Need a head count: Going to HOMER Outing #2?
Monday June 30 vs Pittsburgh
New location: Sun/Moon Deck
Cost: $11....regular price $22
Tickets MUST be purchased in advance of game
Call 513-765-7600, hit option #2, mention HOMER to get discount
Email me if you would like an order form to fax your order
lance1530homer@fuse.net

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My reaction to JP and Dunn
A. And?
B. So?
C. The truth hurts
D. JP said what most in baseball,I talk to, think, they just don't say it in the media
E. Until the Reds think the same way about him, they will never take the next step
I'll take F..................all of the above
I am tickled that Dunn said he didn't care what JP said......yet Dunn proceeded to call him a clown, point out he doesn't live in the country(?) and cuss a couple of times. Ok.
I'm also tickled at the thought this was bad timing because it will light a fire under Dunn for the Toronto series. Wouldn't that prove a point about Dunn?
You can argue all you want about JP saying it publicly. Dan O'Brien never said anything close to that strong about any player when he did the weekly show with me.  But please, set aside that issue and look at what he said. The only people that would argue are related to Dunn and/or have not watched him much.

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A Bengals feel to it
Is it me...or do the last 7+ years of Reds baseball all just kind of run together? Same feel, same issues, same debates on players, same debates on direction of franchise.  Are they buyers or sellers? Lack of clutch hitting, lack of consistent contact, lack of leaders, no leadoff man, no #5 starter, no catching. Too many errors, too few double plays turned. Injuries. Hoping and thinking guys will "get it". Bad base running. As for manager, see any difference between Dave Miley, Jerry Narron, Pete Mackanin and Dusty Baker....other than about 2.6 million a year? The owners change, the GM's change, the managers change...the results stay the same....losing seasons.

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Blue Jays GM slams Dunn
National Post
"Do you know the guy doesn't really like baseball that much?" Ricciardi  said to the caller. "Do you know the guy doesn't have a passion to play the game that much? How much do you know about the player?
"There's a reason why you're attracted to some players and there's a reason why you're not attracted to some players. I don't think you'd be very happy if we brought Adam Dunn here ...
"We've done our homework on guys like Adam Dunn and there's a reason why we don't want Adam Dunn. I don't want to get into specifics."

Here is the interview: From The Fan 590 in Toronto. It's a weekly Q/A with fans that call in. Scroll ahead to 21:38 of the interview. WOW!

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Roenicke has baseball in his blood
Louisville Courier Journal
Roenicke, 25, was just a year old when his father, Gary, won a World Series ring as an outfielder with the 1983 Baltimore Orioles. His dad spent 12 seasons in the major leagues and is now an Orioles scout.

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It's done: Cornhole The Movie
We had several members of the cast in studio

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Joe Blanton update
The A's pitcher allowed eight runs in three innings last night....his shortest outing since May of 2005. He is 3-10 overall, 1-6 since May 2. It's the earliest that an A's pitcher has lost 10 games in franchise history.

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Vacation stuff
We've been busy:
Coney Island, Peyton's birthday skating party, father daughter day at Otter Totter, Gameworks, Bob Evans birthday dinner, two Reds games, batting practice in the backyard....still ahead Kings Island, Krazy City, Kung Fu Panda movie, Casey's 5-year anniversary party.....

Peyton celebrates her 6th birthday. I'll spare you the sight of the six inch long purple bruise on my hip from my fall.

Casey at the Red Sox game

The Mayor talks with Johnny Bench and his son

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Hopper activated, Bailey sent to AAA
Prior to tonight's game, the Reds returned from a rehabilitation assignment and reinstated from the 15-day disabled list OF Norris Hopper and optioned to Class AAA Louisville RHP Homer Bailey.
Hopper has been on the 15-day DL since 4/23 with a nerve irritation in his right elbow...in 6 rehab apps at Louisville and Sarasota he is hitting .292 (7-24).
Bailey went 0-3, 8.76 in 3 starts during his stint with the Reds.
The Reds have not named a starting pitcher for Saturday's game at Yankee Stadium.

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Wii advice
Got a favorite baseball video game? Anyone have/played MLB2K8? Any advice would be welcomed.  Casey already has MVVP '05 from Gamecube and The Bigs from Wii. I'm getting tons of email support for MLB Power Pros. We might just wait til Power Pros 08 comes out next month.

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Maxim Hometown Hottie
Careful opening. I almost forgot.