I saw this story about Aaron Harang today making the rounds on various Reds blogs and thought I’d share.
Harang, as you may remember, was the one shining spot in the pitching rotation of the Cincinnati Reds during the first decade of the new millenium. Sadly, his best years were wasted on terrible, terrible Reds teams, and by the time competent people were in charge, Harang was on the down-side of his career.
He resurrected it in San Diego, though, and is now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he’s decided to change his uniform number from 44 to 41. In case that number sounds familiar, it’s one that legen–wait-for-it–dary Reds pitcher and broadcaster Joe Nuxhall wore.
Nuxhall moved to the broadcast booth in 1967 and called Reds games for 38 years, including Harang’s first two seasons in Cincinnati, in 2003-2004. The two struck up a friendship that lasted until Nuxhall’s death in 2007. Harang has donated to Nuxhall’s charity foundation, the Miracle Fields in and around Cincinnati, and still keeps in touch with his son to this day.
“He was just a special guy in general,” Harang said. “Everybody who came in contact with him thought the world of him.”
When Harang came to the Reds, he wore the number 39, which was Nuxhall’s first number. Harang changed to 41, another of Nuxhall’s numbers, when he was with the Padres, but it wasn’t available in L.A. Until last year when the wearer of it was traded. And now it’s Harang’s, assuming he can secure that fifth spot in the Dodger’s rotation.
Last Game
The Reds’ offense put on a show during their 6-10 win over the White Sox yesterday. Homer Bailey was shaky to start, allowing 5 runs (4 earned) on 9 hits and a walk in 4.1 innings. Of course, three of those runs came from a first inning home run by Adam Dunn, and Bailey’s hardly the first guy to be the victim of one of those.
On the other side, Jay Bruce hit his fourth home run of spring training and his second in the last 2 games. Chris Heisey also tacked on a three-run homer in the fourth inning. Brandon Phillips is back in action and went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a couple runs scored.
Next Game
The Reds have the day off. It’s the last off-day until the season starts.
Votto: more than just a pretty face
Joey Votto sat down with Buster Olney to record this video for ESPN the Magazine. I like that Votto has put his own thought in to at-bats and how he ought to approach them. It’s necessary to accept outside feedback, but a guy has to think for himself, too.
What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The World Baseball Classic is over for another four years. The Dominican Republic was victorious over Puerto Rico, winning 0-3 last night in San Francisco. Yankees second baseman, Robinson Cano, was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
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Bronson Arroyo and his red bat move towards the batter’s box.
Last Game
The Reds can actually win occasionally! They improved their record to 7-14-2 last night by beating the Rockies 4-3. Bronson Arroyo started for the Reds, giving up 1 run (earned) on 5 hits and 2 walks through 5.2 innings. The RBI belong to Devin Lohman, Donald Lutz, some guy called Jay Bruce who hit a solo shot in the sixth, and Arroyo himself.
Next Game
The White Sox come visit the Reds today at 4:05 p.m., so keep a lookout for Adam Dunn. Homer Bailey is starting for the Reds.
When the fifth rotation spot is the most interesting thing to talk about
It’s been a slow spring training. A team where most of the positions are already set is a team lacking the drama of guys breaking their backs to prove themselves. It’s a double-whammy of boringness: little roster drama and a team too busy perfecting their game to win.
Good problem to have, right? Yeah, I guess. No, it is.
The one position that isn’t decided is that fifth rotation spot. Will it be Mike Leake, the guy who has proven he can throw strikes and who could be better than a fifth starter on most every team out there? Or Aroldis Chapman, who is more of a question mark but could be the next Randy Johnson?
Fortunately for those of us who try to write something about this team most every day, the debate continues. Apparently the front office types met just yesterday afternoon and still aren’t announcing a decision. Since it’s about the only one they’ve got to make, I guess they can afford to wait.
What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
It’s Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic finals. Puerto Rico had to beat 2-time WBC Champion Japan to get to this point. The game is at 8 p.m. tonight at AT&T Park in San Francisco.
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If you don’t have distinctive facial hair, you don’t have a prayer of being recognizable as a Cleveland Show character.
Last Game
The Reds got out to an early lead against the Indians yesterday, but let the Tribe come back to tie it in the ninth. This being spring training, they left it at that. Final score: Indians 7, Reds 7
Mat Latos started for the Reds and turned in a decent performance: 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits over 5.0 innings. In the first inning, Xavier Paul hit a 3-run home run and Todd Frazier hit a 2-run shot to provide the Reds that big opening inning. Chris Heisey and Denis Phipps hit solo shots in the seventh.
Considering how bad the Indians beat up on the Reds to start the spring training season this year, it was quite a show against Cleveland. I don’t know if I’d go so far as to call it The Cleveland Show, but we’ll get to that in a moment.
Next Game
Today the Reds visit the Rockies at 10:10 p.m. Bronson Arroyo will take the mound.
Votto appears on The Cleveland Show
Last night, Joey Votto and a couple other major leaguers made guest appearances on The Cleveland Show. Here’s a preview; Votto first shows up around 0:23.
The Cleveland Show seems to be written to suit the sense of humor of 15 year olds, and, in my mind, many professional athletes have the sense of humor of 15 year olds, so it’s a great match.
What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Other guest stars on The Cleveland Show have included KiD CuDi and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
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Optioned to Triple-A Louisville were right-handed pitchers Pedro Villarreal and Curtis Partch, infielder Henry Rodriguez and first baseman Neftali Soto. Outfielder/first baseman Donald Lutz was optioned to Double-A Pensacola.
Lutz, Rodriguez, and Soto all impressed manager Dusty Baker during the spring and leave knowing they have things to work on in their progress to the majors. There’s a good chance these players will make appearances with the club during the season.
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I saw this story about Aaron Harang today making the rounds on various Reds blogs and thought I’d share.
Last Game
