7/11/09 Reds vs Mets

[Red in Chicago]

Per Fay:

Interesting. Jay Buce hitting second for the second time this year:

Willy Taveras 8
Jay Bruce 9
Joey Votto 3
Brandon Phillips 4
Ramon Hernandez 2
Edwin Encarnacion 5
Jonny Gomes 7
Jerry Hairston Jr. 6
Johnny Cueto 1 vs. LH Johan Santana (9-7, 3.29)

[mth123]

Per Fay:

Interesting. Jay Buce hitting second for the second time this year:

Willy Taveras 8
Jay Bruce 9
Joey Votto 3
Brandon Phillips 4
Ramon Hernandez 2
Edwin Encarnacion 5
Jonny Gomes 7
Jerry Hairston Jr. 6
Johnny Cueto 1 vs. LH Johan Santana (9-7, 3.29)

Great. An extra PA against Johan Santana should help Bruce snap out of it.:confused:

[GAC]

UNCLE!!!

I'm assuming we're seeing Gomes over Dickerson in LF because of Gome's phenom numbers vs LHers vs Dickerson's.

Why not sit Bruce instead of CDick, whose numbers vs lefties is far worse? CDick's are somewhat respectable. Bruce's stinks.

[TRF]

Edwin on a tear coming into this game....

So naturally bat him after the LH's flail uselessly against the best LH starter in baseball.

ok... done ranting.

[GAC]

And on a further note...... Hanigan's numbers vs LHers puts Ramon's to shame. ;)

[mth123]

UNCLE!!!

I'm assuming we're seeing Gomes over Dickerson in LF because of Gome's phenom numbers vs LHers vs Dickerson's.

Why not sit Bruce instead of CDick, whose numbers vs lefties is far worse? CDick's are somewhat respectable. Bruce's stinks.

I'd try

Hanigan
EdE
Votto
Gomes
Phillips
Dickerson
Hairston
Taveras


Wanna play run around and make outs on the bases? Do it at the bottom of the line-up where taking the bat out of the hitters hands doesn't matter much anyway. Put guys who can get on in front of Votto and Gomes.

[reds44]

Let me be the first one to complain about George Grande tonight. He's just painful to listen to.

[GAC]

anyone watch the pre-game with Welsh and Taveras? Willie was ilustrating the art of stealing bases. :p:

[membengal]

Add me in on those confused over dropping Bruce back into the line-up on a night Santana is pitching.

I lke the batting second thought of Dusty's for him, but this is not a great night to try that out.

[Doc. Scott]

Makes zero sense- let's snap Bruce out of his slump by sitting him against the marginal righthander, then batting him farther up in the lineup against one of the three best lefthanded pitchers in baseball!

Seriously.

[mth123]

Willy pops out.

[membengal]

Willie Mays Hayes pops out to short RF to start the game.

[GAC]

WT swinging at everything Santana is throwing up there until finally achieves that pop up out to RF.

[membengal]

Rocket just foul down RF line for Bruce. His season in a nutshell.

[mth123]

Bruce Ks.

[membengal]

And then Bruce gets his not surprise K.

[GAC]

chat is open :beerme:

[mth123]

Votto with a single.

[mth123]

Phillips singles. Votto to second.

[Chip R]

anyone watch the pre-game with Welsh and Taveras? Willie was ilustrating the art of stealing bases. :p:


I didn't see it but I bet it went something like this:

First base? Where's that?
Be sure not to get that big of a lead.
Make sure you head back to first on every move by the pitcher.
Don't try to steal every time you are on 1st base. Lull the other team into a false sense of security.

[mth123]

Ramon FO to deep center.

[reds44]

That's a 3-0 lead in most places.

Hurting

[guttle11]

Some hard hit balls in that inning. Gives me a little hope that we can score at some point.

[Falls City Beer]

Pag-ahn Baby.

[mth123]

Lead off single for Pagan.

[reds44]

Here we go again...

[mth123]

Walk. Cueto's innings starting to catch-up to him?

[reds44]

Uh George, that pitch was in the dirt.

[mth123]

Bloop single. Bruce hurt. Bases Loaded.

[guttle11]

That's not good.

[reds44]

That was ugly.

[mth123]

Dickerson in for Bruce.

[BCubb2003]

This is probably a dumb notion, and I wouldn't notice it if Cueto weren't already struggling. I know about catchers setting up in one place and then changing. But it seems like in the middle of Cueto's delivery, about the time he turns to throw to the plate, Hernandez jumps to one side or another. It seems like that would throw a pitcher off.

[reds44]

There's one.

[mth123]

Pop to Phillips. 1 out.

[mth123]

Bloop knocks in 2.

[mth123]

Walk. Loaded.

[CTA513]

Cueto is already at 27 pitches with 1 out in the 1st inning.

[reds44]

Cueto has forgotten how to get people out.

[mth123]

Another bloop. 3-0. Still loaded.

[mth123]

Cueto has forgotten how to get people out.

They aren't hitting him hard, but he should be putting these guys away before the bloops IMO.

[Falls City Beer]

Cueto's pretty much shot.

I imagine his back is out of whack and he's neglecting to tell anyone.

[mth123]

POP to LF. 2 Outs. The ninth hitter in the inning coming up.

[WVRedsFan]

What a mess. Cueto at 34 pitches, 3 runs down and Bruce hurt (it didn't look good). What else can happen?

[CTA513]

What a mess. Cueto at 34 pitches, 3 runs down and Bruce hurt (it didn't look good). What else can happen?

Santana hits a grand slam to make it even worse?

[mth123]

Santana K's. Inning finally over.

[WVRedsFan]

Santana hits a grand slam to make it even worse?

Don't even think that...:)

Santana K's for the third out.

Can the Reds come back?

[BCubb2003]

What a mess. Cueto at 34 pitches, 3 runs down and Bruce hurt (it didn't look good). What else can happen?

At least Dickerson's in the game now.

[PuffyPig]

While Cueto looks out of sorts, 9 batters came to bat that inning and not one ball was hit hard. Not even close.

Everyone of our 5 batters hit it hard (the first two batters foul).

That's baseball.

[mth123]

EdE flies to LF.

[WVRedsFan]

At least Dickerson's in the game now.

So's Taveras. The big problem with this team is that the first two hitters usually make an out, Votto and Phillips get hits and they are stranded there as there's no one to drive them in. I don't consider Dickerson an offensive threat. At all.

[mth123]

Gomes Ks.

[KoryMac5]

Mets announcers on the radio stating that Cueto is a head case. If you can rattle him early he wilts. After these last two starts I am sure Cueto is going to develop a reputation.

[CTA513]

Mets announcers on the radio stating that Cueto is a head case. If you can rattle him early he wilts. After these last two starts I am sure Cueto is going to develop a reputation.

Mets announcers spew garbage about anyone not wearing a Mets uniform.

[WVRedsFan]

Not good, but he's always been like that. Maturity will come.

[PuffyPig]

Mets announcers on the radio stating that Cueto is a head case. If you can rattle him early he wilts. After these last two starts I am sure Cueto is going to develop a reputation.

That's news as he hasn't really had that probelm before. Everyone gets the odd start where he can't get out of the first inning.

This inning was more about bleeders and bloops than anything else.

[CTA513]

At the very least Hairston is making Santana work in this at bat.

[mth123]

Hairston made him work but flies to CF.

[PuffyPig]

Reds have no runs in teo innings, but have made Santana throw about 40 pitches and have had numerous line drives.

If Cueto can hold them (a big if), we might get back into it yet.

[CTA513]

The bullpen should get ready to eat some more innings tonight.

[mth123]

Pagan triples. Get Carlos up.

[WVRedsFan]

A big if indeed. Triple begins the inning. Did Dickerson misplay that ball?

[mth123]

So does this make Arroyo's outing yesterday look more legit?

Bloop single. 4-0.

[Tom Servo]

Dick Pole on the phone.

[WVRedsFan]

Cueto just doesn't have it tonight.

[PuffyPig]

A big if indeed. Triple begins the inning. Did Dickerson misplay that ball?


It was a hit all the way, but I was surprised it went to the wall. I think he took a very poor route to the ball.

[mth123]

Dick Pole on the phone.

To the suicide hotline.

[WVRedsFan]

This is becoming unwatchable.

[Falls City Beer]

So does this make Arroyo's outing yesterday look more legit?

Bloop single. 4-0.

Nope.

Cueto's just that bad right now. That's all. He couldn't retire the Gulf Coast Reds at this stage. Everything straight and over the dish.

[mth123]

GO to EdE. Runner to second. 1 out.

[WVRedsFan]

It was a hit all the way, but I was surprised it went to the wall. I think he took a very poor route to the ball.

My thoughts exactly, I thought he was confused.

[edabbs44]

It was a hit all the way, but I was surprised it went to the wall. I think he took a very poor route to the ball.

Agreed. Should have been a double.

[mth123]

FO to Willy. 2 outs.

[mth123]

K. Inning over. 4-0.

[PuffyPig]

Nope.

Cueto's just that bad right now. That's all. He couldn't retire the Gulf Coast Reds at this stage. Everything straight and over the dish.

The game I'm watching shows Cueto with lots of movement but having trouble with his control.

[mth123]

Cueto Ks.

[Falls City Beer]

The game I'm watching shows Cueto with lots of movement but having trouble with his control.

Yet they're teeing off on him. In every at bat, he throws at least one meatball over the dish. It could be because he's otherwise worried about his control.

[mth123]

Willy GO. 2 Down.

[mth123]

Yet they're teeing off on him. In every at bat, he throws at least one meatball over the dish. It could be because he's otherwise worried about his control.

Are you watching the game? Its all bloops. Only the triple was hit hard.

[PuffyPig]

Yet they're teeing off on him.

Teeing off on him??? They've hit just one line drive off him all game.

[mth123]

Dickerson doubles.

[Tom Servo]

Fractured wrist for Bruce.

[reds44]

Bruce fractured his wrist.

[Tony Cloninger]

They are not teeing off at him at all? Are you watching the game?

No teeing here....just blooping...lot's of blooping. The fact that he took forever to put away Santana is disturbing...but there is no teeing here.

[membengal]

Fractured wrist for Bruce.

That's the season for him.

Heisey.

[TRF]

Chris Dickerson cannot hit LH's

wait...

[WVRedsFan]

This club has the worst luck. Bruce should not come back this year with that wrist. Bringing him back might make him worse.

[mth123]

Votto pops out. 3 down.

[Caveat Emperor]

2009 will be a lost year for the club re: Jay Bruce. He pushes 1 year closer to arbitration eligibility while producing nothing for the club and losing half the season where he can't improve.

And that's assuming he comes back in any shape to perform. We saw what a different player Austin Kearns was after his shoulder got messed up and he missed significant time.

[Falls City Beer]

This club has the worst luck. Bruce should not come back this year with that wrist. Bringing him back might make him worse.

Wrists take forever to heal. I can't imagine him being brought back this season.

[PuffyPig]

Chris Dickerson cannot hit LH's

wait...

One hit= small sample size.

His larger sample size this year is a .623 OPS vs. LH pitching.

[Falls City Beer]

The upside is Bruce's bat should be easy to replace.

[Tony Cloninger]

FCB you are like Jean-Paul Marat....always writing stuff to stir the pot and it never fails...we respond. Instead of the underground Paris gutters.....you type away from who knows where and incite the masses with your hyperbole.

I tip my hat to you! Or beer.

[reds44]

The upside is Bruce's bat should be easy to replace.
It means more ABs for Taveras, Gomes, and Nix.

Any way you slice it that sucks.

[mth123]

Santos singles solidly. 1 Out that I missed.

[reds44]

Santos singles solidly. 1 Out that I missed.
I believe it was Murphy K'd.

[Falls City Beer]

It means more ABs for Taveras, Gomes, and Nix.

Any way you slice it that sucks.

It was kind of a joke, but who cares? The season is long over.

[mth123]

FO to Dickerson. Hit hard.

[PuffyPig]

It was kind of a joke, but who cares? The season is long over.

You'll find that Red's fan still care.

[mth123]

GO to Phillips. Still 4-0. Need the rain to come wash this away.

[Falls City Beer]

You'll find that Red's fan still care.

I'll care next April.

But right now, whether you care or not, you're watching the death twitch and hearing the death rattle.

[Tony Cloninger]

We will see Stubbs first.... would we not? Unless an old Baker favorite is around?
Glen Allen Hill? Daryl Hamilton? ;)

[Tom Servo]

I was hoping Walt would take George to task for not pronouncing his last name right.

[reds44]

We will see Stubbs first.... would we not? Unless an old Baker favorite is around?
Glen Allen Hill? Daryl Hamilton? ;)
Whoever comes up is going to sit on the bench, and that is sad.

[WVRedsFan]

Did anyone get one bit of sense out of Jocketty's appearance on the game? He must be taking lessons from the Wayne Krivsky school of public relations.

He did tip that Jay had a broken wrist before the official announcement and then admitted he had talked to the trainer.

[reds44]

Did anyone get one bit of sense out of Jocketty's appearance on the game? He must be taking lessons from the Wayne Krivsky school of public relations.

He did tip that Jay had a broken wrist before the official announcement and then admitted he had talked to the trainer.
It was absolutely nothing. He talked a lot about injuries, and said we're here for now and the future or not.

[mth123]

Phillips Pops up to CF.

[WVRedsFan]

Phillips trying to hit the five run homer.

[Caveat Emperor]

I'll care next April.

But right now, whether you care or not, you're watching the death twitch and hearing the death rattle.

Knock it off.

Only warning you are getting.

This goes for the rest of the thread -- it stinks that Jay Bruce's season is over, but the rules of the forum still apply.

[reds44]

Maybe Griffey is available?

Too soon?

[mth123]

Hernandez pops to RF.

[Tom Servo]

EE heating up.

[mth123]

EdE doubles. He's heating up.

[reds44]

Edwin is murdering the ball right now.

[Tony Cloninger]

Is Andy Kosco available?

[mth123]

Gomes flies to the wall. 3 Outs.

[reds44]

I hate this park, it's easily cost the Reds 5 runs tonight.

[WVRedsFan]

EE hit a ball that would be ahomer in Cincy--same for Gomes. We're sunk. Unfortunately we rely too much on the long ball and we don't have the horses to do it.

[jojo]

Rolen Smolen.

[PuffyPig]

It's a weird game. We are actually teeing off on Santana and have zero to show for it.

[mth123]

I hate this park, it's easily cost the Reds 5 runs tonight.

And the big OF had the guys playing deeper so there was no chance on those bloopers.

[reds44]

Did he just call him Harrelson?

[mth123]

Pop to Gomes. Almost a collision.

[mth123]

GO to SS. 2 outs.

[mth123]

GO to Phillips. 1,2,3 for once.

[reds44]

lol what was Cueto doing on that?

[CTA513]

We will see Stubbs first.... would we not? Unless an old Baker favorite is around?
Glen Allen Hill? Daryl Hamilton? ;)

From AAA I would guess Stubbs or Heisey.
The Reds would have to make a roster move because right now they don't have any other outfielders on the 40 man roster.

[jojo]

It's a weird game. We are actually teeing off on Santana and have zero to show for it.

Sometimes hits and runs only cloud things when it comes to judging pitching....

[mth123]

Hairston flies to LF.

[reds44]

From AAA I would guess Stubbs or Heisey.
The Reds would have to make a roster move because right now they don't have any other outfielders on the 40 man roster.
Wouldn't be surprised if we just play a man down tomorrow.

[CrackerJack]

Bruce fractured wrist...figures, geesh.

[mth123]

Cueto Ks'

[reds44]

I refuse to believe this game is over. The Reds could/should very easily be winning this game. Something needs to happen to wake them up right now though because we've fallen into a lull.

[jojo]

I wonder if CH will get a call so that DS can be put on "ice" (i.e. save the one you think could be more valuable in the long term).

[mth123]

Willy Pops to SS. 4-0, bottom of 5.

[WVRedsFan]

Wow. We make outs quick. Once again.

[reds44]

I wonder if CH will get a call so that DS can be put on "ice" (i.e. save the one you think could be more valuable in the long term).
Or you leave the one in AAA you think you are more likely to trade in an attempt to inflate their numbers.

[wally post]

It's just awful to watch this injury in slow motion. Eeeeeeew! Poor guy.
The upside of this sad occurance, as I see it, is that the front office, which thought signing Taveras, Lincoln, Weathers, etc.. during the off-season to "improve" our club, will be less tempted to make a misguided run for the championship. I don't want to see our future traded away. After all, the present and past isn't pretty except for some of the young ones.

[GAC]

What happened to Bruce was unfortunate, but from an offensive standpoint, it's no great loss to this team. His defense (assists) will be missed.

[mth123]

Single for Scheff.

[reds44]

Good to hear George getting his Cardinal love in.

[mth123]

What happened to Bruce was unfortunate, but from an offensive standpoint, it's no great loss to this team. His defense (assists) will be missed.

If the Reds do acquire an OF bat. said bat replacing Bruce would be a bigger upgrade than benching the Nix/Gomes platoon instead.

[jojo]

What happened to Bruce was unfortunate, but from an offensive standpoint, it's no great loss to this team. His defense (assists) will be missed.

Double post.

[jojo]

What happened to Bruce was unfortunate, but from an offensive standpoint, it's no great loss to this team. His defense (assists) will be missed.

Bruce's defense has been phenomenal and it can't be replaced by anything on the roster.

[mth123]

Foul pop to Ramon. 1 out.

[mth123]

GO to SS. Runner to 2B.

[reds44]

WHO is "Harriston?"

And "Jockerty"

And "Denorfria"

WHERE ARE THESE R'S COMING FROM?

[mth123]

Single to CF. Runner to 3B.

[GAC]

Bruce's defense has been phenomenal and it can't be replaced by anything on the roster.

No, but his offense can.

And does his defense, as good as it's been, offset his offensive woes this year?

[jojo]

No, but his offense can.

And does his defense, as good as it's been, offset his offensive woes this year?

He's been basically a league average player this year mainly because his defense has offset his bat.

[mth123]

K Inning over. I hope that's it for Cueto and he gets a long rest with the break.

Official game now.

[mth123]

Dickerson pops to LF on the first pitch.

[mth123]

Cora robs Votto on a hard smash that Cora stabs and throws him out.

[PuffyPig]

Cora robs Votto on a hard smash that Cora stabs and throws him out.

A little bad luck for Votto, as his hard hit grounder was heading into centre when it took a bouce off the mound right to Cora.

[jojo]

Was Votto running to third on the ball he hit to Cora? :cool:

[wally post]

PHillips finally takes a few pitches in this third at bat - we can still get back in this game.
3/2 SO - oh well... at least he made Santana throw some pitches.

[mth123]

Phillips Ks.

[reds44]

We need to stop trying to hit 4 run homers with nobody on base.

[Big Klu]

From AAA I would guess Stubbs or Heisey.
The Reds would have to make a roster move because right now they don't have any other outfielders on the 40 man roster.

Danny Richar could be transferred to the 60-day DL in order to make room on the 40-man roster.

[GAC]

He's been basically a league average player this year mainly because his defense has offset his bat.

He must one one heck of a defensive player then, to offset his lack offensively! :p:

[Tom Servo]

Walking Johan Santana, Josh? Really?

[Big Klu]

PHillips finally takes a few pitches in this third at bat - we can still get back in this game.
3/2 SO - oh well... at least he made Santana throw some pitches.

Chris Welsh said that the scouting report on Santana is to swing early, because if you fall behind, then you have no chance.

[jojo]

He must one one heck of a defensive player then, to offset his lack offensively! :p:

His bat would be worth roughly -10 runs below league average over 600 PAs assuming he didn't improve this season and his glove would be worth something like +10 runs.

[Red in Chicago]

No one runs on WT :p:

[reds44]

The Mets are done scoring for the night.

[mth123]

Roenicke Ks Wright to strand a runner on 3B. Still 4-0 after 6.

[reds44]

Time for EE to go yard.

[reds44]

Or not...

[reds44]

Rally!

[reds44]

Hairston swung at ball 4 and 5.

[Tom Servo]

Well, that was a wasted opportunity.

[GAC]

Well, that was a wasted opportunity.

Should become this team's signature

[PuffyPig]

Frenchie is 2/4 deserves zippo.

[PuffyPig]

Reds get a lucky hit, Hernandez complaining.....

[BCubb2003]

At least it seems Cueto was rescued from disaster.

[Redhook]

Listening to the post game right now with Grande and Piecoro. It's amazing that Grande can't pronounce Jocketty's name correctly. He says, "Jockerty". What a baffoon.

Sounds like Stubbs will be called up. I'd prefer Heisey to come with him while DFA'ing Wee Willy. At least we'd have some reason to watch the team.

[SirFelixCat]

Good to hear George getting his Cardinal love in.

Wow, I came in here fully expecting the game thread to have at least 1 page of various diatribes about Grande's ability to still work in a "Sir Albert" story, even though it's the Mets/Reds.

The guy truly makes watching a Reds game a less enjoyable experience. I mean, don't get me wrong, the offense is making the games hard to watch anyway, but factor in George Grande and I watch the other team's feed whenever I get the chance.


That said, who can we write to to try and get Grande off the air for next season?

[WVRedsFan]

It's more than just Grande. Yes, he drives me nuts. He's like your obnoxious uncle who is the greatest and kindest guy in the world, a little of him goes a long way. His schedule is much reduced this year, but too much sugar will rot your teeth. When he's in the booth, we hear more about how great the opposition is than how great the Reds are.

What concerns me most is the deterioration of the game thread. Compared to other seasons (really bad seasons), the game thread, and I think the board in general, is showing what I think is a lack of interest. Maybe it's folks who are tired of seeing the same old thing year after year, but it's more likely the yawner of an offense. Three times since June there have been less than 100 posts in a game thread. There just doesn't seem to be much interest and who could blame Reds fans.

At the top of the order (as I mentioned earlier), you have Taveras who is a sure out. Usually followed by Hariston, who isn't much better. Votto may get hits, but then you have less than a great chance of getting anyone in (I note that Jay Bruce who unfortunately was hurt tonight has a OBP within one point of Willy Traveras--really shocking). The bottom of the order usually contains Gonzo, who is a large offensive black hole.

Pitching and defense only works as a fan magnet when you win. No one is interested in 100 losses that are 3-2 or 4-3. Relying on players like Hairston and picking the top of the garbage heap (Nix, Gomes, Taveras, etc.), this is not an exciting club. And since the young pitchers seem to be failing, I guess no one cares anymore. I didn't think that concentrating on pitching would kill RedsZone, but maybe we're witnesswing it. I hate that.

[Redhook]

It's more than just Grande. Yes, he drives me nuts. He's like your obnoxious uncle who is the greatest and kindest guy in the world, a little of him goes a long way. His schedule is much reduced this year, but too much sugar will rot your teeth. When he's in the booth, we hear more about how great the opposition is than how great the Reds are.

What concerns me most is the deterioration of the game thread. Compared to other seasons (really bad seasons), the game thread, and I think the board in general, is showing what I think is a lack of interest. Maybe it's folks who are tired of seeing the same old thing year after year, but it's more likely the yawner of an offense. Three times since June there have been less than 100 posts in a game thread. There just doesn't seem to be much interest and who could blame Reds fans.

At the top of the order (as I mentioned earlier), you have Taveras who is a sure out. Usually followed by Hariston, who isn't much better. Votto may get hits, but then you have less than a great chance of getting anyone in (I note that Jay Bruce who unfortunately was hurt tonight has a OBP within one point of Willy Traveras--really shocking). The bottom of the order usually contains Gonzo, who is a large offensive black hole.

Pitching and defense only works as a fan magnet when you win. No one is interested in 100 losses that are 3-2 or 4-3. Relying on players like Hairston and picking the top of the garbage heap (Nix, Gomes, Taveras, etc.), this is not an exciting club. And since the young pitchers seem to be failing, I guess no one cares anymore. I didn't think that concentrating on pitching would kill RedsZone, but maybe we're witnesswing it. I hate that.

I think we're getting tired of wasting our time. I know I am. I used to visit and post in the game threads often. Now, I never do.

As a Reds fan, watching this team is like torture. Every time I watch them I either get frustrated or laugh at how bad they are. They should be better, but we have an ignorant manager and a GM who clearly has no clue what he's doing with this ball club. A few simple moves could make this team better and much more enjoyable to watch. Instead, we get a garbage product night in and night out.

[membengal]

There's a bunch of us hanging out in chat, and on night's where chat is busy, the game thread isn't as long.

Chat has been fun.

[redsmetz]

I think we're getting tired of wasting our time. I know I am. I used to visit and post in the game threads often. Now, I never do.

As a Reds fan, watching this team is like torture. Every time I watch them I either get frustrated or laugh at how bad they are. They should be better, but we have an ignorant manager and a GM who clearly has no clue what he's doing with this ball club. A few simple moves could make this team better and much more enjoyable to watch. Instead, we get a garbage product night in and night out.

You know, a number of us keeping saying this and I just wrote this in the Jay Bruce thread, but with four significant and integral players spending considerable time on the DL this year, I find it hard to judge the manager and GM as ignorant. I know this probably isn't the proper venue, but it grows tiring to hear this when two of our top offensive players went out, and now another who has struggled all year can't work out his hitting woes, plus probably our top pitcher. It's amazing to me that we've been in the thick of this as long as we have given the loss of four top players to this team.

I fully understand the number of woeful seasons we've experienced, but I still like the direction this club has been heading. I can't tell you not to be frustrated, but I see this season differently from more recent ones, even if the end result will essentially be the same. I put that on the bad breaks we've had on the injury/DL front, to some degree.

[Redhook]

I fully understand the number of woeful seasons we've experienced, but I still like the direction this club has been heading. I can't tell you not to be frustrated, but I see this season differently from more recent ones, even if the end result will essentially be the same. I put that on the bad breaks we've had on the injury/DL front, to some degree.

I like the direction this club is heading too, I just don't like the fact they haven't done a good job putting the best product on the field in 2009. Yes, they haven't messed up the plans for 2010+, but they could've been better this year. Much better.

The injuries are tough to swallow, obviously. But, that's not what irritates me. It's the manager starting the worst player in baseball, and on top of that, leading him off. It's the GM that signed him to 2 years. It's the manager that doesn't understand lineup construction or when to play the hot player. It's the GM that went about the offseason ass-backwards. It's both the manager and GM that put their faith in an aging, injury-prone player to start at the most important position on the field (SS).

It's decisions like those that upset me. And it's because of those decisions that the team is not very good and miserable to watch. Besides Votto, there's not one player on the team I look forward to watching at the plate.

As Ltlabner posted months ago, the Great Punt of '09. That sums up the season in a nutshell.

[Screwball]

Listening to the post game right now with Grande and Piecoro. It's amazing that Grande can't pronounce Jocketty's name correctly. He says, "Jockerty". What a baffoon.


I thought someone else would've noted this, but during the Jocketty interview Grande made sure three different times to pronounce his name as "Jocketty." It actually made me chuckle by the 3rd time because it was apparent Grande was concentrating on not saying it wrong. So at least he's aware of the mispronunciation.

Of course, as soon as Walt was out of the booth Grande went back to saying "Jockerty." :thumbdown