Has it seemed like the Cincinnati Reds General Manager Walt Jocketty has been missing in action lately? The last two weeks have been brutal for the Reds, with players under-performing and others coming down with injuries. Homer Bailey, Sam LeCure, and Matt Maloney are all banged up, with Maloney being placed on the disabled list so someone who can pitch might be called up from the minors.

But that’s the extent of the moves. Nothing but shuffling in one not very good piece to replace another piece that’s not doing as well as it should. With one quarter of the season down, Jocketty might consider leaving the beach and start doing something. Soon.

We got our training done early today because we’ll be off to Milwaukee this evening for a long weekend of getting away from it all. Milwaukee may not sound like much of a party town, but they’ve got beer, cheese, and a team that has gone 8-2 their last 10 instead of 2-8.

Don’t worry, we’ll still find time before we leave to write some actual content. As much of a diversion as all this training is, it’s no substitute for proper smart alecry regarding the cluster of the last couple weeks.

As usual, here’s the info on how to get involved:
1. Go to http://reds.com/5k to register for the Redlegs Run.
2. Email blogjog@reds.com to say you’ll be at the Blog Jog events before and/or after the run.
3. Go to Cafe Press to order your Red Hot shirt, in styles for women or men.

You pay to register for the run, but there’s no additional charge for hanging with the bloggers.

It was a damp run this evening, more from puddles than from actual rain. And cold. That’s weird compared to the heat we’ve dealt with lately.

Our pace was down today, but every day we actually run all the way through the planned training it feels like an accomplishment. I do hope that 16 more days will be enough to get me into race-day shape.

Our shirts arrived from Cafe Press today, just two days after we ordered them. We didn’t even rush order them. So, if that’s any indication, then you’ve still got plenty of time to get yours. If you haven’t already signed up to join in the Redlegs Run fun, here’s how you do it:

1. Go to http://reds.com/5k to register for the Redlegs Run.
2. Email blogjog@reds.com to say you’ll be at the Blog Jog events before and/or after the run.
3. Go to Cafe Press to order your Red Hot shirt, in styles for women or men.

You pay to register for the run, but there’s no additional charge for hanging with the bloggers. You also have the pay for the shirt, but there’s no additional charge unless you look better in it than I do. But don’t worry; I look pretty darn good in this shirt.

Now that that Cincinnati Reds have benched left fielder Jonny Gomes, manager Dusty Baker was asked about his plans. The answer is he’s going to take the approach they likely should have been doing since the start of the season: matching up hitters against pitchers, primarily between Chris Heisey and Fred Lewis.

“Unless, someone steps up and just takes it,” Baker said. “But we do need Gomes’ sock in our ballpark. Jonny’s a streaky guy. He’s been working his butt off to get his stroke back together and get his mind right. He’s a guy who can carry you for a few weeks. He’s working hard. He’s not shelved completely. We’re trying to get him back in sync.”

The first time I read that quote from Baker, I envisioned Gomes wearing just one sock when he played left field. I would think that would make him wear through one cleat faster than the other.

But Baker’s right, Gomes’ power has been missing. Lewis doesn’t have the pop. Heisey might, but he hasn’t had the chance to show it yet. Really, this is Heisey’s best chance at getting more starting time and jumping out of the pinch-hitter role he’s done so well at. Until then, we’ll just have to rely on Jay Bruce, I guess.

There are days I feel pretty darn good after the night’s run. Some night I even think I might like to go again. And then, there are nights like tonight. Thank goodness my one remaining MBA class will require me to skip running tomorrow (and, yes, that’s the first time I’ve ever thought “thank goodness I have to go” for this particular class).

Even if I’m still bitching and moaning come June 11 (in “Cardinal mode” as we call it ’round the Red Hot Household), at least I’ll be looking good doing it thanks to our badass team t-shirts that just went on sale yesterday. And now you, too, can join in the fun (at least the non-running parts should be a righteous time) by following three simple steps:

1. Go to http://reds.com/5k to register for the Redlegs Run.
2. Email blogjog@reds.com to say you’ll be at the Blog Jog events before and/or after the run.
3. Go to Cafe Press to order your Red Hot shirt, in styles for women or men.

You pay to register for the run, but there’s no additional charge for hanging with the bloggers. You also have the pay for the shirt, but there’s no additional charge unless you look better in it than I do.