John Clay's Sidelines

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’

(H-L photo/Mark Cornelison)

Replaced, old blah headline.

Some daily randoms for a Wednesday:

Let’s not get too carried away on Brandon Knight just yet. Yes, the freshman was outstanding in Canada. (See individual game-by-game stats.) The competition wasn’t exactly top-shelf, however. Kyle Macy said on the air he thought the Canadian teams would compare to top-level NAIA teams. I’m not sure that Windsor could beat Georgetown College, however. So put me among those not quite ready to say that the speedy Knight will pass the speedy John Wall on the college career tract. It does appear that Knight is more of a scorer than Wall. He looks for his shot.

As happens, my blog post on the Bobby Petrino/Gator hat controversy was picked up by an Arkansas message board. As happens, comments have been posted on this blog, most taking the know-nothing me to task. I like what my friend Clay Travis wrote, “It’s been my experience that fan outrage and correct spelling are mutually exclusive.”

Best read of the day goes to the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Paul Daugherty who flat-out nails Colin Cowherd, after Cowherd called the Reds frauds. Excerpt:

Cowherd deals in big names, big cities, big teams. He sees himself as a big-time guy. Here in Fraudville, we deal in who’s winning and who’s in first place.

The problem isnt that Cowherd is dissing the Reds. Really, so what? Put Cowherd in a lineup with a gorilla and three donkeys, you’d need 3 guesses to pick him out. The issue is the arrogance that screams that if you’re not NY/Bsn/LA, you’re nobody. You are condescended to, by a guy who sits in a glass booth, throwing stones. And of course by the network that pays him.

That might not bug you. It shouldnt bug me. Only it does.

Continue reading ‘Brandon Knight, Cowherd ripped, Arcade Fire, KSR’

Videos from the Reds clubhouse after Cincinnati lost 6-1 to St. Louis, as the Cardinals completed a three-game sweep and took over first place in the National League Central.

Reds’ manager Dusty Baker:

Reds’ second baseman Brandon Phillips:

Continue reading ‘Video: Reds after being swept by the Cardinals’

I’m at Cincinnati today for the final game of the Reds-Cardinal three-game set. Check back for updates throughout the afternoon:

The first pitching matchup in the crucial three-game Cincinnati-St. Louis series at Great American Ballpark features Chris Carpenter (12-3, 2.91) of the Cardinals vs. Mike Leake (7-3, 3.86) of the Reds.

Here’s a look at how the two pitchers have done against the opposing teams this year, plus how they’ve done in their last five starts.