just don’t personally agree with it. What do you think? Leave your comments below and tell us what you think of this trade.

I Can’t Believe I Am Saying This…

I can’t believe I am saying this but the Reds seem like they’re actually trying to give me something to be excited about in the offseason. The whirlwind of moves started with the signing of a “big-name” manager in Dusty Baker. Say what you want about Dusty’s ability to ruin young arms, his high profile name has forced the Reds to dig deeper in to their pockets than management is used to.

Then, in the most shocking move of all, the Reds signed a big-name, free agent pitcher in Francisco Cordero to a 4-year $46-million dollar contract, which is unheard of in the Greater Cincinnati area.  And shortly thereafter, former Saint Louis Cardinal general Manager Walt Jocketty signed a deal with the Reds to be a special assistant to the front office.  You have to love that move.

Add that along with the acquisitions of pitchers Edison Volquez (right handed) by way of the Texas Rangers and Jeremy Affeldt (left handed) — who was apparently the last solid south paw free agent left on the open market — by way of the Colorado Rockies just this weekend, and the Reds are actually creating some buzz. Now I hated more than anyone to see Josh Hamilton traded as part of the Volquez deal but face it, the Reds have always had the offense and what they’ve needed is pitching, so if Edison pans out the loss of Hamilton won’t seem as bad.

And finally, what I feel might be the best offseason move of Wayne Krivsky’s Reds tenure, the organization refused arbitration for Eddie Guardado and, more importantly, Eric Milton, a pitcher who was the best player on the opposing team on a yearly basis. Good riddance.

Pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in 27 days and I might be as excited as I’ve been in a long time. Reds coverage will amp up then as I’ll need something to pass the time and the Kentucky Wildcats will likley be mathematically eliminated from the NCAA Tournament by then…

♣ Linkage: ESPN.com

More People Can Now Watch Cubs Collapse

Ain’t no party like a Sweet Lou party ’cause a Sweet Lou party don’t stop!

With the Reds being at or near the bottom of the National League Central Division on a yearly basis it is not often I have much to cheer about so I have to get my shots in on Bob Swerski and his Cubbies while I can.

That being said, it was announced yesterday that Wrigley Field and the Cubs will add room for seating for nearly 70 more in what are being called “bullpen box seats.” — meaning 70 more people will be in attendance each game to watch the Cubs inevitably blow it come September.

Apparently the organization had to receive permission from the city of Chicago to modify the stadium as Wrigley Field has historic landmark status.

Yeah, a historic landmark of SUCK!

I’ve got nothing…go Reds…

♣ Linkage: ESPN.com

Clemens Hires P.I., Magnum Unavailable For Comment

I don’t know what Clemens was thinking, clearly this P.I. is a Tigers fan…

In a turn of events that will only pose darken baseball’s black eye and turn the situation surrounding steroids in to more of a circus, Roger Clemens — the biggest star named in Senator Mitchell’s report — has hired a private investigator to look in to the credibility of the man who linked The Rocket with ‘roids, Brian McNamee.

McNamee’s attorney has stated that there is really nothing left to say and it remains to be seen if Clemens’ P.I. will actually unearth anything new; however, it is the largest step by anyone linked with steroids to clear his/her name as opposed to simple public denials and it won’t stop there as Roger has a 60 Minutes interview airing shortly after the first of the year. 

Clemens may have a case to clear his name or he may just be putting on this charade to fool us in to believing that he is innocent of which we may never know.  What we do know, though, is that the steroids era is continuously growing and taking on more meaning and it seems as if performance enhancing drugs will inevitably be larger than the sport they were used to enlarge.

♣ Linkage: ESPN.com

Mitchell Report Coverage

**UPDATE** We’re now hosting the “Mitchell Report” — View it: mitchell_report.pdf (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view which is a free download here: Adobe.)

If you are looking for conciseness, I have seen preliminary lists come and go here: WNBC

WNBC Link thanks to Condo — check it periodically as they seem to be working with two sources close to the Mitchell Report.

Condo’s Updates - Prior to Mitchell Report’s Release

**UPDATE** American Legends Blog >> Names from Mitchell List has the list of names that were originally reported on WNBC’s list. Check here to see if any names you may be curious about are on the list!

**UPDATE** At this time, the WNBC link above is NOT showing the names of the players included on the list. WNBC out of New York has said they are working closely with their 2 sources in order to put a more ‘correct’ list up and the names should be back up momentarily. Check back often as we will be bringing you as much coverage as we can on this monumental day for steroids and baseball.

After seeing some of the names, I felt obliged to put up this link again:

The Genius Of Jose Canseco

Condo and I will be around for some rolling updates. Feel free to chat it up in the thread or to just drop your thoughts on us.

Below is more steroid coverage than you care to read and its all we got - well organized for your needs…

In Like A Lamb, Out Like A Lamb

Doc’s column on the Saint Louis Cardinals from this morning sparked a renewed, if only momentary, interest in baseball this offseason and, more importantly, my Cincinnati Reds.

Then I realized that they’re still the Reds.

After dropping a few dollars on closer Francisco Cordero and manager Dusty Baker, I was almost certain the Reds’ front office would tear in to the MLB Winter Meetings full steam ahead; in like a lion, as they say. That, however, would prove not to be the case as the headlines on Reds.com all week long mentioned Wayne “Burnt Crispy” Krivsky being content and comfortable staying completely quiet during the annual conference, with the week’s final headline reading “Reds Content To Conclude Quiet Winter Meetings.”

The Reds didn’t even make a splash. In fact, the Reds couldn’t even muster involvement in any rumors — ideas which are usually conjured up against a teams’ will by internet trolls and message board addicts. However, this time around I would’ve welcomed involvement in any trade rumors with open arms, even if they were just rumors, as at least something is better than absolutely nothing.

But no, the Winter Meetings have come and gone without so much as a hiccup by Wayner and Company and, at this point, I guess I should have come to expect nothing more.

Here’s hoping that Cordero is the savior.

Message To Rolen: Roll Ya’ Ass Down The River

Just when the Cardinal Nation thought that the rift between Scott Rolen and Tony LaRussa was nothing more than a fading memory, because it was brushed aside for the Cardinals’ improbable World Series win in 2006, think again.

The rift has taken on a new form of bickering, this time on the personal side of things.

Originally, the Rolen/LaRussa feud was regarding playing time during the 2006 playoffs. As most Cardinal fans know, Rolen missed much of 2005 with a shoulder injury due to a hard slide from Tony Womack, all after having the best season of his career.

So in order to keep Rolen healthy, LaRussa chose Scott Spiezio to fill in the void at third as a way to keep Rolen out of harm’s way.

From the standpoint of Rolen, who has thrilled fans in St. Louis with his hustle and defensive play since arriving from Philadelphia in 2002, it was more than just the injury issue.

It was something personal.

Since the 2006 postseason, Rolen and LaRussa have not spoken or, even better, brought up the situation from October of 2006– which brings us to what has recently gone on in this feud between Rolen and LaRussa.

According to reports from both the Belleville (Ill.) News-Democrat and St. Louis Post-Dispatch, LaRussa wants to keep Rolen around for the 2008 season and beyond.

But as LaRussa debated whether or not he wanted to return for the ‘08 season, Rolen was doing everything in his power to run LaRussa out of town on a Metrolink rail – all as the lone voice against him returning.

And if you’ve followed Rolen’s career closely, you know for a fact that his desire to not play for Larry Bowa during his time in Philadelphia led him to returning home to Cardinal Nation five years ago.

As we come close to the end of the winter meetings in Nashville, only one team from published reports has an interest in Rolen, the Los Angeles Dodgers, a team that hasn’t had a solid everyday third baseman since Adrian Beltre bolted for Seattle. Should he decide to sign with the Dodgers, Rolen could find himself batting either fifth or sixth in a lineup with Russell Martin, Nomar Garciaparra, and Matt Kemp, and an early pick to win the National League West.

But if he stays in St. Louis, Cardinal management is going to have to deal with a million-dollar mope that is wanting to do nothing more than fly the coop and, judging from what has gone on with the organization for the last few years, Rolen’s not going away without a fight.

My advice?

If Rolen wants to bolt St. Louis, let him. Don’t get me wrong, he’s done a fine job of patrolling third base for the Cards, but he’s overstayed his welcome.

You wanted to leave Philly for a chance to return home and you got it.

In five years, you’ve been in two World Series and have a ring to show to your friends.

So what’s the problem, Scott?

Need a babysitter?

I’ll get a hold of my friend Nathalie.

Reds Management Finds Wallet

In a stunning turn of events this offseason – a ride that started with the Redlegs finally signing a “big-name” manager in Dusty Baker – the management of Cincinnati’s finest baseball franchise just might have finally found their wallet that had gone missing for the better part of the last decade by agreeing to, in part, a four year, $46-million dollar contract with All Star Closer Francisco Cordero.

Francisco was second in saves last season in the National League and may, or may not, be worth the contract that he received; however, his talent is the farthest thing from what is actually on my mind.  What has me slightly intrigued is the fact that Reds’ management is at least showing that it might actually be willing to put forth the adequate amount of money to possibly develop a somewhat successful baseball team in “The Queen City.”

It is no doubt that the Reds have some young talent down on the farms but rarely do fans have much to be excited about during free agent signing periods and around the trade deadline.  However, the Reds have inked a deal with not only a big-name manager but also a high-dollar free agent at the fact that the Reds might be showing a little life in their back pocket gives us faithful followers at least a little something to be excited about.

ESPN.com (link) is reporting that deal also has an option for the fifth year and is pending Cordero passing a physical exam.

Rounding Third And Heading For Home

It is a sad day in Red Leg Nation as long time Reds’ radio broadcaster - one of the best in all of baseball - and former Reds’ pitcher Joe Nuxhall passed away late last night near Cincinnati, Ohio at the age of 79 stemming from complications arising during his battle with cancer. The “Ol’ Left-hander” began his relationship with baseball, and the Reds for that matter, on June 10, 1944 just 50 days shy of his 16th birthday. At 15 years, 10 months, and 11 days of age, with the World War II ravaged rosters of the ’40s, Joe became the youngest player to ever suit up for a Major League Baseball team - a record he still holds today - when he took the mound against the Saint Louis Cardinals at Crosley Field for his lone appearance that season. That outing would prove to be the beginning of a 63 year relationship with baseball’s oldest professional team.

Joe retired as a player from the Reds, and the game of baseball, in 1967 and immediately entered the broadcast booth and this past summer, where Joe worked a limited schedule along side long-time partner Marty Brennaman, marked his 40th year in radio for the Red Legs. With his catch phrase “…and this is the Ol’ Left-hander, rounding third and heading for home…” to end every broadcast, Joe was a constant joy to listen to and the epitome of class in a sport now tarnished with scandals.

I am not one to jump on the personal bandwagons of recently deceased public figures but this is one situation where I can honestly say I grew up listening to Marty and Joe on Reds’ radio broadcasts. For me, the sound of their voices will forever be synonymous with listening to a Reds game on the back porch on a clear summer night with my father. I even found myself, during the majority of this season, turning down the audio on my television and turning up the volume on my radio just to hear Marty and Joe call Reds games a few more times during Joe’s limited work schedule — even if that meant I was able to hear what happened before I saw it thanks to telecast delays.

The Cincinnati Reds and the world of Major League Baseball lost a good one last night and it is too bad that his story will be overshadowed by this morning’s news of Barry Bonds’ indictment from late yesterday afternoon.

God bless you, Joe Nuxhall, you have meant a lot of things to a lot of people for a very long time and you will be missed.

And now you truly are “rounding third and heading for home.”

Bonds Coverage

This won’t ever appear above my Joe Nuxhall column today for reasons outlined in said column, but we have been getting some bonus traffic thanks to the Barry Bonds indictment so I felt compelled to speak on it.

Actually, I really don’t have much in the way of comments on the subject because I think I grew tired of the man over the course of this season; however, what I will say is that I think, regardless of the outcome of the trial, this will put an end to his career but I will also go on record as saying that I don’t feel he’ll be convicted.

And here is why:

Bonds never denied using steroids he merely insisted he never knowingly used the substance when he testified to a Grand Jury in the Balco investigations. Victor Conte has already stated he likely won’t testify in the case and to convict Bonds on perjury charges means finding someone who will tell the jury that he/she knows that Bonds knew what he was taking at the time and then the jury has to believe this person. Currently, there are few ideas on who this person is and really, regardless of the witness, it becomes a situation of his/her word against Barry’s and a defendant is innocent until proven guilty and has to be guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt to be convicted. Thus, Bonds will likely walk away with his freedom but will also likely walk away from the game of baseball, hopefully disappearing in to obscurity for the next couple of decades.

Now that I am off of my soap box regarding Bonds, the real reason for this column was to post some of our previous Barry Bonds and steroids coverage for easier access to the people who wound up here in search of Bonds-related material. Some of what is listed has already upset some people so if it also upsets you please read the comments thread for each article as most complaints have already been addressed. Also, the commentaries for the links below were written shortly after Bonds broke Hank Aaron’s all-time home run mark to give you an idea of the atmosphere in which they were written.

Links with commentary:

An Open Letter To All Major League Pitchers, by Matt - April 3, 2007: This was one of the first posts on the site when I was merely testing out the system but it is interesting to read it now that the record has been breached. My views have not changed much on the issue but my overall message is a moot point now.

The Genius Of Jose Canseco, by Matt - April 11, 2007: This is an in-depth look at what Jose Canseco brought to the table with his tell-all antics in Juiced, the research may surprise you. And now, more and more names are popping up in allegations from Canseco to positive tests from Major League Baseball: Alex Rodriguez, Neifi Perez, etcetera. It is interesting to note that seemingly roughly 75% (not scientific by any standards) of names linked to steroids by random testing, or Jose’s mouth, are of Hispanic descent, Bonds not withstanding. I will have to follow up this article when Canseco releases his second tell-all memoir, Vindicated.

Hey, Look At Me, I Am Barry Bonds’ Brother!, by Matt - May 16, 2007: One of the shortest pieces you’ll find here yet no other article has seemed to cause as much controversy as this one. It is more of a knock to Bobby Bonds than it is to Barry, but take from it what you will. For reasons unknown to me, and it certainly isn’t because of ground shattering content, this has become one of our most-viewed articles reaching well over 2,000 page views. I thought it was funny but it seems to have rubbed others the wrong way.

Barry’s Crucible, by Josh “Charlie Hustle” Stankovich - May 17, 2007: Playing the part of the voice of reason in this one, “Charlie” offers one of the best pieces you’ll find here regarding any sport and one of the best pieces you’ll find regarding Barry Bonds anywhere. “Charlie” doesn’t try to be flashy when he speaks from a different angle than you usually expect; this piece is the ‘must read’ of the bunch and may encompass the sentiments of some of the middle-of-the-road Bonds supporters. This article is still very relevant.

Twenty Years Of Testosterone, by Matt with help from “Charlie Hustle” - May 18, 2007: This was my personal, sarcastic follow up to the controversy sparked by Hey, Look At Me, I am Barry Bonds’ Brother! and Josh and I think it is a fun piece. We write things based on what we find hilarious between us and usually we’re the only ones that end up finding it funny but hopefully you will enjoy it too.

Bud Selig’s Dictatorship, by Matt - June 26, 2007: I attempt to take Bud Selig to task regarding his handling of the steroid situation and, more importantly, his dealings with Jason Giambi, who seemed to be a bit of a scapegoat. I can only claim to attempt to take Selig to task, you can decide how worthy it is.

Who Wants To Be A Commissioner? by Josh “Charlie Hustle” Stankovich - August 2, 2007: A three-part post that looks at all three professional sports leagues’ commissioners and their handling of their leagues’ respective controversies. The portion on Bud Selig more than applies to this situation and feel free to participate in the comments section of this particular article. We now know that Selig was present for the tying home run but not the breaking home run and celebrated about as much as I would at a funeral; an interesting situation to say the least and this piece a close second ‘must read’ piece of this group.

Bonds Did It, by Matt - August 5, 2007: I couldn’t have been more mum on the topic of Bonds tying Aaron than I was the morning after; it isn’t really worth a read because there isn’t much TO read but it is interesting now that he has broken the record how many places like TNB has seen the milestone come and go without much fanfare.

Added November 16th, 2007:

Think Steroids Have Ruined Baseball? Think Again. by Matt - October 4, 2007: My feeble attempts to put a positive spin on this year’s season amidst the negative publicity of steroids and Bonds’ home run chase. I have taken a pretty hard line on the steroids issue and this column was also an attempt to work an apathetic stance in to things and strictly concern myself, and others, with simply the game itself and not the scandals. You probably won’t like it and/or you’ll disagree, which is fine, just read the comments in the article’s thread as most issues have already been addressed.

Reds Exercise Option For Adam Dunn

The Cincinnati Reds have exercised the one-year option on uber-slugger Adam Dunn’s contract that will pay him $13.0 million for the 2008 season, making him the highest paid player on the Reds’ roster and ensuring another season of fans being in awe of his towering home runs while defiling him for his ballooning number of strikeouts.

I have always been a BIG Adam Dunn supporter - although I nearly jumped off of the wagon during the worst of times last season - and having watched Dunn play for the Single-A Dragons of my hometown Dayton when he first came on the scene for the Reds, it is nice to watch the continuance of his career.

That being said, Reds’ General Manager Wayne “Burnt Crispy” Krivsky had this to say about Adam Dunn’s self-proclaimed improvement -  and reduction of strikeouts - at the plate in the second half of the season:

“For him to say that, it must be true,” Krivsky said. -Courtesy of ESPN.com

Oh really, Wayner? I can hit 80 home runs in a season will you pay me millions of dollars? I mean for me to say it, it must be true.

2007 World Series Breakdown

Well, after Boston completed yet another comeback in the ALCS, we finally have our World Series match-up between two teams that couldn’t have been any further away from each other before the season started. I remember back at the beginning of 2007 when current Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton was pondering waiving his no trade clause to be traded to the team he will now be facing tomorrow in Game 1 of the World Series.

If anyone predicted that it would be Boston and Colorado fighting for the world title before the season started, then by God, you must either not know anything about baseball, or you’re from the Denver area.

Let’s breakdown some key factors in this series:

Pitching Staff:
The Boston Red Sox have two of the best big game post season pitchers in recent memory with Curt Schilling and Josh Beckett. They also have one of the best closers in the game in Jonathan Papelbon whereas the Rockies have… well, they don’t have any names they come close to the level of what Boston has, but they’ve been exceptional this post season. I think Boston has the edge in the rotation but outside of “Paps” the Red Sox bullpen to me does not seem as solid all the way around as the Rockies pen, at least in this post season.
Overall Edge though goes the Red Sox

Hitting:
The Boston lineup features big time sluggers such as Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz coupled with other capable bats like Mike Lowell, Dustin Pedoria, and Kevin Youkilis. The Rockies lineup has only one big time slugger that people have heard of in the name of Matt Holliday, but the rest of the lineup is good too and features players such as Todd Helton, Garrett Atkins, and Brad Hawpe.
I think that in when the games are at Fenway, Boston has a serious edge because of the DH, but when it moves to Coors Field, the edge swings to the Rockies because of Boston having to take out either Youkilis or Ortiz.
So I believe the overall edge is a push

Defense and Execution:
I believe the defensive edge goes to the Red Sox with a gold glover in Mike Lowell over at the hot corner and solid defense everywhere else throughout the field. Execution I believe is a push, seeing as how the Red Sox are not asked to execute many bunts, sacrifices etc.. throughout the season being in the American League as the Rockies are asked to do in the National League.
Overall Edge again goes to the Red Sox.

Manager:
Terry Francona and the Bo Sox hold the edge yet again because he’s been here before. I’m sure nobody has forgotten what he did in 2004 leading the Red Sox to the first world series in 86 years and the fact he has experience as a former manager in the National League with the Philadelphia Phillies. Clint Hurdle is a relative unknown outside of the baseball guru’s and although he is the main candidate to win manager of the year, he is not on the same level as Francona, at least experience wise in these pressure situations.
Overall Edge again goes the Red Sox.

So what does all this mean you ask? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! Everything to this point has shown that Colorado has no business being in this World Series in the first place and what they are doing here nobody seems to know or care. I think this is just like the 2003 Florida Marlins team that has ZERO clue what is going on and they are just playing the game the way it was meant to be played, hard and fun! Do I think the Rockies will keep this crazy win streak up? No, most likely not, but I do believe that in the end, the Rockies will be flying up a World Series banner at the beginning of next season.

Condo’s Prediction: Rockies in 5 closing it out in Coors Field.
World Series MVP: Troy Tulowitzki — Colorado Rockies SS