Dear ESPN,

Stop putting me on TV.

Love,

The NBA Draft

 

The ‘Big O’, Walton, Magic, Worthy, Olajuwon, Ewing, Robinson, Shaq, Duncan, James,……and Anthony Bennett. What? I didn’t even know who the hell this guy was prior to the draft. I take a look at the 1^st round and half the guys I don’t even know. It is pretty much a list of 30 guys not even close to being ready for the NBA. 15 years ago, not one of these guys would have been drafted at all.

Is there a larger crapshoot in life than the NBA draft? It is like watching spoiled kids (NBA owners) buy a bunch of cutting edge technology that they don’t know anything about and don’t know how to use….and likely never will. While the NFL is “what have you done for me lately,” the NBA draft is based on “how tall are you and what might you be able to do for me 5 years down the road which you have shown little or no ability to do up until this point in your basketball career?” Honestly. How else can you explain a guy (Alex Len - sophomore), being taken #5 overall? Sure, he is 7’1”, but he averaged a whopping 11.9 ppg and 7.8 rpg in a very depleted college basketball game. Len didn’t even make a very weak All ACC team…or the All ACC 2^nd Team…or 3^rd team. He did make honorable mention though! He was a top 5 pick, yet not even top 15 in his own conference. Makes a ton of sense.

Playing more than 1 year in college basketball seems to be held against these guys. The more you prove you can do (shoot, win, pass, play defense, etc), the more they (NBA decision makers) find things you cannot and therefore they don’t want you. They would rather pay millions to a guy that is unproven and may pan out, than pay millions to a guy that will develop into a solid starter, but maybe not an all-star. It is this idiotic way of thinking that allowed Darius Miles to collect millions of dollars for way to many years.  It is why teams like the Spurs run circles around other teams. They pick up a guy like Deshaun Thomas, a junior from Ohio State who averaged 19.8 ppg and has a history of winning and a good work ethic.

Here are the guys the 12oz GM would have approved picking:

Victor Oladipo

Otto Porter
Cody Zeller
Nerlens Noel
Trey Burke
Shane Larkin
Tim Hardaway Jr.

Here are the guys the 12oz GM wouldn’t have touched with a 10 foot pole (all went in the top 15):

Alex Len – Did not make 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd team ACC. Enough said.

Ben McLemore – A train wreck both mentally and maturity going to a train wreck organization (Kings).

Shabazz Muhammad – 2 things to know about Muhammad: 1) he once was upset when his team (UCLA) won on a last second shot because he didn’t make the shot; and 2) when he started dropping in the draft, he left the draft….only to come back when he was drafted.

 

 

 

Lord Stanley Arrives in the Windy City!

 

 

Teamwork. Hardwork. Sportsmanship. Humbleness. Respect for the game, tradition, and your opponent. Heart. Toughness. Love for the game more than the money. Winning being more important than personal accolades. Words and attitudes we claim to admire, yet selmdom associated with professional athletes.

How much time do we spend bitching and moaning that these attributes are missing from professional sports and professional athletes today. Players and agents controlling where and when they play (see Stephen Strausburg, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Doc Rivers, Chris Paul, etc). We complain about the “Me First” attitude, and I will do “what’s best for me and my future contracts.” How often do we see players sitting for fear of injury and the impact an injury may have on their next contract negotiation (hello Derrick Rose)……maybe that’s because we are watching the wrong sports. Maybe we should be watching more hockey.…….and, if you haven’t moved on to another website by now, hear me out.

Watch the Stanley Cup playoffs. Tell me if you see anything other than 20+ guys playing a sport with the love of a child, the beard of a lumberjack, and men treating their bodies like wrecking balls rather than meal tickets. Hockey players play for one thing, and one thing only - to raise the Stanley Cup. Contracts, money, and personal stats are exactly where they should be in the pecking order, secondary.

 Winning above personal accolades

Take a look at Alex Ovechkin, the most prolific goal scorer in the NHL. In recent years he has been pulled late in games (including playoff games) when his team is winning because he is not strong on defense. Not only does he not complain, but he sits on the bench coaching and cheering his teammates on and he publicly supports the decision. Does he want to sit? Hell no. But he wants to win more than play. He has also improved his defense so that he is left on the ice more in these situations. Carmelo Anthony has a similar offensive ability and defensive ineptness. What do you think his reaction to such a scenario would be? He and his “advisors” would have him on another team by the next season.

Teamwork, Selflessness, and Humbleness

Ever listen to a hockey player interviewed? “I” is never used. It is always we. Personal accolades are deflected and team goals praised. Most players almost seem embarrassed to be praised for their play. Why? Because they know not only their role, but the role their teammates have in their success. They are simply the guy that put the puck in the net. They know the blocked shot created their scoring chance. That another player’s fearlessness to chase the puck into the corner (knowing they will get pummeled) set up the scoring chance. And they know that it was the unselfish play of the man passing the puck that allowed them to score. Hockey, unlike any other sport, holds assists in as high of regard as goals. In hockey, the team with the best player does not win. The team with the best “TEAM” wins. In hockey, there are no starters. Everyone plays, and everyone plays about the same amount of time. Your stars may get a few extra minutes, but they are on the ice roughly 1/3 of the game. Imagine if the 3^rd string QB in New England played as much as Tom Brady? Or if Juwan Howard had the same minutes as Lebron James? In hockey, every player is important and every player is aware of that the team is more important than they are.

 Heart, toughness, and team before contract –

Example #1: Watch the video below and pay attention to #11 Gregory Campbell. He can barely stand after blocking a shot. However, his team is shorthanded and he cannot get to the bench. He realizes his team needs him and continues to do what he can to help them clear the puck - including guarding one of the premier goal scorers in the NHL, Evgeni Malkin. Campbell stays on the ice for more than 45 seconds until he can get off without hurting his team….Gregory Campbell played those 45 seconds on a leg that was broken by the shot he blocked.

 

Example #2: Last Monday night, with his team down 3 games to 2 and needing a win to extend the Stanley Cup finals, Patrice Bergeron, a pivotal part to the Boston Bruins team, suited up to help his teammates. So what, right? Well, after game 5, Bergeron went to the hospital with a cracked rib and torn rib cartilage. Leading up to game 6 of the Stanley Cup playoffs, Bergeron could barely walk standing straight up. To make matters worse, Bergeron separated his shoulder early in the 1^st period….he told no one and finished the game playing 17:45, just 1.5 minutes less than his season average. Bergeron stayed on the ice to shake the hands of the Blackhawk players. After the game, Bergeron was hospitalized with the cracked rib, torn cartilage, separated shoulder, and a hole in his lung!  

 Remember when Derrick Rose’s teammates needed him in the playoffs. Rose had been practicing for months, but decided he did not want to come back from his knee injury until he could feel comfortable dunking off that leg. That wouldn’t fly in a hockey locker room. Bergeron couldn’t walk upright, had a cracked rib, torn rib cartilage, a separated shoulder and a hole in his lung and played (and was effective). Rose had a medically healthy (and cleared) knee which he had been practicing on for months, but didn’t play because he didn’t feel comfortable dunking off the knee (note, it wasn’t that he couldn’t dunk off the knee, it was that he couldn’t do so comfortably).  Derrick Rose makes way more money than Patrice Bergeron….he also has 0 rings, 0 championship appearances, and likely 0 respect in his city and locker room. Bergeron, on the other hand, has 1 ring, 2 championship appearances, and the utmost admiration of an entire city, league, and sport.

Tradition, respect for the game, and respect for your opponent – Is there anything cooler than watching the hand shake at the end of an NHL playoff series? Guys have spent up to 7 games beating the hell out of one another, sometimes literally punching each other in the face, yet when it is over, they line up and shake each other’s hand. Regardless of what happened, they shake hands. It is a show of respect. An acknowledgement of what occurred on the ice stays on the ice and we respect each other when it is over. On Monday night, we saw this moment at its’ greatest. The Boston Bruins led game 6 with less than 1:30 remaining. Seconds away from sending the series to a 7^th and deciding game, only to have the game ripped away by the Blackhawks when the Hawks scored 2 goals less than 20 seconds apart. There couldn’t be a more heart breaking way to lose the Stanley Cup finals. Yet, when the final horn sounded, the stunned Boston Bruins stood on the ice, watched the Blackhawks celebrate, and waited for the celebration to end so they could line up and congratulate the winner. Imagine watching the World Series loser wait for the winner to break the pile up so they could shake their hand. Or the NBA loser waiting to shake the hands of the winner. Oh yeah, and following the game, the Blackhawks took out an entire page in the Boston Globe thanking the team and the city for their hospitality, heart, and passion. Only in hockey.

Last Monday, the city of Chicago honored the Blackhawks with a well deserved parade, whereby they welcomed back the best trophy in sports to the Windy City. With the millions that came to welcome Lord Stanley, you would have thought it was Canada. Maybe our brethren up north (and in Chicago) are on to something. Maybe hockey is where we should put our time, eyes, and remotes. After all, with as polite as Canadians are, when have they ever lead us astray? Maple syrup? Awesome. LaBatt’s? Great. Moose? Sweet. Maybe we should give their game of hockey a chance as well, eh?

 

Hello Lord Stanley!

 

 

Congratulations to the 2013 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks!!

 

More to come on the Stanley Cup later this week...

Adjustment to My Fantasy Football TE Rankings!

 

So…..Aaron Hernandez has just been moved down on my fantasy draft board (I am sure that is atop his list of worries right now).

By law, people are innocent until proven guilty. By common sense, Aaron Hernandez is in deep shit until proven otherwise.

When an acquaintance of yours is found shot “execution style” in close proximity to a car that has been rented in your name, that raises some questions. When said victim’s girlfriend is the sister of your girlfriend, that raises some more questions. When there is video surveillance of you with the victim (and others) just hours before said victim was killed, “you got some splaining to do Lucy!” When you hire a cleaning crew to scrub your house the day before police come to search it, you look very guilty. When your home security system and cell phone have been purposefully destroyed and handed over to police in pieces, you pretty much have given up any claim to ‘innocent until proven guilty’ (btw Aaron, believe it or not, your phone data can be pulled without the physical phone genius – see Google search for “government cell phone tracking”).

Did Hernandez pull the trigger? Don’t know. And quite frankly, don’t care. It is obvious he had something to do with this murder and should be banned from the league unless/until proven otherwise. The Patriots realize this – they told him to get the hell out of Gillette Stadium. The Hoody doesn’t put up with talking to the media…he sure as hell won’t put up with murder.

One surprising part of this story is the fact that Hernandez apparently: 1) was accused of shooting a guy in 2010 and 2) threatened Welker when Hernandez was a rookie….neither story had I ever heard until now (think a Bengal would fly under the radar for those things?). Either way, Hernandez seems to be a complete idiot and also very low on my draft board.

The Miami Lebrons Repeat

You won’t see much NBA talk on this blog, but a championship was given away last night. Whether you like the NBA or not, there is nothing better than a game 7 in the playoffs, regardless of sport. And last night, we got a great game 7.

Here is what I learned watching the 2013 playoffs, and especially the finals:

Lebron James is the best player in basketball

There has never been an NBA player as physically dominant as Lebron

There are still 10-15 current NBA players I would rather have with the ball in their hand at the end of a game

Dwayne Wade looked dead

Birdman looks disturbing

Ginobili is a shell of himself

Popovich is the best coach in the NBA….but cost him team the championship (removing Parker and Duncan in critical situations and leaving Ginobili in when he was clearly struggling)

Tim Duncan is possibly the most underrated player in NBA history (just in front of Tony Parker)

The Spurs are one of the biggest dynasties, yet are rarely discussed

The Spurs were the better team

The Heat had more talent

NBA officiating is so frustrating

Traveling is a rule in theory only

Spoelstra is not a good coach – he makes winning with James, Wade, and Bosh look difficult – I believe any Joe off the street could guide this team to at least the finals

Miami should not have professional sports teams

The Heat (and Miami as a whole) may have the cheesiest and weakest fans ever

I have never seen so many sunglasses worn at an indoor stadium (the lights must be bright in that arena)

I have never seen so few fans in team paraphernalia

The immediate commercials selling the team championship t-shirts, hats, and videos are lame – the people that buy that shit are even lamer

Dan Gilbert is sitting somewhere fuming about Lebron….rather than fuming about he should be fuming about – the fact that he is an idiot for letting Lebron get away….and for being an overall douchebag

Welcome back!

 

 

 

For the second time in a 5 year span, the Bengals will be featured on Hard Knocks. Count me in the camp that not only likes the decision, I love the decision. Here’s why:

 

It gains interest and fans for a team that can use all the fans it can get

Let be honest, the Bengals “bucket” isn’t exactly over flowing with fans…hell, they have problems selling out their stadium in a town that is full of Bengals fans! Being on Hard Knocks gives the entire country an opportunity to connect with a young and very talented team and gives the Bengals another opportunity to show they are not the laughing stock of a franchise that many NFL fans believe them to be. I talked to many non-Bengal fans who said they not only watched the show in 2009, but became casual Bengals fans after watching the show. The Bengals can use all the fans they can get…casual or not!

 

It breeds competition

I hear the typical pessimistic Cincinnati fan saying how it will be a distraction. I disagree. I see it as a good thing that will breed competition and focus. First of all, the cameras are discreet and anything but distracting; and Second, knowing that you are on national TV drives competition. Think about it. These players watch this show whether it is their team or not, and no player wants to be embarrassed on national TV, or seen as being lazy, or a poor teammate. Other teams will look at the tape from this show, good or bad, when deciding whether to pick up a player that gets cut (see Chris Pressley from 2009 as a good example). Also, remember what a distraction it was in 2009? Coming off a 4-11-1 season, the Bengals were selected for 2 things in 2009: 1) Hard Knocks (which was a phenomenal season of the show), and 2) to finish last in the AFC north. The national perception of the 2009 Bengals being featured on Hard Knocks was that it would be an entertaining circus – getting to see an inept organization and undisciplined team crash and burn….both of which would make for great TV ….oh, and Chad acting like an idiot. Well, Chad may have acted like an idiot, but the Bengals organization looked far from its national laughing stock perception. In what would be the biggest surprise of the 2009 NFL season, the Bengals not only won the AFC North, but swept the division for the first time in franchise history. Raise your hand if you think the 2009 team was disciplined and had good leadership. This team has both discipline and leadership and therefore is far better equipped to handle this spotlight. I am not predicting another sweep of the division, but this increase in attention may be just what this team (especially Dalton) needs, to take the next step of not just getting to the playoffs, but making noise in the playoffs.

 

Last, but not least, marketing

The Bengals may claim to have a ‘marketing’ department, but they don’t. There is not a business in the world that markets as poorly as the Bengals. Unbeknownst to the national folk, Cincinnati is a town full of ravid Bengals fans, they just don’t fill the stadium because they are fed up with the way the team is run and how they perceive they are treated by “The Family.” The Bengals, if they wanted, could have this town wrapped around their finger like the Steelers have Pittsburgh. This fan base simply wants love back from “The Family,” and though many may not see it this way, I believe this is “The Family’s” way of inviting the fans in. People will watch (local and national), and because of the show, many will buy tickets and follow and love the Bengals more than they had previously. In fact, the Bengals gained a ton of non-Cincinnati fans from the show in 2009. HBO is providing something “The Family” is completely inept at doing (marketing), and they are doing it for free (music to Uncle Mike’s ears)!

 

Like it or not, we in Cincinnati are a very sensitive fan base. We are fair weather, pessimistic fans, to the utmost degree with a severe case of “small man syndrome” (and I like it in an odd sort of way). We abandon are teams during the tough times, yet take offense to “outsiders” criticizing them. We swear off the team until “outsiders” start talking about them, and then they are miraculously “Our Team” again. Remember how many former Bengals fans would make fun of us real Bengals fans in the ‘90’s for wearing team gear in public – I do. And how many of those now claim to be Bengals fans again? They are as honest and upfront about their loyalty to the Bengals as the 500k+ Cincinnatians are honest about their attendance at the Freezer Bowl (they must have sold a lot of standing room only to that game). What’s my point you ask? “My point Donnie. My point” is that whether you want to admit it or not, you will watch Hard Knocks now that the Bengals are on (HBO will be added to my Direct TV subscription –along with many other Cincinnatians - in August) – and you will likely build a stronger connection - if not with the team, with certain players…or characters (I give you the star of the show in 2009, again, again, again,….and just for good measure!). A connection that will make you tune in for Hard Knocks; a connection that will make you watch on Sunday afternoons; a connection that will bring more eyeballs (and as a result sponsors and coverage) to the team; a connection that may push you to buy tickets to go sit in the stands you have not sat in for years; and a connection that may just bring you back and re-connect you with the team that you are so very much wanting to come back to (but instead have forced yourself to be miserable by not watching because you feel as though you are proving something – a stupid tactic, but one many in this city are partaking in). And that, my friends, is a good thing – for you, for the team, for the city and for the NFL….and even us non-bandwagoners will welcome your return, or first venture, to the Jungle!

 

College Basketball Loses an Icon

Miami University (my Alma Mater), the Greater Cincinnati community, the basketball community, and the sports world in general, lost a great coach and an even better, one-of-a-kind human being today with the passing of Coach Charlie Coles.

Coach Coles coaching credentials were impressive:

• 355-308 over 22 seasons at Miami University and Central Michigan

• Most wins in Miami University history (263)

• Most conference wins in MAC history (218)

• Two-time MAC Coach of the Year (1987 and 1997)

• 3 MAC Conference Tournament Titles (Central Michigan 1987; Miami 1997and 2007)

• 2 MAC Regular season championships (1987 and 1997)

• 7 Post Season appearances (NCAA 1997, 1999, 2007; NIT 2005, 2006; CBI 2008, 2001)

• 3 NCAA appearances (2-4)

• 2 NCAA wins

• 1 Sweet Sixteen appearance (with Wally Szczerbiak - impressive given where he was coaching)

• 31 All-MAC awards (player awards)

 

2 NBA All-Stars (Dan Majerle and Wally Szczerbiak)

 

These accolades are a product of superior coaching, not superior talent. Coach Coles, like many Mid-Majors, never had the more talented team on the court. Coach Coles won by teaching the right way to win - hard work, defense, and team work and he never shied away from playing the top teams in the country. Under Coles, Miami took an “any time, any place” attitude and regularly scheduled superior teams (UK, Cincinnati, etc) because Coles felt it would make his teams better.  

Not to diminish the coaching ability of Coach Coles, but his coaching is hardly what he will be remembered for. Coach Coles was the definition of everything a coach is supposed to be – a role model and teacher of young men. In a day and age when coaches (at all levels) believe winning is all that matters and fail to realize they have a responsibility to teach their players life lessons and how to be good men, Coach Coles understood that responsibility and took his role of teaching seriously – name another NCAA Division I men’s basketball coach that taught classes at their university? Crazy right? Coles did.

 

Best of all, Coach Coles was an incredible human being that cared about his players, his school, his profession, his community, and the people he came in contact with. Despite his records, Coles was the lowest paid coach in the MAC…and I don’t believe that bothered him for a second. Coach Coles cared about people, cared about integrity, and cared about respect – 3 things rarely associated with college coaches these days.

I am very happy to say I saw Coach Coles coach in person and had the opportunity to call him “our” coach. Rest in Peace Coach Coles, you will be greatly missed but forever remembered.

 

P.S. He also gave the best interviews and postgame press conferences ever! You are welcome for this epic presser!

 

....and this one!

 

 

 

 and this one!

 

 

 

Addressing the Elephant in the Room….aka the Reds Bullpen

Remember how good the Reds bullpen was last year (and was supposed to be this year)? In 2012 it was essentially a 6 inning game for opponents. If the starters got them to the 7^th with the lead, the game was pretty much over. You had Marshall in the 7^th, Broxton in the 8^th, and Chapman in the 9^th. Game over. Not this year. The Reds bullpen (something they counted on to be a strength again in 2013) has more losses than all but 3 bullpens…those 3 teams? LAD, Miami, and Houston…just the 3 worst teams in baseball who have a combined record of 63-115! Despite pitching fewer innings than all but 8 bullpens the Reds are:

• 13^th in ERA (3.55)

• Bottom 5 in HRs allowed

• Bottom 5 in losses

Last year, the Reds lost 7 games in which they led going into the 8^th inning. Through 60 games in 2013, the Reds have already lost 5 games in which they have led going into the eighth inning (including 2 this week when they led with 2 outs in the 8^th). Mat Latos is 5-0….he would be 9-0 if not for 4 blown saves by his bullpen – 9 wins would put him tied for the major league lead. I know we all like to bang on Dusty - myself included and many times rightfully so – but, if we are going to be fair, what options does he have? Who do you put in there? The only reliable guys are Chapman (and he has been shaky at times) and the Magic Moustache (aka Sam LeClure – and even LeClure blew a lead this week). Without Marshall, there is not a lefty in the pen that is worth a damn (Parra is a joke – see Wednesday night and his 8.38 ERA for examples). If Dusty wants to match lefty v lefty (and we know he does), he is left with Parra because he won’t bring Chapman in unless it is the 9^th inning or a save situation. From the right side he has the Magic Moustache (1.85) and Hoover (3.24). Keep in mind, the second best option there has 4 losses. After that, Dusty is left with Simon (3.19 – but terrible recently), Ondrusek (4.22), and Broxton (he of 22 hits in 24.1 IP, 3 blown saves, and a confidence building 4.44 ERA). Putting any of those three (or Parra) in right now is like playing Russian roulette with 4 bullets in the chamber! Bring up Arredondo you say? Not so fast my friend! First of all, he is currently suspended from Louisville for disciplinary reasons, and second (and more importantly), he is sucking – 5.40 ERA in AAA and 22 BBs in 23.1 IP.

 So what’s the solution? Unfortunately, there isn’t one. It is rare that I sympathize for Dusty, but here I do. You can’t put the Magic Moustache and Hoover in every time (though I would move Hoover to the 8^th inning guy). The only option is to hope Marshall comes back soon and is healthy and productive (big hope), and hope Simon, Broxton, and Arredondo return to their 2012 form. Other than that, just cross your fingers, hope, pray, and sit on the edge of your seat with your popcorn, because innings 7 and 8 could get quite interesting because as it stands now, no lead is safe with this bullpen.

 

....And the Continuing Votto Debate

Votto is continuing to prove me right (despite the ridicule I will receive): the Reds record parallels Votto’s power numbers and RBI numbers. When he is not driving the ball - hitting doubles and HRs - and not driving runners in, the Reds are an average team at best. After a white hot start to May, Votto is in the midst of a miserable streak. Take a look at the last 12 games: 

AVG	2B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	OBP	SLG	OPS
.174	0	2	5	7	14	.250	.304	.554

 

Not shocking, the Reds are 6-6 in this stretch - .500, just like they were 15-13 in April when Votto’s power numbers were down. While this does include 10 games with good teams (Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Colorado), it also includes 2 with the Cubs. In the last 12 games, Votto has: 0 doubles; a 2-1 K/BB ratio; and as many strikeouts as BBs, RBI, and HRs combined! Even more surprising (or disturbing) are his Home/Away splits –  after 60 games, Votto is batting .391 on the road and just .259 at home (136 PAs at Home vs 137 PAs on the road). The most disturbing aspect of Votto’s slumps this year is the fact that when he is in a slump, he looks lost at the plate and is taking lackadaisical “excuse me” swings. Slumps are a part of baseball. I get that. But this year is the first time I have seen Votto have so many poor at bats. Prior to this year, I had rarely seen Votto give away at bats – that is not the case in 2013.

Weekend Wrap Up

 

Reds

Overall, a good trip to Pittsburgh. Winning 2 of 3 on the road against a division opponent with whom you are fighting for playoff position is always good. However, being up 4-0 in the final game with a chance to sweep, including a 4-2 lead with 2 outs in the 8^th, and not closing the deal hurts.

Good to See…

• The Reds beating the Pirates despite little production from their 3 biggest and most consistent weapons (Votto, BP, Choo)

• Cueto back and pitching like Cueto (8.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER = Muy Bueno!)

• Cozart Hitting – the last 7 days he is batting .417, 4 R, 2 2B, and 2 RBI, raising his average to .246. He still should not be the 2 hitter, but the Reds need him to hit around .260 (which he can do). At .260 with his glove, he is a very solid SS.

• Frazier Hitting…at least a little. His average is up to .242, still not great, but much better than where he was. Like Cozart, the Reds don’t need him to hit .300, but .260-.275 is where they need him, and Frazier is capable of that. Also promising, is Frazier’s RBI numbers – he is now has 31 RBIs and is on pace for 88. That would be a solid year. P.S. I still would like to see Frazier hit #2 in the lineup, but Dusty is not answering my calls, emails, texts, or tweets.

• Latos Continuing to Deal – If not for 4 blown saves by his bullpen, Latos would be 9-0. Let that sink in for a minute.

• Sam Lecure – when a man with that type of quality facial hair steps on the mound it is a good thing….it also helps that the guy is lights out. The Moustache Magician!

 

Not Good to See…

• Jonathan Broxton – He has had some good moments this year, but he also is sporting a 4.63 ERA and 3 Blown Saves. That ain’t good for your setup man.

• Dusty Baker’s refusal to use his best weapon for more than 3 outs – The Reds kept Chapman in the closer role this year – a move I disagreed with and still do – but, a move I can get behind IF they use Chapman effectively, i.e. to close games – even if that means 1+ innings – after all, he was a starter (not sure if Dusty knows of this), so you would think he could go 1+ innings.  At least twice now this year, Dusty’s refusal to put Chapman in for a 4 out close has cost the Reds. Sunday was a prime example: Bottom of the 8^th, 2 outs, Broxton looks his normal hittable self, and the tying run is at the plate…who also happens to be a lefty (and Broxton a righty) – and we all know Dusty subscribes to a lefty has to pitch to a lefty right? Wrong! Not when that “Book Rule” goes against another “Book Rule” which states that a closer can only get 3 outs, no more, and no less. This despite the fact that Garrette Jones hits .276 with 6 HRs and 28 RBIs vs righties (like Broxton) and swings a whopping .143 with 0 HRs and 0 RBIs vs lefties (and Chapman happens to be the most dominate lefty in the game)…Dusty must not have had that stat available to him yesterday. The reason why I like Chapman as a starter is his ability to impact 150-200 innings per year. As a closer, he impacted just 71 innings last year, the same pace he is on for this year. To date, the Reds best arm (Chapman) has pitched 26.0 innings in 58 games – that, to me, is a waste of his arm. Sunday, the Reds blew a game which Chapman could have impacted as a closer, yet wasted him on the bench because the scoreboard said Bottom 8 instead of Bottom 9.

• BP Out of the Lineup – Doesn’t seem like it will be long term, but BP is an RBI machine, something that is very difficult to replace (thankfully Dusty didn’t put Izturis in BP’s 4 spot in the order!).

• Choo Against Left Handed Pitching – I love Choo, but it is becoming more and more apparent that sitting Choo against lefties might be the best betYou hate to see him sit, but take a look at his splits:

Against Righties

AVG	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG	OPS
.343	10	16	.495	.643	1.138

 

Against Lefties

AVG	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG	OPS
.154	0	4	.321	.185	.506