Pregame for Sunday Night Basebal and other notesl....

Really huge game for the Reds.  They all count for the same, but this one is big.  Need to get this second win in a row thing out of our systems. 

A win here could also get the Reds within three games of the lead.  Granted they are still in fourth place, but the closer you get, the better you feel.

Cardinals and Brewers play six at home next week against the Cubs and Astros, so let's just assume they'll win some of those games, that means the Reds need to keep pace, and not slip further away. The Pirates have games at Philly and at Atlanta.  Their swoon is going to start soon, and it is going to be awesome to watch.

Cozart to the DL is a pretty big hit to the team.  Janish will do fine, but he just isn't a scary hitter.  If he can just hit .250 and not commit any errors, that'll do.

I wonder if this makes the Reds want to deal for a shortstop more, less, or it doesn't affect them?  If I was to guess, I'd say they aren't going for a shortstop.  I think they will get Shields.  Rays are out of it now, and they haven't had a good catcher ever, and they need a first baseman.  Say goodbye to Grandal and Alonso. Both Miami products too.  Shields is still under contract for three more years, so he wouldn't be a rental.  I see something happening here.

Went to Neil's on Saturday.  He has automatic locks, just remember that if you ever go there.  I got locked out at six AM while letting the dog out.  Had to take a piss in the bushes with my shirt off, probably looked like a homeless man.

Watched Horrible Bosses today.  Actually really really funny, but really vulgar.  I have a feeling it's going to be one of those movies that lives on for a long time because it has a lot of catchy lines.  Definitely recommend seeing it.

Got the IPhone4 on Friday.  Haven't had anything other than a flip phone, with limited texts, and fifteen second videos in my whole life.  There is way too much going on with this thing, going to take a lot of learning.  I like it though, not going to complain.

Alright, enjoy the game, go Reds, go Willis, get this win.

Oh, and regarding the NFL.  I'll believe it when I see it.

Til next time...

Curt

Recap of Friday Night's Game...

Tough loss.  You have to eventually start winning those games if you seriously want to contend.  I only watched the last five innings, so I didn't see the lost opportunity in the second. 

Masset through one bad pitch, missed his spot by two feet in the one spot you can't miss it.  That loser Uggla is hitting under .200 and he just busted the Reds.

Lewis with a huge homer.  I like his swing.  He just looks locked in some times.  Same token though, we could definitely have someone better out there via trade.

Bronson, what can I say?  You just are NOT getting the job done.  Hard to make excuses for you anymore.  You have to put up some wins, get the job done.  Right now you are on pace to make about one million dollars per win.  Who do you think you are?  CC Sabathia?

Five out now with the win by the Brewers.  Reds were 5.5 out at one time this year, so it's not the worst yet, but it is certainly getting there.

Please get this thing turned around, and do it now.  Two in a row would be a good start, but now we need to wait until damn near Monday for that to even possibly become a reality.

Til next time...

Curt

No hot girl today, just hot girl website, check out the opening vid....

http://www.kateupton.com/

State of the Reds 7/21....

Let's take a look at the state of the Reds right now on this off day.  First off, here are the undeniable facts....

64 games to go
4.5 out
2 games under .500 (48-50)
4-6 in the last 10
Haven't won 2 games in a row for over 5 weeks.
Shutout twice this week and have scored 12 runs in the last 6 games combined.
Second in the NL in runs scored.
29-22 vs. NL Central
2-7 against the Pirates 

Below you can read the negative perspective and the positive perspective.  I would give a prediction of what I think will happen, but I'm too close to it.  I can't seem to give a logical prediction, I just want them to win and hope that they will win.  Let me know what you think will happen.  Enjoy.

NEGATIVE THOUGHTS AND POINT OF VIEW

On Tuesday night, I think I was officially more pissed off at this team then I have been in a few years.  I walked outside and just kept walking.  My wife asked me what was wrong.  I said, you know what is fucking wrong, I'm sick of this shit.  She said, oh, the Reds?  Yes, the fucking Reds. 

Let's look at what this team can't do.  They can't hit with runners in scoring position, they can't get leadoff hits or walks.  Can't get any big gamebreaking hits when they do happen to have a lead.  Can't get lucky at all, that's for sure.  I swear the Reds give up more bullshit hits then any team and seem to have more warning track shots than any team.  I just have no faith in anyone at the plate right now except maybe Cairo.  And if you asked anyone before the season where he would rank out of the 14 position players as far as hitters go, they'd probably tell you last, or next to last.  So ya, that's pathetic. 

Is there any hope that this team could turn it around?  I say no.  How could they?  No one has any confidence.  They have to jump three teams.  So even if they win a couple in a row, so will someone else, so they may gain on one team, but not necessarily in the division as a whole.  It's frustrating.  Do you all of a sudden see this team starting to hit?  And if they do start to hit, then the pitching will have to falter sooner or later because it actually has been pretty good lately.  A guy like Cueto can't keep it up all year can he?  History would say no.  History also would say that Bailey will get hurt again, Willis will get shelled after a few starts, and the bullpen will falter as the year goes on.

I just can't get the failure out of my head.  Bruce striking out on a 2-2 hanger with the bases loaded.  Other teams kill that pitch.  Not the Reds.  First and third Monday night with no one out.  1-3 putout, K, no runs.  Shit like that just doesn't happen.  Yet it's happening every damn game.  Hell, Dusty even said that some guys were missing signs on Monday night.  How are you missing signs when you are suppose to be digging deep and doing all you can to help the team win in a big series against the first place team.  It's unforgivable.

Will the coach try anything new?  Hell no.  It's the same damn lineup every night for the most part.  Heck, when the other team sees Rolen at six, Gomes at seven, Hanigan at eight, and the pitcher at nine, they have to be laughing to themselves.  And for God sakes, then you have Stubbs next, and maybe Renteria in the two hole.  That's damn near 6 automatic outs on some days.  Embarrassing. 

I wouldn't be surprised if they win 75 games and end up 12 games out, I really wouldn't.

POSITIVE THOUGHTS AND POINT OF VIEW

Ok, but lets look at this in a positive light and see what the future might hold.  The Reds are only 4.5 games out.  They play a hell of a lot of division games left and have been faring pretty well in the division minus the Pirates.  History tells us they should be able to turn it around against them.  The other teams in the division all have holes and don't seem like they are going to run away with this.  Four games out at the all star break.  You make up a half game a week and you're there, so it's not like you need to do it all in a week.

These past six games the Reds wen't 3-3 against the best two teams in the division at the time.  Granted you need to do better than .500 from now on, but 3-3 isn't the end of the world. 

Ten game homestand coming up. Then a 15 game stretch after that involving no teams with winning records.  It's there, it could happen.  Lets say they only go 6-4 on this homestand.  Then throw in a 9-6 on the 15 game stretch.  Suddenly you're 3 games over .500, on a roll a little bit, and probably only 2 or 3 games out with almost 40 games to go.  And who knows, maybe with a couple new players for the stretch run.  Wait, can someone snag that straw that just went floating by me?  Thanks.

Votto can only get better from here right?  Bruce should have another hot month right?  Stubbs will hit again right?  We can't be this bad with a runner on third with less than two outs right?  This stuff has to even out for a team with a good hitting past and the second to most runs in the division, right?

One game at a time sounds stupid, but in this case, it's true.  You can't get back into first in a week, it's still a long haul and there is still a lot of baseball to be played.  That's why some of us love baseball, because it's a marathon and the whole six month trip is fascinating and fun, feels like a roller coaster.  Sometimes you're just smiling, sometimes you feel like you are going to throw up, that's just the way it goes.  You just hope at the end you look at your friends and say, "Wow, that was worth it, let's just stay on and ride a little longer."  I hope to ride this one until October, and I think I will.

Til next time...

Curt

Ok, here's your hot girl of the day picture....Abby Clancy

Great Opening Game 7/15...

That's another walk off homer on Opening Day this year.  This time opening the second half of the season. 

Haley and I were at the game, lot's of emotions.  Lot's of idiot fans.  Lots and lots of Cardinals fans which was pretty surprising really.  I'll say a little more tonight after Game 2.  Just wanted to leave you with a picture of Heisey's catch on Pujols.  When he hit I looked at Haley and said, "That's ours."  Came up just short, look below, ha....

Til next time....

Curt

 

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All Douche Teams....

In honor of the All Star Teams, Mr. Brian Snodgrass and I have compiled our all Douche Teams.  Enjoy.

NL

Catcher - Yadier Molina
Don't really need an explanation, the guy is huge douchebag.
First Baseman - Mark Hamilton
Luckiest player ever, two hits against the Reds, went about 200 feet.  Douche.
Second Baseman - Darwin Barney
Nice name, loser.  And you look Asian and you're not.  Double douche.
Shortstop - Edgar Renteria
Wouldn't play third, can't play short, can't hit, thinks he's good.  Douchebag.
Third Baseman - Pablo Sandoval
Dude, your nickname is the Panda.  And you think it's cool.  Douchebag.
Left Fielder - Carlos Lee
You're fat, and you don't care, yet you have 100 million dollars, and don't try.
Center Fielder - Colby Rasmus
This guy just looks like a douchebag.  If you look that bad, then you win.
Right Fielder - Hunter Pence
No explanation needed again.  Can't stand this guy.  Definitely huge nerd in high school.
Starting Pitcher - Carlos Zambrano
Yell at your teammates, everyones fault but your own, ya, you're a douchebag.
Starting Pitcher - Madison Bumgarner
You're not a stripper or porn star?  Really?
Reliever - Tyler Clippard
Nice glasses douche.
Closer - Heath Bell
No one ever slides in the infield when they are ready to pitch, so you shouldn't either.  Douchebag.
Manager - Tony LaRussa
Nobody likes this guy.  No one.  Not even his douchebag all star team.

AL

Catcher - AJ Piersynzski
Everyone in the league hates this guy.  Rich Aurilia even told a whole story about it.  What a douchebag.
First Baseman - Justin Morneau
Who sits out four months with a concussion?  It's baseball.  Pussy.
Second Baseman - Howie Kendrick
Nice name.  You sure you aren't suppose to be a white redneck???
Shortstop - Asdrubal Cabrera
Another ridiculous name.  Ass dribble more like it.  And you aren't good either.  Ride your wave, loser.
Third Baseman - Alex Rodriguez
Nice purple lips.  You're ugly girlfriend feeds you popcorn on tv.  You suck.
Left Fielder - Grady Sizemore
I've seen those pictures with your shirt off, being taken in your bathroom with your own phone.  Dbag.
Center Fielder - BJ Upton
You think you are the shit, yet you aren't good.  No one wants you.  You don't get it, it's funny actually.
Right Fielder - JD Drew
Career underachiever.  Never seen a guy not care as much as him.  Get off of our tv.  Dbag.
Starting Pitcher - Jared Weaver
He may not be a douche, but if this were the all ugly team, he'd be the captain and the logo.
Starting Pitcher - Josh Beckett
You got hurt getting warmed up in the all star game?  Embarrassing.
Reliever - Brandon League
Nice neck tattoo.  That's it.
Closer - Jonathon Papelbon
You aren't tough.  You aren't.  Stop acting like it.  And you're ugly.  Douchebag.
Manager - Ron Washington
Just because it doesn't say you can't do coke on your contract, doesn't mean you can do coke as a manager.

That is all.  Wait, need a hot chic pic?  Ok, here you go....

Curt

Recap 7/10...

Not sure what to say.  The team is losing it.  Heck, I wasn't even phased by this loss.  It's like I've slowly become immune to it because it is becoming an everyday occurence. 

Ya, Cordero is blowing games and it is scary, but just last week people were saying he got snubbed from the all star game, so we can't just all of a sudden say he sucks and needs to go, it doesn't work that way.

Looked like there was a lot of dogging it going on in today's game.  That is also scary, because that doesn't happen when you are doing all you can to help the team win and earn the respect from your coach.  Stubbs didn't try to get to third in the second inning, then he barely made it home as he quit a few steps short of the plate.  On that double down the line you could see Phillips just jogging to get in line for the relay, Bruce threw it right down the line, Phillips had to sprint to get it which threw him off balance and caused a late throw.  You have to be there waiting to get set for a good relay, not jogging to the spot, cmon now.  Then there was Bruce jogging on his hit off the fence, and getting hosed at third when he should have been standing up.  And don't get me started on my boy Hernandez.  I like him, but holy shit, give some effort buddy.

It's just so demoralizing when you could have, and should have won three of those four games.  If you do that, you are two games above .500 and feeling really good about yourself right now.  Instead, we are all worried.  I don't want this season to end soon, no one does, but especially without football, we need this pennant race.

Still only four games out with a lot of games left.  So it's not the end of the world. If someone does get hot though, you better be ready to get hot yourselves, or you'll be left in the dust.

And please please stop saying you hope the Pirates make it if the Reds can't get it done.  Do you realize what you are saying????  Pittsburgh??  You want those piece of shit fans to be happy?  You better retract that right now.  You root against them more than the other teams, please, for the love of God.


How about that soccer game huh?  Awesome.  Those bitches flopping was the worst thing I've ever seen, but what are you going to do?  It's part of the game of soccer, it's pathetic.  I read a tweet today that was really funny, I can't take credit, it wasn't me, but it read...."#13 on Brazil, Erika, just had one of the greatest medical recoveries in the history of modern medicine"....ha.  How awful was that?  She lays down, gets strapped on the stretcher, jumps off, runs back on the field, her teammates give her slaps on the back as if to say good job.  Wow.  Everyone in that building wanted the Brazilians to lose.  And by golly, it happened, and it was awesome.


British Open week.  I have Ishikawa and Oosthuizen.


Think this lockout will be over with this week?  Man I hope so.  Need something to get excited about.


Til next time....

Curt

Remember this....?

Quaker State 400 Recap....

Ten things about my first NASCAR race in person....

1. Traffic was insane.  We were 21 miles out on I-71 and were dead stopped.  Took over two hours to get to about 4 miles out, then we finally moved and did some illegal Uies and finally parked in some farm house yard.  Not quite a total of four hours to go about 70 miles.

2.  Loud, but not quite as loud as I thought.

3.  Shit load of people there, over 120 grand.

4.  Super boring race.  Not one wreck involving more than one car.  And I think there was only one spin out.

5.  Lines were awful for the bathrooms and concession stands.

6.  The COLD BEER sign should have been taken down because the beers were certainly not cold.

7.  I will say though that it was exciting at times.  The cars go super fast, it looks cool under the lights.  It wasn't awful by any means, just wasn't full of excitement at all.

8.  One thing I noticed was that we walked for about 45 minutes back to car after the race, and I don't know how many people we walked by, but not one person was talking about the race.  That says it all to me.

9.  Most fun I had is when I saw some loser wearing a Steelers jersey and I yelled, NICE FUCKING STEELERS JERSEY LOSER!!!  People laughed.

10.  I rated my experience about a 6.5 and that's mostly because I had fun hanging out with Lakostik and his step dad, not so much the race.

Til next time....

Curt

Reds Recap 7/8....

I think this might officially be rock bottom boys.  You can't lose games like that.  I really dont' know what to say.  I almost feel a little unphased for some reason.  Like it's expected and it's not a good team anyway.  I hate it, but it's how I feel.

Go fuck yourself Brewers.

Curt

Thoughts on 7/7...

So Cozart gets called up.  I'm cool with that.  I think the plan is to play him a little more than half of the games and Renteria the rest.  The hope is for Renteria to do well and maybe be able to trade him for something, anything.  Then when Janish gets it figured out to the point that he is at least salvagable, bring him back up and go with Cozart and Janish.  Then again a trade could still be in the works, but I really doubt it.

Reds are probably going to lose this game and fall below .500 again.  How depressing.  I'm like seriously bored watching the games.  Something needs to be done to snap out of this funk, for the team, the fans, the organization, everyone.

Come on NFL, get this thing done.  I keep hoping I go to ESPN.com and it just has the biggest picture of Goodell and Smith shaking hands.  Can you imagine the excitement if this gets done in the next week?  Free agency will go wild, banter will be off the charts, fantasy leagues will be drafting, trades, just nonstop action.  I think it will be so awesome that everyone will hope it would be like that every year.  The NFL annoys me with the offseason talk about who is better and what each team needs.  If it was just one month of talk, it would be so much better.

NBA is in big trouble.  Players talking about playing somewhere else until the lockout is over, ha.  Nightmare.

Haley is beating me in the Tour de France Fantasy League.  She may have some insider information.  And she probably doesn't even know she is winning.

Shot a 77 Monday at Elks.  4 birdies, an eagle, tripled the 17th.  Played too well to finish with such an average score.  I'll take it though.  Only the third time out all year.

I'll give you one story from last weekend.  John Nagel claiming he could jump the length of Klose's pool and dunk.  Didn't make it of course.  After we told him it was impossible, he then decided he was going to jump over the basket and dunk it on the way down.  It's about a 5 foot leap.  The chances of him doing that were about zero.  I thought it was so dumb that I blocked a shot so hard it hit his wife right in the face.  Had to teach the whole family a lesson right?  Kidding, I didn't try it, and I'm sorry, ha.

Dusty must go chants and blogs about to start?  Probably.  Not fair or warranted but they'll start.

Going to the NASCAR Sprint Cup race on Saturday.  Should I wear cut off jean shorts?  Any other rednecking things I should do?

British Open in six days.  I got money on Oosthuizen and Ishikawa.  Going with the longshots I guess. 

Til next time....

Curt

Reds Recap 7/3...

Some super quick thoughts. 

Great game by Renteria.  If I had to guess, the Reds have been playing him more because they want to trade him if at all possible instead of cutting him.  Either way, he'll be gone and Cozart will be up in the near future.  If they can send him to a contender and get a single A guy for him, then great, do it. 

Two games out and only one game over .500.  Are they underachieving?  Absolutely, but any way you look at it, they are still in a pennant race.  So it's go time.

Tough seven game roady coming up.  Here is how the outcomes could go...

7-0  Unbelievable, not really possible, would get the Reds craze going to new heights.
6-1  Awesome, could damn near put them in first and make a good trade possible for the stretch run.
5-2  Great roady, right where they would want to be.
4-3  Should be the goal, that is what they want from this trip.
3-4  Honestly, acceptable.  I don't want to see it, but it wouldn't be the worst.
2-5  Piss poor, people will be jumping off of buildings.
1-6  Trade everyone, fire sale, I hate the Reds, Dusty needs to go, blah blah blah.
0-7  Reds are sellers, people are selling tickets, everyone is a scapegoat, lets talk about 2012.

Huge roady here.  Need to start moving forward instead of falling back.  But right now, staying pat would be ok under the circumstances.  I hope I still want to talk about the Reds in a week.  I think I will.


Til next time...

Curt