The uniform jersey number 13 worn from 1970 through 1988 by Cincinnati Reds shortstop Dave Concepcion will be retired in ceremonies at Great American Ball Park prior to the Saturday, July 28 game against the Chicago Cubs.

At its meeting last week, the board of directors of the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum voted unanimously to retire the uniform number of the Venezuelan native. Each fan attending the 7:10 p.m. game will receive a commemorative replica of a painting that will be presented to Concepcion that day.

“He was the best shortstop of his era and certainly one of the greatest in the history of our storied franchise,” said Reds president and chief executive officer Bob Castellini. “Number 13 deserves to hang next to the uniform jerseys of Bench and Morgan and Perez.”

Concepcion's 13 will be the ninth number retired by the Reds, joining Fred Hutchinson's 1, Johnny Bench's 5, Joe Morgan's 8, Sparky Anderson's 10, Ted Kluszewski's 18, Frank Robinson's 20, Tony Perez' 24 and Jackie Robinson's 42. Concepcion was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame in 2000.

As the starting shortstop on the Big Red Machine, Concepcion was teammates with Bench, Morgan and Perez under manager Anderson on a club that from 1970-78 went 863-586 (.596) and won five National League West Division titles, four pennants and two World Series championships. The '75 and '76 Reds combined to go 210-114 (.629) and became the National League's first franchise in 54 years to win consecutive World Series titles. Concepcion was named team captain in 1973.

With 8,723 at bats in 2,488 games Concepcion ranks second in club history in both categories behind Pete Rose. Since 1900, he ranks among the franchise's all-time leaders in hits (2,326; 3rd), doubles (389; 3rd), stolen bases (321; 3rd), run scored (993; 5th), total bases (3,114; 5th) and RBI (950; 6th).

Concepcion, 58, was a 9-time National League All-Star, fourth-most in club history (Bench 14, Rose 13, Larkin 12), and his 5 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards are second only to Bench's 9 Gold Gloves. He was the Most Valuable Player of the 1982 All-Star Game, 3 times was a The Sporting News All-Star and twice won Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Awards. He was voted the Reds' MVP in 1981.

“By virtue of his 19-year career with the Reds, a claim to being the best shortstop of his era and his overall place in Reds history, Dave Concepcion richly deserves this honor, one that rightfully is reserved for those very few players whose careers truly represent extraordinary accomplishment,” said Greg Rhodes, executive director of the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum.

Concepcion's 13 will be displayed alongside the others below the press box behind home plate at Great American Ball Park.

The Reds came from behind abruptly this afternoon to win the game and the series with the Pirates. I got all grumpy watching the beginning of the game, and then I was in-and-out for the rest of it, so looking back on the day, I still feel sort of crabby about the whole thing, despite the score.

I suppose that it would be unreasonable of me to demand that the Reds get the lead from the first inning in every game. But what if I ask nicely?

Aaron Harang followed up on Matt Belisle's complete game yesterday with 8 innings of his own. He was shaky at first but pulled it together in the long run. He allowed five runs (earned) on 10 hits through eight plus innings. He walked one and struck out 9.

David Weathers was the only member of the bullpen not to get the second consecutive night off, finishing off the ninth inning. It was hardly a save situation, but it was nice for Stormy to put up a 0. Tomorrow is an off day for the boys, so the relievers ought to be good and relaxed going into Houston on Tuesday.

There was no need for pinch hitting in this affair where the offense actually made an appearance for a change. Adam Dunn and Alex Gonzalez each contributed a home run for three of the Reds' runs. Brandon Phillips brought in a couple runs, as did Harang. But the offensive star today was Edwin Encarnación who went 3-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored.

The win brings the Reds record to 12-13 and ties them with the Pirates for second place in the division after the Brewers. They take tomorrow to travel to Houston before facing off against the Astros. Bronson Arroyo goes against guy-I've-never-heard-of Matt Albers. Could be a tough one.

Tragic news today as former Reds relief pitcher Josh Hancock was killed in a car accident. From STLtoday:

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Josh Hancock was killed early Sunday in an accident on Highway 40 (Interstate 64), just west of Compton Avenue, authorities said.

Hancock's Ford Explorer slammed into the rear of a tow truck that was parked in the far left westbound lane shortly after 12:30 a.m. The tow truck driver, who was seated in the vehicle at the time, was unhurt.

He told police that his emergency lights were on, and that he honked his horn when he saw the Explorer approaching in his rear view mirror, but that the Explorer didn't slow down or swerve to avoid the collision.

Our hearts are with the friends and family of Hancock, as well as everyone in Cardinals nation. Cards-Reds games won't be the same without Snax.

The Cardinals' game with the Cubs tonight has been postponed until further notice.

Things are changing, friends. Brad Salmon's in the hiz-owse!

Here's the line-ups, thanks C. Trent:

Ryan Freel CF
Brandon Phillips 2B
Josh Hamilton RF
Jeff Conine 1B
Alex Gonzalez SS
Adam Dunn LF
Edwin Encarnación 3B
David Ross C
Matt Belisle P

Duffy CF
Wilson SS
Sanchez 2B
Bay LF
LaRoche 1B
Doumit RF
Bautista 3B
Paulini C
Gorzelanny P

w00t! There's news!!

From C. Trent:

The Cincinnati Reds today acquired RHP Marcus McBeth as part of yesterday's deal that sent OF Chris Denorfia to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for 2 players to be named later and cash considerations.

McBeth, 26, is scheduled to report to the Reds' Class AAA affiliate in Louisville tomorrow. He is the 48th player acquired by executive vice president and general manager Wayne Krivsky since he was hired on February 8, 2006.

McBeth had been the closer at Class AAA Sacramento all season (8g, 1-0-5, 1.80, 10ip, 7h, 3r, 2er, 2hr, 1hbp, 3bb, 6k, .200oba). Last year, he combined to finish 3-3 with a 3.07 ERA in 59 appearances at Class A Stockton, Class AA Midland and Sacramento and ranked fifth among all minor leaguers with 32 saves.

I'm still hardly super-psyched to be saying goodbye to Denorfia for this fella, but I hope that once he makes it up to the team that he'll change my mind. In the meantime, it's just so exciting to have something new to talk about.

But wait, there's more!

And Cormier DFA'd and Salmon called up.

“Salmon has pitched well and we think he deserves the promotion,” Krivsky said.

Best of luck to you, young Brad Salmon. We're counting on you to make it all better. But no pressure or anything.