Richard Stephen Crosby, affectionately known as “Bubba,” was born August 11, 1976 in Bellaire, Texas. Or perhaps Houston, Texas, depending on whom you ask.

Crosby attended Rice University where, as a junior in 1998, he earned All-American honors after hitting .394 with 25 HR and 91 RBI. Bubba was drafted by the Dodgers in the 1st round (23rd pick) of the 1998 amateur draft, signed June of 1998 and debuted in the majors on May 29, 2003.

For even more information about Bubba Crosby, visit All Things Bubba, a blog entirely in his honor.

Crosby came into the services of the Reds on November 11 when Wayne Krivsky signed him as a free-agent to a 1-year, $400,000 major league contract. He sports a career .216 average and .255 On-Base Percentage.

Bubba Crosby is currently listed as a right fielder on the Reds’ 25-man roster. However, in his four-year major league career, he’s played in only 205 games and never more than 76 in one year, so it’s sort of hard to believe that he’s going to be the everyday right fielder going into 2007. If he makes the team out of spring training, it’s more likely that he’ll split time there with Ryan Freel and (hopefully) Chris Denorfia. First base is always an interesting option as well, especially given the Reds’ traditionally nontraditional choices for first. However, since Crosby is a lefty, he would fail to provide the righty side of a lefty-righty platoon with Scott Hatteberg.

HMZ, affectionately known ’round these parts as the “Crack Hard Facts Staff,” had this to say about Crosby:

They didn’t just pull this guy’s name out of a hat, that’s for sure. For one thing, Reds’ bench coach Bucky Dent was his manager at AAA Columbus in 2004 and in 2005. For another thing, he was the Dodgers’ first round pick in the 1998 amateur draft. We can safely assume the Dodgers scouting department that year had something on the ball, based on our observations this year of another guy they drafted in 1998 – David Ross, who they took in the 7th round. So it really wouldn’t surprise me if whoever it was (presumably on the west coast) who tipped Kriv-Dawg off about Ross just threw Wayne another bone (pun intended, Bubba’s full name is Richard Crosby – if you don’t get it go read the thread about the Reds’ new pitching coach).Crosby twice made the Yankees’ Opening Day roster in spring training, which can’t be easy to do considering the Yankees are a team with deep pockets that prefers to spend big bucks on established free agents rather than taking chances with rookies. He finished last season Red hot, hitting .321 (17-for-53) in 23 September games and .345 (20-for-58) over his final 31 games of the season. He also gained postseason experience by playing in three games in the ALCS in 2004.

Crosby has committed two errors in 182 major league games, and no errors in 245.3 innings in right field, where the Reds presumably have a hole to fill if they don’t convince Griffey to move over.

I guess this move also tells us something about what the Reds think of Heartthrob, as well as of Norris Hopper.

BubbaFan, affectionately known ’round these parts as “The Guy With the Bubba Crosby blog,” had this to say about Crosby:

Bubba made quite a splash when he first came up. He homered in his first at-bat as a Yankee, then homered again in his first start two days later. He also made some exciting, crashing-off-the-wall catches in that game, helping Mussina secure his elusive 200th win. A lot of Yankee fans fell in love with him that day. It was truly amazing that he made the team out of spring training; rookies just didn’t do that in the Torre era.Bubba is never going to be a slugger, but he hits all right if given a chance to play regularly. He’s had only 250 at-bats in four seasons.

He’s a good bunter, and has great speed. He was the best defensive CFer in the Yankees system. He gives 110% to everything he does, and is well-liked in the clubhouse and by the fans. He’s a really nice guy.

On Monday, November 20, 2006, Marc Lancaster reported on his blog (and a Royals press release confirmed) that the Reds traded Jason LaRue to Kansas City for a player to be named later:

According to a baseball source, the Reds are on the verge of trading catcher Jason LaRue to the Kansas City Royals. The Reds will receive a player to be named later. No cash involved in the deal.

Later, we found out that the Reds did actually send a mystery amount of cash along with LaRue.

Even though he fell out of favor with some of the more fickle fan base, a whole lot of people always liked him. We at RHM wish LaRue the best of luck and will be watching his progress with the Royals with much interest.

Standridge said farewell to the Reds organization on November 13, 2006 when he was picked up off waivers by the New York Mets.

Fans of the reigning hottest Red couldn’t be found for comment, but there’s no question that the organization as a whole is less good looking for his departure.

Standridge was best known for not quite living up to the nickname I wanted to give him: Jason Strandridge. The appearance on Fear Factor that he and his wife were rumored to have been approached about apparently never happened. And I’m not sure Fear Factor is even on the air anymore, so it’s not looking good for the future. Perhaps he’ll get his shot on The Flavor of Love.

Aaron Harang's human league profile has been updated with happy news.