Reds Winter Caravan

Almost two months ago it was the annual Redsfest;
The celebration every year in baseball is the best!
Now the Reds come where work to Miami University
So once again the Reds I will get the chance to see.

The Western Leg of the tour is stopping in Oxford Ohio.
I arrived for the event with an hour left to go.
A line of roughly twenty were waiting when I arrived
More filtered in soon after, avoiding the cold they'd strive.

I Asked Walt Jocketty about Cabrerra's deal;

Was it club or mutual, or for the player to steal?

The general man answered the question "Yes."

Artfully dodging, as everyone could guess.

Questions came from fans both young and old;

Player habits such as Bruce's twitch were all told.

Walt talked about the excitement of signing Chapman;

Frazier wants to play shortstop once again.

Benzinger joked about the poor manager for the Dragons;

When asked about his bat, Bruce not braggin'.

Volquez will hopefully be ready by the fall.

Janish will still be important, as he can catch the ball.

Clean-up spot has been talked about, it could be Rolen.

Thom's liked working with Brenley and McCarver when he's callin'

The game and he enjoys Welsh and Cowboys humor.

Walt dodged questions about any rumors.

I asked about an extension for the man, BP;

Walt would do it in a minute, if so would he.

The Caravan as always was a wonderful time for all;

Now we wait two months, for the ump to call "Play Ball!" 

IF

Two months is all the time we have to go
Until we get the return of the show.
In two months we could feel such glee,
But for now hope springs eternally.

If Aaron Harang returns to old form;
If Joey’s performance is his norm;
If Jay Bruce can hit at least two-eighty;
If we can sweep the Pirates, eh matey;

If we can keep the production from BP;
If potential turns to reality for Bailey;
If Cueto shows why he is “Little Pedro”;
If we can soundly defeat Roy the Astro;

If we get Rolen to deliver with some pop;
If on the basepaths Stubbs they can’t stop;
If our players can stay healthy all year;
If we can bring the Brewers to tears;

If Hanigan and Janish can hit a little more;
If Arroyo gives us 200 innings or more;
If Taveras doesn’t play (even as a sub);
If we can get rid of the baby-bear Cubs;

If Danny Ray keeps throwing his screws;
If Coco’s saves at least fourty-two;
If Masset and Burton can get us some holds;
If we can stifle the cards and Albert Pujols;

If Volquez come come back and give us some wins;
If Chris Dickerson’s career takes off and begins ;
If some of the prospects come up and deliver;
We could end up with a World Series by the river!

Baseball Ethics

Shoeless Joe Jackson made a mistake.
Gamblers money he agreed to take
In exchange for throwing World Series games
He took money.  No doubt that was lame.

Several players join Shoeless Joe
Banned for games they tried to throw. 
They cheated the game, and the fans;
No doubt they deserved their lifetime bans.

Racist comments doomed Marge Schott.
She was banned-the dog was not.
She deserved her punishment as well.
On her mistakes we will not dwell.

However, we’ll mention the all-time hit king.
Let the Reds to back to back rings.
He had a disease-he had to place a bet.
So back into baseball he cannot get.

Now we have the hitting coach for the Cards
Admitting he cheated-but he is not barred.
Instead Selig celebrates him, he did no harm.
Big Mac is welcomed back with open arms.

Baseball’s lesson is important, so listen.
It’s not one that is worth missing.
Off the field you better be clean as a sheet
But on the field, it’s ok if you cheat.

CONFIRMED?!?!?!

Are you serious?  Have the Reds made a move?
Rumor has it that the Reds new man can groove.
Often the Reds are the team that’s left in the dust
Looking as others sign players; the Machine turns to rust.
Draft day debacles have hurt in the past;
In the aughts, however, our picks could last.
Signings internationally have helped as well-
Could we finally see our wins start to swell?
He may not be ready until September or even later-
As long as they let him develop, I won’t be a debater.
Place him in the best opportunity to succeed.
Many may rush him, but don’t succumb to greed;
Allow this young man the chance to learn
Now, and in the future our losing ways will turn.

11 in '11

It’s time to start the campaign for 11 in ’11.
The captain deserves to be in baseball heaven.
Cooperstown, NY-the small rustic town
Where baseball’s highest receive their crown.

One percent of players get inducted in the hall;
Few who have ever held the bat and the ball.
However, few in history were a shortstop like Barry-
One of the most complete players we would ever see.

Playing his whole career in his hometown Cincinnati;
Playing the game the way it was meant to be.
Hopefully in a year, we will all get to say “Hark!
The Hall has made the call, they’re inducting Lark!”

His Hall of Fame credentials have been written well
Golden gloves, Silver Sluggers, and an MVP as well
The All-Star Captain deserves to be inducted
Let the 11 in ’11 campaign now be constructed