I don't have a whole lot today... sorry.* Anyway, a sad sign-off from one of my best friends, Josh Katzowitz. But Josh is starting a new job today, with CBSSports.com. So, yeah, it's goodbye to GoBearcats.com for him, but you'l...
Blogs: C. Trent Rosecrans: TOL Archives
Sometimes I don't know if I'm watching a seismic shift, evolution or just a blip, That's how I'm watching college football realignment and glad I'm not someone like Mike Thomas right now.OK, Thomas is paid quite a bit and has...
Last night reminded me of LeBron's debut. I was sick of the hype, was pretty sure it was more of that than actual substance -- but when I watched Stephen Strasburg, damn it if he didn't live up to what...
First off, CNati will be undergoing some changes here in the next couple of weeks and the next month. Why? Because I've accepted a job with CBSSports.com and that will make it impossible to do what I've been doing with...
John Wooden is in grave condition, according to multiple reports.I don't have a whole lot of autographed stuff around my house -- I have a George Brett 1985 World Series baseball (I bought it on eBay, not knowing it was...
I remember the day Ken Griffey Jr. was traded to the Reds. I was working in Athens, Ga., and was laying out the afteroon paper and had to redo quite a bit when it came over the wires.I don't think...
I missed Sam LeCure's debut on Friday because I was sitting on the tarmac in Atlanta. I was kinda bummed.As soon as the Reds drafted LeCure in 2005, I heard from my family. My parents are from a small town...
Well, I'm back.I don't know how I managed when I was young. That's kinda what the three grown-ups figured out with our boys' week through Georgia.Really, it's amazing what we were able to do when we were young and stupid....
Well, just one TOL this week -- I'm taking a trip this week. Visiting with two of my best friends and seeing my favorite band (of the moment) three times in three nights in Savannah, Athens and Atlanta.I'll be back...
In 2006 -- the last time the Reds were in this kind of position -- there was a road trip to the West Coast that was the stretch everyone pointed to as the downfall of the team.The Reds won their...
Oh man, it's early.I'm up early because I'm talking to a class at Xavier about the future of news. My speech should be short -- don't be a part of it. If you're considering journalism as a career, I have...
I loved what Homer Bailey said yesterday, he just knew his team was going to win.And they did.There's a confidence in that clubhouse I don't think I've seen in my seven years here, and it has a ton to do...
Yesterday the Reds signed an outfielder, Felix Perez. Was told it wouldn't be as big of a story if he'd been from anywhere but Cuba, but Cuban stories -- especially post-Chapman -- are a bigger deal.It's understandable, because of all...
The first-place Reds.Don't worry about it, enjoy it. It's not like it's happened that much.The Reds clubhouse wasn't much different yesterday than it is after any victory, there was no champagne or anything like that, but there was some happiness...
RedbirdsColby Rasmus cfRyan Ludwick rfAlbert Pujols 1bMatt Holliday lfDavid Freese 3bYadier Molina cSkip Schumaker 2bAdam Wainwright pBrendan Ryan ssRedlegsOrlando Cabrera ssBrandon Phillips 2bJoey Votto 1bScott Rolen 3bJay Bruce rfJonny Gomes lfDrew Stubbs cfRamon Hernandez cMike Leake p...
OK, running late today.Funny what a day without baseball leaves you ... LeBron? Well, you can go 1,000 other places and people will know more than I do about LeBron and still know nothing.There's Reggie Kelly, which I think is...
How about the Cincinnati Cyclones? Down 3-0 in their series with Reading, the 'Clones bounced back to win four straight and advance to the Kelly Cup Finals.Really an amazing feat.* And what about my Habs? Awesome.* Some more housekeeping here...
I feel like crap, felt like crap yesterday, so I'm gonna be short today, hope that's cool.The good news is it should keep those spelling bee judges off my back for a day... Anyway, here we go...* You always get...
Fangraphs has a measure of the "little things" and the Reds are second in the big leagues in doing that. On Sunday, Rob Butcher gave Dusty Baker a stat someone had given him showing the Reds leading the majors in...
I've never seen a no-hitter in person, and I thought I had a chance yesterday.So often you hear about guys who have "no-hitter stuff." Mike Leake doesn't light up radar guns, but he certainly has "no-hitter stuff" and he uses...
So, besides our old troll friend, there is some talk about racism in the most recent Brandon Phillips affair.This is something I think about quite a bit -- I'm not so naive to believe that racism doesn't exist or that...
I liked something Orlando Cabrera said yesterday about the team's late-inning heroics -- "its good and bad."It's good to win those games, but again and again there are places where that shouldn't be an issue. At one point yesterday I...
Years ago when I was writing for the Athens Banner-Herald in Athens, Ga., I'd occasionally be sent to Braves games to write from there, sometimes a gamer, sometimes a feature, sometimes a column.In 2002, I was sent to write a...
The best part about it being May? The retirement of the phrases "April baseball" and "it's still early."Both phrases have their points and I think I've used both -- but as May comes around, some of hte flukes start to...
One of the oddities of trying to cover a little of everything will be remedied today... I'll finally see Mike Leake pitch.I'd missed his first start because I went to Toledo to watch Aroldis Chapman's debut, then missed his second...
The Reds are at .500, and they'll be flirting with this level for a while. THere will be days they're several games below -- and people will panick and yell and scream. And then there'll be days where they're a...
You know what I just don't get? This fascination with the term "ace" for a pitching staff.I've honestly just noticed this in the last couple of years.First off, every team doesn't have an "ace." And just because you're first in...
I was glad to see Aaron Harang pitch well. It's weird, because it's not like his stuff has gotten a lot worse, it seems to be an approach thing.We'll see Sunday against St. Louis.* Aroldis Chapman pitches in Scranton, the...
In yesterday's comments, there was a talk about sports announcers on TV and why I hate Chris Berman.Well, lemme just say I like anyone who tells me what happens and nothing else. I can think for myself, thanks.I think the...
I touched on this in my draft wrap-up story, but perhaps said it better in the headline than I did in the story -- the Bengals' draft was solid, if unspectacular. They coulda used a safety, but not sure there...
Who's your Padres?Jerry Hairston Jr. ssDavid Eckstein 2bAdrian Gonzalez 1bChase Headley 3bWill Venable rfKyle Banks lfScott Hairston cfNick Hundley cClayton Richard pDeadlegsDrew Stubbs cfOrlando Cabrera ssJoey Votto 1bBrandon Phillips 2bScott Rolen 3bJonny Gomes lfJay Bruce rfRamon Hernandez cHomer Bailey p*...
I don't hate the Bengals' pick, but didn't love it.If you're going to go tight end, Gresham is the way to go, if you ask me. Still, I'm not sold on the position.That said, there weren't too many players taken...
I know it's cool in the media to be above the NFL Draft and hate it. To talk about it being a crapshoot and meaning nothing and overhyped and Mel Kiper's hair and Todd McShay's yapping and Chirs Berman, oh...
In the end, the suspension of Edinson Volquez doesn't hurt the Reds at all. Sure, it hurts Volquez's wallet, but it may actually help the Reds.How?Well, first of all, the $120 grand or so Volquez loses goes back into the...
Reds vs. Dodgers RHP Chad BillingsleyDrew Stubbs cfOrlando Cabrera ssJoey Votto 1bBrandon Phillips 2bScott Rolen 3bJay Bruce rfJonny Gome lfRamon Hernandez cHomer Bailey pDodgers vs. Reds RHP Homer BaileyRafael Furcal ssMatt Kemp cfAndre Ethier rfManny Ramirez lfJames Loney 1bCasey Blake...
I know I've slacked on the CNati podcast, so it's kind of silly to start a new one. But hey, I've got a good reason...Joe's doing most of the work. Yep, I've got a real-life internet radio star with me...
It's Monday already?Ugh.I'm guessing it's an easier day for the Reds, they may get as many hits today as they have recently anyway.Pretty sad, I was looking up the stats yesterday and the top two hitters were Mike Leake and...
You may notice some new ads (and I hope you do notice the ads) from the Reds.The Reds are a paid advertiser on CNati.com and we really appreciate their business. Don't worry this won't change our coverage of the Reds...
The Reds have prettty much an average National League payroll and if you take away the Yankees, an average payroll in baseball. That's why the payroll argument seems off to me -- the problem with the Reds has been their...
So, all five of the Reds' victories have come in their last at-bat -- coincidence? Or something else?The starters still don't have a W -- the Astros can say the same thing, except their situation is a little different.* The...
Kind of weird watched the Reds on TV last night, it was my first TV game of the season. I don't like it. Sure, it was nice to take the radio out and grill while listening to the game, but...
I got several questions yesterday about the quote in my story about Aroldis Chapman from Toledo manager Larry Parish."Against us he walked one," Mud Hens manager Larry Parish told the Toledo Balde. "(Pitching against) big-leaguers, today he walks eight. Big...
Sorry, with the day game yesterday, I just didn't , hope you understand. * Could you help us out and take our quick 10-question survey? Thanks.* Tracy Ringlosby on Mike Leake.* A list of the 10 worst Opening Day starters...
I understand the day off after Opening Day -- it's just to make sure they have a backup if needed -- and I even appreciate it, had a nice day and got some things done Tuesday, but it still throws...
It's funny, I hear over and over how Dusty Baker lost that game for the Reds.Does anyone win games anymore?I'm not sure, but I seem to think Albert Pujols and Chris Carpenter had a hand in winning that game for...
Well, here we are, Opening Day.Of course, with that, I'm running around.I'll be at Gameworks at Newport on the Levee from 8:20-8:45 and then the pregame stuff starts around 9:15.Our photographer, Brian Baker, will be shooting Opening Day festivities and...
CINCINNATI -- Yes, I am back and semi-rested.I can't tell you how much I appreciated all your support and kind words during spring training. It was a heck of a trip and I can't wait for the season to start,...
We wrap up our Spring Training guest series at Thinking out Loud with our friend Sarah Lancaster. You know her other half, Marc, and we think you'll enjoying hearing from Sarah, too. When she isn't educating tomorrow's musicians, she moonlights...
We all know C. Trent is a Georgia grad and Bulldog fan, and David Hale is who he reads to get all the latest on his beloved Dawgs. Hale, oddly enough, is a Yankee (and a graduate of Syracuse University,...
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Today's my last full day in Arizona and my last Cactus League game. The Reds host the Padres at 1:05 p.m. local time (4:05 out there).I've got to say again how much I've enjoyed the Cactus League....
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- I can't believe I'm down to just two more days here. I leave Wednesday at noon and will be back in Cincinnati Wednesday night.It's been a lot of fun and hopefully I've given some folks their money's...
Today's guest blogger is Amy from Red Letter Daze. She's too tired to write a clever intro and suggests you make up something in your head.******************* Watch out, Chris Welsh, this Indiana University pitcher might steal the "Crafty Lefthander" nickname...
Your guest blogger for today's Thinking Out Loud is Lee from the CNati.com blog C-Notes. In addition to ignoring his own blog, Lee enjoys pondering the mysteries of "Lost", the art of building bat houses and the lower pantheon of...
Back for another round of TOL-ing is Mr. Redlegs from Red Letter Daze. He's our only guest blogger with a giant baseball for a head. Take it away, Mr. R... ********************On "The Day After," the most predictable reaction of...
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- So, I've been married two months today and been here for more than a month. Odd.Of course, the fact my wife is very understanding and supportive are two of the many reasons I married her. She may...
Your guest blogger for today's Thinking Out Loud is Lee from the CNati.com blog C-Notes. In addition to ignoring his own blog, Lee enjoys Maker's Mark, vintage Fender guitars and the smell of warm cookies.SAVANNAH, GA -- Yesterday was St....
If you've ever read anything boring or the least bit statistical in nature on OMGReds.com, it was probably something Dave Clark posted. Today's guest blogger, Dave's hoping St. Patrick's Day revelers pass out sometime later this morning or early afternoon...
Your guest blogger for today's Thinking Out Loud is Michelle from the CNati.com blog Title IX. She would like to remind you to wear your seatbelt, drink lots of water, and root for the Dawgs. * For those of you who...
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Ever notice how a weekend can disappear on you? Especially when you don't have one?Yeah, but all is well out here. I was able to make it through about half my Google Reader. And here you go.*...
Today our TOL guest series continues with Amy from Red Letter Daze. When she's not watching baseball, Amy's a mother of three and freelance copy editor who fights the good fight against Alpha Moms and misplaced apostrophes. Actually, she's all...
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- I couldn't leave you guys altogether...Really, I can't thank everyone for helping me out enough. It's been fun to read other things that people come up with and find. Of course, my Google Reader is now officially...
So the gang here at CNati decided to pitch in and help C. Trent out while he's slaving away in [snow-free] Arizona. This week we'll try our hand at TOL, but be warned: C. Trent might like sneakers, Apple products,...
Our Thinking out Loud spring training guest series continues with Mr. R from the Reds forum Red Letter Daze. You have undoubtedly seen him on the Reds blogosphere as the curmudgeon "Mr. Redlegs" or "MisterRedlegs," but at his gilded age...
Our Thinking out Loud guest series continues with Marc Lancaster, who first met Trent in the summer of 1995 at a staff meeting at The Red & Black, the University of Georgia's student paper. They worked together there and at the...
So the gang here at CNati decided to pitch in and help C. Trent out while he's slaving away in sunny Arizona. This week we'll try our hand at TOL, but be warned: C. Trent might like sneakers, Apple products, Japanese...
PHOENIX -- Well, I hope you've enjoyed my guest bloggers, since they're two of my very favorite people in the world. I appreciate them picking up some slack so I can concentrate on this stuff a little more and not...
So the gang here at CNati decided to pitch in and help C. Trent out while he's slaving away in [snow-free] Arizona. This week we'll try our hand at TOL, but be warned: C. Trent might like sneakers, Apple products,...
So the gang here at CNati decided to pitch in and help C. Trent out while he's slaving away in [snow-free] Arizona. This week we'll try our hand at TOL, but be warned: C. Trent might like sneakers, Apple products,...
So the gang here at CNati decided to pitch in and help C. Trent out while he's slaving away in [snow-free] Arizona. This week we'll try our hand at TOL, but be warned: C. Trent might like sneakers, Apple products,...
PHOENIX -- Hey folks, I know this has been a little incosistent of late, as in the time it's published and the cotnet. I'm not sure I'll be able to do it for much longer during spring trainig. I may...
PHOENIX -- I knew this would happen sooner or later... I'm behind. So here's a quick TOL.* Cuban players are looking toward the US more, and that's not good for Cuban baseball.* Josh Hamilton hurt his shoulder up the road...
PHOENIX -- I know at least one person is watching the videos I put up, because we watch it together. The other day Yonder Alonso asked if I'd put video up yet from when I taped him in the cage....
First off, my congrats to the Katzowitz family, which recently doubled with the birth of Bella and Jonah Katzowitz.You guys may know Josh from Katz on the Cats and Bearcats Rising, but he's also one of my best friends and...
PHOENIX -- I remember when it was announced the Reds were moving to Goodyear, there being a call to arms. People were upset -- what are you going to do without Sarasota? What is there in the desert?Some -- and...
I can't tell you how nice it was yesterday to hear some familiar sounds -- spikes on concrete, baseball hitting leather, just those sounds of baseball. I didn't hear much of the crack of the bat, but I know it's...
My favorite combinations of words in the English language: "open bar", "you're right", "you've been upgraded" and "pitchers and catchers report." I haven't head the first three in a while, but the last one, well, that's today.* If you have...
PHOENIX -- Tomorrow's the day, isn't it?I'm hoping to go over today and get a lay of the land at the new complex, take some pictures and video and hopefully give you a taste of what's out here.And then tomorrow,...
Orlando Cabrera is the latest Reds shortstop to wear No. 2. Although he had a No. 9 jersey at his press conference, he's No. 2 on the roster now.The last three guys to wear No. 2 were also shortstops: Alex...
I still wonder what number I think of Ken Griffey Jr.'s for his Reds tenure.He only wore No. 3 in his last three years as a Red, but those were the years I was closest to the team. So I'm...
I hate to go against type here -- there's always Ryan Freel for No. 6 -- but for 6 I always think of a Cardinal -- Stan Musial.My mom was friends with Musial's daughter Jan, they'd ride horses together, so...
One freakin' week until pitchers and catcher reports. How about that? Paul Janish days.Ernie Lombardi was the first Red to wear No. 7 -- and the immortal Jason Romano also wore No. 7.As for Janish, I'll be interested to see...
Next on the list of last players to wear a number for the Reds? 8Not Joe Morgan, but Damon Berryhill. How about that? It was retired in 1998, after Morgan's Reds career ended in '79, it was worn by Joey...
Since the Reds adopted uniform numbers in 1932, I understand why there are still some single digit numbers that haven't been retired, but still, you'd think they'd mostly be gone. But only three -- 1 (Fred Hutchinson), 5 (Johnny Bench)...
One of my favorite trivia questions for Reds fans... who was the last Red to wear No. 10 before it was retired for Sparky Anderson?The answer is the immortal Jason Romano.Romano was a nice guy that the Reds picked up...
One of my favorite things is when players wear a number to honor a former player. It brings back the inner Little Leaguer in all of us. When I think about this, I always think of Ozzie Guillen wearing...
Glenn Braggs days until pitchers and catchers report.Braggs was the first pro athlete I ever interviewed. It was my senior year of high school and we had a research paper that required not only library research, but also an on-site...
No matter what Devin Mesoraco's shadow says, there's only Darnell McDonald to go until pitchers and catchers report. And two weeks until I head to Arizona.* With the other transaction yesterday, I like the Cabrera move a little more. Basically,...
17 days until pitchers and catchers report, although No. 17 Javier Valentine won't be one of them, nor will current No. 17 Laynce Nix, but he'll be along a few days later.* As for this weekend's signing, I'm not a...
20 days until pitchers and catcher report.* Not that it's news to my daily readers, but I'm a complete idiot. I have this feeling that I had to do something this weekend, and I can't for the life of me...
21 days until pitchers and catchers reportSome great No. 21s in Reds history, including two of my favorites, Sean Casey and Scott Hatteberg.Other 21s of note, current 21er Chris Dickerson, Deion Sanders (twice), Paul O'Neil, Peanuts Lowery, Jo-Jo White and...
22 days until pitchers and catchers reportSo, in honorof that, here are the Reds who have worn No. 22Asby AsbjornsonHarry MCCurdyJoe ShauteBenny FreyEddie JoostTed KleinhausWally BergerMike DejeanJimmy RippleLonnie GoldsteinFrankie KelleherTony CriscolaAl LibkeJohnny WyrostekWillard MarshallJohnny WyrostekWillard Marshall (Wyrostek had it from...
23 days until pitchers and catchers report...* The Reds' Phil Castellini: "I keep thinking we are done, but keep hearing rumblings of more things."I don't see anything major happening, though. But I've been wrong many times before.* An update on...
It's Pro Bowl Week!* You think we're going to hear a little bit about Archie Manning in the next two weeks?* I love that a team that turned the ball over six times is complaining about overtime rules and pass...
I don't know if you noticed, but we've got a new tab up at the top -- for our CNati shop.Added is our new "Don't blame me -- I voted for Barry Larkin" shirt. We've also got the Great 8...
Well, damn the luck.The Reds are playing the Dodgers in Las Vegas on March 31. That just happens to be the day I'm headed back to Cincinnati. Oh well. It's probably a good idea that I don't take any money...
CityBeat is once again holding its Best of Cincinnati poll, and we'd love if you'd vote for CNati.com as best website and sports coverage, maybe whatever other categories you see fit.Last year I won Best Journalist, which was awesome. I...
Congrats to former UC assistant coach Frank Martin and the K-State Wildcats.A lot of people doubted Martin when he took over the Wildcats following Bob Huggins' departure. They said he was just someone taking over to keep Michael Beasley and...
Happy MLK Day, hope you didn't have to work, but also hope you go back and appreciate what Martin Luther King Jr. meant to this country.* More coverage of us -- and you. Still can't thank the readers enough.* I'm...
Anyone else doing the double dip tomorrow?Paul Dehner Jr. is going to go to both the X game and the UC game. That's one of the beauties of this town, if you're a college hoops junkie, you can get the...
I can't say I expected to have something to say about this.Last night at 8, Lee called me to congratulate me. We got to 100 percent on our fund drive. I can't thank every single contributor enough.I wasn't sure we'd...
We've passed 75 percent on our fund drive. I can't tell you how excited I am for spring training.Make sure you check out our incentives -- and remember, if you've already given, you'll receive the incentives. I can't thank everyone...
I can't tell you how mad I am at Firefox and Safari -- some serious issues. I'll blame a poor TOL showing on that. (It's always good to have excuses.)* Speaking of excuses, how about Mark McGwire saying it...
A bold move by the Reds made some 'round here forget about the Bengals' loss.I've got to say I'm a bit surprised the Reds are going to sign Aroldis Chapman, but I think it's a needed shot in the arm...
I'd have loved to have seen Texas and Alabama play at full strength, but injuries happen. I'm sure there are some Oklahoma fans out thre who have zero sympathy for the Longhorns after how their season went.That's one thing Brian...
SNOW!Or not.Or wait... SNOW!* Yeah, I'm bored of the Hall of Fame whining.I will say this, Barry Larkin will get in.* A good read on not only why Larkin should get in, but why it means so much to Reds...
At 2 p.m. today, we'll learn that Barry Larkin hasn't been elected to the Hall of Fame.I was talking to the Enquirer's John Erardi yesterday and someone he talked to said he expected Larkin to get 25% of the vote,...
Gotta run. Running way behind.Will be interested to see how the Bengals say this week should be any different.* A run-down of last week of the season, playoff rematches have turned out.* Heck of a game last night -- this...
Well, the first TOL of 2010...* If you weren't around last week, you may have missed the news of our fund drive for spring training. Lee wrote a little more about it last week, but again, you may have missed...
Well, hope everyone has a good New Year's.No TOL tomorrow, I think we'll all still be asleep and then watching college football.* Don Banks at SI.com said Dhani Jones deserved a nod for the Pro Bowl.I think the biggest thing...
I promise I'm not going to talk about this every day until February, but my buddy Kevin Kaduk of Yahoo!'s Big League Stew wrote about Cnati.com yesterday and our spring training drive.I've got to tell you, I've been overwhelmed by...
Tonight the Pro Bowl rosters will be announced and I'm not sure I'd be shocked if the Bengals weren't represented.I think they have some Pro Bowl-worthy players. Certainly it's tough to diminish what Cedric Benson's done, and the two corners...
You may notice something new later today -- for the first time, we're asking for money.I want to go to Reds spring training in Arizona this year and bring the latest to you guys, be it stories, blogs, videos, pictures,...
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas, I know I will.While the DLP went home to Georgia, I'm here so I can stick around for Bengals stuff again. While I hate not being with her because she really enjoys Christmas,...
Yeah...* Sometimes you work on a story and it gets bumped. And bumped. And bumped. And, well, at some point I was worried I wouldn't finish it. So with a day off on Tuesday, I was finally able to get...
I guess it's college basketball season.Well, at least there are bowls for a while.* Deonta Vaughn was supposed to be the one thing UC could count on this season -- but he's struggled so far this season. That's bad news...
There's a lot of times Chad Ochocinco does stuff just to be seen, to draw attention to himself. I honestly believe Sunday wasn't one of those times.He said he didn't wear 15 because he thought it would distract from the...
Yeah, I got nothing.It's been a long week. I need sleep to be as witty and insightful as I usually am here -- or wait, I usually get some sleep and I'm not witty or insightful, so maybe it's something...
I don't understand those who want to judge right now -- there's plenty of time later to feel self-righteous and superior. Right now, a man, a father, a son, is fighting for his life. How, where, why he got there...
So, do we wait to see who Central Michigan hires to see who will be the next UC head coach after Butch Jones?* I like the Jones hire. We'll see how it works out, but the expectations have been raised...
I'll talk to Jeff Quinn today, many reports say he's already interviewed for the UC head coaching position.I'm not totally against him getting the job -- it's not as if it's unprecedented for an assistant to take over and have...
It seems like the less we pay attention to the Crosstown Shootout, the better the game is.Yes, it was sloppy at times and not the basketball purists' dream, but it was fun to watch. You saw two teams that...
So, I was planning a big TOL today since I missed the last couple of days at the Winter Meetings. I got back home on Thursday and, well, I'm headed back to Indiana today.Josh Katzowitz and I are driving...
Well, this is going to be short, because I'm headed to Indianapolis to go to the MLB Winter Meetings, and I'll be writing all about that for most of the day. I expect to have a story over on the...
There's nothing like RedsFest and the winter meetings to get you in a baseball mood.But are you excited by this Reds team?For years I heard people say the Reds should just go young -- and it appeared they were doing...
I know I've said it before, but they didn't listen to me -- the Bengals need a blackout.Right now, they're the boys who cried wolf.The team is saying they're in danger of a blackout, but nobody believes it'll happen. Fans...
You know what question is irrelevant? Whether Notre Dame has contacted Brian Kelly.That might have been important many moons ago, but with search firms and agents, both schools and coaches have plausible deniability.Whoever is the next Notre Dame coach has...
I'd like to welcome a new member to the Cnati family -- Paul Dehner Jr. has joined Cnati.com full-time and will primarily cover colleges for us, but will do a bit of everything.Although Paul comes to us direct from Georgia,...
I'm sure it'll be the media's fault that Cedric Benson isn't happy about sharing carries -- or at least that's what we'll be told today.But hey -- why should he be happy about it? Cedric Benson has played well and...
Little elbow room on the bandwagon these days -- I could have used some of that on the red-eye back from SFO Sunday night.The NFL does this all the time -- teams you think have no reason beating another team...
OK, so, had a red-eye back last night and have to get to the Bengals open locker room, so instead of a half-assed TOL, you'll get my whole ass tomorrow.Thanks guys....
Sad day in Athens, as Uga VII passed away way too early. He was 4.Damn Good Dog.There will be no mascot on the sideline for the bulldogs this weekend.I never met VII, I'd played with VI before, and V was...
I got my Heisman "ballot" in the mail yesterday.For the first time, there's no physical ballot, instead it's all voting online. Since I've had a vote, there's been the option, and I've always voted online. But it was cool to...
At this point, I'm talked out about Larry Johnson.But, if I'm looking into a crystal ball, I'm not sure I see an effect on this team either way. I don't think he'll destroy the team, but I'm also not sure...
I'm not sure how to feel about the Larry Johnson signing.To me, it feels a lot like last year's Chris Henry re-signing -- we got that feel from Marvin Lewis yesterday. It sounded like he tried to give Johnson every...
Every doubt about the Bengals has to be gone.Are they perfect? No. Do they have holes? Yes. Are they winning? Yes.Listen, this team needs a lot of respect, something many of us (myself included) were slow to come to. But...
Cincinnati's the football capital of the world this week -- UC-WVU tonight, St. X-Elder on Saturday and Steelers-Bengals on Sunday.Anyone making all three? I think I'm going to try -- not sure I'll make Saturday's game, but Cnati will have...
Somehow, I'm just not uspet about not getting NFL Network tonight. Oh well.I'm more excited about tomorrow night's game than the 49ers-Bears. Maybe if it was 1986... * ESPN.com's Brian Bennett on UC's Zach Collaros.* The great Every Day Should Be...
Happy Veteran's Day for all the vets and current military personnel out there.I grew up on Navy bases all over the world and have the utmost respect for those in the military and what they're doing. My dad spent more...
I know I promised more today, but, well, I threw up nothing and I feel like utter crap. I've been fighting off an illness for a couple of days and it finally found me.So if something doesn't make any sense,...
So, at 6-2 with games against Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City and Oakland, I'd say the Bengals are in the driver's seat when it comes to the playoffs.Sunday was as impressive a win as they've had -- this team has swept...
I went to check out the excitement that is Lance Stephenson last night after it was announced he would be eligible immediately and would serve no suspension.It was a big day for UC and Stephenson before tip-off -- not so...
I'm sick of the will-they, won't-they thing on the blackout. At this point, it might be best for the Bengals to let there be a blackout.Now it seems people are expecting a bail-out -- at this point maybe the bluff...
The same people who complain about the lack of a college football playoff seem to get all excited about college basketball upsets.Yesterday LaMoyne, a small school in Syracuse, N.Y., defeated Syracuse. And even if it weren't an exhibition, would it...
Yeah, it's not as cool as a presidential election, but it's still such a huge deal.I love election day. I like federal elections, I like local elections. I love voting.So yeah, go out and vote if it's your thing --...
Continue reading Thinking out loud 11.3.9.
One of those things that reminds me just how much I love baseball -- Johnny Damon's two stolen bases on one pitch in the 9th inning. How much did that change the complexion of the game?At first (with TV you...
Wow.Just wow. That's as well-pitched game as I've seen in the World Series. It may not have been the clinching game like Tom Glavine's Game 6 in 1995, but it's up there.I know it's old and cliche to mention this,...
Can the World Series go ahead and start?Oh, tonight? Right. Thanks.It's taken long enough, right? * Kerry Wood says his teammates in Chicago received racist hate mail -- as did Dusty Baker. He said there was certainly a double standard...
Cliff Lee vs. C.C. Sabathia? I'm in.I know it's rare, but I really think we've got the two best teams in baseball going for the World Series. I like the Phillies' lineup and rotation (although, I'm not sure about Pedro...
How about that blowout weekend in Cincinnati? Two games and two Queen City wins by a combined 86-20.Not too shabby.* As for the Bearcats' tumble in the BCS -- well, it's a little early to get too worked up about...
I've got a pork butt in the smoker for about 8 hours now -- with about 5 more to go -- and two football games to go this weekend. It should be awesome.* Scott Priestle looks at the Bengals use...
Sorry this is a bit late today -- had a migraine last night, took a couple of pills and was out for the count -- saw enough of the Dodgers-Phillies to know what was going to happen and was snoring...
I think I've mentioned before that I'm a fan of Brian Kelly. The guy is one of the best coaches in college football today -- just what he's been able to do while at UC shows that.But one of the...
You've got to give Tony Pike a ton of credit -- he's practicing with his left arm in a cast. Tough as nails, that dude.* It's never too early for NFL draft talk, is it? This "big board" has UC's...
I'm not going to say I told you so... but, well. I did.I think a lot of people overlooked the Texans because they're the Texans. In the end, the Texans didn't lose in the final seconds and the Bengals didn't...
Wow -- how about Brian Kelly and the Bearcats?No matter what happens, BK has a plan. Tony Pike's Heisman shot is probably shot, but the Bearcats' title hopes are still alive.This is an amazing squad and amazing story.I'll be interested...
(Editor's note: damn it, I forgot to hit publish this morning....)As soon as a year ago, this would be considered the "biggest game in school history" for the UC football team. They had about five of those last year. Not...
Holy crap -- the NBA preseason has started? I had no idea. Seriously.Of all the things I like about Cincinnati, it's apathy for the NBA is among them.It's understandable with no NBA team here. But even without a team, some...
I had a discussion about this the other day -- does baseball need umpires? Really, the only reason I came up with is tradition and human error. How stupid is that? Basically my response was because that's the way it's...
CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Well, the drive to the Georgia coast (different route than Sherman, but no less taxing) gave me a lot of time to think about the health care debate... I keed, I keed.No, seriously, despite what happened here...
This is the last TOL of the week -- I've got a wedding in Georgia this weekend and we're taking off. I'm sure Scott will have some other stuff for you to read and I'll leave you in good hands.The...
What a weekend.I've now been at three Bengals games this season and each time I've walked out saying "I can't believe it."I guess the good news is they're 3-1. And you remember how long it took for the Bengals to...
I can't believe baseball season is about to end. Well, at least for the Reds and Royals and such teams.Part of the beauty of the baseball season is that it does take so long and as much as I like...
Yeah, it's Thursday. I got nothing. Except links.* Rick Reilly reviews Chad Ochocinco's new autobiography Ocho Cinco: What Football and Life Have Thrown My Way * Ochocinco is one of many players that will be wearing pink cleats in October....
Good things last night from both Homer Bailey and Jay Bruce. "These are guys who are former No.1 draft picks, you draft them to build around them," Dusty Baker said. "Joey (Votto) continues to perform well and Brandon (Phillips) and...
Carson Palmer was asked if he heard the boos for him and his team in the first half of Sunday's game against the Steelers. "Oh yeah," Palmer said. You feel like they were for you? "I assumed," he said. But...
I don't want this to come off wrong, but hold with me here...I'm still not sure if this whole carzy experiment will work, but yesterday's coverage of the Bengals-Steelers game shows what this could be. I can't tell you how...
I can't tell you how stressful yesterday was. Let's just say, I'm glad it's over. Long story, won't get into it.* Fourth place! Woo! And now the Reds have a chance to solidify that with the series in Houston.I'm hearing...
With the win last night, the Redlegs still have a chance at .500 -- they're 71-81 -- a win the rest and they're .500, and that's all that matters, right?And they officially won't finish in last, so there's that, and...
In these days when Washington beats USC, Central Michigan beats Michigan State, Northern Iowa takes Iowa to the brink and Navy is a two-point conversion from winning at overtime at Ohio Stadium -- why is out of the question for...
It must be football season, I messed up my ankle good. Real good.Thanks to the folks at Beacon Orthopedic, I now have a stylish boot, which is fun. And I got to see why I spend money on COBRA every...
Got to give Marvin Lewis and the Bengals a lot of credit for coming back from last week's debacle to win a game nobody (myself included) gave them a shot to win. Really, an amazing comeback for the Bengals.The biggest...
When I was in college, I not only wrote sports for our student paper, The Red & Black, but I also served as an entertainment writer and for one quarter the entertainment editor and I loved it.I loved talking to...
Last night's tribute to Hal McCoy was amazing. I'm so happy I could be there and even happier I can call Hal a friend.In 2007, I was lucky enough to "Drive Ms. Daisy" as we call it.Aaron Boone gets a...
It's Hal McCoy night at the Reds game tonight, and you can go for half-price if you order online.As Mr. Redlegs wrote to me in an e-mail, "Wednesday is "Hal McCoy Night" at GABP and his paper, the Dayton Daily...
I used to strongly dislike white helmets. And then the Jets went retro and then the Chargers. And last night, those Pats and Bills unis were awesome. And I like Texas' uniforms (despite being orange). Maybe I was wrong. (And,...
So, yesterday's game was best summed up as i was walking down the stairway after the game and it was pretty quiet and some guy just scream "fuuuuuuck."Everyone laughed and understood.* One Bengals employee asked me to kick the crap...
So, as the last TOL before the Bengals game, is this where I give my prediction for the season?I'm going 8-8.I think there are some good parts to this team, but still a ton of holes. The things I worry...
Today I expect the Bengals to announce Sunday's game with the Broncos will be blacked out locally.Despite some who want to take credit for a losing team not selling out during a recession, I'm sure there are some people who...
It's Beatles Day!And yeah, I might pick some up (well, actually, I probably won't, because it's a Wednesday and that's tough for me during the NFL season). I'm also thinking about getting The Beatles: Rock Band, but I'm just not...
I know it's been said, but the Bearcats have to be the favorite in the Big East.UC looked just dominant against 5-point favorite Rutgers. And he'd have to put up some huge numbers, the Bearcats would have to make a...
Sorry, used Labor Day to sleep.Will be back tomorrow....
There's nothing quite like the start of college football season.I've made this analogy in public before, and, I still like it even if others who know me do not... I think of baseball as a wife, college football as a...
You know what's the dumbest thing in the world? Blackouts.I don't know why anyone thinks that a game not selling out will encourage anyone to go. If the game's not sold out, there's a pretty good reason -- and it's...
I do believe I will break the rule of "No Cheering in the Press Box" on Sept. 16 -- that's the day the Reds will hold Hal McCoy Day at Great American Ball Park. I'm excited to honor my friend...
So, would you rather face Kyle Orton or Tom Brandsteter? (Or is there really a good choice for the Broncos -- Kyle Orton?) That's the possibility for the Bengals in the season-opener against the Broncos. That's gotta be good news...
So, Andre Smith is here and very quickly the question is, who won?Well, the way I look at it, there are two winners and two losers.Let's start with the winners.1. Andre Smith. CTR's Law: When you are guaranteed $21 million,...
This is the last Friday this year that I don't have college football to look forward to when I wake up. I can't tell you how awesome that is. There's nothing quite like the start of college football season.And, for...
Welcome to the new home. I think. I'm really excited about this and hope you are too. For now, just sit back and enjoy this. I'm not in the business of reporting or blogging here -- we've got no advertising...
Of all the jobs I don't envy, Mandy Jenkins has one of them. Mandy's a friend of mine, but she has to oversee the zoo that is the Cincinnati.com comments. She writes about it here.Let me state first that I've...
For the last couple of months, I've been asked several times about what my plans are for the future. I've given some rather vague responses, but I'll finally be able to give you a peek into what I've been working...
My first reaction was the typical "oh, that's the Bengals" -- it's like I was writing for one of those the Bengals-do-everything-wrong websites. But the more I thought about Chad Ochocinco kicking, the better idea I thought it was. No,...
In a tough season for the Reds, we finally saw a great sign last night. Finding those positive notes have been tough this season, there have been injuries left and right, Willy Taveras in the lineup night after night and...
I'm saddened, but can't say I'm surprised by yesterday's big news -- this will be the final year the Dayton Daily News will be covering the Reds, and Hal McCoy will be retiring. First of all, I'd like to comment...
A couple of years ago, UC gave away a bobblehead at a football game. It was the Bearcat mascot, and who could blame them? Now, they have a bonafide star to market, and as it usually happens in college...
Can we put to rest the theory that Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn were the main source of problems for the Reds? Thanks. * How bad are the Reds right now? Red Hot Mama's calendar really shows how bad...
I always find the preseason Big East poll interesting, because it never seems to be close to reality, and I think every year since they've been in the Big East, UC has topped its preseason rating. The Bearcats are No....
I need some time to recover from my weekends. Thanks goodness for unemployment, it gives me that kind of time. But, heck, my weekend involved wrestling including clowns and a one-legged guy doing a backflip off the top turnbuckle, so...
Remember, today's trade deadline is the non-waiver trade deadline. Other players could go later (like Adam Dunn last year), and Tracy Ringolsby lists Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo as possibilities to be dealt as well. With their salaries, they'd likely...
I'm still not sure how anyone can not vote for Rickey Henderson for the Hall of Fame. If there's a no-doubter from my generation, it's Rickey. But Rickey's in, so it doesn't really matter the vote total. That brings up...
Yesterday was only the second time in my life I can remember sitting down and watching golf on purpose. And then, on 18, I yelled at the TV and one of the dogs went into her usual Georgia Bulldog-football-game watching...
According to the New York Post, the Mets will get the 2013 All-Star Game. Next year is already Anaheim, then Arizona and Kansas City. The Reds have made no secret for their desire for an All-Star Game. According to the...
Have I mentioned I hate, hate, hate, hate the sacrifice bunt? Joey Votto leads off the 9th with a double, bringing up Brandon Phillips who has two home runs -- and he sacrifice bunts? Ugh. OK, OK, it worked. But...
So, some technical difficulties at Casa de Rosecrans today, but we'll work through them. * Yeah, might as well give you the rundown -- for the next week or so, I'll be on vacation. Vacation? you say? Yeah, vacation. How...
Being American, there's really not that often we can ever feel like underdogs in international sport -- that's just one of the many reasons I love the US Men's National Team. In soccer, we are underdogs. And yesterday, the underdogs...
Great news for the Reds getting Joey Votto back today. The reports are he was on the team plane and in the team hotel in Toronto. I doubt it's a vacation home. I do think it's interesting for stress-related issues...
Yesterday's first day of minicamp was really, really different than a year ago. First of all, there wasn't the circus of Chad, like last year when ringleader Drew Rosenhaus was being a distraction and there were dueling press releases from...
Sorry about yesterday, but, you know, you get what you pay for... And, I was tired and had some other stuff. Unfortunately not a haircut, that's later this week. I may even get the layoff beard gone -- we'll see....
Are face tattoos really news? Oh, gotta love the new world order. I guess they are. Ugh. I wonder if Chad did it (or claimed to do it) just to see who jumped up and down about it. For the...
I'm convinced that Roger Federer is the best ever. I know, it's a silly argument that too many try to make for too many sports, and it may even be sillier in tennis, where the game has changed so much...
Doing my job... well, not my job, since I don't have a job, but well, you know what I mean... anyway, one thing I often lose is my chance to be a fan. I can still root on my alma...
I don't have the NFL Network, so I didn't see the Chad Ochocinco stuff, but at least one person bought it -- ESPN's James Walker. It will be interesting to see if Chad can back up his talk when he...
Yikes, not good for Edinson Volquez -- but Matt Maloney is 4-3 with a 2.00 ERA and pitched Monday. Wouldn't be shocked to see a reliever up for a couple of days and Maloney up in four days when needed....
I'm extremely cranky today. Extremely. We'll just say it's because of, well, I'm sure you can guess. F them. * With last night's performance, the Reds' batting average is .258, which is the league average. Remember when they were last...
So, with Chris Dickerson hitting third and facing a left-hander that's been successful this season, the Reds beat the Astros yesterday. Memorial Day isn't exactly the time to judge a baseball team, but this one is still impressive with whatever...
A year ago today, I picked up this guy from a rescue group. Every day since then, I've been glad he's here. He's kinda like his owner, sometimes he's going 100 miles per hour, and when he's not, he's at...
OK, well, yeah, still not sure how much I want to do, but my lawyer told me this should be fine. We'll see. It's funny, I'm only asking for what they said they'd give me, but yet, even that is...
Happy George Brett's Birthday! You know it has to be a big day for me to come back... Well, for now, I'm not 100 percent sure what I'm going to do, can do, should do with the blog and otherwise....
Right, well, let's see... Just to let you know, I'm holding off on some things right now, because I've got a lawyer looking over some things and I'm worried about violating and rules of my severance package, just so you...
I can hear the full-out Adam "Pete" Rosales love from here. In this city, it's easy, all you have to do is run hard and you'll get a break -- and Rosales certainly does that. Can you really call it...
I've been lucky enough to have a very talented intern the last couple of months, you've probably seen some of her writing and her name's Katie Budke. Anyway, I've felt bad about Katie, I'm not sure I taught her much....
I heard I was getting laid and thought it was a good thing. I just missed the "off'' part. Oh well. Anyway, an abrieviated TOL, stuff I'd already gotten, or something... * I've been in the Edwin Encarnacion corner, but...
