I am a freelance writer. I've covered the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals and others since 1992.
I have a background in sales as well. I've sold consumer electronics, advertising and consumer package goods for companies ranging from the now defunct Circuit City to Procter&Gamble.
I have worked as a stats operator for Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joe and Colerain High School.
Reds' fans have been more than a little upset that the team that won 97 games in 2012 was shutout of the individual awards.
Johnny Cueto and Aroldis Chapman received votes for the Cy Young Award for the National League's best pitcher. None of the six finalists for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, Joey Votto, Zack Cozart, Drew Stubbs, Bronson Arroyo, Jay Bruce and most notably, Brandon Phillips won at their respective position. Dusty Baker finished second to former Cincinnati manager, Davey Johnson, for the Manager of the Year Award. Todd Frazier finished third in the Rookie of the Year vote.
Only Jay Bruce scored a victory with a Silver Slugger Award as the best hitting right fielder in the National League.
But the organization as a whole was redeemed when Baseball America named the Cincinnati Reds the 2012 Organization of the Year.
It is a fitting award that was more than one year in the making. Walt Jockety, who has been criticized for not obtaining a prototypical leadoff hitter or cleanup hitter, has filled the mostly home-grown Reds with some key free agents and minor trades.
It is no secret that the Reds cannot out-spend organizations like the Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees, New York Mets or the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Reds must develop its players through its minor league operations. The Reds have done just that, culminating in a season that ended in disappointment but won the second most games in the Major Leagues, eclipsing every one but the Washington Nationals. The Nationals had the luxury of signing the first players in the draft two season in a row.
The Reds won more than the Yankees, Mets and Red Sox, who had the luxury of throwing a lot of money at its roster.
The core of the Reds' 2012 squad was developed through the minor leagues. Joey Votto, Drew Stubbs, Zack Cozart, Chris Heisey, Devin Mesoraco, Frazier and Ryan Hanigan are all products of the minor leaugue system.
Cueto, Mike Leake and Homer Bailey were also products of the minor league system that took the mound as part of the starting rotation. Mat Latos was obtained in a trade but the price was paid with Cincinnati's home grown talent. Only Bronson Arroyo was picked up in a trade.
Jocketty signed Aroldis Chapman, obtained Scott Rolen in a trade and signed Ryan Ludwick as a free agent. The three were key players in the Reds ascent to the top of the Central Division.
The Reds have also developed depth in the minor league system with the likes of Henry Rodriguez, Didi Gregorius, Denis Phipps,Tony Cingrani, Daniel Corcino, Neftali Soto and Billy Hamilton knocking on the Major League door.
Professionally edited by ML Schirmer
for proofreading services call
513-240-3120
No comments:
Post a Comment