The Cutting Edge » 2006

Archive for March, 2006

Reds Lose Spring Opener

March 3rd, 2006 | Blade

I know the games don’t matter much, but losing to the Tigers?? Eric Milton was scratched because of an injury (couldn’t find what it was) and Austin Kearns also didn’t play because he was hit on the arm. Ben Kozlowski started instead and he filled in nicely for Milton by giving up four runs in two innings with, of course, a homerun. Ryan Wagner was also shelled in his one inning and took the loss.

The good news? Scott Hatteberg went yard and Jacob Cruz went two for two with a double and three walks. You can check out game highlights and boxscores at MLB.com.

The rematch is today!!

Speaking of MLB.com, that’s a site that’s made a nice leap here recently. Tons and tons of content, and they have some really cool multimedia stuff. I’m signing up for the Gameday Audio package so I can listen to the Reds here at home in the Detroit area. I used to be a Yahoo sports guy, but now I’m MLB.com all the way.

Permalink | Posted in 2006 Season |

Comments Off

Reds Pitching Coach Diagnosed With Cancer

March 2nd, 2006 | Blade

Vern Ruhle, the Cincinnati Reds pitching coach, was diagnosed with cancer. He’s not revealing the type, but he’s said he’ll stay with the team while he’s being treated.

I wish Mr. Ruhle the best and I hope he has a fast and speedy recovery.

Permalink | Posted in 2006 Season |

Comments Off

Narron Pretty Much Set on Reds Rotation

March 2nd, 2006 | Blade

Here’s where the Reds stand as far as starting pitchers:

1) Aaron Harang
2) Brandon Claussen
3) Paul Wilson
4) Eric Milton
5) Dave Williams

Narron said this wasn’t a particular order, but it looks pretty close to the way I’d expect things to line up. And of course it all assumes Paul Wilson is ready when the season kicks off.

Dave Williams was shelled in an exhibition spring game. He gave up five runs in the first inning so the fun starts already. Although it’s hard to put any stock into these early spring games. You just have to hope this isn’t the beginning of a trend.

Oddly, on the Reds depth chart at MLB.com, there’s no sixth starter. Most of the other team’s depth charts have them.

Should be an interesting season.

Permalink | Posted in 2006 Season |

Comments Off

Excitement is high for Reds baseball opener!

March 1st, 2006 | Blade

Everyone who is anyone is gearing up for the 2006 MLB season. My first step is going to be purchasing my Cincinnati Reds Opening Day tickets. It is a tradition in my family for us all to take the day off of school or work to head down to the Great American Ballpark for the Reds? Opening Day. Even when they were playing at Riverfront Stadium, we?d all hop in the car and get to the park early to celebrate the return of baseball.

This year?s spring schedule looks exciting with the Reds meeting the Minnesota Twins five times. The Cincinnati Reds regular season home opener will be April 3, 2006 against the Chicago Cubs. Aaron Harang hopes to be chosen for the position of starting pitcher for Opening Day and I believe he is the most appropriate choice for the job. Dave Williams or even Eric Milton could be up for the job but the choice belongs to Reds pitching Coach Vern Ruhle and manager Jerry Narron.

April?s schedule starts with six Reds home games, four of which are against the Pittsburgh Pirates. We also have a four game road trip to battle the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Hopefully there will be some May flowers blooming when we host the Washington Nationals and Arizona Diamondbacks. Come June, I will be wishing I had bought Reds box seats as the weather heats up and we host the Chicago White Sox, which would be an intense battle even without the heat of summer.

All things considered the we have a pretty great 2006 MLB game schedule and with Ken Griffy, Wily Mo Pena and Tony Womack on the field we should be able to surpass our 2005 record. Pena has made a public pledge that this year is to be his breakout year as a hitter. Improvements at-bat are needed for sure and I am eager to see the Reds in action at the plate. Our pitching core is however the biggest reason I was so excited to buy my Cincinnati Reds tickets this year.

In Ohio there are plenty of sports teams to keep a baseball fan busy in the off season. But, going to Cincinnati Bengals home games or watching the Cleveland Cavaliers and Columbus Blue Jackets on TV, really never compares to watching my favorite baseball team try to make it to the World Series year after year. Reds baseball games are a part of my history and of my future. I bought World Series tickets in 1990 when the Cincinnati Reds beat the Oakland Athletics for the fifth championship in their history. Hopefully the Reds can rise above powerful teams like the San Diego Padres, New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves to win big in 2006.