Random thoughts for a random Thursday....

As the Reds keep on winning (now a full game up on the Cardinals after Wednesday night) the two pressing questions outside of the bullpen are: How much longer can they afford to play Drew Stubbs and should Chris Heisey get at bats at Stubbs' expense? The answers are simple: you play Stubbs for as long as it takes for him to his major league 'act' together and, no. Stubbs is a young gifted player who has struck out far too much so far this season. But he has speed, plays good defense and has tremendous upside. So long as the team wins with Stubbs struggling, he should stay in the line-up. Heisey presents a different kind of dilemna. Like Stubbs, he's gifted and young. And Heisey was generally considered to be the second best prospect in the organization, right behind Todd Frazier. The problem for Dusty Baker is that the team is winning, and his platoon in left field of Jonny Gomes and Laynce Nix is working well. With Jay Bruce emerging as a more patient and effective hitter (and with his cannon of an arm) Heisey is caught up in the proverbial numbers game. Getting him enough at bats (he homered again Wednesday night, his third home run in just 25 big league at bats) will be tricky for the Reds manager.....

All of a sudden, these NBA playoff series are competitive again. I'd be more worried if I'm the Celtics, rather than the Lakers. Remember, as bad as Orlando played in the first three games of this semi final series, the Magic was that good in every series before.......

I'm still betting on Lebron being anywhere but Cleveland next year....

The Chicago Blackhawks Duncan Keith takes a puck to the mouth and loses seven teeth and still keeps playing? And he won't have oral surgery until after the finals? As the Hanson Brothers would say "old school hockey,eh? Toe Blake...".........

Despite the Supreme Court ruling this week that prevented the NFL from gaining anti-trust law exemption status, I still think the NFL owners will try to lock the players out before the 2011 season. This ruling this week will embolden the players union. And that could be trouble....

Got a pretty good topic already for my Sunday Morning Sportstalk show, 9am-Noon EDT on 700 WLW. BetUS.com has odds out for the upcoming World Cup on which match should offer the most fights. You can listen on line at 700wlw.com....

Having spent 18 years of my life in the state, I'm happy for New Jersey that the 2014 Super Bowl will be played there. And I don't think anyone who gets a ticket to the game will complain about the cold weather. You know it'll be cold, you'll dress accordingly. But I hope the NFL doesn't try to make a cold weather climate a part of its Super Bowl rotation. You want optimum conditions to play the biggest game of the year. Players should have the ability to excel in the best climate. Putting the game in the New York City area is great, because the city isn't fully recovered from 9/11 and because there's a lot to do in the Tri-State area. But dome teams and warm weather teams will be at a decided disadvantage. 13 NFL teams play in either warm-moderate climates or a domed stadium....

Chad Ochocinco is the smartest athlete working in Cincinnati. He's preparing himself for life after football with shrew marketing maneuvering. But you have to wonder if his head is in the game for this 2010 season. He hurt himself Tuesday lifting weights, trying to squat 420 pounds without warming up. He missed the finale of Dancing With The Stars because of that. Now, he's about to embark on his latest venture, hosting a reality TV show about his dating exploits. Don't be surprised if Chad shows up for mini-camp in the middle of June unable to participate because of his weight lifting injury. Don't be surprised if all of these television appearances will force Ochocinco to play catch up to his team mates who've been working up a sweat while he's been out dancing. Don't be surprised if this season is his last season in Cincinnati....

On the other hand, two ballroom dance instructors have taken the time to email me to let me know that the training Ochocinco had for DWTS will make him a better athlete. Apparently the muscles Ochocinco had to develope to dance this Spring are different muscles than what he uses as a wide receiver BUT will enhance his quckness on the field.....

I dunno. I don't even play a dancer on TV....

See you tonight at 6 & 11pm on Cincinnati's channel 5

A reminder this blog may not be reproduced or retransmitted, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of Ken Broo Check out Ken's web site: www.kenbroo.com.

Just posted to the front page of my web site www.kenbroo.com is the latest Broo View Podcast. In this episode, I'm joined by NFL player agent and columnist for The National Football Post, Jack Bechta. Jack believes and states his case that 75% of all NFL players are broke, 3-5 years after leaving the NFL. You can also click here to listen.

You ever play ‘what if’? It’s something that can be fascinating, time consuming and totally non productive all at the same time. It’s all about the road not traveled, about decisions made in life that might have turned out differently had another road been taken.

I found myself playing ‘what if’ this week. I was sitting inside of US Bank Arena the other night, watching the Cyclones win another Kelly Cup. 13-thousand 482 other people were sitting there with me. The building had life in it, it hasn’t seen in a long time.

I was wondering, ‘what if’ the National Hockey League had placed a franchise here all those years ago. You know, we came close to getting an NHL franchise three times in the last 35 years or so. That building was once known as Riverfront Coliseum. It was built on spec, hoping to attract an NHL team. The league was expanding. Three towns were competing for two franchises that would join the league in 1974: Kansas City, Washington DC and Cincinnati. Didn’t happen that time.

Instead we got the World Hockey Association’s Cincinnati Stingers. That was a wild group. I know, I was the team’s first public address announcer back in 1975, the Wildman Walker of that era. When the WHA finally forced the NHL into a merger in 1979, the Stingers were offered a chance to join. There was also a cash payment the owners could take to simply fold and go away. Bill DeWitt and his group, including Bob Castellini, took the money.

And in 1997, the Hartford Whalers were shopping for a new home, before settling in Raleigh, we got a look. But we never got the team.

Would the National Hockey League have worked here? If we got a franchise in 1974 instead of DC or KC, would it still be here today? Was there enough money in the region to support three major league franchises. What if it had happened, would it have been the Stanley Cup being paraded around that arena Friday night instead of the Kelly Cup.

What ifs work with the Reds. What if Pete Rose never placed a bet on a baseball game or what if he never got caught. Would he still be the manager of the Reds today? Would he have managed the Reds to a wire to wire World Series win in 1990, as Lou Piniella did? What if he stayed on the job, would Paul O’Neill have been traded to the Yankees? One of the biggest reasons why O’Neill was traded was because he and Piniella were oil and water. Would the Yankees have won all of those World Series titles without O’Neill?

What if Marge Schott wasn’t so bullheaded and tried to keep Piniella here, rather than running him off. Would the Reds have won another World Series?

What if Jim Bowden never made the trade that brought Ken Griffey, Junior here in 2000. What if, in the end, Junior decided to remain in Seattle? Would Carl Lindner have spent that money on other players? A lot of Reds fans seem to think so. But you don’t know that he would’ve , neither do I. Lindner probably doesn’t either.

What if the Reds didn’t fire Jack McKeon and replace him with Bob Boone? Would McKeon have won a World Series with his 2003 Cincinnati Reds team, like he did with the Florida Marlins?

What if in 1992, the Bengals didn’t draft quarterback David Klingler and instead used that first round pick on tackle Leon Searcy or tackle Bob Whitfield, both of whom went onto be Pro Bowlers. Its not like Boomer Esiason was washed up in ’92. Would the Bengals have been as abysmally bad as they were in the ‘90’s if they built around Boomer instead of running him off to the Jets?

All this I was thinking about, as I was watching the Cyclones skate to another Kelly Cup the other night. See what I’m saying about what if?

It can drive you crazy….

What if, the Board of Trustees at the University of Cincinnati didn’t hire Nancy Zimpher in 2003? What if she turned them down and they had to move onto the next candidate? Would that candidate have come to town with Bob Huggins in the crosshairs? And what if Huggins had stayed here? Would the University and the school’s athletic department be as strapped for cash as they are now? Would its basketball team have been more successful than it’s been lately? If Huggins stayed, would his team have generated enough revenue to renovate Fifth Third Arena or Nippert Stadium by now?

Sports, like anything in life, give us decisions to make that produce ramifications. The trade made, the botched draft pick, the triumph of money over dreams, the road not traveled. Chances are, a lot of this stuff would have turned out much the same as it did. And that’s OK. Cincinnati is a pretty good to call home. But sometimes you wonder, at least I do, how different things might’ve been around here, save for a handful of situations and decisions that were largely out of our control. Next time someone tells you life is what happens when you’re making other plans, at least when it comes to sports, you might want to offer up a ‘what if’ of your own.

This blog may not be reproduced or retransmitted in whole or part without the express written consent of Ken Broo

I've got my latest Broo View Podcast posted to my web site: www.kenbroo.com. In episode 240, I'm joined by Tom Deinhart from rivals.com. We talk about the Big 10's expansion plans and how that may affect the total landscape of college football. Tom has some interesting thoughts on how things may play out for the University of Cincinnati. Here's a quick link to the show. Plenty of cool interviews and past Broo View Podcasts episodes can be found in the "Podcast & More" sections of www.kenbroo.com.

Tuesday it is....

What team are you more geeked about: the Reds or the Cyclones? Plenty of reason to be feeling good about both of our teams right now...

They Cyclones went west to Boise last weekend and came away with two wins in the Kelly Cup finals against the team that had the best record in the ECHL this season. The Idaho Steelheads now have to come to Cincinnati for the next two, and if necessary the next three. The Cyclones are skating like a team that wants no part of a return visit to Idaho.

Think about this, the 'Clones have played six games in the last eight days and have won all of them. Four of those wins were with their proverbial backs again the wall, having dropped the first three games in their conference final to Reading. After storming back to win that series in seven, the Cyclones were on a bus barely six hours after game seven and heading to Dayton for a early bird special out west.

They won the first two games in the finals, with goals in each game in the final minute of play. Saturday night, in game two, a puck bounced into the Idaho net with just 20 seconds to play. It was the only goal of the game.

This could be the 'Clones second Cup in three seasons. Most of the team has turned over since the spring of 2008. There are two holdovers of significances. This year's team captain, Barrett Eghoetz skated on that club. And head coach, Chuck Weber was behind the bench. Eghoetz has been a consistent scorer for the Cyclones in the playoffs. And Weber's defensive system is sure to get him a few looks this summer from AHL, and maybe NHL teams trying to fill out their coaching staffs.

As for the Reds, they continue to win with pitching and defense. Yes, the offense has been a lot better over the last couple of weeks. But the Reds field the ball as good as anyone in the National League. And on Sunday, Bronson Arroyo's complete game win over the Cards was the third complete game win for the starting rotation in a week.

The Reds are still a flawed team. And I think we'll see some of those weaknesses (lack of a true leadoff hitter, no big bopping bat in the order, although Jonny Gomes is certainly stating a case for him to be considered for that) as the Reds get into the meatier part of their schedule. Playing the Phillies and Rockies and Dodgers will be a lot different than playing the Pirates and Astros. But the Reds are in first place as we begin this Tuesday. And how many times in the last ten or so years have we been able to say that?

Later today, I'll be publishing my latest Broo View Podcast. My guest in this upcoming episode is Tom Deinhart from rivals.com. We'll be talking about Big 10 expansion, Notre Dame's role in that and how it will affect teams like the University of Cincinnati Bearcats. Check back for that. Or, if you'd like to be alerted, sign up to follow me on twitter. www.twitter.com/kenbroo.

And you can always find up to date sports news on my web site: www.kenbroo.com

Just published to the front page of my web site www.kenbroo.com is my latest Broo View Podcast. My guest in episode #239 is Michael Lombardi, former NFL GM and now reporting for the nationalfootballpost.com and the NFL Network. We're talking about the wisdom (or lack there of) of the Bengals signing Pacman Jones. If you want instant gratification (and who doesn't, right?) you can simply download this episode right here.

Random thoughts on this random Monday...

I dont' think Pacman, I'm sorry, ADAM Jones is going to begin a holy reign of terror in Cincinnati, now that he's signed with the Bengals. The guy has to know this is his last chance. He's been out of West Virginia since 2005 and has played just a little more than two seasons. Nobody, it seems, except the Bengals wanted this guy. In fact, some noted NFL minds like Michael Lombardi from the nationalfootballpost.com and the NFL Network and foxsports.com's John Czarnecki both told me this weekend on my radio show on 700 WLW that they think Jones is nothing more than a return guy and will have a tough time making the final roster.....

Still, I'm waiting for the Deja Vu to put up the welcome sign for Jones....

How sad has it become for Tiger Woods that he has to hold a news conference to announce that the neck injury that forced him out of the Players Championship this weekend has nothing to do with the neck injury he suffered on that infamous night in Orlando last November?......

How cool is it that the Cyclones, down 0-3, have battled back to make this a competitive series with the Reading Royals. The team's PR flak, John Hamel checks in with this stat: only three times in professional hockey has a team that's been down 0-3 in a best of seven series come back to win the series. The Cyclones still have a boatload of work to do before that happens. But having game six and, if necessary, game seven at US Bank Arena is a big plus.....

One of our guests last night on Sports Rock was UC head football coach, Butch Jones. He says part of the training for his team involves video games, using a video game simulator to let players see how plays develope. He also says Facebook has become the latest way to recruit......

Best thing I saw this past weekend was the Suns' Steve Nash playing with only one good eye. A collision caused a gash over Nash's other eye, swelling it almost completely shut. The Suns completed the sweep of the Spurs and I didn't hear Nash says once "Cut me Mick"......

That was a Rocky reference, for the unknowing....

The Reds have been the "Drama Kings" of baseball this season, winning nine of their 16 wins in their final at bats. But they've also won a large share of those games on home runs. This was supposed to be a team that was moving away from the long ball, when Adam Dunn was sent packing. But the dimensions of Great American Ball Park are such that you can't ignore the home run. It just doesn't make sense.

The Tacoma (Washington) News has a story today that the Mariners are seriously considering releasing Ken Griffey, Jr. According to the story, not only is Junior not hitting, he was unavailable for pinch hitting on one occasion because he was asleep in the clubhouse. Two unnamed Mariners players confirmed the story. Read more about it, here.

This time of the year, I want to want two players: the Lakers Kobe Bryant and the Penguins Sidney Crosby. They are, to each of their sports, money players at the money time of the year.

My buddy Freekbass is catching some heat for this. But he's also getting a ton of praise. Commissioned by Notre Dame to bring its marketing into the new millenium, Cincinnati's funk master came up with this video that will play in the stadium this fall and is already being used as a marketing tool.


I love Freekbass's Reds Fan video. I think this is right up there.

More coming later, including the latest Broo View Podcast...

Welcome to Tuesday...

Nice walk off win for your Reds last night. They are what they are right now, about a .500 team that, with an added bat in the line up and a solid pitcher to the bullpen (don't let last night fool you. there's one guy out there Baker can trust on a continuous basis and it's Rhodes) they might be able to contend. Will they make that move? Check out this from mlbtraderumors.com. It'll give you a good glimpse into the financial situation the Reds will be dealing with, the rest of this year.

Brand new Broo View Podcast has been published to the front page of my web site www.kenbroo.com. My guest is Joe Lemire from sportsillustrated.com. And we talk about the inequities of punishment in Major League Baseball, specifically, to Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez. What Lemire has to say might surprise you.