On the Reds in September

Going into St. Louis, I told friends that the Reds needed to win one in the series. Although facing the Cardinals top three pitchers, mission accomplished.

Last week I also told co-workers that the trip to Colorado worried me more than the St. Louis series. The Rockies are playing well, tough at home, and in the hunt. The task would be difficult but, I stated that the Reds need to leave Colorado +6 over the Cardinals. Well, the first two games in Denver are demonstrating my unfolding fears.

As a pragmatist, I am a firm believer that it’s not over until it’s over. After all, I remember 1964, which featured the greatest collapse in my lifetime. Yep, the Phillies were 7 ½ up with 12 games left. Going into the final weekend, four teams were in the hunt: the Cardinals, Phillies, Reds, and Giants. The Cardinals not only won the pennant, they eventually beat the Yankees to win the World Series – and the 1964 Phillies are forever known as the ones blowing a seemingly insurmountable lead.

Meanwhile, one of my long-time friends (and self-proclaimed baseball pundit) recently said something worth writing about. My friend is a great guy but, he is a prime example of this trait: if you speak with conviction, people will believe you. However, years has taught be to see right through his bold proclamations.

He said, “It’s too bad the Reds are going to back into winning the division.” Now it’s time to dismantle his statement.

First, no team has won a pennant or a division before clinching. There is also still is plenty of time for anything to happen. In other words, the Reds have not won anything yet.

The Reds have the following:

• A sizeable, but insurmountable, lead in the NL Central
• The one of the best records in the NL
• The best road record in the NL
• Lead the NL in batting average, runs scored, hits, RBIs, slugging percentage, batting average and runs scored with runners in scoring position, batting average and runs scored with runners in scoring position with two outs, and a few more
• Lead the NL in fielding percentage, thus the fewest errors
• Middle of the pack in various pitching categories

There is still time for much to happen. The Reds can make it difficult on the Cardinals every time they win a game.

So I must ask: Do these stats support “backing in”? Plus, always beware of those who proclaim knowing without having the supportive facts.

Opinions in the Shorts: Vol. 65

On the Saving Rate
I find it interesting that after 30+ years of having an average saving rate of 2% or less, (even negative in some years), American savings rate is currently 6%. Is this a new economic standard?

On a Washington Rangel
After a long tenure in Congress, Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) seems to be willing to fight ethics charges. Then so be it, so take him down! Oh – that’s right. This is an example of wolves watching the henhouse. Too bad that we can’t take them all out!

On to Amend or not to Amend
I find it interesting that many Republicans use “the Constitution says” for the basis of their argument. By the way, many in this group want to repeal the 14th Amendment. In other words, they want a Constitution interpreted in the way they desire.

On a Clueless Bias
I recently heard a radio host complain about the tired old song of the aging Democrats as Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Barbara Boxer, Barney Frank, and others. Do you think he mentioned Mitch McConnell, Richard Shelby, Jeff Sessions, Jim Bunning, and an ever-waffling John McCain? Here’s a link to the ages of our Senators.

By the way, here’s an interesting column from David Broder regarding Republican leadership in the Senate.

On the NL Central
It seems the St. Louis Cardinals came to Cincinnati to show that they remain the team to beat. In a short series, given their top three pitchers and the middle of the order, they are good. To have a chance, I still say get to their bullpen; but, no way that will happen when 1 though 4 in the order go 6 for 47 in a series, .187 team batting average – and Marlin’s ace Josh Johnson is on deck. The Reds are one game out with 47 to play, thus a long way to go. I stand by my prediction of this past Tuesday.

By the way, Brandon Phillips comments do not explain fielding errors, mental errors, base-running errors, and poor hitting. Yet, I salute the Cardinals for the way they played.

On Two Baseball Tidbits
Here’s two things I didn’t realize in baseball.
Umpires have different uniforms. The plate umpire for the game determines the uniform for the others on the umpiring crew.
1981 was baseball’s strike year. I knew the Reds had the best overall NL record, yet didn’t make the playoffs. I didn’t realize that the Cardinals had the second best overall NL record that year, and they too didn’t make the playoffs.

On Too Much Publicity
Here’s a question – Who is more pathetic: Levi Johnston or the media who continue to give him the unnecessary publicity that he craves?

Have a safe weekend!