The Reds Division TItle

THEY DID IT!!!!

Saturday night, I was in Cincinnati with my grandfather, to attend the Reds vs. Dodgers game. The magic number was at 1 going in, and the Cardinals victory seemed imminent. I thought it was a nice night to see a division clinched. I was right.

It started off like any other night at the ballpark. Opening ceremonies and beginning of game started just like any other. Mat Latos, starting pitcher for the Reds, was "throwing cheese" as the gentleman in front of me so eloquently put it, and the Dodgers (aside from a single by Adrian Gonzalez) were getting nowhere, and fast.

The Reds didn't start off poorly, but neither did they start of particularly well. Finally, the Dodgers starter, Stephen Fife, made a mistake that Jay Bruce turned into a solo home run, which was about 4 feet to the left of landing in the Ohio River.

The crowd was loud, they were cheering what sounded like "BOOO" but was actually the more affectionately known "BRUUUUUUCE". Jay Bruce had started it, and now the rest of them had to finish it.

They brought in a few more runs here and there, when later in the game Brandon Phillips (@DatDudeBP) first was made to look pretty silly on a breaking ball, then took that same breaking ball and crushed it into the stands.

Eventually, Don Mattingly (LAD Manager) had used several pitchers and Latos stayed strong until the 9th. The Dodgers could not get anything going, and none of their pitchers seemed to be able to stop the offense, either.

Another one of the best moments of this game was when Aroldis Chapman came out on to the field to pitch the 9th inning. He had not made an appearance since September 10th, The place was abuzz. Sure, the Reds had a 6-0 lead and the Cuban Missile came in to pitch the 9th, but nothing's ever a certainty.

Chapman was also "throwing cheese", and my grandfather and I joked about his initial 97 MPH fastball. "He's throwing a little slow today, isn't he?", we joked, as Chapman has been known to hit speeds upwards of 103-105.

Chapman got the first out, and then walked the next batter. He was pitching to the last batter who grounded to Zack Cozart at shortstop. Cozart flipped to Phillips at second, who in turn fired to Joey Votto at first base. As soon as Joey Votto made the catch and the umpire called the runner out, the audience ERUPTED. The players ran out on to the field and celebrated, while the fans cheered incessantly for 20-30 minutes. The clips on the Jumbo-tron were also incredible (my favorite was Mat Latos and Homer Bailey vaulting over the dugout fence after the final out was called.)

Needless to say, this was an incredible moment, especially in my own sports history. It was the best sports moment I ever witnessed and an incredible moment for life-long Reds fans like myself.  I was never more proud to be a Reds fan, and it was an incredible experience to share with my grandfather.

I love you all, Thanks for reading. Good luck, and Godspeed.

NAH

Cincinnati Reds 2012 Playoff Roster Predictions

As anyone here who is a baseball fan would know, the playoffs are approaching. Before the playoffs, an MLB team can call up to 40 men up to their roster during the month of September. Many do this so their young guys get a chance in a rebuilding year, or so their regulars can rest up one at a time for the impending playoffs. My favorite baseball team, the Cincinnati Reds, has a few dilemmas when it comes to trimming back down to 25 for the playoffs (and you know as well as I do that they're going to the playoffs, barring a 9-10 game losing streak and an equal winning streak for the Pirates or Cardinals. So. Here's what I think is going to happen:

They keep:

Pitchers:

SP- Johnny Cueto, Bronson Arroyo, Mike Leake, Homer Bailey, Mat Latos

This one is a big duh. This rotation has gotten them through a fantastic year. I've heard some groans about Leake but he's a big league pitcher, and I wouldn't rule out him being a reliever and using a four man playoff rotation.

RP- Jose Arredondo, Alfredo Simon, Aroldis Chapman, Jonathon Broxton, Sean Marshall, Sam LeCure, Logan Ondrusek

This core of relievers has been HUGE this year. Chapman is a great closer and Broxton was a great addition. This is a tough choice because of all the options they have, but only a few more guys are even eligible for postseason play, and this is their best group by far.

Catchers:

Ryan Hanigan, Dioner Navarro

Hanigan was obvious, but even Baker has now named Navarro number 2 catcher. Mesoraco is good but not playoff good. Not yet. Navarro has playoff experience that will prove invaluable.

Infielders:

Joey Votto, Scott Rolen, Zack Cozart, Todd Frazier, Wilson Valdez, Brandon Phillips

This is the perfect group. Votto (former MVP), Rolen (Veteran leader), Valdez (utilityman), Phillips (The Fun guy) and Frazier and Cozart bring a heap of youthful talent.

Outfielders:

Drew Stubbs, Chris Heisey, Xavier Paul, Jay Bruce, Ryan Ludwick

This last section is a big DUH. For the Reds to go without Bruce, Ludwick, or Heisey would be signing their own death warrant. They've been fantastic, and Bruce is an MVP (down the road, if not sooner). Stubbs is steadily improving and the more bases he steals, the more I'm sold on him, but his only issue has ever really been his confidence. He is a major league talent. And I was up in the air about Xavier Paul for awhile because he hadn't been with them for most of the year, but he is a left handed hitter off the bench, and really has been too good to get cut.


Swing Men:

These are a few names that could end up on the playoff roster, if my predictions are incorrect:

RP- Todd Redmond, solid pitcher, eligible for postseason. Could take a roster spot in event of any injury. Ondrusek will lose his if Bray comes back, though.

C- Devin Mesoraco- he is a good hitter and a good ball-player. He is young and I think Navarro is better, but if something were to happen, I'm confident Dusty would not have a problem going with Mesoraco in one of their places.

IF- Miguel Cairo- This is where I reserve the right to be the most wrong. If anyone deserves to go to a championship on the Reds bench, its this guy. I mean, really. He's a solid bench player for several years. I came down to Him, Valdez, and Paul for the last roster spot. I picked Valdez because he can play more positions, and between him and Frazier the infield is covered, and I picked Paul because he has out-performed Cairo and is another left-handed bat.


Most of the remainder of the Reds roster is ineligible for postseason play ( you have to be active prior to September to be eligible). I think you'll find my predictions remotely accurate, but looking forward to your thoughts! Much Love!!

NAH

Sports too? He does it all!

It's true!

Ladies and Gentleman, I, the same author "The Archives Report" also like sports, and will bring you sports thoughts from time to time. I won't do too much in this one...because frankly, I lost my passion for basketball years ago and my passion for football fades by the minute (he says, silently rooting for the Colts but lacking the passion he once had, while also super-secretly cheering for Manning and the Broncos), but this will mostly involve my passion, and number 1 sport...baseball.

Anyway, I won't keep you long, but my next post will be something to the effect of "Which 25 players do the Reds take to the playoffs and who do they leave behind?"

Until next time, you can find personal thoughts at hoganknowsbest47.blogspot.com


and my super interesting movie blog that no one seems to read, "The Archives Report" at nicksarchivereport.blogspot.com


Also, I give credit for my blogs name to Caleb Pritchett, a dear friend of mine who knows nothing about sports. Here's to you, Thunder Eyes.


Until next time; God bless

NAH