Kuzul

The 2010 NLDS has arrived and it has pitted David against Goliath.
 
It’s the mighty Philadelphia Phillies against the “happy to be here” Cincinnati Reds.
 
Going from 78 wins to 91 is an outstanding achievement. The Queen city enjoyed quite the celebration when the team went out to Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati to celebrate the teams’ first postseason appearance since 1995 on Monday.
 
But is that it? Are you satisfied Reds fans?
 
The media has given the Reds a minuscule chance of beating the mighty Phillies—the same team that has gone to back-to-back World Series, winning one of them.
 
Critics look at the ridiculous rotation of H2O: Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels and think the Reds are screwed. They see All-Stars Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Jason Werth, and Shane Victorino and think the Reds young pitching staff is screwed.
 
Not so fast my friend.
 
Led by Dusty Baker, managing his fifth postseason with his third different team, the unproven Red have to show poise and maturity when they take the field against a weathered Phillies team.
 
They also have absolutely nothing to lose. All the pressure is on the home team.
 
With 22 wins in their last at-bat in ‘10, the Reds are very familiar to playing the underdog role. Sure ESPN radio host Colin Cowerd has called the Reds “frauds” all year. Sure they have an awful record against the other three NL teams in the postseason, 10-19 to be exact. Sure there starting pitcher doesn’t feature a single “ace”.
 
But think about all the times this club has been doubted throughout the “big 162”. They were picked to finish third in the majority of preseason predictions. A .500 or better record was the bar that was set.
 
After an embarrassing home loss to the Padres in mid-April, the Reds seemed destined for yet another long season.
 
As the season rolled on most expected the St. Louis Cardinals to eventually catch the Reds after they captured first place in May. After being swept in a four game set at Philly to end the first half, the doubters again emerged.
 
The brawl series had everyone more than convinced that the little team that could ran out of steam.
 
Well here they are, predicted by none and given no respect by all. Now the Reds once again find themselves facing the same scenario. So how can this miracle upset occur?
 
Cincinnati committed just 72 errors this season. That’s the third-fewest in the National League, and their fielding percentage of .988 was second best in the NL. The Phillies committed 83 errors.
 
The Reds were the highest-scoring team in all of the NL. If a game comes down to one swing, there are few better to have on your side then soon-to-be MVP Joey Votto, whose 37 homers and 113 RBI beat the numbers of any Phillies player this season.
 
The Reds had six players with at least 18 home runs (the Phillies had five). They hit more homers than the Phillies 188-166 and had a significantly higher team average (.272-.260).
 
And if the Phillies’ pitchers have a weakness, it’s the home run, their 131 homers allowed is tied for second in all of baseball.
 
If the Reds starting pitching can hold the potent Phils lineup to three or four runs a start, the Reds power can do the rest.
 
But that is certainly a big IF.
 
Walks will destroy you and Reds pitchers walked 108 more batters than the Phillies in 2010. That was a large factor in Philadelphia’s notably better ERA (3.66 to 4.03).
 
Should rookie Travis Wood be in the rotation? He is the only Reds lefty starter and had a perfect game into the ninth inning against the Phils in July.
 
Problem is, the Philies line-up was banged up, it was their first time seeing Wood, and he has only pitched in the majors since June. So there is no need to second-guess Baker. Look for Wood to be the first one out of the ‘pen if a starter falters early.
 
Bronson Arroyo has been rocked by the lefty-latent Phillies line-up. Edinson Volquez was pitching in Single A ball last month. Johnny Cueto has been known to get overly emotional in big moments.
 
These are legit concerns and what everyone is looking at. It’s obvious: Phillies three-man rotation> the Reds three-man rotation.
 
The Phillies are finally healthy after being banged up for most of the season. All of the mashers have returned.
 
So you can see why most think the Reds are going to get eliminated very quickly.
 
The Red Legs must rely on their potent line-up filled with power, stellar defense around the diamond and the bullpen to carry them. Aroldis Chapman will be used to lock-up the lefties in big moments. Arthur Rhodes and Nick Masset are some of the best middle-relievers out there.
 
The Philies bullpen is not nearly as intimidating as the starters. Getting to the ‘pen early will be a huge advantage for the Reds. Hanging tough with the Phils through the first six innings will be the key. A tie game in the seventh is a big Reds advantage.
 
The Reds will have to dig deep to pull it off, especially with the weight of 15 losing seasons in a row on their collective backs.
 
On paper this series should be a breeze for the Phillies…but that’s why they play the game…

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Congratulations to the Cincinnati Reds for winning the National League Central and advancing to the postseason for the first time since 1995.

The Reds are one of baseball’s young, up-and-coming teams with tons of future superstars in Joey Votto and Aroldis Chapman.

They have excellent veteran leaders in Scott Rolen, Orlando Cabrera, and Brandon Phillips.  Cincinnati’s manager is also one of the game’s best in Dusty Baker.

This team should be a contender to dethrone the Phillies as National League champions in 2010.

Unfortunately, the Reds starting pitching will be their demise.

The Reds do not have a number one pitcher to rely on once the postseason begins next week. Who are they going to throw out there, Bronson Arroyo? He would not be the best pitcher to send out onto the field in an elimination game.

The Reds rotation also remains a question mark even though their starting pitching has tons of depth.  Which Johnny Cueto will show up? Is Edison Volquez back to full strength?

Seriously, this team can not send out Homer Bailey to start a playoff game.

This team will be in major trouble if they have to face the Phillies or the Giants in the NLDS. 

The Phillies are going to send Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, and Roy Oswalt to the mound in their first three games. The Giants have Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Jonathan Sanchez ready to pitch come next week.

Who are the Reds going to send to the mound for games one through three? An average Arroyo, an inconsistent Cueto, and an unhealthy Volquez is not a recipe for postseason success.

Cincinnati’s offense is one of the best in MLB.  They are currently first in the National League in runs (768), home runs (181), and batting average (.271).

Unfortunately, just a good offense is not going to carry a team to a title. Ask the 2007 Phillies or the 1997 Indians if you want proof.

Starting pitching gets the job done in the postseason and the Cincinnati Reds do not have it this season.

Enjoy the postseason Reds’ fans.  Your team may be eliminated before you know it.

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The Cincinnati Reds have slept walk through the National League for much of September, but it really doesn’t matter.
 
The magic number for clinching a playoff spot is down to six. If the Reds go 6-6 in their 12 remaining games, the Cardinals would have to go 13-0 to tie. Pop some bottles.
 
The biggest surprise of the season is just a few days away from calling themselves “NL Central Champs.” Sounds pretty good huh?
 
Now it’s time to start thinking about postseason play.
 
The Reds will unfortunately have the NL’s worst starting pitching staff heading into October. Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels, Tim Lineccum, Barry Zito, Tim Hudson, Mat Latos, and Ubaldo Jimmenz are all top-flight starters.
 
The Reds don’t boost a single one.
 
What they do have is a ton of solid to very good starters.
 
Bronson Arroyo will start the first game of the series. His consistency has been incredible and he is the only starter with any sort of postseason experience. He picked up his 15th win of the season last week, doing so for the third straight year.
 
He now has 16, a new personal best. He doesn’t blow by anybody; he just uses his excellent location and guile to frustrate the opponent.
 
For the season he has 20 quality starts in 31 outings for a 16-10 record.
 
Johnny Cueto is a lock for the second game. He leads the team with a 3.35 ERA. He has really come of age in his third season in the majors, cutting down on his walks and posting a 1.23 WHIP.
 
He has also done a better job of keeping his emotions in check. In previous seasons, a young Cueto would get frustrated and few hits would turn into a huge inning and an early shower.
 
He is much more composed and the Reds should feel safe trotting him on the mound for Game Two.
 
With more days off in the playoffs, the Reds will need just one more starter. The answer is not an easy one. Homer Bailey, Edinson Volquez, and Travis Wood are the three candidates.
 
Homer Bailey has been fairly consistent over the course of the past eight weeks. He missed three months with an arm issue earlier in the season, but appears to be healthily.
 
He has had nine starts since coming back and lowered his ERA .80 of a point to 4.73 over that span. Not exactly anything to get too wound up about. He is learning how to work himself out of jams and has cut down on his walks.
 
Bailey has consistently been able to reach 95 MPH on the radar gun and this is the same pitcher that Albert Pujols said “will be amazing” early this year.
 
Volquez returned from Tommy John surgery in July to mix results. He has been boom or bust for the Reds.
 
In 10 starts since his return, he has given up one run or less in half of his starts. Yet he has failed to reach the fifth inning in four of his starts, highlighted by not being able to get out of the first inning against the Giants.
 
The problem has been his mechanics. The Reds brass decided to send him way down the ladder to work out the kinks.
 
Since being called up from Class-A Dayton, he is 0-1 with a 1.98 ERA in two starts. Volquez has the stuff to snag the third spot in the rotation, but has he fully figured out all of his mechanical issues?
 
The rookie Wood is the third candidate. The lefty has been great for the Reds since being called up July 1st. He has the best ERA of the bunch at 3.43 ERA.
 
Wood has been excellent all season, allowing more than four earned runs only once in 15 starts. He has been the model of consistency for a rookie pitcher.
 
If the Reds play the lefty laced Phillies lineup, except Wood to get the call. Oh yeah, he almost threw a no-hitter against them back in July.
 
The problem is his pitch count (that’s Nolan Ryan’s groan you are hearing in the background). Between his AAA starts and 15 big league one’s; he has logged over 189 innings pitched. That is by far the most in his career for the 23-year-old.
 
Mike Leake has already been shutdown after reaching his innings limit, wouldn’t one assume the Reds will do the same with Wood?
 
Volquez is the best bet. He has the most dominating stuff when he is on and the Reds have to just cross their fingers that he doesn’t have a meltdown in the early innings.
 
But the beauty of the three-man rotation is that Bailey can always come in to save the day if Volquez falters early. Wood would be the guy, but he needs to be shutdown and preserved for the future.
 
Go with Volquez and take a deep breath.

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By the grace of God, the Reds won the series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, instead of losing it 2-1.

Out of 16 pitchers on the roster, is Coco Cordero the only one who can be entrusted to close a game?

 If so, we should just hand the Central Division trophy over to the Cardinals right now.

I had been griping about his performances until recently, as it appeared he had straightened himself out. He just blew two save opportunities over the weekend series with the Pirates. He was rescued from the first one thanks to Chris Heisey and Joey Votto, but not the second.

The scene Sunday was as familiar as a recurring nightmare. Cordero has loaded the bases, by walking the first batter and then sandwiching three singles between two outs.

That set the classic stage for calamity. One of their better hitters, Andrew McCutchen steps in with the opportunity to be a hero or a goat. He doubled to deep left field and cleared the bases, essentially winning the game.

If Dusty Baker is going to keep trotting Cordero out to the mound in the ninth inning to protect a lead, he should have him on a one-batter leash. In other words he should be hooked after he allows the first base-runner.

Cordero is streaky. By that I mean when he is not on, he gives up hit after walk after hit, ad nauseum.

With 19 games left, the Reds can ill afford a tailspin. With as many relievers as Baker has available, he should always have a fresh arm ready that can get one or two outs without catastrophe.

I have cringed all year long when he enters the game in a “save” situation. He trails only National’s reliever Tyler Clippard in blown saves this season.

Whenever you see a won-loss record for a closer, it is not good. In a perfect world a closer would have a 0-0 record with a decent ERA. Cordero is now 6-5 meaning that in 11 games he did not do what he was called upon to do.

Friday night Homer Bailey was pitching a spectacular game, giving the team seven strong innings, allowing just five hits and one run. He also struck out nine while not issuing any base on balls. He deserved a win, leaving the game with a 3-1 lead, but was saddled with a no-decision.

Sunday afternoon Johnny Cueto left the game with a three-hit shutout intact and a one run lead. I am sure by now that he had already kissed his win goodbye when he saw the Dominican head toward the mound.

How can a starting pitcher feel good about a guy who continually blows up and dismantles everything they had worked five to seven innings to accomplish?

Baker has the old philosophy that a person needs to get right back on the horse after he has been thrown off. Dusty please know this: a man cannot get back on the horse if he is dead. Stick a fork in Coco now. He is done!

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No doubt the majority of Pittsburghers have moved on from the Pirates for the year, and many Reds fans are getting psyched for the Bengals on Sunday, but there is very important business to take care of this weekend at Great American Ballpark.

The Reds return home licking their wounds from the horrific 1-6 road trip, one in which they showed a great deal of lethargy and fatigue.

The outfield injuries are starting to catch up, I’m not convinced Brandon Phillips is back to being 100 percent, the starting pitching, outside of Travis Wood, has been a major letdown, and some guys, such as Scott Rolen, are looking very tired.

Additionally, the Reds added fuel to the fire when it comes to how they are perceived.

Myself and others on here have spent time trying to convince others that the Reds are something more than just a team that beats up on the weak, and folds against winning teams, but recent events have strengthened their stance, and left some of us wondering about our own feelings.

Time to move on, though, and it’s time to take care of business against the worst team in Major League Baseball record wise, the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Anything less than taking two out of three from those guys would be major cause for concern, and though we have fared well against that sort of competition all year, I hope our guys aren’t getting tight out there.

Friday’s pitching matchup will put Homer Bailey up against Paul Maholm.  Bailey has put together some of his best performances against Pittsburgh, going 5-0 with a 1.57 ERA in his career, so this may be the team that can help get the inconsistent righty going.

Maholm has fared well against Cincinnati in his career, going 4-1 with a 2.59 ERA, but is having a rough season overall, as he currently sits with a 7-14 record and a 5.43 ERA.

On Saturday, the struggling Aaron Harang (6-7, 5.15 ERA) goes against Charlie Morton, who had had a rough year as well, as he sports a 1-11 record with a 9.66 ERA.

Pittsburgh fans I’ve talked to tell me that Morton has electric stuff, but he has yet to put it all together.

Sunday afternoon in the series finale, the Pirates will send out Brian Burres (3-3, 5.75 ERA) against Johnny Cueto (12-5, 3.45 ERA).

The Pirates have a young nucleus with guys like Pedro Alvarez, Garrett Jones, Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker, and Jose Tabata leading the charge.

Alvarez is batting .381 in his last six games, and Tabata is batting .343 since the All-Star break.

If Pittsburgh can hang on to all these players, and they continue to grow and develop, perhaps down the road, the city will once again experience some winning baseball.

Hopefully, the Reds don’t get a glimpse of that potential this weekend.  

It’s football season, and the Bearcats, Buckeyes, and Bengals are going, but those things can wait, as September baseball is getting really important around these parts.

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It wasn’t a typical skirmish in the Reds-Cards showdown, and it symbolized the wildest brawl in the history of sports, as each team was unable to stay above the fray when a verbal altercation initiated a physical altercation.

It was utterly amazing that Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips, an agitator who caused tempers to flare and blatantly singled out the St. Louis Cardinals with verbal trash talk, merely was handed a fine for escalating and instigating an ugly war between two teams with bad blood.

In truth, the animosity triggered a benches-clearing brawl that was so untypical at a time peace is spreading unity in the game. Besides, a brawl very seldom materializes unless it’s Yankees-Red Sox in UFC melees, which are mundane and viewed as traditional tussles.

This week, the most controversial issue happened, as usual, when Major League Baseball issued suspensions for players’ involvement in a repulsive and unorthodox brawl, but mishandled imposing a befitting penalty for the instigator who was the cause of the ugly incident.

How utterly compelling that we continue to ignore the causes and effects in life and deny the visible evidence, finding someone else liable for wrongdoings in a tawdry and uncontrollable rumble.

But this is the era we live in currently, a sport blinded by the truth in regards of steroid scandals, awful no-calls or calls or even an asinine brawl, as the majors are showing nepotism and remains unsuccessful in inflicting a valid punishment.

Whether he wants to admit it or not, Phillips should be dropping his head in shame, and blaming himself for prompting the dispute and adding to the hostility.

When he publicly lashed out on the Cardinals the other day, the abhorrent remarks backfired and cost his teammate and starting pitcher Johnny Cueto a seven-game suspension for his actions during Tuesday night’s game.

Few believe, however, that Phillips broke baseball’s unwritten rule and suggested that he should have served a suspension. All of his talk led to absolute nonsense, as Phillips became famous for publicly calling out the Cardinals unpleasantly and starting a fight, similar to the heated, back and forth feuds that explode at nightclubs or even in sports, such as this deranged fracas.

The theory is, of course, play nice boys and perform the task with strong persona and good sportsmanship. Have they ever heard of playing nice?

Sometimes I wonder and gush over the significance of sportsmanship and respect for peers and teammates, whereas sharing the wealth and spreading reconciliation harmonizes the atmosphere at a friendly, relaxing night at the ballpark. Point is, it was a hilarity scene with no purpose, endearing what could have been a harsher punishment.

And since Phillips said he despises the Cardinals on Monday, it had the fuming antagonist emotionally livid during a matchup that has turned out to be appealing, capturing baseball devotees who are now anxious to witness a rematch of the Reds-Cards in the NLCS.

It’s suddenly the dream matchup? From contamination to physical knockouts, baseball has suddenly turned into a Wrestlemania or Ultimate Fighting spectacle?

If there is any excitement or buzzing noise in the majors come October, it would be a hostile meeting between two heated, ill-tempered rivals, and would be the equivalent of all the outrageous Jerry Springer brawls, or fights that take place on the playground during recess.

When the news first surfaced, it strictly revolved around Phillips and no other player or manager. As of recently, he was overly talkative in his public rant that obviously broke the hearts of the Cardinals, but had the initiative and stronger minds without responding to Phillips’ fighting words. Yes, words that were foolish, words that were an explanation of antipathy.

“I’d play against these guys with one leg. We have to beat these guys. I hate the Cardinals. All they do is [beep] and moan about everything, all of them, they’re little [same bleep, plural], all of ‘em. I really hate the Cardinals. Compared to the Cardinals, I love the Chicago Cubs. Let me make this clear: I hate the Cardinals.”

Oh, he clearly elaborated and stated how he felt about the divisional rivals. The harsh words probably made the Cubs speechless. The spiteful words probably opened many eyes. The insulting words probably awakened the Cardinals and have inspired the team to come out with much fortitude, strength, and firepower.

It’s very interesting to see whether the Cardinals ride the emotional surge from Phillips’ latest bickering, and maybe this was a momentum push to increasingly expose the unbeatable, invincible, unstoppable mindset.

But if anything, the recent incident was mishandled and managed wrongly, failing to acknowledge the core of the problem and issue standards to fairly suspend Phillips, who impelled the much-anticipated altercation.

It’s very surprising to some degree that only three players were suspended in the brawl, when there were evidently more than three players involved in the tragicomic hysteria.

This is unfortunate in a way, as Cueto is hit with seven games, and we all know why. But I have a problem with the Reds starter forced to sit out seven games, as the enforcers were harsh and denied any convenient excuses.

In some way, Cueto could have gotten away with kicking as if he was a whiny baby stuck in a stroller, in a brawl that drifted towards the fence behind homeplate. At that point, players were pinned against the backstop netting, including Cueto, who showed off some of his Kung Fu motions. From a sensible viewpoint, he used self-defense.

In perspective, this is one martial arts expert who is being used as an example, and he’s fortunately projected to miss one start and will appeal the suspension, subsequently for landing several kicks to the back of Cardinals’ Chris Carpenter and the ribs of catcher Jason LaRue, who suffered a mild concussion and sore ribs, according to manager Tony La Russa.

So now, the insults of Phillips isn’t the vital problem and has receded as the storyline. And now, we are focused on Cueto’s actions. The peeving nonsense is why the majors are so corrupted and battered in a crisis, very rampant to whereas it’s gradually turning millions away. How Phillips receives a fine, and not a suspension? This is another nightmare in baseball, but perhaps only this time it involves a brawl.

While La Russa and Dusty Baker were suspended two games a piece, Phillips, Carpenter, Yadier Molina and Russ Springer were all fined. What? That’s all? They were all in the brawl and just as liable as Cueto.

There’s a clear understanding that Phillips is being labeled as the victim even when he prompted a face-to-face shouting dispute with Molina and taunted him with his bat. Wow! Really, you forgot that fast. How could you, it just happened a few days ago.

In my mind, it is insanity when Phillips is not accused of any wrongdoing.

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Everyone has perfect 20/20 hindsight. I know I do.

Some think the sweep job the Cards did was in retaliation to Brandon Phillips’ name calling and some are in agreement that he should have kept his mouth shut.

If he is attempting to become public enemy No. 1, he took the correct fork in the road. After his “hulkish” posturing after leveling Nationals catcher Will Nieves, he drew the ire of Pudge Rodriguez and many Washington fans.

What are the real problems facing the Reds since the beginning of the series with the Cards?

1. Brandon Phillips to start with. Calling the team a “bunch of bitches” right after getting it handed to you is as lame as it gets. Why stir up a hornets nest after they have already hit you with a good shot in the forehead?

2. Why was Travis Wood sent to Louisville prior to the series? He has been the most effective starter we have had recently. Do the brass know something we don’t? Well, it doesn’t look like it.

I know somebody had to vacate a spot so we could trade Chris Dickerson (who was still on the DL) for Jim Edmonds, which is a trade that I applaud. Why wasn’t Edmonds used against Adam Wainwright?

3. Wainwright is the best starting pitcher in baseball, or at least in the National League. The man is a picture of consistency.

4. The Cards showed they can both pitch and hit in the same game. The Reds couldn’t do either during any of the games.

5. Scott Rolen showed his maturity by acting as peacemaker and then his loyalty for going after Chris Carpenter for talking about Dusty Baker.

6. The Cardinals won three games going away in the Reds yard, and they do not have a winning record on the road. That is distressing. The Reds end their play with the Cards in St. Louis during Labor Day weekend.

7. The Reds quickly went from the hottest team in the league to the coldest.

8. The Cardinals are this good with only two starters (position players) from their 2008 squad—Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols, and that was just two years ago.

9. Johnny Cueto was suspended for seven games. Dusty Baker and Tony LaRussa were both suspended for two games. Scott Rolen and Chris Carpenter were fined but not suspended and Reds reliever Russ Springer was also fined.

Should we panic? No, I don’t think so.

Some changes need to be made or it won’t get any better. I would like to see more of Edmonds as he could be a big factor down the stretch.

I don’t think Jay Bruce is going to be effective wherever he is put in the lineup. His strikeout ratio is way too high. We need more production from him if he is to continue starting.

The comment about strikeouts can be cut and pasted to Drew Stubbs’ account as well, in spades!

The Reds are facing one of the best pitchers in the league on Friday in Josh Johnson. I don’t want to see another two-hit shutout. Do you?

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Major League Baseball has issued disciplinary action for Tuesday night’s brouhaha between the Cardinals and Reds.

Dusty Baker and Tony LaRussa were each suspended for two games and fined an undisclosed amount of money.  Baker will serve his suspension tomorrow and Saturday when the Reds host the Marlins.

Four players were fined, but not suspended:  Russ Springer and Brandon Phillips for the Reds; Yadier Molina and Chris Carpenter for the Cardinals.

For his “violent and aggressive actions during the incident,” Johnny Cueto was fined and suspended for seven games.  I don’t know what Bob Watson was watching, because what I saw was a young man get shoved against a wall with about 50 people closing in on him. 

Cueto did not instigate anything against anyone.  He was shoved to the backstop and tried to get out.  He astutely did not begin throwing punches with his pitching hand.  Cueto was kicking in total self-defense.

Cueto being suspended and Carpenter getting nothing is an absolute joke.

I would like Major League Baseball to answer one question: What was Cueto supposed to do?

Read more at Reds Country.

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“I’d play against these guys with one leg. We have to beat these guys. I hate the Cardinals. All they do is bitch and moan about everything, all of them, they’re little bitches, all of ‘em.  I really hate the Cardinals. Compared to the Cardinals, I love the Chicago Cubs. Let me make this clear: I hate the Cardinals,” Reds 2B Brandon Phillips.

Phillips’ comments eventually escalated into a full-fledged brouhaha last night.

When Phillips came to the plate to lead off the bottom of the first inning, he tapped Yadier Molina’s shin guard with his bat.  This is something that Phillips does on a regular basis to the catcher and umpire as a way of saying hello.  Molina appeared to be expecting the tap and kicked Phillips’ bat.  Phillips then tapped him again and stepped away to take a practice swing.  Molina got in Phillips’ face, prompting both benches and bullpens to empty.

Paul Janish, who was on deck, immediately came to the scene and tried to restrain Phillips. Jonny Gomes and Scott Rolen ran out of the Reds’ dugout to hold back Molina.  At first, it seemed like a normal baseball fight with a little pushing and shoving. 

Dusty Baker and Tony LaRussa, who aren’t exactly best friends, began having a rather heated discussion.  The umpires separated the two managers and things appeared to be calming down until it appeared that Chris Carpenter had some words for Baker.

Then all hell broke loose.

When you watch the video, it is hard to tell if Rolen was going after Carpenter or if he was trying to keep the peace.  Regardless, it certainly appears that Carpenter instigated that stage of the fight.

The fracas moved to the backstop behind home plate with Rolen and Carpenter in the middle of it.  Several people appeared to go down to the ground, including Rolen.  That was when I got worried.  In a baseball fight, nothing good can happen if you are on the ground and everyone else is piled around or on top of you.

After the fighting stopped, the umpires decided to only eject both managers.  I give the umpires a lot of credit for making that decision.  Something had to be done.  It would have been a shame to see players get ejected during such an important series, especially since both sides were clearly at fault.

That brings me to my take on the melee. 

I agree with what Phillips said about the Cardinals.  Most of the Reds probably do.  They cry and complain all the time about the opposition allegedly cheating when they have one of the biggest cheaters in the history of the game in their dugout.  Carpenter reminds me of the spoiled kid with a sense of entitlement and thinks the entire world revolves around him.

However, I would not have publicly expressed my feelings the way Phillips did.  Why add to your opponent’s motivation during a tight pennant race?

I don’t think Molina was wrong in the way he reacted to Phillips tapping his shin guard.  I would have done the same thing.  Phillips was just asking for trouble.  I would prefer him make a statement by playing hard and helping his team win the game.  I suspect that a lot of his teammates feel the same way.

However, when it comes to the Reds, Phillips is family.  You protect your family and stand behind them, even if you don’t agree with their actions.

It would be highly recommended that the Reds win the series finale this afternoon.

Read more at Reds Country.

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The doctors call it a UCLR (ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction). Baseball players and fans call it Tommy John surgery—named after the pitcher who was the first to have the surgery in 1974. Fans of the Cardinals call it the surgery that saved former left-handed reliever Ken Dayley’s career, and also gave him spotlight from the way he recovered from it. Dayley recovered in an astonishing seven months where most pitchers take up to 14 months recovering from the operation. 

Ken Dayley was a left-handed reliever who used a snappy curve and fastball to become the Cardinals’ top left-handed reliever during his tenure with the team. He recovered from Tommy John surgery in 1986 to win a personal-best nine games in ’87.

In 1989, he set career highs with 71 appearances and 12 saves. He was particularly effective in the postseason, tossing 10 scoreless innings in two League Championship Series and allowing just one run in 10 2/3 World Series innings, including a relief win in Game 2 of the 1985 Fall Classic.

In short, Dayley was key cog in the Cardinals’ bullpen during his stint with the team.

Dayley is also the only known player to recover so quickly from the operation, but he shares the secret to his success in this article. 

As Dayley puts it in a New York Times article from 1989, “Dr. Frank Jobe told me to do what my arm would allow me to do, and I was proceeding at that pace (in reference to a 12-month recovery).

“But then on Dec. 19, 1986, the Cardinals told me they weren’t going to offer me a contract. Probably out of personal pride, which I shouldn’t have let get in the way, I said I’m going to do what I have to do.

“Without a contract, I was free to do what I wanted to do. I had been playing racquetball right-handed and I started playing left-handed. I started throwing before I was supposed to. If I was going to get a contract from somebody, I had to show I could pitch again.”

Former Cardinals reliever Rick Horton stated in a recent Cardinals telecast, “He was incredible. He came back in seven months and threw harder with more control, which is almost unheard of after seven months. Usually pitchers take close to two years to regain solid control of their pitches, but Dayley had better break and control after a short time, which is almost unheard of.”

Dayley’s speedy recovery has provoked major league ball players to question if they can return in such a short time, but doctors have advised not to rush the process. 

Rick Horton added, “The doctors made him sound as if he were a medical miracle.”

It would be something to marvel at if players such as Chris Carpenter, Billy Wagner, A.J. Burnett, Brian Wilson, and others to had comeback from their injuries in such a short time like Daly, but due to their situations they did not.

Perhaps Dayley is the medical miracle that he was made out to be, and he is an interesting story to revisit during a new era of products of the Tommy John surgery.

Maybe in the future a player will recover quickly like Dayley out of the same necessity, but until then, Ken Dayley is still the only Tommy John-produced medical miracle.  

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