Hot Stove League show report

[Chip R]

Here is the Reds Hot Stove League show recap for 2-17-09. Thom and Chris Welch were the hosts tonight at the Reds HOF and Museum.

Thom said that Welch and Grande were the longest serving TV broadcasters in the majors. They talked about EE signing. They said that Walt hates to go to arbitration and it's a good deal since it will buy out his arbitration years. Thom said that he's the man on the spot now with the fans because they will expect more from him. Welch said he thought he'd flourish under Dusty but was inconsistant and he's still young. Thom said he's a hard worker and is always at the park early taking extra fielding and hitting.

Thom said that the Nuxhall and HOF exhibits at the HOF are ending at the end of the month. In it's place will be an exhibit called Crosley Field remembered. The lobby will look like Crosley Field.
A question was asked about the Reds chances for the postseason. Thom is excited and said our pitching is as good as the Cubs. Welch said we won't miss Dunn and Jr.

Smeone asked about the LF spot. Welch said Dickerson looks like a linebacker with the extra muscle and he's probably got the inside track.

Another person said that the Reds need to improve their bining. Thom said that's true and Dusty will bunt a lot this year. Welch said Brandon has to step up against teams in the division. He said the Reds need to be better against RH pitching especially with Dunn and Jr. gone.

[reds44]

Smeone asked about the LF spot. Welch said Dickerson looks like a linebacker with the extra muscle and he's probably got the inside track

This should be interesting to see.

[Joseph]

Do you think its steroids?

Did he get them from Yonder who is friends with A-roid?

Oh the drama!

[BCubb2003]

Another person said that the Reds need to improve their bining.

Their bining?

Always appreciated, Chip.

[cincrazy]

Chris Welsh should stop making ignorant statements. I wasn't Dunn's biggest fan around here. I'm very aware of his flaws, and I'm not as quick to dismiss them as some. But to pretend that he won't be missed in LF is craziness.

[icehole3]

Chris Welsh should stop making ignorant statements. I wasn't Dunn's biggest fan around here. I'm very aware of his flaws, and I'm not as quick to dismiss them as some. But to pretend that he won't be missed in LF is craziness.

so he is ignorant because he doesnt agree with you??? The guy just makes a prediction and here come the shots.

[Jpup]

Chris Welsh told me himself that the Reds needed someone to replace Dunn's production. So, what he says on the air may be different from what he believes. Company line?

[icehole3]

Chris Welsh told me himself that the Reds needed someone to replace Dunn's production. So, what he says on the air may be different from what he believes. Company line?

even if its the company line (thats not unusual, I would do it too if I had a cushy radio gig) the guy can make a prediction dont you think, we dont know if Dickerson or Gomes will have breakout seasons or not and Chip was just giving us the cliff notes version of the Hot Stove report, I just think the Dunn love around here is creepy.

[RollyInRaleigh]

I just think the Dunn love around here is creepy.

[redsmetz]

even if its the company line (thats not unusual, I would do it too if I had a cushy radio gig) the guy can make a prediction dont you think, we dont know if Dickerson or Gomes will have breakout seasons or not and Chip was just giving us the cliff notes version of the Hot Stove report, I just think the Dunn love around here is creepy.

There's no question the guy is welcome to his opinion. That said, I would expect better than "the company line" from the broadcasters. I understand they're hired by the club, but some modicum of independent thought is expect, IMO. It seems a bit disingenuous to suggest that we won't miss Dunn's production and the possible production from a healthy Junior. It would be honest to amplify why we can get by without it, but simply say we won't miss it seems like a very pat answer to a more complex issue.

And what sort of inane statement was that Welsh made that Phillips needs to bat better against clubs in our division? Is there some history of Phillips doing poorly against Central Division clubs or was that just a throw off answer? I really don't know the answer, but in a vacuum, it's missing some element to the story.

[cincrazy]

so he is ignorant because he doesnt agree with you??? The guy just makes a prediction and here come the shots.

I am probably the last one around here to criticize any of the broadcasters or writers, but sometimes they deserve it. OF COURSE Welsh is going to say they're better without Dunn and Jr. These guys are getting paid by the club, it's no shock that they're buying all of the moves hook, like and sinker. I just think it's a stupid comment to make. We're replacing almost 60 homers and about 170 RBIs with a guy that had 2 good months in the majors last year and another guy who has been dreadful for the last 3 years. Color me unimpressed, my friend. I'm not buying the spin. Replacing Dunn I was ok with. Replacing Dunn with garbage I was not.

[bucksfan2]

I am probably the last one around here to criticize any of the broadcasters or writers, but sometimes they deserve it. OF COURSE Welsh is going to say they're better without Dunn and Jr. These guys are getting paid by the club, it's no shock that they're buying all of the moves hook, like and sinker. I just think it's a stupid comment to make. We're replacing almost 60 homers and about 170 RBIs with a guy that had 2 good months in the majors last year and another guy who has been dreadful for the last 3 years. Color me unimpressed, my friend. I'm not buying the spin. Replacing Dunn I was ok with. Replacing Dunn with garbage I was not.

I guess we watched a different Jr last season. He was beyond awful in RF last season and was a shell of his former self at the plate. I have little doubt that Bruce will be able to produce more than Jr did last season.

In the time last season in which the Reds played without Jr and Dunn they played better baseball and won at a higher clip. Why can't they reproduce that next year? IMO we won't know until this season gets into the summer months as to how much Dunn will be missed. I think it will be less than many think, but then maybe thats just my spring optimistic stance.

[cincrazy]

I guess we watched a different Jr last season. He was beyond awful in RF last season and was a shell of his former self at the plate. I have little doubt that Bruce will be able to produce more than Jr did last season.

In the time last season in which the Reds played without Jr and Dunn they played better baseball and won at a higher clip. Why can't they reproduce that next year? IMO we won't know until this season gets into the summer months as to how much Dunn will be missed. I think it will be less than many think, but then maybe thats just my spring optimistic stance.

Sorry for the confusion, I was just talking about Dunn. I lumped Griffey's stats in there too, which I shouldn't have done. Bruce should certainly exceed his production in right, but that won't make up for the fact that Dickerson and Gomes and Hairston and WHOEVER won't make up for Dunn's production in left unless A-Rod's cousin starts passing out Boli

[westofyou]

I just think the Dunn love around here is creepy.

One thing that's creepy is that avatar of yours.

[westofyou]

And what sort of inane statement was that Welsh made that Phillips needs to bat better against clubs in our division? Is there some history of Phillips doing poorly against Central Division clubs or was that just a throw off answer? I really don't know the answer, but in a vacuum, it's missing some element to the story.

Now don't question him, he's a pro.....

.206  .264  .333  .597 Cubs
.281  .325  .510  .835 Astros
.308  .352  .455  .807 Brewers
.291  .325  .486  .811 Pirates
.248  .306  .451  .757 Cards

.262  .308  .425  .738 Career