After yesterday's heroic extra-innings RBI by our favorite little catcher, Javier Valentín, I noticed that he was sporting even stubble across his face. Tonight I notice that he's shaved the beardy part is is back to just the signature 'stache.

And while I was writing that, Chris Welsh, in describing said heroic extra-innings RBI, uttered the phrase “They were pounding Javy with love last night.”

I thought you'd want to know.

There's some good stuff in the Notes on Reds.com today:

CINCINNATI -- Although it was unknown when he'd return to the lineup, shortstop Alex Gonzalez made an appearance in the Reds clubhouse early on Tuesday afternoon and worked out on his own.

Gonzalez has not played since he went on the bereavement list July 14 to be with his hospitalized 10-month old son, Johan, in Cincinnati while the team was in New York. He's been on the restricted list since his maximum seven-day leave ran out Saturday.
…
Gonzalez had already left the ballpark before the media was permitted inside the clubhouse. The nature of Johan Gonzalez's illness and his condition has not been revealed, even to teammates.

“He did not tell me exactly what the baby had,” Reds infielder Juan Castro said. “The only thing he told me was he thought the baby was reacting a little better, which I think is a good sign.

I'm so glad to hear that the baby is doing better. I only had one infant, and the terror that comes with the sorely inadequate control you have over that child's health was enough. And nothing much ever even happened to my kid: a broken finger, a night spent in the oxygen tent, and countless nights' sleep interrupted by croup and dream pain.

Needless to say, the Red Hot Mama household s still pulling for the little guy.

In less scary news:

Not swinging: Outfielder Josh Hamilton (sprained right wrist) has yet to swing a bat since he went on the 15-day disabled list coming out of the All-Star break. Hamilton is continuing to rehabilitate and will be re-examined by hand specialist Dr. Andrew Markiewitz on Thursday or Friday.

Sigh. I miss Hamilton.

Yes, please:

Headed for surgery? Castro is weighing his options trying to decide whether to have season-ending right elbow surgery to repair a partially torn ligament. The infielder threw again on Tuesday a day after feeling soreness trying to throw from the shortstop during a Monday workout.

From the Doesn't Seem To Be Much Point Now Department:

Wait and see: On the heels of Monday's 30-pitch bullpen session, reliever Eddie Guardado threw 30 pitches against hitters in live batting practice on Tuesday.

The Reds have had the MDX Reds Crew for a while now, but these cheerleaders are really just a dance troupe in stirrup socks. I'd like to seem them expand beyond their dance routines and actually lead some cheers, ideally cheers that are specific to particular players.

Here are some ideas to help get them started:

When Homer Bailey takes the mound
HBP, ball, balk,
They can't strike out if they take a walk,

Throw some strikes! Yay!

When Mike Stanton takes over
S-T-A-N-T-O-N is
causing Reds fans grief
S-T-A-N-T-O-N is
not how to spell “relief”

Consider retirement! Woo!

When Adam Dunn comes to the plate
Strike out, slow run, never climb the wall
We don't care
That sacs are rare
Because we dig your long ball!

Hit it hard!

For Brandon Phillips
Hey hey hey hey,

Stay awesome!

Directly to Wayne Krivsky in the stands
Kriv-dawg, Kriv-dawg
Deals need to be made
Kriv-dawg, Kriv-dawg
Just don't repeat The Trade!

Don't get screwed!

Going into tonight's game, the Reds were tied with Houston for fifth. Houston's off tonight, so the Reds' win put them up by a half game. Yay!

But more than that, they're tied with Pittsburgh for fourth by number of games back, but since they've played more games, they're actually ahead of the Pirates if you count it that way. Yippee!

Who wishes they'd changed management earlier??

From The Enquirer:

NO GEORGE: George Grande will not call games for FSN Ohio during the Florida series and possibly the Milwaukee series that follows.

He's in Connecticut, attending to his mother, who is ill.

Michael Reghi will fill in. Reghi has done nine years of major-league play-by-play and has done Cleveland Cavaliers games on FSN for 13 years.

Three things come immediately to mind, pretty much simultaneously:

1. I hope that George's mother is doing better soon. We here at RHM are on double-positive-vibe duty, sending them both to Connecticut as well as toward Alex Gonzalez's family in Florida.
2. They had to bring in someone else to fill in for George?? They know they hired about 1,500 broadcasters for various media this season, right?
3. Wait a minute, haven't I mentioned George Grande's mother before? Yep, I sure did. In April of 2005, she had just turned 99 years old, which would make her now--hold on while I get my abacus--101. Dang, that's even longer than the Cubs losing streak.