It’s mid-saturday. The day is young. The sun is shining and the glorious Reds are on. Life is pretty good right now. We ordered our ‘Deal‘ jersey today at work. Should be here in 2-3 weeks. We’re pretty excited.
Here’s some links to tide you over if your team isn’t playing on national television:
-If you haven’t seen the Hitler Reds video, here is your chance. [Blue Collar Baseball]
-As I type this Ken Griffey Jr. hit #599, but how many would he have hit if he hadn’t have been injured so much? Many, but you’d have to do this for every player then wouldn’t you? Durability is part of a record like the HR Record. [The Big Lead]
-Every kid that grew up when I did remembers the 1989 Upper Deck Series Ken Griffey Jr. card. [Slate.com]
-Jesse Litsch, gettin’ some love. [The Mockingbird]
-Jorge Posada is on his way back, and Joba Chamberlain is going to the rotation in case ya didn’t know. [NY Post]
-Pedro Martinez is also back for his first start of the season tuesday. It will be interesting to see how he does. [Babes Love Baseball]
Throwing it around
The stuff of which Dreams (& Legends) are made
Harang is a synonym for tantrum, you know
Now we welcome the Braves, who I have always thought is a real shitty bunch. I’m tired of hearing about Chipper Jones’ .400 average and Bobby Cox. Hopefully we sweep them out of town, but even if we don’t at least we’re not gonna have to run into Brian Jordan.
Prayers from your Diamond Hogger family; Dunner
We heard something very sad tonight from a source of ours. Adam Dunn was pulled from tonight’s ballgame in the 4th inning. We were scared to death that he was traded. It turns out it’s something equally bad.
Dunn’s young son Brandon (not even 2 years of age) had a seizure. Aparently it was very scary/serious but he is going to be alright. I can only imagine the feelings that Adam is feeling tonight.
There’s plenty of things in life that make you realize baseball is just a game. I feel like in an indirect way I’ve grown up with Adam Dunn. I remember him before he had a wife and kid who I know are his whole world. I know how I’d feel if it were my son.
Would just like to say that every prayer I can send out tonight is for Adam and his family. God Bless you Adam and Brandon most importantly. Diamond Hoggers is thinking about you.
Thats Two thus far, Shooter
On this night, other players were the story as well. Joey Votto had 3 more hits, as did Jerry Hairston. Our buddy Dave Ross, believe it or not; had 2 hits and 4 RBI. Bronson Arroyo allowed only 3 hits and 1 earned run. The Reds knocked Tom Gorzelanny out of the game after 2/3 of an inning, putting 6 runs up in the 1st.
Throwing it around: Jay Bruce version (what else)
Today’s version of throwing it around is a special version indeed. The web and blogosphere has exploded with Jay Bruce coverage. We feel like this is a great thing; Cincinnati finally has a player who is bringing fans to the game. We do our best to link the pride of Beaumont in this version of TIA. And we promise after this, it’s back to baseball coverage; thus ending the Jay Bruce honeymoon.
-We were waiting for Deadspin’s take. We’re glad our favorite blog likes our favorite player. [Deadspin]
-Reds Rocket had a take before the debut. [The Reds Rocket]
-Why wasn’t this guy called up sooner? [Beyond the Box Score]
-Hal Mccoy, joining the bandwagon as he often does. [The Real Mccoy]
Photoblogging: Our new favorite player Jay Bruce
Some of our favorite photos from the Major League Debut of Jay Bruce. We’ve been exhausted because we not only went to see him for his 1st major league game, we went for his 2nd game as well. Just a few more we wanted to get up on the page.
After 1st major league hit
Jay Bruce’s big league Debut: ‘The Deal’ has arrived
Tonight was one of those nights at the ballpark that made it all worth it. The money spent, the drive, the extreme fatigue I’ll feel at work all day ‘tomorrow’. None of that mattered. Tonight was about ‘The Deal’ and the Reds turning the page as a franchise. This was something you could just feel. The stadium looked to be in a different gleam tonight, honest to God. With Bruce on the field, there was a certain gloss to the field and the players.
This kid is perfect. He’s humble, smart, and displayed maturity beyond his 21 years tonight. Before the game he just spoke about living in the moment. He was only about this one game, just playing and making his debut. This is tough to do because Bruce’s name has been in every publication since the news became public yesterday. Driving up I-71 there was a giant billboard just before arriving in Cincinnati that had a picture of Bruce and said Welcome to the Big Leagues. Clearly the Red Carpet was rolled out for this kid, the bright lights and spectacle were present. And he handled it with the heady conciousness of a future Hall of Famer.
On the drive up listening to 700 WLW on AM radio, Bruce was the topic. This set the mood for what would be a delightfully themed night. Former players described Bruce as ‘a gamer’, a guy who despite what was going on in his personal life or anything else, when it it’s time to show up and play he’s going to go for 9 innings and try to do everything he can emotionally, physically, and mentally to beat you. It was said that Bruce is the type of guy you want in your ‘Fox Hole’ with you in this league as Jeff Brantley put it; that Bruce is the type of guy you wanna go to battle with each and every day for 162 games.
The most surprising thing that I saw on the night was this. Less than an hour before game time Bruce popped out of the clubhouse and onto the field. Then he climbed into the camera well and started signing. And he kept signing. When we thought he was done signing he signed a bit more. Bruce signed until almost every little kid in the area had their ball, hat, ticket, or jersey signed. He talked with the fans as he did this. This was great we thought.
The last thing in the world I ever expected to see was Bruce, before the biggest game of his life; signing one autograph after the other. But it just goes to show that is what this guy is. There’s no Hollywood involved with ‘The Deal’. He is a down to earth country boy who can simply hit a baseball much better than you or I. That is all.
We even got a word into Bruce. We told him that we were thrilled for him to finally arrive, and he obliged.
This is Jay Bruce’s girlfriend. Also there to the right is Jay Bruce’s sister. Another cool moment on the night was when Bruce first strolled out of the clubhouse. He locked eyes for a second with his girlfriend after he’d said hello to his family. She began to cry tears of happiness seeing him in his uniform. What this said to us was that this was obviously a very big dream for ‘The Deal’ that he’s probably been sharing a lot about with those he’s closest to for a long time. You can tell it’s not about the money he’ll make or the accolades he’ll gain; it’s for the right reasons. This is the game that he loves to play.
The entire lineup seemed to have an extra jolt in it tonight. It was a clear message that the future had arrived. Every time I got a look at ‘The Deal’, it was clear: the future is in very good hands.
People of Cincinnati….I hereby declare this day Jay Bruce Day
As we promised we’ll be headed to Cincinnati to cover Jay Bruce’s Major League debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates. We offer a firsthand look at the sights and sounds of possibly the most anticipated debut of a young ballplayer in the past decade.
This is a move not to just be celebrated by Reds fans all over; but I’ve noticed the enthusiasm by fans all over baseball to see this kid play.
The talent pool of young players all over baseball seems to be at an all-time high, and Jay Bruce is the crown gem of them all in our opinion. This is good for the sport and promotes more fandom. As we’re sure to see in Bruce’s debut, attendance will spike at Great American Ball Park.
So head out and get yourself a few Skyline Chili-Cheese coneys or some Montgomery Inn before first pitch tonight. It is the initial Jay Bruce Day in baseball. It is the dawn of a new era.
Jay Bruce’s tears can cure cancer; the thing is Jay Bruce never cries
Take a good look; because you are looking at the man who is going to save Cincinnati Reds baseball. Reds fans have suffered long and hard since my childhood, since the night in 1990 I was in downtown Cincinnati in a hotel room with granny, watching Jose Rijo hoist the World Series trophy. Things haven’t been truly good since then.
Things are truly good again. A brighter day has shined and good times are on the horizon for us who live to hear Marty Brennamen say This one belongs to the Reds.
Aside from Jay Bruce we’ve got other young talent. With a pitching staff of Aaron Harang, Johnny Cueto, Edison Volquez and maybe soon to be Homer Bailey, well lets just say it’s a far cry from when we were hoping for solid outings from Eric Milton and Dave Williams.
The lineup still has the aforementioned Bruce, Brandon Phillips, Adam Dunn, Joey Votto, Edwin Encarnacion, and Ken Griffey Jr. There’s plenty to be excited about. This team has direction, and it’s lead by the force that is ‘The Deal’ Jay Bruce.
It’s the dawn of a new era. Are you ready for 15 years of this kid roaming the pasture in the Queen City? 3,000 hits later I think we’ll be saying it was one hell of a ride.
Jay Bruce is promoted to the Major Leagues
Sometimes the best things in life are worth waiting for. Today is one of my happiest days as a Reds fan. As I sat outside my father’s barn today on Memorial Day, taking a break from bailing hay, I decided to sit down and check on my cell phone the score of today’s light schedule of games.
I scanned the headlines just in case. There it was, Jay Bruce had been called up by the Cincinnati Reds for tomorrow night’s game in Cincinnati. It’s too good to be true.
Tomorrow the Reds are expected to promote from Class AAA Louisville top prospect OF Jay Bruce.A corresponding roster move will be announced prior to tomorrow’s 7:10 p.m. game against the Pirates.
Bruce and Reds President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty will be available to the media tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. in the Reds’ dugout at Great American Ball Park.
Bruce will wear uniform number 32 and when he plays will be making his Major League debut.
This came on the heels of the Memorial Sunday Marathon yesterday, the 18-inning game which saw Corey Patterson go 0 for 8. I knew after that this move was imminent and it made for an night of celebration for me and my friend who is a Reds fan.
The Deal is here. Here’s to 15 years of being the king of this city kid.
Quick note on Josh Hamilton
Just would like to point out in a quick, thrown up style post (since this is a blog and all), that Josh Hamilton has collected multiple hits in the last 8 straight ballgames he has started after doing it again last night in Cleveland.
If the season ended today, Hamilton would be the triple crown winner in the entire AL. He is percentage points ahead of Joe Mauer with a .337 average and has 12 home runs and 54 RBI in 50 games.
Dodger fans want this guy to remind them of Koufax
Clayton Kershaw is making his highly anticipated debut today. If indeed Kershaw goes on to be one of the great ones; after walking outside in my neighborhood today it just looks like a sunny Los Angeles morning even here in Ohio that you could remember forever as the day this kid stormed on the scene.
If you don’t know much about Kershaw, now might be a good time. We expect this kid to be a fixture in Dodger Blue for the next decade. What a day to debut in Major League Baseball. The sunday of Memorial day weekend and the weather is perfect. It doesn’t get much better than that.
No we’re not shitting you; Pokey Reese is back in baseball
You know, oddly enough this afternoon we were looking at a Cincinnati Reds box score from 10 years ago today. In it we could not help but to fixate on Pokey Reese and think about how incredibly solid he was for the Reds back in 1999 (the last time they had a strong team).
It’s now official: Reese is back in baseball. He was signed today by who else, the Washington Nationals and their crazy fucking General Manager Jim Bowden. Reese has been assigned to AAA Columbus for the time being.
Reese, who is reportedly in good shape; hasn’t played baseball since 2004 when he hit .221 for the Boston Red Sox (and got to ride their World Championship float, pictured). That came after stops in Pittsburgh (.264), and Florida (.215). Like the Reds, he never quite re-created the magic from 1999 when he hit a whopping .285 for the year.
And I go back to Jim Bowden. What in God’s name? He’s picking through the bones of former Cincinnati Reds wash outs like no other. In his tenure he has brought on board Felipe Lopez, Austin Kearns, Wily Mo Pena, Aaron Boone, Brett Boone, and basically has a hard on every time a Reds player is available. Does he realize that the Reds weren’t good and that could be why things aren’t going well in Washington?
Bowden should make a play for George Foster; who we hear is still solid as sheet rock. How about Hal Morris? You’re telling me Hal Morris couldn’t show up tomorrow and out hit Nick Johnson? Fuggetaboutit.
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