Yearly Archives: 2011

March 25, 2011

Reds Play with Twitter

By
Zeldink
Posted at 7:46 am

The Cincinnati Reds announced yesterday a contest for Opening Day tickets this weekend that will use their Twitter account. So you 5 Reds fans without Twitter accounts–you know who you are–better sign up if you want to make it to Opening Day without forking over an arm and a leg to scalpers.

CINCINNATI (March 24, 2011) – The Cincinnati Reds have created a “Hide and Tweet” scavenger hunt where clues to locations of Opening Day tickets will be released on the popular social networking web site Twitter on Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, March 27.

The Reds will be giving away four pairs of Opening Day tickets through four different scavenger hunts in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

Fans can follow the Reds on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/cincinnatireds (@cincinnatireds) to find the street addresses of the clue locations.

The clues will be distributed by a Reds representative at three different retail stores each round and will lead to a final location in the Greater Cincinnati area where a pair of Opening Day tickets have been hidden.

Hide and Tweet #1, North – Saturday, March 26 – First location announced via Twitter at 9am – Second location announced at 11am – Third location announced at 1pm

Hide and Tweet #2, West – Saturday, March 26 – First location announced via Twitter at 2pm – Second location announced at 4pm – Third location announced at 6pm

Hide and Tweet #3, South (Northern Kentucky) – Sunday, March 27 – First location announced via Twitter at 10am – Second location announced at 12pm – Third location announced at 2pm hour.

Hide and Tweet #4, East – Sunday, March 27 – First location announced via Twitter at 3pm – Second location announced at 5pm – Third location announced at 7pm

The winners will be announced immediately on Twitter.

Posted in Cincinnati Reds, NL Central, Press Releases.
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March 25, 2011

The Daily Brief: Who Gets the Last Bench Spot?

By
Amanda
Posted at 6:35 am

Last Game
Yesterday’s game was televised, which made it nice that it lasted extra long, taking 3 and a half hours to complete. Unfortunately, the Cincinnati Reds’ pitching continued to struggle in the thin, dry Arizona air, as they allowed 15 runs and 17 hits. The offense continues to take advantage of the opposing team’s pitching, as well, scoring 13 runs yesterday. It wasn’t quite enough, though. I’m choosing not to worry and focus on how 13 runs will win a majority of times during the regular season.

Next Game
The Reds will try again tomorrow to keep their opponents from reaching double digits when they send Edinson Volquez to the mound against the San Diego Padres. His ERA of 11.57 doesn’t exactly inspire a lot of confidence. The Padres’ starter will be Wade LeBlanc. Game-time is 4:05pm EDT and can be heard on 700 WLW.

Roster Competitions Winding Down
As spring training winds down, every club has to decide which players to choose for the final spot or two on the roster. It’s no different for the Reds. John Fay recently broke down the open spots.

They’ll likely go with 12 pitchers and 13 positions players. That’s eight regulars and a second catcher and four bench players. Miguel Cairo, Edgar Renteria and Chris Heisey will get three of the spots.

That leaves one bench role. Fred Lewis and Jeremy Hermida are the front-runners for it, with Dave Sappelt and Juan Francisco as long-shots. (Sappelt isn’t on the 40-man roster.)

Manager Dusty Baker seems to think it’s between Lewis and Hermida, though.

“It comes down to Hermida and Lewis. Hermida has had a better spring,” Dusty Baker said, “Freddie Lewis is one of the better athletes on the team. He hasn’t really demonstrated what we all feel he is capable of doing. We haven’t decided what the solution is yet.”

Of course, Baker also thinks Francisco is very important.

“You can see the potential and what’s in there. It’s just matter of him — if he can get a good pitch to hit most of the time — he’s going really hit. Most of the time when he’s out, they trick him on bad pitches.”

To increase his versatility, Baker is having Francisco start in the outfield today. We’ll see in a few days if that factors into Baker’s decision

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Of the 40 players on the Reds’ 40-man roster, 13 of them were drafted or acquired by previous general manager Wayne Krivsky.

Posted in Cincinnati Reds, Daily Briefs, Game Wrap, NL Central, Spring Training.
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March 24, 2011

Beer Goggles

By
Zeldink
Posted at 6:22 am


Clearly, a tall, frosty one impaired Cincinnati Reds outfielder Chris Heisey’s judgment in fielding the ball.

Posted in Cincinnati Reds, NL Central, Pretend Captions, Spring Training.
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March 23, 2011

Reds Announce Opening Weekend 2011 Fun

By
Amanda
Posted at 9:01 pm

The Cincinnati Reds have put together an action-packed start to the 2011 season. The Red Hot Child will be quite happy to see that he’ll have a chance for more autographs on Opening Night.

The full details for the entire weekend follow.

Opening Day – Thursday, March 31, 2011 – Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 2:10 p.m. (Gates open at 11:40 a.m.)

  • 92nd Findlay Market Opening Day Parade Grand Marshal: Hall of Famer Joe Morgan will serve as the Grand Marshal of the Findlay Market Parade, which begins at 11 a.m. Morgan will also serve as the Honorary Captain of the Opening Day game.
  • Ceremonial First Pitch: Retired Cincinnati Police Chief Tom Streicher will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
  • National Anthem: Grammy nominee and R&B vocalist Brian McKnight will sing the National Anthem in three-part harmony with his sons Brian Jr. & Niko. McKnight has released 11 albums (seven of them platinum) and is best known for his 1999 single “Back At One” that reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
  • Sparky: A special tribute to Reds manager Sparky Anderson is planned for pregame ceremonies.
  • MVP: Joey Votto will be recognized during pregame ceremonies for his 2010 National League MVP crown.
  • Flyover: F-18 Hornets assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 131 at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach will perform a flyover during the National Anthem.
  • America The Beautiful: 338th US Army Band will perform America the Beautiful during pregame ceremonies.
  • God Bless America: Technical Sergeant Felita Rowe of the Air Force Band of Flight will perform God Bless America during the 7th inning stretch.
  • Take Me Out to the Ballgame: Jive Records recording artists Cage the Elephant will sing Take Me Out to the Ballgame.
  • Pregame Concerts: My Sister Sarah and Pete Wagner Dixieland Band will perform pregame concerts in the Fan Zone.
  • Gates Open: Gates to Great American Ball Park will open at 11:40 p.m. (Reds batting practice ends at 12:20 p.m.)
  • Rally Towels: All fans will receive a free rally towel, presented by Duke Energy, Kroger, Cincinnati Bell and Scotts.

Opening Night – Saturday, April 2, 2011 – Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 7:10 p.m. (Gates open at 5:10 p.m.)

  • Players in the Fan Zone: Pregame meet and greet with current Reds players, Cirque du Soleil “OVO” performers, Reds House DJ “DJ Sab” and more in the Fan Zone from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
  • First Pitch: Pro Football Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
  • Fleece Blanket: The first 20,000 fans will receive a Reds Fleece Blanket, presented by Chiquita.
  • Gold Gloves: 2010 NL Rawlings Gold Glove winners Bronson Arroyo, Brandon Phillips and Scott Rolen will be recognized during pregame ceremonies.
  • Rusty Griswolds: 80’s cover band The Rusty Griswolds will perform from a stage on the right field porch during inning breaks and after the game.
  • Game Ball Delivery: The Budweiser Clydesdales will deliver the official game ball.
  • Skydiving Team: Team Fastrax Skydiving Team will perform during pregame ceremonies.
  • Fireworks: The Rusty Griswolds will play live during the post-game fireworks show featuring Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks.

Sunday, April 3, 2011 – Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 1:10 p.m. (Gates open at 11:40 a.m.)

  • Bark in the Park: Over 500 owners and their dogs will be at the ballpark for the first Bark in the Park for 2011. A limited number of “dog tickets” are still available at reds.com/dogday.

Sunday, April 3, 2011 – Reds Un-Cut: Live at the Aronoff delivered by DHL, 7 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m.)

Join the entire 2011 Cincinnati Reds roster, along with coaches and broadcasters, for a casual evening of fun and entertainment at the Aronoff Center for the Arts in downtown Cincinnati. The program will feature player interviews, game show elements and other surprises in a theater-style show. Tickets start at $25 and include a game ticket to the April 2 Opening Night game. Purchase tickets at reds.com/uncut.

Budweiser Clydesdales

The world-famous, eight-horse Budweiser Clydesdale hitch will make several appearances Opening Weekend, including:

  • Thursday, March 31: Findlay Market Opening Day Parade
  • Friday, April 1: Fountain Square Appearance at Noon
  • Saturday, April 2: Stables open to the public 2 to 5 p.m.; Parade around ballpark at 6 p.m.; Game ball delivery.
  • Sunday, April 3: Stables open to the public 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Posted in Cincinnati Reds, NL Central, Press Releases.
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March 23, 2011

The Daily Brief: Catchers Past and Present

By
Amanda
Posted at 6:47 am

Last Game
The Cincinnati Reds lost 10-8 to the Oakland A’s. It was an ugly performance for starter Mike Leake, but the offense continues to score tons of runs. Yesterday’s biggest contributor was one Joey Votto, who went 3-5 with a homer and 4 RBI.

Next Game
The Reds travel to face the San Diego Padres this afternoon. Homer Bailey will start against Tim Stauffer. The first pitch is scheduled at 4:05pm EDT and can be heard on 700 WLW.

Hernandez and His Sore Elbow
Reds catcher Ramon Hernandez was scratched from yesterday’s lineup due to a sore elbow.

Like Johnny Cueto before him, Hernandez will be examined by team physician Dr. Kremchek.

“There’s nothing structural wrong,” Dusty Baker said. “He’s just having trouble extending.”

If this lingers, it could just be Corky Miller’s entry onto the roster for 2011. And you know how much better the Reds are with his mustache.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The Reds Hall of Fame and Museum’s feature exhibit during the 2011 season will be entitled “Johnny Bench: A Celebration of Baseball’s Greatest Catcher.”

Posted in Cincinnati Reds, Daily Briefs, NL Central, Spring Training.
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