As if special-delivering a birthday present for me personally, the Chicago Tribune today reports on rumors of the Reds looking to significantly upgrade their coaching staff:

Dusty Baker may not be as safe in Cincinnati as the Reds’ strong finish would suggest. Owner Bob Castellini reportedly has his eye on the Cardinals tandem of manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan.

Well, it’s no secret that many teams would have their eye on this pair, should they become available, and of course Castellini has always had the love for the St. Louis organization. George Grande might pull a Brett Favre if this were to go through.

And I make the birthday present comment because today does actually happen to be my birthday, not because firing the heckuva-guy-but-terrible-manager whose hiring drove me away from the team for a solid season is actually a gift. In fact, it’s more like stopping a wet willy.