The Cincinnati Reds released today what had kept manager Dusty Baker away from the team for so long. As everyone feared, it was more than just an irregular heartbeat. Baker had a stroke on Friday.

While in Chicago on Wednesday, Reds manager Dusty Baker was admitted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, commonly referred to as an irregular heartbeat. As he was being discharged on Friday, he suffered a mini-stroke and immediately was treated by the hospital’s stroke team, which minimized the effects of the stroke.

Dusty returned to Cincinnati on Sunday, and his condition has improved dramatically. His Cincinnati neurologist, Dr. Joseph Broderick, and cardiologists, Dr. Dean Kereiakes and Dr. Daniel Beyerbach, expect Dusty to make a full recovery and return to the dugout, possibly as soon as the season’s final series next week in St. Louis.

Dusty said, “While at Wrigley Field I was blessed to have our trainer, Paul Lessard, have the good sense to call in Cubs team physician Dr. Stephen Adams, who examined me in the clubhouse, immediately determined how serious by condition was and personally rushed me to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Dr. Broderick and Dr. Kereiakes are going to make sure I’m ready to handle the duties of managing before I return full time. My family and I are very grateful for the support we’ve received the past few days from Mr. Castellini and our ownership group, Walt, our friends, the baseball family and especially Reds fans. I’m feeling much better, and it’s great being back here in Cincinnati. Chris Speier and my staff are doing a terrific job, and I look forward to getting back to the dugout.”

I hope Baker is able to recover enough to manage the team again soon. He’s already had to miss the division-clinching night. Missing the playoffs would be tragic. Get well soon, Dusty.

As part of their “11 Days of Larkin” celebrating the enshrining in Cooperstown of Cincinnati Reds’ shortstop Barry Larkin, the Reds will be holding a meet-and-greet opportunity at the Reds Hall of Fame Museum this Thursday, August 23 at 5pm.

The Reds Hall of Fame welcomes Reds and National Baseball Hall of Famer Barry Larkin for an exclusive fan meet and greet on Thursday, Aug. 23.

The newest member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame will greet and take photographs with fans in the Reds Hall of Fame’s Great Teams Room from 5 to 7 p.m.

Mr. Larkin will not be signing autographs during the event.

Pricing for this unique opportunity to meet a true Reds legend is $11 for Reds Hall of Fame members and $16 for non-members.

All proceeds from the event benefit the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum, a 501c(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the celebration and preservation of Cincinnati Reds and baseball history.

The Barry Larkin Meet & Greet is one of the events held during the “11 Days of Larkin,” a series of celebrations from August 16-26 that include the retirement of his uniform number 11 on Saturday, Aug. 25.

Tickets for the meet and greet are available at the Hall of Fame box office or by calling 513-765-7923.

Barry Larkin Meet & Greet at the Reds Hall of Fame & Museum
Thursday, August 23, 2012 from 5 to 7 p.m.
$11 for Reds Hall of Fame members; $16 for non-members
www.redsmuseum.org or 513-765-7923
**Photos only, no autographs please.

If you were in the Banks area in Cincinnati today around lunchtime, you couldn’t miss the unveiling of the FOX Sports Ohio Fan Express–a big, Reds-themed bus that’s available for groups of 40-50 to use to get to the ballpark for no additional charge if they book it through group ticket sales as part of their group purchase.

The bus will pick you up as much as 60 miles away from the park. I, unfortunately, live 125 miles away, so if I and 49 of my closest friends are going to give it a ride, we’ll have to meet up somewhere outside of Greensburg, IN. But it sounds like there’s plenty of fun stuff to enjoy on the bus, so taking advantage of the maximum ride might be even better.

Here’s the press release:

CINCINNATI, OH – FOX Sports Ohio enjoys bringing the Cincinnati Reds into the homes of thousands of Reds fans through television. Now, the network is excited to be able to bring fans to the Reds on the Fan Express to Reds Country.

With the FOX Sports Ohio Fan Express to Reds Country, groups of Reds fans can now ride in style to watch their favorite team play at Great American Ball Park. Fans can’t miss the giant bus with its oversized images of Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce on the outside. On the inside, riders will enjoy Wifi, baseball entertainment, snacks and beverages, and other FOX Sports Ohio and Reds goodies.

“The FOX Sports Ohio Fan Express to Red Country is an example of our unwavering commitment to the Reds organization and Reds fans everywhere,” said Alex Slemc, Director of Marketing and Communications at FOX Sports Ohio. “We wanted to develop a unique way to help the team bring groups of fans to Great American Ball Park and experience the magic of Reds baseball. It’s been a season of outstanding play on the field and record ratings on the network, and the Fan Express is a great way to celebrate.”

“FOX Sports Ohio understands the passion of Reds fans. Their broadcasts of Reds games are simply the best in the business. The Fan Express is an innovative way for FOX Sports Ohio to extend the live experience from the living room to the ballpark,” stated Phil Castellini, Chief Operating Officer of the Reds.

FOX Sports Ohio’s Fan Express to Reds Country is available on select dates throughout the remainder of the Reds regular season to groups of 40-50 fans for the use of transport to and from Cincinnati Reds games. It can travel up to a 60 mile radius of Great American Ball Park. Groups can book it by calling the Reds groups sales department at 513-765-7600.

When the Reds are not playing at home, the Fan Express to Reds Country will be seen at various events throughout Cincinnati. For a schedule of Fan Express appearances, please visit www.foxsportsohio.com.

The Fan Express can be tracked on Twitter by following @FOXSportsOH and using the hashtag #FanExpress. Fans can also check out photos and updates on the network’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/FOXSportsOhio.

When you get tired of following #HUGWATCH (as if anyone could get tired of that), you can switch on the MLB Network tomorrow for six solid hours of trade deadlne coverage starting at 11 a.m.

This is kind of a risky move by MLB…what if there aren’t any interesting trades to talk about for 6 hours? On the other hand, if there’s anything to learn from reality television, it’s that as little as 10 minutes of footage can be stretched into 2 weeks of programming.

Secaucus, N.J., July 25, 2012 – MLB Network will air 20 hours of live coverage dedicated to the latest trade news and rumors starting this Sunday, July 29 through the non-waiver trade deadline on Tuesday, July 31, including a six-hour live MLB Tonight: Trade Deadline Special starting at 11:00am ET on July 31. MLB Network’s MLB Tonight: Trade Deadline Special is presented by Wendy’s.

“Path to the Trade Deadline” editions of MLB Tonight, The Rundown and Intentional Talk will feature reports and analysis from MLB Network analysts including Larry Bowa, Peter Gammons (@pgammo), John Hart, Joe Magrane, Kevin Millar (@KMillar15), Harold Reynolds, Chris Rose (@ChrisRose), Lauren Shehadi (@LaurenShehadi), Matt Yallof (@MattYallofMLB) and MLB Network insiders Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS), Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) and Tom Verducci.

Gammons, Heyman and Rosenthal will each have live cameras positioned in their offices at MLB Network throughout the day, while MLB.com senior writer Jonathan Mayo (@JonathanMayoB3) and MLB Network’s stable of local correspondents will be available via Cisco Ballpark Cam with up-to-the-minute live trade reports and reactions from throughout Major League Baseball.

Throughout the live coverage, MLB Network will recap the biggest trades from July 31, 2011 in a trade deadline-in-review segment, including a look back at the Atlanta Braves trading for Michael Bourn and the St. Louis Cardinals acquiring Rafael Furcal.

In addition to using touchscreen technology at its dedicated social media area inside Studio 3, MLB Network will produce an on-screen social media ticker on July 31 that will display the latest news from MLB Network’s insiders and reporters throughout the league and tweets including the hashtag #tradedeadline.

I got a press release from FOX Sports Ohio announcing the introduction of the “Fan Express.” If you watched the video, you know they aren’t being very specific about what the Fan Express is, but if you’re in the Cincinnati area next Wednesday, you can find out for yourself.

FOX Sports Ohio is excited to announce the Fan Express to Reds Country. Media and Cincinnati Reds fans are invited to join the network in the launch of this new fan experience.

Come with a camera! The arrival of the Fan Express to Reds Country will make for a dramatic photo opportunity.

FOX Sports Ohio broadcasters Jim Day and Jeff Piecoro will be in attendance along with the FOX Sports Ohio Women and Cincinnati Reds mascots. The network will also have games and giveaways.

WHEN: Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at Noon
WHERE: The Banks in front of The Holy Grail