Reds news
Because of the injury to Josh Fogg, the Reds' pitching rotation for the weekend series vs the Rockies will be:
Friday, RHP Edinson Volquez
Saturday, RHP Homer Bailey
Sunday, TBA
IF/OF Ryan Freel this morning had surgery to repair the torn distal hamstring tendon behind his right knee.
The 50-minute procedure was performed by Reds medical director Dr. Timothy Kremchek.
Freel is expected to return in 4-6 weeks.

 

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Reds eye a closer?
SF Chronicle
Briefly: Near-daily Huston Street trade rumor: The Reds apparently have some interest in the A's closer, according to sources, and the Mets also might make a run at trying to get him.

**Making 3.3 mill this year....arbitration eligible again

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Wily Mo surgery called "devastating"
Washington Post
"It was a really big surgery," Bowden said. "I don't think it was expected to be that severe. The doctors do not understand how he could have swung a baseball bat. They have absolutely no idea. . . . The doctors were absolutely amazed that he was on the field."

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Wednesday show
Guest
Chick Ludwig, Dayton Daily News, in-studio 3pm hour.
Training Camp Preview. Are you ready to talk Bengals? We take your calls
Topics
Reds
Sports Magazines
Fan Fashion: Do you dress-up? Paint your face?

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Hoops Dynasty news
(AP) Pleasantville
Earlier this morning 6'7 Senior Bojan Balic of Butler University was named to the WHATIFSPORTS Hoops Dynasty Pre-Season All-American team. Balic becomes the first player in school history to receive the honor. He averaged 18.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5 assists last season.
Balic was recruited from Riga, Latvia and the Latvian Jr National team.
"This is the payoff for all the recruiting trips and time and effort we put in," said Butler Coach Lance McAlister. "I couldn't find Latvia on a map when this process began....now his mom sends me recipes for Borscht".
"It's a great day to be a Bulldog fan," said McAlister.
The announcement has sent shock waves around the game. "I've said all along, that Balic kid was a PTP'er, and a Diaper Dandy. And he's developed under the coaching talent of a rising star in McAlister. They are my Final Four darkhorse baby," screamed ESPN's Dick Vitale.

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On this date...July 23, 2000
NationalPastime.com
After rejecting a trade to the Mets, Reds' All-Star shortstop Barry Larkin agrees three-year, $27 million contract extension that will keep him Cincinnati until 2003.

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High-definition my new sports toy
Jerry Greene, Orlando Sentinel
Allow me a moment to tell you how my life has changed. Some people find a new religion. Others hit the lottery. Still others may turn to drink. Me? I've discovered the wonders of high-definition.

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Former OSU QB looking for passing grade
The Examiner
Finally, Tom Zbikowski got into the act, as he intercepted a pass that had deflected off the hand of rookie safety Haruki Nakamura. It ended a disastrous day for Smith, whose three interceptions were three times as many passes he completed to a receiver, as Smith went 1-for-5 passing during drills inside the 20-yard line.

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A host of walk-off heroes
Last night was the 10th walkoff win of the year for the Reds. Jeff Keppinger became the eight different player to deliver a walkoff winner.

* 4/2 vs Ari (6-5 win), Edwin Encarnacion, 3-run HR off Brandon Lyon
* 4/5 vs Phi (4-3 win), Paul Bako, RBI-single off Chad Durbin
* 4/20 vs Mil (4-3 win in 10), Encarnacion & Bako HR off Eric Gagne; Ken Griffey Jr., RBI-single off Salomon Torres
* 5/14 vs Fla (7-6 win in 10), Paul Janish, RBI-single off Renyel Pinto
* 5/17 vs Cle (4-2 win), Adam Dunn, 3-run HR off Masahide Kobayashi
* 5/30 vs Atl (3-2 win in 10), Jay Bruce scored on Chipper Jones' error on Brandon Phillips' grounder
* 5/31 vs Atl (8-7 win in 11), Jay Bruce, solo HR off Manny Acosta
* 6/30 vs Pit (4-3 win), Ken Griffey Jr., 2-run HR off Matt Capps (Griffey's fifth career walkoff HR)
* 7/5 vs Wsh (3-2 win), Brandon Phillips, RBI-single off Luis Ayala
*7/22 vs SD (4-3 win), Jeff Keppinger, RBI-double)

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Anna K's got her curves back
London Mail

Maxim Hometown Hottie
Careful opening

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RBI's converted w/RISP update
Baseball Prospectus
Percentage of runners in scoring position driven in this year
(not including driving self in)
1. Hairston: 18 of 55 (.3272%)
2. Keppinger: 20 of 73 (.2739)
3. Phillips: 41 of 152 (.2697)
4. Bruce: 16 of 66 (.2424)
5. Votto: 23 of 102 (.2254))
6. Bako: 17 of 76 (.2236)
7. Dunn: 25 of 129 (.1937)
8. Griffey: 23 of 126 (.1825)
9. Edwin: 18 of 102 (.1764)
Percentage of runners driven in from each base
From 1st base: Griffey 10.7%(10 of 94), Dunn 10.6%, Votto 6.2%, Hairston 4.8%, Phillips 3.5%
From 2nd base: Keppinger 20.0% (9 of 45), Hairston 18.9%, Phillips 17.6%, Bruce 16.7%, Bako 16.1%, Votto 15.7%, Edwin 12.7%, Dunn/Griffey 12.3%
From 3rd base: Hairston 61% (11 of 18), Bruce 44%, Phillips 41%, Bako 40%, Keppinger 39.3%, Valentin 38.5%, Votto/Ross 37.5%, Dunn 31.3%, Griffey 28.9%, Edwin 25.6

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Fogg update
During batting practice Tuesday night RHP Josh Fogg was hit in the mouth by a ball batted by Joey Votto, an injury that required 30 stitches on Fogg's upper lip...he will be examined again when he arrives at the ballpark tomorrow.

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Reds Heads Kids Club
Tuesday afternoon was a chance for members to meet and get the autograph of Edinson Volquez. Casey and Peyton had a blast. Great idea by the Reds. Click here for how to become a member.

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It's gotta be the shoes
I've been asked to provide a close-up, for clarification, regarding my shows....so here....deal with it

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Most overstated stat that's not true in this town
"The Reds can't hit lefties"
That statement has taken on a life of its own. I'm not sure why it bothers me so much....but it does. Maybe because it's simply not true. They are the 2nd worst team in MLB hitting RHP. They arer batting 20 points below the ML average vs RHP....and are within one point of the MLB average vs LHP.
Reds vs
Pitcher........BA........OBP.......SLG........OPS.......Runs...........Record
Left .264(16) .350(6) .416 .767 (10) 153 (2) 19-18
Right .241(29) .315(26) .406 .717 (21) 292 (25) 29-35
MLB average
vs LHP .262
vs RHP .261
Hitters LHP vs RHP
Keppinger .393/.247
Hairston .391/331
Phillips .350/.243
Edwin .333/.242
Votto .286/.269
Bruce .212/.298
Jr .198/.256
Dunn .189/.252

 

It is staggering to find that Jr-Dunn-Bruce combined vs LHP are:
53 for 267, batting .199 with 6 hr's, 31 rbi's and 83 k's and 21 extra base hits

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TV stuff
*Ever check out "Happy Hour"...5pm Fox Business? It's a look at the business world live from the Waldorf-Astoria hotela restaurant in New York. Kind of like a business version of PTI in a Cheers setting. Rebecca Gomez is the co-host. One of their reporters is Sandra Smith. She's simply stunning....blonde, with a Rebecca De Mornay look to her.
*Cash Cab, Discovery Channel, weekdays 6pm: "Unassuming people enter the "Cash Cab" as simple passengers taking a normal taxi ride, only to be shocked when they discover that they're instant contestants on Discovery Channel's innovative game show"
Flashpoint, CBS
A police drama about an elite group of cops known as the Strategic Response Unit (SRU). They rescue hostages etc. Two episodes in it's not bad. The leader of the team (Enrico Colantoni) is a little tough to accept, based on other roles I've seen him in(Just Shoot Me).
Same with Amy Jo Johnson, who was the Pink Ranger in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and appeared in Felicity.

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From Norman Cox
Norm is a friend/loyal listener serving in the Navy in The Middle East. A couple of weeks ago I posted his thoughts on July 4th and re-enlisting in Saddam Hussein's palace.
We sent him a care package of baby wipes, powder, hand sanitizer, etc.
Many of you have emailed wanting to know how you can help and if you can send stuff?
He sent me this today.......adding it's 125-degrees where he is....
"Please send a hello to all you listeners and a thank you for all the thoughts and prayers they send. Where we are is a very established base. If they would like to send stuff over please pass along my address and I will certainly insure it gets to all the troops here at my base. We have a spot at the chaple and here at work where we put boxes of things for all to share. What ever they want to put into a box is always appreciated. They can alway contact thier local reserve centers as well to find the locations of other local troops. I know the Tri-State has people in Kuwait, Iraq, Afganistan and there are reserve and gaurd centers in Cincinnati and Northern Ky.
Thank You for your support."
The address is
Norman D Cox
NAVELSG FWD H
APO AE 09366

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Rookie holdouts playing with fire
Ludwig At Large
If you want to make the 53-man roster and not just play in 2008 - but have a positive impact - you had better get your Bengal butts signed in time for the first training camp practice - 9 a.m. Monday, July 28, at Georgetown (Ky.) College.