Bring him up!

From Reds assistant director of media relations Jamie Ramsey's minor-league report:

RHP Sam LeCure struck out a season-high 11 batters as he collected his 9th victory and 10th quality start (6ip, 8h, 2bb, 1hr) in Louisville's 8-4 win against Charlotte.

Top Six is back!

Who doesn't remember the days of heading down to Riverfront stadium, walking up a ticket booth and getting a "Top Six" ticket? Well, the Reds front office has NOT forgotten and have brought back the $5 Reds ticket. Total awesome.

Also coming with the return of the $5 Reds ticket is a whole new "economy menu" at ballpark concession stands. From the article:

$1 Menu Items (sold at two concessions stands, one in the Fan Zone and one on the first base side View Level )

• $1 hot dog

• $1 12 oz. Coca-Cola sodas

• $1 bag of peanuts

• $1 ice cream cup

• $1 Redlegs French Chew taffy

The $7 adult value meals are available at 18 locations and the $5 kids meal will be available at 10 locations

Sweet... C Trent has this too... as well as Reds Internal Affairs.

OMG. Taco Helmet

Words cannot describe what I am feeling right now.

Click here for more on the holy trinity of Minor League concession items.

h/t: C Trent

Leatherpants down! Leatherpants down!

I appears that Jimmy has stepped aside. Here's the scoop, via MLB Rumors...

According to Chico Harlan of the Washington Post, Nationals GM Jim Bowden has resigned.

ESPN.com has more, including quotes from Bowden. Most notably, Bowden says, "I've become a distraction," and, "my ability to properly represent the Washington Nationals has been compromised."

Finally, Bill Ladson of MLB.com captures a classic quote from the GM: "I have become a distraction. Unless you are Manny Ramirez, there is no place for distraction in baseball."

Rewind Classics are back!

We really enjoyed this series last year from Fox Sports Net Ohio. This winter, the boys at FSN will be re-airing a nice roster of Reds games to keep us from going insane from lack of baseball. Plus, you-know-who will be watching...

Here's the lineup, via The Enquirer

Monday
Joey Votto hits three homers out of Great American Ball Park as the Reds beat the Cubs 9-0 on May 7 last year.

Jan. 26
Ken Griffey Jr. singles in the winning run in a 10-inning home victory over the Brewers on April 20 last year.

Feb. 2
Game 7 of the 1975 World Series in Fenway Park, when the Big Red Machine wins the first of its back-to-back World Championships on Oct. 21, 1975.

Feb. 9
Griffey hits his 600th home run against the Marlins in Florida on June 9 last year.

Feb. 16
Eight Reds hit a total of nine home runs in a wild 22-3 win over the Phillies on Sept. 4, 1999.

Feb. 23
ay Bruce goes 3-for-3 in his Major League Baseball debut - plus gets on base twice more with walks - in the Reds' 9-6 win over the Pirates at GABP on May 27 last year.

March 2
Game 3 of the 1976 National League Championship Series, when the Reds sweep the Phillies at Riverfront Stadium on back-to-back ninth inning homers by George Foster and Johnny Bench on Oct. 12, 1976.

March 9
Game 2 of the 1976 World Series, when the Reds' beat the Yankees 4-3 at Riverfront Stadium on Oct. 17, 1976.

March 16
Game 4 of the 1976 World Series, when Johnny Bench's two homers power the Reds sweep of the Yankees 7-2 in Yankee Stadium on Oct. 21.

Here's some of our coverage from last year's Reds Rewind Classics if you're interested.

• Last year's line-up.

BP wins Gold Glove

Sweet! He deserves it. Link it.

Oh, hellz yeah!

So long, Corey Patterson... we hope you do well in whatever independent minor league you end up playing in, but we're glad yer gone!

Upgrade... just for today

Corey, you have been upgraded to: Indifferent. Just for today though. After that, it's back to bum status. Thanks for the game-winner last night. We do appreciate it - it was a pleasant surprise and helped ease the pain of the Bengals season. But, don't get used to it. We know what you're doing, and we're not sure we like it. Reds Rocket seems to be on the same page as well.

Homer Returns

The Reds are calling up Homer Bailey for this week's road trip to Philly and Florida. The Bats pulled him in the third inning of his start today to give him the news and the rest. He'll take the mound on Thursday against the Phils, replacing Fogg Hat as the 5th starter in the rotation. Reds are looking to call up the rest of the Bats over the next month or so, replacing all the dipsticks they picked up in the off season.

Let's hope Homer's stuff gets cranked up a notch Thursday... he hasn't exactly been lights out in Louisville during his past few starts. He'll be facing a Phillies team that can absolutely rake... in a ballpark made just for rakers.

BRUCEpie

Folks, you knew it was going to be a special night. If you didn't go to ballpark and get a walk-up ticket, you were watching at home. Something special was going to happen - our savior is playing!

Okay, maybe Jay Bruce isn't the Reds' savior, but damn, the future looks pretty good.

Oh, and how about that blast by Dunn? MONSTA! Just as monsta as the David Ross delivered double-barreled pie-in-the-face to Bruce. See above.

The future begins...Tuesday.

The Reds brass must have read Dave's Corey Patterson post last week, because they've finally decided to call up Jay Bruce.

From Mark Sheldon:

Bruce, considered the consensus top prospect in all of professional baseball, will be promoted to the Reds from Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday and make his Major League debut in Cincinnati against the Pirates.

In 49 games with Louisville this season, Bruce led the International League with a .364 batting average and 67 hits. The outfielder also had 10 home runs, 37 RBIs and an on-base plus slugging percentage of 1.023.

Not sure what happens to Patterson (the Reds are on the hook for $3 mil) or who takes over the leadoff spot (whoever they put there can't possibly do any worse than Patterson's .242 OBP, including his 0-8 performance on Sunday).

Needless to say, OMGReds is pretty excited about this announcement.