I remember when I read Moneyball that there was a throwaway comment about how, at least back in the day, baseball scouts thought that they could identify a promising player by the structure of his face. Even now, you’ll occasionally hear mention of a “good baseball face,” though I haven’t heard anyone seriously seem to think that you can judge a good baseball talent by looks alone.

In fact here at the Red Hot household tonight, we were talking about just the opposite. It started when I came across a photo of Devin Mesoraco. I told Zeldink that I remembered when Mesoraco was drafted, and how I didn’t think he was very good looking then, and I still don’t think he’s particularly easy on the eyes. Nothing personal Devin and Devin-lovers–just not my type.

Zel commented on how, often, good baseball players aren’t very good-looking. “But what about Votto?” I asked. Hell, Brandon Phillips won our NLC’s Hottest Baller contest when we did that craziness a few years back (well, once we took Bubba Crosby out of the running) and between him and Votto there’s a lot of good-lookingness and good baseball going around.

“Yeah, what about Randy Johnson,” which ended the argument right there. While clearly ridiculously skilled, Randy Johnson has got to be one of the least appealing men out there. Visually, anyway. I mean, he *is* the Big Unit after all.

The good news for baseball players is that they’re dudes, and it doesn’t really matter what dudes look like if they’ve got money. Even Randy Johnson had plenty of women throwing themselves at him, I’m sure.

The other good news for baseball players is that, you can always get Brad Pitt (or at least Chris Pratt) to play you in the movie.

The Reds broke the hearts of another eight up-and-comers this morning as they continued the brutal march to a 25-man roster that actually includes only 25 men.

From the story on Reds.com:

Right-handed reliever Andrew Brackman, infielder Chris Valaika and outfielder Denis Phipps were optioned to Triple-A Louisville. Right-handed relievers Carlos Fisher and Kanekoa Texeira, and left-handed relievers Ron Mahay, Clay Zavada and Clayton Tanner were reassigned to Minor League camp.

No surprises here, really. They’re just keeping these guys in cold storage until a spot opens up. Eight more guys to go before the big day in Cincinnati next week.

Apparently, while in the process of punching Reds fans in the gut, closer Ryan Madson tore his elbow ligament.

Following an examination in Cincinnati Saturday morning, the club said that Madson’s elbow ligament had torn off of the bone. He will need season-ending Tommy John surgery.

“Off of the bone”? Eww. The only time that’s a description that can be used favorably is when referring to slow-roasted barbecue. And this definitely has nothing to do with that.

This hurts. This hurts a lot.

General manager Walt Jocketty tried to be positive about it.

“We told the team and said to stay positive. We have good alternatives we can turn to. Others clubs have done it in the past. I did it in St. Louis. When Izzy went down, Wainwright stepped in and we won the World Series. Madson got the job because Lidge got hurt [with the Phillies]. Is it the ideal thing? No. But you have to stay positive.”

That will be easier said than done. Now the team will have to determine how to shuffle bullpen roles, with Sean Marshall the leading contender to take over closing duties. We’ll have to stay tuned to see how this affects Aroldis Chapman’s conversion to starting.

No matter what, though, this is will be a hard blow to overcome.

The only proper response to a Cincinnati Reds fan upon hearing this news is of the four-letter variety.

Yes, Ryan Madson, who has yet to appear in a Spring Training game due to a sore elbow, had a setback.

Closer Ryan Madson flew to Cincinnati to be evaluated by medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek. The examination will take place [Saturday].

Madson, who’s been dealing with a sore elbow all spring, had a setback on Thursday. With Opening Day 12 days away, it’s unlikely that Madson will be ready by then — no matter how minor the setback.

Gulp.

There’s now way of looking at this as positive. The Reds’ shiny new closer will not be ready on Opening Day, and there’s now the possibility that he won’t be available this whole year.

I’m hoping for something that he can recover from quickly, but right now, I’m not too confident.

If you saw the sweet Astros LEGO man I used a picture of in a post a couple days ago and thought to yourself, “I wish they had a Cincinnati Reds LEGO man,” well, have I got news for you.

I think my favorite part is how his nose looks like an unbent staple.