38th edition of My Random Thoughts: Sports, TV, music, food, life.......
Things that popped into my head this week
The last thing you want to do is miss experiencing something like this Reds ride because you are unhappy about the past or worried about the future. Enjoy the moment.
Each time I hear Zac Taylor speak I think the same thing. In a world of self absorbed, detached from reality coaches, he gets it. He gets the need for a balance of football, life, being a father and husband.
I can't be the only one that plays imaginary drums when they hear 'In the Air Tonight' by Phil Collins. What an awesomely chilling song. It also make think of Miami Vice.
Doesn't it feel like the Jason Vosler era was years ago? He was leading this team in homers when he was designated for assignment.
I love the fact Matt Miazga and Brandon Vazquez are part of the United States Men's National Team for the Gold Cup. But man, the fact they could miss the next six FC Cincinnati matches is a rather large plot twist for a team fighting for the best mark (Supporters' Shield) in MLS.
I'm blown away by the people that can't catch my show live, but spend their lunch hour listening to the podcast. That is really cool. Thank you.
There appears to be a clear policy shift from placing the price sticker over the ziplock on the Kroger lunch meat bags at the deli counter of the Independence location. Whether or not I played a small role in that, I'm here for it.
The Wednesday performance by Matt McLain was a thing of beauty: He bunted for a hit and scored from 1st on a bloop double into shallow left-center, getting a good read with daring baserunning. Then he jacked a homer.
Our Thursday night wiffle ball topic was one of the most enjoyable I've done in a while. A topic like that is at the mercy of callers, listeners and followers taking it and running with it. A big thank you to those that did.
I'm a big Dusty Baker fan. But some have tried to rewrite the story and insist the Reds should have never moved on from him. He had a core of Joey Votto,
Jay Bruce, Brandon Phillips, Todd Frazier, Johnny Cueto, Aroldis Chapman, Edinson Volquez, Mike Leake, Mat Latos, etc. They got swept in 2010, blew a two games to none lead coming home vs the Giants in 2012 and finish in 3rd place and lost a Wild Card game to the Pirates in 2013. Everyone wanted more. And that was fair. The Reds haven't lost because Dusty left. They've lost because they didn't try to upgrade the team after 2013 and then dragged their feet on rebuilds.
I'll say it again, if it were any Bengal other than Jonah Williams, or Eli Apple, fans would be understanding of Jonah being miffed that nobody reached out to give him a heads up on the signing of Orlando Brown Jr. and the decision move him to right tackle before it happened. Not for approval, but out of common courtesy.
Consider: The Reds won a game this week where they scored 5 runs in the 2nd inning and didn't get a single hit the rest of the game. They won a game in which a reliever making his MLB debut threw only 9 strikes among 21 pitches, 2 were balls fouled off in self defense and one was a pitch clock violation on the batter. And they won a game in which they committed four errors and were outhit 15-7.
I have a thing about my baseball cap colors at least somewhat matching my shirt colors.
Tyler Stephenson hasn't appeared at 1B since April 30. That plan didn't work.
My all-time favorite coaches/managers to interview: Charlie Coles, Miami basketball, Terry Hoeppner, Miami football, Kerry Coombs. Each kind, personable and fun to talk about things beyond sports.
I wake up everyday thankful I talk about sports (The Toy Department of Life). I can't imagine having to discuss some of the stuff News Talk does on a day to day basis.
Aroldis Chapman left here under the suspicion of a domestic violence issue. He went AWOL on the Yankees and they bailed on him. Only one of the worst teams in baseball was interested in signing him this offseason. I'll pass.
Anyone else hang their shirts, pullovers in the closet and select them moving from left to right so to keep the wearing of them evenly spaced out and rotated?
I say it every year: I have to attend the College World Series one day.
*SPOILER ALERT* We watched the Season 3 finale of Ted Lasso. It was satisfying. It did justice to the show/characters. The wedding/Ted absence was a bit clunky. Loved Roy/Diamond Dogs and the BELIEVE pieces! The Nate storyline got rushed. Props on Cat Stevens. An uneven season rallied. I'll miss it. Be a goldfish!
We caught Blue Jelly last week at The Blind Squirrel in Florence. Really good band. Sweet place. Felt like a vacation spot in Florida.
Even if you don't like soccer, watch a highlight real of Luciano Acosta. The guy is simply magical.
Reminder: Nick Krall flipped Tyler Mahle for Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion Strand. He should get GM of the Year votes for that, alone.
I'm 56 years old and I've still never caught a foul ball.
It's sad that some have become so comfortable calling athletes "garbage" and "trash"
Tyler Stephenson is clearly 3rd among the Reds catchers in calling games and handling pitchers....and I don't think it's close. But how does he get better without innings behind the plate?
Don't worry about things you don't care about.