A foot of snow dropped on the Midwest last night. I spent all day shoveling the driveway–next year: snow blower–but it looks like a Cardinals fan in St. Louis saw the chance to make a masterpiece.

Just in case you missed the Reds Caravan this year, you can catch all the excitement, plus a few smart-ass remarks, in this podcast.

Tune in to hear Dusty telling it like it is and the thrilling origin of the Cowboy’s nickname.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

All other things aside, my 7-year-old likes autographs, so we made an appearance at the Muncie stop of the Reds Caravan this weekend. Later we’ll have much of the audio, but for now, here are some photos.

The event started off with some opening words from George Grande and the rest of the panel of experts.

The line for autographs. The first guy in this line–who won that position via the local radio station–wore an “In Dusty We Trusty” t-shirt. The whole crowd was very pro-Baker.

George was funny and playful. He says they’ll be broadcasting 140-some games this season.

Free ice cream for everyone!

He looks like such a nice guy.

Dusty Baker, whom I will be proud to call the erstwhile manager of the Cincinnati Reds once his pathetic ass gets fired, has done it again. Baker opened his mouth and spewed forth a wonderful sentiment about Willy Taveras, the Reds new outfielder.

Dusty Baker said Willy Taveras will be the center fielder and leadoff man. “Everyone talks about his on-base percentage,” Baker said. “I like the way he gets in scoring position.”

Considering Taveras’ not-out percentage last year of 30%, the only logical interpretation of this quote is that Baker likes the way Taveras never gets in scoring position.

You show ’em, Dusty!

P.S. Dunn and Dunner has a nice take on the article this was taken from, as well.

Perhaps I’m being a bit harsh about the Reds 2009 Caravan, but I haven’t been as disinterested in anything related to the Reds since the last strike. So I guess Dusty Baker is equal to the mid-90s strike in my mind. He’s like an atom bomb of suck.

Anyway, the Reds Caravan is this weekend and might be coming to a town near you. The team has done a great job of expanding this over the past few years. Now all they have to do is make the team not suck. Of course, with Dusty Baker at the helm, you know that’s impossible.

The premier attraction will be Brandon Phillips, no doubt wearing ear plugs on Marty “Adam Dunn killed my puppy” Brennaman’s bus. When I skimmed over the list of players, I was surprised at the lack of talented, recognizable players in attendance. And then I remembered, the Reds don’t really have any.

Sigh. It’s going to be a long 2009 baseball season.