On Saturday, November 21, the Rusty Griswolds, a popular local 80’s cover band, will host a concert benefiting charitable organizations throughout Greater Cincinnati.  The second-annual “Rusty Ball” takes place at the Duke Energy Convention Center starting at 8:00 p.m. and will support more than 80 charities throughout the region, including the Reds Community Fund and the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum.

Ticket prices range from $50-$85 and purchasers will be asked to select a charitable organization that will benefit.  The net proceeds will be disbursed among all charitable beneficiaries on a pro-rata basis determined by the percentage of ticket sales attributed to each non-profit organization. Tickets for the event can be purchased either online at www.therustyball.com or at the Duke Energy Convention Center on the day of the event.  If you plan to attend, please remember to select either the Reds Community Fund or the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum as your beneficiary of choice.

The Rusty Griswolds will also be one of the Friday night performers on the main stage at Redsfest this year.

-JM
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WinterBall 10-26-09.pdf

Attached are the stats through 10/26 for all players in the Cincinnati Reds organization participating in Winter Ball.  The Reds have 13 position players and 10 pitchers working this off-season in various leagues.

-JM
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Madisonville Walmart Field.pdf

Just a few hours after Cincinnati’s newest Walmart opens in Fairfax on Wednesday morning, a newly renovated baseball field will be dedicated just a mile away in Madisonville, thanks to a generous donation from Walmart to the Reds Community Fund.

The baseball field at Anderson Place will be officially dedicated on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009 at 10 a.m., and will be used primarily by the Madisonville Braves youth baseball organization and students from nearby John P. Parker Elementary School.

In 2009, Walmart donated $20,000 to support the Reds Community Fund’s baseball-themed outreach programs. A portion of the donations have been earmarked for the Anderson Place field renovation.

-JM
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Kenney hired as Head Trainer.pdf

The Kansas City Royals announced yesterday that they have hired Nick Kenney as the club’s Head Athletic Trainer.

Kenney spent the past five seasons as a Major League Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Cleveland Indians.  Kenney joined the Indians after serving as an Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Cincinnati Reds from 2003-04.  Bringing a strong clinical and strength and conditioning background to the Royals, Kenney also worked for two years as the program manager of sports medicine for TriHealth, the official medical provider for the Reds, and noted Reds team doctor, Dr. Timothy Kremchek, and for seven seasons as the head trainer for the Cincinnati Cyclones professional hockey club.

Royals former Head Athletic Trainer Nick Swartz announced his retirement on September 25 after 33 years of service with the club.

-JM
http://redsintern.mlblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/kenney20hired20as20head20trainer.pdf

Reserve your spot for the 2010 Spring Training season at Goodyear Ballpark, featuring two Ohio teams — the Cincinnati Reds and the Cleveland Indians. Don’t miss this chance to secure the best season ticket seat locations for the 2010 season of Spring Training baseball in Goodyear.

Goodyear Ballpark offers three different season ticket plans: a 30 game plan (all Indians and Reds home games) and two 15 game plans (all Indians or all Reds home games). In addition to saving between $30 and $75 per seat, season ticket holder benefits include exclusive presale opportunities, merchandise discount coupons and a Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Party. 30 game plan holders also receive one free season parking pass.

Season ticket deposits are now being accepted. To place your 2010 season ticket deposit, visit Indians.com, Reds.com or call 623.882.3130.

For more information about Goodyear Ballpark and the 2010 Indians and Reds Spring Training Season, visit http://goodyearaz.gov/ballpark.

New in 2010 for Indians fans, check out the new Fan Access area located adjacent to Field 1 at the Indians’ Development Center, where fans can get a closer look at players and a chance to snap photos and snag autographs. Free and open daily during Spring Training.

Goodyear Ballpark Fun Money – the perfect stocking stuffer for this holiday season
“Fun Money,” is a great gift and can be used towards tickets, team shop merchandise and concessions purchases. “Fun Money” is available in $1 or $5 increments and may be purchased through the Ticket Office in person or by phone at 623.882.3130. 

Single game tickets go on sale December 12 at 10 a.m. The 2010 game schedule will be announced in November 2009.

-JM
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Barry Larkin HOF.pdf

Barry Larkin HOF SS Rankings.pdf

This winter, former Reds SS Barry Larkin will be on the ballot for inclusion into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.  This will be his first time on the ballot.  I’m sure we’ll visit this again as the time approaches, but take a look at these facts for now from some research I did…

There are currently 23 shortstops enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.  If elected, Barry Larkin (19 seasons, 1986-2004) would rank among the top 50% in most categories: batting average (9th), games (11th), at bats (12th), runs (8th), hits (10th), doubles (6th), triples (17th), home runs (4th), runs batted in (10th), walks (8th), strikeouts (13th), stolen bases (6th), errors (2nd).  See attached files.

AWARDS
National League Most Valuable Player – 1995
12-time All-Star (1988-91, 1993-97, 1999-00, 2004)
9-time Silver Slugger Award winner (1988-92, 1995-96, 1998-99)
3-time Gold Glove Award winner (1994-96)
World Series Champion – 1990
Roberto Clemente Award – 1993
Lou Gehrig Memorial Award – 1994

OTHER NOTES
Of those selected National League All-Stars at least 12 times, he would be the only one eligible not in the HOF (Rose 17, Bonds 14, Piazza 12).  Both Bonds and Piazza are not eligible for induction until 2013.  See below.

Times on NL All-Star roster
Stan Musial*  24
Willie Mays*  24
Hank Aaron*  24
Warren Spahn*  17
Pete Rose  17
Roberto Clemente*  15
Ozzie Smith*  15
Tony Gwynn*  15
Ernie Banks*  14
Barry Bonds  14
Johnny Bench*  14
Eddie Mathews*  12
Tom Seaver*  12
Mike Schmidt*  12
Mike Piazza  12
Mel Ott*  12
Barry Larkin  12
*indicates HOF

-JM
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This Friday, October 23rd, Bronson Arroyo and his friend Jamie Spencer will be doing a concert at the Coney Island Drive Inn in Brookville, FL to raise money for cancer research, education and survivor programs.

Even if you aren’t in Florida, you can still take part in this worthy cause by participating in the raffle. Prizes include personal experiences with Bronson such as a  1-hour pitching lesson, lunch, signed photos and jerseys, golf and more.   You do not need to be present to win.  Only 500 tickets will be sold. 

To find out more and to purchase tickets visit: http://walkingoffcancer.com/.

-JM
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The Reds Internal Affairs blog was ranked #15 in the MLB Pro Blogs Network for the period of the 2009 regular season (April 4-October 4).

The 14 blogs ranked ahead of Reds Internal Affairs come from representatives of: NYM (2), NYY (5), MLB Trade Talk (1), LAD (1), Keith Olbermann (1), MLB Baseball Collector (1), Hou (1), MLB Fantasy Baseball (1) and Alyssa Milano (1).

Reds Internal Affairs reached a career-high ranking of #12 for the month August 2009.

Thank you Reds fans!

-JM
http://redsintern.mlblogs.com/

Yesterday was the official grand opening and dedication of the Reds new training facility in Goodyear, Arizona. Enjoy these pictures of the festivities!

The official ribbon cutting for the Reds’ new spring training facility in Goodyear, Arizona.

Thousands of fans attended the official dedication of the Reds’ new spring training facility in Goodyear.

Reds officials Phil Castellini, Dick Williams and Walt Jocketty at the dedication ceremony.

A young fan at the sliding station of the baseball clinic.

A fan gets instruction at the Reds’ baseball clinic at the new spring training facility.

Young fans participate in the hitting, pitching and baseball skeeball stations.

Rosie Red and Mr. Redlegs with a young fan at the club’s new spring training facility open house.

-JM
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RHP Mike Lincoln pitched during yesterday’s final instructional league game at the Reds’ new spring training facility in Goodyear, Arizona. Lincoln missed most of the season with a bulging cervical disc that required surgery. He is expected to be ready when pitchers and catchers report in February.

-JM
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