I wasn’t satisfied that I’d worked through all of my end-of-season Reds issues during the Eighth Inning Show during the game this afternoon, so I kept the Crack Technical Staff up way past his bedtime to review posts from the 2007 season and discuss the team for almost an hour. It was therapeutic.

On the podcast we discuss:

• How the postseason is shaking out, including a former Red’s contribution.
• Who we’ll root for as the playoffs progress, assuming we’re still paying attention by then.
• The differences in performance and expectations for several of the Reds players. Some disappointed, such as David Ross and Bronson Arroyo; others surprised, such as Brandon Phillips and Adam Dunn.
• The management of the team over the course of the season. No podcast would be complete without a little bitching about the management.
• How bleak and un-fun the content on Red Hot Mama was all season long, and whether the team will be more enjoyable to follow next season.

And, so much more. Plus, I throw in several instances of the word “shit” and its derivatives, so this episode will get the “Explicit” rating.

Episode 78: Season Wrap-Up (39.8MB, 57:58)

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The whole Hot Mama family attended the titanic struggle today between the playoff-bound Cubs and the playoff-bereft Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. The game didn’t mean a lot, contention-wise, but it was a beautiful day for it and it was nice to see Cub fans sitting quietly as they watched the Reds score eight.

It wasn’t just the Reds who scored the eight, either, but the Reds back-ups. Injuries have decimated the roster and the lack of importance has made it hard to really risk anyone out there. The name with the most Reds experience on the line-up was Edwin Encarnación. It just feels like a spring training game when EdE is the veteran leadership.

We were sitting in the lovely Riverfront Club today, and it was our first time in this exclusive locale. Except for the vague feeling that I wasn’t really welcome to leave the club once I’d arrived, I thought it was fantastic. Possibly my favorite place in the ballpark.

In the eighth inning, the Crack Technical Staff and I turned on the recorder to talk a little about the game and the season for a few minutes before our son’s desperate need for a lemon chill became our top priority. It was OK, though, because we got our thoughts together for a more organized, much longer podcast later in the night.

Episode 77: The Eighth Inning Show (11.4MB, 16:35)

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Red Hot Mama extends our heartiest congratulations to Ryan Freel for his latest honor, being inducted into the hall of fame of his alma mater, the Tallahassee Community College. Not too many people can say they’ve gotten that particular recognition, I bet.

It’s always an honor to be recognized, even when it’s not for being one of Florida’s best-dressed. With that shirttail sticking out, though, Freel looks like he might have been working on that, too.

Via

By special request, this post is titled “Curse of the Goat,” and it's really appropriate, because Arroyo is going tonight and he's my personal goat for the team. Or he was, back when I cared.

So, what the heck is up with changing the rotation so Zambrano doesn't go against Harang? Do they figure going against Harang is a lost cause anyway so they might as well save Zambrano's start for someone else? Or is he just chicken?

Mmm…chicken. Personally, I'm enjoying some lovely fondue tonight courtesy of my aspiring chef brother while the fam plays Wii and I listen to the game on the radio. It's the only way to spend a Friday night. Now if the Reds will just play their role of spoiler, everything will be right with the world.

Congratulations to Brandon Phillips, now an official member of the 30-30 club. Win or lose, the game's been worthwhile now.

Though I'd still prefer a win.