... But I'm pretty sure it isn't going to matter.
I haven't listened to a Reds game in a week - my brother got married, so I was out of town. I'm sure I missed out on a ton of great TB moments.
Before tonight's game starts, I need to vent a little. When I arrived back home in Cincinnati last night, I noticed that someone had tried to start my Cubs house flag on fire. They failed, but it doesn't change my annoyance about the situation. In addition to the whole fire is a super dangerous thing, my main annoyance is this: If a Reds flag would be set on fire in Chicago, it would only fuel the "Cubs fans are the worst in baseball" argument. By the way, I think this argument is total crap. In fact, I have never set a flag on fire (not even a Green Bay one), so I think it's safe to say that Cincinnati has the worst fans in baseball. I mean according to TB's logic, since it happened once, it's "not an anomoly" and even if it was the culprit's first offense, I'd like to refer to him as a "perennial" fire starter (read the previous blogs if you're confused).
Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. Now, let's get on with the fun stuff.
1. While The Cowboy and TB discuss Carlos Zambrano, TB says, "He's the first guy to beat the tar out of a teammate in the dugout." If by "beat the tar" he means Zambrano and Micheal Barrett shoved each other in the dugout, then yes, he beat the tar out of his teammate. Did Zambrano later punch Barrett in the face in locker room? Yes, but this did not happen in the dugout, nor did Micheal Barrett lose all of his tar.
2. With Rolen batting in the 6th with runners on 1st and 3rd. The Cubs are up 4-3 and TB says, "He (Rolen) can give the Reds the lead," and when Rolen hits the ball to left field he says, "And he will." Brandon Phillips scores ... 3+1 = 4. Tie game at 4 does not equal a Reds lead.
3. TB calls James Russell Jeff Samardja in the 7th. Sure, he corrects himself ... but that doesn't take away the fact that he was wrong .... again.
4. After Stubbs throws Soriano out at home, TB says, "There is no one remotely close in the NL that plays defense like the Reds." - The Phillies, Braves and Rockies are all ahead of the Reds in team fielding. The Reds are also tied with the Brewers, Mets and Dodgers in team fielding. Sounds like TB has no clue what he is talking about. I'm starting to see a pattern develop.
Towards the end of the game, Amy looked at me and said, "I can't watch this anymore." You know it's pretty bad when a Reds fan can't stand to listen to the game when their team was down 0-4 and scored 7 runs in one inning to win the game.
Sigh. Another Cubbies loss is hard to swallow, but it's good to know that I have Len and Bob on my side.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
It continues.
I'm watching the game on WGN today and switch over to Fox Sports Ohio for the bottom of the 3rd inning. TB is at his best...
1. With Aramis Ramirez batting, TB says, "The Cubs have not hit a ball hard enough, outside of Ryan Dempster, to break an egg." - So, what is the line drive to left field by Fukudome in the first considered? And by the way, when Fukudome was up to bat a few batters ahead of Ramirez in the same inning, TB acknowledged the hit by Fuk. Perhaps TB has some short-term memory issues and I'm being too hard on him. Perhaps not.
2. Just for fun, I decide to listen to TB for the bottom of the 4th as well. Pena is up to bat for the Cubs and TB said, "It's not an anomoly for his batting average to start with a one." I'm going to turn to my friend, Mr. Stats, to see if this is true. Shocker, it's not. Pena has been in the league for 10 years and has a career batting average of .240. Last year was the only year he hit under .200. With this being said, I think it is safe to call one year out of ten an anomoly. Speaking of Pena, here's a fun fact - Joey Votto has played three full seasons in the majors. In those three years (2008-2010), Pena has scored more runs, hit more home runs and driven in more RBIs than Votto. Sure, Votto has more hits, less strike outs and a higher average, but I just thought I'd share this since you'd never hear this type of information from TB.
3. In the top of the 9th, TB and The Cowboy discuss the Cubs' recent west coast trip. TB says, "The Cubs got run over in Arizona." - The Cubs went 2-2 in Arizona. I would consider being "run over" if the Cubs had been swept, or maybe even gone 1-3. Playing .500 ball is hardly getting "run over," but if it is, then TB should be the first to say that the Reds have gotten run over much of this season. Just sayin'.
Happy trip to Houston, TB. Try not to get run over by those 'Stros.
1. With Aramis Ramirez batting, TB says, "The Cubs have not hit a ball hard enough, outside of Ryan Dempster, to break an egg." - So, what is the line drive to left field by Fukudome in the first considered? And by the way, when Fukudome was up to bat a few batters ahead of Ramirez in the same inning, TB acknowledged the hit by Fuk. Perhaps TB has some short-term memory issues and I'm being too hard on him. Perhaps not.
2. Just for fun, I decide to listen to TB for the bottom of the 4th as well. Pena is up to bat for the Cubs and TB said, "It's not an anomoly for his batting average to start with a one." I'm going to turn to my friend, Mr. Stats, to see if this is true. Shocker, it's not. Pena has been in the league for 10 years and has a career batting average of .240. Last year was the only year he hit under .200. With this being said, I think it is safe to call one year out of ten an anomoly. Speaking of Pena, here's a fun fact - Joey Votto has played three full seasons in the majors. In those three years (2008-2010), Pena has scored more runs, hit more home runs and driven in more RBIs than Votto. Sure, Votto has more hits, less strike outs and a higher average, but I just thought I'd share this since you'd never hear this type of information from TB.
3. In the top of the 9th, TB and The Cowboy discuss the Cubs' recent west coast trip. TB says, "The Cubs got run over in Arizona." - The Cubs went 2-2 in Arizona. I would consider being "run over" if the Cubs had been swept, or maybe even gone 1-3. Playing .500 ball is hardly getting "run over," but if it is, then TB should be the first to say that the Reds have gotten run over much of this season. Just sayin'.
Happy trip to Houston, TB. Try not to get run over by those 'Stros.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
My ears are bleeding.
I lost it when I turned on Fox Saturday Baseball this afternoon and heard TB's voice. I cried (yes, it was fake) but it still caused my dog Wesley to go into a bit of a frenzy. I know I keep repeating myself, but he is just awful, and I just can't understand why he has a broadcasting gig, let alone a national broadcasting gig.
During today's game on Fox, he continues to ramble on and on and on about how great the Reds are, but can't even acknowledge a good play by the Cubbies (i.e. Ramirez's outstanding diving catch to take away an extra base hit). Don't get me wrong, I think the Reds are good, but my opinion doesn't matter as I'm not paid to be an unbiased broadcaster. When I'm listening to a game, I want to hear the play-by-play with occasional commentary. With TB, you get occasional play-by-play (which is often times incorrect) with A LOT of commentary, which is really just him blabbering about how the Reds are better than whatever team they are playing that day.
Here are a few things from today's game:
1. While explaining the sign on the Wrigley rooftops, TB said the AC stands for "Another Championship." Wrong. It actually stands for Anno Catuli, which translates into "In the Year of the Cubs." Props to my friend Elise for pointing this out.
2. While discussing the starting pitchers of today's game, TB said, "After last year, you have to put Arroyo up in the company of guys like Halladay, Sabathia and Lincecum." Ok, maybe Arroyo has won 15 games in each of the past few seasons, but seriously? The stats tell a different story ... and also show that Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright, Tim Hudson, John Lester, David Price, Justin Verlander and Ubaldo Jimenez (to name a few), all had better year's than Arroyo. I'm not saying Arroyo is bad, I'm just saying that just because he's plays for the Reds, doesn't mean he is one of the best. If you were choosing your fantasy team, would you choose Arroyo before any of these guys?
3. "Jay Bruce should have won a Gold Glove last year." Is this the same Jay Bruce that made an error on a routine pop fly in the NLDS against Philly? Although I might agree with TB that Gold Gloves should be given to a left fielder, center fielder and right fielder (instead of just to "outfielders"), it isn't the way it works, and if it did, the Gold Glove could have easily gone to Ethier or Francoeur. Pence didn't have too bad of a season either. And by the way TB, Marlon Byrd's defensive numbers last year were pretty much identical to Bruce's ... do you think he was screwed out of the award as well? Of course not ... because Byrd doesn't play for the Reds.
Perhaps the most irritating thing from today's broadcast was TB's inability to say anything positive about the Cubs. I get it, he's a Reds announcer (which is why he shouldn't have done the game today), and he was also let go of by the Cubbies in the 90's when they chose Chip Carey to announce the games instead of him. Hold a grudge much, TB? But seriously, he couldn't even acknowledge that it was a good play when power-hitting Pena surprised everyone and laid down a 2-strike bunt for a single. Nor could he say anything besides a grunting "Yes" when his sidekick Tim McCarver acknowledged that awesome defensive play by Ramirez. If it would have been a Reds player that did either of the two, he'd still be talking about it.
Chicago didn't want you and you've found your home in the Nati. Time to move on, TB.
During today's game on Fox, he continues to ramble on and on and on about how great the Reds are, but can't even acknowledge a good play by the Cubbies (i.e. Ramirez's outstanding diving catch to take away an extra base hit). Don't get me wrong, I think the Reds are good, but my opinion doesn't matter as I'm not paid to be an unbiased broadcaster. When I'm listening to a game, I want to hear the play-by-play with occasional commentary. With TB, you get occasional play-by-play (which is often times incorrect) with A LOT of commentary, which is really just him blabbering about how the Reds are better than whatever team they are playing that day.
Here are a few things from today's game:
1. While explaining the sign on the Wrigley rooftops, TB said the AC stands for "Another Championship." Wrong. It actually stands for Anno Catuli, which translates into "In the Year of the Cubs." Props to my friend Elise for pointing this out.
2. While discussing the starting pitchers of today's game, TB said, "After last year, you have to put Arroyo up in the company of guys like Halladay, Sabathia and Lincecum." Ok, maybe Arroyo has won 15 games in each of the past few seasons, but seriously? The stats tell a different story ... and also show that Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright, Tim Hudson, John Lester, David Price, Justin Verlander and Ubaldo Jimenez (to name a few), all had better year's than Arroyo. I'm not saying Arroyo is bad, I'm just saying that just because he's plays for the Reds, doesn't mean he is one of the best. If you were choosing your fantasy team, would you choose Arroyo before any of these guys?
3. "Jay Bruce should have won a Gold Glove last year." Is this the same Jay Bruce that made an error on a routine pop fly in the NLDS against Philly? Although I might agree with TB that Gold Gloves should be given to a left fielder, center fielder and right fielder (instead of just to "outfielders"), it isn't the way it works, and if it did, the Gold Glove could have easily gone to Ethier or Francoeur. Pence didn't have too bad of a season either. And by the way TB, Marlon Byrd's defensive numbers last year were pretty much identical to Bruce's ... do you think he was screwed out of the award as well? Of course not ... because Byrd doesn't play for the Reds.
Perhaps the most irritating thing from today's broadcast was TB's inability to say anything positive about the Cubs. I get it, he's a Reds announcer (which is why he shouldn't have done the game today), and he was also let go of by the Cubbies in the 90's when they chose Chip Carey to announce the games instead of him. Hold a grudge much, TB? But seriously, he couldn't even acknowledge that it was a good play when power-hitting Pena surprised everyone and laid down a 2-strike bunt for a single. Nor could he say anything besides a grunting "Yes" when his sidekick Tim McCarver acknowledged that awesome defensive play by Ramirez. If it would have been a Reds player that did either of the two, he'd still be talking about it.
Chicago didn't want you and you've found your home in the Nati. Time to move on, TB.
I can't believe I forgot this one.
This might be the best one so far this year ... I can't believe I forgot to include it.
Ramon Hernandez hit a 3 run walk-off homer in the season opener to beat the Brewers 4-2. During pre-game the next day, TB says, "Ramon Hernandez hit a walk-off 3 run homer to beat the Brewers by 4 yesterday." - 4 minus 2 is 2, big guy. Not to mention the fact that it is impossible to hit a walk-off and win by more than the amount of runs driven in with the hit. Geesh.
Ramon Hernandez hit a 3 run walk-off homer in the season opener to beat the Brewers 4-2. During pre-game the next day, TB says, "Ramon Hernandez hit a walk-off 3 run homer to beat the Brewers by 4 yesterday." - 4 minus 2 is 2, big guy. Not to mention the fact that it is impossible to hit a walk-off and win by more than the amount of runs driven in with the hit. Geesh.
Friday, May 6, 2011
I have to watch the Reds games on mute.
Some people might read this and say that I'm a Reds hater. I don't hate the Reds, but I am a Cubs fan living in Cincinnati. I watch many of the Reds games (when the Cubs aren't playing), and have recently started to watch them on mute due to Reds announcer Thom Brennaman, who might just be the worst sports announcer on tv. We all know of his love for Tim Tebow, but he doesn't seem to have a love for facts - you'll see what I mean in a minute.
Amy (my Reds-loving) girlfriend, often has to hear of the pain (almost daily) that Thom Brennaman causes me. She is actually the one who suggested I write this - I think she's hoping it's cathartic for me, but she's also witnessed many of his mishaps with me.
This blog applies solely to Thom Brennaman, not Marty. Marty is great, but my dad was a great roofer ... that's doesn't mean I should go grab a ladder.
We're 30 games into the season, so I'm sure I've missed some doozies. Here are some of my favorite TB bloopers from this season so far:
1. Brandon Phillips is a "perennial All-Star" - Huh? I may have gone to public school, but I do know that the word perennial does not apply to a player who has been an All-Star one time in nine seasons.
2. Who is James Bourgeois? According to TB, he plays outfield for the Houston Astros. That's funny, I thought that guy was named Jason.
3. Against the Astros, Chris Heisey bunts down the 3rd base line, TB says, "Wallace could have thrown him out if he wasn't playing so far back at 3rd." - Wallace plays 1st for the Astros. I think he meant to say Chris Johnson. Johnson, Wallace ... same difference.
4. "Last year, Nick Masset was the best set-up guy in baseball." - Last season, Kerry Wood, Ryan Madson, Arthur Rhodes, Matt Thornton, Scott Downs and Brian Fuentes all had a lower ERA and surrendered less hits. All of these guys also held opposing batters to lower batting averages, so it totally makes sense that Masset was the best.
5. I'm watching the Cubs v. Reds as I type this. Thank goodness the game is on WGN, but I switch over to Fox Sports Ohio just to hear TB. In 1/2 inning, he gets the count wrong (it was 2-1 on Gomes, not 2-2), and confuses Darwin Barney and Starlin Castro. I consider myself lucky that all of the games this weekend are on WGN or Fox.
Stay tuned ... there will be much more to come!
Amy (my Reds-loving) girlfriend, often has to hear of the pain (almost daily) that Thom Brennaman causes me. She is actually the one who suggested I write this - I think she's hoping it's cathartic for me, but she's also witnessed many of his mishaps with me.
This blog applies solely to Thom Brennaman, not Marty. Marty is great, but my dad was a great roofer ... that's doesn't mean I should go grab a ladder.
We're 30 games into the season, so I'm sure I've missed some doozies. Here are some of my favorite TB bloopers from this season so far:
1. Brandon Phillips is a "perennial All-Star" - Huh? I may have gone to public school, but I do know that the word perennial does not apply to a player who has been an All-Star one time in nine seasons.
2. Who is James Bourgeois? According to TB, he plays outfield for the Houston Astros. That's funny, I thought that guy was named Jason.
3. Against the Astros, Chris Heisey bunts down the 3rd base line, TB says, "Wallace could have thrown him out if he wasn't playing so far back at 3rd." - Wallace plays 1st for the Astros. I think he meant to say Chris Johnson. Johnson, Wallace ... same difference.
4. "Last year, Nick Masset was the best set-up guy in baseball." - Last season, Kerry Wood, Ryan Madson, Arthur Rhodes, Matt Thornton, Scott Downs and Brian Fuentes all had a lower ERA and surrendered less hits. All of these guys also held opposing batters to lower batting averages, so it totally makes sense that Masset was the best.
5. I'm watching the Cubs v. Reds as I type this. Thank goodness the game is on WGN, but I switch over to Fox Sports Ohio just to hear TB. In 1/2 inning, he gets the count wrong (it was 2-1 on Gomes, not 2-2), and confuses Darwin Barney and Starlin Castro. I consider myself lucky that all of the games this weekend are on WGN or Fox.
Stay tuned ... there will be much more to come!
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