Now, maybe we know the rest of the story. Here's the exclusive tonight from si.com on what may possibly be up for former Bengal Odell Thurman.
If this is the case, then the Bengals had no choice but to cut ties. Thurman seems to be a troubled man, on a collision course to a very short life. The Bengals, because they took on so many troubled players under Marvin Lewis and now seem intent on cleaning out their locker room, couldn't afford the luxury on waiting to see if Thurman would ever be well enough to play again. But, they should've known when they drafted Thurman, this could be the outcome. Very sad.
Former Red, Josh Hamilton has been named the American League Player Of The Month for the second straight month! Hamilton says his dream, before becoming a professional baseball player, was to win the Home Run Derby at the all star game. He's going to get that chance. Hamilton leads all AL outfielders in voting. It's great that Edinson Volquez has made this trade a 'win win' for both the Rangers and Reds. But think about this: if the Reds under general manager Jim Bowden had been able to develope starting pitching, the Reds would've been able to keep Hamilton because they would've already had pitchers the cablibre of Volquez.
Of course, if Jay Bruce keeps this up, he may make us forget about Hamilton and a lot of other former Reds.
More Jay 'love' today from USA Today.
Cast your vote at the top of my blog for the most likely scenario for Bruce this season.
Check this out. Do you think the pitcher and catcher in this Georgia high school game were out to get the umpire?
If they weren't out to get the umpire, they missed a helluva chance.
Check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com. I'll have this week's "Broo View Podcast" posted midweek. But you can access and download the archives in my "Podcast and More" section.
See you tonight, at 6 & 11p on WLWT Channel 5 in Cincinnati!
THE BROO VIEW: Cincinnati's Legendary Sportscaster Offer His Thoughts On The Ever Changing World Of Sports
Sunday, June 01, 2008
The only thing missing was Glenn Close in a white dress, standing behind home plate with the sun setting behind her and Jay Bruce’s home run ball shattering an outfield light bulb.
He is straight out of central casting. Wanted, one young ballplayer who looks and acts the part. Clean complexion and sparkling white teeth required. Must be able to hit the major league curve. Must be able to hit for average and power, deflect post game compliments and heroics to fellow team mates. Must possess speed, throwing ability and excellent defense. Commonly referred to a as a five tool player by former general manager who liked to wear leather pants. Do not confuse with Brandon Larson.
There it is, the job description that Jay Bruce Almighty is a living, breathing poster boy for.
You feel like giving thanks to someone today for all of this. Thank Dan O’Brien and his front office staff. They drafted Bruce in 2005. O’Brien took on a lot of water in his short stint as general manager, although that made Wayne Krivsky’s tenure look like a change of planes. But O’Brien knew good, young talent. He couldn’t make what he had at the major league level work. But he helped set the table for Walt Jocketty and the guy who fired O’Brien, Bobby C.
Finally, we’ve got a first round draft pick who has hit it out of the park, literally. Maybe some of Krivsky’s picks will do the same thing. Jury is out on Drew Stubbs and Devan Morasaco.
Leather Pants? That group whiffed more in the first round than a guy with gold chains and a leisure shuit at La Boom, circa 1986. Ty Howingson, Chris Gruler, Richie Gardner, Ryan Wagner, the aforementioned Larson and, oh, how could we forget, the tantrum pick of the new millenium, Jeremy Sowers. But we digress.
Jay Bruce has done more in one week to rejuvenate Reds baseball than any player on any Reds team in the last nine seasons. This team was dead in the water, on the field and at the box office until he arrived on Tuesday.
You think I’m lying? Did you see those crowds Friday and Saturday? 37-thousand and change Friday night. 38-and change yesterday. Another near sellout Sunday. Good weather?
Braves in town? Junior closing in on 600? Sure to a degree. But those numbers are about Bruce, and a team that’s had a life transplant in the last two weeks.
The series sweeps of the Marlins and Indians gave us a hint this team was on the verge of a pulse again. Bruce made the corpse sit up. Now, the Reds appear to be a living, breathing contender again. They’re scoring runs. Lots of runs. The starting pitching seems to be settling down. The team is winning, and more important perhaps, winning at home.
It’s my opinion, that the Reds were bordering on the most dangerous territory for any sports team: apathy. The opposite of fan adulation isn’t anger, it’s apathy. You might want to consult Mike Brown about that. Like a generation of Bengals fans, close to a generation of Reds fans had grown up knowing nothing but losing baseball. The Bengals had one trip to the playoffs between 1990 and 2005. The Reds had one trip to the playoffs between 1990 and this year. Think about it. If you’re 30 years old, what have you seen from the Reds in your lifetime. You got that great wire to wire run in 1990...a division series win over the Dodgers in 1995....and a lot of Joey Hamilton, Jimmy Haynes and Pokey Reese. Your dad can tell you about the Big Red Machine. Your grandmother can fill you in on Gene Freese, Joey Jay and Wally Post and the ‘61 Reds. But what have you seen with your own eyes that got you geeked besides 90 and 95.
When you’re missing that, you find other things to do. Movies, video games, mall escapes. Going to baseball games, downtown, for how much a ticket? Not so much, not if they don’t win. That, is apathy. And that’s any team’s greatest fear. That’s the turf I saw the Reds dancing far too close to.
Look, I’m not saying Jay Bruce is a savior. There are no saviors anymore. There don’t seem to be very many heros anymore. You can thank guys like me for that. We in the media have done a pretty good job of tearing down good stories. We’ve become obsessed with finding warts. Just wait around for that to happen. Somewhere, out there, is morther of all slumps waiting for Jay Bruce. It happens to every ballplayer, even the great ones. We’ll all be waiting to jump on that one.
But even the worst cynic this week has to admit this: Jay Bruce has kicked this team’s game up a notch. Maybe the rest of the club played off the buzz of his call-up, Maybe some guys don’t want to be the next Scott Hatteberg or Corey Patterson. Maybe this team was going to wake up and play this way, anyway.
But what we’ve witness this week is something we, you and I, may not witness again: a phenom in waiting, legend proceeding him, an underachieving major league team still lurking around with the other contenders, salivating for a kick start. How many times has that happened around here?
Bruce is no savior. The mother of all slumps may be here before you know it. The Reds may revert back to pretenders instead of contenders.
But it’s been a helluva week, hasn’t it?
He is straight out of central casting. Wanted, one young ballplayer who looks and acts the part. Clean complexion and sparkling white teeth required. Must be able to hit the major league curve. Must be able to hit for average and power, deflect post game compliments and heroics to fellow team mates. Must possess speed, throwing ability and excellent defense. Commonly referred to a as a five tool player by former general manager who liked to wear leather pants. Do not confuse with Brandon Larson.
There it is, the job description that Jay Bruce Almighty is a living, breathing poster boy for.
You feel like giving thanks to someone today for all of this. Thank Dan O’Brien and his front office staff. They drafted Bruce in 2005. O’Brien took on a lot of water in his short stint as general manager, although that made Wayne Krivsky’s tenure look like a change of planes. But O’Brien knew good, young talent. He couldn’t make what he had at the major league level work. But he helped set the table for Walt Jocketty and the guy who fired O’Brien, Bobby C.
Finally, we’ve got a first round draft pick who has hit it out of the park, literally. Maybe some of Krivsky’s picks will do the same thing. Jury is out on Drew Stubbs and Devan Morasaco.
Leather Pants? That group whiffed more in the first round than a guy with gold chains and a leisure shuit at La Boom, circa 1986. Ty Howingson, Chris Gruler, Richie Gardner, Ryan Wagner, the aforementioned Larson and, oh, how could we forget, the tantrum pick of the new millenium, Jeremy Sowers. But we digress.
Jay Bruce has done more in one week to rejuvenate Reds baseball than any player on any Reds team in the last nine seasons. This team was dead in the water, on the field and at the box office until he arrived on Tuesday.
You think I’m lying? Did you see those crowds Friday and Saturday? 37-thousand and change Friday night. 38-and change yesterday. Another near sellout Sunday. Good weather?
Braves in town? Junior closing in on 600? Sure to a degree. But those numbers are about Bruce, and a team that’s had a life transplant in the last two weeks.
The series sweeps of the Marlins and Indians gave us a hint this team was on the verge of a pulse again. Bruce made the corpse sit up. Now, the Reds appear to be a living, breathing contender again. They’re scoring runs. Lots of runs. The starting pitching seems to be settling down. The team is winning, and more important perhaps, winning at home.
It’s my opinion, that the Reds were bordering on the most dangerous territory for any sports team: apathy. The opposite of fan adulation isn’t anger, it’s apathy. You might want to consult Mike Brown about that. Like a generation of Bengals fans, close to a generation of Reds fans had grown up knowing nothing but losing baseball. The Bengals had one trip to the playoffs between 1990 and 2005. The Reds had one trip to the playoffs between 1990 and this year. Think about it. If you’re 30 years old, what have you seen from the Reds in your lifetime. You got that great wire to wire run in 1990...a division series win over the Dodgers in 1995....and a lot of Joey Hamilton, Jimmy Haynes and Pokey Reese. Your dad can tell you about the Big Red Machine. Your grandmother can fill you in on Gene Freese, Joey Jay and Wally Post and the ‘61 Reds. But what have you seen with your own eyes that got you geeked besides 90 and 95.
When you’re missing that, you find other things to do. Movies, video games, mall escapes. Going to baseball games, downtown, for how much a ticket? Not so much, not if they don’t win. That, is apathy. And that’s any team’s greatest fear. That’s the turf I saw the Reds dancing far too close to.
Look, I’m not saying Jay Bruce is a savior. There are no saviors anymore. There don’t seem to be very many heros anymore. You can thank guys like me for that. We in the media have done a pretty good job of tearing down good stories. We’ve become obsessed with finding warts. Just wait around for that to happen. Somewhere, out there, is morther of all slumps waiting for Jay Bruce. It happens to every ballplayer, even the great ones. We’ll all be waiting to jump on that one.
But even the worst cynic this week has to admit this: Jay Bruce has kicked this team’s game up a notch. Maybe the rest of the club played off the buzz of his call-up, Maybe some guys don’t want to be the next Scott Hatteberg or Corey Patterson. Maybe this team was going to wake up and play this way, anyway.
But what we’ve witness this week is something we, you and I, may not witness again: a phenom in waiting, legend proceeding him, an underachieving major league team still lurking around with the other contenders, salivating for a kick start. How many times has that happened around here?
Bruce is no savior. The mother of all slumps may be here before you know it. The Reds may revert back to pretenders instead of contenders.
But it’s been a helluva week, hasn’t it?
Friday, May 30, 2008
As we cruise on into another weekend, we remain status quo. We know know neither if the Reds are alive and contending or slipping into the land of the also rans. They took two of three from the Pirates, but fell into their bad, old ways in the series finale. Aaron Harang was pitching on only three days rest. He was no Bronson Arroyo.
But let me ask you this: if the Reds declared Josh Fogg the starter for Saturday's game BEFORE the series finale against the Pirates. Why not start Fogg Thursday, allowing Harang to slide back to his normal start?
Jay Bruce arrived this week and Ken Griffey, Jr still needs two more home runs to reach 600. Are the two inter-twined? Danny Knobler from cbssports.com thinks they could be.
And then, there's this from Scott Miller from the same cbssports.com. Sounds like 600 means a heckuva lot more to his team mates and fans, than Griffey, Jr.
I won't be running onto the field at Fenway Park anytime soon, and you shouldnt either, after watching this video from the other night.
One of the best national football writers is Jarrett Bell, from USA Today. I got to know him, during my time in Washington, DC. Good writer, funny guy, good guy. Here's his take on the Bengals. Bell isn't predicting playoffs. But he says it's not out of the question.
Sunday night on Sports Rock, our guest, live from Las Vegas, will be Cincinnati Cyclones head caoch, Chuck Weber. The 'Clones, are we call them here in Cincinnati, are up 2-1 in their best of seven Kelly Cup final series. Game 4 is tonight. Former Bengal Eric Thomas and 1530 Homer's Mo Egger will be in as well.
Sunday morning, I'm talking sports, as always on 700 WLW. If you not within the coverage area of this 50K flame throwing, you can listen on line, at www.700wlw.com. If you have XM radio, we're on channel 173. My guests will include Hal McCoy and Chick Ludwig, both from the Dayton Daily News. I'm on from 9am-Noon EDT.
And for the best in sports, check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com.
Have a great weekend!
But let me ask you this: if the Reds declared Josh Fogg the starter for Saturday's game BEFORE the series finale against the Pirates. Why not start Fogg Thursday, allowing Harang to slide back to his normal start?
Jay Bruce arrived this week and Ken Griffey, Jr still needs two more home runs to reach 600. Are the two inter-twined? Danny Knobler from cbssports.com thinks they could be.
And then, there's this from Scott Miller from the same cbssports.com. Sounds like 600 means a heckuva lot more to his team mates and fans, than Griffey, Jr.
I won't be running onto the field at Fenway Park anytime soon, and you shouldnt either, after watching this video from the other night.
One of the best national football writers is Jarrett Bell, from USA Today. I got to know him, during my time in Washington, DC. Good writer, funny guy, good guy. Here's his take on the Bengals. Bell isn't predicting playoffs. But he says it's not out of the question.
Sunday night on Sports Rock, our guest, live from Las Vegas, will be Cincinnati Cyclones head caoch, Chuck Weber. The 'Clones, are we call them here in Cincinnati, are up 2-1 in their best of seven Kelly Cup final series. Game 4 is tonight. Former Bengal Eric Thomas and 1530 Homer's Mo Egger will be in as well.
Sunday morning, I'm talking sports, as always on 700 WLW. If you not within the coverage area of this 50K flame throwing, you can listen on line, at www.700wlw.com. If you have XM radio, we're on channel 173. My guests will include Hal McCoy and Chick Ludwig, both from the Dayton Daily News. I'm on from 9am-Noon EDT.
And for the best in sports, check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com.
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
As Cincinnati is gripped by 'playoff fever'.....OK, slight over-statement, but at least there's a baseball pulse again....how much can we divert our attention away from Chad Johnson? The mini camp showdown is now just two weeks away. Will Chad show? Will he skip the camp and take the fine? My thoughts on "No Show Cinco" in today's installment of "Ludwig At Large", courtesy of my good friend Chick Ludwig from the Dayton Daily News.
Meantime, back to the Reds. It may turn out, Wayne Krivsky will get the last laugh with Jim Bowden. Two years ago, Bowden fleeced the Reds and Krivsky by sending a sore-armed Gary Majewski to the Reds, along with Bill Bray, infielder Brendan Harris and short stop Royce Clayton, in exchange for outfielder Austin Kearns and infielder Felipe Lopez. Majewski and Bray have been hurt ever since, Harris was released as was Clayton. The fact that Lopez and Kearns have fizzled in DC has nothing to do with Majewski coming here under the pretense of being completely healthy. He wasn't, having had a cortisone shot to his pitching shoulder not a week before the trade went down. The Reds have filed a greivenace with the MLB Commissioner's office. But there was a 'throw-in' player the Reds got in this trade. Pitcher Daryl Thompson has now worked his way up to the Reds "AAA" club in Louisville. He was 'lights out' at "AA" Chattanooga. And here's the story of his "AAA" debut, courtesy of the Louisville Courier-Journal.
If Thompson stays this sharp, he could be in Cincinnati soon.
You think Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory's opening day first pitch in 2007 was bad? Take a look at diva Mariah Carey doing the honors in Japan.
Which calls to mind one of the worst throws anywhere, anytime. And no, Mallory doesn't have that honor. This guy does.
Sounds as though the recently departed Scott Hatterberg won't be out of work long. mlb.com reports there's interest in Hatteberg. Anything the Reds could get for him (he was DFA'd which means the Reds have 10 days to trade him or release him) would be a bonus. But it sounds as though the Mets may just wait out the 10 days.
Who's out there, if teams are looking for immediate help. Our old buddy, Jerry Cranick of espn.com (and looooong ago from the now defunct Cincinnati Post) say not much.
And finally, if your fantasy baseball team has taken a turn for the training room, here's some good advice from The Sporting News' expert, Brad Pinkerton.
And just posted on my web site: www.kenbroo.com is the latest "Broo View Podcast" It's on the front page. In the "Podcasts and More" section, you can download past episodes.
See you tonight at 6 & 11p on WLWT Cincinnati's Channel 5!
Meantime, back to the Reds. It may turn out, Wayne Krivsky will get the last laugh with Jim Bowden. Two years ago, Bowden fleeced the Reds and Krivsky by sending a sore-armed Gary Majewski to the Reds, along with Bill Bray, infielder Brendan Harris and short stop Royce Clayton, in exchange for outfielder Austin Kearns and infielder Felipe Lopez. Majewski and Bray have been hurt ever since, Harris was released as was Clayton. The fact that Lopez and Kearns have fizzled in DC has nothing to do with Majewski coming here under the pretense of being completely healthy. He wasn't, having had a cortisone shot to his pitching shoulder not a week before the trade went down. The Reds have filed a greivenace with the MLB Commissioner's office. But there was a 'throw-in' player the Reds got in this trade. Pitcher Daryl Thompson has now worked his way up to the Reds "AAA" club in Louisville. He was 'lights out' at "AA" Chattanooga. And here's the story of his "AAA" debut, courtesy of the Louisville Courier-Journal.
If Thompson stays this sharp, he could be in Cincinnati soon.
You think Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory's opening day first pitch in 2007 was bad? Take a look at diva Mariah Carey doing the honors in Japan.
Which calls to mind one of the worst throws anywhere, anytime. And no, Mallory doesn't have that honor. This guy does.
Sounds as though the recently departed Scott Hatterberg won't be out of work long. mlb.com reports there's interest in Hatteberg. Anything the Reds could get for him (he was DFA'd which means the Reds have 10 days to trade him or release him) would be a bonus. But it sounds as though the Mets may just wait out the 10 days.
Who's out there, if teams are looking for immediate help. Our old buddy, Jerry Cranick of espn.com (and looooong ago from the now defunct Cincinnati Post) say not much.
And finally, if your fantasy baseball team has taken a turn for the training room, here's some good advice from The Sporting News' expert, Brad Pinkerton.
And just posted on my web site: www.kenbroo.com is the latest "Broo View Podcast" It's on the front page. In the "Podcasts and More" section, you can download past episodes.
See you tonight at 6 & 11p on WLWT Cincinnati's Channel 5!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Yet another angle here on Jay Bruce's elevation to the Cincinnati Reds. If indeed, the answer to all of our questions in life is "money", then this story in Beyond The Box Score may lend a lot of truth to it.
I don't know if he's going to be a major force this season, but I think Jerome Simpson, the player the Bengals took in round #2 of this year's draft, will be a very good player here for a long time.
Chick Ludwig of the Dayton Daily News plays 10 questions in this latest installment of "Ludwig At Large".
I don't know if he's going to be a major force this season, but I think Jerome Simpson, the player the Bengals took in round #2 of this year's draft, will be a very good player here for a long time.
Chick Ludwig of the Dayton Daily News plays 10 questions in this latest installment of "Ludwig At Large".
It's tough to say what Reds fans are more excited about: Jay Bruce's opening night or Corey Patterson getting demoted to the minors. Bruce's arrival has been eagerly anticipated. Patterson's awful play has been eagerly denounced, almost universally, by Reds fans.
To call Bruce's major league debut good, would be like calling a steak from the Precinct satisfying. Great is the operative word for both.
I don't think Bruce will single-handidly make a difference to whatever the Reds do this season. But he will provide a lift, and quite possibly a key hit that the Reds weren't getting with Patterson in the line up. If he keeps the Reds in the race, it will quell some of the trade talks that are beginning to simmer. Check out what Ken Rosenthal writes today at foxsports.com.
My money is still on Dunn re-upping with the Reds. Griffey may simply play out the season, take the $4 million buyout he has coming and retire.
But I could be wrong....
Vince Young contemplated retirement, after one season? Really? My pal Mike Florio from profootballtalk.com has a 'take' on this. Watch...
Shut up and play....
To call Bruce's major league debut good, would be like calling a steak from the Precinct satisfying. Great is the operative word for both.
I don't think Bruce will single-handidly make a difference to whatever the Reds do this season. But he will provide a lift, and quite possibly a key hit that the Reds weren't getting with Patterson in the line up. If he keeps the Reds in the race, it will quell some of the trade talks that are beginning to simmer. Check out what Ken Rosenthal writes today at foxsports.com.
My money is still on Dunn re-upping with the Reds. Griffey may simply play out the season, take the $4 million buyout he has coming and retire.
But I could be wrong....
Vince Young contemplated retirement, after one season? Really? My pal Mike Florio from profootballtalk.com has a 'take' on this. Watch...
Shut up and play....
Monday, May 26, 2008
About time doesn't cover it. It's more than about time that the Cincinnati Reds called-up their best prospect,outfielder, Jay Bruce. Whty he wasn't on the opening day roster is beyond me. Yes, Bruce struggled in early exhibition games. But to send him back to the minors and go out and sign Corey Patterson for $3.5 million was either a bad deference to Dusty Baker or flat out stupid on the part of management.
Read this, by espn.com's Rob Neyer on Bruce's call-up. It's about a third of the way down the page.
Reds owner, Bob Castellini can bark at his former GM, Wayne Krivsky for some bad deals, like signing Mike Stanton, Rheal Cormier and Juan Castro, but the Patterson deal is on the owner. Krivsky said in his farewell news conference that he was told to sign Patterson, 'whatever it takes' Krivsky says he was told. So far, no one named Castellini has denied it.
With Bruce now a Red, where does he play? Probably centerfield for now. Depending on what happens with Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey, Jr., Bruce could eventuall wind up as a corner outfielder. He's a left-handed bat, problematic for a team that can't hit left-handed pitching. But Bruce needs to play. He can't sit. And you don't want to platoon this kind of talent. I wonder where that leaves Ryan Freel?
I think David Beckham is more sizzle than steak. Like a lot of European "football" stars who've come to America throughout our many dabbels in professional soccer, Beckham arrived past his prime. But this is still impressive. Check it out.
And remember the Kobe Bryant commercial, jumping over an on rushing car? There was a parody of that, the car running down Kobe. Now the crew from the cable show "Jackass" has come up with their own spin on it. And Kobe plays right along.
Random thoughts....I don't care if you can't tell me if a puck is vulcanized or stuffed, you have to be caught up in what the Cyclones are doing. They're single-handidly revitalizing hockey in Cincinnati, exorcising the deamons from the Mighty Ducks, Tigers and Stingers.....I wish Ben Mauk well, but if he doesn't get an extra year of eligibility from the NCAA, I don't think the UC football team will be hurt all that much....UC's baseball team deserved an NCAA Tournament bid....My new favorite TV show is "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" on the Food Network. I'm surprised the guy who hosts the show, Guy Fieri, doesn't weigh 400 pounds with all the free food he consumes.....I think my pal Chick Ludwig of the Dayton Daily News is a bit hard on him in "Ludwig At Large", but I'm disappointed in Willie Anderson not participating in the Bengals 'voluntary' workouts. I expect more from Willie, I guess.
That's it for now. Check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com for the best in sports. I should have my next "Broo View Podcast" posted by Wednesday.
Read this, by espn.com's Rob Neyer on Bruce's call-up. It's about a third of the way down the page.
Reds owner, Bob Castellini can bark at his former GM, Wayne Krivsky for some bad deals, like signing Mike Stanton, Rheal Cormier and Juan Castro, but the Patterson deal is on the owner. Krivsky said in his farewell news conference that he was told to sign Patterson, 'whatever it takes' Krivsky says he was told. So far, no one named Castellini has denied it.
With Bruce now a Red, where does he play? Probably centerfield for now. Depending on what happens with Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey, Jr., Bruce could eventuall wind up as a corner outfielder. He's a left-handed bat, problematic for a team that can't hit left-handed pitching. But Bruce needs to play. He can't sit. And you don't want to platoon this kind of talent. I wonder where that leaves Ryan Freel?
I think David Beckham is more sizzle than steak. Like a lot of European "football" stars who've come to America throughout our many dabbels in professional soccer, Beckham arrived past his prime. But this is still impressive. Check it out.
And remember the Kobe Bryant commercial, jumping over an on rushing car? There was a parody of that, the car running down Kobe. Now the crew from the cable show "Jackass" has come up with their own spin on it. And Kobe plays right along.
Random thoughts....I don't care if you can't tell me if a puck is vulcanized or stuffed, you have to be caught up in what the Cyclones are doing. They're single-handidly revitalizing hockey in Cincinnati, exorcising the deamons from the Mighty Ducks, Tigers and Stingers.....I wish Ben Mauk well, but if he doesn't get an extra year of eligibility from the NCAA, I don't think the UC football team will be hurt all that much....UC's baseball team deserved an NCAA Tournament bid....My new favorite TV show is "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" on the Food Network. I'm surprised the guy who hosts the show, Guy Fieri, doesn't weigh 400 pounds with all the free food he consumes.....I think my pal Chick Ludwig of the Dayton Daily News is a bit hard on him in "Ludwig At Large", but I'm disappointed in Willie Anderson not participating in the Bengals 'voluntary' workouts. I expect more from Willie, I guess.
That's it for now. Check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com for the best in sports. I should have my next "Broo View Podcast" posted by Wednesday.
Friday, May 23, 2008
As we begin this Memorial Day weekend, a departure from sports. This is my wife of 33 years has been battling. It's her story, a difficult journey that has an unknown ending.
So far, the chemo has worked. But we know with cancer, you are never out of the woods.
Interesting study of off season trades and how they're panning out by John Heyman of SI.com. He's got a look at the Volquez-Hamilton deal.
But I'm not buying this, from USA Today about Hamilton.
As my buddy, Mike Florio from profootballtalk.com likes to point out in this video, June 1 used to be a big day in the NFL. But not anymore. Take a look.
I'm talking sports this Sunday again on 700 WLW from 9am-Noon. Lots of talk about the Reds and Bengals, sure. But also about the sale of the Kentucky Speedway that was supposed to bring a Sprint Cup race to Kentucky in 2009. Not so, says NASCAR. Too late to get on the 2009 schedule, apparently. Tune me in or listen on line at 700wlw.com or on XM Radio channel 173.
Sunday night on WLWT's Sports Rock, our special guest is Kentucky Speedway (soon to be) former owner, Jerry Carroll and the winner of the Indianapolis 500, whomever he or she may be.
Have a safe and happy holiday weekend and check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com.
So far, the chemo has worked. But we know with cancer, you are never out of the woods.
Interesting study of off season trades and how they're panning out by John Heyman of SI.com. He's got a look at the Volquez-Hamilton deal.
But I'm not buying this, from USA Today about Hamilton.
As my buddy, Mike Florio from profootballtalk.com likes to point out in this video, June 1 used to be a big day in the NFL. But not anymore. Take a look.
I'm talking sports this Sunday again on 700 WLW from 9am-Noon. Lots of talk about the Reds and Bengals, sure. But also about the sale of the Kentucky Speedway that was supposed to bring a Sprint Cup race to Kentucky in 2009. Not so, says NASCAR. Too late to get on the 2009 schedule, apparently. Tune me in or listen on line at 700wlw.com or on XM Radio channel 173.
Sunday night on WLWT's Sports Rock, our special guest is Kentucky Speedway (soon to be) former owner, Jerry Carroll and the winner of the Indianapolis 500, whomever he or she may be.
Have a safe and happy holiday weekend and check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Just came across this from Pete Prisco of cbssports.com. It's his latest NFL power rankings. The good news, the Bengals are moving up. The bad news? So are the Browns and Steelers.
The latest "Broo View Podcast" is up and running. You can download it on my web site: http://www.kenbroo.com/. It's on the front page. If you go into "Podcasts & More", you'll be able to download past "Broo View Podcasts". This latest one deals with the Bengals release of Odell Thurman and how Rudi Johnson wants to make 2008 his 'comeback' season.
When you're in the media and you have a problem, it's hard to avoid the glare of the spotlight. Charles Barkley has a problem. He's incurred gambling debts at a casino in Las Vegas. Wisely, Barkley chose a venue he's comfortable with to discuss his problem.
This is a particularly dicey (no pun intended) problem for the NBA, which is watching the trial of former official, Tim Donaghy get under way. espn.com has this 'bombshell' that the disgraced ref dropped on Tuesday.
I dealt with this topic on News 5 last night, but here it is from the Baltimore Sun today. The Bengals lost draft of 2005. You simply can not have a draft this bad and expect to win. Compounding this is the fact that the Bengals have lost the back end of their 2006 draft, Picks in rounds 5-7 are gone. And from the draft in 2004, only Chris Perry (the often injured one), Robert Geathers and Stacy Andrews remain. Add it up, from 2004-2006, three draft classes, only ten picks, ten of a total of 26 remain with the team. Now factor in how frugal the Bengals are on the free agent market and it's no secret why this team continues to play losing football.
When you're in the media and you have a problem, it's hard to avoid the glare of the spotlight. Charles Barkley has a problem. He's incurred gambling debts at a casino in Las Vegas. Wisely, Barkley chose a venue he's comfortable with to discuss his problem.
This is a particularly dicey (no pun intended) problem for the NBA, which is watching the trial of former official, Tim Donaghy get under way. espn.com has this 'bombshell' that the disgraced ref dropped on Tuesday.
I dealt with this topic on News 5 last night, but here it is from the Baltimore Sun today. The Bengals lost draft of 2005. You simply can not have a draft this bad and expect to win. Compounding this is the fact that the Bengals have lost the back end of their 2006 draft, Picks in rounds 5-7 are gone. And from the draft in 2004, only Chris Perry (the often injured one), Robert Geathers and Stacy Andrews remain. Add it up, from 2004-2006, three draft classes, only ten picks, ten of a total of 26 remain with the team. Now factor in how frugal the Bengals are on the free agent market and it's no secret why this team continues to play losing football.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Good Morning!
My friend Eddie gave me a call the other day. I've known him all my life but don't see him much. Works in the oil industry down in Texas, started as a roughneck, now just about runs the company. Anyhow, Eddie and I grew up together. He's a huge sports fan, like me. And we spent a good part of our formative years getting under each other's skin, arguing about sports. He liked Mays. I liked Mantle. He thought Clyde Frazier was the greatest thing ever in sneakers. I was a Big O guy.
So when the Reds were stinking it up last week, Eddie phoned me up. He just came from a bar where he heard a friend of a friend of a big time sportswriter in Houston who says the Reds are about to deal Adam Dunn to the Astros. We were apparently going to get a couple of minor league suspects and a broken down Brad Ausmus in this deal. I could tell Eddie had been drinking, because he was actually believing this stuff. Sober, he's not go gullable.
I listened for about three minutes and then reminded him he's always been a moron. That's the way every one of our sports arguments ended back in the day.
For openers, I told him, Dunn or anyone of any significance isn't going anywhere yet. No deals get done this early in a season. Two, I said, Walt Jocketty was born at night, but he wasn't born last night. He's not going to send a 40-home run, 100-RBI guy to a team he has to face 12 times every season. And I told him the last time I checked, the guy in charge at Great American Ball Park seems to have a man crush on Dunn. So my guess is, it's going to take more than a couple of minor league pitchers named Fred and Mendoza line native Brad Ausmus to pry Dunn away from the Reds. Eddie and I laughed about a couple of other things and then he hung up and went back to work, bilking you and me out of our life savings, which is now going into our gas tanks.
But it made me realize that we are now approaching baseball's silly season. And it seems to come sooner year after year. You know what baseball's silly season is, right? The trading game. Stand by, it's about to hit us square in the jaw.
The Reds aren't out of the chase for the National League Central title. They're 6 out as we speak and arguably, playing their best baseball of the season. In this joke of a division, any win total in the low 80's can win you a title. But log onto just about any web site today, and you'll find half of this Reds roster traded to a lot of unsuspecting teams. On espn.com, baseball expert Steve Phillips, (that's what they call him anyway. Maybe he looks in the mirror and calls himself the same thing too. I dunno) But Phillips, who incidentally GM'd his way out of a good gig with the Mets, has ten things the Reds can do right now to fix the team. Seven of the ten involves trading anyone not named Volquez. He actually think the Yankees would part with Phil Hughes for Jeremy Affeldt and Jared Burton. They might, if Phillips were the Yankees GM.
It's not just him. it's just about everyone who writes baseball for a living. Ken Rosenthal is one of the best baseball insiders. He's floating this week, that the Rockies are willing to trade Matt Holliday. You know, because you own a fantasy baseball team, that Matt Holliday is one of the best pure hitters in the game. Well, then why would the Rockies want to get rid of him? Money? Really? Less than a year after getting to the World Series?
Here's what the last week has taught us. Teams that are in first place today, won't necessarily be there on October first. Teams that are within eight games of the lead today, aren't out of it yet. Teams get hot, players get hurt, pitching gets better.
But when I hung up with Eddie, it made me think. Would the Reds trade Adam Dunn this season? Sure. If they're out of it, they'd be crazy not to. Would they trade Junior? If they're out of it, absolutely. That's four million to Castellini's bottom line.
But is it going to happen? I don't know, Neither do you or anyone else at this point. It's way too early to be wrapped up in this game. But I do know this: if the Reds play the rest of this season like they've played this past week, they've got a legit chance to make a run at this thing. And if they do, what's going on in this silly season will be all moot. And then, we'll have to talk about some really dumb stuff: like Chad Johnson's state of mind.
My friend Eddie gave me a call the other day. I've known him all my life but don't see him much. Works in the oil industry down in Texas, started as a roughneck, now just about runs the company. Anyhow, Eddie and I grew up together. He's a huge sports fan, like me. And we spent a good part of our formative years getting under each other's skin, arguing about sports. He liked Mays. I liked Mantle. He thought Clyde Frazier was the greatest thing ever in sneakers. I was a Big O guy.
So when the Reds were stinking it up last week, Eddie phoned me up. He just came from a bar where he heard a friend of a friend of a big time sportswriter in Houston who says the Reds are about to deal Adam Dunn to the Astros. We were apparently going to get a couple of minor league suspects and a broken down Brad Ausmus in this deal. I could tell Eddie had been drinking, because he was actually believing this stuff. Sober, he's not go gullable.
I listened for about three minutes and then reminded him he's always been a moron. That's the way every one of our sports arguments ended back in the day.
For openers, I told him, Dunn or anyone of any significance isn't going anywhere yet. No deals get done this early in a season. Two, I said, Walt Jocketty was born at night, but he wasn't born last night. He's not going to send a 40-home run, 100-RBI guy to a team he has to face 12 times every season. And I told him the last time I checked, the guy in charge at Great American Ball Park seems to have a man crush on Dunn. So my guess is, it's going to take more than a couple of minor league pitchers named Fred and Mendoza line native Brad Ausmus to pry Dunn away from the Reds. Eddie and I laughed about a couple of other things and then he hung up and went back to work, bilking you and me out of our life savings, which is now going into our gas tanks.
But it made me realize that we are now approaching baseball's silly season. And it seems to come sooner year after year. You know what baseball's silly season is, right? The trading game. Stand by, it's about to hit us square in the jaw.
The Reds aren't out of the chase for the National League Central title. They're 6 out as we speak and arguably, playing their best baseball of the season. In this joke of a division, any win total in the low 80's can win you a title. But log onto just about any web site today, and you'll find half of this Reds roster traded to a lot of unsuspecting teams. On espn.com, baseball expert Steve Phillips, (that's what they call him anyway. Maybe he looks in the mirror and calls himself the same thing too. I dunno) But Phillips, who incidentally GM'd his way out of a good gig with the Mets, has ten things the Reds can do right now to fix the team. Seven of the ten involves trading anyone not named Volquez. He actually think the Yankees would part with Phil Hughes for Jeremy Affeldt and Jared Burton. They might, if Phillips were the Yankees GM.
It's not just him. it's just about everyone who writes baseball for a living. Ken Rosenthal is one of the best baseball insiders. He's floating this week, that the Rockies are willing to trade Matt Holliday. You know, because you own a fantasy baseball team, that Matt Holliday is one of the best pure hitters in the game. Well, then why would the Rockies want to get rid of him? Money? Really? Less than a year after getting to the World Series?
Here's what the last week has taught us. Teams that are in first place today, won't necessarily be there on October first. Teams that are within eight games of the lead today, aren't out of it yet. Teams get hot, players get hurt, pitching gets better.
But when I hung up with Eddie, it made me think. Would the Reds trade Adam Dunn this season? Sure. If they're out of it, they'd be crazy not to. Would they trade Junior? If they're out of it, absolutely. That's four million to Castellini's bottom line.
But is it going to happen? I don't know, Neither do you or anyone else at this point. It's way too early to be wrapped up in this game. But I do know this: if the Reds play the rest of this season like they've played this past week, they've got a legit chance to make a run at this thing. And if they do, what's going on in this silly season will be all moot. And then, we'll have to talk about some really dumb stuff: like Chad Johnson's state of mind.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Normally, when you bring up the Dayton Daily News and baseball, Hall Of Famer Hal McCoy is the first name that pops up. Every so often, the great one steps aside for a day and allows the talents of Doug Harris to shine. Harris has this take on what the Reds should do with Ken Griffey, Junior.
Of course, that doesn't mean that Hal takes the entire day off. "The Real McCoy" offers some tales from the battle for the Ohio Cup. It's Reds vs Indians weekend around here.
We got into this discussion last Sunday on 700 WLW. Where would the Reds be right now, if they had the ability to develope decent starting pitching? The last legitimate starter the Reds have developed (other than a half season from Jack Armstrong in 1990) was Tom Browning. And that was almost 23 years ago. Think about how much better the Reds would be this season if they didn't have to trade Josh Hamilton to the Rangers. In return, they got a terrific young pitcher in Edinson Volquez. But if the Reds had done a better job of developing their own pitching, they'd have had a pitcher the calibre of Volquez AND Hamilton. And check out this article from the Fort Worth Star Telegram about Hamilton, who's off to a great start with Texas.
Ty Howington, Richie Gardner, Ryan Wagner, Jeremy Sowers are just some of the first round picks the Reds have made in the entry draft. Howington and Gardner were both injured early in their careers and are gone. Wagner flamed out as a reliever and was shipped to the Washington Nationals. Sowers was nothing more than a temper tantrum pick by then GM Jim Bowden, who drafted Sowers knowing there was no chance then owner, Carl Lindner would pony up the bonus money (about $2 million) to sign him. If Bowden was proving a point, he did so at the expense of the franchise.
Interesting reading in this story by Si.com writer, John Heyman. Nothing new, just a little texture to where the Reds are right now.
I'll be talking sports thi Sunday morning again on 700 WLW. On my Sunday Morning Sports Talk Show, we'll have Geoff Hobson from bengals.com and SI.com's John Donovan. And, we'll also take your phone calls. Sunday night at 11:35, it's another rousing edition of Sports Rock! Jeff Piecoro from FSN and Eric Thomas join in on the fun. It's all on Cincinnati's Channel 5. And, we'll also be joined by tennis legend, Martina Navratilova
Check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com.
Have a great weekend!
Of course, that doesn't mean that Hal takes the entire day off. "The Real McCoy" offers some tales from the battle for the Ohio Cup. It's Reds vs Indians weekend around here.
We got into this discussion last Sunday on 700 WLW. Where would the Reds be right now, if they had the ability to develope decent starting pitching? The last legitimate starter the Reds have developed (other than a half season from Jack Armstrong in 1990) was Tom Browning. And that was almost 23 years ago. Think about how much better the Reds would be this season if they didn't have to trade Josh Hamilton to the Rangers. In return, they got a terrific young pitcher in Edinson Volquez. But if the Reds had done a better job of developing their own pitching, they'd have had a pitcher the calibre of Volquez AND Hamilton. And check out this article from the Fort Worth Star Telegram about Hamilton, who's off to a great start with Texas.
Ty Howington, Richie Gardner, Ryan Wagner, Jeremy Sowers are just some of the first round picks the Reds have made in the entry draft. Howington and Gardner were both injured early in their careers and are gone. Wagner flamed out as a reliever and was shipped to the Washington Nationals. Sowers was nothing more than a temper tantrum pick by then GM Jim Bowden, who drafted Sowers knowing there was no chance then owner, Carl Lindner would pony up the bonus money (about $2 million) to sign him. If Bowden was proving a point, he did so at the expense of the franchise.
Interesting reading in this story by Si.com writer, John Heyman. Nothing new, just a little texture to where the Reds are right now.
I'll be talking sports thi Sunday morning again on 700 WLW. On my Sunday Morning Sports Talk Show, we'll have Geoff Hobson from bengals.com and SI.com's John Donovan. And, we'll also take your phone calls. Sunday night at 11:35, it's another rousing edition of Sports Rock! Jeff Piecoro from FSN and Eric Thomas join in on the fun. It's all on Cincinnati's Channel 5. And, we'll also be joined by tennis legend, Martina Navratilova
Check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com.
Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
If...and it's still a rather large 'if'....Ken Griffey, Junior is on the trading block, his return to Seattle won't hinge on money. In "The Real McCoy" blog today, Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News has the story. He's also got the story behind Junior delivering about a half ton of pennies to Josh Fogg this afternoon.
Meantime, in New York, the paper Newsday has this story on what it believes is the impending trade of Adam Dunn.
I'm on the record saying this: I don't believe the Reds will part with both Dunn and Junior. One, or the other, will return. My money has been on Junior, for a number of reason. If Bob Castellini has the slightest inkling his team will contend later this summer, there's no way he'll let both go.
I'm not a big Manny fan. But even I know greatness when I see it!
I'll see you tonight at 6 & 11p on WLWT, channel 5, in Cincinnati. And, check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com. I've got some cool audio posted, interviews and "The Broo View" podcast.
Meantime, in New York, the paper Newsday has this story on what it believes is the impending trade of Adam Dunn.
I'm on the record saying this: I don't believe the Reds will part with both Dunn and Junior. One, or the other, will return. My money has been on Junior, for a number of reason. If Bob Castellini has the slightest inkling his team will contend later this summer, there's no way he'll let both go.
What the Reds are waiting for in promoting Jay Bruce from "AAA" is beyond me. In an afternoon game today, Bruce went 3-3 with a couple of walks. He had a double, triple and a home run. He's now hitting .366. Most of the players in the upper echelon of round one of his draft class are in the majors now. He needs to be brought up right now and left in centerfield for the next ten years.
My buddy Mike Florio from profootballtalk.com moonlights for The Sporting News. Check out Number 10 on this list.
The first time I saw this, I could not believe it. Manny Ramirez completes the big trifect: tracks down a fly ball, "High 5's" a fan in the stands and then doubles a runner off first. All within the span of about 10 seconds. Look at this!
I'm not a big Manny fan. But even I know greatness when I see it!
I'll see you tonight at 6 & 11p on WLWT, channel 5, in Cincinnati. And, check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com. I've got some cool audio posted, interviews and "The Broo View" podcast.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
It clear to me, the Seattle Mariners are infatuated with the thought of bringing Ken Griffey, Jr, back to their club. Monday, I gave you a link to "The Real McCoy", Hal McCoys blog in the Dayton Daily News. Now today, fresh copy and some confirmation from The Seattle Post Intellegencer.
But for every 'ying' there's a 'yang'. And the P-I's competition, the Seattle Times is pointing out that a lot of Seattleans (Seattleites? That would be too close to satetllites, wouldn't it?) don't recall Thomas Wolfe's You Can Never Go Home. Check out the Times' take on a Junior reunion in Seattle.
As for McCoy, Hal is barking today about breaking up the Reds, now! Must reading in today's "Real McCoy"
There could be some pressure not to do anything inside that Reds organization. Foxsports.com has an interesting post on how Dusty Baker could play into all of this. But remember, Bob Castellini wants to win now, as in last month.
The Bengals veterans, most of them, are in town for those 'voluntary but be here' workouts. As for former Bengals, my buddy Mike Florio from profootballtalk.com has some thoughts about where Chris Henry may wind up (no jail jokes, yet, please!). Check out his video
Maybe he's busy working out with Chad and TJ. You never know.
See you tonight at 6 & 11pm on WLWT on Cincinnati's channel 5. Check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com
But for every 'ying' there's a 'yang'. And the P-I's competition, the Seattle Times is pointing out that a lot of Seattleans (Seattleites? That would be too close to satetllites, wouldn't it?) don't recall Thomas Wolfe's You Can Never Go Home. Check out the Times' take on a Junior reunion in Seattle.
As for McCoy, Hal is barking today about breaking up the Reds, now! Must reading in today's "Real McCoy"
There could be some pressure not to do anything inside that Reds organization. Foxsports.com has an interesting post on how Dusty Baker could play into all of this. But remember, Bob Castellini wants to win now, as in last month.
The Bengals veterans, most of them, are in town for those 'voluntary but be here' workouts. As for former Bengals, my buddy Mike Florio from profootballtalk.com has some thoughts about where Chris Henry may wind up (no jail jokes, yet, please!). Check out his video
Maybe he's busy working out with Chad and TJ. You never know.
See you tonight at 6 & 11pm on WLWT on Cincinnati's channel 5. Check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com
Monday, May 12, 2008
For those of you who frequent cbssports.com, the OJ Mayo story should come as no surprise. Way back when, our good friend and my former Sunday Morning Sports Talk co-host, Gregg Doyel had ESPN's story sniffed out, when he wrote this. Full disclosure, profootballtalk.com was the first to remember.
I have no idea if Mayo is cupable or not. But trouble seems to trail this guy, back to the two years he spent playing basketball for North College Hill High School in Cincinnati.
As for our under-achieving Reds, always some good fodder available in "The Real McCoy", penned daily by Hall Of Fame baseball writer, Hal McCoy in the Dayton Daily News. The Reds may be only 7.5 games out of first. But they're light-years away from being a contender.
One of our favorite guests on Sports Rock!, Sunday nights at 11:35 on WLWT Channel 5, is sports-trubadour Ryan Parker. Here's his latest lament, about the death of sports journalism. Like all of Parker's songs, it's wickedly funny and right on the old dinero.
Since I'm blogging, I guess I'll be spared. At least for another day.
See you tonight at 6 & 11p on Cincinnati's channel 5. And check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com. Podcasts, pictures and some cool audio!
I have no idea if Mayo is cupable or not. But trouble seems to trail this guy, back to the two years he spent playing basketball for North College Hill High School in Cincinnati.
As for our under-achieving Reds, always some good fodder available in "The Real McCoy", penned daily by Hall Of Fame baseball writer, Hal McCoy in the Dayton Daily News. The Reds may be only 7.5 games out of first. But they're light-years away from being a contender.
One of our favorite guests on Sports Rock!, Sunday nights at 11:35 on WLWT Channel 5, is sports-trubadour Ryan Parker. Here's his latest lament, about the death of sports journalism. Like all of Parker's songs, it's wickedly funny and right on the old dinero.
Since I'm blogging, I guess I'll be spared. At least for another day.
See you tonight at 6 & 11p on Cincinnati's channel 5. And check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com. Podcasts, pictures and some cool audio!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Good Morning!
So, Ken Griffey, Junior thinks the Reds may try to trade him this summer. Junior shouldn’t feel special. Just about everyone of his team mates could say the same thing. It reminds me of the old line the Pittsburgh Pirates delivered to a young Ralph Kiner, holding out for more money. We finished in last place with you, the line went, we can finish in last place without you.
Junior made his comments to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, a terrific baseball writer, who’ll join us on the show later today. What Junior said to Nightengale isn’t new. It’s just fresh copy on an old story. I can tell you personally, every spring for the last three, Griffey has answered my question to him this same way: I don’t know, he’d say when asked if he expected to be in Cincinnati the entire season. It’s not up to me.
I don’t know if its insecurity on his part, failure to feel love from you, me Bob Castellini or the guy who sells Junior his lottery tickets. Maybe it’s all of us. But I do know this, trading Ken Griffey, Junior or letting him ‘walk’ at the end of this season won’t fix this team. I’m happy they won two of three from the Cubs this week. I loved the way they played last night in New York. But this Reds team needs more than just launching one or two big contracts to get healthy again.
Here’s your starting line up.
Junior
Adam Dunn
David Ross
Javy Valentin
Paul Bako
Scott Hatteberg
Jerry Hairston Jr.
Corey Patterson
David Weathers
Jeremy Affeldt
Kent Mercker
Mike Lincoln
Josh Fogg
They all have something in common. They’re all free agents after this season. It’s the most free agents on any major league roster.
Together, those players tie up $43 million dollars of salary this season, much more if they all re-sign for 2009. Who off that list do you keep? Paul Bako? Who else?
The good news for the Reds latest in a long line of short term general managers…that’d be Walt Jocketty, is that dealing with everyone on that list, other than Junior and Dunn, will be real easy.
He’ll probably let ‘em all walk. That is, if he can’t dump them on some other team.
Remember the line: we finished last with you, we can finish last without you.
More than just trying to unload big dollar contracts, this team needs a culture change. Too many players have been around too much losing. There’s a comfort zone athletes fall into when losing become habitual. It’s a lot harder to change that culture in baseball than say football, where players exist on year to year deals. In baseball, there is guaranteed money. The Reds have to dole out over 46-million on guaranteed money next season…to just six of their players.
Look, don’t get me wrong. I don’t think they’re out of it yet. The Reds play in the worst division in baseball. Dunn hasn’t started to hit yet, but he will. The light didn’t go on for Arroyo until last night and Harang, Cueto and Volquez all appear to be the real deals. Chicago’s pitching is in shambles. St. Louis is playing way over its head. It could still happen. And if it does, and the Reds are contending in late July, then all of this is moot.
But if it doesn’t, Jocketty has an opportunity that neither of his immediate predecessors had: a chance to change the culture
People have asked me all week, ‘well, what do you think? Do they trade Junior. What about the White Sox, they wanted him a couple of years ago. Would he got to the Yankees Remember, Steinbrenner mistreated Griffey, Senior. What about the Mariners, they want to bring Junior home.
You know what? I don’t know. And if anyone in the media tells you today that they know, don’t believe them. Bob Castellini doesn’t know. Jocketty can’t pull the trigger right now. No deal involving the contracts the size of Dunn and Griffey gets done at this time of the year. The only thing Dusty Baker knows is that he likes veteran ballplayers. That’s why Jay Bruce is in Louisville and Corey Patterson and his ‘200’ batting average is here.
I don’t know what the Reds are going to do. But here’s what I’d do.
I’d keep Griffey. I know that runs counter to what a lot of people in my profession are saying. But I’d keep him and try to figure out a way to extend his deal, without having to pay him 16-million next season.
I don’t know how many tickets Griffey sells. Maybe a lot. Maybe not so many. But I know this. Our economy is in the dumper and gasoline will be five bucks a gallon a year from now and people aren’t going to be going to see a ballgame so quick, unless there’s a reason to go. Winning would be a reason. This team has had one winning season in the last eight plus. Are you really betting on that for 2009. You want to go young? Great. Young teams don’t win all that often. So you’ll need box office appeal. Griffey fits that. I’d sign him…and move him to first base.
I’d trade Dunn. I know that’d be a tough pill for Castellini to swallow. He genuinely likes the guy. But here’s how Jocketty sells it: Mister Castelllini, Bob…you’re off the hook for 60-million. Because that’s the kind of pay day Dunn is looking at after this season, about 60-mil over four years. My guess is, Castellini swallows that like Graeters.
With Dunn gone, move Joey Votto to left field. Jay Bruce, despite the ruse that we were handed in March about him being a corner outfielder…he’s not, he’s playing center in triple-a….despite that, Bruce is my center fielder. Right field? Bring up Chris Dickerson. You’re paying Patterson three and a half million for roughly the same numbers that Dickerson will probably put up. Put him in right field.
Homer Baily got smacked around Saturday night in Triple-A. But I'd bring him up. New season, new GM, fresh start. Bailey in the rotation, Matt Belisle out. Sorry Matt, we’ve seen it several times over the last three years. It’s not working.
Harang, Cueto, Volquez, Bailey…you can shop Arroyo. But unless he starts stringing together five or six nights like last night, I’m not sure you’ll get what you want from him.
That’s my idea of how it might go. You might think I’m out of my mind, that’s OK. You’re not the first. There’s a long line out the door on me.
But here’s what I absolutely flat out know: talking about the Reds, and how they should fix this, or change that, or make this better is a topic that we seem to discuss earlier and earlier every season. And I know I’m getting real tired doing that.
So, Ken Griffey, Junior thinks the Reds may try to trade him this summer. Junior shouldn’t feel special. Just about everyone of his team mates could say the same thing. It reminds me of the old line the Pittsburgh Pirates delivered to a young Ralph Kiner, holding out for more money. We finished in last place with you, the line went, we can finish in last place without you.
Junior made his comments to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, a terrific baseball writer, who’ll join us on the show later today. What Junior said to Nightengale isn’t new. It’s just fresh copy on an old story. I can tell you personally, every spring for the last three, Griffey has answered my question to him this same way: I don’t know, he’d say when asked if he expected to be in Cincinnati the entire season. It’s not up to me.
I don’t know if its insecurity on his part, failure to feel love from you, me Bob Castellini or the guy who sells Junior his lottery tickets. Maybe it’s all of us. But I do know this, trading Ken Griffey, Junior or letting him ‘walk’ at the end of this season won’t fix this team. I’m happy they won two of three from the Cubs this week. I loved the way they played last night in New York. But this Reds team needs more than just launching one or two big contracts to get healthy again.
Here’s your starting line up.
Junior
Adam Dunn
David Ross
Javy Valentin
Paul Bako
Scott Hatteberg
Jerry Hairston Jr.
Corey Patterson
David Weathers
Jeremy Affeldt
Kent Mercker
Mike Lincoln
Josh Fogg
They all have something in common. They’re all free agents after this season. It’s the most free agents on any major league roster.
Together, those players tie up $43 million dollars of salary this season, much more if they all re-sign for 2009. Who off that list do you keep? Paul Bako? Who else?
The good news for the Reds latest in a long line of short term general managers…that’d be Walt Jocketty, is that dealing with everyone on that list, other than Junior and Dunn, will be real easy.
He’ll probably let ‘em all walk. That is, if he can’t dump them on some other team.
Remember the line: we finished last with you, we can finish last without you.
More than just trying to unload big dollar contracts, this team needs a culture change. Too many players have been around too much losing. There’s a comfort zone athletes fall into when losing become habitual. It’s a lot harder to change that culture in baseball than say football, where players exist on year to year deals. In baseball, there is guaranteed money. The Reds have to dole out over 46-million on guaranteed money next season…to just six of their players.
Look, don’t get me wrong. I don’t think they’re out of it yet. The Reds play in the worst division in baseball. Dunn hasn’t started to hit yet, but he will. The light didn’t go on for Arroyo until last night and Harang, Cueto and Volquez all appear to be the real deals. Chicago’s pitching is in shambles. St. Louis is playing way over its head. It could still happen. And if it does, and the Reds are contending in late July, then all of this is moot.
But if it doesn’t, Jocketty has an opportunity that neither of his immediate predecessors had: a chance to change the culture
People have asked me all week, ‘well, what do you think? Do they trade Junior. What about the White Sox, they wanted him a couple of years ago. Would he got to the Yankees Remember, Steinbrenner mistreated Griffey, Senior. What about the Mariners, they want to bring Junior home.
You know what? I don’t know. And if anyone in the media tells you today that they know, don’t believe them. Bob Castellini doesn’t know. Jocketty can’t pull the trigger right now. No deal involving the contracts the size of Dunn and Griffey gets done at this time of the year. The only thing Dusty Baker knows is that he likes veteran ballplayers. That’s why Jay Bruce is in Louisville and Corey Patterson and his ‘200’ batting average is here.
I don’t know what the Reds are going to do. But here’s what I’d do.
I’d keep Griffey. I know that runs counter to what a lot of people in my profession are saying. But I’d keep him and try to figure out a way to extend his deal, without having to pay him 16-million next season.
I don’t know how many tickets Griffey sells. Maybe a lot. Maybe not so many. But I know this. Our economy is in the dumper and gasoline will be five bucks a gallon a year from now and people aren’t going to be going to see a ballgame so quick, unless there’s a reason to go. Winning would be a reason. This team has had one winning season in the last eight plus. Are you really betting on that for 2009. You want to go young? Great. Young teams don’t win all that often. So you’ll need box office appeal. Griffey fits that. I’d sign him…and move him to first base.
I’d trade Dunn. I know that’d be a tough pill for Castellini to swallow. He genuinely likes the guy. But here’s how Jocketty sells it: Mister Castelllini, Bob…you’re off the hook for 60-million. Because that’s the kind of pay day Dunn is looking at after this season, about 60-mil over four years. My guess is, Castellini swallows that like Graeters.
With Dunn gone, move Joey Votto to left field. Jay Bruce, despite the ruse that we were handed in March about him being a corner outfielder…he’s not, he’s playing center in triple-a….despite that, Bruce is my center fielder. Right field? Bring up Chris Dickerson. You’re paying Patterson three and a half million for roughly the same numbers that Dickerson will probably put up. Put him in right field.
Homer Baily got smacked around Saturday night in Triple-A. But I'd bring him up. New season, new GM, fresh start. Bailey in the rotation, Matt Belisle out. Sorry Matt, we’ve seen it several times over the last three years. It’s not working.
Harang, Cueto, Volquez, Bailey…you can shop Arroyo. But unless he starts stringing together five or six nights like last night, I’m not sure you’ll get what you want from him.
That’s my idea of how it might go. You might think I’m out of my mind, that’s OK. You’re not the first. There’s a long line out the door on me.
But here’s what I absolutely flat out know: talking about the Reds, and how they should fix this, or change that, or make this better is a topic that we seem to discuss earlier and earlier every season. And I know I’m getting real tired doing that.
Friday, May 09, 2008
The Junior story won't die. A lot of reaction from around the country to the article this week in USA Today which quoted Junior saying he expects the Reds to try and deal him this summer. The love fest last summer in Seattle would make you believe the Mariners may want to bring Griffey, Jr, back. But in this Mariners' blog, a great point is raised: would Seattle be willing to part with the crown jewels of its minor league system?
And will the team acquiring Junior be willing to pick up his $16 million option for 2009? If a team isn't willing to do that, it'll be a deal breaker. Peter Gammons has more on that in his blog.
I still maintain the Reds will eventually figure out a way to extend Griffey, Jr's deal, for less than the $16 million and keep him in Cincinnati for the rest of his career. But, I could be wrong....
Former Mets GM now ESPN baseball 'expert' Steve Phillips has some interesting ideas on how to fix the Reds in his blog. It's interesting reading. But none of this is going to happen.
My work schedule is such that I normally get home around 12:30am. But here's one of the perks: I'm awake to watch the best studio show in sports, the TNT NBA wrap-up show. Great cast, good info and a lot of fun to watch. Here's a classic moment from this week.
Years ago, I had a classic interview moment with Barkley. The Bengals were playing in Phoenix on a Sunday. Saturday night, the Suns were playing against former Xavier University star Brian Grant's team. I got a media pass, went into the Suns' locker room and asked Barkley about Grant. He gave me an answer, something along the lines of "...he'll see tougher defenses here than he ever saw at Xavier" I guess I was zoning out, because my next question to Sire Charles was..."will he see tougher defenses now". He glared at me and said..."did I not just say that? Did I not just say that?". Then, looking at the cameraman, he asked, "did I not just say that?". Rookie mistake on my part: never think about the next question until you hear the answer from the one you're getting.
And will the team acquiring Junior be willing to pick up his $16 million option for 2009? If a team isn't willing to do that, it'll be a deal breaker. Peter Gammons has more on that in his blog.
I still maintain the Reds will eventually figure out a way to extend Griffey, Jr's deal, for less than the $16 million and keep him in Cincinnati for the rest of his career. But, I could be wrong....
Former Mets GM now ESPN baseball 'expert' Steve Phillips has some interesting ideas on how to fix the Reds in his blog. It's interesting reading. But none of this is going to happen.
My work schedule is such that I normally get home around 12:30am. But here's one of the perks: I'm awake to watch the best studio show in sports, the TNT NBA wrap-up show. Great cast, good info and a lot of fun to watch. Here's a classic moment from this week.
Years ago, I had a classic interview moment with Barkley. The Bengals were playing in Phoenix on a Sunday. Saturday night, the Suns were playing against former Xavier University star Brian Grant's team. I got a media pass, went into the Suns' locker room and asked Barkley about Grant. He gave me an answer, something along the lines of "...he'll see tougher defenses here than he ever saw at Xavier" I guess I was zoning out, because my next question to Sire Charles was..."will he see tougher defenses now". He glared at me and said..."did I not just say that? Did I not just say that?". Then, looking at the cameraman, he asked, "did I not just say that?". Rookie mistake on my part: never think about the next question until you hear the answer from the one you're getting.
I'm talking sports again this Sunday (Thanks George Vogel for filling-in last week while I covered Cincinnati's Flying Pig Maraton for WLWT.) Among my guests, Bob Nightengale from USA Today who wrote the story about Junior this week. Tim Dierkes from mlbtraderumors.com will join me as well. You can too. We'll take your phone calls. You can listen online at 700wlw.com, or on XM Radio channel 173 or on the 50K "flame thrower" 700 WLW-AM.
Sunday night at 11:35 on WLWT's Sports Rock! our guests will include "Wildman Walker" from WEBN's Dawn Patrol, Wayne "Box" Miller, from WDBZ, "The Buzz" here in Cincinnati and the pole winner for this year's Indianapolis 500.
And check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com. I've got my latest "Broo View Podcast" posted on the front page for your downloading and listening. In the "Podcasts and More" section are past episodes and some terrific interviews. I've posted the audio version of our Sports Rock! interview last Sunday with top Bengals draft picks Keith Rivers and Jerome Simpson.
And of course....have a great weekend!
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Ken Griffey, Jr. may not be in play, yet. But apparently the Reds new GM has been working the phones. According to mlb.com, there could be a Fogg warning again in Denver.
For the record, I believe Reds owner, Bob Castellini will go 'kicking and screaming' into any discussions that involve trading Griffey. And it would be wise for Jocketty, a Castellini favorite at the moment, to bring more to the table than just the 'usual suspect minor league players' to any meeting that involves Junior trade talk.
As to what they're saying about Junior possible returning to the Mariners, here's John Hickey's take in today's Post-Intelligencer.
Scratch Tampa Bay off the list of potential landing sites for former Bengal Bad Boy Chris Henry (I think he has a copywrite on that moniker, BTW). profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio says the Bucs aren't interested. But in this story posted by espn.com, Henry thinks somebody could use him. Buyer beware.
The Reds finally came out of their season long coma Wednesday afternoon, banging out nine home runs against the Cubs. By the way, until and if the Cubs fix their pitching, they're going no where this season. Anyhow, 9 homers is the most in any one game since 1999 for the Reds. So it wasn't a first. But this might've been. Check it out.
I'm sure to a lot of people, this is the equivalent of finding out there is no Santa Claus. Real people, inside those costumes? You mean, they're not real? Really?
For the record, I believe Reds owner, Bob Castellini will go 'kicking and screaming' into any discussions that involve trading Griffey. And it would be wise for Jocketty, a Castellini favorite at the moment, to bring more to the table than just the 'usual suspect minor league players' to any meeting that involves Junior trade talk.
As to what they're saying about Junior possible returning to the Mariners, here's John Hickey's take in today's Post-Intelligencer.
Scratch Tampa Bay off the list of potential landing sites for former Bengal Bad Boy Chris Henry (I think he has a copywrite on that moniker, BTW). profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio says the Bucs aren't interested. But in this story posted by espn.com, Henry thinks somebody could use him. Buyer beware.
The Reds finally came out of their season long coma Wednesday afternoon, banging out nine home runs against the Cubs. By the way, until and if the Cubs fix their pitching, they're going no where this season. Anyhow, 9 homers is the most in any one game since 1999 for the Reds. So it wasn't a first. But this might've been. Check it out.
I'm sure to a lot of people, this is the equivalent of finding out there is no Santa Claus. Real people, inside those costumes? You mean, they're not real? Really?
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
It's not a new story. Just fresh copy today in USA Today, in a story written by their national baseball writer, Bob Nightengale. Ken Griffey, Jr. is talking about the possibility of leaving the Cincinnati Reds. Junior has been singing this since spring training. He's a 10-5 guy (ten years in the league, five with the same team) so he can veto any trade. My gut tells me the Reds will look for a way to restructure his contract and avoid paying him the $16 million they owe him next season. Perhaps, they'll do a long term deal (three years) and allow him to retire as a Red. But everything is in play, when a team is under achieving. Even trading its hometown superstar.
For all you 'trade Chad now and get the draft picks' moaners (and you know who you are) comes this today from Marvin Lewis in a give and take with Peter King of SI.com.
Those who claim the Bengals will eventually trade Johnson do not know Mike Brown. Brown will trade Johnson ONLY when Brown wants to, and he doesn't remotely right now. History, people: it took Corey Dillon four years of whining to get out of Cincinnati and Carl Pickens five.
No way Chad gets out of town in four months. Remember, the Bengals can fie Johnson $14,000 per DAY for any time missed at mandatory events, such as training camps, practices and game days. Mike Brown will MAKE money, if Johnson elects to sit out.
Meantime, the Bengals pursuit of hometown hero, Shaun Alexander got a bit more complicated. NFL Network's web site says Alexander may have options.
And now, I can see, I've seen it all. I'll see you tonight, at 6 & 11p on WLWT Channel 5 in Cincinnati.
For all you 'trade Chad now and get the draft picks' moaners (and you know who you are) comes this today from Marvin Lewis in a give and take with Peter King of SI.com.
Those who claim the Bengals will eventually trade Johnson do not know Mike Brown. Brown will trade Johnson ONLY when Brown wants to, and he doesn't remotely right now. History, people: it took Corey Dillon four years of whining to get out of Cincinnati and Carl Pickens five.
No way Chad gets out of town in four months. Remember, the Bengals can fie Johnson $14,000 per DAY for any time missed at mandatory events, such as training camps, practices and game days. Mike Brown will MAKE money, if Johnson elects to sit out.
Meantime, the Bengals pursuit of hometown hero, Shaun Alexander got a bit more complicated. NFL Network's web site says Alexander may have options.
OK, here's the story. Mom wanted a day on her own, Dad takes kid to ballgame. Now, click the video below to see some great parenting.
I wasn't aware that Anheuser-Busch made baby formula.
You know, I lived through the 70's when 'streaking' was a big deal. At Ohio, it was almost a right of spring. You'd see streakers on Saturday nights all the time. It even happened once, at the Academy Awards, when David Niven was attempting to present a trophy. His 'shortcomings' joke is Oscar lore. I thought it'd died down. But apparently not at the World Pool Championship, where the contestants were 'snookered' shall we say. Take a look.
And now, I can see, I've seen it all. I'll see you tonight, at 6 & 11p on WLWT Channel 5 in Cincinnati.
Friday, May 02, 2008
I just had a chance to meet the top two picks the Bengals made in this year's draft. Terrific guys. And if they play as well as they come off in public, this team has hit a couple out of the park.
Keith Rivers is the number one pick, a linebacker, who spent Friday in mini camp lined up on the 'weak' side, the side of the ball away from the tight end.
Check out this piece of video on the Southern Cal linebacker
Jerome Simpson has enormous hands, Johnny Bench hands. And with his leaping ability (he says he could touch the ceiling by the time he was eight), Simpson could be delivering some spectacular catches this season.
You can see and hear them both, this Sunday night, at 11:35pm on "Sports Rock", on Cincinnati's channel 5.
I'm guessing he's in it for the long haul (although he is a college basketball coach). But Indiana's Tom Crean has to be wondering what he's gotten himself into. In today's Indianapolis Star, Crean paints a realistic picture of his team's situation.
And this is why the whole college basketball thing is out of whack. An 8th grader, committing to UK, BEFORE he commits to a high school? Read all about it in the Louisville Courier-Journal.
Keith Rivers is the number one pick, a linebacker, who spent Friday in mini camp lined up on the 'weak' side, the side of the ball away from the tight end.
Check out this piece of video on the Southern Cal linebacker
Jerome Simpson has enormous hands, Johnny Bench hands. And with his leaping ability (he says he could touch the ceiling by the time he was eight), Simpson could be delivering some spectacular catches this season.
You can see and hear them both, this Sunday night, at 11:35pm on "Sports Rock", on Cincinnati's channel 5.
I'm guessing he's in it for the long haul (although he is a college basketball coach). But Indiana's Tom Crean has to be wondering what he's gotten himself into. In today's Indianapolis Star, Crean paints a realistic picture of his team's situation.
And this is why the whole college basketball thing is out of whack. An 8th grader, committing to UK, BEFORE he commits to a high school? Read all about it in the Louisville Courier-Journal.
OK, I know 'Big Brown' is unbeaten and a 3-1 favorite to win the Kentucky Derby. But, if he wins, he'll be the first Derby winner in almost 80-years to win from the 20th post position. THEREFORE, my pick to win it all is "Pyro". "Pyro" starts from the nine chute and has two wins in his last three starts, including the Louisiana Derby. Throw out his 10th in the Blue Grass. That wasn't a great race for any Derby entry, except the BG winner Monba. "Pyro" to win the Derby. You heard it here first.
I'll see you Sunday night at 11:35p on Cincinnati's channel 5's "Sports Rock". And remember, you can always get the best sports coverage on my web site: www.kenbroo.com.
I'm working the "Flying Pig" Marathon for Channel 5 this Sunday morning. So I won't be doing my regular Sunday Morning Sportstalk Radio show on 700 WLW. George Vogel will pinch hit for me. Tune him in, beginning at 9am EDT. Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
The brains behind the BCS and Division 1-A football strike again. There apparently will be NO playoff until at least the 2015 season. Why? Remember, the answer to all of your questions in life is 'money'. Read more about it in this espn.com story.
I watched Aaron Harang pitch another terrific game today in St. Louis, only to be done in by poor run support. Sure, Harang allowed three runs and he didn't have his best stuff. But there aren't many teams winning in MLB these days by scoring only two runs. Just when you thought the Reds were over their hitting trouble....
In his six starts, Reds batters have failed to give Harang more than three runs.
If Bob Castellini wants to do the right thing, he'll bring Barry Larkin back to the Reds organization. There's no reason he should be working for Jim Bowden in DC. But the Washington Post has a nice story on how Larkin is spreading the baseball gospel in the far east.
I'm just guessing. But I think Matt Belisle has one more start to prove to the Reds he really belongs in Major League Baseball. Because, if he fails to do that this Saturday night in Atlanta, Homer Bailey will be up here, pronto.
More with Mike Florio, from profootballtalk.com. Here's his 'take' on the Pacman Jones trade to the Cowboys.
T.O and Pacman on the same team. Jerry Jones should be more careful for what he hopes for.
Over 8,000 people can't be wrong. You too can download my latest "Broo View Podcast" from my web site: http://www.kenbroo.com/. Oh, what the heck: here' a link. Let me know what you think with a comment here, or at ken@kenbroo.com.
See you tonight at 6 & 11pm on Cincinnati's channel 5!
I watched Aaron Harang pitch another terrific game today in St. Louis, only to be done in by poor run support. Sure, Harang allowed three runs and he didn't have his best stuff. But there aren't many teams winning in MLB these days by scoring only two runs. Just when you thought the Reds were over their hitting trouble....
In his six starts, Reds batters have failed to give Harang more than three runs.
If Bob Castellini wants to do the right thing, he'll bring Barry Larkin back to the Reds organization. There's no reason he should be working for Jim Bowden in DC. But the Washington Post has a nice story on how Larkin is spreading the baseball gospel in the far east.
I'm just guessing. But I think Matt Belisle has one more start to prove to the Reds he really belongs in Major League Baseball. Because, if he fails to do that this Saturday night in Atlanta, Homer Bailey will be up here, pronto.
More with Mike Florio, from profootballtalk.com. Here's his 'take' on the Pacman Jones trade to the Cowboys.
T.O and Pacman on the same team. Jerry Jones should be more careful for what he hopes for.
Over 8,000 people can't be wrong. You too can download my latest "Broo View Podcast" from my web site: http://www.kenbroo.com/. Oh, what the heck: here' a link. Let me know what you think with a comment here, or at ken@kenbroo.com.
See you tonight at 6 & 11pm on Cincinnati's channel 5!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Edwin Encarnacion will drive you crazy. On the most routine ground balls, he'll look like he's never played the game in his life. He already has eight errors this season. Yet, Monday night in St. Louis, here was Easy Edwin on his knees, throwing a runner out at second and ending a 7th inning threat. And then, Encarnacion made a spectacular catch near the Reds dugout to end the game. We'll never know how close he came to a demotion earlier this month. My guess is, fairly close. But now that he's hitting again (2-4, 2 RBI Monday night) Encarnacion has one of the more potent bats in the Reds line-up.
So just to set the record straight, fired GM Wayne Krivsky had this give and take with hall of fame baseball writer, Hal McCoy in the Dayton Daily News.
Meantime, Krivsky's successor, Walt Jocketty may be busy soon, according to foxsports.com.
I've got a confession: I rarely watch ESPN anymore. I have ESPN News on my satellite dish and find myself watching that channel more than the "Mothership". Why? Well, here's an example of what the original all sports network has degenerated into:
ESPN News gives you the highlights and the facts. ESPN caters to the egos of the network's 'stable of the stars', such as they are.
My buddy Mike Florio, from profootballtalk.com has some perspective on the Chiefs trading Jared Allen to the Vikings.
When it happened, I'm sure Bengals LT Levi Jones made a bee-line for the 2008 schedule. Easy, big man, the Vikes and Bengals don't play each other this season.
I've never been a big "Dr. Z" fan. I think he was relevant at one point during the Reagan adminstration. But if the Bengals are looking for someone who thinks they did a good job in the 2008 draft, "Dr. Z" is their guy. Here's what he's saying today on SI.com.
The latest "Broo View Podcast" is up and posted and ready for you to download. Here's the link. It's on the home page of my web site: http://www.kenbroo.com/.
That's it for tonight. I now have to figure out what's the problem with Johnny Cueto, who didn't make it through two innings tonight. See you on WLWT channel 5 in Cincinnati!
So just to set the record straight, fired GM Wayne Krivsky had this give and take with hall of fame baseball writer, Hal McCoy in the Dayton Daily News.
Meantime, Krivsky's successor, Walt Jocketty may be busy soon, according to foxsports.com.
I've got a confession: I rarely watch ESPN anymore. I have ESPN News on my satellite dish and find myself watching that channel more than the "Mothership". Why? Well, here's an example of what the original all sports network has degenerated into:
ESPN News gives you the highlights and the facts. ESPN caters to the egos of the network's 'stable of the stars', such as they are.
My buddy Mike Florio, from profootballtalk.com has some perspective on the Chiefs trading Jared Allen to the Vikings.
When it happened, I'm sure Bengals LT Levi Jones made a bee-line for the 2008 schedule. Easy, big man, the Vikes and Bengals don't play each other this season.
I've never been a big "Dr. Z" fan. I think he was relevant at one point during the Reagan adminstration. But if the Bengals are looking for someone who thinks they did a good job in the 2008 draft, "Dr. Z" is their guy. Here's what he's saying today on SI.com.
The latest "Broo View Podcast" is up and posted and ready for you to download. Here's the link. It's on the home page of my web site: http://www.kenbroo.com/.
That's it for tonight. I now have to figure out what's the problem with Johnny Cueto, who didn't make it through two innings tonight. See you on WLWT channel 5 in Cincinnati!
Monday, April 28, 2008
On the day after the NFL draft, the grades for the Bengals are all over the map. The median grade seems to be a 'C'.
But USA Today has an interview with ESPN' Keyshawn Johnson, who leads you to believe the real loser on draft day was Chad Johnson.
And at SI.com, Don Banks thinks the Bengals stocking up on wide receivers may be a sign that they're willing now to deal Johnson. Don't bet on it.
Pro Football Weekly seems to think, like a lot of us, that the Bengals got outmanuevered by the Saints.
As for the specific grades, the worst comes from yahoo sports. Not a whole lot of love.
But foxsports.com is a little more forgiving to the Bengals class of 2008.
And did you catch this draft day exchange on ESPN between Mel Kiper, Jr and Todd McShay. When you encourage egos to spar, you often get this. Kiper appears to be ready to light his wig on fire. It is a wig, isn' it?
The Reds finally found their muscle this past weekend. They put up 20 runs in two games, ten each on Saturday and Sunday. For a team as anemic as it was during last week's home stand, 20 runs seems like a season's worth. If it continues in St. Louis and Atlanta later this week, it may delay some big moves that be coming. The folks in Seattle would like to see the Reds make at least one major move. The Seattle Times wants the Mariners to bring Junior home.
My latest "The Broo View Podcast" will be posted over night. You can download it from my web site: www.kenbroo.com. You'll find it on the front page. And in the "Podcasts & More" section, you can easily download a lot of the past episodes.
But USA Today has an interview with ESPN' Keyshawn Johnson, who leads you to believe the real loser on draft day was Chad Johnson.
And at SI.com, Don Banks thinks the Bengals stocking up on wide receivers may be a sign that they're willing now to deal Johnson. Don't bet on it.
Pro Football Weekly seems to think, like a lot of us, that the Bengals got outmanuevered by the Saints.
As for the specific grades, the worst comes from yahoo sports. Not a whole lot of love.
But foxsports.com is a little more forgiving to the Bengals class of 2008.
And did you catch this draft day exchange on ESPN between Mel Kiper, Jr and Todd McShay. When you encourage egos to spar, you often get this. Kiper appears to be ready to light his wig on fire. It is a wig, isn' it?
The Reds finally found their muscle this past weekend. They put up 20 runs in two games, ten each on Saturday and Sunday. For a team as anemic as it was during last week's home stand, 20 runs seems like a season's worth. If it continues in St. Louis and Atlanta later this week, it may delay some big moves that be coming. The folks in Seattle would like to see the Reds make at least one major move. The Seattle Times wants the Mariners to bring Junior home.
My latest "The Broo View Podcast" will be posted over night. You can download it from my web site: www.kenbroo.com. You'll find it on the front page. And in the "Podcasts & More" section, you can easily download a lot of the past episodes.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Well, you knew this was coming, sooner or later. The more Chad Johnson is whining and begging to be traded, the sooner you'd get a web site like this one. Fangmann is an Ohio Bobcat (home of the football 'messiah' Frank Solich) who also graduated from Moeller High School. You can hear him on my Sunday morning talk show on 700 WLW this weekend.
Meantime, enjoy this bit of theatrics from Johnson's agent, Drew Rosenhaus. Even he has trouble keeping a straight face delivering this!
In Indian Hill tonight, Mike Brown is gufawwing himself to sleep.
The draft starts Saturday at 3pm Cincinnati time. One more preview, this time cornerbacks, from the man who runs profootballtalk.com. Mike Florio knows his stuff!
Florio also 'moonlights' for sportingnews.com and has this take on Mike Brown's refusing to trade Chad.
It's still Sedrick Ellis for the Bengals. If the Southern Cal defensive tackle is available when they pick at number 9, they will pounce on the man.
Now, the Reds, beginning a nine game road trip tonight ni San Francisco. But down at "AAA" Louisville, Jay Bruce must be wondering if the Reds have lost his phone number. He did it again, last night. Read about it in the Louisville Courier-Journal.
As for the Reds, teetering on the brink of ambivalence (14,000 for a game against the Dodgers this week?), they may soon begin shopping players. Buster Olney has this today on espn.com.
I'm talking sports this Sunday on 700 WLW, 9am-Noon. You can listen on line, over the air and if you have it, on XM Radio channel 173. Draft expert Jerry Jones will join me in the 9 o'clock hour to handicap the second day of the draft, which begins at 10am.
Sunday night at 11:35, it's another rousing edition of Sports Rock! on WLWT Channel 5. We always have to last, best word in sports. We'll be looking for you.
And for the best in sports, check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com. The latest BROO VIEW PODCAST will be posted sometime this weekend. It'll be on the front and easy to download.
Have a great weekend!
Meantime, enjoy this bit of theatrics from Johnson's agent, Drew Rosenhaus. Even he has trouble keeping a straight face delivering this!
In Indian Hill tonight, Mike Brown is gufawwing himself to sleep.
The draft starts Saturday at 3pm Cincinnati time. One more preview, this time cornerbacks, from the man who runs profootballtalk.com. Mike Florio knows his stuff!
Florio also 'moonlights' for sportingnews.com and has this take on Mike Brown's refusing to trade Chad.
It's still Sedrick Ellis for the Bengals. If the Southern Cal defensive tackle is available when they pick at number 9, they will pounce on the man.
Now, the Reds, beginning a nine game road trip tonight ni San Francisco. But down at "AAA" Louisville, Jay Bruce must be wondering if the Reds have lost his phone number. He did it again, last night. Read about it in the Louisville Courier-Journal.
As for the Reds, teetering on the brink of ambivalence (14,000 for a game against the Dodgers this week?), they may soon begin shopping players. Buster Olney has this today on espn.com.
I'm talking sports this Sunday on 700 WLW, 9am-Noon. You can listen on line, over the air and if you have it, on XM Radio channel 173. Draft expert Jerry Jones will join me in the 9 o'clock hour to handicap the second day of the draft, which begins at 10am.
Sunday night at 11:35, it's another rousing edition of Sports Rock! on WLWT Channel 5. We always have to last, best word in sports. We'll be looking for you.
And for the best in sports, check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com. The latest BROO VIEW PODCAST will be posted sometime this weekend. It'll be on the front and easy to download.
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Whether or not the Reds changing general managers works out in the long run, in the short run, team owner, Bob Castellini is getting lampooned nationally for firing Wayne Krivsky and giving the GM's job to long time acquaintance, Walt Jocketty. ESPN is having a bit of a field day with this.
We'll let Buster Olney lead off, with his criticism. He says the signing of Josh Fogg during spring traning was something that ticked the Reds owner off.
Batting second today, espn.com's Keith Law who, among other things, suggests firing Dusty Baker should be Jocketty's first move.
Moving over to cbssports.com, we find Scott Miller, who picks up flag for the departed Mr. Krivsky.
Add to all of this, epsn.com's Jayson Stark's radio rant today about how the firing of Krivsky is being met with amazement and anger in the baseball executive world, you've got an 'inside baseball' Broo Ha Ha (sorry)
What does it mean? Nothing really to Castellini, who's only obligation is to his fellow shareholders and the Cincinnati fans. If the move works out, if the Reds turn this season around, it will be viewed as a watershed moment. But if it doesn't and Castellini and/or Jocketty have to go out and begin hiring personnel because current Reds staffers have left or been fired, they may find the pickings slim.
As the countdownto the draft continues, Drew Rosenhaus released another video tape today, in which he begs (literall) for the Bengals to trade Chad Johnson. Meantime, profootballtalk.com claims Marvin Lewis' "play for us or retire" ultimatum earlier this week has earned Lewis some major points inside his locker room.
If you see Mike Brown back down on this one, it will mean aliens from another planet have taken over his body.
Mike Florio from profootballtalk.com has another draft preview out. Here's his 'take' on the crop of defensive ends available this weekend.
Meantime, most mock drafts, including this latest one by espn.com's Mel Kiper, Jr. has DT Sedrick Ellis coming to the Bengals. Let's hope and pray.
I'm talking sports this Sunday on 700 WLW here in Cincinnati. You can listen online, on the radio or, if you have one, on satellite radio XM Channel 173.
See you tonight on Cincinnati's WLWT Channel 5!
We'll let Buster Olney lead off, with his criticism. He says the signing of Josh Fogg during spring traning was something that ticked the Reds owner off.
Batting second today, espn.com's Keith Law who, among other things, suggests firing Dusty Baker should be Jocketty's first move.
Moving over to cbssports.com, we find Scott Miller, who picks up flag for the departed Mr. Krivsky.
Add to all of this, epsn.com's Jayson Stark's radio rant today about how the firing of Krivsky is being met with amazement and anger in the baseball executive world, you've got an 'inside baseball' Broo Ha Ha (sorry)
What does it mean? Nothing really to Castellini, who's only obligation is to his fellow shareholders and the Cincinnati fans. If the move works out, if the Reds turn this season around, it will be viewed as a watershed moment. But if it doesn't and Castellini and/or Jocketty have to go out and begin hiring personnel because current Reds staffers have left or been fired, they may find the pickings slim.
As the countdownto the draft continues, Drew Rosenhaus released another video tape today, in which he begs (literall) for the Bengals to trade Chad Johnson. Meantime, profootballtalk.com claims Marvin Lewis' "play for us or retire" ultimatum earlier this week has earned Lewis some major points inside his locker room.
If you see Mike Brown back down on this one, it will mean aliens from another planet have taken over his body.
Mike Florio from profootballtalk.com has another draft preview out. Here's his 'take' on the crop of defensive ends available this weekend.
Meantime, most mock drafts, including this latest one by espn.com's Mel Kiper, Jr. has DT Sedrick Ellis coming to the Bengals. Let's hope and pray.
I'm talking sports this Sunday on 700 WLW here in Cincinnati. You can listen online, on the radio or, if you have one, on satellite radio XM Channel 173.
See you tonight on Cincinnati's WLWT Channel 5!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Not for a moment, am I shocked that Wayne Krivsky got the 'boot' today. But I am shocked by the timing. You might have to look hard, long and deep to find a major league baseball team that has fired its general manager just 21 games in to a season. Jim Bowden's mid season firing in 2003 was out of the ordinary. Usually, most GM's are launched in the off season.
But the fact that Krivsky, a really engaging guy incidentally, was fired is not a shock. Walt Jocketty has been a "GM in waiting" since Bob Castellini hired him in January. In St. Louis, for 12 years, Jocketty was the consumate baseball general manager. Most of his trades involved sending promising minor league talent to other teams for established veterans. I don't think he'll do that here, not yet. But I wouldn't be surprised to see him place his hand print (foot print?) on the roster soon. He has some big decision to make, along with Castellini.
The owner likes Adam Dunn. But does he like him enough to lay about $60 million on him for the next four years? Bringing back Ken Griffey, Junior at $16 million next season wasn't going to happen, regardless who the GM is. But will Jocketty want to renegotiate a longer deal in exchange for less money with Junior?
As for Krivsky, I hope he lands another GM job in his career. He made some bold moves here, and some that were doomed from the start. Getting hoodwinked by predecessor Jim Bowden on a trade for relief pitching in 2006 didn't help him. But on the whole, says espn.com's Rob Neyer, Krivsky did well.
And Richard Justice, an old acquaintace of mine from the "DC Days", thinks the move will pay off big for the Reds. Justice has this on sportingnews.com.
His immediate concern has to be the performance of Bronson Arroyo, who was lit up again Wednesday night. Arroyo hasn't made it out of the sixth inning in any of his starts. Last Friday, against the Brewers, it took him 100 pitches to make it through the fifth. Wednesday night, against the Astros, Arroyo lasted just two outs into the fourth, allowing ten hits and eight earned runs. And he needed 91-pitches to accompish that.
The NFL draft is Saturday. Another videocast below from our good friend, Mike Florio of profootballtalk.com. Today, Mike is scoping out the position the Bengals hope to cash in on in round one: defensive tackles.
If Sedrick Ellis is there at #9 when the Bengals pick, I don't see how they pass on him.
My man, Chick Ludlwig of the Dayton Daily News is on the same page as me. If you give in to Chad Johnson's antics, you're just asking for trouble down the road.
Check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com. I'll have another Broo View Podcast posted within the next 24 hours. But the latest installment is on the front page. And you can access any of the archived Broo View Podcast in the "Podcast & More" section.
But the fact that Krivsky, a really engaging guy incidentally, was fired is not a shock. Walt Jocketty has been a "GM in waiting" since Bob Castellini hired him in January. In St. Louis, for 12 years, Jocketty was the consumate baseball general manager. Most of his trades involved sending promising minor league talent to other teams for established veterans. I don't think he'll do that here, not yet. But I wouldn't be surprised to see him place his hand print (foot print?) on the roster soon. He has some big decision to make, along with Castellini.
The owner likes Adam Dunn. But does he like him enough to lay about $60 million on him for the next four years? Bringing back Ken Griffey, Junior at $16 million next season wasn't going to happen, regardless who the GM is. But will Jocketty want to renegotiate a longer deal in exchange for less money with Junior?
As for Krivsky, I hope he lands another GM job in his career. He made some bold moves here, and some that were doomed from the start. Getting hoodwinked by predecessor Jim Bowden on a trade for relief pitching in 2006 didn't help him. But on the whole, says espn.com's Rob Neyer, Krivsky did well.
And Richard Justice, an old acquaintace of mine from the "DC Days", thinks the move will pay off big for the Reds. Justice has this on sportingnews.com.
His immediate concern has to be the performance of Bronson Arroyo, who was lit up again Wednesday night. Arroyo hasn't made it out of the sixth inning in any of his starts. Last Friday, against the Brewers, it took him 100 pitches to make it through the fifth. Wednesday night, against the Astros, Arroyo lasted just two outs into the fourth, allowing ten hits and eight earned runs. And he needed 91-pitches to accompish that.
The NFL draft is Saturday. Another videocast below from our good friend, Mike Florio of profootballtalk.com. Today, Mike is scoping out the position the Bengals hope to cash in on in round one: defensive tackles.
If Sedrick Ellis is there at #9 when the Bengals pick, I don't see how they pass on him.
My man, Chick Ludlwig of the Dayton Daily News is on the same page as me. If you give in to Chad Johnson's antics, you're just asking for trouble down the road.
Check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com. I'll have another Broo View Podcast posted within the next 24 hours. But the latest installment is on the front page. And you can access any of the archived Broo View Podcast in the "Podcast & More" section.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
You wonder why Marvin Lewis doesn't trust the media. He worked for Brian Billick and Bill Cowher, two head coaches who have a solid working relationship with the media in their towns. Lewis, apparently, didn't go to the same school.
We got another example of that today, when Lewis gathered the media to talk about the upcoming draft. But he had to know that questions were coming about Chad Johnson's status with the Bengals. Johnson, I'm sure you know, has been yapping since January that he wants out of Cincinnati. For whatever reason, he feels he's been mistreated. At least three times since the end of this season, Lewis has said, flatly, that Johnson wouldn't be traded and that he expected Chad to honor the terms of his contract, which runs through the 2011 season.
But Tuesday, ESPN's Chris Mortenson reported that the Washington Redskins had offered the Bengals their #1 pick in Saturday's draft and a conditional third round pick in 2009, that could become a first rounder, depending on how Johnson would perform this season.
At his news conference, Lewis was asked by a reporter if the Redskins had offered the Bengals two first round picks, in exchange for Johnson, a technical misquote as the trade offer was for a first rounder and third rounder that could become a first. Lewis said that Mortenson's reporting was 'errant' and then said that Mike Brown, the Bengals owner, hasn't entertained any trade offers for Johnson. And, by the way Marvin said, Johnson isn't available.
Later in the day, Marvin had to eat his words and apologize to Mortenson, whose report was confirmed in the DC media. Lewis has taken on some water for this, his credibility with the local media remains shaky.
But lost in that is this: Mike Brown will not trade Johnson until Brown wants to. If it took three years of moaning and complaining by Corey Dillon, it'll take at least that by Johnson. Brown is a man of principle. A deal is a deal, with Mike. Besides, this Bengals team needs Johnson performing at his peak to have any chance of making the playoffs this season. The other memorable quote from Lewis today was that if Chad doesn't want to play for the Bengals then he should retire. "He has a contract through 2011. He's stated without an opportunity to go to a different team and a new contract, he wasn't going to play. I think he's a man of his word and says not going to play, so don't play."
Don't be surprised if the whole thing wasn't leaked by Johnson's agent, Drew Rosenhaus. Reportedly, the Redskins were set to offer Chad a new contract with $21 million in bonus money.
But, also, don't be surprised by this: Mike Brown doesn't have a history of caving into anyone. Don't look for Johnson to go anywhere, soon.
My buddy, Mike Florio, of profootballtalk.com is talking about offensive linemen in his weekly video podcast. Check it out.
Now, if the Bengals believe that Rudi Johnson is finished and that last year's second round pick, Kenny Irons isn't fully recovered from his knee surgery, they have an option. The Seattle Seahawks have released veteran running back, Shaun Alexander. And Alexander calls greater Cincinnati home. He was a big time high school running back at Boone County HS, where he rushed for over 100 touchdowns in his career.
I'm talking sports again this Sunday on Cincinnati's 50,000 flame thrower, 700 WLW. I'm on from 9am-Noon AND we have a toll free number, if you want to talk sports.
Sunday night at 11:35pm on Cincinnati's NBC affiliate, WLWT, it's the last best word on the NFL draft and the rest of the week in sports. Join us for Sports Rock!
And you can check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com. The latest edition of the Broo View Podcast is ready for download!
We got another example of that today, when Lewis gathered the media to talk about the upcoming draft. But he had to know that questions were coming about Chad Johnson's status with the Bengals. Johnson, I'm sure you know, has been yapping since January that he wants out of Cincinnati. For whatever reason, he feels he's been mistreated. At least three times since the end of this season, Lewis has said, flatly, that Johnson wouldn't be traded and that he expected Chad to honor the terms of his contract, which runs through the 2011 season.
But Tuesday, ESPN's Chris Mortenson reported that the Washington Redskins had offered the Bengals their #1 pick in Saturday's draft and a conditional third round pick in 2009, that could become a first rounder, depending on how Johnson would perform this season.
At his news conference, Lewis was asked by a reporter if the Redskins had offered the Bengals two first round picks, in exchange for Johnson, a technical misquote as the trade offer was for a first rounder and third rounder that could become a first. Lewis said that Mortenson's reporting was 'errant' and then said that Mike Brown, the Bengals owner, hasn't entertained any trade offers for Johnson. And, by the way Marvin said, Johnson isn't available.
Later in the day, Marvin had to eat his words and apologize to Mortenson, whose report was confirmed in the DC media. Lewis has taken on some water for this, his credibility with the local media remains shaky.
But lost in that is this: Mike Brown will not trade Johnson until Brown wants to. If it took three years of moaning and complaining by Corey Dillon, it'll take at least that by Johnson. Brown is a man of principle. A deal is a deal, with Mike. Besides, this Bengals team needs Johnson performing at his peak to have any chance of making the playoffs this season. The other memorable quote from Lewis today was that if Chad doesn't want to play for the Bengals then he should retire. "He has a contract through 2011. He's stated without an opportunity to go to a different team and a new contract, he wasn't going to play. I think he's a man of his word and says not going to play, so don't play."
Don't be surprised if the whole thing wasn't leaked by Johnson's agent, Drew Rosenhaus. Reportedly, the Redskins were set to offer Chad a new contract with $21 million in bonus money.
But, also, don't be surprised by this: Mike Brown doesn't have a history of caving into anyone. Don't look for Johnson to go anywhere, soon.
My buddy, Mike Florio, of profootballtalk.com is talking about offensive linemen in his weekly video podcast. Check it out.
Now, if the Bengals believe that Rudi Johnson is finished and that last year's second round pick, Kenny Irons isn't fully recovered from his knee surgery, they have an option. The Seattle Seahawks have released veteran running back, Shaun Alexander. And Alexander calls greater Cincinnati home. He was a big time high school running back at Boone County HS, where he rushed for over 100 touchdowns in his career.
I'm talking sports again this Sunday on Cincinnati's 50,000 flame thrower, 700 WLW. I'm on from 9am-Noon AND we have a toll free number, if you want to talk sports.
Sunday night at 11:35pm on Cincinnati's NBC affiliate, WLWT, it's the last best word on the NFL draft and the rest of the week in sports. Join us for Sports Rock!
And you can check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com. The latest edition of the Broo View Podcast is ready for download!
Monday, April 21, 2008
He's baaack! Late Monday, NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, re-instated Bengals linebacker, Odell Thurman. Thurman burst onto the NFL scene as a rookie in 2005. But soon, he fell into the wrong crowd and accumulated a series of arrests. Banned from the league the past two seasons, Thurman is now eligible to practice with and play for the Bengals. Read all about it, right here on espn.com.
No telling what kind of impact Thurman will have. Two years away from the game is along time, by NFL standards. But I think for any player who plays a reactionary position, it's a little easier to return. Now, the big question is, can Thurman stay clean and sober.
Well, at least based on one night, the Reds need to do more than just tweak the roster. Up from the minors came infielder, Jerry Hairston, Jr, and pitcher Matt Belisle. Belisle got the start Monday night against the Dodgers, and again showed just how big the gap is between the Majors and AAA. Belisle had a number of good starts, rehabbing a sore arm. But the Dodgers made Belisle look like he was throwing batting practice. Hal McCoy has the inside scoop in his daily blog "The Real McCoy" on the Dayton Daily News web site.
Belisle's line: 4 ip (he got no one out in the 5th) 12 hits and seven runs, five earned. He'll get at least a couple more starts. But he looked suspiciously like the Belisle we've seen before in Cincinnati.
Marvin Lewis holds his annual pre draft news conference Tuesday. I'm sure he'll be peppered with Chad Johnson questions. Lewis has said on three different occasions the Bengals will 'not' trade Johnson. If he says the same thing Tuesday, I'm convinced the Bengals will force Johnson's hand. If he elects to sit out part or all of the season, he will be heavily fined.
Check back later Tuesday for more. And my latest podcast will be posted over-night on my web site: www.kenbroo.com. The latest episode will be on the front page. In the "Podcasts & More" section, you can download all of the past episodes.
No telling what kind of impact Thurman will have. Two years away from the game is along time, by NFL standards. But I think for any player who plays a reactionary position, it's a little easier to return. Now, the big question is, can Thurman stay clean and sober.
Well, at least based on one night, the Reds need to do more than just tweak the roster. Up from the minors came infielder, Jerry Hairston, Jr, and pitcher Matt Belisle. Belisle got the start Monday night against the Dodgers, and again showed just how big the gap is between the Majors and AAA. Belisle had a number of good starts, rehabbing a sore arm. But the Dodgers made Belisle look like he was throwing batting practice. Hal McCoy has the inside scoop in his daily blog "The Real McCoy" on the Dayton Daily News web site.
Belisle's line: 4 ip (he got no one out in the 5th) 12 hits and seven runs, five earned. He'll get at least a couple more starts. But he looked suspiciously like the Belisle we've seen before in Cincinnati.
Marvin Lewis holds his annual pre draft news conference Tuesday. I'm sure he'll be peppered with Chad Johnson questions. Lewis has said on three different occasions the Bengals will 'not' trade Johnson. If he says the same thing Tuesday, I'm convinced the Bengals will force Johnson's hand. If he elects to sit out part or all of the season, he will be heavily fined.
Check back later Tuesday for more. And my latest podcast will be posted over-night on my web site: www.kenbroo.com. The latest episode will be on the front page. In the "Podcasts & More" section, you can download all of the past episodes.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
If there’s one person who’s keeping the Reds off the hot burner today, it’s you know who. Corey Patterson, Adam Dunn, and Scott Hatteberg should drop down on the Mendoza Line they stand on and give thanks today for Ocho Cinco. Without him, they’d have you speed dialing this morning.
Chad Johnson has gone from being the most loveable player on the Bengals roster to just another modern day athlete, spoiled rotten by money, attention and a media willing to lap up whatever drips out of his mouth. He has followed the gospel according to “TO” like it was written by Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. Only it wasn’t. It was written by one Drew Rosenhaus, agent for both.
I did the check list, the other night on channel 5. Step one, insult team management, the same people who made you one of the highest paid people on the planet. Step two, diss your coach. In TO’s case, it was Andy Reid, an old school indifferent sort, but a very good football coach. In Johnson’s case, it was one of the few people in that Bengals locker room who claims to understand him. A lot of people in the media, a lot of fans, are calling Marvin Lewis Johnson’s enablier, patting him on the back when Johnson really needed a swift kick to butt. If so, imagine how he feels today.
Step three, the most heinous of all, throw your quarterback under the bus. Last I checked, Donovan McNabb and Carson Palmer are pretty good quarterbacks. Last I checked, there hasn’t been a wide receiver in professional,,,,or any other kind of football… who’s managed to throw AND catch a forward pass. Like “TO” before him, Johnson this week attacked the sacred cow. Eventually, the Eagles had enough of Terrell Owens, suspended him, benched him and then eventually let his ‘walk’. Owens, if you’re scoring at home, is now in Dallas with a better team and still pulling in millions.
So it didn’t take a genius to figure out, this is exactly Chad Johnson’s end game: follow the TO blue print, insult enough people, get the Bengals to tire of your act and release you….or trade you.
There have been fans, talk show host, journalists, good people this week, who have said…enough…let him go, he’s a distraction and will be an even bigger one if this is allowed to continue. There have been people who believe it will be best for the Bengals to simply trade Johnson and be done with the head ache. But I know one person who isn’t saying this and it will be a long time before he will: Mike Brown.
I don’t know Brown as well as I did back in the ‘90’s, when I called Bengals games on radio and spent just about every practice day with him on the sidelines. But a leopard doesn’t change his spots and Mike Brown doesn’t do anything unless it benefits his team.
Brown has been skewered, on this radio station among other places, more than shish-ka-bob in the summertime. He’s cheap, doesn’t know how to draft players, hates to play the free agent game, wouldn’t know how fast a player was, even the player stepped on Mike’s neck enroute to a 4.4 40. You can believe all of that to be true….and incidentally, I don’t…but even if you do, you must give him this: the man can conduct business.
Remember, this is the guy who beat the IRS in tax court….twice. That’s like the Washington Generals beating the Harlem Globetrotters. This is the guy who twisted Hamilton County’s government so tightly, back in the 90’s, he made it look like it was their idea to fund a 500-million dollar stadium
So do you believe for a moment, some agent in a three piece suit and Chad Johnson are going to back Mike Brown into a corner and win? Really?
Here’s what I saw, when I watched Rosenhaus interviewed on ESPN Friday: a guy with a loose cannon for a client, up against an owner whose answer to him on everything is ‘no’. Rosenhaus didn’t say it, I wouldn’t have either if I were him, but that sounds exactly what Brown is telling him. Rosenhaus wants a trade, Brown says, no. Rosenhaus wants a new deal for Johnson, more money, more than the money they gave Johnson less than two years ago, Brown says no.
I think, down deep with a tinge of disgust, Brown is probably amused a little by all of this. The more Johnson opens his mouth, the more he embarrasses himself…and makes Rosenhaus squirm. See, Brown knows, he’s got Johnson locked down through 2010, with an option Brown holds through 2011. If Chad elects to sit out this season, he not only can be fined for every day he misses, starting with training camp, the deal automatically renews for 2011,
If Chad holds out, Brown actually MAKES money. Does this sound like somebody in a bad spot?
We heard this week, well, if this continues and Chad eventually reports, he could become a distraction. Could. But the Bengals are supposed to be running the football more often this year. Marvin said so a couple of weeks ago. They just signed a tight end, who supposedly will have passes thrown to him…a novelty, I know for the Bengals. What happens if Chad comes back and this team is winning? What happens if its 4-0, 5-0, 6-0, when he decides to report.
I’ll tell you what it will be: a story for one day and then every one of us in the local media will be back to reporting on a team that might be on a championship run.
So no, Chad Johnson won’t be traded on draft day, unless it benefits the Bengals. Mike Brown won’t take the cap hit and he won’t let a player back him into a corner and win. And he’s smart enough to realize, the kind of talent Johnson brings to a football team doesn’t come rolling down the street often.
But if I were advising Mike Brown, and since I’m doing a radio talk show, I guess I am.,I’d tell him to pack a bag, pick up Marvin and drive to the airport. They should fly to Miami for a ‘sit down’ with Ocho Cinco and Drew Rosenhaus. And Brown should lay it all on the table. He should ask Johnson specifically, who did what to him and when. What’s the basis for his behavior the past three months.
I’d remind Chad that he gushed over the contact he signed back in 2006, the money, the front office, his desire to make the team a winner.
I’d remind him of the number of place he could be traded to that could nuke any shot he may have winning a championship, let alone having a decent pass thrown to him. Oakland, Tampa Bay, Kansas City come to mind.
I don’t think Brown will do any of that, but he should. I don’t think Johnson would take the meeting, but he should.
The real losers in this are you….who bleed orange and me, who has to talk about this stuff and not the NFL draft.
Check out my latest podcast at www.kenbroo.com. And check me out weeknights at 6 & 11pm on WLWT in Cincinnati.
Chad Johnson has gone from being the most loveable player on the Bengals roster to just another modern day athlete, spoiled rotten by money, attention and a media willing to lap up whatever drips out of his mouth. He has followed the gospel according to “TO” like it was written by Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. Only it wasn’t. It was written by one Drew Rosenhaus, agent for both.
I did the check list, the other night on channel 5. Step one, insult team management, the same people who made you one of the highest paid people on the planet. Step two, diss your coach. In TO’s case, it was Andy Reid, an old school indifferent sort, but a very good football coach. In Johnson’s case, it was one of the few people in that Bengals locker room who claims to understand him. A lot of people in the media, a lot of fans, are calling Marvin Lewis Johnson’s enablier, patting him on the back when Johnson really needed a swift kick to butt. If so, imagine how he feels today.
Step three, the most heinous of all, throw your quarterback under the bus. Last I checked, Donovan McNabb and Carson Palmer are pretty good quarterbacks. Last I checked, there hasn’t been a wide receiver in professional,,,,or any other kind of football… who’s managed to throw AND catch a forward pass. Like “TO” before him, Johnson this week attacked the sacred cow. Eventually, the Eagles had enough of Terrell Owens, suspended him, benched him and then eventually let his ‘walk’. Owens, if you’re scoring at home, is now in Dallas with a better team and still pulling in millions.
So it didn’t take a genius to figure out, this is exactly Chad Johnson’s end game: follow the TO blue print, insult enough people, get the Bengals to tire of your act and release you….or trade you.
There have been fans, talk show host, journalists, good people this week, who have said…enough…let him go, he’s a distraction and will be an even bigger one if this is allowed to continue. There have been people who believe it will be best for the Bengals to simply trade Johnson and be done with the head ache. But I know one person who isn’t saying this and it will be a long time before he will: Mike Brown.
I don’t know Brown as well as I did back in the ‘90’s, when I called Bengals games on radio and spent just about every practice day with him on the sidelines. But a leopard doesn’t change his spots and Mike Brown doesn’t do anything unless it benefits his team.
Brown has been skewered, on this radio station among other places, more than shish-ka-bob in the summertime. He’s cheap, doesn’t know how to draft players, hates to play the free agent game, wouldn’t know how fast a player was, even the player stepped on Mike’s neck enroute to a 4.4 40. You can believe all of that to be true….and incidentally, I don’t…but even if you do, you must give him this: the man can conduct business.
Remember, this is the guy who beat the IRS in tax court….twice. That’s like the Washington Generals beating the Harlem Globetrotters. This is the guy who twisted Hamilton County’s government so tightly, back in the 90’s, he made it look like it was their idea to fund a 500-million dollar stadium
So do you believe for a moment, some agent in a three piece suit and Chad Johnson are going to back Mike Brown into a corner and win? Really?
Here’s what I saw, when I watched Rosenhaus interviewed on ESPN Friday: a guy with a loose cannon for a client, up against an owner whose answer to him on everything is ‘no’. Rosenhaus didn’t say it, I wouldn’t have either if I were him, but that sounds exactly what Brown is telling him. Rosenhaus wants a trade, Brown says, no. Rosenhaus wants a new deal for Johnson, more money, more than the money they gave Johnson less than two years ago, Brown says no.
I think, down deep with a tinge of disgust, Brown is probably amused a little by all of this. The more Johnson opens his mouth, the more he embarrasses himself…and makes Rosenhaus squirm. See, Brown knows, he’s got Johnson locked down through 2010, with an option Brown holds through 2011. If Chad elects to sit out this season, he not only can be fined for every day he misses, starting with training camp, the deal automatically renews for 2011,
If Chad holds out, Brown actually MAKES money. Does this sound like somebody in a bad spot?
We heard this week, well, if this continues and Chad eventually reports, he could become a distraction. Could. But the Bengals are supposed to be running the football more often this year. Marvin said so a couple of weeks ago. They just signed a tight end, who supposedly will have passes thrown to him…a novelty, I know for the Bengals. What happens if Chad comes back and this team is winning? What happens if its 4-0, 5-0, 6-0, when he decides to report.
I’ll tell you what it will be: a story for one day and then every one of us in the local media will be back to reporting on a team that might be on a championship run.
So no, Chad Johnson won’t be traded on draft day, unless it benefits the Bengals. Mike Brown won’t take the cap hit and he won’t let a player back him into a corner and win. And he’s smart enough to realize, the kind of talent Johnson brings to a football team doesn’t come rolling down the street often.
But if I were advising Mike Brown, and since I’m doing a radio talk show, I guess I am.,I’d tell him to pack a bag, pick up Marvin and drive to the airport. They should fly to Miami for a ‘sit down’ with Ocho Cinco and Drew Rosenhaus. And Brown should lay it all on the table. He should ask Johnson specifically, who did what to him and when. What’s the basis for his behavior the past three months.
I’d remind Chad that he gushed over the contact he signed back in 2006, the money, the front office, his desire to make the team a winner.
I’d remind him of the number of place he could be traded to that could nuke any shot he may have winning a championship, let alone having a decent pass thrown to him. Oakland, Tampa Bay, Kansas City come to mind.
I don’t think Brown will do any of that, but he should. I don’t think Johnson would take the meeting, but he should.
The real losers in this are you….who bleed orange and me, who has to talk about this stuff and not the NFL draft.
Check out my latest podcast at www.kenbroo.com. And check me out weeknights at 6 & 11pm on WLWT in Cincinnati.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Here's what I think is going on. Chad Johnson is following the same blueprint as Terrell Owens did when Owens wanted 'out' of Philly. Remember, they both have the same agent, Drew Rosenhaus. In 2005, Owens did the following: insult management, throw his quarterback 'under the bus', dissed the coach and got his release. What has Johnson done this winter and spring? The exact same things. You think this is a coincidence? Negative. This is a game the agent is running.
When Johnson refuted an innocent comment Carson Palmer made this week (Palmer said in a TV interview with WLWT that he talked with Chad and Johnson assured him he'd be in Cincinnati when 'he had to'. Johnson immediately called his quarterback a liar) it was the same path that Owens followed in 2005, when he trashed his quarterback, Donovan McNabb. In early 2006, the Eagles released him and Owens wound up signing with Dallas.
I don't sense Mike Brown is going to be bullied like his Eagles counterpart was three years ago. Brown does nothing unless it benefits his team. Letting Johnson go now, taking a $8 million salary cap hit and losing a wide receiver who consistently delivers over 1300 yards per season is something that will hurt the Bengals in 2008, not help. TJ Housmandzadeh will draw double teams. And the rest of the wide receivers on the roster, at least at this point, are nothing more than pedestrian. You must remember, it took Corey Dillon four years of moaning to get out of Cincinnati. Only then, did Brown let him walk, when Dillon was just about at the end of his career.
You don't push Mike Brown into a corner and win. Ask any player who's sat across the table from him on a contract negotiation. Ask the IRS. Brown has twice beaten the IRS in tax court. That has to be some sort of record.
Now we have TJ weighing on on this thing in a story posted on espn.com.
And if Palmer thinks he's got a problem with Johnson, wait until they read this story, from the Dayton Daily News, in Cleveland.
As always, I'm talking sports this Sunday morning on 700 WLW in Cincinnati. I'm on from 9am until Noon, EDT. You can listen on line at www.700wlw.com and on XM Radio channel 173.
Many guests, many topics and a lot on Chad Johnson and the plight of our Cincinnati Bengals!
When Johnson refuted an innocent comment Carson Palmer made this week (Palmer said in a TV interview with WLWT that he talked with Chad and Johnson assured him he'd be in Cincinnati when 'he had to'. Johnson immediately called his quarterback a liar) it was the same path that Owens followed in 2005, when he trashed his quarterback, Donovan McNabb. In early 2006, the Eagles released him and Owens wound up signing with Dallas.
I don't sense Mike Brown is going to be bullied like his Eagles counterpart was three years ago. Brown does nothing unless it benefits his team. Letting Johnson go now, taking a $8 million salary cap hit and losing a wide receiver who consistently delivers over 1300 yards per season is something that will hurt the Bengals in 2008, not help. TJ Housmandzadeh will draw double teams. And the rest of the wide receivers on the roster, at least at this point, are nothing more than pedestrian. You must remember, it took Corey Dillon four years of moaning to get out of Cincinnati. Only then, did Brown let him walk, when Dillon was just about at the end of his career.
You don't push Mike Brown into a corner and win. Ask any player who's sat across the table from him on a contract negotiation. Ask the IRS. Brown has twice beaten the IRS in tax court. That has to be some sort of record.
Now we have TJ weighing on on this thing in a story posted on espn.com.
And if Palmer thinks he's got a problem with Johnson, wait until they read this story, from the Dayton Daily News, in Cleveland.
As always, I'm talking sports this Sunday morning on 700 WLW in Cincinnati. I'm on from 9am until Noon, EDT. You can listen on line at www.700wlw.com and on XM Radio channel 173.
Many guests, many topics and a lot on Chad Johnson and the plight of our Cincinnati Bengals!
Monday, April 14, 2008
I asked this question Sunday morning on 700 WLW: at 6-6 (now 6-7) is the Reds' glass half empty or half full? Tonight, with the Reds only a game out of the cellar in the National League Central Division, you have to wonder.
The surprises have been the better pitching, and the lack of hitting. It's flat out staggering how poor the Reds are hitting with runners in scoring position. They left 32 men on base in last weekend's three game series at Pittsburgh.
Now, they're in Chicago for three, a homecoming for Dusty Baker, the former Cubs manager who'll at least get a good reception from the players he left behind, accoring to the Cubs' official web site.
The Chicago Tribune has another take on his homecoming.
The NFL will release it's schedule Tuesday at 2pm. My prediction: One Monday Night game and one Sunday Night game and that's it for our "Men In Stripes".
And with the draft coming up, thoughts on who the Bengals take with that 9th over all pick are lacking a consensus. Let's hope the Dayton Daily News is off base with this call.
Will they need a WR? I'll be the Bengals take at least one in the first four rounds. Remember, they have multiple picks in every round from the third on. But Seth Wickersham on espn.com makes a good case why the Bengals don't really need to rely on a third wide receiver this fall.
SI.com has video of just about every player who could go in the first couple of rounds. I hope they're right and Sedrick Ellis, the DT from Southern Cal, is the Bengals' pick at #9. Take a look at this guy!
And just in case they don't get a good return guy in the draft, no problems. With the new rule change, the Bengals can always 'defer' if they win the coin flip. Marvin Lewis has already said, he'll take the option a lot. My good friend, Mike Florio, at profootballtalk.com has some more thoughts on the new 'defer option', in one of his latest TV segments.
That's it fo rnow. If you're in Cincinnati, see you tonight on WLWT Channel 5. And you can always check out my web site: http://www.kenbroo.com/.
The surprises have been the better pitching, and the lack of hitting. It's flat out staggering how poor the Reds are hitting with runners in scoring position. They left 32 men on base in last weekend's three game series at Pittsburgh.
Now, they're in Chicago for three, a homecoming for Dusty Baker, the former Cubs manager who'll at least get a good reception from the players he left behind, accoring to the Cubs' official web site.
The Chicago Tribune has another take on his homecoming.
The NFL will release it's schedule Tuesday at 2pm. My prediction: One Monday Night game and one Sunday Night game and that's it for our "Men In Stripes".
And with the draft coming up, thoughts on who the Bengals take with that 9th over all pick are lacking a consensus. Let's hope the Dayton Daily News is off base with this call.
Will they need a WR? I'll be the Bengals take at least one in the first four rounds. Remember, they have multiple picks in every round from the third on. But Seth Wickersham on espn.com makes a good case why the Bengals don't really need to rely on a third wide receiver this fall.
SI.com has video of just about every player who could go in the first couple of rounds. I hope they're right and Sedrick Ellis, the DT from Southern Cal, is the Bengals' pick at #9. Take a look at this guy!
And just in case they don't get a good return guy in the draft, no problems. With the new rule change, the Bengals can always 'defer' if they win the coin flip. Marvin Lewis has already said, he'll take the option a lot. My good friend, Mike Florio, at profootballtalk.com has some more thoughts on the new 'defer option', in one of his latest TV segments.
That's it fo rnow. If you're in Cincinnati, see you tonight on WLWT Channel 5. And you can always check out my web site: http://www.kenbroo.com/.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
It's not even May, and already there's an NFL 'coaches on the hot seat' out. Look what espn.com is saying about Marvin Lewis and others.
I'm not sure I entirely buy it. I think Marvin needs to produce a playoff team this season and cut down on the 'thug' image his team has. But he's working for Mike Brown, who fires coaches about as often as the guards at Buckingham Palace smile.
But yet another 'take' on Marvin and the Bengals from The Sporting News, in one of their 'your turn' deals.
One of my favorite guests on my Sunday morning sportstalk show on 700 WLW in Cincinnati is Mike Florio, the editor of the highly informative profootballtalk.com web site. Mike occasionally does TV segments. Here's his opinion of Chris Henry's dismissal from the Bengals, after yet another arrest.
Goodbye Sarasota, hello Goodyear, Arizona. It's official now, the Reds are moving their spring training headquarters west in 2010. Even the local paper in Sarasota knows its hometown blew this one.
I remember when Pete Rose bumped umpire Dave Pallone in the 1988 season and got a 30-day suspension. I wonder what would've happened if Rose had done this to Pallone. Check out this video from the Japanese League!
Rose would've been gone for life. Oh wait a minute, he is.
Johnny Cueto is again, dazzling tonight, as the Reds and Brewers play on in Milwaukee. But a disturbing trend is the Reds lack of run production and their 'big swingers' inability to get going this season.
I'm not sure I entirely buy it. I think Marvin needs to produce a playoff team this season and cut down on the 'thug' image his team has. But he's working for Mike Brown, who fires coaches about as often as the guards at Buckingham Palace smile.
But yet another 'take' on Marvin and the Bengals from The Sporting News, in one of their 'your turn' deals.
One of my favorite guests on my Sunday morning sportstalk show on 700 WLW in Cincinnati is Mike Florio, the editor of the highly informative profootballtalk.com web site. Mike occasionally does TV segments. Here's his opinion of Chris Henry's dismissal from the Bengals, after yet another arrest.
Goodbye Sarasota, hello Goodyear, Arizona. It's official now, the Reds are moving their spring training headquarters west in 2010. Even the local paper in Sarasota knows its hometown blew this one.
I remember when Pete Rose bumped umpire Dave Pallone in the 1988 season and got a 30-day suspension. I wonder what would've happened if Rose had done this to Pallone. Check out this video from the Japanese League!
Rose would've been gone for life. Oh wait a minute, he is.
Johnny Cueto is again, dazzling tonight, as the Reds and Brewers play on in Milwaukee. But a disturbing trend is the Reds lack of run production and their 'big swingers' inability to get going this season.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
A child will test a parent. He will push a parent as far as he can, just to see how much he can get away with. Every parent knows this. And every kid knows it too. Chad Johnson is playing child these days to Marvin Lewis' parent. And Johnson has been testing his coach. His behavior on radio row during the Super Bowl and his rants since then on national stages have embarrassed his head coach.
Johnson has said, to anyone who'll listen, that he wants to be traded. He's threatened to sit out this season if the Bengals held onto him. The fact that he signed a five year deal just a couple of years ago for over $30 million is apparently insignificant to Johnson. He's not happy in Cincinnati. God knows why, as the fan base here will tolerate anything from the Bengals. Just look around Paul Brown Stadium any given Sunday and see the number 15 Chris Henry jerseys.
But the parent has grown tired of the child's antics. And today, at the NFL meetings in Florida, Marvin Lewis, very gently told the assembled media that Chad basically has two choices: play for the Bengals in 2008 and beyond, or retire. He can sit out the season too. But if Johnson chooses to do that, his contract will automatically extended an extra season, through 2012.
Lewis told bengals.com today "We've been dealing with this inside for over a year and we'll be prepared to move on. He has a contract through 2011. If he plays NFL football, it will be in Cincinnati, or he has to do what he says and that's retire. That would be a shame. We'll do everthing we can to help him out of this and try to restore his image."
For a coach who rarely scolds his players publicly, this spoke volumes. I'd have put it a different way. I'd have said "We've had one winning season with him, since he joined the team in 2001. We were, for the most part, a bad team with him. We can be a bad team without him."
But maybe that's why I didn't go into the coaching profession.
Chad Johnson just lost his safety net. Enjoy the fall.
Johnson has said, to anyone who'll listen, that he wants to be traded. He's threatened to sit out this season if the Bengals held onto him. The fact that he signed a five year deal just a couple of years ago for over $30 million is apparently insignificant to Johnson. He's not happy in Cincinnati. God knows why, as the fan base here will tolerate anything from the Bengals. Just look around Paul Brown Stadium any given Sunday and see the number 15 Chris Henry jerseys.
But the parent has grown tired of the child's antics. And today, at the NFL meetings in Florida, Marvin Lewis, very gently told the assembled media that Chad basically has two choices: play for the Bengals in 2008 and beyond, or retire. He can sit out the season too. But if Johnson chooses to do that, his contract will automatically extended an extra season, through 2012.
Lewis told bengals.com today "We've been dealing with this inside for over a year and we'll be prepared to move on. He has a contract through 2011. If he plays NFL football, it will be in Cincinnati, or he has to do what he says and that's retire. That would be a shame. We'll do everthing we can to help him out of this and try to restore his image."
For a coach who rarely scolds his players publicly, this spoke volumes. I'd have put it a different way. I'd have said "We've had one winning season with him, since he joined the team in 2001. We were, for the most part, a bad team with him. We can be a bad team without him."
But maybe that's why I didn't go into the coaching profession.
Chad Johnson just lost his safety net. Enjoy the fall.
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