According to Yahoo, Ichiro has given a profanity laced pep talk to A.L. stars since 2001.  And it works according to David Ortiz. Wait a minute Ichiro speaks english? Why that son of bleep, he was fooling us. (Here's the Yahoo article.)

     I've written that the Reds need a Greg Vaughn like leader. But for this team who gives the pep talk? Brandon Phillips?  Dusty Baker? It's definitely a consideration for next year if the Reds look to free agency to plug holes.

     But for this year, somebody needs to make the speech that losing is not acceptable and that we don't quit.  Someone needs to say, "Bleep those Cub b......ds.  Bleep their whining about 100 years without a title.  Bleep their fans.  They're a bunch of bleeping body orifices.  Bleep the Cards. Bleep the Brewers. I'm sick of hearing about the bleeping Brewers.  Bleep the Mets. Bleep the Phillies.  Bleep the bleeping Red Sox . Bleep the Yankees' bleeping money. "

     Got it Reds?  Let's go and win the whole bleeping thing.

 (Vaughn hits 3 homers against the Cubs. Reds win 10-3, 9-7--99; Cin. Enquirer/AP photo)