Gamenotes 3-26-09 vs Min.pdf

TWINS

Span 8
Casilla 4
Harris 5
Morneau 3
Cuddyer 9
Young 7
Redmond 2
Punto 6
Blackburn 1

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REDS

Taveras 8
Hairston 6
Votto 3
Phillips 4
Bruce 9
Keppinger 5
Dickerson 7
Hernandez 2
Owings 1

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to chat with Dave Lezotte, Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations of the Clinton LumberKings of the Midwest League.  He is a good friend of mine from my days with the Milwaukee Brewers.  As a radio broadcaster traveling the league, Dave has the opportunity to see Reds minor leaguers with the Dayton Dragons.  We discussed some prominent names he’s seen go throught the Midwest League, Spring Training, minor league media relations vs Major League, season predictions and much more.  Click below to hear the entire interview.

Dave Lezotte 3-24-09.WMA 

-JM

Gamenotes 3-25-09 vs Bos.pdf

RED SOX

Bay 7
Pedroia 4
Drew 9
Youkilis 3
Lowell 5
Varitek 2
Ambres 8
Diaz 6
Buchholz 1

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REDS

Taveras 8
Keppinger 4
Votto 3
Rosales 5
Bruce 9
Hernandez 2
Dickerson 7
Janish 6
Cueto 1

The Cincinnati Reds have announced details for the 2009 Opening Day festivities on Monday, April 6:

? 90th Findlay Market Opening Day Parade Grand Marshal: Frank Robinson (parade starts at 10:30 a.m.)
Robinson will also be the Honorary Captain of the Opening Day game. 

? Opening Day Parade Special Guest: Bronson Arroyo
Starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo will ride in the Findlay Market Opening Day Parade. This will be the first time since the early years of the parade that a current Reds player will participate and ride in the parade.

? Ceremonial First Pitch: Nick Lachey
Cincinnati native and Jive Records recording artist Nick Lachey will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

? National Anthem: Mia Carruthers
18-year-old Mia Carruthers is a student at Cincinnati’s School for Creative & Performing Arts, singer/songwriter and a star of the MTV reality TV show “Taking the Stage.” She will be joined on the field by the nine other primary cast members of the show.

? American Flag: UC Football Team
Members of the University of Cincinnati’s 2008 Big East Champion football team will hold a giant American flag in the outfield during the singing of our National Anthem.

? Official Game Ball Delivery: Brian Kelly
UC head football coach Brian Kelly will deliver the official game ball to the mound for Opening Day starting pitcher Aaron Harang

? God Bless America: John Winfrey
Cincinnati firefighter John Winfrey will perform “God Bless America” during the game
 
? Parade of Colors
Honor Guard units from the Navy, Air Force, Marines, Army and Coast Guard will comprise a Parade of Colors on the field

? Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips will receive his official 2008 Rawling’s Gold Glove Trophy during pregame ceremonies

? The Reds will honor a select group of wounded heroes…members of our Armed Forces who were wounded in battle during the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan

? A moment of silence will be held in honor of Glenn Sample, longtime Reds official scorer and Cincinnati sports icon who passed away on Nov. 21, 2008…the Reds will officially dedicate the Official Scorer’s Booth of the ballpark in Sample’s honor

? UC Marching Band will lead the crowd by playing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the 7th Inning Stretch.

? The Goshorn Brothers will perform a pregame concert in the Fan Zone

? Gates to Great American Ball Park will open at 11:10 a.m. and the first pitch of the game is at 1:10 p.m.

Today’s off day might leave you feeling a little empty inside.  To fill the void, enjoy these pictures of the field.  If this doesn’t get you in the mood for Opening Day, nothing will.  Only 13 more days!

-JM

Gamenotes 3-23-09 vs Tor.pdf

BLUE JAYS

Inglett DH
Hill 4
Rios 9
Wells 8
Rolen 5
Ruiz 3
Matthews 7
Chavez 2
McDonald 6

Romero LHP

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REDS

Hopper 8
Dickerson 7
Votto 3
Rosales 5
Bruce 9
Keppinger 4
Gonzalez 6
Hanigan 2
Volquez 1

On Saturday, the PNC Bank Tower got a bit of face-lift.  The sign sitting atop the structure was updated to the current logo with the use of a helicopter.  Although not baseball or team related, I thought it was still pretty cool and snapped a few pictures of the action from downtown and from the ballpark.

Out with the old…

…and in with the new.

-JM

Gamenotes 3-22-09 at Pit.pdf

Travel Roster 3-22-09 at Pit.pdf

REDS

McDonald 8
Richar 4
Nix 9
Gomes 7
Ward 3
Rosales 5
Janish 6
Castillo 2
Harang 1

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PIRATES

Wilson 6
Sanchez 4
McLouth 8
Doumit 2
LaRoche, Ad 3
Monroe 7
Moss 9
LaRoche, An 5
Snell 1

Reds closer Francisco Cordero pitched today in a minor league game against the Baltimore Orioles.  His line: 1ip, 1h, 2k, 16 total pitches, 12 strikes.

-JM

Quite the crowd was on-hand at Fountain Square this morning for the 9:00 a.m. sale of Opening Day tickets.  An estimated 300 people waited in line.

Reds PA announcer Joe Zerhusen, Mr. Redlegs, Rosie and Gapper kept the crowd entertained with various events.  A dozen doughnuts were devoured by this group.

Reds promotional events manager Zach Bonkowski (with mic) interviewed various fans and handed out prizes for Reds knowledge.  Shown here is a confused fan trying to figure out which Reds coach is nicknamed “Porky.”  The answer of course is Reds bullpen coach Juan Lopez.

You’d think Rosie wouldn’t have to wait in line for tickets.

The Reds ticket crew did their best to keep the line moving.  The average transaction took only 90 seconds to complete.

The Reds and Gapper presented Sherry Strunk with a personalized jersey for being first in line.

Reds fan Dawn Duncan was also presented with a personalized jersey.  She was second in line for Opening Day tickets.  Those are tears of joy.

Sherry Strunk speaks with the media about her experience of waiting in line since Thursday morning for the opportunity to purchase Opening Day tickets.

Mission accomplished.

-JM