Here's Ryan Adcock performing Cul-de-sac League. Nostalgia runs thick!

I think that this is the last of the Reds-related performances from Redsfest last month. Thankfully, the Reds Caravan is coming up next weekend, so hopefully I'll have some new filler material soon.

It is with great sadness that the Cincinnati Reds announce the death of former pitching coach Vern Ruhle, who died at 11:00 p.m. last night at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston of complications from a donor stem cell transplant for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Ruhle, 55, is survived by his wife Sue, daughter Rebecca and son Kenny.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Ruhle entered last season as the Reds' Major League pitching coach, but during routine physical examinations in February he was diagnosed with cancer. He missed the entire season while receiving treatment for multiple myeloma.

For the 2007 season, Ruhle had been assigned to work as the organization's pitching rehabilitation coordinator at its minor league complex in Sarasota, Florida.

“The baseball and Cincinnati Reds families mourn the loss of an excellent coach, wonderful husband and loving father,” the club said in a statement. “In his 35 years in professional and collegiate baseball, Vern touched many people inside and outside the game. We are privileged to have been a part of his life. He will be greatly missed.”

As BubbaFan already adeptly pointed out, Ray Olmedo has been picked up off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays after being DFA'd to make room for Jeff Keppinger.

Bah.

Little Ray Ray, a speedy little guy, who has repeatedly shown great flexibility (remember when they had him taking fly balls in the outfield in 2005?) and more than adequacy as a backup (certainly better than some of the jokes they've trotted out there as starters), will hopefully get his chance in Toronto. It's fitting, since that's the organization where Ryan Freel festered in the minors for so long before finally getting his chance with the Reds.

I want to put up a post, but I also want to go watch The Office, so I'm going with the quick and easy. It's Kinsey Rose performing “Daddy's Glove” at Redsfest last month. Tomorrow, I'll try to get back to being bitter, but tonight, we've got something super-sweet for you. Awwwww.

For the first time since the creation of the Red Hot Mama Cafe Press store back in July 2005, we're rolling out a brand new t-shirt design. The “I'd Hit That” design combines everything you love about Red Hot Mama: baseball, mild innuendo, and the url “red-hot-mama.com”.

Remember, not only is an RHM t-shirt a great way to express yourself, it's also the perfect gift. Valentine's Day is right around the corner. St. Patty's will be here before you know it. And nothing says, “I'm sorry I forgot to get you a present for MLKJ Day” like a brand new Red Hot Mama shirt!

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