April 28th and 29th,.. Astros at the reds.
The past two days at Great American were pretty cool and I dont know where to start, so I will just start with what I am thinking about and be all over the place in the process.
What can be said about Adam Rosales?
The guy screams passion.. he oozes it all over the place. whether he is taking the field or leaving.. even on a walk, the guy is excited and passionate about being there.
Last night before the Reds took the field, he was standing at the top of the steps and could not wait to get to third base. As soon as he was given the cue he ran out so fast that it was almost like watching Flash Gordon take the position. When he got walked… again he was like white lightning to first. Coming on and off the field.. it was a reminder (and the only one we need) of Todd Coffey and how he would come out from the bullpen. Another thing about Rosales,.. he was always smiling. Every time I looked at him or zeroed in on him or when Fox Sports had him on.. smiling. Hes not yet jaded by years of hard road travel.. hes not yet consumed with what the Majors have for him.. he is simply enjoying every minute of what hes doing and not feeling like he has to emulate anyone else on the team to fit in.
Maybe he doesn’t even care about fitting in.. maybe.. JUST MAYBE… he is actually enjoying the game.
There was a quote once that Griffey JR said something in the realm of “as long as I still enjoy playing, I will play” or something to that respect. I can remember being at games last year and watching how Griffey would outright ignore fans.. how he would walk past them like they didn’t exist.. how he would scrunch his face when they would call out to him. Of course we know the locker room situation.. how he had two lockers and steamer trunks and what not.. we know how he would hit a grounder and almost just start walking straight to the dugout.. Griffey in my opinion was consumed by the Majors in the wrong way. Consumed by his millions and his endorsements, consumed by being on top and knowing it.
It seemed like in his final years in Cincinnati, Junior didn’t even try that hard… because he didn’t have to. He walked up to the plate every time wanting to hit home runs and not much else.
You don’t see that in players like Laynce Nix, who last night was driven in on a Rosales single.. and then drove in an RBI of his own on a brilliant triple where he was running so hard I thought he was going to bypass third base and crash right into me like a bull.
I said it at the beginning of the season and I will keep saying it. The Reds have the potential to be the NL Central Wildcard. It’s a time of reconstruction,.. of younger guys… of new guys.. and of learning each other. They have the ability to do it, and if the way that Volquez & Cueto have been pitching is any indicator of whats to come, they WILL do it.
Another thing about working every day at the Reds is that you see the same fans, or should I say autograph hounds all the time. There’s one guy who is littered in tattoos and who is always wearing New York Mets gear. Every game before pre game there he is, standing at the third base line wall waiting to try and get autographs. Last night he was holding a bag with something large in it, and got Jeff Keppinger to come over to him.. when he pulled the item out of the bag it was a framed picture ( I am guessing of Keppinger by his reaction) and Keppinger stood and adored it.
Turns out it was a framed picture that he had specially made just for Keppinger and wanted to hand deliver to him. Kep shook his hand and took it back into the clubhouse. A fans devotion will never cease to amaze me.
I asked the guy why he was always at Reds games in Mets gear, and he said “its easier to come here and support a good team and be able to see a lot of games, rather than driving to New York for one game.”
I was happy last night.. it wasn’t too hot, the rain held off.. and the Reds supported some awesome pitching into a win. It will be a week before I get to be there and see them again, but its going to be good to have a small break. It was also nice last night that the only thing I had to dodge on my bike, was the occasional puddle.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Crash bang, boom bip...
Monday April 27th, 2009 - Houston Astros at Cincinnati...
If you like to start your day off by crashing into a brick wall, raise your hand…
Every Reds game I park about 12 blocks uptown and ride my bike down to the stadium. It saves time, frustration, and the cost of parking. Its great exercise, and just feels awesome to be breezing about the streets of the city of Cincinnati.
A while back I read an article in our local city paper about how the city was unfriendly to people on bicycles. Accounts of people being cussed at, run down, having things thrown at them and so on were just a few of the items mentioned. The lack of bike lanes and bike friendly traffic.. all the while thinking to myself that I have never had an issue while riding downtown. As of late I have even gotten more bold and begun riding NYC bike messenger style between cars (always thinking that someone might open their door on me, and finding out that my “friend” Aaron had thought about it)… and just generally having a high level of confidence in my zip zoom style of riding the downtown streets.
That was until yesterday.
So now you say “oh no, what happened yesterday?”
And much to your surprise, no I didn’t get hit by a car.. but I got derailed by someone just simply walking. They say most accidents happen within 5 miles of the home, and on game days I consider the stadium home. It should be no surprise then that I crashed into a brick wall with the light stacks of great American locked in my sites.
I was almost home when some lady walking and texting on her phone AND TOTALLY NOT PAYING ATTENTION, veered right into my path forcing me to take evasive action and the only place I had to go was straight into a wall. The killer of it all was that she just simply looked at me and kept walking… as I layed there mangled and now burning from the road rash, I thought about the compassion of human life and how little of it some people have.
The blood streaming down my shin and elbow, combined with the wind blazing across my now open wounds reminded me of the frailty of the body and its limits.. nevertheless I had to press on and get to the park for another great day of baseball, and after getting patched up at the command center I was good to go for the night.
It amazes me how well Johnny Cueto can pitch and then we still end up losing. He comes out and deliver a rock solid seven innings, and then things still fall apart. Part of me wonders when Bill Bray will ever make it back to help out the bullpen. Part of me wonders where the magic that el matador once had has gone… part of me wonders how and why things turn out the way they do sometimes in the game.
There were no tense moments tonight. No bats flying at my head, there was one foul ball which missed me and beaned the photographer who wasn’t paying attention,… of course at 3rd base the cop still makes sure that any foul balls that come at me go to the kids. It was a Monday so the crowd was kind of light, but it was still a good crowd for a Monday.
I always wonder how players feel when they come back to great American after being traded off or let go. The past two teams have featured former Reds who were still on the team only about 7 or 8 months ago. Seeing Keppinger in an Astros uniform was weird.. and something about it just made me unsettled. Gonzalez is slowly picking his pace back up at short stop, but I cant say I don’t miss seeing Keppinger standing there.
I don’t miss David Ross behind the plate though, and think Hernandez has been a great addition,… though I wish we hadn’t had to trade Freel to get him.
Heres to hoping that we get to see more of great new talent like Laynce Nix & Paul Janish,.. as well as seeing the team get their overall batting average up. If they can refine the bats a little bit and take control on the late game bullpen, I am calling for wildcard in the NL Central.
If you like to start your day off by crashing into a brick wall, raise your hand…
Every Reds game I park about 12 blocks uptown and ride my bike down to the stadium. It saves time, frustration, and the cost of parking. Its great exercise, and just feels awesome to be breezing about the streets of the city of Cincinnati.
A while back I read an article in our local city paper about how the city was unfriendly to people on bicycles. Accounts of people being cussed at, run down, having things thrown at them and so on were just a few of the items mentioned. The lack of bike lanes and bike friendly traffic.. all the while thinking to myself that I have never had an issue while riding downtown. As of late I have even gotten more bold and begun riding NYC bike messenger style between cars (always thinking that someone might open their door on me, and finding out that my “friend” Aaron had thought about it)… and just generally having a high level of confidence in my zip zoom style of riding the downtown streets.
That was until yesterday.
So now you say “oh no, what happened yesterday?”
And much to your surprise, no I didn’t get hit by a car.. but I got derailed by someone just simply walking. They say most accidents happen within 5 miles of the home, and on game days I consider the stadium home. It should be no surprise then that I crashed into a brick wall with the light stacks of great American locked in my sites.
I was almost home when some lady walking and texting on her phone AND TOTALLY NOT PAYING ATTENTION, veered right into my path forcing me to take evasive action and the only place I had to go was straight into a wall. The killer of it all was that she just simply looked at me and kept walking… as I layed there mangled and now burning from the road rash, I thought about the compassion of human life and how little of it some people have.
The blood streaming down my shin and elbow, combined with the wind blazing across my now open wounds reminded me of the frailty of the body and its limits.. nevertheless I had to press on and get to the park for another great day of baseball, and after getting patched up at the command center I was good to go for the night.
It amazes me how well Johnny Cueto can pitch and then we still end up losing. He comes out and deliver a rock solid seven innings, and then things still fall apart. Part of me wonders when Bill Bray will ever make it back to help out the bullpen. Part of me wonders where the magic that el matador once had has gone… part of me wonders how and why things turn out the way they do sometimes in the game.
There were no tense moments tonight. No bats flying at my head, there was one foul ball which missed me and beaned the photographer who wasn’t paying attention,… of course at 3rd base the cop still makes sure that any foul balls that come at me go to the kids. It was a Monday so the crowd was kind of light, but it was still a good crowd for a Monday.
I always wonder how players feel when they come back to great American after being traded off or let go. The past two teams have featured former Reds who were still on the team only about 7 or 8 months ago. Seeing Keppinger in an Astros uniform was weird.. and something about it just made me unsettled. Gonzalez is slowly picking his pace back up at short stop, but I cant say I don’t miss seeing Keppinger standing there.
I don’t miss David Ross behind the plate though, and think Hernandez has been a great addition,… though I wish we hadn’t had to trade Freel to get him.
Heres to hoping that we get to see more of great new talent like Laynce Nix & Paul Janish,.. as well as seeing the team get their overall batting average up. If they can refine the bats a little bit and take control on the late game bullpen, I am calling for wildcard in the NL Central.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Two days at great amercian...
Friday April 24th, 2009 - Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati..
I really should have written this blog after the game, because my memory has fluttered since then. What I can tell you is that it was one of my two least favorite days at great american,.. those being set up and tear down at the beginning and ending of each homestand.
This season I am basically at 3rd base.. so when I get there (after working an 8 hour day already) I have to get it all together and set it all up myself. that’s no problem except that they open the gates two hours before the game, we have a crew meeting, and pre game begins about 40 minutes before game time. so i have to get set up in time to make the meeting.. upon coming up through the tunnel, i almost crashed into braves second basemen Kelly Johnson,... usually by the time I get to the field the away team is already out on the field taking batting practice so I tend not to pay much attention to what I am doing when I come out of the tunnel. It was ok though and after he said excuse me, I said "good luck" which I think weirded him out because he gave me a funny look.
At the meeting, Phil Castillini showed up to just hang out. Suddenly I was in the same room with the guy who basically owned everything in the room,.. including my paycheck. I was in awe... but not because of who he was, or the power he had.. but more because I couldn’t believe he was wearing such sensible shoes and was so down to earth. Most people you meet in his position are stuck up (and I have met a few in my day).. but he was generous and kind.
we got into the game and everything was great.. Laynce Nix, who is slowly becoming my new favorite player (for what reason I do not know) got to bat.. and I even got my friend Clint on the big screen during the beefcake cam which he did awesome at.
The game was a tough battle... and if it weren’t for a few untimely walks I think the reds would have won. It was fireworks night as well.. and some country singer was there that I definitely didnt know, and I am not sure anyone else did either. nevertheless he did the seventh inning stretch.. the game ended, and everyone enjoyed a great after-show. As I rolled back up past the front of the park I stopped at a certain place by the freedom center to watch some of the explosions amongst the lightstacks… its just simply beautiful how it looks sometimes.
Sunday April 26, 2009 – Atlanta Braves at the Reds…
I didn’t work Saturdays game because I had a championship to win of my own.. so I settled for my favorite day in redsland.. Sunday. Not only is it a great day to begin with, but in the media dining room its breakfast day and what I refer to as “omelet time”. After eating a hearty breakfast I was ready to see the reds win.. and in a great mood. I even told anyone who would listen “this is the day… todays the day”
and the day it was.. Jay Bruce lit it up hitting two homers and Joey Votto killed the ball to drive in 3 RBI’s that helped secure a dominance over the Braves.. surprisingly the only Braves highlight came in the form of a former Red, David Ross. I had never seen Ross do much of anything in his time here, but he was lighting up potential stolen bases and then after his hard shot into the bleachers I thought there must be something in that hotlanta water.
I got a highlight of my own, when somewhere mid game I saw a Louisville slugger flying at my face.
In the major leagues the bats are wood. Slick most often.. and the batters have to use pine tar to make them sticky for grip. Now I have seen bats go flying into the stands every once in a while.. and usually its in the stands somewhere close to where the batter is. Today though, both myself and Nick Prince were dodging the wood as I ducked and covered in time to see a bat fly right above me and shatter in the aisle only 6 feet away from me. Somewhere later in the game, Nick who was at first base had the same happen to him.. though this time the bat actually hit someone who had to be escorted out by EMT’s. A traumatic instance I am sure for the person that it hit.. and I think I speak for everyone at the Reds when I say that I wish them a speedy recovery.
Its odd the difference between having a bat fly at you.. and a baseball. the baseball doesn’t even phase me, as evidence early in the game when a foul ball line drived at the camera pit, blitzed off the wall behind me and almost took down the security guard standing next to me. I simple moved my head and continued covering the game. When the bat came flying at me.. you would have thought I was running from fire dropping out of the sky. I guess I have gotten used to the baseballs…
The Braves had their Japanese pitcher today, and its on days like this that the Japanese press and fans come out in mass amount. its great to see the Japanese media in the tunnel. they are always so kind and humble. its just too bad that it turned out to be such a bad day for him… yesterday I asked my friend Naoki what the Japanese word for shame was,.. “probably something like Baka” he said… today was definitely a Baka day for the Atlanta Braves.
Another great thing for me was that Laynce Nix was in the lineup today as more than pinch hitter, which has become one of his regular roles. During pre season batting practice while watching him I commented that he looked like he woke up and ate a set of free weights for breakfast… I don’t exactly remember how he performed, but I know the guy is a beast and has lots of potential.
Sundays at Great American are always Kids/Family day. Today the promotion was Brandon Phillips gold glove day… and we had a great crowd. Its great to see families come out and have a great time at the park. What’s greater is when one of the Reds does something awesome.. and then smiles when he sees the replay of what he did on the board (and by that I mean the replay from your camera). Joey Votto LOVES to see his replays. despite his otherwise permanently stoic nature, he does grin a little when he sees something he did on the big board. what’s good for me is that he is left handed, and my camera brings all the lefties up and then captures what they do. Seeing Votto watching himself on the board and grinning is awesome.. having the replay be one that I shot myself, and knowing that 30 thousand fans are enjoying it too… that’s just priceless.
I really should have written this blog after the game, because my memory has fluttered since then. What I can tell you is that it was one of my two least favorite days at great american,.. those being set up and tear down at the beginning and ending of each homestand.
This season I am basically at 3rd base.. so when I get there (after working an 8 hour day already) I have to get it all together and set it all up myself. that’s no problem except that they open the gates two hours before the game, we have a crew meeting, and pre game begins about 40 minutes before game time. so i have to get set up in time to make the meeting.. upon coming up through the tunnel, i almost crashed into braves second basemen Kelly Johnson,... usually by the time I get to the field the away team is already out on the field taking batting practice so I tend not to pay much attention to what I am doing when I come out of the tunnel. It was ok though and after he said excuse me, I said "good luck" which I think weirded him out because he gave me a funny look.
At the meeting, Phil Castillini showed up to just hang out. Suddenly I was in the same room with the guy who basically owned everything in the room,.. including my paycheck. I was in awe... but not because of who he was, or the power he had.. but more because I couldn’t believe he was wearing such sensible shoes and was so down to earth. Most people you meet in his position are stuck up (and I have met a few in my day).. but he was generous and kind.
we got into the game and everything was great.. Laynce Nix, who is slowly becoming my new favorite player (for what reason I do not know) got to bat.. and I even got my friend Clint on the big screen during the beefcake cam which he did awesome at.
The game was a tough battle... and if it weren’t for a few untimely walks I think the reds would have won. It was fireworks night as well.. and some country singer was there that I definitely didnt know, and I am not sure anyone else did either. nevertheless he did the seventh inning stretch.. the game ended, and everyone enjoyed a great after-show. As I rolled back up past the front of the park I stopped at a certain place by the freedom center to watch some of the explosions amongst the lightstacks… its just simply beautiful how it looks sometimes.
Sunday April 26, 2009 – Atlanta Braves at the Reds…
I didn’t work Saturdays game because I had a championship to win of my own.. so I settled for my favorite day in redsland.. Sunday. Not only is it a great day to begin with, but in the media dining room its breakfast day and what I refer to as “omelet time”. After eating a hearty breakfast I was ready to see the reds win.. and in a great mood. I even told anyone who would listen “this is the day… todays the day”
and the day it was.. Jay Bruce lit it up hitting two homers and Joey Votto killed the ball to drive in 3 RBI’s that helped secure a dominance over the Braves.. surprisingly the only Braves highlight came in the form of a former Red, David Ross. I had never seen Ross do much of anything in his time here, but he was lighting up potential stolen bases and then after his hard shot into the bleachers I thought there must be something in that hotlanta water.
I got a highlight of my own, when somewhere mid game I saw a Louisville slugger flying at my face.
In the major leagues the bats are wood. Slick most often.. and the batters have to use pine tar to make them sticky for grip. Now I have seen bats go flying into the stands every once in a while.. and usually its in the stands somewhere close to where the batter is. Today though, both myself and Nick Prince were dodging the wood as I ducked and covered in time to see a bat fly right above me and shatter in the aisle only 6 feet away from me. Somewhere later in the game, Nick who was at first base had the same happen to him.. though this time the bat actually hit someone who had to be escorted out by EMT’s. A traumatic instance I am sure for the person that it hit.. and I think I speak for everyone at the Reds when I say that I wish them a speedy recovery.
Its odd the difference between having a bat fly at you.. and a baseball. the baseball doesn’t even phase me, as evidence early in the game when a foul ball line drived at the camera pit, blitzed off the wall behind me and almost took down the security guard standing next to me. I simple moved my head and continued covering the game. When the bat came flying at me.. you would have thought I was running from fire dropping out of the sky. I guess I have gotten used to the baseballs…
The Braves had their Japanese pitcher today, and its on days like this that the Japanese press and fans come out in mass amount. its great to see the Japanese media in the tunnel. they are always so kind and humble. its just too bad that it turned out to be such a bad day for him… yesterday I asked my friend Naoki what the Japanese word for shame was,.. “probably something like Baka” he said… today was definitely a Baka day for the Atlanta Braves.
Another great thing for me was that Laynce Nix was in the lineup today as more than pinch hitter, which has become one of his regular roles. During pre season batting practice while watching him I commented that he looked like he woke up and ate a set of free weights for breakfast… I don’t exactly remember how he performed, but I know the guy is a beast and has lots of potential.
Sundays at Great American are always Kids/Family day. Today the promotion was Brandon Phillips gold glove day… and we had a great crowd. Its great to see families come out and have a great time at the park. What’s greater is when one of the Reds does something awesome.. and then smiles when he sees the replay of what he did on the board (and by that I mean the replay from your camera). Joey Votto LOVES to see his replays. despite his otherwise permanently stoic nature, he does grin a little when he sees something he did on the big board. what’s good for me is that he is left handed, and my camera brings all the lefties up and then captures what they do. Seeing Votto watching himself on the board and grinning is awesome.. having the replay be one that I shot myself, and knowing that 30 thousand fans are enjoying it too… that’s just priceless.
Monday, April 13, 2009
And this one belongs to ....Chris Welsh
Sunday April 13th, 2009 Pirates at the Reds.
man what a game today. everything was great,.. well.. except for that triple play that no one expected.
I arrived at great american today completely pumped.. one because the Reds were playing, but more so because Sunday at great american is breakfast day! it makes our usual all you can eat for 7 dollar media buffet worth working the day in the hot sun.. not that it was hot today, but it will be soon.
the guys are always amazed when i start pulling tupperware out of my battle pack, and then put my leftovers in it. "i get hungry around the 5th inning" i say... because we get no breaks, and cant stop. once the show is live.. its live and theres no turning back. so you make do with what you have and if you arent prepared, you end up miserable. thats where the "battle pack" comes into play. If you ever go to a game you might see the camera men at first and third with backpacks or bags... this is a survival tool of the fittest for us,.. and heres a rundown of what is commonly in mine.
1 complete rain suit, pants and jacket.
1 towel.
i can of sun block, 45spf.
a few small rolls of gaffer tape.
1 pitcher with lid
1 car door drink caddie.
1 bag of sunflower seeds.
1 pack of gum.
1 extra thermal shirt.
1 hoodie.
1 pair of fingerless insulated work gloves.
lens wipes.
tissues.
digital camera.
2 tupperwares.
long armband.
car stereo detachable face.
lineup sheets.
the game was a good one like I said and today I was at 1st base with an unobstructed view of the dugout. Cueto is such a happy guy all the time,.. and its funny to watch him hanging out in the dugout, cracking jokes and people watching.
perhaps the highlight above breakfast day, above the 2 run homer, and above watching Johnny Cueto cut it up... was when Chris Welsh and I crossed paths in the bathroom. If theres a more sincere and nice guy that I have ever met while working at the Reds, Chris Welsh is only topped by George Grande.
I casually asked Chris if he was going to grow his mustache back and after some jokes I told him he looked good both ways. He was humble with his response, and in the end it was still up in the air whether he would don his face with the fine stache he used to sport... but hey, thats how it is sometimes...
The Reds win... and you end your day by talking to Chris Welsh in the bathroom about mustaches.
man what a game today. everything was great,.. well.. except for that triple play that no one expected.
I arrived at great american today completely pumped.. one because the Reds were playing, but more so because Sunday at great american is breakfast day! it makes our usual all you can eat for 7 dollar media buffet worth working the day in the hot sun.. not that it was hot today, but it will be soon.
the guys are always amazed when i start pulling tupperware out of my battle pack, and then put my leftovers in it. "i get hungry around the 5th inning" i say... because we get no breaks, and cant stop. once the show is live.. its live and theres no turning back. so you make do with what you have and if you arent prepared, you end up miserable. thats where the "battle pack" comes into play. If you ever go to a game you might see the camera men at first and third with backpacks or bags... this is a survival tool of the fittest for us,.. and heres a rundown of what is commonly in mine.
1 complete rain suit, pants and jacket.
1 towel.
i can of sun block, 45spf.
a few small rolls of gaffer tape.
1 pitcher with lid
1 car door drink caddie.
1 bag of sunflower seeds.
1 pack of gum.
1 extra thermal shirt.
1 hoodie.
1 pair of fingerless insulated work gloves.
lens wipes.
tissues.
digital camera.
2 tupperwares.
long armband.
car stereo detachable face.
lineup sheets.
the game was a good one like I said and today I was at 1st base with an unobstructed view of the dugout. Cueto is such a happy guy all the time,.. and its funny to watch him hanging out in the dugout, cracking jokes and people watching.
perhaps the highlight above breakfast day, above the 2 run homer, and above watching Johnny Cueto cut it up... was when Chris Welsh and I crossed paths in the bathroom. If theres a more sincere and nice guy that I have ever met while working at the Reds, Chris Welsh is only topped by George Grande.
I casually asked Chris if he was going to grow his mustache back and after some jokes I told him he looked good both ways. He was humble with his response, and in the end it was still up in the air whether he would don his face with the fine stache he used to sport... but hey, thats how it is sometimes...
The Reds win... and you end your day by talking to Chris Welsh in the bathroom about mustaches.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Arrrrrr! Pirates!
Saturday April 11th, 2009 - Reds host the pirates.
there couldnt have been a better day for baseball today. As I rode my bike down Walnut there was a brisk and crisp chill in the air which not only kept me alert, but also reminded me of those days as a young kid going to early Saturday morning practices for little league. Though this time the field was much bigger, and the team was much better.
You wouldn’t have really known it by the score though.. and sometimes the score isn’t everything.
I was about 2 tacos deep at the pre game lunch when my friend Exline texted me. he works for a station in West Virginia and they broadcast the games. I informed him that things were in fact running on time and everything was good to go, to which he scoffed because they were having overcast weather and it was gloomy back in the wild and wonderful…
its always a tough one to call at the pre game lunch/dinner. the cafeteria at great American is mostly comprised of media type people. All of us from scoreboard operations, along with the Fox sports, MLB.TV, reds radio, the newspapers, online bloggers, reds websites, marketing, promotions, and really anyone who has anything to do with anything that pertains to any form of media that might promote the Reds. And in time you get to know people… but even after a year its still hard with some. Ive always had a problem with names, and know people more by face but I have made it a point this season to actually look at peoples badges and talk to them more and get to know them.
Its also an awkward feeling when you sit at the same table as Marty and Cowboy,.. or for that matter Tom.. Chris.. Jeff Picoro.. and the other faces you get familiar with when you listen or watch the games at home. You don’t know what to do really.. because while yeah, they are normal guys and all.. they are also set apart from normal. They are the ones who are the face and voice that draws us into our team.. they are the statsmen, the analysts, the friend we have to guide us through the 9 inning battle… and there they are all the sudden two seats away from you, talking about golf or kids or shoes while eating chicken and rice and drinking a coffee.
Todays game wasn’t really much to talk about. When Cueto is on.. he is on. When he struggles, he gets upset.. visibly.. and it effects him. He pitched well, struck out people when needed, but in the end some lucky breaks along with a breakdown in the relief pitching and some bad judgment in baserunning made it a tougher day on him than he needed. And as the 9th inning came to an end on one of those poor baserunning decisions, we all didn’t say much about it.. we just accepted it as inevitable and packed it up.
“We’ll get em tomorrow” I uttered to myself as I watched the team walk off the field and the grounds crew take over. Its early in the season still, and theres room to give a little,.. you just cant give too much without beginning to take something in return.
The energy and excitement at great American is still high, and higher so than it was last year… and I am looking forward to the next 70 or so home games as being better as well. Will the Reds go all the way this year? most think its doubtful… I think they at least have a strong chance at wild card is nothing else. I suppose that only time will tell.. and I will be there to tell it to you.
there couldnt have been a better day for baseball today. As I rode my bike down Walnut there was a brisk and crisp chill in the air which not only kept me alert, but also reminded me of those days as a young kid going to early Saturday morning practices for little league. Though this time the field was much bigger, and the team was much better.
You wouldn’t have really known it by the score though.. and sometimes the score isn’t everything.
I was about 2 tacos deep at the pre game lunch when my friend Exline texted me. he works for a station in West Virginia and they broadcast the games. I informed him that things were in fact running on time and everything was good to go, to which he scoffed because they were having overcast weather and it was gloomy back in the wild and wonderful…
its always a tough one to call at the pre game lunch/dinner. the cafeteria at great American is mostly comprised of media type people. All of us from scoreboard operations, along with the Fox sports, MLB.TV, reds radio, the newspapers, online bloggers, reds websites, marketing, promotions, and really anyone who has anything to do with anything that pertains to any form of media that might promote the Reds. And in time you get to know people… but even after a year its still hard with some. Ive always had a problem with names, and know people more by face but I have made it a point this season to actually look at peoples badges and talk to them more and get to know them.
Its also an awkward feeling when you sit at the same table as Marty and Cowboy,.. or for that matter Tom.. Chris.. Jeff Picoro.. and the other faces you get familiar with when you listen or watch the games at home. You don’t know what to do really.. because while yeah, they are normal guys and all.. they are also set apart from normal. They are the ones who are the face and voice that draws us into our team.. they are the statsmen, the analysts, the friend we have to guide us through the 9 inning battle… and there they are all the sudden two seats away from you, talking about golf or kids or shoes while eating chicken and rice and drinking a coffee.
Todays game wasn’t really much to talk about. When Cueto is on.. he is on. When he struggles, he gets upset.. visibly.. and it effects him. He pitched well, struck out people when needed, but in the end some lucky breaks along with a breakdown in the relief pitching and some bad judgment in baserunning made it a tougher day on him than he needed. And as the 9th inning came to an end on one of those poor baserunning decisions, we all didn’t say much about it.. we just accepted it as inevitable and packed it up.
“We’ll get em tomorrow” I uttered to myself as I watched the team walk off the field and the grounds crew take over. Its early in the season still, and theres room to give a little,.. you just cant give too much without beginning to take something in return.
The energy and excitement at great American is still high, and higher so than it was last year… and I am looking forward to the next 70 or so home games as being better as well. Will the Reds go all the way this year? most think its doubtful… I think they at least have a strong chance at wild card is nothing else. I suppose that only time will tell.. and I will be there to tell it to you.
What a wash...
Friday April 10th, 2009
Cincinnati Reds host the Pittsburgh Pirates... almost.
I knew from the get go that this would turn out to be a mush day,.. I just didnt expect it to never happen at all. I am all good and fine with long delays,.. last year we had one that lasted for what seemed like 3 hours. Its where the profile picture on my blog came from,.. sitting in the tunnel on a hot sunday waiting for the showers to dissipate.
The night before I had ventured to wally world and bought a full body rain suit in anticipation. Last year being my first season with the team I had to learn in a kind of trial by fire situation, first only having a small rain jacket.. then switching to the cheap poncho, but now its a full body suit... which did great, especially on my bike ride to the stadium.
riding into the stadium it was weird and almost predictive.
absent were the usual vendors with the 5 dollar hats and the discounted Griffey jerseys...
absent were the guys with the signs that say "why lie, I want a beer"..
absent was my friend with the bongo drum.
another rainy and drab afternoon in the queen city by all accounts. still though, you have hope that the clouds will part.. the sun will peek through.. and the game you love will still go on.
after eating a healthy portion of lasagna in anticipation of delays and a late night we were told that pregame was going to go on at 6:30 as planned. at 6:30 a message came across the headsets to come back to the control room and be back on camera at 7:30. at 7:15 we were told to stay put for an announcement.. and at 7:30 that announcement told us all to go home.
was i disappointed? yes and no.
I didnt really like the prospect of standing in the rain.. but I was well prepared.
I didnt like not getting to watch the Reds take on the Pirates.. but was also relieved it wouldnt be a late night.
I didnt like that the game had rained out... but was confident that when the time came to make it up, the Reds would be even better than they are now.
So I packed my camera up, got back on the bike and said goodnight to great american.. .knowing that I would be back on Saturday,.. where the sun would be shining, the fans will be smiling... and the Reds... will be playing.
Cincinnati Reds host the Pittsburgh Pirates... almost.
I knew from the get go that this would turn out to be a mush day,.. I just didnt expect it to never happen at all. I am all good and fine with long delays,.. last year we had one that lasted for what seemed like 3 hours. Its where the profile picture on my blog came from,.. sitting in the tunnel on a hot sunday waiting for the showers to dissipate.
The night before I had ventured to wally world and bought a full body rain suit in anticipation. Last year being my first season with the team I had to learn in a kind of trial by fire situation, first only having a small rain jacket.. then switching to the cheap poncho, but now its a full body suit... which did great, especially on my bike ride to the stadium.
riding into the stadium it was weird and almost predictive.
absent were the usual vendors with the 5 dollar hats and the discounted Griffey jerseys...
absent were the guys with the signs that say "why lie, I want a beer"..
absent was my friend with the bongo drum.
another rainy and drab afternoon in the queen city by all accounts. still though, you have hope that the clouds will part.. the sun will peek through.. and the game you love will still go on.
after eating a healthy portion of lasagna in anticipation of delays and a late night we were told that pregame was going to go on at 6:30 as planned. at 6:30 a message came across the headsets to come back to the control room and be back on camera at 7:30. at 7:15 we were told to stay put for an announcement.. and at 7:30 that announcement told us all to go home.
was i disappointed? yes and no.
I didnt really like the prospect of standing in the rain.. but I was well prepared.
I didnt like not getting to watch the Reds take on the Pirates.. but was also relieved it wouldnt be a late night.
I didnt like that the game had rained out... but was confident that when the time came to make it up, the Reds would be even better than they are now.
So I packed my camera up, got back on the bike and said goodnight to great american.. .knowing that I would be back on Saturday,.. where the sun would be shining, the fans will be smiling... and the Reds... will be playing.
Friday, April 10, 2009
My first of the season...
April 8th, 2009 - Reds host the Mets.
I will preface things by giving you a little background to understand what I write about, and where I am coming from with things. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that one day I would grow up working for the team that I loved and watched as a kid. My memories of Pete Rose and Johnny Bench,.. Eric Davis.. Chris Sabo.. They all are small in comparison to the memories I have made in this last short year with the Cincinnati Reds.
I remember the day I got the call to come and work for Scoreboard Operations. That night I was dressed in what I normally would have been,.. A pair of slacks.. A nice button up shirt and suspenders. They gave me a mobile headset so I could follow along with what the director was saying and watch it at the same time on the big board. I remember the feeling I got when I first stepped onto the hallowed ground at Great American,.. And how I was 5 years old all over again.
That was a great night for me.. And while I don’t remember who played, I remember long about the 4th inning when my friend Cliff Jenkins, who was running camera at first base, turned to me and said it’s my turn. I believe the first batter I got was Edwin Encarnacion... and from there I proved myself into the position and eventually spent the rest of the summer doing what I loved to do, while watching the team I loved to watch.
Now fast forward to April 8th, 2009.. Its two days out of opening day in which it rained and the Reds narrowly lost to the New York Mets. I have high anticipation for this game... not only because it’s my first time seeing the team in action since October of '08, but also because I know they are in excellent shape this season. The news guys can produce,.. The old guys are excited with a new found hunger.. And there’s just an elevated sense of excitement all over the park. Not to mention our totally new and redone scoreboard looks fierce!
I always park about 9 blocks away from the park and then ride my bike in. not only does it make Parking free, but it also gives me some exercise. I take the same route just about every time from Columbia parkway, usually riding the wrong way down a one way street so I can see what’s coming at me.. And ending up at fountain square before heading down to 2nd street and taking it to the garage. Every summer aside from the vendors and ticket scalpers, you will see the typical street musicians and the homeless… and there’s one guy out there who is always playing a drum. As the season goes by, you get to know the regulars.. And they get to recognizing you. It was a great feeling when the guy who plays the drum saw me and called out “HEY MAN,.. WELCOME BACK”… yes,… baseball season has arrived for me.
I get into the tunnels and take the elevator up. Get my assignment, check things out and then get something to eat in the cafeteria before our usual crew meeting. I am third base tonight,.. The one place I like the least out of all the positions. Not because I don’t like what I am doing, but because it’s the away side.. And you have to deal with the away fans, and tonight.. Those are Mets fans. All the fans for the away teams are different,.. Some better than others, and I couldn’t remember how Mets fans really were, just that I know that in New York it’s probably a lot different than it is here.
In pre-game the game ball was being delivered by a parachute and he was supposed to land on a big target in center field. When I heard this I thought “This will not go well”, and it didn’t.. He ended up landing.. Or rather crashing between second and first base, but got up smiling before placing the ball on the mound. The Mets players got a big kick out of it.. And so did everyone else after finding out the guy was ok.
In addition to the scoreboard cameras, there are always fox sports cameras 98% of the time. You get to know the guys that run those cameras, and most of them always run the same ones. At third with me was Tom and I was surprised I actually remembered his name because I am horrible with names. We do our best to stay out of each others way because it can get tight on the camera platform… and you can help each other when a foul ball comes at you about 90mph and you’re stuck looking through a 5 or 6 inch viewfinder before you realize it.
And that’s one of the hard things about working the low cameras. Last season I suffered this in the form of a Jay Bruce foul ball which bounced up and caught right between my pinky and ring finger. It hurt pretty badly and to smart it off while I was writhing in pain one of the grounds crew guys ran over and stole the ball.
You’re probably saying “What do you care? You probably get all that stuff all the time and hang out with the players and stuff don’t you?” in a word… NO.
We aren’t allowed to fraternize with the players of either team. They are there to do their job, and we are there to do our job. We rarely get an opportunity outside of sitting in the stands while not working to get any foul balls or anything, we aren’t even allowed to ask for autographs, and outside of getting a pat on the back from Aaron Harang while walking past him one day, and a really awkward experience with Ryan Freel,.. I have never spoken to, gotten an autograph from, or even touched one of the Cincinnati Reds.
So long about the 4th inning Wednesday night, when Bruce shot a foul ball at me, and I recovered it and put it in my pocket, I was kind of annoyed that the usual cop who works the away dugout came over and made me give it to a kid… but it is what it is and its understandable.
All in all it was a great game and a great back and forth battle. Volquez had his slips here and there, the Mets got some lucky hits, the Reds battled back with their own stuff including a massive home run from Joey Votto. It was amazing seeing the new scoreboard light up like the 4th of July… I would imagine that from the outside or across the river that the stadium probably looked like an erupting volcano with how red the scoreboard made everything. It was being bathed in fire.
Sadly though, this one didn’t belong to the Reds.. But they surely didn’t go down without a fight.
After the game I bagged up my camera, looked onto the field and smiled like I always do.. And made my way back up to the control room to sign out before making that bike ride back into downtown smiling.
And that’s the thing for me really,.. No matter how many times I step out onto that field before a game, I always feel like I am 5 years old all over again.
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