It's not our hopes for 2007. Of course not: those will be aloft for at least another couple months. In fact, the crashing sound for which I cut the podcast short to investigate was nothing in particular, just the foot of a pre-schooler hitting the door as he called down the stairs to ask when I'd be up to check on him. You get those, this time of year.

This week on the podcast the Crack Technical Staff and I discuss:

• Rumors regarding the Reds. The team's interest in Luis Gonzalez, other teams' interest in David Weathers and Eddie Guardado, and the Astros' lack of interest in Dunn.
• Bob Castellini's commitment to winning and the $25 million that backs him up.
• Bronson Arroyo's trip to Japan.
• Brook Jacoby, the Reds' new hitting coach.
• The NL Gold Glove Awards
• Wacky baseball news, including the Top Japanese Prospect Turns Down Yankees – New York Too Scary, Clemens: A no-decision for 2007, and Sosa eyes return to big leagues, 600 home runs

Episode 30: What was that crashing sound? (14.1 MB, 20:37)

Comment Line:
(513) 729-7106

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Just as the grim reality of baseball being done for another year settles its cold weight upon the world, the grim reality of not getting enough sleep has settled on the RHM household. And, alas, it shows in episode 29 of the podcast. Hopefully the Crack Technical Staff is able to edit out at least some of the long pauses where we tuned out, staring into space, for moments of sleeping wakefulness. Or waking sleepfulness.

I'm still tired even now. You can tell, can't you?

This week we talk about:

• THE WORLD SERIES — Cardinals won. Ugh.
• THE NEW RADIO GUY — Jeff Brantley officially hired to be new color guy. He's not exactly colorful though, is he?
• REDSFEST — Even though it's still a month away, it's the biggest thing in Reds' news since Rich Aurilia filing for free agency.
• FREE AGENTS — Rich Aurilia filed for free agency. So did about everyone.
• PITCHING COACH — The Reds are exploring several options, some with very pun-worthy names.
• STRANGE AND FUNNY — Baseball news that's a little off-kilter.

Episode 29: Grogginess Sets In (17.1 MB, 24:58)

Comment Line:
(513) 729-7106

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This week on the podcast, the Crack Technical Staff and I start to get a taste of how difficult it's going to be to find material in the off-season. But we're the kind of positive thinkers who see this challenge as an opportunity. An opportunity to complain about there not being any Reds news to talk about.

But for now, there is some Reds news to talk about. Or at least some news to talk about.

• The most recent Reds blogger roundtable took place last night. Be on the lookout for that as soon as Shawn gets it cut up into pieces.
• Who-the-Hell-is-Brad-Salmon moved to the 40-man
• Snax versus Casey as former Reds battle it out in the World Series
• Dunn to the Red Sox to pair with Pena to make the most feared outfield defense in the league. But the question is: feared by whom?
• Ranting about not needing a closer
• Continuing to bask in the glow of The Rich Aurilia Interview
• Lou Piniella hired by the Cubs to proudly lead them to 5th place!
• Kenny Rogers, gambling with a hand full of crap
• Steve Lyons and racially insensitive remarks
• The 25th Birthday of the Wave
• Youth Coach Sentenced to Prison

Episode 28: Snax vs. Casey and Other Stuff (13.8 MB, 20:09)

Comment Line:
(513) 729-7106

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This week on the podcast we feature special guest Rich Aurilia. Can you believe it?

Rich and I chat about stuff like:

• Who we want to see win in the playoffs
• What went wrong and what went right in the 2006 season
• His response to the report that he and Jerry Narron had a tiff
• Plans, hopes, and possibilities for 2007

I don't know about you, but to me it doesn't sound promising at all that he'll be back with the Reds next year. Alas, the Reds have plenty of worse veterans to fill in for him.

We close out the show will a clip of Heart of a Hero, Raquel Aurilia's contribution to Cincinnati Clutch Hits, still available online from the Reds Community Fund Shop for $15.

Episode 27: Rich Aurilia on 2006, 2007, and Everything in Between (11.2 MB, 16:19)

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By “referees” I mean “people who were referred,” not “guys in striped shirts blowing whistles at Ken Broo.”

This week on the podcast:

• I ramble on for far longer than you'd think possible about the Hallmark Store.
• We welcome new listeners who found us via my appearance on Sports Rock. We go on to discuss a comment from Ken Broo's podcast The Broo View about bringing up Homer Bailey.
• Baseball finally makes its way into our discussion as we chat about the upcoming Cardinals/Mets series and how surprising it is that we actually care more about the Detroit/A's series. After all, Dmitri Young's birthday is on Wednesday.
• Speaking of, I happen to share my birthday with Dmitri Young. You know what I would love for my birthday? Some calls to the message line. (513) 729-7106.
• The Reds players who opted for free-agency today. You're just going to have to listen to find out who they are.
• We make fun of Thom Brennaman, to see how he likes it.
• Crack Technical Staff shares stories about David Wright's tips for picking up men and how the Padres angered the spirit of the candy factory. Don't piss of the red M&M, man. He's a mean one.

Episode 26: Welcome Ken Broo Referees (16.2 MB, 23:42)

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