Chad has surgery
Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle today in Cincinnati.
            The procedure was performed by Bengals orthopedic surgeon Angelo Colosimo, and was completed without complication.
            Johnson's ankle is expected to be ready in time for training camp. The Bengals report to training camp at Georgetown (Ky.) College on July 27, with the first practice scheduled on July 28.

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Bearcat Bowl II replay
CINCINNATI - ESPNU will re-air the University of Cincinnati's Bearcat Bowl II spring football game four times over the next two weeks, beginning tomorrow (June 19) at 6 a.m.
The game features Black Team quarterback Demetrius Jones' dramatic 23-14 come-from-behind victory over the Red Team. Jones led the Black Team back from a 14-10 fourth-quarter deficit as he tossed a 57-yard touchdown pass to Marshwan Gilyard with 1:14 remaining. Defensive back Brandon Underwood sealed the victory on the ensuing drive for the Black Team as he returned an interception 67 yards for a touchdown.
Originally carried April 26 on the Ohio News Network (ONN), the broadcast features the play-by-play call of Tom Gelehrter and his analyst Jim Kelly, Jr. along with sideline reporter and ESPN veteran Betsy Ross.
Bearcat Bowl II Schedule of Telecasts on ESPNU
Thursday, June 19 - 6 a.m.
Saturday, June 21 - 4 p.m.
Friday, June 27 - 10 p.m.
Monday, June 30 - 5 p.m.

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Bengals extend deal with Georgetown
 The Bengals and Georgetown (Ky.) College have agreed on a one-year extension of the team's contract to hold training camp at the college's East Campus Athletic Complex. The agreement now runs through 2009.       
"We're happy to announce an agreement to extend our relationship with Georgetown College," said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. "We like the traditional setup of conducting training camp away from our in-season facility, and, really, the setup at Georgetown's athletic complex is perfect for all of our camp needs.   
"Additionally, we can't say enough good things about the college's staff members who run camp for us. Not only can they do just about anything we would ever need them to, but they also make us feel very much at home."   
The Bengals have held training camp in Georgetown since 1997. Players and coaches will report to this year's camp on July 27, with the team's first practice scheduled on July 28.  "Our relationship with the Cincinnati Bengals organization continues to be a very positive thing for the college, and we're glad they're confident enough in us to extend the agreement for another year," said Eric Ward, Georgetown College athletic director. "We have a great working relationship with the Bengals' staff and coaches, and know what they expect from us when they arrive for camp."

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Knee surgery for Tiger, done for the season
TigerWoods.com

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The Wire: Season 2.....SPOILER ALERT
We are finished with it. Loved it. Didn't love it as much as season one...but it was still very good. Loved the character development. Liked the diversity in the plot with The Port and the cargo/union workers. Frank Sobatka, Nick and Ziggy were nice additions. Can't believe they killed off "D". Could have used more Stringer. Can't wait to watch Seaon Three.
C. Trent told me he gave the "package" to Doc...and Doc still has it. He better hurry up!

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25 Worst Sitcoms All-Time
For Mo and Trent's records....here are the ones I watched:
24. Charles in Charge: Nicole Eggert? Enough said. Plus, I lived with my neighbors for two summers and ran their house/took care of the kids when I was in college.
22. Webster: I identified with his size
19. Mr Belvedere: How can you not like Uecker?
17. The Ropers: Any Three's Company spinoff is good enough for me
9. Perfect Strangers: What? Among the worst? Come on! Love Larry and Balki
3. Yes Dear: Not sure why, I just did

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Xavier news
Kenny Frease, a 7-0 and 265-pound center from Massillon (Ohio) Perry High School, plans to begin classes at Xavier University in July and will compete as a freshman on the men's basketball squad beginning this Fall. Prior to his arrival, though, Frease will be taking a trip to France later this month to compete as part of the USA Elite National U19 Team in tournament action against seven other countries.
The roster of 12 U.S. players and the coaching staff depart the U.S. for Douai, France, on June 22 and will return on June 30. Team workouts in France begin on June 23, while the tournament games run June 25-29. Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Spencer Hawes, Thaddeus Young, Rudy Gay, Shelden Williams, Dajuan Wagner, and Josh Boone are just a few players who have competed in this event.
Xavier head coach Sean Miller is excited about Kenny Frease's future. "Kenny Frease has great size as a basketball player," said Miller.  "However, with that size he has a very high skill level for someone as young as he is - he has the ability to shoot and is an excellent passer."

 

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Things that make you go hmmmm
If you add up all the time he spent doing interviews in the offseason, how many body parts could Chad Johnson have had operated on? Had he been worried about his team he would have had the surgery and been ready to go last week. But a clown is a clown is a clown.

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It's too late for Chad
Ludwig At Large
On the surface, it appears the Cincinnati Bengals' eighth-year veteran wide receiver is finally doing the right thing - for himself and the team - by having painful bone spurs removed. But the reality is ... the arthroscopic surgery is coming much too late in the offseason.

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My favorite Wright St players signs million dollar deal
Dayton Daily News
"This is great," said Wood, who is in town this week and is working out at the WSU facilities. "I'm thrilled. It's a dream come true."

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Bats hammer Graves
LouisvilleBats.com

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Embarrassing
I still can't believe what I saw out of the LA Lakers last night. 131-92? With their season on the line? So much for picking LA because of Kobe and Phil. At least the Michael vs Kobe comparisons can be put away for a while. Anyone seen Gasol and Odom?
Easily the worst "effort" in an NBA finals I have seen in my lifetime. The Boston Celtics reached inside the Lakers, removed their heart, and stomped on it. David Stern should have stepped in and canceled the 2nd half for the good of the sport.The Lakers defensive effort for six games was nothing short of pathetic.  Congrats to the Celtics. Rings for UK's Rajon Rondo and XU's James Posey! From 24 wins to NBA champions.  Doc Rivers picked apart and exposed every single weakness the Lakers had. Makes you wonder how LA got as far as they did.

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Chad to have surgery Wednesday
Enquirer
Limited last week at mandatory Bengals minicamp because of a tender ankle, wide receiver Chad Johnson will undergo arthroscopic surgery but is expected to be ready for the start of training camp. It opens with reporting day July 27 and the first two practices July 28.

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Iraqi children enjoy Reds' donation
MLB.COM
The hats White received from the Reds went to a group of children in a small town he patrols regularly. Now, each time he patrols the town, he sees the children wearing their new hats.

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Rookie diary: Keith Rivers
Fox Sports
......checking in from Cincinnati, where we just finished up our mandatory mini-camp. Everyone was here and we were all focused on getting better as a team. I know there's been some stuff out there about Chad Johnson, but this was all about football and putting things together so that we can take the next step. It was a great experience.

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Tiger, Rocco save world of sports
ESPN
Take that, Chad Johnson and your insufferable bitching; Chris Henry and your one-for-the-thumb arrest record; Jeremy Shockey and your grudges. You've been replaced.

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Xavier news
Xavier University junior forward Derrick Brown is among a select group of elite college basketball players that have been selected to be a counselor at both Nike's Vince Carter Small Forward Camp and the LeBron James Skills Academy. Both events, which take place within the next month, will provide Brown the opportunity to work with the country's best high school players and challenge himself against some great competition.
Xavier head coach Sean Miller is excited about Brown's ability to help this year's Xavier squad. "Derrick Brown is extremely versatile and also very intelligent as a basketball player," said Miller. "As he continues to add strength and size to his frame he will be more productive in the low post area. His greatest strength as a player lies in the fact that he can do virtually everything on the court to help his team win at both ends of the floor."
The Vince Carter Skills Academy takes place June 25-27 in Orlando, Florida. The LeBron James U.S. Skills Academy takes place July 5-8 in Akron, Ohio. The goal of the Nike Skills Academies is to instill the fundamentals into the next generation of top players. Each academy focuses on strength and conditioning and skill development. In addition to the on-court instruction the players also get to hear from the NBA athletes and the coaches on life lessons and what it takes to make it at the next level.

 

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UC football season tickets pass 10,000
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics announced today its football season ticket sales eclipsed the 10,000 mark for the first time in program history, finishing the week at 10,191.
"To have broken the season ticket record last month, and now pass the 10,000-ticket plateau two and a half months before the start of the season is unbelievable and exciting," said head coach Brian Kelly. "This is a great day for our program, the University, and the City of Cincinnati. All of the support we continue to receive from everyone is inspirational and keeps our players and coaches energized as we prepare to compete for a BIG EAST Conference Championship this fall."
Just last month, UC passed the school record of 9,155 set in 2002 when fans were required to purchase football season ticket packages to receive UC basketball season tickets. In the 19 months since the department removed the requirement, season ticket sales have climbed 57 percent from 6,495 in 2006 to its current level.
"Our ticket sales are going at a  record  pace for a  second straight year and  will only continue to be strong as we head  into the 2008 season" says Director of Athletics Mike Thomas. "Our football program is coming off a great season with a school-record 10 wins and No. 17 national ranking. We are looking forward to seeing the new season start on August 28 when Eastern Kentucky comes to town and experiences our Nippert Stadium environment."
Two of the most popular season ticket packages, the Bearcat Lair ($90 per seat) and Family Plan ($199 for four seats), are going rapidly and could be sold out by the end of the month. Fans are encouraged to act now before they are gone. Once the two packages are sold out, fans will be able to purchase UCATS Reserved or Non-UCATS Reserved plans.
Season tickets can be purchased by calling 1-877-CATS-TIX or going online to www.CATSTIX.com.

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We had a catch!

What a blast on Sunday! Congrats to Charley Frank, the Reds Community Fund and the organization for another fantastic Father's Day Catch. It was hot. Homer Bailey wasn't very good. The catch was  awesome. Me, Casey, Peyton and my dad were on the field afterwards. What a great way to celebrate Father's Day, Peyton's 6th birthday and Casey's five year annivesary of his bone marrow transplant. We've done the catch three straight years now. Loved the Field of Dreams music playing. The kids loved seeing themselves on the video board.  It was very cool looking around and seeing fathers and sons of all ages playing catch.
Great fund. Great people. Great cause. Great time had by all.

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Great story on the friendship of Rose and A-Rod
ESPN
Little did Rose know, but A-Rod was dying to reconnect. By late June, A-Rod had drifted into a hellacious 1-for-14 slump, so he had an agent friend contact Rose at the Field of Dreams store. By June 30, the slump had bottomed out at 3-for-23, and Rose noticed on TV that A-Rod was "swinging at bad pitches away." He felt A-Rod had fallen into the habit of trying to pull sliders to left field, and so, on July 1, Rose fired off the following text:

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US Open: Wow!
What great theatre. That was unreal. I plopped down in from of the TV and didn't budge.
91 holes for the US Open Championship....19 of them Monday. Epic. I didn't want either guy to lose. I wanted another hole of sudden death. Rocco becomes my 2nd favorite golfer. How gutty and classy is he?
My kids watched the final nine holes...perhaps because I was making so much noise.
Can you imagine going to bed Sunday night knowing you were going head to head for 18 holes vs Tiger Monday? And then Rocco fell behind by three shots. Then he rallied to lead by one going to 18 for the second straight day, Tiger's focus and drive is amazing. The only athlete I can compare him to is Jordan. I still can't believe what I watched .....from his back nine Friday through Monday afternoon. He wins his 14th major on the heels of knee surgery? Gotta be kidding me.
Great lead: Alan Shipnuck, CNNSI
With a throbbing knee and a pounding heart, Tiger Woods made one last improbable escape Monday and won the U.S. Open in a 19-hole playoff over Rocco Mediate, his 14th career major and maybe the most amazing of them all.
Cameron Morfit, Golf Magazine
Women ran from hole-to-hole in flip-flops. Men scurried around in bare feet. Children climbed trees, and the hotels bordering the 18th hole opened the hatchways to their roofs. There was confusion: What happens if they're still tied? And there was panic. For those who were too slow or too proud to wade into the scrum, or just not tall enough to see, fans with tiny TV sets gave a running blow-by-blow.

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The Mayor comes home

(Photo from listener Brian)

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Undeniable greatness makes Tiger so loveable
MSNBC
The biggest roars should have been for Rocco Mediate, not Tiger Woods. That's how it is in America. We cheer for the underdog and find reasons to tear down the guy on top. But it doesn't work that way for Tiger Woods, just as it didn't work that way for Michael Jordan. It's as if once you get to a certain level of excellence, a level so obvious that even the most iconoclastic curmudgeon can't miss it, the rules get suspended; the hero gets a pass.

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Sights seen
Friday night Casey and I were at the Reds game. We were seated about 25 feet from the Red Sox on-deck circle. I told Casey not to holler at Sean Casey because he was working and had an at-bat to think about. In the 9th inning Sean is taking warm-ups swings. He glanced over and saw us. He yelled "Hey, Lance and Casey!", and waved to Casey with a big smile on his face. Casey hadn't seen Sean in probably two years. Cool night. Fireworks were spectacular!

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Coolers/food at the ballpark
I continue my quest to inform all fans they can take food and drinks into GABP.
A caller to Sports Talk Sunday was complaining about not being able to afford to eat or drink at games.
Prior to Sunday's game I went to BP/Sub Way and got two foot longs and four plastic bottled drinks....Total: $15.60. We made Peyton a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. We has the kids pick out peanuts, chips and fruit snacks from our cupboard. Simple as that.
Here is the rule on coolers at GABP
Guests are welcome to bring SOFT-SIDED coolers into Great American Ball Park provided the coolers' dimensions do not exceed the 16" x 16" x 8" inch Major League Baseball size requirement. HARD-SIDED coolers of any size are prohibited from entering the ballpark. Coolers and all carry-in items are always subject to inspection by Reds personnel prior to entrance to the ballpark or at any time while inside the ballpark. The Reds are not responsible for HARD-SIDED coolers that are left outside of the ballpark gates. Guests are strongly encouraged to return their HARD-SIDED coolers to their vehicles.

From listener Chris:
"Can't thank you enough for the advice on the coolers at GABP. We took four sandwiches, five bottles of water and some Busken's cookies to the game Saturday. Probably saved quite a bit of money, and my family had no idea about it."

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Former Bearcat graduates, 15 years later
Josh Katzowitz, Dayton Daily News
"My wife graduated from the University of Cincinnati, and she was like, 'You need to go back. You're going to tell your kids that they're going to have to go to school, and you speak at these camps and you're stressing education. You don't even have your degree,' " the 39-year-old said. "She had a point. I had a lot of people pushing on me.

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Maxim Hometown Hottie
Careful opening

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Mackanin on Bailey
Hal McCoy, Dayton Daily News
Even before Bailey's awful appearance - brief as it was - former Reds interim manager Pete Mackanin, now a Yankees scout, had this assessment: "I've never been a big Homer Bailey fan. He doesn't have any pitches to go with his fastball and he doesn't locate his fastball very well."

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On this date in Reds history
(From Steven Sharp)
Tom Seaver pitched his only career MLB no-hitter -- Friday night, June 16, 1978, at Riverfront Stadium, to defeat the Cardinals, 4-0. 
Seaver only recorded three strikeouts for the game.  The starting pitcher for the Cardinals was future Red John Denny.  In addition to recording the final out unassisted, Dan Driessen also homered to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning.  Ray Knight was a defensive replacement at third base for Pete Rose in the eighth inning -- the only line-up change made by Sparky Anderson for the game.  Ken Griffey was leading the NL in batting average. Don Werner caught the no-hitter.  Werner played 50 games for the Reds in 1978, started 37 games, and did not record a single multi-hit game all season

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Palmer follows closely in brother's footsteps
Josh Katzowitz, LA Times
Across the field, Jordan Palmer is working just as hard. He's not coaching the young receiving corps, but nonetheless, he's throwing and practicing and learning the lessons his brother teaches. He's showing the Cincinnati coaching staff -- which has long since departed -- how much he wants a job as the Bengals third-string quarterback, his big brother's backup.