Very cool story on Bengals WR
CNNSI

"I think my good character played a part in my selection," said Simpson. "I want to bring that good character to this team and help lead some of those guys that have been in trouble to help out in the community. I've always had that leader role even when I was a freshman. I have a good way of leading people and opening up people's eyes about things and I think I can do that here, too."

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Reds pick at #7
1B Yonder Alonzo, Miami Hurricanes, 6-2 215 , JR
LH bat....great power....
"Big suprise," Keith Law, ESPN..."He's asking for 8-mill and a major league contract....patient approach at the plate....hit OBP"

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - Junior first baseman Yonder Alonso, freshman left-handed pitcher Chris Hernandez and junior second baseman Jemile Weeks have been named Louisville Slugger first team All-Americans announced by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

Alonso, a first team All-ACC selection, led the ACC in home runs (21) and walks (65). He finished the regular season hitting .380 with a team-high 66 RBI while slugging .799. He became the first Hurricane to hit at least 20 home runs in a single season since Danny Matienzo in 2002. He also is a semifinalist for the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award.

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And he picks on my tv shows and music?
From C Trent's blog
"I know this makes me a girl, but I was so bummed Antonia was kicked off Top Chef last night. If it had been Antonia, Stephanie and Richard, it would have been my favorite three. I think Andrew wins it, but wouldn't be shocked by Stephanie. And Lisa? She seems to be skating by, getting lucky so many times."

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Big East commish to step down
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Michael A. Tranghese, the Commissioner of The BIG EAST Conference since 1990 and the league's first full time employee in 1979, will step down from his position effective June 30, 2009.
"I have been privileged to work with outstanding Presidents and athletic directors for nearly 30 years," said Tranghese. "Looking back to when Dave Gavitt created the conference, it is truly amazing how far we have come."
Tranghese succeeded Gavitt as Commissioner on June 21, 1990 after 11 years of service to the BIG EAST, the previous nine years as associate commissioner. During his tenure as Commissioner, Tranghese has guided the league to its current 16-team alignment, the largest in the NCAA Division I.
Shortly after being named Commissioner, Tranghese directed and oversaw the creation of BIG EAST football, which began competition in 1991. His leadership helped the BIG EAST become a charter member of the Bowl Championship Series.
"I believe our conference is undergoing an unprecedented period of success," Tranghese said. "Our basketball conference does not have to take a back seat to anyone and our football has progressed so quickly. Our Olympic sports are stronger than ever. And I believe everything is in place for the BIG EAST to be even better in the future."

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Reds news
Today the Reds recalled from Class AAA Louisville RHP Homer Bailey and optioned to Louisville LHP Danny Herrera.

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Perpsective
As I prepare for today's show...and mentioning Lakers-Celtics in the finals for the first time since 1987....a thought hit me. How old were you in 1987? What impact did Lakers-Celtics have on you? Any?
I laughed this morning when Mo brought up Tone Loc. Neither producer Mark Chalifoux or The Sports Kitten had any idea who he is. Why? They are in their 20's. It's all about perspective. Where were you in '87? How old were you? Did you follow Bird vs Magic?

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The dream matchup: All time Lakers vs Celtics
What If Sports

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NBA Finals: Lakers vs Celtics
Two best teams in the NBA. Two storied franchises meeting for the first time since 1987.
The Celtics have 16 titles..the Lakers have 14...combined they have claimed 30 of the 61 NBA championships!
I can't wait.
The Lakers and Celtics were the 80's for me. Magic and Larry brought me into the NBA.
I followed them from the 1979 NCAA title game.
Lakers vs Celtics....Larry vs Magic are the rivalries of my generation. Two players from the midwest...Bird, the Hick from French Lick, Indiana....Earvin from East Lansing, MIchigan.
One white, the other black. They hit the NBA together, headed their seperate ways..but they connected the country from east coast to west coast. They raised the NBA from the ashes of 70's drug scandals and took the NBA to a level of "cool" never seen before.
Bird and Magic personified "team". They were bitter rivals.....but respected each other and pushed each other.
When I think Lakers vs Celtics....I think of Magic's smile, his no look assist and the baby hook in The Gardens. I think of Bird's mustache, the confident look as he sized up a jumper and him skidding across the floor for loose balls. I think of The Boston Masaccre, chants of "Beat LA, beat LA" and Randy Newman's I Love LA.....I can close my eyes and imagine a Showtime fastbreak...Kareem to Magic to a streaking James Worthy....no dribbles....slam dunk. I think about the drop step and long arms of Kevin McHale, the cool and the freckles of Dennis Johnson, the googles of Kareem, the dirty work of Kurt Rambis. I think of the glare of The Chief, the slick moves of Jamaal Wilkes, the towel waving of Cornbread Maxwell, the whining of Danny Ainge. I think Jack Nicholson Penny Marshall and Dyan Cannon sitting courtside, Laker Girls, and the parque floor of The Gardens. I think of my college roomate hanging posters of Bird and McHale on his side of the room.
I rooted for Magic and Bird...I rooted for great games. I didn't have a favorite team or player.
I miss those days.
I can't wait for Game One.
Topics to cover Thursday
*Any interest? Will you watch?
*Memories of the rivalry in the 80's
*Who are you rooting for?
*Are you willing to give Phil Jackson credit now?
*Is Kobe vs MJ a debate?

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Perspective Part 2....18 years.....18 long years
The Cincinnati Cyclones could win the first championship Cincinnati has seen
since the Reds in 1990. Since then, the Bengals have had one winning season and
one playoff appearance. The Reds have had five winning seasons and one playoff
appearance.
Records since 1990:
Reds 1346-1403 .490
Bengals 97-175 .357
Stop and think about your perspective on Cincinnati sports...based on your age.
I'm 41. I've seen a World Series appearance for the Reds in 1970-72-75-76-90.
I grew up with the Big Red Machine. I've seen 3 world titles won. I've seen
Pete Rose get 3,000 and 4192.
I've seen the Freezer Bowl and two Super Bowls for the Bengals.
What have you seen from Cincinnati sports if you are 18 years old? 20? 25?
I know what I cling to throught the tough times in Cincinnati sports. What do younger fans cling to? Consider:
Top 10 Best Cincinnati Sports Moments since 1990? ___________
Top 10 Worst Cincinnati Sports Moments since 1990? __________
Jump in FORUM

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Jay splits
Reds record
1-3 when he starts in RF
5-0 when he starts in CF
Home: 13 for 22 .591
Road: 3 for 11 .273
CF: 13 for 18 .722
RF: 3 for 15 .200
Bats 2nd: 13 for 19 .684
Bats 3rd: 3 for 14 .214
1st time facing starting pitcher: 2 for 6 .333
2nd time facing starting pitcher: 5 for 8 .625
3rd time or more facing starting pitcher: 3 for 6 .500
Keep in mind he's batting 3rd/RF when Jr has been out of the lineup

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Things I'm told
Cyclones are now looking at 8,000 to 10,000 tonight at US Bank Arena for Game 6 of The Kelly Cup Finals. If needed, Game 7 would be Saturday at US Bank Arena.
If you are attending tonight, and buying tickets, arrive early.....there could be long lines.
Like the Stanley Cup, The Kelly Cup trophy is being delivered by league officials in tuxedos and white gloves.

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Thursday show preview
Topics
Reds: Homer's return....and draft react
Clones: They skate for the cup tonight
Stanley Cup: Did you give me 5-minutes and watch the celebration? Coolest thing in sports.
NBA Finals: Lakers-Celtics. Does it get any better? I know of three that will be watching...me, Mo and Herb in Mt Healthy. How about you?

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Clones go for the Kelly Cup
The Cincinnati Cyclones (55-12-5) look to clinch their first-ever Kelly Cup championship Thursday, as the Las Vegas Wranglers visit U.S. Bank Arena. The Cyclones lead the best of seven series, three games to two. Should Cincinnati win Thursday, the Kelly Cup would belong to the Queen City for the first time ever. If Las Vegas wins, a seventh game winner-take-all contest would be played at U.S. Bank Arena on Saturday night at 7:30pm.

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Change of plans at #7?
Baseball Prospectus
7. Cincinnati Reds
The Reds are lining up to throw the first real curveball of the first round. They have been heavily scouting the top group of college sluggers, as well as Gordon Beckham, while also dreaming of a scenario that would drop either Matusz or Crow to them. However, a surprising new name has entered the mix-the Reds were in hard on Canadian prepster Brett Lawrie after he went off with eight home runs in eight games against professionals in the Dominican, and they came back with reports encouraging enough to prompt a quickly-scheduled private workout on Tuesday afternoon. As one scouting director put it, "If there's anyone who can improve his stock with a private workout, it's Lawrie." Assuming all went as expected, the surprises start at lucky number seven. If they decide to play it safe, Alonso is currently at the top of their board.
Selection: Brett Lawrie, INF, Brookswood SS (BC)

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Stat of the day
Joey Votto has 10 hr's...and is on pace to hit 28.
28 would be the most hr's hit by a Reds first baseman since Tony Perez hit 28 in 1974.
Most hr's hit in a season by each 1B for Reds since 1974:
Sean Casey 25 ('99)
Nick Essasky 22 ('87)
Dan Driessen 18 ('79)
Todd Benzinger 17 ('89)
Hal Morris 16 ('96)
Scott Hatteberg 13 ('06)

The last Reds 1B to hit 30+ hr's in a season?: Lee May, 39 in 1971.
I wonder if that is the longest drought for a team without a 30+ hr guy at 1B?

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TV stat of the day: NBA Finals
18.7....TV ratings for Bulls-Jazz 1998
6.2....TV ratings for Spurs-Cavs 2007

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Cool story on former Musketeer
Cleveland Plain Dealer
"That's what everybody says," said Chuck Crocker, a friend and former classmate at Xavier University in Cincinnati. "They like that he hasn't forgotten where he came from."

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What they are saying in Philly
Philadelphia Daily News
Anytime a pitcher takes the mound in the seventh with no hits on the scoreboard, there is a general sense that something special might be unfolding. And as Myers threw two strikes by Joey Votto with two outs in the seventh, that anticipation grew to a crescendo as the crowd at Citizens Bank Park rose to its feet.

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The bunting Bats last night
Louisville Courier Journal
Louisville bunted on its first three at-bats and led 2-0 before hitting the ball out of the infield. "Everybody was just trying to play it simple," said Chris Dickerson, who was 3 for 3 with two walks and scored his first four times he reached base. "It was efficient, and it was simple baseball that we were trying to play. It was great team baseball that first inning."

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Maxim Hometown Hottie
Careful opening

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Stat of the night
The Reds 2-0 win last night was their first of the year when scoring less than 3-runs. Their record is now 1-16 in those situations. They won for just the 4th time in 18 games without hitting a homer.

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Covering the Stanley Cup
Nick Brunker blogging for HOMER
Congrats to the Red Wings...4 titles in 11 years! What a cool scene. Nothing better in sports than the skate with the cup. Love the handshake line and the playoff beards. Congrats to former Cincinnati Mighty Ducks coach Mike Babcock! I just wish they had won it in Detroit in front of the home crowd. Very cool watching to see who Lidstrom would hand the cup to....(Dallas Drake). How 'bout the final save by Osgood?!
Line of the night: "Nicklas Lidstrom, come get the Stanley Cup," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced. "It's yours to take back to Hockeytown."
Hockey in HD.......SWEET!

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Yawning at tipoff? Don't expect earlier start times
MSNBC
"Gee, if you want to attract young viewers, who have a school night, why are you starting so late in the evening? The answer is, as important as that consideration might be, the sports feel they have an obligation to maximize their revenues. They schedule their start times to make sure they can generate highest possible revenue dollars from television."

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Kobe may be better than MJ
Boston Herald

Better than Jordan? That's like saying smarter than Belichick or tougher than Lance Armstrong or hotter than a NASCAR wife. There was a time when that statement could only be made in jest. Jordan was a player without a weakness, a man who won 10 scoring titles and six NBA titles, an incomparable athlete who somehow got even better when the moment got bigger and who wasn't happy just to win. He wanted to see you lose, to revel in your pain, to devour your heart while it still was beating.

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Bird and Magic: Rivalry personified
Indy Star
"I can remember one year in the regular season -- I can't remember the year -- we beat them (in Los Angeles), and as our bus was pulling out, I could see Magic walking out of the building and you could see the pain in his face," Bird said. "And in my mind, I was thinking, 'Suffer! Suffer! I hope this is killing you!' And when they beat us, I know he was thinking the same thing about me. Neither one of us could handle losing."

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Time to give Phil Jackson credit
Sam Smith, MSNBC
So while everyone gets set for a Lakers-Celtics Finals and the memories of the great 1980's rivalry, this series may be a bigger treat for being able to watch the best ever at his job, Phil Jackson. It's rare when we get to see that while it is occurring.

Thanks!
Great stuff today from callers. I enjoyed going toe to toe on Carson and Chad. Love the passion. Much more fun to debate than agree all the time. Boring. Plus, if we agreed all the time I'd be worried about you.....as would my wife. Remember, offer always stands...disagree and you move to the top of the waiting list.

Carson as a leader
"We had Carson, Boller and Leftwich all rated right there," Brian Billick said, "We were prepared to take any of the three with the 10th pick. They each have all the tools. Each had one little flaw. Kyle's was accuracy. Leftwich was the mobility. With Carson, it was the leadership. He's not quite as dynamic a personality as the other two"
July 31, 2004

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Things I'm told
Ken Griffey Jr had 44 c.c.'s of fluid drained from his knee. He received a cortisone shot a couple of days ago.

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Chad's exit strategy?
ESPN The Magazine
People want to call me controversial. Okay, yeah, I celebrate. I've voiced a strong opinion about my team and wanting out of Cincinnati. Whoop-de-do. No DUIs. No arrests. No domestic violence. No nothing. Except a goddamn Hall of Fame jacket and a couple of dances. People want to be entertained but the minute you open up about it and have some fun, they bash you for it, they kill you. They want you to play inside this little box, and if you ever dare step outside this box you're in trouble. Well, there is no box for me. I am completely out the box.

(ESPN The Magazine photo)

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Keep in mind
The Reds pick 7th in the draft Thursday....then they don't pick again until #84 overall in the third round. They lost their 2nd round pick due to the signing of Francisco Cordero.

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Freel to DL, Patterson up
Today the Reds placed on the 15-day disabled list IF/OF Ryan Freel (strained right hamstring) and recalled from Class AAA Louisville OF Corey Patterson (#23)...Freel and LHP Kent Mercker (lower back pain) are scheduled to be examined in Cincinnati later this week...Patterson began the season with the Reds and hit .200 in 45g and 29 starts before he was optioned to Louisville last Wednesday to make room on the roster for Andy Phillips...for the Bats Patterson hit safely in 4 of his 5 apps and produced a 2-hit game and two 3-hit games (9-22, .409, 2 2b, 1sb).

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Covering the cup
Nick Brunker will be blogging live from Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals tonight.

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Jay Bruce is Must See TV
FSN Ohio topped their season high again last night with a 10.2 rating
(beating the 9.7 vs. Pittsburgh on 5/27).
That 10.2 is also the 5th highest rated Reds game on FSN Ohio (dating
back to 1998).

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Things noticed
Receiver Peter Warrick was released following a medical examination - he is suffering from chronic knee problems-Montreal Alouettes.com

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Wednesday show preview
Guest
John Feinstein
Matt Blood, Baseball America, MLB draft expert
Kurt Dusterberg, author of Journeymen: Bittersweet Tales of Short Sports Careers
Topics
Reds
Chad: Now what?
NBA finals
Kobe vs MJ: Is there room for debate?
Journeymen/Subs/Scrubs: Name a lesser know that stepped into the spotlight.

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Reds stuff
Road trip and fall
So much for momentum....9-21 on the road...that's a pace to finish 24-57 away from home. The Reds have won fewer than 30 games on the road, in a full season, just three times since 1950.
1950: 28
1955: 29
1982: 28
Back of whose baseball card?
Aaron Harang is 2-8? Do you realize in '07 the Reds were 24-10 in games he started? This year they are 5-8.
Say hello to my little friend
Did you see John Franco? I mean Danny Herrera? Wow..Ask Howard and Burrell about his screwball and slider.
Paging Corey Patterson?
Did you see the Ryan Freel knee injury?
Bruce's infield hit
Got to love the hustle out of the box. Phillips would have had a triple Sunday with it.
Ovation and flashbulbs for Jr
Is it just me, or does every city appreciate Jr more than Cincinnati?
Reds move
The Reds placed on the 60-day disabled list LHP Kent Mercker (low back pain) and selected from Louisville the contract of LHP Danny Herrera (#52).
Matt Maloney Tuesday night
Box
Want to check out Reds' drafts year by year?
Click here
Stars collide
Quarterback Donovan McNabb will be at Citizens Bank Park tonight because he wants to meet Cincinnati Reds star Ken Griffey Jr.-Philly.com

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Journeymen
Kurt Dusterberg, author of Journeymen: Bittersweet Tales of Short Sports Careers will join me Wednesday. His book details the brief careers of 24 pro athletes.
Among those:
Former Cyclone Dallas Eakin
Former Reds Robin Jennings and Scott Pose
Can you think of a clasic journeymen or back-up or super sub with a shining moment?
Example: Billy Bates, '90 Reds, got the hit to start the rally in Game 2 vs Oakland.

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Ocho Bozo?
Thanks to listener Greg W for the art work

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Onward and upward for UC football
Fox Sports
Cincinnati is coming off its first 10-win season since 1951 and finished with a rare spot in the final Top 25, but don't count on the program getting fat, dumb and happy anytime soon.

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Crowning a champion at home Thursday?
The Cincinnati Cyclones can win the Kelly Cup at home Thursday night at US Bank Arena.
This is from John Hamel of the Clones:
Here is a list of the previous nine championship teams that have called Cincinnati home. Hard to believe that only two have won the titles inside Hamilton County
Cincinnati Reds 1990 Game 4 at Oakland
Cincinnati Reds 1976 Game 4 at New York Yankees
Cincinnati Reds 1975 Game 4 at Boston
Cincinnati Swords (AHL) 1973 Home game AT Buffalo, rink not available--v. Nova Scotia.
Cincinnati Mohawks 3/26/57 Game 3 at Indianapolis Chiefs (best of five)
Cincinnati Mohawks 3/29/56 Game 4 at Toledo-Marion Mercurys (best of seven)
Cincinnati Mohawks 4/3/55 Game 7 v. Troy Bruins (best of seven) at The Gardens
Cincinnati Reds 10/8/40 Game 7 v. Detroit (best of seven) at Crosley Field
Cincinnati Reds 1919 Game 8 at Chicago White Sox (best of nine)

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50 highest earning athletes in U.S.
SI
Five years ago, Sports Illustrated first set out to find the 50 top-earning American athletes (taking into account on- and off-the-field income). We discovered a few basic facts, and as the Fortunate 50 turns five, some things have remained dead-on consistent:

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The desire to win
Dallas Morning News
Jerry, maligned throughout his tenure as Cowboys owner and general manager, has done virtually all he can to give Phillips and offensive coordinator and eventual head coach Jason Garrett more talent than any other team in the league.

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This just in
Not sure if you have heard. ....but Joba Chamberlain made his first major leauge start last night. Make it stop.

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Time to admire Jr up close
Philly Inquirer
Philadelphia baseball fans could be getting their last up-close look at one of the game's all-time greats this week.

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Happy Birthday
Actress Angelina Jolie turns 33 years old today.

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Maxim Hometown Hottie
Careful opening

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Don't look now...but
The Reds trail the Cubs by 10 games.
The Cubs have won nine in a row for the first time in seven years.
They are off to their best start since 1977.
The Cubs have the major league's best record at 38-21....on pace to win 104 games.
Best record in baseball in June for first time since 1908
They have had the lead in 25 consecutive games...their longest streak since 1935
They are 26-8 at home
They have played 33 games decided by 2 runs or less
They added a 13th pitcher yesterday

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Former OSU WR set to step up in year two for Colts
Indy Star
"I don't want to say I feel great about everything, but I'm coming along,'' he said. "Every part of my game just needs to be a little bit better, a little bit sharper, a little bit crisper and a little bit faster."

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Maloney at AAA last night
Louisville Courier Journal
Maloney had allowed only one homer in 62 innings this season before Clevlen planted his changeup an estimated 450 feet over the left-field gate for a 3-0 lead.
When Maloney faced him in the third, Clevlen jumped on a fastball for a two-run homer to right field that traveled an estimated 428 feet.Toledo designated hitter Jackson Melian added a solo shot that barely cleared the 405-foot sign in center field in the sixth inning.

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Reds hope to duplicate draft success
C. Trent

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Blast from the past
My favorite ND football player is heading back to South Bend.

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Coach and teammates testify for Bengals pick
Fresno Bee
Fresno State football coach Pat Hill testified Monday in former player Jason Shirley's defense against four misdemeanor counts, but the defense's primary witness was Dr. William Carveth.