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Reds Caravan stop in Lexington from John Clay on Vimeo.

Attended the Reds Winter Caravan stop in Lexington this morning. Jay Bruce, Yasmani Grandal, Tom Browning, Walt Jocketty, Bob Castellini, Phil Castellini and Joe Morgan were on hand. Big crowd at the Lexington Center Shops. Reds estimated attendance at 700, but I’d say there were probably more than that. The line stretched all the way back to the door. Talked to Bob Castellini for a column for Monday’s paper.

(Photo by John Clay)

(Photo by John Clay)

Jay Bruce and Walt Jocketty. (AP photo)

May be snowing outside, but baseball is not that far away. As proof, the winter staple known as the Cincinnati Reds Caravan will stop in Lexington on Sunday. Reds’ officials, players, etc. will be at the Lexington Center Shops from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Those expected to attend the Lexington stop include:

• Walt Jocketty – President of Baseball Operations and General Manager
• Jim Kelch – broadcaster
• Phil Castellini – Reds Chief Operating Officer
• Yasmani Grandal – minor league catcher and 2010 first round draft pick
• Tom Browning – Reds Hall of Famer and pitching coach for the Arizona League Reds
• Jay Bruce – outfielder
• Bob Castellini – Reds President and CEO
• Joe Morgan – Hall of Famer and Special Advisor to Baseball Operations

Reds centerfielder Drew Stubbs tried in vain to reach Chase Utley's homer. (AP photo)

CINCINNATI — It wasn’t a somber home clubhouse after the Reds were blanked 2-0 by Philadelphia to be swept by the Phillies three straight in the NL Divisional Series. Instead, there were plenty of looks into the future.

“I think it was a great year to build on for the future,” said centerfielder Drew Stubbs.

“I think we learned that we can do this,” said fellow outfielder Jay Bruce. “We can be here every year. I think we learned that we belong here.”

Just not in this series, not against the defending National League champions. The Reds were blanked in two of the three games. They were no-hit by Roy Halladay in game one. They were shut out by Cole Hamels in game three.

“If you want to win and you want to advance, you’ve got to swing the bats,” said Bruce. “We didn’t when we needed to.”

“You’ve got to tip your hat to them,” said Joey Votto. “I thought I swung the bat fine. I only got one hit, but that happens sometimes.”

When asked about the prevailing opinion that he helped teach a young team how to play this year, Scott Rolen replied, “Hopefully, tonight they didn’t pay much attention.”

Continue reading ‘Reds clubhouse: Already looking to next year’

I was interested in this blog post from John Fay, Reds’ beat man for the Cincinnati Enquirer, on being frozen out by Brandon Phillips, and now a possible thaw.

Excerpt:

So today on my way to the ballpark, I stopped at the Cuban place around the corner from the hotel and had a bowl of soup. When I went to pay, the waiter said it had been taken care of. Phillips was the only other person in the place.

Be sure and read the rest of the story. It happens, on most every beat.

Talk about two teams speeding in exact opposite directions.

After St. Louis swept Cincinnati on August 9-10-11 — the Brandon Phillips/whiny Cardinals near-brawl series –  taking a one-game lead in the NL Central, consensus was the veteran Cats would continue on to take the division.

Now the two teams meet this weekend in St. Louis, the final three games between the two teams. And times sure have changed. The Reds have opened an 8-game lead on the Redbirds. Since the series at Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati has gone 14-4. St. Louis is 5-13.

A look at how we got here:

Here’s a look at how the Cincinnati Reds hit on that recently-completed West Coast swing, in which the NL Central leaders went 6-3. The Reds are back home tonight to play host to the Chicago Cubs.

Courtesy of Cincinnati Reds:

UPDATE: Mo Eggers thinks Edmonds has had quite the effect on Drew Stubbs, as well. Plus, he has some unflattering news on a Cardinals broadcaster.

Daily Randoms for a Friday:

Heard Kentucky Ink’s Jeff Drummond say on Larry Glover Live last night that he would not be surprised if Joker Phillips doesn’t name a starting quarterback until Sept. 4. I respect Jeff and his opinion, but hope that isn’t so. Phillips is a first-year head coach. He’s in control of the program. To not name the starter might make some believe he can’t make his most important first team decision, pick a starting quarterback. Besides, Kentucky was a 7-6 bowl team last year. Lousiville was 4-8 a year ago. And has a new coach. Do the Cats really need that sort of tricky to beat the Cardinals. Hope not.

According to Star Magazine, ESPN’s Erin Andrews successor Jenn Brown has a new boyfriend, country singer Kenny Chesney. Isn’t Chensey a big Tennessee fan? (Hat tip to Sports by Brooks.)

One thing stuck out to me during the Reds’ sweep of Arizona. Nearly  ever shot of the Cincinnati dugout included a picture of Jim Edmonds talking to Jay Bruce. Edmonds is the wise, veteran teacher. Bruce in the talented but not-quite-there student. A by-product of Walt Jocketty’s trade to acquire Edmonds is the influence the old hat should have on the young bat.

Call it The Scott Rolen effect. The Reds’ third baseman’s professionalism and advice has rubbed off on the entire team. No doubt the Reds hope that Edmonds experience, and his ability to relay that experience, will rub off on Bruce. Considering the latter stroke four hits on Tuesday, then homered again last night, you’d have to say there’s a positive early return on the investment.

Paul Daugherty continues his assault on Colin Cowherd, and I for one am all smiles.

Writes Daugherty:

Cowherd the ESPN bootlick cannot be helped. TML and the Mobsters have tried all week to educate him. He has resisted. Instead of manning up, he sits behind glass and name-calls. How adult.  Stupid is as stupid does, you know? When you listen to him now, understand his shallow-ness and lack of facts isnt limited to the Reds or Cincinnati. It’s entirely boundless.

If he wants to learn something, he knows where to find me/us. Not likely he’ll be calling.

Bootlick. You gotta love that.

Continue reading ‘DR: UK QBs, Jenn Brown, and the Edmonds effect’