Wow. I'm out of the loop for a week, and find out that WLW fired Andy Furman. I can't remember how long the bombastic guy's been on that radio station. I definitely remember first hearing him back in the 90s.

The end of an ignorant and inflammatory era, I guess. No, wait. This is sports talk radio we're talking about. And 700 WLW, home of Willie Cunningham.

No, I'm afraid the ignorant and inflammatory will continue ad infinitum.

Just as the grim reality of baseball being done for another year settles its cold weight upon the world, the grim reality of not getting enough sleep has settled on the RHM household. And, alas, it shows in episode 29 of the podcast. Hopefully the Crack Technical Staff is able to edit out at least some of the long pauses where we tuned out, staring into space, for moments of sleeping wakefulness. Or waking sleepfulness.

I'm still tired even now. You can tell, can't you?

This week we talk about:

• THE WORLD SERIES — Cardinals won. Ugh.
• THE NEW RADIO GUY — Jeff Brantley officially hired to be new color guy. He's not exactly colorful though, is he?
• REDSFEST — Even though it's still a month away, it's the biggest thing in Reds' news since Rich Aurilia filing for free agency.
• FREE AGENTS — Rich Aurilia filed for free agency. So did about everyone.
• PITCHING COACH — The Reds are exploring several options, some with very pun-worthy names.
• STRANGE AND FUNNY — Baseball news that's a little off-kilter.

Episode 29: Grogginess Sets In (17.1 MB, 24:58)

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I've been so caught up in an argument over the ethical implications of a database design, that I haven't had a chance at work to really catch up on my Reds' news. However, this thread on Strike 3 Forums caught my attention:

Money to Burn?
Apparently Will Carroll said this morning on Baseball Prospectus radio that the word is the Reds will have up to $25 million to spend during the off-season.

The thread gives a link to the program, which I have every intention of listening to eventually. In the meantime, let me know if he mentions how much of that $25 million is going to bringing back Richie.

Everyone's saying it by now, but I'll quote Marc, since it gets me a neat link in his “Links to this Post” section:

Rich Aurilia has decided to decline his $2 million mutual option for 2007.

The veteran infielder is now a free agent and still would be able to re-sign with the Reds. You'll recall he went through the same process last winter.

Of course, last season he couldn't get anyone to even accept his resume, let alone give him an interview. This year, the folks in New York mention him about every day.

You can imagine that the news of Aurilia's free agency hasn't escaped the New York Post, Kevin Kernan for whom made sure to mention it. Yesterday it was Mark Hale who dropped Aurilia's name. Both are talking about the possibility of him taking over second base for the Mets.