Cincinnati Sports News and Commentary
About Me
- Gary Schatz
- I am a freelance writer and a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America. 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.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
UC Rolling at Nippert
D.J. Wood scored on a reverse from 18-yards out to stake the Bearcats to a 14-0 lead with 8:20 left in the first quarter.
The Rivalry is On at Nippert
D.J Wood made a nice return on the opening kickoff and two plays later Zach Collaros hit Armon Binns with a 40-yard touchdown pass. Twenty-five seconds into the game UC leads Miami, 7-0.
Cueto Holds Reds Fate
Johnny Cueto is 24 years old. The fate of the 141-year old Cincinnati franchise is riding on his powerful right arm.
"Well, Johnny Cueto has been excellent at home here. And if not, it's kinda "Johnny Whole Staff" tomorrow and the next day," Dusty Baker said. "We can't afford to get behind. We need to get ahead. I have confidence in Johnny Cueto. If not, he would not be starting. He's a young man that's hungry. He's a young man that's been through a lot in his short lifetime, so we got a lot of confidence in Johnny Cueto."
Cueto through interpreter Thomas Vera said, "I am going to through my game."
"Pitching in the playoffs is the same just more noise and more people in the stands. It's the same game. My arm feels strong. I just have to concentrate and keep the ball down."
Cueto last pitched the day after the Reds clinched the division on September 29, 10 days ago.
This season against Philadelphia, he is 1-0 with a win on June 28. He pitched eight innings and allowed one run on six hits. He also pitched six innings in Philadelphia allowing one earned run in seven innings on four hits.
Reds Have No Choice and A Slim Chance
Dusty Baker took a fatalistic approach to his team's 0-2 predicament in the National League Division Series.
"We have no choice," Baker said. "It is a tough spot, but it's not impossible. All things are possible through faith and perseverance. I've been in this situation, down 2-1, down three with three to go. In 1980, Arroyo I think was in Boston when they were down 3-0 in a best of seven, and they came back and won four."
"We have no choice," Baker said. "It is a tough spot, but it's not impossible. All things are possible through faith and perseverance. I've been in this situation, down 2-1, down three with three to go. In 1980, Arroyo I think was in Boston when they were down 3-0 in a best of seven, and they came back and won four."
"Like I said yesterday, the hardest thing is to win one. And you win one, and you got yourself some action. And we've got our backs up against the wall, but this club performs well with our backs up against the wall. That's the kind of club we have. I wish we didn't always have our backs against the wall, but, you know, we've been there before, not necessarily in elimination, but we're just trying to get one."
Cabrera's Status In Question
Orlando Cabrera called the trainer this morning according to Dusty Baker.
"He said that he was better," Baker said. "It has been bothering him for awhile now. It's going to be tough for him to play."
Cabrera missed 27 games with a strained left oblique from August 3 to September 3. He aggravated it Friday night in Philadelphia and had to leave the Reds 7-4 loss in the fifth inning.
"We haven't made a decision," Baker said. "We are going to wait until the last minute."
The Reds sent rookie Chris Valaika to Arizona to work out for just this type of contingency. He is flying in from Goodyear. The Reds would lose Cabrera for the next round if they choose to replace him.
"We have to worry about getting to the next round," Baker said. "It will be tough for us to play short."
"He said that he was better," Baker said. "It has been bothering him for awhile now. It's going to be tough for him to play."
Cabrera missed 27 games with a strained left oblique from August 3 to September 3. He aggravated it Friday night in Philadelphia and had to leave the Reds 7-4 loss in the fifth inning.
"We haven't made a decision," Baker said. "We are going to wait until the last minute."
The Reds sent rookie Chris Valaika to Arizona to work out for just this type of contingency. He is flying in from Goodyear. The Reds would lose Cabrera for the next round if they choose to replace him.
"We have to worry about getting to the next round," Baker said. "It will be tough for us to play short."
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Aroldis Chapman Gets to Face His Childhood Hero
Aroldis Chapman has never met Jose Contreras, the 39-year old reliever for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Contreras was the Cuban National Team's best pitcher when Chapman was a boy. He watched him on TV,
"When I was a kid and watching baseball, I saw Jose. I liked the way he threw. I liked the way he pitched," Chapman said through an interpreter on media day in Philadelphia. I was impressed with the number of pitches he had and the quality of the pitches he had. He was the best in Cuba."
Contreras was a starter when he first appeared in the Major Leagues after defecting from Cuba in 2003 with the New York Yankees. He was the ace of the Chicago White Sox World Championship team in 2005 with a 15-7 record. He won a world series game against the Houston Astros.
This will be his fourth trip to the playoffs. He was with the Yankees in 2003, White Sox in 2005 and the Colorado Rockies last season.
This season with the Phillies, Contreras has appeared in 67 games all in relief with a 6-4 record and 3.34 ERA. He contributed four saves.
Chapman became the most watched player in baseball this spring after he signed with the Reds in January. He needed to work on some things and become acclimated to life in the United States. The Reds sent him to Louisville as a starting pitcher but with the huge success of the Reds starting rotation this season, the Reds felt he could be valuable pitching from the bullpen.
"My teammates in Louisville helped me out with a lot of things," Chapman said. "The same thing when I came to the Reds. I received a lot of help from my teammates. I feel very lucky that I got to be part of the celebration."
Contreras was the Cuban National Team's best pitcher when Chapman was a boy. He watched him on TV,
"When I was a kid and watching baseball, I saw Jose. I liked the way he threw. I liked the way he pitched," Chapman said through an interpreter on media day in Philadelphia. I was impressed with the number of pitches he had and the quality of the pitches he had. He was the best in Cuba."
Contreras was a starter when he first appeared in the Major Leagues after defecting from Cuba in 2003 with the New York Yankees. He was the ace of the Chicago White Sox World Championship team in 2005 with a 15-7 record. He won a world series game against the Houston Astros.
This will be his fourth trip to the playoffs. He was with the Yankees in 2003, White Sox in 2005 and the Colorado Rockies last season.
This season with the Phillies, Contreras has appeared in 67 games all in relief with a 6-4 record and 3.34 ERA. He contributed four saves.
Chapman became the most watched player in baseball this spring after he signed with the Reds in January. He needed to work on some things and become acclimated to life in the United States. The Reds sent him to Louisville as a starting pitcher but with the huge success of the Reds starting rotation this season, the Reds felt he could be valuable pitching from the bullpen.
"My teammates in Louisville helped me out with a lot of things," Chapman said. "The same thing when I came to the Reds. I received a lot of help from my teammates. I feel very lucky that I got to be part of the celebration."
Monday, October 4, 2010
Travis Wood Comes A Long Way
The Philadelphia Inquirer hired a freelance writer to do a story on Aroldis Chapman. His signing sent a buzz throughout the baseball world.
But Travis Wood came up through the organization with the quiet calm that depicts his personality. He has confidence in himself and is very intense but is not one to stand out.
Major League scouts prefer tall pitchers that throw the ball on a downward plane to induce ground balls.
Wood is 5' 11' and 163 pounds. He is hard to pick Wood out in the clubhouse unless he has his uniform on.
Reds pitching coach, Bryan Price, had never seen him before Wood reported to Goodyear, Arizona as the Reds pitching coach.
"He was the first guy that caught my eye when he came out early to Goodyear. I had never seen him before. Obviously, he was on the radar because he was the organization pitcher of the year. Having a chance to watch him before spring training even started. I could see he would probably pitch here. It is beyond good stuff. He has great deception," Price said.
Wood nearly made the team out of spring training but Mike Leake was chosen and pitched well early in the season. Wood made his debut in Chicago on July 1. He pitched seven innings and allowed just two runs on two hits. He pitched into the ninth inning with a perfect game in Philadelphia, the Reds opponent in the playoffs.
"I can't say I anticipated the kind of start he got off to in Chicago and Philadelphia, going out there and having a perfect game through eight innings in Philadelphia but I certainly felt he was capable of being a good player."
Wood was asked in spring training (http://www.redsspringtraining.blogspot.com) if he thought he could make the team. He always believed he would have a chance. He continued to believe in himself when he was sent to Louisville in favor of Leake. Now Leake has been shut down for the year but Wood is likely to pitch in the playoffs.
"I thought I had a good chance out of spring," Wood said. "They went with Leake but I thought I threw well for them. I went to Louisville and got my stuff together. Now, I'm here and I'm going to do everything that I can for them."
"It's amazing. It's been a great year. I couldn't ask for much more," Wood said as he rushed to the field for the 1 p.m. workout before the team leaves for Philadelphia.
But Travis Wood came up through the organization with the quiet calm that depicts his personality. He has confidence in himself and is very intense but is not one to stand out.
Major League scouts prefer tall pitchers that throw the ball on a downward plane to induce ground balls.
Wood is 5' 11' and 163 pounds. He is hard to pick Wood out in the clubhouse unless he has his uniform on.
Reds pitching coach, Bryan Price, had never seen him before Wood reported to Goodyear, Arizona as the Reds pitching coach.
"He was the first guy that caught my eye when he came out early to Goodyear. I had never seen him before. Obviously, he was on the radar because he was the organization pitcher of the year. Having a chance to watch him before spring training even started. I could see he would probably pitch here. It is beyond good stuff. He has great deception," Price said.
Wood nearly made the team out of spring training but Mike Leake was chosen and pitched well early in the season. Wood made his debut in Chicago on July 1. He pitched seven innings and allowed just two runs on two hits. He pitched into the ninth inning with a perfect game in Philadelphia, the Reds opponent in the playoffs.
"I can't say I anticipated the kind of start he got off to in Chicago and Philadelphia, going out there and having a perfect game through eight innings in Philadelphia but I certainly felt he was capable of being a good player."
Wood was asked in spring training (http://www.redsspringtraining.blogspot.com) if he thought he could make the team. He always believed he would have a chance. He continued to believe in himself when he was sent to Louisville in favor of Leake. Now Leake has been shut down for the year but Wood is likely to pitch in the playoffs.
"I thought I had a good chance out of spring," Wood said. "They went with Leake but I thought I threw well for them. I went to Louisville and got my stuff together. Now, I'm here and I'm going to do everything that I can for them."
"It's amazing. It's been a great year. I couldn't ask for much more," Wood said as he rushed to the field for the 1 p.m. workout before the team leaves for Philadelphia.
Dusty Baker Signs a Two-Year Contract Extension
Two years ago in Sarasota, Dusty Baker took a look at the raggedy clubhouse staffers such as Elder grad, Rick Stowe and decided they needed a wardrobe makeover.
He bought the staff suits for travel. He told noone. They had to keep them for two years.
"Hey man this we're going to the playoffs dude," Baker told them at the time. "I added some more guys here."
"He ordered them in Sarasota, and said 'You'll need these'" said Stowe, who looked surprisingly good in a Colerain T-shirt after losing a bet earlier in the football season.
On the day the Reds announced that Baker's contract was extended two years, the suits were hanging ready for a trip to Philadelphia.
"I want them all clean, looking good, representing and believing that we're going places," Baker said.
Bob Castellini turned the microphone over to General Manager, Walt Jocketty to make the announcement.
"With the success we've had this year and really the last couple years, today under the leadership of Dusty, we've got here to the playoffs sooner than we thought. A lot of it is due in part to Dusty's leadership and his staff. It's a great situation for this organization to be in the playoffs. We believe that we are in position to be in the playoffs for many years to come," Jocketty said. "Dusty has agreed a two-year contract extension. We have also offered his coaches a two-year contract extension."
"Dusty, we are very pleased. You've done a terrific job. If all goes well, you might have another Manager of the Year Award."
"I want to thank Bob Castellini for having the faith in me to lead this team. It always good to have someone else have faith in you, as you have faith in yourself. I'm happy. My family is happy. People are going to ask me why two years so I'm going to answer that before you ask. I'm not too superstitious but I've had my best success when, I've signed a two-year contract," Baker said. "I don't know why I just have."
The coaches were just offered extension a couple days ago.
"It is important to have continuity," Baker said. "You have to have continuity of staff before you have continuity of team. You have to have continuity of staff, trainers, ground crew, everybody. I expect them back."
He bought the staff suits for travel. He told noone. They had to keep them for two years.
"Hey man this we're going to the playoffs dude," Baker told them at the time. "I added some more guys here."
"He ordered them in Sarasota, and said 'You'll need these'" said Stowe, who looked surprisingly good in a Colerain T-shirt after losing a bet earlier in the football season.
On the day the Reds announced that Baker's contract was extended two years, the suits were hanging ready for a trip to Philadelphia.
"I want them all clean, looking good, representing and believing that we're going places," Baker said.
Bob Castellini turned the microphone over to General Manager, Walt Jocketty to make the announcement.
"With the success we've had this year and really the last couple years, today under the leadership of Dusty, we've got here to the playoffs sooner than we thought. A lot of it is due in part to Dusty's leadership and his staff. It's a great situation for this organization to be in the playoffs. We believe that we are in position to be in the playoffs for many years to come," Jocketty said. "Dusty has agreed a two-year contract extension. We have also offered his coaches a two-year contract extension."
"Dusty, we are very pleased. You've done a terrific job. If all goes well, you might have another Manager of the Year Award."
"I want to thank Bob Castellini for having the faith in me to lead this team. It always good to have someone else have faith in you, as you have faith in yourself. I'm happy. My family is happy. People are going to ask me why two years so I'm going to answer that before you ask. I'm not too superstitious but I've had my best success when, I've signed a two-year contract," Baker said. "I don't know why I just have."
The coaches were just offered extension a couple days ago.
"It is important to have continuity," Baker said. "You have to have continuity of staff before you have continuity of team. You have to have continuity of staff, trainers, ground crew, everybody. I expect them back."
Jay Bruce is Named NL Player of the Week
Jay Bruce was named National League player of the week. He hit .444 for the week with four home runs and five RBI, including the ninth inning blast on Tuesday that clinched the National League Central Division for the Reds.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Harang's Sad Farewell
No crying in baseball eh. Don't tell Aaron Harang. The big hulking 6'8" gentle giant most likely has pitched his last game as a Red.
Harang was a young pitcher just reaching his prime when the Reds sent Jose Guillen to Oakland for Harang. That deal came at the end of the 2003 season, engineered by Brad Kuhlman, who was an interim GM after Jim Bowden's firing.
The big righthander became the ace of a team three two seasons into its streak of nine straight losing seasons. He won 53 games in his first four seasons and this spring made the Opening Day start for the fifth straight year.
The last three season have been rough. He won six games all three years but suffered 17,14 and 7 losses.
When the Reds decided that Edinson Volquez was going to Open the playoffs, he was scratched from Sunday's start and Harang was given the last day assignment. It is likely that the former ace will not be able to pitch in the postseason and it hurts.
Stopping to wipe tears from his face Harang knew that he may be left out of the postseason and worse may not be back next year. The Reds have an option for next year. If they exercise the option they have to pay him $12.5 million or they can buy it out for $2 million which makes more financials sense, since they have built a stable of good young pitchers.
"I don't really know. I guess. You just kinda know in a way but just, sorry, for me and my family. My daughter always grew up here. Besides regular home, this is the only place she's known. It's tough. God I thought I'd never do this but its not completely over yet so we'll see what happens," he said through the tears.
They crowd cheered him as he walked off the field, a blister on his right middle finger that prevented him from throwing anything other than fastballs.
"That made it tough," he sobbed. "You never ever hoped it would end that way. It is what it is. Those people were paying attention. You have to give them credit for that. We've been here for the good and the bad. A lot more of the bad. We got it turned around. Hopefully we can keep it going. It's been a tough seven years but its been an enjoyable seven years. The city has been good to me. It's just, I'll definitely miss it here. Cincinnati has a place in the back of my heart. You never know what's going to happen."
His language indicates that he feels the run is over here in Cincinnati. The pronoun has changed from we to they.
"The you group of guys and the new players that they have, you know the guys that they have that will be here for the future, you definitely see that change. They just have to keep it going," Harang continued.
Dusty Baker has empathy and appreciation for what Harang has been through.
"I wanted to give him the ball personally today," Baker said. "It's been a tough three years for him. I wanted to get him to 7-7. He hurt his finger a couple days ago and he didn't like the way it healed but he wanted the ball. You like his attitude."
Baker has not ruled Harang out completely. He told Carlos Fisher, Chris Valaika, Matt Maloney, who got the win Sunday, Sam LeCure and Jordan Smith that they are going to Arizona to work out and be ready for later rounds of the playoffs.
"We haven't set our roster yet. Harang is not going home and he's not going to Arizona," Baker said.
There were some personal goals that were reached on this last day.
Jay Bruce hit his 25th home run and drove in his 70th run. Drew Stubbs stole his 30th base and Francisco Cordero saved his 40th game.
"It means a lot to me," Cordero said. "I am happy the way I finished the last five or six outings. I had two or three times this season with some bumps in the road, so that is a pretty good number."
Harang was a young pitcher just reaching his prime when the Reds sent Jose Guillen to Oakland for Harang. That deal came at the end of the 2003 season, engineered by Brad Kuhlman, who was an interim GM after Jim Bowden's firing.
The big righthander became the ace of a team three two seasons into its streak of nine straight losing seasons. He won 53 games in his first four seasons and this spring made the Opening Day start for the fifth straight year.
The last three season have been rough. He won six games all three years but suffered 17,14 and 7 losses.
When the Reds decided that Edinson Volquez was going to Open the playoffs, he was scratched from Sunday's start and Harang was given the last day assignment. It is likely that the former ace will not be able to pitch in the postseason and it hurts.
Stopping to wipe tears from his face Harang knew that he may be left out of the postseason and worse may not be back next year. The Reds have an option for next year. If they exercise the option they have to pay him $12.5 million or they can buy it out for $2 million which makes more financials sense, since they have built a stable of good young pitchers.
"I don't really know. I guess. You just kinda know in a way but just, sorry, for me and my family. My daughter always grew up here. Besides regular home, this is the only place she's known. It's tough. God I thought I'd never do this but its not completely over yet so we'll see what happens," he said through the tears.
They crowd cheered him as he walked off the field, a blister on his right middle finger that prevented him from throwing anything other than fastballs.
"That made it tough," he sobbed. "You never ever hoped it would end that way. It is what it is. Those people were paying attention. You have to give them credit for that. We've been here for the good and the bad. A lot more of the bad. We got it turned around. Hopefully we can keep it going. It's been a tough seven years but its been an enjoyable seven years. The city has been good to me. It's just, I'll definitely miss it here. Cincinnati has a place in the back of my heart. You never know what's going to happen."
His language indicates that he feels the run is over here in Cincinnati. The pronoun has changed from we to they.
"The you group of guys and the new players that they have, you know the guys that they have that will be here for the future, you definitely see that change. They just have to keep it going," Harang continued.
Dusty Baker has empathy and appreciation for what Harang has been through.
"I wanted to give him the ball personally today," Baker said. "It's been a tough three years for him. I wanted to get him to 7-7. He hurt his finger a couple days ago and he didn't like the way it healed but he wanted the ball. You like his attitude."
Baker has not ruled Harang out completely. He told Carlos Fisher, Chris Valaika, Matt Maloney, who got the win Sunday, Sam LeCure and Jordan Smith that they are going to Arizona to work out and be ready for later rounds of the playoffs.
"We haven't set our roster yet. Harang is not going home and he's not going to Arizona," Baker said.
There were some personal goals that were reached on this last day.
Jay Bruce hit his 25th home run and drove in his 70th run. Drew Stubbs stole his 30th base and Francisco Cordero saved his 40th game.
"It means a lot to me," Cordero said. "I am happy the way I finished the last five or six outings. I had two or three times this season with some bumps in the road, so that is a pretty good number."
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