I know this is old news, but I wanted to give Joey Votto a huge congrats on receiving the 2010 National League MVP award. It was very well deserved in my opinion. Votto was in the top in most of the batting categories and his defense has greatly improved. He is becoming a complete player.
He seems to be able to turn it up a notch when the situation calls for it. I'm thinking about the game in Dodger stadium this past season. I think it was in July or August, it was the top of the ninth inning and the Reds held a slim one or two run lead. Votto comes to the plate with runners on second and first. There was two outs. Votto fell behind in the count with two quick swings and misses. Then he turned up his concentration and worked the count full. He fouled off several pitches before singling to left field that scored a run. I jumped up from my seat when he that single it was so dramatic.
I remember before the MVP was announced I was talking with my dad about who he thought would win the MVP. He was pretty certain it was going to go to Pujols again. But I argued that although Votto wasn't the top of offensive categories he was up there in almost everyone. But another big factor was the Reds made it to the playoffs and the Cardinals didn't.
Once again Congrats Votto, and I am looking forward to 2011.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Laynce Nix Becomes a Free Agent
It looks like Reds Outfielder Laynce Nix is going to try the free agent market again this winter. Last year he tried the free agent route and came up short only signing a one year deal with the Reds as spring training approached.
I don't know if Laynce will have the same luck this winter or not. His numbers were decent this year, but he was hampered by injuries late in the season right when the Reds needed him the most as Gomes was hitting a slump.
The Reds tried to give him an assignment to a minor league club, but Nix declined the assignment. He cleared waivers and now isn't under contract.
I hope he finds a team that will let him play everyday, he has a ton of potential and hopefully if he stays injury free he will have a great year and then a big contract. For the last two years with the Reds Nix hasn't been a full time player, he's always been in a platoon situation with Gomes or another outfielder. I'm not sure why, but maybe Laynce doesn't hit left-handers that well.
I don't know if Laynce will have the same luck this winter or not. His numbers were decent this year, but he was hampered by injuries late in the season right when the Reds needed him the most as Gomes was hitting a slump.
The Reds tried to give him an assignment to a minor league club, but Nix declined the assignment. He cleared waivers and now isn't under contract.
I hope he finds a team that will let him play everyday, he has a ton of potential and hopefully if he stays injury free he will have a great year and then a big contract. For the last two years with the Reds Nix hasn't been a full time player, he's always been in a platoon situation with Gomes or another outfielder. I'm not sure why, but maybe Laynce doesn't hit left-handers that well.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Giants Win National League Pennant
The Reds were swept out of the first round of playoffs to the Phillies. Although the Reds looked like they were going to win game two of that series they had too many mental mistakes and gave away a four run lead.
The Phillies went on to play the Giants for the National League Pennant. The Giants won the series four to two. It was a fun series to watch, I watched games one and five, because Tim Lincecum and Roy Halladay were pitching against each other. Both of those games were great.
Lincecum won game one with a three to two victory, and Halladay won game five mostly because of a Giants error that allowed three runs to score in that inning. Both games were well pitched with the pitchers making adjustments to the hitters and getting out of tight jams. It amazes me that Lincecum is only twenty-six years old; he seemed to be really composed most of the time and didn't let an error or a bad call disturb him.
I'm really rooting for the Giants in the World Series. I hope they win it all; they made a great comeback over the Padres to take the Western division, and really showed the Phillies they can compete with the best. Although the Rangers will be tough; they seemed to handle the Yankees pretty easily.
The Phillies went on to play the Giants for the National League Pennant. The Giants won the series four to two. It was a fun series to watch, I watched games one and five, because Tim Lincecum and Roy Halladay were pitching against each other. Both of those games were great.
Lincecum won game one with a three to two victory, and Halladay won game five mostly because of a Giants error that allowed three runs to score in that inning. Both games were well pitched with the pitchers making adjustments to the hitters and getting out of tight jams. It amazes me that Lincecum is only twenty-six years old; he seemed to be really composed most of the time and didn't let an error or a bad call disturb him.
I'm really rooting for the Giants in the World Series. I hope they win it all; they made a great comeback over the Padres to take the Western division, and really showed the Phillies they can compete with the best. Although the Rangers will be tough; they seemed to handle the Yankees pretty easily.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Goodbye Harang
Well this was probably Aaron Harang's last start as a Cincinnati Red and it didn't end well. He only pitched two innings and started pitching the top of third and gave up a single to the pitcher and a single to the next batter.
Then Harang was taken out of the game because of a blister on his middle finger. And so ends his season and probably career with the Reds. He does have an option on his contract for 2011 but at 12.75 million I doubt the Reds will go that route.
Aaron Harang had a pretty bad year this year and has struggled every season for the last three years. When the Reds acquired him he was a pretty good pitcher and had some good years despite getting very low run support.
So it seems kind of unfair that he was with the Reds all those losing seasons, and when they finally have a chance to go to the playoffs and win he will be sitting out. I wish Harang well, I don't know if he will sign with another team next year or not.
I think he could be a decent middle to long relief pitcher, but I don't know if he is willing to go that way. He might be signed by a team that is desperate for starters but I'm not sure he is that reliable anymore with all of his nagging ailments.
Then Harang was taken out of the game because of a blister on his middle finger. And so ends his season and probably career with the Reds. He does have an option on his contract for 2011 but at 12.75 million I doubt the Reds will go that route.
Aaron Harang had a pretty bad year this year and has struggled every season for the last three years. When the Reds acquired him he was a pretty good pitcher and had some good years despite getting very low run support.
So it seems kind of unfair that he was with the Reds all those losing seasons, and when they finally have a chance to go to the playoffs and win he will be sitting out. I wish Harang well, I don't know if he will sign with another team next year or not.
I think he could be a decent middle to long relief pitcher, but I don't know if he is willing to go that way. He might be signed by a team that is desperate for starters but I'm not sure he is that reliable anymore with all of his nagging ailments.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Reds Clinch Division Title
What a great day it is to be a Reds fan. Coming into today they needed just one more win or one more Cardinals loss in order to win the division. Today the Reds clinch the division title by beating the Houston Astros 3-2 in exciting fashion. They went against the tough lefty Wandy Rodriguez and were only able to produce two runs against him through six innings.
Luckily Volquez delivered a good outing for the Reds and held the Astros to two runs through six innings also.
When I saw it was going to be decided by the bullpens I knew the Reds had a great chance to win. The Reds bullpen did excellent with Rhodes, Masset and finally Chapman getting the win. Each pitcher struck out at least one batter.
The game ended with a dramatic home run. Jay Bruce came to the plate in the bottom of the ninth being hit-less in the game, and had bounced into a disastrous inning ending double play in the sixth with the bases-loaded.
The first pitch Bruce saw he launched into deep center field. He raised his hand up as he watched the ball clear the fence as he rounded the bases his team was waiting to start celebrating. It was a very good game, and I am really happy to be a Reds fans.
Luckily Volquez delivered a good outing for the Reds and held the Astros to two runs through six innings also.
When I saw it was going to be decided by the bullpens I knew the Reds had a great chance to win. The Reds bullpen did excellent with Rhodes, Masset and finally Chapman getting the win. Each pitcher struck out at least one batter.
The game ended with a dramatic home run. Jay Bruce came to the plate in the bottom of the ninth being hit-less in the game, and had bounced into a disastrous inning ending double play in the sixth with the bases-loaded.
The first pitch Bruce saw he launched into deep center field. He raised his hand up as he watched the ball clear the fence as he rounded the bases his team was waiting to start celebrating. It was a very good game, and I am really happy to be a Reds fans.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Rough September
The Reds are one of a few teams that actually have a winning record in every month of the season this year. But they have gotten off to a terrible start in September. It seems that many areas of their game have struggled.
The month began with a terrible road trip through St. Louis and Colorado. They lost the St. Louis series by one win and two losses. They were swept by Colorado in a four game series. This was pretty tough to swallow since in many of the games the Reds had a lead then lost it because of their bullpen. Recently Cordero blew two save situtaions against the Pirates, but luckily the Reds won one of those games in extra innings.
It also appears the batters are struggling and looking tired. Especially Brandon Phillips after he was hit in the hand and missed some games he looks out of sorts at the plate since he came back. The Reds haven't scored that many runs per game in September. They are still hitting pretty well with runners in scoring position it's they are having trouble getting runners on.
One bright spot in September has been Jay Bruce. After he struggled in July/August he seems to have gotten his stroke back and has hit many homers in his last few games. He also made an amazing catch against Arizona to rob them of a home run save Cordero from having another blown save.
The month began with a terrible road trip through St. Louis and Colorado. They lost the St. Louis series by one win and two losses. They were swept by Colorado in a four game series. This was pretty tough to swallow since in many of the games the Reds had a lead then lost it because of their bullpen. Recently Cordero blew two save situtaions against the Pirates, but luckily the Reds won one of those games in extra innings.
It also appears the batters are struggling and looking tired. Especially Brandon Phillips after he was hit in the hand and missed some games he looks out of sorts at the plate since he came back. The Reds haven't scored that many runs per game in September. They are still hitting pretty well with runners in scoring position it's they are having trouble getting runners on.
One bright spot in September has been Jay Bruce. After he struggled in July/August he seems to have gotten his stroke back and has hit many homers in his last few games. He also made an amazing catch against Arizona to rob them of a home run save Cordero from having another blown save.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Best Record in August
Wow what a comeback the Reds had in the month of August. They had nineteen wins and only eight losses. They only lost two series during the month. The first series loss was to the Cardinals and the second one was to the Giants.
In the beginning of the August the Reds were swept by the Cardinals, but after that the Reds seemed to kick it into high gear and went on a great winning streak. They had a West coast trip that in years past buried them in the standings but this year they had six wins and three losses on that West coast trip and cemented themselves in first place above the Cardinals.
It looks like the Reds are going to be rolling right along into September. I can really feel it this year I hope the Reds can win the division and make some noise in the playoffs. Right now they have an eight game lead in the central division.
In the beginning of the August the Reds were swept by the Cardinals, but after that the Reds seemed to kick it into high gear and went on a great winning streak. They had a West coast trip that in years past buried them in the standings but this year they had six wins and three losses on that West coast trip and cemented themselves in first place above the Cardinals.
It looks like the Reds are going to be rolling right along into September. I can really feel it this year I hope the Reds can win the division and make some noise in the playoffs. Right now they have an eight game lead in the central division.
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