Not sure what’s wrong with Bailey’s surname, but the outlook on his fantasy career doesn’t sound so hot.
Why Good Fantasy GMs Should Stay Away from Homer Bailey on Crooked Pitch.

“CINCINNATI — Corey Patterson’s return to the Reds in 2009 already seemed unlikely as this season closed. Now, it’s official,” says Mark Sheldon in this story on Reds.com.

I’m glad that the return of Patterson in 2009 seemed unlikely to someone. It seemed as likely as hell to me.

Other tidbit of interest from this story:

Expect the club to make serious efforts to bring back reliever David Weathers and utility player Jerry Hairston Jr.

Whether these are good potential moves depends on what the Reds intentions are. If they’re padding the roster with decent performers, or trying to gain future favor with Weathers’ son, then it’s cool.

Dusty Baker is known for having a serious blindness to the playing abilities of Corey Patterson. He had it when he managed in Chicago, and so it came as no surprise when Patterson joined the Reds shortly after Baker was hired.

No reason for Baker’s cluelessness about Patterson’s ineptitude as a player has ever been put forth. But if you were thinking it was because Patterson was banging Baker’s daughter, think again. John Fay has the details.

“She hasn’t even been to Cincinnati,” Baker said. “This is so far out of line. It’s hurtful to my wife and daughter. How can people stoop that low? I don’t know who started it. But I’ve been hearing from fans, players, announcers.”

So there you go. One reason checked of the list of possible reasons for Baker’s managerial incompetence. Still left in play: blindness, severe brain trauma, man crush, and toothpick wound.

CINCINNATI — Brandon Phillips today was named the Reds’ recipient of the 2008 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy. He is one of 30 Major League Club nominees for the national 2008 Roberto Clemente Award, which is given annually to the Major League Baseball player who combines outstanding skills on the baseball field with devoted work in the community. Tomorrow will mark the seventh annual Roberto Clemente Day, which was established by Major League Baseball in 2002 to honor the legacy of Roberto Clemente, and Phillips will be honored in a pregame ceremony.

The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy, is part of Chevy’s official sponsorship of Major League Baseball, and recognizes those players who best represent the game of baseball through sportsmanship, community involvement and positive contributions to their teams. The award is named for Clemente, a 12-time All-Star and Hall of Famer who died on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. This award perpetuates Clemente’s legacy and character by recognizing current-day players who truly understand the value of helping others.

Fans are encouraged to participate in the selection of the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy. From September 3rd through October 5th, 2008, fans can log on to www.chevy.com/clemente and vote for one of the 30 Club nominees.

Since arriving in Cincinnati in 2006, Brandon has emerged as one of the Reds’ top players on the field and in the community. In 2008, he contributed $25,000 to help restore a baseball field at Clark Montessori School in Winton Place. The new complex will be known as “Brandon Phillips Field” and will serve as the home for Cincinnati’s RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) program as well as for all Clark Montessori varsity and junior varsity baseball home games. Phillips has participated in school visits, Reds Heads Kids Club activities, the Reds Rookie Success League, the Reds winter caravan and Redfest.

The fan vote winner will be tallied as one vote among those cast by the selection panel, which includes Vera Clemente, wife of the late Hall of Famer, and Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. Participating fans automatically will be registered for a chance to win a trip to Game Three of the 2008 World Series, where the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy will be announced.

As the official sponsor of the Roberto Clemente Award, Chevy will donate $7,500 to the charity of choice of each of the 30 Club recipients. Chevy also will donate $30,000 and a Chevy vehicle to the national winner’s charity of choice and an additional $30,000 will be donated by Chevy to Roberto Clemente Sports City, a not-for-profit organization in Carolina, Puerto Rico, designed to provide recreational sports activities for children.