Cincinnati Reds

I’d still be fine if the Reds dumped him and his hefty salary. I know he had a great second half, but the Atlanta and Toronto outings are very hard to get out of my head. Leave a comment. Name (required) ...

By Jeff Gentil With the young talent on this team now and the young pitching coming up, I truly see the light at the end of the tunnel for us long-suffering Reds fans.  I’m not saying the Reds have equal talent to the Rays, but they went from 60-some wins to 97 this year with basically the same roster but a few tw...

By richard.christensen 3. Adam Dunn. This is a HUNCH. Hearing Thom Brennaman, Chris Welsh, Dusty Baker and a whole slew of folks talk about Dunn returning/NOT returning to the Reds, has given me brain gas. Plus, the D-backs are NOT going to keep Dunner. 4. Aaron Boone at 3rd? Just kidding… Edwin HAS to return. He’s my wife’...

By Jeff Gentil If you pick a team, who will you root for and why? Is there anyone you’re rooting against?  For me, it’s two teams: Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs.  Both are evil.  But, I’m sure both will make the World Series and make it the worst Series in history (but I’m sure FOX will love the ratings).

By Jeff Gentil Rotation sets up nicely if you get a healthy Aaron Harang and another year of maturity from Johnny Cueto.  With Volquez and Arroyo included, you have a very formidable rotation.  And your No. 5 comes from: Bailey, Thompson, Maloney, Owings, Ramirez.  Hey, it beats Jimmy Anderson, Jimmy Hayn...

By Erik Who’s your pick? Who’s gonna win it? No not the “race” between the probable NL MVP Ryan Howard and Dunner (AD would need one heck of a hot streak for even a .2% chance at winning it). I’m talking about the Reds rookie HR race between Jay Bruce and Joey Votto. After that 7 HR game where each [...]

Radio: 700 WLW Pitching Matchups: Monday-Reds RHP Bronson Arroyo (9-8, 5.74) vs. Brewers LHP Manny Parra (9-4, 3.93)Tuesday-Reds RHP Edinson Volquez (13-4, 2.71) vs. Brewers RHP Seth McClung (5-5, 4.55)Wednesday-Reds RHP Homer Bailey (0-5, 7.55) vs. Brewers RHP Jeff Suppan (6-7, 4.75)

By Jeff Gentil OK that’s a little better.  Although, seriously, against that band of rejects, the Reds really should sweep a four-game series.  Does anyone miss Austin Kearns?  Felipe Lopez?  Dmitri Young?  Sily Mo? Aaron Boone?  Me neither.  There’s a reason we got rid of them.  They stink…and bad!!!

By Jeff Gentil Radio: 700 WLW Pitching Matchups: Friday-Reds RHP Aaron Harang (2-9, 4.31) vs. Red Sox RHP Justin Masterson (3-0, 2.59)Saturday-Reds RHP Edinson Volquez (9-2, 1.56) vs. Red Sox RHP Tim Wakefield (4-4, 4.33)Sunday-Reds RHP Homer Bailey (0-2, 6.30) vs. Red Sox RHP Josh Beckett (6-4, 4.22)

By Jeff Gentil So, IF IF IF we could have Homer straightened out and he can stick aound, this rotation could be one of the best around.  Consider… Aaron Harang-sure he’s 2-8, but with still a sub-4.00 ERA he’s not pitching that poorly.  He has the lowest run support in the league, which is definitely hurting h...

By Jeff Gentil Pitching Matchups: Friday-Reds RHP Johnny Cueto (4-5, 5.11) vs. Marlins LHP Andrew Miller (4-4, 5.37)Saturday-Reds RHP Bronson Arroyo (4-5, 5.61) vs. Marlins LHP Scott Olsen (4-2, 3.72)Sunday-Reds RHP Aaron Harang (2-8, 3.86) vs. Marlins RHP Burke Badenhop (1-3, 6.59)Monday-Reds RHP Edins...

By Andrew Kappes If your power was out like mine, you missed a fine pitcher’s duel between Edinson Volquez and Brett Myers. Volquez had a no-hitter broken up in the fourth, but Myers’ rolled on. In the seventh, it was still in order when Joey Votto stepped up to the plate with Brandon Phillips on second. Turns ou...

By Andrew Kappes After Arroyo plowed through the first inning, the Reds put the game out of reach in their half. After a Ken Griffey Jr. sac fly, Edwin Encarnacion doubled to left, scoring the wonder kid Jay Bruce. Joey Votto then shot a broken bat single to left, and with great hustle, Edwin followed Dunn home t...

By Andrew Kappes The kid’s first at-bat came with one on in the first inning, and he took a respectable four pitch walk. Snell offered him four balls, expecting the anxious rookie to swing, but Bruce didn’t chase. He came back up in the third, and with a crack of the bat his first big league hit fell in left field. D...

By Jeff Gentil Radio: 700 WLW Pitching Matchups: Monday-Reds RHP Bronson Arroyo (2-4, 6.08) vs. Dodgers RHP Brad Penny (5-4, 5.09)Tuesday-Reds RHP Matt Belisle (1-3, 7.45) vs. Dodgers RHP Chad Billingsley (3-5, 4.34)Wednesday-Reds RHP Johnny Cueto (2-4, 5.75) vs. Dodgers RHP Hiroki Kuroda (1-3, 3.67)

By Andrew Kappes Edinson Volquez (7-1) is your new Major League ERA leader. He went six innings, allowing two runs on four hits, striking out five. It was the first time this season he has allowed more than one run in a start. His ERA now stands at 1.33, 0.04 better than Cliff Lee’s 1.37.

By Jeff Gentil Radio: 700 WLW Pitching Matchups: Friday-Reds RHP Johnny Cueto (2-4, 5.91) vs. Indians LHP Jeremy Sowers (0-0, 5.06)Saturday-Reds RHP Aaron Harang (2-5, 3.32) vs. Indians RHP Fausto Carmona (4-1, 2.40)Sunday-Reds RHP Edinson Volquez (6-1, 1.12) vs. Indians LHP Cliff Lee (6-0, 0.67)

By Andrew Kappes Joey Votto have Edinson Volquez a lead to work with in the second when he slammed a solo homerun to right. Adam Dunn added to that with a solo homer of his own, followed later by Paul Bako with the same result. Jerry Hairston slammed a two-run shot to close out the second and give the Reds a 5-0 lead....

By Jeff Gentil In the end: I’m a Cincinnati Reds fan first and foremost.  What’s best in the long run for the Reds is what I want.  And, if that means Junior has to go, then I’m OK with that.  I’m just sad that it has to be that way.  Speculation is rampant about Ken Griffey Jr being traded from the Reds sooner than la...

By Jeff Gentil Radio:  700 WLW Pitching Matchups: Monday-Reds RHP Johnny Cueto (1-3, 5.40) vs. Cubs RHP Ryan Dempster (4-0, 3.16)Tuesday-Reds RHP Aaron Harang (1-4, 2.98) vs. Cubs Carlos Zambrano (4-1, 2.11)Wednesday-Reds RHP Edinson Volquez (4-1, 1.27) vs. Cubs RHP Jon Lieber (2-1, 1.86)

By Jeff Gentil Griffey, Phillips, and Dunn individually are talented hitters - when they’re “on”.  But, are they clutch hitters?  Do they drive in runs with two outs?  Sacrifice flies?  In large part, the answer to all those is a resounding “no”. 

Radio: 700 WLW Pitching Matchups: Friday-Reds RHP Aaron Harang (1-2, 2.83) vs. Giants LHP Jonathan Sanchez (1-1, 4.50)Saturday-Reds RHP Matt Belisle (0-1, 11.50) vs. Giants RHP Kevin Correia (1-3, 4.21)Sunday-Reds RHP Edinson Volquez (3-0, 1.21) vs. Giants LHP Barry Zito (0-5, 5.61)

By Jeff Gentil Where: Great American Ball Park TV: FSN Ohio (Both games in HD) Radio: 700 WLW Pitching Matchups: Monday-Reds RHP Matt Belisle (8-9, 5.32 in ‘07) vs. Dodgers RHP Brad Penny (2-2, 2.96)Tuesday-Reds RHP Edinson Volquez (2-0, 1.17) vs. Dodgers LHP Hong-Chih Kuo (0-0, 0.79)

By Andrew Kappes The pitchers dominated the early going, with Harang and Milwaukee’s Yovani Gallardo putting up zeros the first three innings. J.J. Hardy broke the scoring drought in the fourth with a solo homerun. Edwin Encarnacion tied the game in the fifth with a solo homer of his own. It remained 1-1 headin...

By Jeff Gentil Where: Great American Ball Park Radio: 700 WLW Pitching Matchups: Friday-Reds RHP Bronson Arroyo (0-1, 5.17) vs. Brewers RHP Ben Sheets (2-0, 1.17)Saturday-Reds RHP Johnny Cueto (1-1, 3.72) vs. Brewers Jeff Suppan (1-0, 4.67)Sunday-Reds RHP Aaron Harang (1-2, 3.33) vs. Brewers TBA

Radio: 700 WLW Pitching Matchups: Tuesday-Reds RHP Johnny Cueto (1-0, 1.29) vs. Brewers RHP Jeff Suppan (1-0, 2.84)Wednesday-Reds RHP Josh Fogg (0-1, 13.50) vs. Brewers RHP Dave Bush (0-1, 10.13)Thursday-Reds RHP Aaron Harang (0-1, 2.77) vs. Brewers RHP Carlos Villanueva (1-0, 3.38)

By Jeff Gentil Pitching Matchups: Friday-Reds RHP Josh Fogg (10-9, 4.94 ERA in ‘07) vs. Phillies RHP Kyle Kendrick (10-4, 3.87 ERA in ‘07)Saturday-Reds RHP Aaron Harang (0-1, 3.00 ERA) vs. Phillies RHP Adam Eaton (10-10, 6.29 ERA in ‘07)Sunday-Reds RHP Edinson Volquez (Reds debut) vs. Phillies RHP Brett M...

By Jeff Gentil Pitching Matchups: Monday-Reds RHP Aaron Harang (16-6, 3.73 ERA in ‘07) vs. D-Backs RHP Brandon Webb (18-10, 3.01 ERA in ‘07)Wednesday-Reds RHP Bronson Arroyo (9-15 4.23 in ‘07) vs. D-Backs Dan Haren (15-9, 3.07 ERA with Oakland in ‘07)Thursday-Reds RHP Johnny Cueto (MLB Debut) vs. D-Backs...

By Shawn Weaver Our next era takes place in a new ballpark, albeit at the same location. This era of Cincinnati baseball is the era of the “Palace of the Fans,” the latest rebuilding of the Cincinnati ballpark on the same site. A partially concrete-and-steel park, the latest in ballpark construction, was e...

By Andrew Kappes Votto became an immediate fan favorite in Cincinnati, and for good reason. There wasn’t a whole lot of hype surrounding Votto when he was working his way through the minors (unlike Homer Bailey), and many connected to this 24-year old Canadian’s hard-working, can-do attitude. Votto’s na...

By Shawn Weaver Pitcher Noodles Hahn debuted at age 20, and went 23-8.  Pink Hawley was 14-17, Bill Phillips 17-9, Ted Breitenstein 13-9, and Jack Taylor 9-10.  This year, a bit of a disappointment after a few years of playing at pennant hopes, was the last year for Ewing at the Reds’ helm.

By Andrew Kappes The Homer Bailey phenomenon in Cincinnati has settled down, but Reds fans are still waiting in agony to see just how good this kid can be. He will only be the tender age of 22 on opening day, and his ceiling for improvement is tremendous. We all know Bailey can get guys out with his fastball, the i...

By Andrew Kappes We know he can hit, but is there room for him? The answer is a big yes. The Josh Hamilton deal opened up a spot in the outfield for the 20-year old, not to mention improve the pitching staff (sounds like a smart draft choice, huh?). Despite trading Josh Hamilton, the outfield remains pretty crow...

By Shawn Weaver The saga of the 1891 “Kelly’s Killers” is one of the stranger episodes in Cincinnati baseball history, and major league baseball history as well.  It was the only time Cincinnati hosted two major league teams, as the 1884 Union Association doesn’t really count.  It was a re-entry for the Qu...

By Shawn Weaver Next time we will continue through the 1890s. The Reds returned to the National League, and renamed their park at McLean and Findlay from American (for the American Association) Park to League Park to mark the occasion. Other than the change in leagues, everything else was pretty much the s...

By Shawn Weaver It was an odd little episode in Cincinnati baseball history, not good for much more than a few anecdotes.  But, unlikely as it seems, it did happen. The Cincinnati “Outlaw” Reds form an odd corollary to the story of major league baseball in Cincinnati.  The team was so named because it was part...

By Shawn Weaver The years 1882 through 1889 marked the American Association era for the Cincinnati franchise, back when the AA was a second major league.  The AA was not quite at the same level as the National League, but it was close, similar to the way the Japanese leagues are close to the American majors,...

By Shawn Weaver lt;>To make money, the team scheduled Sunday exhibitions and sold beer, popular with the town’s heavily German populace but against NL rules.  The Reds were summarily thrown out of the National League.  They would return at a later date. <>After the breaking up of the first profe...

By Shawn Weaver Wright slowly assembled the best players he could find.  The Red Stocking won their last eight games in 1868, then went on a cross-country odyssey in 1869, travelling anywhere they were invited to take on all comers.  Harry brought in the best player in the country, his younger brother Geor...

By Shawn Weaver This offseason, as well as dealing with the news of trades and free agents and other team moves to mark the Dusty Baker Era in Cincinnati, we will look at the history of the Cincinnati Reds as a group of eras.  The Queen City has seen an ebb and flow of baseball in the history of the franchise, and...

By Jeff Gentil Pitching Matchups: Monday-Reds RHP Bronson Arroyo (9-14, 4.31 ERA) vs. Cubs LHP Rich Hill (9-8, 3.91 ERA)Tuesday-Reds RHP Aaron Harang (15-4, 3.65 ERA) vs. Cubs RHP Carlos Zambrano (16-12, 4.14 ERA)Wednesday-Reds RHP Tom Shearn (3-0, 4.15 ERA) vs. Cubs LHP Ted Lilly (15-7, 3.82 ERA)

By Shawn Weaver Adam Dunn hit two more of those meaningless home runs, and drove in five more of those meaningless runs, in Tuesday night’s game. Those runs, of course, were the difference in a 7-2 victory over the Cardinals. No player on the Reds inspires more diversity of opinion than slugger Adam Dunn.

By Jeff Gentil Pitching Matchups: Friday-Reds RHP Bronson Arroyo (7-14, 4.43 ERA) vs. Brewers RHP Dave Bush (11-9, 4.83 ERA)Saturday-Reds RHP Aaron Harang (14-4, 3.68 ERA) vs. Brewers RHP Jeff Suppan (9-11, 4.75 ERA)Sunday-Reds LHP Phil Dumatrait (0-3, 13.00 ERA) vs. Brewers RHP Ben Sheets (11-4, 3.36 ERA)

By Kristofor Hittepole Aaron Harang (Cy Young Award): This guy is without question the best player on the team.  Last year he was possibly the best pitcher in the National League as far as stats go and he did not receive a single vote.  This season he more than deserves to at least receive some votes.  He ranks toward th...

By Shawn Weaver A little out of order (I have been profiling Reds roughly in descending age order) because a new guy popped up unexpectedly. Tom Shearn made his major league debut for the Reds Saturday, two days shy of his 30th birthday, after nearly 11 seasons of minor league ball. Not only that, he pitched s...

By Jeff Gentil Pitching Matchups: Tuesday Game 1-Reds RHP Elizardo Ramirez (0-1, 6.35 ERA) vs. Pirates LHP Tom Gorzelanny (12-7, 3.40 ERA)Tuesday Game 2-Reds RHP Bronson Arroyo (7-13, 4.55 ERA) vs. Pirates LHP Paul Maholm (10-14, 4.39 ERA)Wednesday-Reds RHP Aaron Harang (13-3, 3.68 ERA) vs. Pirates RHP Ian...

By Jeff Gentil That is starting to be a valid question with every Reds win.  The Reds are now 27-19 under Pete Mackanin.  Fluke?  Coincidence?  Fool’s gold?  Who knows??  You can’t argue the results.  So the Reds have gone from one reliever who could get batters out, to possibly four with Weathers, Bray, B...

By Kristofor The Reds bullpen this year has posted a NL worst 5.10 ERA this season.  The only two teams in all of baseball with a worse bullpen ERA are the Chicago White Sox (5.31) and Tampa Bay Devil Rays (6.51).  The bullpen has also managed to save only 22 of their 43 save opportunities.  This is by far the wor...

By Shawn Weaver Due to “The Trade,” Gary Majewski has become a favorite whipping boy of some Reds’ fans, as his performance since coming to Cincinnati has been, should we say, less than stellar.  Let’s take a closer look at a man the Reds really need to be a cornerstone of their bullpen.