Here is the Reds Hot Stove League show report show for 2-7-07. Only a half hour show tonight because of XU hoops. Marty opened the show by saying pitchers and catchers report on the 17th and a few days later the full squad reports. He said the first broadcast will be on Thursday, March 1 when the Reds will play the Pirates. Marty said the Reds had people watching Dustin Hermanson throw today in Scottsdale, AZ. He's trying to show scouts his back is OK. Marty said he pitched only 6 and 2/3 innings last year because of the back injury. Marty feels that if he's healthy and the Reds can sign him, he could be the Reds closer. (Great. We can use him till his back gives out and then use Eddie when he comes back from his surgery. Here's a thought. Why not get a closer who isn't hurt or on Social Security?)
After commercial, Marty talked about the Harang signing and made a crack about the world coming to an end because of the White Death. Marty said it was a huge signing mainly because it shows the Reds have a commitment to putting a winning team on the field.
The first caller asked about Steve Finley's availability and if the Reds were interested in picking him up. Marty said he'd be interested in picking him up. (Yes, Marty, we know you have these inexplicable crushes on 40 something ballplayers.) Marty said he thinks he's still available and Thom feels like he has a lot of game left. (Yep. When I want to know if a ballplayer is good, Thom Brennaman is the first person I'd ask. Geez, if Thom and Marty were running the show, we'd see so many 40 year old guys in here it'd make Wayne and Jerry blush.) Marty doesn't believe that the Reds have any interest in him. (Maybe for Marty's birthday next year, Finley and Conine can jump out of a cake for him) The caller agrees that Finley still has something left in the tank. (This is a prime example of fans taking Marty's word as gospel. Marty mentions Finley would be a great signing and the next thing you know, people are calling up asking if the Reds have any interest in him and they believe he's still a good player. I swear, Marty could say the Reds should sign Robert Redford cause he looked so good in The Natural and the next week, someone would ask if the Reds had any interest in signing him.)
The next caller asked Marty what he thought about the Reds re-signing Harang. Marty said he just said he thought it was great. (Hee! I love it when Marty gets snarky with the callers) The caller thinks it's a good deal too.
The next caller asked about Eddie signing a minor league deal with the Reds. Marty said that he could be back sometime around the middle of June. Marty thinks that's another good signing. The caller asked if the Reds were gong to sign Hermanson. Marty said they were just window shopping. The caller said that if they signed him that would be a good lefty-righty closer combo and better than Old Man Stanton and Geezer Weathers.
The next caller asked about the broadcasting schedule. Marty said Thom is doing 45 games on radio and 45 on TV. The caller asked about Joe and Jeff Brantley. Marty said Joe would do about 25 games and Jeff will do about 115 or so games on radio. The caller asked how it would work out between Marty and Jeff. Marty said it should work out fine.
After commercial, Marty said that former Reds pitcher Jim O'Toole has been hospitalized for a while and both Marty and the organization hopes for a full recovery.
The next caller asked about Waite Hoyt and if there's anything to tell about his history as an announcer. Marty said he could just Google Waite Hoyt and find out info on him. The caller asked if he was honored in the HOF. Marty said he didn't know. Marty said he got to know Waite before he died and learned a lot from him.
The next caller asked about Steve Stewart. Marty said he just talked to Steve and he's one of 3 finalists for a radio gig with the Padres. Marty said everyone there is pulling for him.
The next caller asked why didn't the Reds re-sign Shoeneweis. Marty said that once Scott realized that a NY team showed interest, he was going to sign with them. Marty said that some people think the Reds didn't sign Scott or Aurilia because they weren't interested in them and that wasn't true.
The next caller wondered why the Reds traded for Conine when they could have had Craig Wilson. Marty said he's a huge Craig Wilson fan but he has serious man-love for Conine so it's all good. He compared him to Mr. Hat where they both give you professional ABs and go deep in the count. Marty said the Reds don't have very many hitters like that.
Thus endeth the Reds Hot Stove League show report for 2-7-07. So let it be written. So let it be done.