May
Reds hitting coach Chris Chambliss got some attention from the local media thanks to the improvement of the offense under his tutelage. He would be fired a few months later, apparently as part of Wayne Krivsky's war on scoring runs.

The Reds went into this month close to the top of the division. They battled the Cardinals for the number 1 spot and got it. Gotta love beating the Cards.

Episode 11 of the podcast marked a change in format, as the Crack Technical Staff joined me for a weekly conversation about the team. You guys must like him, because this episode remains the single-most downloaded episode of them all.

Remember when Griffey went on the DL in the last month's recap? On May 11, he finally returned. In his first game back, he smacked a walk-off homer.

This was the month of Baseball 101, a special event for woman baseball fans, which does nothing to actually teach anything about baseball. It was only OK, but I got to meet a couple interesting people.

Tiny Casey was kidnapped! It didn't get the media coverage I thought it deserved.

The Reds designated Dave Williams for assignment, even though he had an option, thus making the trade of Sean Casey, in essence, a complete loss. The Reds traded Williams to the Mets where he would see the postseason, thus making the trade of himself, in essence, a complete win.

Certainly the best local car ad ever was created right here in Redsland.

The Reds ended the month of May with a 29-24 record, still second in the NLC and one of only two teams above .500 in the division. Really, the Ford Commercial was the best thing going on.

I was poking around AJC.com, looking for news on the long-rumored Laroche-for-Gonzo-for-Melky trade, and came across this:

At the risk of spoiling the New Year’s celebration for many of you, l’m going to cut to the chase and tell you that Chris Reitsma will not be returning to the Braves.

OK, stop the derisive applause.

This according to the beleaguered reliever’s agent, who told me Sunday that Atlanta wasn’t among the dozen teams that expressed interest in Reitsma after the Braves non-tendered him last month.

Agent Mike Paolercio said six teams have made “legitimate offers” for Reitsma, who posted an 8.68 ERA and .362 opponents’ average in 27 appearances before the All-Star break, then went on the DL and had season-ending elbow surgery.

One of those teams is the Reds:

He said he’s well into negotiations with “several teams” including Cincinnati, where Reitsma was a setup man, closer and fan favorite before being traded to Atlanta before the 2004 season.

(Yes, he was a seriously popular pitcher in Cincy, much as Dan Kolb was in Milwaukee and Bob Wickman in Cleveland. Hey, at least one of them didn’t see his career fall to pieces in Atlanta.)

The Reds' new closer?

Though he didn't pitch well in Atlanta, he seems to have made friends there nonetheless:

While most of you never met him, let me go on record as saying Reitsma was about as decent and good a dude as I’ve ever met in 12 years covering baseball. I know that probably doesn’t mean a lot to you, because, as I said, he did stink for most of his final 12 months here.

But next time he visits Turner Field, it really wouldn’t hurt to give him a little polite applause. Or at least quiet indifference. At least don’t roll down your window and yell obscenities at him. If you guys ever got to meet him and talk to him, you’d know what I mean. Good dude.

And in other news, Brendan Harris was dealt to Tampa, for a PTNL or cash. (The PTNL is probably not Josh Hamilton.)

The story on Reds.com gets right to the point:

CINCINNATI -- The Reds traded reserve infielder Brendan Harris to the Devil Rays for a player to be named later or cash on Tuesday.

Harris was designated for assignment by Cincinnati on Dec. 21, when Jeff Conine arrived in a trade with the Phillies.

Harris was acquired from the Nationals with relievers Gary Majewski and Bill Bray as part of a July 13 eight-player deal that sent Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez to Washington.

Over 25 games in the Majors last season, including eight with the Reds, Harris batted .238. He spent most of the 2006 season in Triple-A.

One thing you can say for Krivsky: he doesn't stand stubbornly by his bad moves. No, he's always ready to make his next bad move, especially if there's a 40-something player to be had.

Happy New Year, everyone! This year, the Crack Technical Staff and I are pleased to bring you a show, newly named the Red Hot Broadcast, for your listening enjoyment. Today on the Broadcast we discuss:

• How different it's going to be from last year when pitchers and catchers report this year. Well, the catchers will be different. The pitchers are pretty much the same.
• The Reds extending their contract with the Bats through 2010. Yippee!
• Trading for Conine. It's nice to see a roster move I can at least grok the purpose of.
• Griffey breaking his hand and the mystery that shrouds the event. Our current estimates have him out till June.
• RHM reaches 100,000 hits. You like me! You really, sort-of like me!
• Titans' T-Rac subject of suit
• Meet The Ms. Dice-K

Episode 39: The Red Hot Broadcast (16.3 MB, 23:49)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In April, the real baseball was finally upon us. At last!

April

Opening Day! Here at RHM we made a little light of the persistent injuries to Cubs pitchers. On the field, the Cubs made a little light of the persistent sucky defense of the Reds in this 16-7 debacle.

Wayne Krivsky acquired Brandon Phillips from the Indians. It was a pretty confusing move at the time, given the abundance of second basemen on the team at the time. It was about a week before the Reds had only one second baseman.

Bronson Arroyo's first and second starts of the season came against the Cubs and pitted him against Glendon Rusch. After Arroyo hit a homer in the first game, I called for him to hit one in the second game. But I didn't think he'd actually do it.

Ken Griffey, Jr. went on the DL for the first time. He lasted 10 games!

The Crack Technical Staff and I took a field trip to the new stadium in St. Louis to meet up with Bellyscratcher and talk smack in person. Podcasts of the event can be found here, here, and here.

I got to interview Tom Browning on the podcast. That was pretty awesome.

The Reds DFA'd Tony Womack. It was a big deal at the time.

Finally, the first month of baseball was over. The Reds ended April with a 17-8 record. It was no secret that the bullpen was a ticking timebomb, but the wins kept coming.