Yarr, once again it's Talk Like a Pirate Day, which can only mean one thing: Javier Valentín is 32. Avast, my mateys!

Ken Griffey, Jr. just slipped in right field at Wrigley and is now rolling around on the grass, holding his groinal area.

Wait, just saw the replay, and it didn't look like he slipped after all. They're thinking maybe he did it during his last AB and is suffering from a twinge now.

Damn, he's still on the ground, even after all the typos I've already corrected. Smart money says he's gotta be done for the year.

Gary Majewski just came into the game with Soriano on second to finish out the sixth inning without allowing a run.

I'm loving this game. I so want the Cubs to lose. Even more than I want the Reds to win, which is quite a lot.

Tonight's game is being played under protest, following the umpires allowing Piniella to make a double-switch even though he did not signal the switch before crossing the foul line. Sounds thrilling. What will the prize be if the Reds get the ruling? Surely they can't be awarded a run or anything of that sort. Perhaps a lovely gift basket featuring a new toaster or an electric blanket?

Woo-hoo! EdE's short fly drops in left field, thanks to some Cubby choking. I'm loving this more all the time.

This special Saturday edition of the Red Hot Broadcast features a very special interview with the Reds newest pitching star—yes, I realize that is not saying much, but still—Tom Shearn.

We discuss:

• His win last night and the redemption he earned after his last appearance against Milwaukee.
• His potential place with the Reds next year, starter or bullpen.
  How close he came to quitting baseball before finally breaking the bigs a few days before turning 30.
• His family’s role in keeping him playing baseball, even after 12 years in the minors. Does “well, what else are you going to do?” really count as support?
• Living in the groundskeeper’s trailer at Slugger Field.
• The impact of Ryan Jorgensen’s substance-related suspension.
• His goals for the future and message to the fans.

Tom’s a nice fella. Not talkative, though, so this one is short and sweet.

Episode 76: Interview with Tom Shearn (5.51B, 7:47)

Among the many changes the Reds have enjoyed with a new manager midway through the season has been allowing Javier Valetín to start some games, particularly those in which Bronson Arroyo takes the mound. Though you might be interested to see how that's worked out for Arroyo so far:

Of Arroyo's nine wins on the season, four have come while Javy is catching. Of his fourteen loses, zero have come while Javy's behind the plate. This really isn't too much of a surprise, since run support was a major problem for Bronson early on in the season, and Javy can actually help in that arena.

Mark my words: beating the Cardinals will be the springboard that finally launches the talent-heavy Reds to the top of the division to sniff the postseason for the first time, well, ever as long as I've been a fan. You'll see. You'll see!

Javy catches Arroyo tonight. Let's see them keep their perfect record.

Your Cincinnati Reds
Josh Hamilton CF
Alex Gonzalez SS
Ken Griffey, Jr RF
Brandon Phillips 2B
Adam Dunn LF
Edwin Encarnación 3B
Joey Votto 1B
Javier Valentín C
Bronson Arroyo P

A couple years ago, me and my good buddy Joel put together a demotivational poster for each of the teams in the majors. Since then, Joel's given up blogging in favor of a real life and the half of the posters that he hosted was lost to the caches of Google.

Even though they're dated, I'm posting the lost posters here. After all, I'm a Reds fan, and if there's one thing we Reds fans know how to do, it's bask in our previous glory.

As we said before, all photographs copyright of their respective owners. Their respective owners also get a great big thank you from Red Hot Mama for taking such lovely photos and making them available online. If you are the owner of one of these photographs, drop me a line and I will make sure you get proper attribution.

Don't see your team? It's probably here.