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Reds Tidbits (2007 Season)

Dispatch

Bob Hunter commentary: Long journey makes storybook day more than footnote

Monday, August 27, 2007 3:25 AM
By Bob Hunter


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

CINCINNATI -- The Tom Shearn story reads like a fairy tale.

Twelve years in the minors without a shot in the big leagues ? 30th birthday Tuesday ? retirement hovering like a ravenous vulture ? then an unexpected call-up from the Reds for a start in Great American Ball Park.
It gets better. When Louisville manager Rick Sweet called Shearn to come to his office Saturday night, the Columbus native was "sleeping in the groundskeeper's camper at the top of center field," where he had moved to save a little rent money.

Continued.....
 
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Dispatch

Shearn shines during debut
Briggs grad makes major stride after 12 years in minors
Monday, August 27, 2007 3:26 AM
By Jim Massie


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
0827_reds_shearn_sp_08-27-07_C1_0S7NN0O.jpg
Tony Tribble | Associated Press
Tom Shearn gave up three runs and four hits in seven innings in winning his first major-league start.



CINCINNATI -- Brandon Phillips crossed paths with Tom Shearn during spring training with the Reds but didn't really know the Columbus native, or that he had spent 12 seasons in the minor leagues without making an appearance in the major leagues.
"I saw him pitch in spring training," Phillips said. "That was basically it."
Phillips looked to his left at the scrum of reporters lobbing questions at Shearn, a Briggs High School graduate who turns 30 Tuesday.

Continued.....
 
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BuckeyeMike80;912073; said:
And all those teams you listed have ONE critical thing, along with many minor things that the Reds do not. I bet you can name it for everyone.

Ok, let me give it a shot. We aren't chasing either the Red Sox, Mets, or Diamondbacks? :wink2:

Seriously, pitching is a premium at the Big League level, and it's disturbing how long it takes some GM's to catch on. Along those same lines, the Reds current GM is not a popular man, but he has scratched together a competitive lineup for the division that he plays in. BY NO MEANS am I endorsing WK, as that would be what they call political suicide. But if all you have to do is outplay the Cubs, Brewers, and yes, the reigning WS champion Cardinals, then in this division it is do-able. And, think with me for a minute, wouldn't it seem that a team with few quality starters (read: 1) is built for the playoffs, where Harang could pitch every 3 games? Playin games, Mike, play along. :tongue2:
 
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schwab;913479; said:
Ok, let me give it a shot. We aren't chasing either the Red Sox, Mets, or Diamondbacks? :wink2:

Seriously, pitching is a premium at the Big League level, and it's disturbing how long it takes some GM's to catch on. Along those same lines, the Reds current GM is not a popular man, but he has scratched together a competitive lineup for the division that he plays in. BY NO MEANS am I endorsing WK, as that would be what they call political suicide. But if all you have to do is outplay the Cubs, Brewers, and yes, the reigning WS champion Cardinals, then in this division it is do-able. And, think with me for a minute, wouldn't it seem that a team with few quality starters (read: 1) is built for the playoffs, where Harang could pitch every 3 games? Playin games, Mike, play along. :tongue2:

God help me, but I was thinking along the same lines the other day. We don't need to win 100 games, we only need about 85. And Harang and Arroyo (if he happens to be going well) could pitch a team to the world series, (if the team could make the playoffs).
 
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The Reds play two against the "Buccos" tonight... whoever the hell they are.

PNC is empty. I realize that it's 5PM on a weekday and both teams have losing records, but I see exactly ZERO people sitting in-frame behind home plate. This is a spring training crowd.

And to the people who say that the Reds' seeming refusal to rebuild at the expense of being competitive, I'd argue that with the right mix of inexpensive youngsters and value-priced vets, you CAN be competitive (which is not necessarily the same as being good) in the watered-down NL Central. I'd like to believe that's what WK is trying to do, and it's possible when you have guys on the roster like Hamilton, Keppinger, Phillips, Hatteberg, et. al. The problem is, the roster has been littered with too many Stantons and Cormiers to completely convince me that that's what's taking place, and no matter how small their contracts are the don't help the cause on either count.
 
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Damn. EZ got shelled today, again. He threw 66 of his 96 pitches for strikes so either he wasnt fooling anyone or just cant place his pitches still. Kind of a crappy lineup for the first game, we better get the second one. I hate to lose to teams like Pittsburgh and Washington, it just reminds you of how bad they really are.
 
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Pittsburgh has been hot too, right along with the Reds. This doesn't really surprise me, after all, it's the Reds.

Once Dunn got 2 strikes, Capps threw 2 straight fastballs that the catcher pretty much had to stand up to catch, for balls. What do you think is coming next? A high fastball? Swing and a miss, game over. Oh well, I'd take a split, then get the series tomorrow and Thursday.
 
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Dispatch

Pirates 6-3Reds 4-2
Streaking Reds exposed

Wednesday, August 29, 2007 3:35 AM
By Alan Robinson


ASSOCIATED PRESS

PITTSBURGH -- The Cincinnati Reds' August burst was beginning to cause a stir in the National League Central. What may have been overlooked was the Pittsburgh Pirates have been nearly as hot.

Freddy Sanchez drove in five runs in the opener, then tripled and scored the winning run in the eighth inning of the second game to give the Pirates a 3-2 victory and doubleheader sweep last night that slowed the surging Reds.
Sanchez tied a career high with five RBI and hit a grand slam as the Pirates won the opener 6-4. Sanchez also had a run-scoring single to help the Pirates hold off the Reds, who stranded 13 runners in the first game and 21 in the two games.

Continued....
 
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then tripled and scored the winning run in the eighth inning of the second game to give the Pirates a 3-2 victory

Big fucking surprise there huh....:!

Way to bounce back today though. A bonafide lights out closer would've gotten this team at least 10 more games this season, without doubt. How many games are we back? Not 10. Granted we need at least one more better than average starter, but an actual closer would move everyone in the bullpen down or out which is where they need to be. Weathers isnt a closer. He's done the best with what he's got and thats commendable but not good enough. There's enough young arms in the bullpen to find long and short relief. Give em a Hoffman or Rivera to set up and we would be looking at a division contender. Notice I didnt say WS contender though.

Oh yeah, did I mention that Harang is a freaking machine?!?!? Another complete game shutout today. The guys is just phenomenal.
 
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Dispatch

Reds: Harang shackles Pirates
Right-hander fires two-hitter; Griffey, Phillips club homers
Thursday, August 30, 2007 3:31 AM



ASSOCIATED PRESS

PITTSBURGH -- Through the first 28 days of August, the Pittsburgh Pirates were the highest-scoring team in baseball.

Cincinnati's Aaron Harang made them look helpless.
Harang threw a two-hitter for his fourth career shutout, Ken Griffey, Jr. and Brandon Phillips homered and the Reds beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-0 last night.
"I said it before, and I'll say it again, he's just a pleasure to watch," Reds manager Pete Mackanin said. "He just was in complete control throughout the entire game."

Continued.....
 
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