I went to my first Reds game of the 2011 season last night and had a great time. Above is a pic from my seat. I have several VERY IMPORTANT observations, in chronological order.Free Parking on 6th Street Rocks
I don't know why I've never done this before. You come in right on 6th, and the meter parking spots are right there! Plenty of spaces, free after 6pm, and best of all, you take 2 lefts around the block and you shoot right back onto 5th Street to get out!
Scalping Rules Once Again
I went with Tom and Bryan. We planned on just getting some tickets at the ticket window, but Bryan was running late. We decided to just check out the scalpers and see what they had. We got Section 130 right behind the Reds dugout, about 20 rows up. Awesome. We bought them for under face value at $30 a piece. That's almost $70 cheaper than what I paid on StubHub for infield seats last year. I will plan on scalping for all future games.
Bottom-Up Beer is a Joke and will Fail MiserablyThe premise is awesome. A rapid, perfect pour of draft beer with no foam. Execution is AWFUL. So a magnet seals the botton of the cup after the machine fills it. If you touch the bottom of the cup, your beer spills everywhere! I saw that happen SEVERAL times. Even if you are a good drunk and don't touch the bottom, it still drips almost every time you take a drink. Just awful!
Edinson Volquez is our #5 Starter - Maybe
Whenever he has a big game, Dusty inexplicably trusts him with the start. His explanation is always his easy-going nature and lack of stress in big games. Well, he may be easy-going, but he still sucks. I have zero trust when he takes the mound. He'll throw hard and get a bunch of K's, but he will walk a ton of batters and is susceptible to implosion at any time. Any of the other guys may have an off night, but at least you know what you get with them.
Aroldis Chapman is Awesome
First time I've seen him pitch. He consistently is over 100 mph. He topped out at 104 mph last night. The excitement he brings to the stadium, wow! Seriously, the Reds are up 12-4 t start the 7th. Good time t0 get a snack. Then Chapman comes out of the pen. Every sits and stays in their seat - to see him warm up! Then he just mows them down. This guy is going to be good.
The Reds are the Total Package
We were down big, but came roaring back. The Reds just play baseball. We now have a team that consistently does all the little things right. Start with defense. We must have the #1 defense in baseball. Every position is a Gold Glove, or nearly. Gomes is the exception, but Heisley started last night, and he is every bit as good as Stubbs and Bruce in the OF. That will get us a lot of wins. We also capitalize on every mistake our opponent makes. Of course, we also can MASH it! I don't see how we lose the Central, unless we get the injury bug in a big way.
6 comments:
i just went from six to midnight
They really are the total package. The one weak link I see is Juan Francisco at 3B backing up Rolen. That's going to have to be addressed. Otherwise, who beats them in the Central?
Ted, we saw Chapman pitch last year in the playoffs against the Phillies in Game 3. I remember him pitching because they didn't put in Cordero in the 9th. He was throwing around 99 - 101mph that night.
I also agree with Rhett. Outfielders are easy to find, and we have several years left in Votto, Phillips, and Janish. However, Rolen is getting close to retirement, and we need someone who can come in and fill his shoes.
I still say Mike Leake and Travis Wood are better starters than Volquez and Bailey.
Agree about Leake and Wood. I think the Reds need to suck it up and put together a package for Felix Hernandez this summer, to give them a #1 starter and a chance to win in the playoffs.
Wow, you wrote this and they promptly lost 3 of 4. Way to jinx them, Ted!
Oh, and now it's very clear how we will blow the Central - middle relievers!
Post a Comment