Last Game
The Reds’ spring training record dropped to 2-10 yesterday with the 2-7 loss to the Diamondbacks. Johnny Cueto was solid in his start, but the offense is busy at the World Baseball Classic. 24 Reds took the field yesterday, and I could only match 9 of those names to faces.

Next Game
Today the Reds head to Tempe Diablo Stadium to take on the Angels at 3:05 p.m. It ought to be quite a show, what with Aroldis Chapman planned to appear and all those sluggers on the Angels’ roster.

Votto to play in WBC, eh
Joey Votto has announced that he will play for the Canadian team in the World Baseball Classic this year. He waited until the very last minute to make the call to test out that surgically repaired knee, but apparently it’s back to Votto-matic-ness because he’s in.

Quote of Reds.com quoting Votto:

“I look forward to playing for the team,” Votto said. “I look forward to being a part of the tournament. I had a great time the last time. I’m very grateful I’m on the team. It’s not very often you get to represent your country in a big tournament like this. I never got to play in the Olympics, this is the next best thing.”

Sounds like the team brass was supportive of this decision, and they couldn’t have done anything about it if they weren’t, but if Votto gets injured, we may have no choice but to declare war on Canada.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Joey Votto is the only player on the Reds’ 40-man roster who was born in the year 1983.

Last Game
Homer Bailey took his turn on the mound yesterday against Kansas City and put in 2 scoreless innings. He struck out 5 and allowed only 1 hit. Unfortunately for him, the Royals are on a tirade this spring and went to town on Tony Cingrani (1 ER), Logan Ondrusek (1 ER), Jose Arredondo (1 ER), Pedro Villarreal (1 ER), and especially Kyle Lotzkar (4 ER).

The Reds’ 8-1 loss to the Royals is par for the course this spring, as the Royals have yet to lose a spring training game. Kansas City fans should definitely get their hopes up because this is the year.

The Reds’ 1 run came in the eighth inning. Kristopher Negron doubled to lead off the inning and, two outs later, Ryan LaMarre doubled him in. Alas, that was all there way of the rally.

Next Game
Today the Reds head to beautiful Salt River Fields in Scottsdale to take on the Diamondbacks. Johnny Cueto will start for the Reds against Brandon McCarthy for Arizona. First pitch at 3:10 p.m. and you can hear it on MLB.com if you’re willing to pay for it.

ASG coming to Cincy and maybe people will be able to get to it
The All-Star Game is coming to Cincinnati in 2015, and Hamilton county is trying to get passenger rail service in place in time for the game. According to this story on KYPost.com, the Transportation Improvement District has approved the resolution.

I, myself, live in an area that is debating more public transit, so I know how contentious it can be (though the arguments do tend toward dummies saying that government shouldn’t start subsidizing certain forms of transportation, without apparently realizing that governments already build roads). But I also regularly visit Cincinnati, so I also know how difficult it is to get around if you’re not driving. It would be great if the All-Star Game was the impetus to make the city that much of a better of a place.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
“I bought my copy of The Slyde Press 2013 Redleg Annual today!”

For just $4, you can finally satisfy that baseball longing that’s been building up all off-season and be the most knowledgeable person talking Reds at the water cooler.