Reds 80’s Night

I attended the Cincinnati Reds v. Colorado Rockies game last week.  Reds lost 5-1.  Homer Bailey gave up a few hits.  Junior broke up the no hitter and shutout with his 607th dong.

The real story is that it was an 80’s themed weekend at Great American Ball Park.  That included watching an episode of the Cosby Show pre-game, Darth Vader chasing Gapper around the park, announcers wearing radical and bodacious threads, the players rockin’ out to kick ass music as well as having a new look.  Check out the players and their throwback pictures.

ps. It was also Adam Dunn 80’s Bobble head night.

pps.  Turns out, it was also the last game I saw Griffey in a Cincinnati Reds uniform.  He was traded today, July 31, 2008 to the Chicago Whitesox for Nick Masset and Danny Richar.  – ESPN article

Adam Bender

Adam Bender, 8, from Lexington, Kentucky plays catcher in Southeastern’s rookie league at Veterans Park.  At the age of 1, Adam had his left leg amputated because of cancer.   He does not wear a prosthesis and only uses crutches after he reaches base.  He threw out the first pitch at Great American Ballpark on Sunday to his favorite player, Adam Dunn.  This kid is simply phenomenal.

heraldleaderphoto

Junior hits #600

Ken Griffey Jr. aka “the kid” hit his 600th homerun on Monday, June 9, 2008, becoming only the sixth player in history to reach the milestone. Reds beat the Marlins 9-4. The other five players to reach 600 are Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Sammy Sosa.

“Griffey was the youngest player in the majors — still only 19 — on April 10, 1989, when he homered off the Chicago White Sox’s Eric King on the first pitch he saw at Seattle’s Kingdome.

Homer No. 36 was one of his most satisfying. It came one batter after his father, Ken Sr., homered off California’s Kirk McCaskill on Sept. 14, 1990, an unprecedented father-and-son moment in the majors.” ESPN.com

The sweetest swing in baseball.

Congratulations Junior!

Start of a new era for the Reds

His name, Jay Bruce. He makes his major league debut today. The Reds promoted him from the Triple-A Louisville Bats. The 21 year old has been rated the best prospect in the minors. Griffey and Dunn call him “The Future.”  Fans call him “Bruuuuuuuce.”

“No, he’s not the savior,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “We just want him to be himself. Just let him play and be himself. Don’t put any labels on him. No comparisons. Just let him play. You can’t help what people put on you or what people say. The only thing you can control is how you play. He’s a confident young man. He’s a bright young man and a competitive young man.” – mlb.com

“The Future” is here and it is about time.  He went 3-3 in his debut, with 2 rbis and 2 runs and he reached base in all 5 plate appearances.

But hey, according to Hitler, doing well in Triple-A does not translate into success in the Big Leagues. “Triple-A! Schmiple A! That don’t mean squat!” Hitler was obviously no fan of Matt Belisle.

This is what Hitler believes cursed the Reds. I would have to agree. What a debacle.

And this one belongs to the Reds

I attended my first Cincinnati Reds game of the year. They were riding a 4 game win streak after sweeping the Marlins and now taking on the Cleveland Indians in the Battle of Ohio. As I stood among the 42,022 fans (11th largest at Great American Ballpark) with Mr. Brandon Phillips (30/30) bobblehead in hand, I watched Adam Dunn foul off 2 bunt attempts. “What is he doing?!?” I exclaimed. (The Reds had a man on first and second and I later discovered Dunn is actually an excellent bunter)

Dunn finally took a mighty cut and blasted the ball 449 feet! It nearly went out of the ballpark landing in the last row of seats in right field. The 3 run walk-off home-run lifted the Reds over the Indians in dramatic fashion. The fans went crazy!

Dunn also made a nifty catch on a foul ball earlier in the game.

Cincinnati Enquirer Article

Below are a few pictures I took at the game.

Great American Ballpark

Cincinnati Reds EST. 1869