Continuing with 12 Days of Christmas by the Numbers, we get to 3:
Some Reds who've worn number 3: Wall Moses CH (1960), John McNamara MGR (1979-1981), George Scherger CH (1973,1976,1978,1983-1984, 1986), Larry Rothschild CH (1990), Ken Griffey, Jr. (2007-2008), Willy Taveras (2008-hopefully no more).
Three is the number of children Ken Griffey, Jr. has.
Three is the position of my current favorite Red.
Three bases is the hardest hit to get.
This is the third year of Dusty Baker's three year contract. Hopefully, it is the last.
Three is how old the average Chub$ fan acts at a ballgame.
There are three more months until our Holy Opening Day.
Commentary on baseball and society, baseball and philosophy, baseball and history, and baseball and baseball.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Grand Salami
Today's 12 Days of Christmas by the Numbers is brought to you by the number 4.
Red's who've worn number 4: Ed Bailey (1957-1958,1960), Johnny Edwards (1963), Woody Woodward (1969), Bob Barton (1973), Jeff Sovern (1976), Alex Grammas CH (1978), Bill Fischer CH (1979-1981,1983), Bo Diaz (1987), Ron Gant (1995), Brandon Phillips (2006-present).
The number of Reds broadcasters who SHOULD be in the Hall of Fame is 4.
There are four bases. Adam Dunn hits all of them with one swing quite often, but the Reds, well...
Both Pete and Rose have 4 letters in them. I'm sure there were plenty of fours on his betting slips.
Four is the month our Holy Day in the Baseball Religion usually occurs.
The Reds have 4 mascots now. They should do a live mascot race every game.
You get 4 RBI when you hit a grand slam. Best grand slam ever was the one Dunner hit in the bottom of the ninth against Cleveland in 2007 when the Reds were down by three to win the game. That is one of my all-time favorite Reds memories.
Red's who've worn number 4: Ed Bailey (1957-1958,1960), Johnny Edwards (1963), Woody Woodward (1969), Bob Barton (1973), Jeff Sovern (1976), Alex Grammas CH (1978), Bill Fischer CH (1979-1981,1983), Bo Diaz (1987), Ron Gant (1995), Brandon Phillips (2006-present).
The number of Reds broadcasters who SHOULD be in the Hall of Fame is 4.
There are four bases. Adam Dunn hits all of them with one swing quite often, but the Reds, well...
Both Pete and Rose have 4 letters in them. I'm sure there were plenty of fours on his betting slips.
Four is the month our Holy Day in the Baseball Religion usually occurs.
The Reds have 4 mascots now. They should do a live mascot race every game.
You get 4 RBI when you hit a grand slam. Best grand slam ever was the one Dunner hit in the bottom of the ninth against Cleveland in 2007 when the Reds were down by three to win the game. That is one of my all-time favorite Reds memories.
Friday, January 01, 2010
Happy New Year! HALLELUJAH THE REDS DECADE FROM HELL IS OFFICIALLY OVER!
Continuing with 12 Days of Christmas by the Numbers, I present you with number 5.
The Reds have won 5 World Series, which is the fifth highest for any team in Major League Baseball (not counting the Bankee$. They don't count. They just don't, ok?) I am convinced they would have won it in '81 and '94 if strikes hadn't screwed them.
Only two Reds have worn 5: Whitey Lockman (1960), Johnny Bench (1968-1983). That's according to a website I have since lost, so maybe they're wrong. (If so, let me know.)
Bench's 5 is retired by the Reds.
Five is the position played by Grandpa Rolen for the next three years.
Five is the number I wore as a catcher in high school. The reason is obvious.
Five is the number of pitchers in a starting rotation, regardless of how often Bronson Arroyo thinks he can pitch.
Five is the place in the rotation most of the Reds starting pitchers of this decade would have pitched in if they had played for other teams.
Five is the number of fingers most players have on their hands, the notable exception being Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown, who actually played for the Reds during the 1913 season. (He has his own website!) Antonio Alfonseca, who last pitched in MLB in 2007, has six fingers on each hand and foot, a condition known as polydactyly.
There are five games in a division series. It better remain that way.
Our Holy Day in the baseball religion will occur on the 5th of April this year.
The Reds have won 5 World Series, which is the fifth highest for any team in Major League Baseball (not counting the Bankee$. They don't count. They just don't, ok?) I am convinced they would have won it in '81 and '94 if strikes hadn't screwed them.
Only two Reds have worn 5: Whitey Lockman (1960), Johnny Bench (1968-1983). That's according to a website I have since lost, so maybe they're wrong. (If so, let me know.)
Bench's 5 is retired by the Reds.
Five is the position played by Grandpa Rolen for the next three years.
Five is the number I wore as a catcher in high school. The reason is obvious.
Five is the number of pitchers in a starting rotation, regardless of how often Bronson Arroyo thinks he can pitch.
Five is the place in the rotation most of the Reds starting pitchers of this decade would have pitched in if they had played for other teams.
Five is the number of fingers most players have on their hands, the notable exception being Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown, who actually played for the Reds during the 1913 season. (He has his own website!) Antonio Alfonseca, who last pitched in MLB in 2007, has six fingers on each hand and foot, a condition known as polydactyly.
There are five games in a division series. It better remain that way.
Our Holy Day in the baseball religion will occur on the 5th of April this year.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Six six six
Reds who've worn number 6: Ed Bailey (1957-1958,1960), Johnny Edwards (1963), Woody Woodward (1969), Bob Barton (1973), Jeff Sovern (1976), Alex Grammas CH (1978), Bill Fischer CH (1979-1981,1983), Bo Diaz (1987), Ron Gant (1995), Ryan Freel (2000-2008), Drew Stubbs (2009-present)
The number of television and radio broadcasters the Reds apparently feel they need is 6.
The number of years the Reds had to go as "Redlegs" due to political paranoia was 6. (1954-1959)
The number of times in the seventies the Reds finished with a season record above .600 is 6. (1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976). Just think about that. This Reds decade has seen only one team finish over .500 and the Machine finished over .600 six times!!!
Six was Barry Larkin's position. He'll know if he goes into the Hall this year on the 6th of January. That's the Epiphany, and the Baseball Writers better have one of those when they're voting.
Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 600th homer in a Reds uni. There were 6 people in the stands in Miami that day.
Leatherpants, Bud Selig, Don Fehr, and Scott Boras all have three sixes marked on their foreheads.
The number of television and radio broadcasters the Reds apparently feel they need is 6.
The number of years the Reds had to go as "Redlegs" due to political paranoia was 6. (1954-1959)
The number of times in the seventies the Reds finished with a season record above .600 is 6. (1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976). Just think about that. This Reds decade has seen only one team finish over .500 and the Machine finished over .600 six times!!!
Six was Barry Larkin's position. He'll know if he goes into the Hall this year on the 6th of January. That's the Epiphany, and the Baseball Writers better have one of those when they're voting.
Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 600th homer in a Reds uni. There were 6 people in the stands in Miami that day.
Leatherpants, Bud Selig, Don Fehr, and Scott Boras all have three sixes marked on their foreheads.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Lucky number seven
This 12 Days of Christmas by the Numbers is lame. Seven just isn't significant.
The number of NL West titles the Reds have won is 7.
Reds who've worn 7: Pat Corrales (1969), Hector Cruz (1979-1980), Don Werner (1976,1978-1979), Rafael Landestoy (1982), Russ Nixon MGR (1983), Billy DeMars CH (1986-1987), Lenny Harris (1989), Mariano Duncan (1990-1991), Al Newman (1992), Rick Wrona (1992), Kevin Mitchell (1993-1994, 1997), Curtis Goodwin (1996), Alex Ochoa (2000-2001).
Seven is a position with a gigantic question mark over it for the Reds. Of course, if they had JUST SIGNED DUNN then we'd be set.
Seven is, of course, Mickey Mantle's number always and forever. Speaking of Mantle, his history of injuries didn't keep him out of the Hall - why is this an issue for Larkin?
The best World Series and LCS go to 7 games. Unless the Reds are in it. I don't need that heart attack.
The number of NL West titles the Reds have won is 7.
Reds who've worn 7: Pat Corrales (1969), Hector Cruz (1979-1980), Don Werner (1976,1978-1979), Rafael Landestoy (1982), Russ Nixon MGR (1983), Billy DeMars CH (1986-1987), Lenny Harris (1989), Mariano Duncan (1990-1991), Al Newman (1992), Rick Wrona (1992), Kevin Mitchell (1993-1994, 1997), Curtis Goodwin (1996), Alex Ochoa (2000-2001).
Seven is a position with a gigantic question mark over it for the Reds. Of course, if they had JUST SIGNED DUNN then we'd be set.
Seven is, of course, Mickey Mantle's number always and forever. Speaking of Mantle, his history of injuries didn't keep him out of the Hall - why is this an issue for Larkin?
The best World Series and LCS go to 7 games. Unless the Reds are in it. I don't need that heart attack.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Eight
Eight White Sox were kicked out of baseball for the Black Sox Scandal. The Reds could have won anyway.
Reds who've worn number 8: Frank House (1960), Don Pavletich (1967), Rafael Landestoy (1983), Joe Sparks CH (1984), Bo Diaz (1986), Terry McGriff (1987-1990), Juan Samuel (1993), Joe Morgan (1972-1979).
Number 8 is retired by the Reds. Duh.
The number of African-Americans playing Major League Baseball is only 8%.
Cal Ripken's giant 8 statue was stolen from outside Camden Yards this year.
Reds who've worn number 8: Frank House (1960), Don Pavletich (1967), Rafael Landestoy (1983), Joe Sparks CH (1984), Bo Diaz (1986), Terry McGriff (1987-1990), Juan Samuel (1993), Joe Morgan (1972-1979).
Number 8 is retired by the Reds. Duh.
The number of African-Americans playing Major League Baseball is only 8%.
Cal Ripken's giant 8 statue was stolen from outside Camden Yards this year.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Niner niner niner
Continuing with the 12 Days of Christmas by the Numbers series, today's number is 9.
Of course, the most obvious 9 in baseball is the number of men on the field.
The Reds have won 9 NL Pennants.
Reds who've worn 9: Dutch Dottier (1959-1960), Hal Bevan (1960), Hal Smith CH (1969), Bill Plummer (1973-1974,1976-1978), Vic Correll (1979-1980), Mike O'Berry (1981-1982), Dann Bilardello (1983), Vern Rapp MGR (1984), Max Venable (1986-1987), Luis Quinones (1988), Joe Oliver (1989-1994), Eric Anthony (1995)
The Reds have retired 9 numbers.
Ted Williams is the best player to have worn number 9.
The Reds have had 9 consecutive losing seasons.
Of course, the most obvious 9 in baseball is the number of men on the field.
The Reds have won 9 NL Pennants.
Reds who've worn 9: Dutch Dottier (1959-1960), Hal Bevan (1960), Hal Smith CH (1969), Bill Plummer (1973-1974,1976-1978), Vic Correll (1979-1980), Mike O'Berry (1981-1982), Dann Bilardello (1983), Vern Rapp MGR (1984), Max Venable (1986-1987), Luis Quinones (1988), Joe Oliver (1989-1994), Eric Anthony (1995)
The Reds have retired 9 numbers.
Ted Williams is the best player to have worn number 9.
The Reds have had 9 consecutive losing seasons.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Ten
Next in our 12 Days of Christmas in Numbers series is the number 10.
Reds who have worn 10: Eddie Kasko (1960), Vern Benson CH (1969), Sparky Anderson MGR (1970-1978), Tom Foley (1983-1985), Luis Quinones (1989-1991), Bip Roberts (1992-1993), Eddie Taubensee (1994-2000).
Ten, of course, has been retired by the Reds and Sparky Anderson is in the Hall of Fame.
Ten is the number of pennants the Reds have won, although one of those was with the American Association.
In each of his 10 MLB seasons, Jason Marquis' team has gone to the post season.
There are 10 starters in American League baseball. There should only be 9.
Ten is the next year the Reds go to the playoffs!
Reds who have worn 10: Eddie Kasko (1960), Vern Benson CH (1969), Sparky Anderson MGR (1970-1978), Tom Foley (1983-1985), Luis Quinones (1989-1991), Bip Roberts (1992-1993), Eddie Taubensee (1994-2000).
Ten, of course, has been retired by the Reds and Sparky Anderson is in the Hall of Fame.
Ten is the number of pennants the Reds have won, although one of those was with the American Association.
In each of his 10 MLB seasons, Jason Marquis' team has gone to the post season.
There are 10 starters in American League baseball. There should only be 9.
Ten is the next year the Reds go to the playoffs!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
On the Larkinth Day of Christmas
Continuing with the 12 Days of Christmas by the Numbers series, today we reach 11, which, of course, is Barry Larkin's number always and forever more (the Reds will put it up on the wall one day soon.)
Other Reds who have worn number 11: Roy McMillan (1957-1958,1960), Hal McRae (1972), Denis Menke (1973), Bob Bailey (1976), Ron Plaza CH (1978-1981,1983), Dann Bilardello (1984-1986), Kurt Stillwell (1986-1987), Barry Larkin (1988-2001)
Ryan Zimmerman is the best player now wearing number 11.
Eleven is the number of pitchers a team should have on its roster. Unfortunately, that's never the case.
The chain 7/11 pays money to have games start at 7:11pm on occasion.
The longest losing streak the Reds have had was the 11 losing seasons in a row from 1945-1956.
Other Reds who have worn number 11: Roy McMillan (1957-1958,1960), Hal McRae (1972), Denis Menke (1973), Bob Bailey (1976), Ron Plaza CH (1978-1981,1983), Dann Bilardello (1984-1986), Kurt Stillwell (1986-1987), Barry Larkin (1988-2001)
Ryan Zimmerman is the best player now wearing number 11.
Eleven is the number of pitchers a team should have on its roster. Unfortunately, that's never the case.
The chain 7/11 pays money to have games start at 7:11pm on occasion.
The longest losing streak the Reds have had was the 11 losing seasons in a row from 1945-1956.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas!
Fa la la la lalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalala...
This is the first day of Christmas. For the next twelve days, I will be posting about each day's number and its significance to baseball. So here we go: 12.
The Reds have made 12 playoff appearances in their history.
Did you know that when the Bankees$ originally began to wear uniform numbers that 12 was used by starting pitchers?
Reds players who have worn number 12 are: Smoky Burgess (1955), Darrel Chaney (1972-1974), Dave Revering (1978), Harry Spilman (1980-1981), German Barranca (1982), Wayne Krenchicki (1983), Nick Esasky (1983-1988), Joel Youngblood (1989), Paul Noce (1990), Freddie Benavides (1992), Willie Greene (1992-1998), Deion Sanders (1994), Dusty Baker (too long).
You can buy packs of a dozen baseballs at your local sporting goods store.
Twelve players tested positive for stimulants during 2009.
Roberto Alomar, who is up for the Hall of Fame with Barry Larkin, wore number 12 during his career.
There are 108 stitches on a Major League Baseball, which is divisible by 12, equally 9, which is the number of players on the field. This, of course, means absolutely nothing.
In 1912, Redland Field opened in Cincinnati. Redland, of course, was later renamed Crosley Field.
This is the first day of Christmas. For the next twelve days, I will be posting about each day's number and its significance to baseball. So here we go: 12.
The Reds have made 12 playoff appearances in their history.
Did you know that when the Bankees$ originally began to wear uniform numbers that 12 was used by starting pitchers?
Reds players who have worn number 12 are: Smoky Burgess (1955), Darrel Chaney (1972-1974), Dave Revering (1978), Harry Spilman (1980-1981), German Barranca (1982), Wayne Krenchicki (1983), Nick Esasky (1983-1988), Joel Youngblood (1989), Paul Noce (1990), Freddie Benavides (1992), Willie Greene (1992-1998), Deion Sanders (1994), Dusty Baker (too long).
You can buy packs of a dozen baseballs at your local sporting goods store.
Twelve players tested positive for stimulants during 2009.
Roberto Alomar, who is up for the Hall of Fame with Barry Larkin, wore number 12 during his career.
There are 108 stitches on a Major League Baseball, which is divisible by 12, equally 9, which is the number of players on the field. This, of course, means absolutely nothing.
In 1912, Redland Field opened in Cincinnati. Redland, of course, was later renamed Crosley Field.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Huh. From the Did You Know Files.
Chances are if you are reading this soon after the publishing time, I am on a flight to Dayton, as long as the Snowpocalypse backups don't affect my flight from National Airport. I do look forward to eating Skyline and Cassano's sometime in the coming days!A few days ago Red Reporter gave a final rundown of the Best 100 Reds series. An interesting side note was some of the fun names the Reds have had in the past. I like to look at turn of the century rosters to see all of the unusual names and the great nicknames they had back then. As I was pouring over a few rosters from the early twentieth century, I came across some interesting names, not for their unusual sound, but because of their unusual ethnicity, at least for that time - Armando Marsans and Rafael Almeida.
Turns out, Marsáns and Almeida, who both debuted on July 4, 1911 for the Reds, are recognized by Major League Baseball as the first Cuban MLB baseball players. Both of them spent time in the Negro Leagues. Though they were light skinned Cubans, the Reds had to refute rumors that they had "negro blood."
Almeida spent only three years in MLB, all with the Reds, mostly as a bench player. Marsáns, on the other hand, was a good player who finished 18th and 24th in MVP voting in 1912 and 1913 respectively. However, a falling out with the manager of the Reds led to his quitting the team and going to play for the St. Louis Terriers of the Federal League in 1914. It was his last good season. Legal battles with the Reds plagued him for the next few years, forcing him at one point to return to Cuba. He went to the Browns the next year and to the Yankees for two seasons after that, but he was never the player he was for those two brilliant seasons for the Reds.
The Reds discovered the pair on a trip to Cuba in 1908 to play exhibition games against the Cuban teams.
You can read the great bio of Marsáns here at the Baseball Biography Project. Interesting stuff.
Of all the firsts the Reds have had, this is one I didn't know about.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
The Secret Thoughts of Scott Rolen
I'm getting old. I can just feel it in my bones. I'm so glad I got out of Canada. They talk funny up there. Joey talks like that, but I'm gonna try to get him to stop. Probably won't though, cuz Canucks are like that. They think Canada is the greatest country on Earth. Stupid Canucks. Ever hear of a place called the United States of America? Man, am I glad to be out of there and back in the States. In Real America, too, the Midwest, where they don't have all those East Coast elitists like they do back in Philly. Stupid East Coast elitists and their fancy shmancy double soy lattes and their public transportation and their knowledge. So glad I got some security for the next few years. I just hope the fans don't give me some stupid nickname like Grandpa Rolen or something like that. Seems like the fans always give stupid nicknames. And the reporters will use headlines like "Cincinnati Rolen Past the Cubs" when I do well and maybe if I don't do well they'll say, "Bob Howsam Rolen in His Grave at Contract." That would be bad. Ha. It's kind of funny, though. I had a good year last year. Too bad I got hit in the head and got that concussion. Man, I can't wait to play the Cardinals and beat the heck out of them. LaRussa won't know what hit him. Sweet revenge. Boy was that a bad situation, with LaRussa being such a jerk all the time. I hope there aren't any jerks in Cincinnati. Phillips might be kind of a jerk. I'm still not sure on that. Baker's not a jerk - he's a real player's manager who respects veterans because they've been around. Not like that jerk LaRussa who played younger guys over veterans because their on base percentage was higher. I mean, seriously, where's the respect? Well, anyway, I gotta go wrap some presents. I'd like some nice hot chocolate now.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
The Big Time Machine
Here's Pete Rose on Phil Donahue from 1985. The hairdos and graphics are great. Enjoy!
Oh, Pete, why did you ruin everything?
Oh, Pete, why did you ruin everything?
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