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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Dispatch
6/7/06
6/7/06
Reds continue down Texas trail in draft
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Jim Massie
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
<!--PHOTOS--><TABLE class=phototableright align=right border=0><!-- begin large ad code --><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE align=center><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle></IMG> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cutline width=200>University of Texas outfielder Drew Stubbs is the fourth straight player taken by the Reds in the first round who hails from the Lone Star State. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
The Cincinnati Reds returned to familiar territory in the baseball draft yesterday by selecting University of Texas center fielder Drew Stubbs with the eighth pick in the first round. It marked the fourth consecutive season that Cincinnati has taken a Texan in the first round.
During a teleconference, Stubbs, 21, indicated that he wasn’t surprised that the Reds chose him. His adviser, Ryan Ware, called with the news before the team contacted him.
"Actually, I think I’ve been their target for a number of months now," Stubbs said. "I was looking to go as high as possible. Eighth is a very good spot for me. I won’t be a problem to sign at all. I’m excited to be a Red."
Baseball America rated Stubbs, 21, as the best all-around college player in the draft and the top defensive prospect. The persistent question following the right-handed speedster is his bat. He hit .342 with 12 home runs and 58 RBI for the Longhorns this season, but he struck out 60 times in 243 at-bats.
"That’s something that I think can be cured with the more at-bats I get," Stubbs said. "I don’t consider myself a guy that is a big power hitter that either hits a home run or strikes out. I think my development over the next few years will cure a lot of those problems."
Stubbs was a four-sport star at Atlanta High School in Atlanta, Texas. He lettered in baseball, football, basketball and track.
"I took a lot of pride in being good in all of those," he said. "I’ve always considered myself an all-around athlete, but baseball always has been my passion. I would say my best attribute is probably my speed. It gives me an advantage over a majority of players, the way I can change a game with my legs."
The Houston Astros drafted Stubbs in the third round in 2003. Negotiations fell apart late and he enrolled at Texas, where he became a three-year starter and an academic All-American.
The Texas theme began for the Reds in 2003 when they chose right-handed reliever Ryan Wagner from the University of Houston. In ’04, the Reds took pitcher Homer Bailey out of LaGrange High School with the seventh overall pick. Last year, Cincinnati opted for high-school center fielder Jay Bruce out of Beaumont, Texas, with the 12 th overall selection.
The Reds chose Sean Watson, a right-handed relief pitcher from the University of Tennessee, in the second round and shortstop Christopher Valaika from UC-Santa Barbara in the third.
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I guess I should've mentioned Phillips as well. Chase Utley will be the starter, but Phillips has a chance to get in if he keeps going strong.
I'm not so sure about Lopez though I think there's a definite top tier and second tier when it comes to NL shortstops so far this year, and Lopez heads up that second tier. Edgar Renteria is back (both back in the NL, and back to being a premier SS.) and Vizquel is having a helluva year. There's also Bill Hall in Milwaukee and Hanley Ramirez in Florida, are putting up better numbers than Lopez.
NL Shortstops Year To Date Sortable Stats <table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"><tbody><tr class="bg4" align="center"><td>Player</td><td>Team</td><td>P</td><td>GP</td><td>GS</td><td>AVG</td><td>AB</td><td>R</td><td>H</td><td>2B</td><td>3B</td><td>HR</td><td>RBI</td><td>TB</td><td>BB</td><td>SO</td><td>SB</td><td>CS</td><td>SH</td><td>SF</td><td>OBP</td><td>SLG</td><td>OPS</td><td>HBP</td></tr><tr class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td align="left">B. Hall</td><td align="center">MIL</td><td align="center">SS</td><td>50</td><td>45</td><td>.264</td><td>178</td><td>33</td><td>47</td><td>13</td><td>3</td><td>12</td><td>27</td><td>102</td><td>15</td><td>52</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>.318</td><td>.573</td><td bgcolor="#d0d0d0">0.891</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td align="left">E. Renteria</td><td align="center">ATL</td><td align="center">SS</td><td>49</td><td>48</td><td>.320</td><td>200</td><td>34</td><td>64</td><td>11</td><td>0</td><td>6</td><td>24</td><td>93</td><td>25</td><td>24</td><td>6</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>.401</td><td>.465</td><td bgcolor="#d0d0d0">0.866</td><td>2</td></tr><tr class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td align="left">O. Vizquel</td><td align="center">SF</td><td align="center">SS</td><td>55</td><td>53</td><td>.316</td><td>193</td><td>40</td><td>61</td><td>7</td><td>4</td><td>3</td><td>22</td><td>85</td><td>32</td><td>11</td><td>7</td><td>4</td><td>5</td><td>5</td><td>.412</td><td>.440</td><td bgcolor="#d0d0d0">0.852</td><td>3</td></tr><tr class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td align="left">H. Ramirez</td><td align="center">FLA</td><td align="center">SS</td><td>53</td><td>50</td><td>.303</td><td>211</td><td>47</td><td>64</td><td>15</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>19</td><td>98</td><td>20</td><td>51</td><td>17</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>.369</td><td>.464</td><td bgcolor="#d0d0d0">0.833</td><td>2</td></tr><tr class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td align="left">D. Jackson</td><td align="center">WAS</td><td align="center">SS</td><td>36</td><td>15</td><td>.250</td><td>68</td><td>12</td><td>17</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>4</td><td>8</td><td>35</td><td>5</td><td>15</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>.311</td><td>.515</td><td bgcolor="#d0d0d0">0.826</td><td>1</td></tr><tr class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td align="left">F. Lopez</td><td align="center">CIN</td><td align="center">SS</td><td>58</td><td>56</td><td>.286</td><td>238</td><td>41</td><td>68</td><td>11</td><td>1</td><td>6</td><td>23</td><td>99</td><td>31</td><td>43</td><td>16</td><td>5</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>.368</td><td>.416</td><td bgcolor="#d0d0d0">0.784</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td align="left">J. Wilson</td><td align="center">PIT</td><td align="center">SS</td><td>52</td><td>48</td><td>.293</td><td>198</td><td>27</td><td>58</td><td>12</td><td>0</td><td>5</td><td>19</td><td>85</td><td>10</td><td>20</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>5</td><td>2</td><td>.327</td><td>.429</td><td bgcolor="#d0d0d0">0.756</td><td>1</td></tr><tr class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td align="left">D. Eckstein</td><td align="center">STL</td><td align="center">SS</td><td>57</td><td>57</td><td>.316</td><td>234</td><td>36</td><td>74</td><td>8</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>15</td><td>87</td><td>17</td><td>15</td><td>4</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>.383</td><td>.372</td><td bgcolor="#d0d0d0">0.755</td><td>10</td></tr></tbody></table>
Those are the top shortstops in the NL, ranked by OPS. You can throw out Damian Jackson, because of his low number of ABs. Lopez is having a good season again, but there are better guys out there this year.
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You'd think I'd regret that last comment, but it's worth it. Besides, my girlfriend and her employer have a suite for Friday's game. Her boss and all her coworkers will be there, and I'm not allowed in as a guest. I guess I'll just have to put on a show instead!
Great win, great series, and great road trip!!!!! GO REDS!!!!!
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crazybuckfan40
Head Coach
First time they swept the Stros and Cards on the road in the same season since 1995. It has been a long time coming and hopefully we can keep up our domination of the central we have had so far this season.
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First place baby! Go Redlegs.
Anyone else get worried when they heard Jr.'s quad was injured.
He should be back by the weekend though.
Anyone else get worried when they heard Jr.'s quad was injured.
He should be back by the weekend though.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Dispatch
6/8/06
6/8/06
REDS 7 CARDINALS 4
Reds sweep Cards, move into tie for first
Thursday, June 08, 2006
R . B . Fallstrom
ASSOCIATED PRESS
<!--PHOTOS--><TABLE class=phototableright align=right border=0><!-- begin large ad code --><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE align=center><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle></IMG> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=credit width=200>TOM GANNAN ASSOCIATED PRESS </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cutline width=200>Cincinnati’s Felipe Lopez steals second in front of St. Louis’ David Eckstein in the fifth inning. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
ST. LOUIS — The Cincinnati Reds kicked the St. Louis Cardinals when they were down, sweeping a team missing Albert Pujols.
Rich Aurilia matched career highs with four hits and five RBI last night, leading the Reds to a 7-4 victory that pulled them into a tie for first place with the Cardinals in the National League Central.
"Honestly, we need to pounce on them no matter who they’ve got out there, whether they had him or brought Musial back or whoever," said Aurilia, whose three-run homer off Tyler Johnson in the sixth inning made it 7-0. "Does it hurt their team having him out? Of course it does, but we played well and we beat some pretty good pitching."
Scott Hatteberg had two hits, two walks and two RBI to help the Reds stretch their winning streak to a season-best seven games. They completed a threegame sweep with Ken Griffey Jr. (left quad) and Edwin Encarnacion (left ankle) out because of minor injuries. They also swept a threegame series in Houston during a 7-2 trip.
"I think a lot of people will probably pick up the paper tomorrow and read it and go ‘Who the hell is that? What’s going on?’ " Aurilia said. "We’ve played really well the last week."
The Cardinals were impressed.
"They’ve always had hitters, all they needed is pitching," St. Louis’ John Rodriguez said. "And now they’ve got it."
Pujols, who leads the majors in home runs (25) and RBI (65), was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday because of a strained muscle on his right side.
Aaron Harang (7-4) became the first visiting pitcher to win twice in new Busch Stadium, dominating for five innings before tiring. He threw seven shutout innings in a 1-0 victory on April 14, and he had thrown 12 straight scoreless innings in St. Louis before giving up three runs in his final inning.
In 5 2 /3 innings, Harang allowed eight hits with three strikeouts and a walk to win his second straight start.
"It still looked like he made some good pitches, but they were on him a little bit," Reds manager Jerry Narron said. "I just wanted to go with a fresh arm."
The Cardinals wrapped up a 3-6 homestand and are 1-3 since Pujols went on the DL. They snapped a 15-inning scoreless slump, their longest since June 2004, in the sixth on Scott Rolen’s two-run double and Jim Edmonds’ RBI single. "We didn’t play very well, and we ran into a hot team," Edmonds said. "Everything they hit was hard. They could do no wrong."
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Ryan Freel hit his fourth home run of the year tonight - to the opposite field. That matches his career high. Who thinks he got into Jason Grimsley's stash? 
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Reds win again... That's eight in a row, and it gives them sole posession of first place by a half game. Woohoo!
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Also - Wayne Krivsky is looking like a freakin' genius. Arroyo, Phillips, and Ross all contributed bigtime today. I don't think he's made a bad move yet. We all threw a fit when he made the Pena/Arroyo trade - but that trade alone has to make him the frontrunner for Executive of the Year. Then you add in the fact that he picked up Ross and Phillips for a song, and also the fact that he actually got something in return for Dave Williams after designating him for assignment. He's really done a great job, and deserves as much credit as anyone for the way this season's going so far.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Dispatch
6/9/06
Dispatch
6/9/06
6/9/06
REDS 7 CUBS 1
Eight straight, and counting
Confidence brimming as Arroyo, home runs keep Reds screaming along
Friday, June 09, 2006
Jim Massie
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
<!--PHOTOS--><TABLE class=phototableright align=right border=0><!-- begin large ad code --><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE align=center><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle></IMG> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=credit width=200>DAVID KOHL ASSOCIATED PRESS </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cutline width=200>Brandon Phillips looks up as he crosses home plate after hitting a two-run homer in the fourth. </TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>
</IMG> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=credit width=200>AL BEHRMAN ASOCIATED PRESS </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cutline width=200>Felipe Lopez slides safely into home, beating the throw to Cubs catcher Michael Barrett. Lopez scored on a single by Rich Aurelia. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
CINCINNATI — Hot hardly describes the current state of the Reds.
Picture a jumbo jar of salsa with an erupting volcano on the label, dip a chip and hold on for dear life. Cincinnati suddenly is mucho caliente, and the temperature is continuing to climb.
The Reds brought a seven-game winning streak into Great American Ball Park last night and promptly pushed it to eight with a 7-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs. In the process, they took over first place in the National League Central by a half game over the idle St. Louis Cardinals.
Bronson Arroyo, the leader of the band, turned in another stellar pitching performance by limiting the Cubs to one run over seven innings. Ryan Freel, Brandon Phillips and David Ross triggered the 10-hit attack with home runs.
"I just think when we show up we’re expecting to win right now, and that’s a good feeling," said Freel, who started for the injured Ken Griffey Jr. in center field. "Anybody, at any particular time, can help us win the game, whether it’s the pitcher, a big hit from a player or a good defensive play. That’s what we’re doing right now. We’re putting everything together."
Arroyo (8-2) is in the middle of the resurgence. His arrival in a trade with the Boston Red Sox in March stabilized the rotation.
"I’m telling you, it gave everybody a lift," manager Jerry Narron said. "It gave everybody an idea that we were serious about winning. He’s done more than you can ask for, really."
Arroyo defeated the Cubs for the third time this season and seemingly did it with ease after former Reds player Tony Womack touched him for a solo homer in the first inning.
"Some teams you’re comfortable against," Arroyo said. "I’ve had trouble with the Diamondbacks both times. No real explanation for it other than some of those guys just see the ball better. Womack had two or three really good at-bats against me tonight. If you only have one guy in the lineup that’s doing that to you, it makes it easier to pitch out of some jams. You feel like you can command the game."
The Reds tied the score in the first on an RBI single by Rich Aurilia. Freel gave Arroyo a 2-1 lead in the third with his fourth home run of the season. In the fifth, Phillips launched a two-run homer off Glendon Rusch (2-6) and Ross followed with a solo shot deep into the bleachers in left.
Arroyo and the bullpen did the rest, as the Reds continued the streak that began after two woeful losses in Chicago to start the last trip. A rocky May looks like nothing more than a bump in the road.
"Early on, we played well and you could feel the confidence growing," Arroyo said. "Then we slipped there for a little while in May. I think the sense was probably like people maybe started believing that (we) were going to fall off like everyone expects us to. To come back after not playing too good in Chicago the first two days and to turn this thing around and be in first place in this division is just making it easier to see the finish line."
Cincinnati players are waiting to see if the city is ready to dip a chip and taste the heat.
"The places I go in the city I definitely hear people talking, and they’re excited about what we’re doing," Arroyo said. "Now that we’ve come back and we’ve (won) eight in a row, people are going to realize we’re for real and we’ve got a chance to make the playoffs. Hopefully, that will bring some excitement and some people into the ballpark."
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Dispatch
6/9/06
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