No, not Ken Griffey, Jr. Not that I know of anyway. I mean my own 5-year old had come down with a mysterious fever. No other symptoms, unless you count being awake at 10 p.m. playing with trains. In any event, the Crack Technical Staff and I were willing to take just a few minutes between fretting over the thermometer readings and running down to the freezer for ice pops to record a quick show.

This week we discuss:

• How weird it feels not to have baseball to watch.
• Who's to blame for the four wins the Reds didn't get to make it to the postseason.
• The world's oldest baseball player is about to turn 111.
• David Wells' idea of a joke.

Episode 25: The Kid's Got a Fever (11.8 MB, 17:15)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This week I made the Crack Technical Staff, who is still shaking off the bug he had this weekend, get back out of bed to record and edit the podcast. That's dedication, baby.

We ramble on about:

• Blogger weekend
• The implications of winning the four-game series against the Cubs
• Belisle going up against the Marlins tomorrow
• The final series with Pittsburgh
• The end of the season
• Appearing on Ken Broo's program, Sports Rock, and the other cool stuff Ken Broo does
• Appearing on the Big League Baseball Report tomorrow

Keep those calls coming to the Red Hot Mama Line at (513) 729-7106. Or rather, start those calls coming to the Red Hot Mama Line. I'm tired of just getting vague pick up lines from guys who don't realize I'm not a phone escort.

Episode 24: Blogger Day and Other Stuff (13.5 MB, 19:43)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Even though we finally got the recording-during-the-commute-home idea to work (mostly), this was still a podcast fraught with frustration. How could it not be? It's about the Reds!

This week, the Crack Technical Staff and I chat about:

• The horror of the Padres series. People said that it was must-win if the Reds were going to keep any hope of the postseason alive. They lost the series, so I guess all hope is gone!
• The grizzly Cubs series. Did you realize that they were shut out for 22 consecutive innings? They scored seven runs in the whole series; it's a miracle they won any at all. Grudging thanks to Bronson Arroyo, though fat lot of good it does us now.
• The upcoming potential humiliation of the Astros series. Kyle Lohse versus Roy Oswalt? Come on, is that even fair?
• Eric Milton playing hurt when it didn't matter anyway (and Griffey not when it did).
• Wacky baseball news, such as Pete Rose's last money-making scheme, how to know what it feels like to be a terror victim without all the actual terror, and your legal right to call Adam Dunn a fatass.

We didn't have any callers to the call-in line this week, but I have faith that you guys will come up with some wacky messages before next Monday. (513) 729-7106.

Episode 23: Frustration (10.6 MB, 15:26)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Finally! Episode 22!

The Crack Technical Staff and I weren't able to get the version of the podcast that we recorded in the car to work out this week, but I'm hopeful for the next time around. Instead, we used the version that we recorded in our office while waiting for the pizza to be delivered. Mmmm….pizza.

We talk about the importance of the series with the Padres, the importance of veteran presence, the importance of hamster balls, and the importance of the one brave soul who left a message on the RHM voicemail line.

You, too, can be forever immortalized in the RHM podcast. Call (513) 729-7106.

Episode 22: Third Time's a Charm (16.5 MB, 18:04)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

We're going to try moving the podcasts to Mondays to see if I can actually get them out on a more regular basis. It's remarkable how difficult it is to get your booty out of bed to record audio on a Saturday morning.

This week, the Crack Technical Staff and I discuss the Reds play-off hopes as well as contenders for all the awards that come up this time of year.

This week we introduce a new segment that I hope to make a regular feature: Ignorant and Inflammatory. It's the point of view of an ignorant person who gets all inflamed about something they don't understand. This week: the non-renewal of Steve Stewart's contract.

Also, the podcast is proud to introduce a voicemail line where you can call in and leave a message to be featured on the podcast. It ought to be a local call to those in the Cincinnati area, so call any time, day or night, and leave your thoughts on the Reds, podcasting, or how sexy you think my voice sounds. You may just hear yourself on next week's podcast. P.S. – Drunk dialing is encouraged!

That number is (513) 729-7106.

We finish out this week's show with 30-seconds of Gimmetheball by the Psychodots from Cincinnati Clutch Hits.

Episode 21: Playoffs, Awards, and Uneducated Rants (8.64 MB, 12:35)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download