You wait forever to get a chance you aren't sure is ever going to happen.  You finally get it.  You turn into the best hitter on the team.  You lead the team in RBI's, yet your skipper likes batting you 7th to protect an overpaid slugger who is slumping.  Then you break your knee on a ball that hits you.

     No one said life was fair.  Kepp was batting .324.  He had 21 RBI's.  I'm convinced if he was batting third, he would have more RBI's.  And the more you finally play, the more your confidence builds.

    Two nights in a row where I have a favorite play.  Who wants to count up all the games this year when there was no favorite play.

    Hairston gets a double and steals third.  You love that.  Then, Ross lays down a perfect bunt. Love the execution.  WHY CAN'T MORE BIG LEAGUERS BUNT.

    Plus, EE with another couple of fine defensive plays.  His body language has changed 100% since the beginning of the season.  And that hustle into third the night before is still one of my favorite plays of the season.

    Hats off to Bray.  He cleaned up Burton's mess.  I'm starting to lose some confidence in Burton.  Wonder if Dusty will.  Wonder if Dusty will start using him when the REDS are losing to see if he can get straightened out.

   COCO comes in, in the 9th, and I wonder if you are like me. BALLGAME. That's the feeling.

   Volquez gives up one run.  Yes he throws 110 pitches which means Dusty was smart and didn't let him pitch the 7th.  He gives up only one run.  He's so good his ERA goes up slightly.  The bar has been raised so much so quickly on him that Dusty says he was off a little.  AND HE GIVES UP ONLY ONE RUN !

    Hats off to DUNN.  If you are going to RIP, you have to point out the good things.  His toe must be hurting.  He plays hurt.  His season long slump continues, but for the second night in a row, he found a way to get an RBI.  Once on a sac fly.  Last night on a ground out.

  Janish gets called up. Sweet in Louisville didn't want to let him stay in the game because one time he had a player get hurt after getting that wonderful call.  Makes you laugh.  It's all good.

    Janish is a better fielder than Kepp.  His bat is much better.  Is it good enough ?

    Will Dusty go with the kid or Hairston ?

     Tyler Whaley was a great guest.  Walk on at Ohio State from Ironton, whose having a book written about him.  Finally earns a scholarship, gets moved to fullback.

    He gets to play for his favorite teams.  First Ohio State.  Now the BENGALS.

   There can't be many on the BENGALS who are stronger.  He says he can bench press 465.

   You know the effort will be there.  But, the backfield is really crowded.  But, he has beaten the odds his entire career. 

   He just got a new fan. 

I've been geting a lot of e mails since the Whaley interview.  This is not the only one this powerful.

Hey Alan,

I just wanted to let you know that the interview that you did this morning with Tyler Whaley was absolutely, unequivocally, one of the best interviews that I have ever had the pleasure of listening to, and not just out of the interviews that you have done, but ever in the history of interviews. By the time the interview was over I had goose bumps the size of mountains, it was awesome. He was such a breath of fresh air in a time when we needed it most, with the Reds struggling and Kepp out for God knows how long, and a sea of doubt surrounding the Bengals this up coming year. They would be absolute fools to cut him. He may not be the best player or have the most athletic ability, but his mental make up is something that this team definitely needs. And benching 465 lbs, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?! That is absurd!!!! Watching him clear the way for Beanie Wells this past year, I can totally see him doing the same for Bengals running backs in the future and for a long time (that is if they are smart enough to keep him).

Thanks for making my traffic filled, treacherous drive down I-75 such a pleasure each and every morning.

Matt, Fairfield