Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Park it took 19 innings for the Philadelphia Phillies to defeat the Cincinnati Reds 5-4.
The Phils won it on all things by a sacrifice fly by Raul Ibanez scoring Drew Stubbs.
Wilson Valdez started the game at second base and ended up the winning pitcher taking the mound in the 19th inning. Valdez become the first player in 90 years to start and game in the field and get the win on the mound. The last player to do that was none other than Babe Ruth in 1921.
Heck Valdez has more wins as a pitcher than Cy Young award winner Ubaldo Jimenez of the Rockies.
Here's the man of the hour after the game. (Thanks CSN Philadelphia)
The game took six hours and 11 minutes to play and ended at 1:19 am Thursday morning. The Phillies used 21 players, the Reds 20.
Here's Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel's post game presser. It's good stuff. (Thanks CSH Philadelphia)
Yes, we have no problem running commercials here on OSG Sports, particularly if the video is interesting.
In, this video you are about to watch, Chapman, he of the 105mph fastball comes in, mumbles few phrases that require subtitles and allegedly throws a pitch that obliterates a pinata hanging over home plate.
While the idea is a sound one, notice the windup and throwing motion. Not a lot of effort there. Having seen Chapman throw in person, his game windup is considerably tighter and more intense.
But, it makes for a nice effect and props to "The Cuban Missle" for getting his first commercial deal.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Mike Leake has been arrested for stealing from a local department store- at the downtown Macy's store in Cincinnati Monday afternoon.
Police say he was caught on security camera leaving the store without paying for six American Rag shirts valued at $59.88. He was booked on one count of misdemeanor theft.
The former Arizona State Sun Devil is due to make $425,000 this season.
Leake is 2-0 with a 5.40 ERA so far this season. He's scheduled to appear in court Tuesday afternoon.
The HQ would love to know what the northern bureau thinks of this one... on multiple levels...
Here's local coverage from our friends at WCPO-TV Jay Warren is outside GABP...
Thursday Update: As of 1:44 this afternoon eastern time, Sparky Anderson has passed away due to the complications resulting from the conditions described below...
Our thoughts and prayers are to the Anderson, Reds, and Tigers families...
((HT: Cincinnati Reds))
From the desk of Rob Butcher, Director of Media Relations...
Hall of Fame Manager Sparky Anderson has been placed in the care of hospice for complications resulting from dementia at his home in Thousand Oaks, CA.
The Anderson family, which consists of wife Carol, sons Lee and Albert, and daughter Shirley Englebrecht, wishes to express appreciation to all friends and fans for the support and kindness they have shown throughout Sparky's career and retirement.
The family is particularly grateful for the respect for privacy the national and local media has demonstrated during this trying period.
Reds President and CEO Bob Castellini added:
"We are very sad to hear the news of Sparky's failing health. Every day here we are reminded of his contribution to the success of this proud franchise. The Reds' family offers its prayers and support to Sparky and his family during this difficult time."
Our thoughts to the Anderson family in this trying time... We prefer to remember him this way... from 1982... ((HT: WDIV/MLB/Youtube))
While I was watching Roy Halladay's post season no hitter against the Cincinnati Reds I kept reminding my seven year old son who happens to be a big Halladay fan that he is witnessing something extremely rare in baseball. I told my son that I have never seen a post season no hitter and the only one that was thrown, Don Larsen's perfect game, his grandfather was 19.
It was a great baseball moment shared with my son.
By the way, there was a Dallas Green sighting in Philly who may be the only individual who witnessed Halladay's no hitter and Don Larsen's perfect game in person. (Thanks CSN Philly)
And here's a morning after report from NBC 10 Philadelphia.
Roy Halladay's first post-season start went pretty well...
Halladay no-hit the Cincinnati Reds on 104 pitches- 79 of them strikes...
His ninth inning was fairly tame in the 4-0 shutout...
Ramon Hernandez pinch-hitting appearance was a pop up to Chase Utley. Miguel Cairo popped up into foul ground to third baseman Wilson Valdez. Brandon Phillips then grounded out weakly to Ryan Howard to seal the deal...
By the way, it's the first post-season no-hitter since Don Larsen in the 1956 World Series... not bad...
The Phillies opened the scoring with a Chase Utley fly ball scored Shane Victorino in the first inning. Victorino had doubled and stolen third.
The Phils then chased Reds starter Edinson Volquez from the game in the second, when Halladay drove in a run. Victorino drove home two more with another single.
More when we know more...
Here's the post game comments from Roy Halladay following his post season pitching gem. (Thanks CSN Philly)
More sound from Phillies manager Charlie Manual and Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz who had the best seat in the house. (Thanks CSN Philly)
Brother Phil, at the OSG North HQ, has seen his degree of the Reds phenom this year...
His control was an issue, so the Redlegs sent him to Triple-A Louisville to get everything under control. It was, kinda, Nuke Laloosh-ie- incredible speed, no control.
But the parent club has figured out that, placed in a controlled environment, Chapman can be virtually unhittable. Friday night was the most recent example.
Since radar guns were introduced in the 1980s and most seen by the Dodgers scout wearing his panama hat, the fastest pitch recorded was 104.8 mph by Joel Zumaya of the Detroit Tigers in a playoff game in 2006. Chapman, who defected from the Cuban national team in 2009, was clocked at 104 on September 1st in his second major league appearance and also hit 105 mph with a pitch for Triple-A Louisville earlier this season.
Chapman threw 25 pitches in his 1 1/3 innings of relief, and every one was at least 100 mph.
That's just flat silly... Here's your record breaker... ((HT: Youtube/MLB/MLBAM))
Joey Votto shot a line drive up the middle last night... Unfortunately, for Colorado Rockies fans, Aaron Cook's season may be shot as well since Votto's liner snapped Cook's fibula as he tried to kick save the ball...
Wow! Such strong language from a former Major League Baseball commissioner about the current Major League Baseball commissioner.
On the heels of Bud Selig last week granting the Cincinnati Reds request to honor Pete Rose on the 25th anniversary of Rose setting baseball's all-time hit record, former commissioner Fay Vincent was a little less than pleased about the decision.
Vincent told the New York Post that "When the keeper of the Rules does not enforce the Rules, there are no rules". An interesting quote.
The whole story from the New York Post is RIGHT HERE
This whole subject is of some interest here in the Northern office due to our proximity to the aforementioned baseball team. We understand both Vincent and Selig's position on this and the Reds for their part didn't do anything wrong by asking.
Ironically, Rose won't be able to be there on the actual day of the anniversary, he has a previous engagement with a Casino in Southeastern Indiana that particular day.
Interpret that one however you'd like.
Enjoy this old clip on Pete, getting into a fight with Bud Harrelson, then of the New York Mets. Thanks YouTube:
While it was good TV and for that matter newspaper reading, the Cincinnati Reds/St. Louis Cardinals brawl from Tuesday night had some repercussions.
According to the Reds, Pitcher Johnny Cueto will get a 7-game vacation and fine for kicking at people during the brawl (they didn't phrase it quite like that). Also, Reds manager Dusty Baker and Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa will get two days off as well.
More on the fine-a-palooza from the Cincinnati Enquirer RIGHT HERE
The other bad outcome, the Cardinals had to put catcher Jason LaRue on the DL with a rib injury, suffered in said brawl. No Reds were injured that we are aware of.
For those who didn't see it...enjoy your brawl video...until MLB finds it. Thanks YouTube:
The HQ has covered Brandon Phillips since his time as a high school shortstop at Redan High School in suburban Atlanta...
He made a point to rile up his St. Louis division mates the other day...
"I'd play against these guys on one leg," said Phillips. "We have to beat these guys. All they do is (complain) and moan about everything, all of them."
Phillips referred to the Cards as a bunch of bitches since they complain too much- from his point-of-view... and then he said...
"I really hate the Cardinals. Compared to the Cardinals, I love the Chicago Cubs. Let me make this clear: I hate the Cardinals."
So, then we go to the game between the Reds and Cards where Phillips went through his pre at-bat routine and set off rather large men and their managers going at each other with the aid of netting...
Awesome television... and the Cards win 7-3...
Here's the fun with Phillips and your Molina of choice...until it gets pulled... ((HT: mpJ6laou4))
Two weeks ago in Los Angeles, the first steps may have been taken by Pete Rose and Johnny Bench to patch up holes in the issues that have separated the two from associating since 1989.
Pete, apparently, apologized to Johnny for "putting him through a lot" and, with his 69th birthday approaching, wants to make some kind of amends. Bench suggested as a next step to apologize to their longtime friend and attorney, Reuven Katz. Rose went up to Katz at a Reds game earlier this week and said "Hello" to him for the first time in decades. There was no immediate apology, but it seems the first steps were taken...
Rose also told Bench that he now knows what Bart Giamatti meant when he told him that he had to "reconfigure his lifestyle."
Here's Dennis Janson with the details... or is it "details...?"
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips was driving his new Audi in the Kentucky town/Cincinnati suburb of Park Hills and was clocked at 72 mph in a 35. He was pulled over just after 11PM Friday night according to local police officials.
The local police also told the Enquirer that his mother was in the car with him at the time and no alcohol was involved. Phillips was booked and released after posting a $25 bond.
Phillips is set to appear in Kenton County ((KY)) Municipal Court Tuesday morning.
Moree when we know more, but until then all the above story does is give us the excuse to post the following video of when Phillips messed with a reporter during a rain delay... ((HT: FS Ohio/MLB/The Hurricane1908))
Today's game was simple. The blowoff game of a 2-game set between the Braves and the Reds in Atlanta. The Braves won the 1st one on a Jason Heyward double Wednesday night. That put their record at 20-20.
The Reds have been on a different path. Leading the NL Central, winning 6 of their last 7 and playing some of the best baseball in the league including leading the league in fielding.
That changed today.
((Brooks Conrad celebrates//Courtesy: FOSG Curtis Compton and ajc.com))
The Reds dropped an 8 spot in the second inning against Atlanta's best pitcher, Tommy Hanson. After 8 innings, the score was Cincinnati 9, Atlanta 3. That didn't hold up.
The Reds could have gotten out of it. The Braves loaded the bases and scored 2. Martin Prado hit a rocket to Reds 3rd baseman Miguel Cairo, that should have been a double play. Only he couldn't get it out of his glove. A run scores and the bases are still loaded, 1-out.
That set-up the next two batters, bases loaded, nobody out and young Mr. Heyward at the plate. Heyward, who leads the NL in game-winning hits, would strike out.
So the Reds brought in their closer, Francisco Cordero to face Brooks Conrad. Conrad, a journeyman bench player, brought his .222 average to the plate. Cordero works the count to 2-2 and Conrad fouls a couple of pitches off.
On the 8th pitch of the at-bat, Cordero throws a 97-mile per hour fastball, low and away from Conrad. Conrad gets a good cut and launches the ball to left-center. Somehow, the ball carries...to the wall and off the glove of left-fielder Laynce Nix over the wall...Game Winner. Yeah, that's right. Conrad hits a Game-Winning Grand Slam.
Watch the HQ video from MLB.com RIGHT HERE and pay attention to Conrad as he rounds 1st base...he thought it was caught.
Or watch this video from dooksucks24 on You Tube:
Friend of the OSG Nubyjas Wilborn was in the Braves Locker room and spoke with Manager Bobby Cox. Check out his re-cap RIGHT HERE
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez has been suspended 50 games following a positive test for performance-enhancing drugs.
Major League Baseball announced the penalty Tuesday.
Volquez is recovering from surgery on his right elbow and is expecting back around midseason. He was an All-Star in 2008 when he went 17-6 for the Reds, but he was only 4-2 last season.
Volquez is the first player suspended under the major league drug program since Manny Ramirez of the Los Angeles Dodgers was penalized 50 games last May.
Here's some video of him from his minor league days in the Reds system... ((HT: farmsystem))
Volquez, in a statement released by the Reds, says: "I was not trying in any way to gain an advantage in my baseball career," Volquez said in his statement. "I am embarrassed by this whole situation and apologize to my family, friends, fans, teammates, and the entire Reds organization for being a distraction and for causing them any difficulty."
"I simply want to accept the consequences, learn from the mistake, and continue to strive to be the best person and baseball player I can be," he said.
Yes, baseball's opening day is a big deal. Even on a day where you have a Tiger Woods presser and the NCAA finals...it is still a big deal. Partially, because it is always on the same day as the NCAA finals and one has never had much of an impact on the other.
By now, if you are a regular visitor, you know that the OSG now has a satellite
office in the cradle of baseball...Cincinnati. It was
only fitting that in honor of the day, we went and checked out the most Cincinnati of baseball traditions, the Opening Day parade.
((The crowd on Vine Street//Courtesy: Me))
Yes, it really is a big deal here. Even though the Reds haven't been very good in a very long time, it's still a big deal. The traffic...chaotic and crowds lined the entire parade route which by the way runs about oh...say 15 blocks or so downtown.
There were the traditional parade highlights, bands, floats, shriners, clowns...
everything you would expect. The Grand Marshall...none other than the legendary Johnny Bench. No, there weren't many current Reds there, the parade started at 10:30am, 1st pitch at the Great American Ballpark...1:10pm, there really wasn't enough time. Though we did see Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo there...he's not the opening day starter so I guess he was the rep for the day.
Opening day for so many is a special, special day. Really, I think these days it is more so for the older crowd then the 20-30 year olders. Not a whole lot of them in the crowd, at least the part I could see. It brings back a lot of really good memories from a long, long time ago. Yes, I know that "technically" the season started last night with the ESPN game which quite honestly, just isn't right...but why let tradition stand in the way of a 4-letter dollar.
For me...as someone now at an older stage in my life, probably the opening day I remember the most was back in I want to say 1992 or 1993, I can't totally remem
ber for a reason. No, I didn't go to a game, I was living in Jacksonville, Florida at the time and wasn't working on Opening Day Monday. The weekend Sports Anchor at the time Curt Menefee (yes, that Curt Menefee of Fox) and I decided we were going to start our day at a Sports Bar for the 1st pitch of the 1st game, which of course was a Reds game. We were sup
posed to meet up with a group of guys later that night to watch the NCAA Finals. Lets just say we were very thirsty that particular warm spring day, but we had a blast, watched baseball all day and basketball all night. I suspect if someone tracked Curt down he'd laugh about that day too. I've never done anything like that since then either.
((Bronson Arroyo in a car//Courtesy: Me))
Sorry I couldn't tell a story about the opening day at a ballpark when I was a kid, because when I grew up in Florida, there were no Major League baseball teams yet (I'm old). Still, I always watched. It was the one time of year that kicked off the 2nd half of the year. Football was over, basketball was winding down it was baseball that took over that time. I hope, particularly today after seeing the enthusiasm of the entire city of Cincinnati, that it will always keep that special place for generations to come.
One of the best writers in the business was kicked to the curb by his newspaper yesterday.
Newspapers... You remember those, right...???
After 37 years, Hal McCoy was wiped off the landscape by the Dayton Daily News
Here's his understandable reaction...
The hammer fell today and it hurts like hell.
They’re putting the ol’ baseball scribe out to pasture and if there are teardrops on your screen, well, that’s from me, just an old softie.
My run is over - 37 years of bliss, doing a job that wasn’t a job. It was pure joy and pure fun.
And I wanted you, all my loyal readers and followers over the past 3 1/2 decades, to be the first to know. The run is nearly over.
The newspaper told me today that it will no longer cover the Cincinnati Reds the same way it has in the past, beginning next season. And don’t blame the paper. It is the economic times and we’re all suffering. They just can’t afford the more than a quarter of a million dollars a year to send me coast-to-coast.
The Dayton Daily News has been nothing but great to me. How many companies would keep a legally blind employee and furnish that employee with a driver and/or a car service to get him to and from games? The paper did that for me and it certainly didn’t have to do it.
The DDN didn’t have to do that, but it did and I’m so forever grateful, just as I am for the 37 years they permitted me to do what I love to do so much.
So it is off to retirement after this season ends. It isn’t early retirement. I’m 68, soon to be 69. But it isn’t something I want to do. I feel like I still have my fastball at the keyboard and can deal with the curves thrown my way.
I feel as if my fingers have been cut off, but the economic times are harsh and I understand and I’m not angry. I just feel as if something good has ended prematurely, something I’m not completely ready to accept, but must.
It was a great run and I thank all of you from the bottom of this decrepit old heart for feeding me the energy to keep doing what I love to do.
I’ll miss the feedback from all of you. I’ll miss going to the ballpark every day, seeing something every week that I never saw before. I’ll miss so many friends I’ve made doing this job. I’ll miss my peers in the press box and the so many people in baseball who have crossed my path and have been so great to me.
I’ll miss sitting down at the laptop every day and reporting on the Reds and major-league baseball. I would list them, but it would longer than George Carlin’s list of words you can’t say on television and even then I’d miss too many people who have been part of my career.
Right now I’m on the back patio, enjoying a Tangueray and tonic with my beautiful and supportive wife, Nadine. I’m sure it is the first of many tonight, so I wanted to get this down before I became incoherent.
My miniature schnauzer, Barkley, is looking at me wondering why his old man is sniffling. Well, it’s time to get out the old scrapbooks and read of better times.
So many times over the year, I’ve dealt with surly ballplayers who never saw hello until it’s time to say goodbye.
I’ll finish the season covering the Reds and baseball, the last hurrah, then say my final goodbyes. They’re putting me out to pasture. I only wish it was center field.
We just maintain here at OSG HQ that you should let the guy write from home or something about the team if travel was the issue. If karma has its way, McCoy will find a way to write about lies, damn lies, and statistics that will thumb its nose at the DDN- and make him a crap-load of money in the process.
Nice job, geniuses...
Here's how our friends at WDTN-TV covered the news...
You have gotta feel a little bad for the Cincinnati Reds and Outfielder Jay Bruce. Bruce, one of the more popular players on the Reds team and one of their most marketable, suffered what can only be called a "Gruesome" injury in last night's game against the New York Mets.
The injury, which occured as Bruce tried to make a diving catch of a David Wright blooper was pretty flukish, one of those things where he slid, but his glove and wrist didn't. The Reds, who are struggling to stay around the .500 mark as we hit the all-star break are also trying to keep pace in their division. While Bruce wasn't a great "batting average" hitter, he was one of the "Power Guys" in the Reds lineup. He'll be missed, though the question is...for how long?
This is about as easy a 6-4-3 triple play as it gets...
The Pittsburgh Pirates pulled off their first triple play in 16 years in the eighth inning of their game against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.
With Brandon Phillips on second base, Jay Bruce on first and the Reds leading 2-0, Edwin Encarnacion hit a blooper into short left field that was easily caught by shortstop Jack Wilson.
Phillips, running on the pitch, was around third base and was out when Wilson threw to Freddy Sanchez at second base. Bruce was already at second, and Sanchez threw to first baseman Adam LaRoche to complete the triple play.
It was the first triple play for the Pirates since August 10, 1993, at St. Louis, and the first time the Reds had hit into a triple play since April 21, 2007, against Philadelphia.
