In a minor Cincinnati Reds historical item, The Hardball Times notes that it was 10,000 days ago today that Marge Schott became the majority owner of the Reds.

It was a tumultuous and, ultimately, mostly embarrassing time in the Reds’ history. Yes, they won the 1990 World Series, but that may have been despite Schott, given her reluctance to hire scouts and black players.

What’s interesting, is that Schott was initially a fairly popular owner. She’d make herself publicly visible during games and talk to fans. She kept the concessions prices low, and even kept the seat prices as low as she could. She always loved children and throughout her entire adult life was very active in charity foundations for children.

Mainly, I see a large streak of provincialism here; a streak many others share but those who are so provincial rarely have as much public stature of money that Schott had. Or if they are, they’re not so vocal about it.

Thankfully, those days of controversy where the team’s owner took up more headlines than the actual team are in the past. And it’s taken a while, but the Reds’ have rebuilt their scouting department into one that is supplying some mighty fine major league talent. The team has definitely come a long way since the ’80s.

UPDATE: Looks like it’s confirmed now: Harris has been outrighted to AAA Louisville. We’ll see if he accepts the assignment, but I doubt there’s a lot of other options for him right now. A little time with the minors might be a good chance for him to find his swing.

John Fay is reporting an officially unconfirmed but seemingly likely scenario: that Miguel Cairo has come off the DL and that Willie Harris got the short end of the making-room-on-the-roster stick:

Willie Harris was walking out of Miller Park as I walked in a little bit ago. I asked him if something had happened. He shook his head yes. He was talking on the phone. The Reds haven’t announced anything, but it likely means Miguel Cairo has been activated from the disabled list and will take Harris’ roster spot.

If this is the case, it’s surprising to me, in that it is likely the same move I would have made. I expected Todd Frazier to be the odd man out, as he has been before.

Dusty Baker did give Harris a chance to prove himself. Harris had 35 ABs in 19 games, making appearances as a surprising choice for pinch hitter, given his .086 average and .135 OBP.

Boxscore

I guess Mat Latos really is a better pitcher in May than April.

In his first start in May, Latos, who is horrible, just horrible, in his career in April, had his best start as a Cincinnati Red. He struck out a career high 11 over the course of 6 innings, allowing no runs, 2 hits and 3 walks. Plus, he did all this while pitching with the dreaded flu-like symptoms.

“I was not feeling good at all this morning,” he said. “I woke up throwing up. It wasn’t pretty.”

Latos was still feeling queasy when he took the mound. It didn’t help that the first inning lasted a long time.

“I thought I was going to throw up a couple of times,” Latos said.

Eww. That would’ve been gross. I do wonder if that’s ever happened on a pitching mound in the middle of a game. That would certainly get you on SportsCenter.

The Reds’ relievers have been lights out lately, having pitched 21 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball. They were no different today. After taking over for the ailing Latos after the 6th, they continued the shutout and preserved the win.

The offense was good, too, and got off to an early start. Joey Votto drove in Drew Stubbs in the first inning of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ starter Charlie Morton. Todd Frazier, who must have been starting instead of Willie Harris due to a clerical error, hit a home run in the second to make it 2-0. And then Drew Stubbs made it 4-0 with a home run in the 3rd.

The win puts the Reds one game back over .500 at 14-13. They take the series with the Pirates and will head to Milwaukee to face the Brewers tomorrow. Bronson Arroyo will go for the Reds with Yavani Gallardo starting for the Brewers at 8:10pm EDT.