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Random observations from week four by: Dan Howard


The 2013 baseball season is well into its fourth week and here are my observations, sprinkled with a few random notes, from what has been a pretty good season thus far.

Good News! The Cincinnati Reds have won 12 of 16 at Great American Ballpark this season. The Reds are on pace to win 61 home games this year.

Bad News! After Thursday’s game at Washington, the Reds are on pace to lose 69 road games this year.

Is it too early to pick Tony Cingrani as the N.L. Cy Young Award winner?

Where did Matt Harvey come from? He reminds me of Jack Armstrong, Reds pitcher during the 1990 Championship season. Armstrong started 1990 with eight wins in his first nine decisions. Was named the N.L. starting pitcher at the All Star Game, fell on some hard times in the second half, mainly due to the Reds offense inability to give him some run support. Armstrong gutted it out, finished 1990 with a 12 – 9 record and was very impressive in long relief against the A’s in the World Series. Unfortunately by 1995, Jack Armstrong was out of baseball with a rotator cuff injury, but he retired with a World Championship ring. Not a whole lot of players can say that.

Useless trivia; losing pitcher of the 1990 All Star Game…..none other than current Reds broadcaster Jeff “Cowboy” Brantley.

More useless trivia; former Reds “Nasty Boy” reliever Rob Dibble served up the hit that allowed Brantley to lose the 1990 All Star Game.

Isn’t it about time for the NFL Draft? I can’t find out a thing about it.

I think it’s great that the NBA season ends about 2 weeks before their next season starts.

I hope the Columbus Blue Jackets win the Stanley Cup. Hey, don’t laugh, didn’t the Los Angeles Kings win the Cup last year as an 8 seed.

A couple of months ago I mentioned the Queensland Reds of the Super Rugby League. The 2011 World Champions are in second place with a 6 – 2 – 1 record, just a couple of points out of first in the league’s Australian Division. Just thought you’d like to know.

Four weeks into the baseball season and the Toronto Blue Jays are STILL in last place.

Half of St. Louis’ home wins this year have been against the Reds. You do the math!

Poetic Justice? The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim California, United States, North American Continent of the Western Hemisphere of Planet Earth seem to be having a devil of a time winning games this year. I guess the Angels are thanking God the Houston Astros are in their division.

First of all, I’m a big Corky Miller fan, I’m so glad he’s back with the Reds, however I think Corky Miller is a throwback player…..to 1869.

It would look natural if Corky Miller walked to the plate bat in one hand, beer mug in the other, and a cigar in his mouth.

Did you see the play the Cubs Cody Ransom made on Corky Miller Tuesday night? Miller grounded sharply to third; Ransom moved to his right, caught the ball, fell to his knees, ate a sandwich, drank a bottle of water, went to the restroom and still had enough time to throw Miller out a first.

For what it’s worth, Corky Miller runs faster than me.

Speaking of Tuesday’s game, Carlos Villanueva’s pitching reminded me of a Bugs Bunny cartoon. You remember the one where Bugs Bunny struck out three batters on one pitch. Did Villanueva hit 85mph on any pitch? On any two pitches combined?

Rumor has it that a baseball sized meteor hit southern West Virginia Wednesday afternoon. Investigators found it was Todd Frazier’s home run.

If you would have told me that during the past home stand the Reds would play and win two 1 – 0 games, I would have recommended that you have a checkup from the neck up.

Am I missing something? Does Shin-Soo Choo have a target on his uniform, or is he just a ball magnet?

I agree with Don Mattingly, Carlos Quentin should not play until Zack Greinke returns. I mean Shin-Soo Choo has been plunked around three hundred times this year, twice in one game, and never once charged the mound.

About Choo, Mr Jocketty, go ahead and sign him long term please. The Reds haven’t had this much consistency in the leadoff spot since a fellow named Pete Rose.

Memo to Pete Rose, enroll in acting classes.

Have you heard about the promotion LaRosa’s Pizza has with the Reds? If the Reds pitchers record 11 or more strikeouts in a home game, fans at the game win a free eight inch pizza up to four toppings. This Reds pitching staff has cost LaRosa’s Pizza around $100,000; say it with me, that’s a lot of dough!

LaRosa’s Pizza may need to change the promotion quick; Drew Stubbs and his Cleveland Indians will be coming to Cincinnati May 27 & 28.