A wonderfully gifted and funny man died this weekend, far to young. Shad O'Shea was a local Cincinnati legend, a throwback to the time when radio was fun and very important in people's everyday lives. He was 'old school', with the wit and irreverence of modern day. He knew the difference between engaging a listener and simply reading liners and giving time checks. He worked at radio stations from California to Louisiana to Ohio, and some places in between. Shad, before running a successful recording studio and owning the Fraternity record label, live the nomadic life of a rock and roll DJ in the 50's and 60's. He worked with talent that would go onto work at some of the biggest rock and roll radio stations in the USA, and some that would never get out of the 500 watt station they were stuck at. He treated everyone the same.

I met Shad a few years ago. He treated me like I knew him forever. He helped me with a project I was working on when I freelanced at WGRR-FM in Cincinnati, recounting stories of his time as a DJ and some of the characters in the music business he ran into along the way.

He wasn't old, and to my knowlege at least, wasn't in poor health. But now he's gone. A good ole boy, as we like to say in the broadcasting business. Arf, arf Shad. You were a bona fide original.

I got to thinking about this the other night, one of those things that hits you when you’re up too late and you can’t get to sleep. You know how it goes.

I was thinking about virtues. I don’t know why, maybe it was the bourbon. Maybe it was one of those Catholic High School flashbacks that haunt a lot of us. As I recall, or as I recall the good Christian Brothers of Ireland beating into me, there are seven virtues in life, Plato and Aristotle had a hand in it. The Church got involved, Cardinal and Theological stuff. Prudence and justice are virtues. So are faith, love and charity. Hope is right up there. But maybe the toughest virtue for all of us in the super hit seven is restraint. Patience would be another word for it. And I got to thinking about how that virtue applies to your Cincinnati Reds.

That team tries our patience, doesn’t it? Not quite as much as your Cincinnati Bengals, of course, but the Reds are getting there.

Patience is lost in this 300 TV channel instant internet universe we live in. We don’t want to wait for anything. We want it now, last Thursday, if possible. So when a team preaches patience and it hasn’t won significantly in over a decade, patience is the last thing a fan wants to hear.

What has it been for the Reds, one winning season since 2000, two since 1995? If you’re under 20, you have no recolection of the Reds in the post season playoffs.

That’s the kind of stuff that tries patience. That’s why we want it now. Delayed gratification? Define delayed.

This season is rolling on and the time to get things right is rapidly ending. We begin today with the Reds three and a half games out of first place, a team with terrific talent as some positions, serviceable talent at others and some guys who might be better off in places like Louisville or Scranton.

As the season rolls on, the Reds are a team that is beginning to offer more questions than answers. And we’ve been here before, haven’t we?

What do you do with Jay Bruce? He couldn’t hit a beach ball right now. His batting average has slipped to .212. He strikes about as often as his hero Adam Dunn. He looks lost. So if you’re the Reds what do you do with Bruce? How do you fix the player who’s the face of your future? Send him to “AAA” and let him find his swing there? I’ve heard that suggestion a lot this week. You think that discovery is waiting for him in Louisville? Against minor league pitching? The kind of pitching Bruce devoured on his meteoric rise to Major League Baseball.

Do you bench him? Ok, who else you got? And by sitting on the bench he’ll find his swing again by doing what, spitting sunflower seeds onto the dugout floor?

What do you do with Homer Bailey? I’ve said on this show that I believe Bailey will not pitch another meaningful game for the Cincinnati Reds this season. He’s inconsistent in “AAA” (incidentally, the same place you might’ve suggested the Reds send Jay Bruce) and when Bailey has arrived in Cincinnati, he’s brought with him great stuff and horrid control. Homer Bailey has been traded about six dozen times on talk radio in this town since we last saw him a couple of weeks ago. I heard someone call in after one game and suggest the Reds should just release Bailey.

Patience.

Maybe the Reds front office has it because it knows that the last thing you turn and run from is raw talent, particularly young, raw talent. It probably also has something to do with money. It’s always about money, and young players like Bruce and Bailey are years away from being expensive players.

But probably it’s about patience. The smart guys at Great American Ball Park seem to be going down that road, maybe with no other choice.

Maybe we should too. Plato and Aristotle would be proud. And after all they have the ears of the Gods

Good Monday Morning!

Trite though it may sound, remember why today is a holiday. If you see someone wearing our country's uniform, make a point to tell them 'thank you' today.

Homer Bailey is finished as a Cincinnati Red. I have no confirmation of this from anyone even remotely associated with the Reds. This is just a gut feeling. He blew his final chance when he faltered against the Indians Saturday night.

Why do I feel this way? Several reasons. First, he continues to do the same things each and every time he's recalled from "AAA". Bailey's control is non-existent. His 'stuff' is great. Bailey was clocked at 94 mph. But he was all over the place. He walked six, allowed six earned runs and seems to have regressed since the last time we saw him.

Bailey was babied during spring training. While other Reds pitchers were tossing three and four innings per outing, Bailey was held to only a couple of innings. He was outpitched by Micah Owings for the 5th starters spot. And although Owings has had trouble this early season, it's nothing compared to what Bailey has done at "AAA" and here on Saturday night.

One of two things is happening with this guy. A: he's not listening to what he's being told to do by the Reds' "AAA" pitching coach, Ted Power. Power says Bailey is listening and learning, but my eyes tell me a lot more than my ears. B: what they're telling Bailey to do simply isn't working. In either case, it's time for both parties to move on. The only argument for keeping Bailey in the organization is his age. He just turned 23. But that's a weak argument when it's placed up against what other pitchers his age are doing.

In the draft class of 2004, Bailey draft class, Jered Weaver is in his third year of effective major league pitching. Matt Bush and Justin Verlander are established major leaguers. The Yankees Phillip Hughes appears to be most like Bailey statistically. But Hughes, selected after Bailey, has battled injuries. Bailey has had some, but not like Hughes.

In the draft class of 2005, the Mets have Mike Pelphrey in their rotation and the Rays are getting good work from starter Matt Garza.

In 2006, the Giants selected Tim Lincecum and the Dodgers took Clayton Kershaw. They are two of the best pitchers in the game.

From the class of 2007, pitcher David Price saw action in the post season last fall with the Rays. He starts his first game of the 2009 season today against Cleveland.

And here's the worst news of all for Bailey: he's not one of the Reds new regime 'guys'. Bailey was drafted by Dan O'Brien, two GM's ago.

There is a way to salvage Bailey, should the Reds choose to. They could recall him from "AAA" and place him in the bullpen, if for no other reason than to get his throwing to major league hitters. But he's shown little sign of being able to get major league hitters out in his various call-ups. Why would the Reds, contenders at least at this point, want to risk Bailey in a Major League game, in any capacity.

Yet, it's in everyone's best interest for Bailey to figure things out. If he can, he'll be a valuable piece to the Reds pitching. If he can, he'll become more attractive, should the Reds really be interested in cutting ties with him.

But the real question is, can Bailey figure it out? He been called selfish and bull headed. Veteran Reds reportedly have tried to talk to him about it. We keep hearing that Bailey has changed that part of the equation. Maybe, as a person, he has. As a pitcher, on the strength of what he did against the Indians Saturday night, not so much.

Now that Chad Johnson has at least dangled the possibility of reporting for mini-camp next week and has quieted the masses, Ken what are you nuts? Who in the hell gives a rats patooty about Ocho-No Show anyhow? This guy thinks he's the face of Cincinnati? He must have himself confused with the Banks Project....anyhow, enough talking to myself. Now that Johnson says he may grace himself with his presence, why not check out this si.com story on the Bengals second round pick, Jerome Simpson. Good stoof, as we used to say in the old neighborhood.

When Homer Bailey arrived on the major league scene about a year ago this time, he was touted as the best Reds prospect in decades. Bailey proceeded to not only fizzle on the field, off the field he was, to put it gently, a handful. He snapped at the media and reportedly wasn't so keen on taking instruction from his coaches or veteran teammates. Thursday, he made his 2008 MLB debut, after starting this season in the minors. He gave up five runs in 6.1 innings, but only two of those runs were earned. And later, among the people he impressed was Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News in his game report.

Junior played today, over his 'general soreness' that apparently is centered in an aching knee. The Philadelphia Inquirer has a nice story on Griffey, who just his week was voted the most popular active major league player by his peers in a Sports Illustrated poll.


That's it for now. Back with more later. Check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com

Homer Bailey got a lesson in major league baseball tonight. He was rocked in Philly. The phenom only made it through two outs into the second inning, allowing six runs in the process.

This shouldn't be a shock to anyone. Every great pitcher, early in his career, has growing pains. Whether or not Bailey becomes a great pitcher will be determined in the next few years. But what happened to him in Philadelphia tonight, shouldn't do any long term damage. If he's what we think he is, it will probably make him determined to atone, his next time out.

The Mitchell Commission may or may not get to the names of the stars involved in steroid abuse in major league baseball. It may be nothing more than just a ceremonial group, designed to appease the fans, maybe the US Congress. But if it does nothing more than just expose the use of that drug, it will have served its purpose. Look no further than suburban Georgia to see why the side effects of steroids may be so lethal.

Police are just finishing up their investigation into the double murder-suicide of professional wrister, Chris Benoit and his family. Investigators are now saying that Benoit strangled his wife, then suffocated his son and then killed himself using a pulley from a weight machine in his home. Steroids were found, when investigators began their search of the house.

Whether or not 'roid rage' is to blame for this horrific event is something that a coroner will have to determine. But clearly, steroid abuse has sent many professional wresters to an early grave. Eddie Guerrero, Curt Henning, Davey Boy Smith all pro wrestlers, all died early and in their wake, friends and family blamed steroid use (abuse?) for their deaths.

Steroids are a real problem for some professional athletes. But the real concern is how steroid use (abuse?) is becoming a problem with high school athletes. Some states, including New Jersey, have begun mandatory testing of high school athletes to determine whether or not they're taking these illegal drugs. Is it too young to start? Is 43 too young to die? That's how old Benoit was.

Just posted on my web site www.kenbroo.com is the latest "Broo View Podcast" Just go to the "Podcast and More" section to download it and check it out. I've got some comments from the new head basketball coach at the University of Kentucky, Billy Gillespie.

Not bad....not bad at all. 114 pitch night for the phenom....and Homer Bailey only lasts five innings. But he stuck around long enough to leave with a 4-2 lead and pick up his first ever major league win.

He didn't get a lot of help from the Reds defense (welcome to Cincinnati, Homer). A first inning run would've been avoided had Norris Hopper hit the cut off man. But he did get decent run support from Brandon Phillips (solo home run), Jeff Conine (two run home run) and Ken Griffey, Junior (solo home run, career #577).

Bailey needs to concentrate on his 'out' pitch a little more in his next start. He had the count at 2-2 and 3-2 several times and lost the batter. But for starters, no bad, not bad at all.

It's not like the NFL draft. You won't see any of the players the Reds (or any MLB team) drafted today in the major leagues any time soon. But the first pick was more than interesting.
The Reds selected Pennsylvania high school catcher, Devin Mesoraco. He's an interesting choice. Mesoraco missed an entire season of high school ball, recovering from Tommy John surgery. But he built his arm strength up and now has one of the best arms in the country.

Mesoraco has a full ride waiting at the University of Virginia. But he left no doubt today that he'll sign with the Reds, instead.

The countdown to Homer Bailey-mania (not to be confused in Cincinnati with Brennaman-ia) is on. The phenom makes his major league debut Friday night, at Great American Ball Park against the Cleveland Indians. Tough opponent to draw in game one. The Indians have one of the more potent line-ups in the game.

Another thing to watch for Friday is whether or not charges will be filed in Georgia against Bengals linebacker, Odell Thurman. Two man and a woman have filed a coplaint with the Monticello, Georgia, police about an incident that happened at a party in that town last weekend. The complaint alleges that Thurman beat up a man and that one of his relatives, a cousin, was involved with theatening a party goer with a gun.

If charges are filed against Thurman, who has the right to apply for re-instatement to the NFL this Monday, it will further his supension that is coming up on a year.

It's official. Homer Bailey makes his major league debut this Friday night in Cincinnati against the Indians. The Reds decided to move him up a day, much to Bailey's surprise. Immediately after getting the news he was coming up, he began phoning friends and family members. Within an hour, the Reds brass had changed their minds. It's Friday, not Saturday they told Bailey. Homer scrambled to let his family know. But by then, he was riding a bus back from Durham, NC, through the hills of West Virginia. No cell service ment the update had to be put on hold. Eventually, everyone got the news. And a large contingent from Texas will be at Great American Ball Park Friday night, watching the Reds phenom toss his first major league game.

More thoughts on Bailey are in my latest Broo View Podcast. You can find it on my web site, www.kenbroo.com. It's in the 'Podcast and More' section.

If you're the Orlando Magic, would you force Billy Donovan to honor his contract? They won't, of course. But in the real world (where you and I live) you know we'd be forced to honor it. It just proves the absurdity of contract law in professional and collegiate sports. The written word means nothing. College coaches can walk on contracts that have two, three, five years left on them. College presidents allow them to. Now we know that a five year, $27.5 million dollar deal is worthless, for a team trying to make a coach adhere to his written word. What does that say about the spoken word of good faith. Right.

I'm sure the Reds have thought this through. They'd have had to. Homer Bailey will get the call sometime this week to join the team and start Saturday's game against the Indians. His arrival has been hailed and expected for over a year, every since he began making his meteoric rise from the depths of the Reds minor league system to where he is now, "AAA". He is the phenom, the first legitimate pitcher the Reds have developed in almost 20 years.

But think about this: if Bailey comes up and pitches well on Saturday, what happens? A team as desperate as the Reds for a kick start to this dismal season really can't afford to have Bailey here for one start and then banish him back to the minors. They would have to keep him here, right? Well if they do, then what? The next time the Reds would be in need of a fifth starter would be in early July. Surely, they won't let Bailey sit on the bench, or in the bullpen waiting until then. So that means either Kyle Loshe or Matt Belisle must leave the rotation to make room for Bailey. If he pitches well Saturday, keep an eye on that situation.

Waiting in the minors along with Bailey is another phenom: first baseman Joey Votto. Right now, Votto is hitting .318 with 8 homers and 34 runs batted in. And, Votto has been playing some left field. New contact lenses have helped Votto at the plate this season. He could be another call up. If the Reds are out of the running for the NL Central title, and as bad as that division is, no one is out of it right now, then Scott Hatteberg would be a likely candidate for trade. Like Hatteberg, Votto is a left handed hitting first baseman. It's a natural exchange: Hatteberg traded somewhere for whatever the Reds can get. Votto up from the minors.

Votto doesn't strike out a lot, 43 times in only 236 plate appearances. As much as Bailey's call up is anticipated, Votto should draw the same excitement.

Not exactly local...but an interesting thing on the new contract Barry Bonds has signed. If he's indicted by the federal government in its steroid investigation of major league baseball, the San Francisco Giants can void his contract. Bond's personal trainer is in prison for refusing to testify before the jury whether or not Bonds perjured himself in 2003. Then, Bonds told a grand jury he didn't knowingly use any steroid or performance enhancing drug. Stay tuned on this one. Almost $16 million dollars are on the line.

Just posted today on my web site, www.kenbroo.com is the latest "Broo View". I've got an interview with Cincinnati Reds pitching phenom, Homer Bailey in this latest edition. Also, brand new and on the front page is my latest feature: the Broo Ha Ha of the week. Check it out.

Ken