I dunno how you managed it, RHM, but Heartthrob is back.

Reds Final 25-Man Roster:

Catchers: Valentin, Ross
Infielders: Aurilia, Encarnacion, Freel, Hatteberg, Lopez, Womack
Outfielders: Dunn, Griffey, Kearns, Denorfia, Abad
Pitchers: Arroyo, Belisle, Burns, Claussen, Coffey, Hammond, Harang, Mercker, Milton, Weathers, White, Williams

Wagner is optioned to Louisville. LaRue and Wilson are on the DL. Cruz, Menechino, McCracken, Wise, and Buchanan go to (or remain in) the minor league camp also.

- HMZ -

As I mentioned yesterday, many strange and wonderful things have happened over these two weeks. Many of them I've shared; a couple I've kept to myself for fear of jinxing them.

Also yesterday I mentioned a very interesting phone call I received. That call was from Joe Kerr, the manager of the Internet Affairs department from ESPN. He contacted me late last week about an opportunity with the sports network to take part in a new, snarky online community, and I would be the Reds' representative.

This was a hard decision for me, because ESPN kinda sucks, whereas I dearly love Red Hot Mama and the community that we've built here.

But at the end of the day, ESPN could offer me a national forum, press credentials, and a big ol' stack of money. Plus a Javier Valentín WBC jersey. Apparently they had a bunch left over, lucky for me.

So, I start tomorrow with the opening game, though I might not really have much to say until the Reds play on Monday. I hope you'll come over and visit me.

In the meantime, I'm going to try to keep up RHM as well, but you've probably noticed what a slacker I am, so I know it won't last. If any of you is willing to take on the challenge of following this act, please drop me a line by clicking my name at the bottom of this post. Women and men are both welcome to apply, though I'll likely make merciless fun of men who are willing to go by “Red Hot Mama.”

This is a terrifying and exciting prevarication. Please wish me luck. And go Reds!