Bye Bye Hobbs, Hello Edinson

The Cincinnati Reds traded OF Josh Hamilton to the Texas Rangers for SP Edinson Volquez and a minor league pitcher.

I have mixed feelings about the deal, however, i realize the largest need for the Reds is starting pitching. Therefore, this trade delivered a guy that is only 1 year removed from being the Rangers top prospect.

Volquez, 24, has been well regarded for some time and posts an impressive 92-97 mph fastball, a plus changeup and a developing curveball. He began last year, after a disappointing finish to the 2006 season, on the single A minor league team for the rangers and moved all the way to the majors by the end of the year.

However, Josh Hamilton was and still is one of my favorite baseball players and i admire his ability to come back from his past last year. He will be missed but this clears a hole for Jay Bruce, minor league player of the year, to come up and play CF next year.

Either way, the Reds and Rangers addressed needs of their own and the argument could go either way. I do know that the price of starting pitching is high and what Krivdawg did was risky but had to be done.

More about the Trade

Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers blog

Newberg Report: Texas Rangers fan's take, really good article, in my opinion

Back To Work

This week he dropped the books, literally, and began working at the job he has held for (now) three years, 86 days, eight hours, and 22 oh, 23 minutes.

The transition should have been easy but it is easy for one to forget the stress and strain of standing and walking around all day at a eight hour-a-day job.

But, this time it wasn't so easy. Mainly due to the fact that he hasn't worked since August, and also that he hasn't done much in terms of physical activity in the last 3 months. The first day was moderately painless but after the second day his feet began to throb like, well like feet that aren't stood on for long periods of time.

It's funny what this job that he has held for over three years does to him, every time he comes back to it after a given time at school. He noticed just the other day his grammar changes, his stress level drops, and he cares less about becoming an elite member of society and tends to feel more a part of the blue-collar group he associates with at work.

He also noticed that the outlook from people in a professional setting such as Reid Hospital and Health Care Services, is different. Little to look forward to, paying bills, and what is for dinner that night. It is a far cry from: what we're doing this weekend, having a test to study for and switching facebook statuses.

Yes, going back to work is always an adventure. It offers a familiar setting with a refreshing sense of non-compliance. Work, delivers money easily without as much stress as school. It provides a break from what he "wants" to do with his life. And, it gives him time to think about what is coming up next.

Redsfest 2007

Red Leg Nation has a cool link to Red Hot Mama's take on Redsfest 2007, which I was lucky enough to attend.

P.S. check out the first comment on Red Leg Nation, that's me!

Beer

I have been interested in knowing the different types of beers. In my opinion, it is clearly amazing the processes that go into the entire process from the straining, to fermentation, to the bottling.

There are; Ales, Lagers, Pale, Dark, Reds, Stout, and many regional types. However, most are broken into the Ale or Lager category.

According to Wikipedia:

Ale

A modern ale is commonly defined by the strain of yeast used and the fermenting temperature.

Ales are normally brewed with top-fermenting yeasts (most commonly Saccharomyces cerevisiae), though a number of British brewers, including Fullers and Weltons, use ale yeast strains that have less pronounced top-fermentation characteristics. The important distinction for ales is that they are fermented at higher temperatures and thus ferment more quickly than lagers.

Ale is typically fermented at temperatures between 15 and 24 °C (60 and 75 °F). At these temperatures, yeast produces significant amounts of esters and other secondary flavour and aroma products, and the result is often a beer with slightly "fruity" compounds resembling apple, pear, pineapple, banana, plum, or prune, among others. Typical ales have a sweeter, fuller body than lagers.

Lager

Lager is the English name for bottom-fermenting beers of Central European origin. They are the most commonly consumed beers in the world. The name comes from the German lagern ("to store"). Lagers originated from European brewers storing beer in cool cellars and caves and noticing that the beers continued to ferment, and also to clear of sediment. Lager yeast is a bottom-fermenting yeast (e.g., Saccharomyces pastorianus), and typically undergoes primary fermentation at 7–12 °C (45–55 °F) (the "fermentation phase"), and then is given a long secondary fermentation at 0–4 °C (32–40 °F) (the "lagering phase"). During the secondary stage, the lager clears and mellows. The cooler conditions also inhibit the natural production of esters and other byproducts, resulting in a "cleaner" tasting beer.

Modern methods of producing lager were pioneered by Gabriel Sedlmayr the Younger, who perfected dark brown lagers at the Spaten Brewery in Bavaria, and Anton Dreher, who began brewing a lager, probably of amber-red colour, in Vienna in 1840–1841. With improved modern yeast strains, most lager breweries use only short periods of cold storage, typically 1–3 weeks.

Lambic beers: spontaneous fermentation

Lambic beers, a speciality of Belgian beers, use wild yeasts, rather than cultivated ones. Many of these are not strains of brewer's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and may have significant differences in aroma and sourness. Yeast varieties such as Brettanomyces bruxellensis and Brettanomyces lambicus are quite common in lambics. In addition, other organisms such as Lactobacillus bacteria produce acids which contribute to the sourness.

Pale and Dark Beer

The most common colour is a pale amber produced from using pale malts. Pale lager is a term used for beers made from malt dried with coke. Coke had been first used for roasting malt in 1642, but it wasn't until around 1703 that the term pale ale was first used.

In terms of sales volume, most of today's beer is based on the pale lager brewed in 1842 in the town of Pilsen, in the Czech Republic. The modern pale lager is light in colour with a noticeable carbonation, and a typical alcohol by volume content of around 5%. The Pilsner Urquell, Bitburger, and Heineken brands of beer are typical examples of pale lager, as are the American brands Budweiser, Coors, and Miller.

Dark beers are usually brewed from a pale malt or lager malt base with a small proportion of darker malt added to achieve the desired shade. Other colourants — such as caramel — are also widely used to darken beers. Very dark beers, such as stout use dark or patent malts that have been roasted longer. Guinness and similar beers include roasted unmalted barley.

Something interesting due during the holiday season

Some brewers have used champagne yeasts to increase the alcohol content of their beers. Samuel Adams reached 20% abv with Millennium^[44] and then surpassed that amount to 25.6% abv with Utopias. Samuel Adams is to produce 12000 bottles for the 2007 holiday season.

Famous. . .

Lagers
- Budweiser
- Corona
- Molson
- Coors
- Yeungling
- Dos Equis
- Harp
- Negra Modelo
- Sam Adams Vienna Style

Ale
- Newcastle
- Guinness
- Killian's Red
- Bass Ale
- Dogfish Head 60 and 90 minute
- Sierra Nevada
- Blue Moon
- Boddington's

Cool Bar in Muncie, Ind.

Here is a site reviewing a bar here in Muncie, which I ventured over to this past weekend. I aksed myself the same thing, the reviewer did; "What the hell is a bar like this doing in Muncie?"
http://indianabeer.com/bars/heorot.html

Source: Wikipedia.org

Reds still serious about Bedard

According to one of John Fay's sources within the organization the Reds are still actively pursuing Erik Bedard from the Baltimore Orioles.

Fay would not release how the Reds plan on acquiring Bedard, or who gave the rumor. However, the main feeling is that neither Johnny Cueto nor Jay Bruce would be involved. This leaves Homer Bailey, who some have said is expendable considering the upside Cueto is supposed to bring the table.

A package including Bailey, Joey Votto or Josh Hamilton and another prospect, is what Fay and most other analysts believe the Orioles are looking for.

I believe if the Reds get a chance they should do this deal. However, I am very skeptical on some grounds. First of all I am torn between Votto and Hamilton. My obvious gut says trade Votto before Hamilton due to all that surrounds Hamilton including the wealth of talent that was displayed after nearly 4 years away from the game. However, the Reds have a wealth of OF talent, Votto is 3 years younger than Hamilton, and Hamilton's issues dealing with reoccurring injuries cause conflict. Another problem is the fact of who the other prospect or player is. Idealy if you can move Ryan Freel, I say GO! But, that is highly unlikely. I do not know who the Oriole's have their eyes on but it is probably a SP Mattew Maloney type.

One final problem is the fact of Bedard's contract. Bedard is set to be arbitration eligible this year and next and becomes a free agent in 2009. I believe a monumental mistake will occur if the Reds trade for Bedard and do not lock him up to a long term deal. Bedard has said he wants out of Baltimore and has hinted he wants to test free agency. The Reds would make a huge mistake trading Bailey, Votto or Hamilton and more, only to lose Bedard to free agency in 2 years.

This would test the franchises stability and Wayne Krivsky's ability. it would also test my patience and faith in the executive branch of the Cincinnati Reds, Inc.

Reds getting Bedard?

Paul Daughtery is reporting a trade in the works that would send Homer Bailey to the O's for Erik Bedard.

Although I do not know what to think about this rumor, it could be just that, a rumor. However, as Bailey is only one year removed from being arguably the top pitching prospect in all of baseball, it would be hard to swallow.

It would be a monster move for the Reds of now though, as Bedard led the AL in K's most of the year, ending up with 221. Couple that with an ERA of 3.16 and you have one of the most productive pitcher in the Majors.

However, stick around to hear more if there is more.

God isn't it great hearing that the Reds are actually in on stuff during winter meetings.

Reds interested in Lincecum, Willis

As the winter meeting got underway this week, the Reds made their first inquisition into top Giants pitching prospect, Tim Lincecum. Not to be outdone, the Reds have also been in the rumor mill for Florida Marlins SP Dontrelle Willis.
Lincecum spent the majority of the year in the Giants' rotation last year, but is only 23 years old. However, as this is only a rumor, do not get too excited Reds fans. Even with the rumor, the Reds will have to pay a very high price, in my estimation for Lincecum, perhaps a combination of an outfielder, infielder and pitcher.
For the Reds to land Willis, I assume it will take a similar price, however, I wouldn't part with as much for the D-Train, considering his inconsistency the past few years.

Reds Land Cordero

Today the Reds, yes, my Cincinnati Reds signed the top relief pitcher and perhaps the best overall pitcher on the free agent market today.

Francisco Cordero, 33, comes to the Reds after a excellent season and is performed as a top 5 closer in all of baseball last year. Cordero posted a line of: 2.98 ERA, 86 K's, 18 BB, in 63.1 IP. His K to walk ratio was one of the best in baseball and was close to the best of any closer.

As the complaints begin falling in Reds country over the signing, I want to be the first to say that I support this deal whole-heartedly, for reasons that follow:

1. The Reds needed bullpen help.
2. It took Cordero, perhaps the best closer in the Central, away from Central rival Milwaukee.
3. Pushes David Weathers and Jared Burton, two great setup men, back an inning. And, along with Bill Bray the bullpen has a very solid core.
4. Shows legitimately, that the Reds organization is serious about winning, perhaps the best thing about the entire signing.

Yes, they overpaid a bit, but they had to. They HAD to pay this much to get the best player for them to win next year, other than A-Rod.

Looking at a lineup and rotation next year, I am getting excited. And this is just one move.

If the Reds make at least one more move, vis a vis----> Freel or Griffey or both for a 3 or 4 starter, the Reds will be on their way. Oh, and here's that lineup for ya. . .

CF Hamilton
2B Phillips
RF Griffey--Hopper if you move griff
LF Dunn
3b Encarnacion
1b Votto
SS Gonzalez---Keppinger (maybe)
C Ross or Valentin

SP:
A. Harang
B. Arroyo
H. Bailey
M. Belisle
J. Cueto
(free agent or someone landed in trade)

RP

7th - Bray, Burton
8th - Weathers
9th - Cordero

Yes, I feel good, and optimistic for once.

Cardinals 35 Bungles 27

Despite the way the season has gone, I have remained reserved with the feeling that all hope is not lost for my Cincinnati Bengals.

However, after today's resurgence of self-pity and un-interest, that has befallen the Bengals throughout their history, I have decided to throw in the towel.

Yes, I called them the Bungles, a title I despise, in the headline. And, yes they deserve it.

Let me tell you why.

Every week has been a different beast to overcome.

For most weeks it was injuries to the linebacker corp that has yet to fight its way out of a paper bag (but its not their fault).

Other weeks it was a lack of a running game, but with Kenny Watson and Rudi Johnson splitting carries, it has been better, not good, just better.

Coaching calls have been questionable, as much as Mike Brown's loyalty.

Now, as the offense and especially Carson Palmer have been the only faint bright spot on the team, they have befallen Bengal-Nation (is there one?).

Today I watched in horror and then disgust as an un-interested Palmer through not 2, not 3, but 4 interceptions. Two of which were returned for touchdowns, by the mediocre DB Antrel Rolle. What makes me almost puke however, is how there were about 3 or 4 more passes deflected that would have been picked off by a better defensive team.

And all the while, here I sit watching my fantasy football team drowned to the tune of 4 T.O. touchdowns from the soon to be division winner in my league.

Football at this point, couldn't be any worse.

Probably not even if I was a Dolphins fan, because they don't even have the weapons going to waste week by week as the Bengals do.

I am fed up with the Bungles and football at this point. Disdain, is not a harsh enough word for my feelings right now.

But, through it all, the Bungles can about punch their ticket for a lottery pick in the NFL draft next year, which should yield a top-tier LB or DE.

But, with the result of drafts-past for the Bungles, I'm sure I should expect nothing too great and I should instead move my interest to baseball season which is ONLY 132 days away.

Rounding Third and Heading for Home. . .

The Ol' Left-Hander (1928-2007)

Joe Nuxhall was Cincinnati Reds baseball for over 60 years, beloved by fans and respected by all around baseball.

He was constant and sometimes inaccurate. But, through the inaccuracies, Joe represented the Reds and the national pastime as good as anyone before him.

Just last year during a series with the Washington Nationals, Nuxhall ran down the "Senator" lineup, before correcting himself. He inaccurately pronounced names, botched calls and showed clear bias for his hometown team. But, his impression on the game was unfathomable. He was a true gentelmen for the sport and perfect example about what is good in our national pastime.

He was just plain fun to listen to. He was a reflection of ourselves and the game we love. Methodical and calm. But, enthusiastic if the time was right. He made some of the most significant calls in baseball history, but was over zealous in his accomplishments.

Nuxhall saw the rise and fall and rise and fall of the organization he so blatantly loved. He lived and died with the Reds and was always looking toward the next day's game, even in the most drab of situations.

Joe was summer to me and I know to my dad and his grandpa. Along with Marty (Brennaman), Joe was the soundtrack to many summer nights growing up.

The Ol’ Left-Hander graced the airwaves scarcely in the past few years, as he retired in 2003, but popped in for a few series’. I’ll miss that old gravely tone and the preconceived calls of, “He’s out. . .No He’s safe, safe!”

Joe Nuxhall will be missed but he is not really gone, he is the spirit of Hamilton, Cincinnati and especially Reds baseball.

More thoughts from different media:
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20071116/VIDEO02/71116005/
http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2007/11/16/the-ol-lefthander/
http://700wlw.com/pages/localNews.html?feed=119585&article=2941512
http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=cin
http://blog.dispatch.com/blog-16/2007/11/well_miss_you_lefty_1.shtml

London Here I Come

TWO days and counting!

Nursing Home Editorial

Oct. 18 - Just south of Muncie on Gavin Street lies Brookside Haven Care Center. Some know the road and the place but mostly, Brookside is unseen to the world and to Muncie.

Brookside is a nursing home, with nearly 60 beds occupied with some of Muncie’s least acknowledged people. These people share a commonality with the institution, being hidden from the public eye.

There are nearly two million Americans living in almost 17,000 nursing homes in the United States. Of the millions that call the often, drab facilities home, most go weeks, months and too often, years without visitors.

A fair assessment can be made, that the majority of Americans forget these people are just that; people.

As most of us are able-bodied, it’s hard to imagine relying on someone to help us eat, dress and bathe. Liberated from relying on others, it’s easy to take for granted and often despise everyday interaction with our coworkers and family.

These people sit alone most days in, their “waiting rooms (for death),” as one lady referred to her living quarters, on a PBS Frontline special about nursing homes. Without a public voice, they cannot plead with the community or their families to visit them.

“They love visitors,” Ronny Smith, a Certified Nursing Assistant at Brookside said. “Most even have family in Muncie but never come to see them.”

According to The Senior Source, a friendly visitor program in Dallas, Texas, nearly 50 percent of nursing homes go without visitors, every year. When asking staff members at nursing homes in Muncie about the statistic, a majority will reflect the sad claim.

Therefore, it is in the human interest of this newspaper to speak for those in the 11 Muncie-area nursing home’s without an audible voice.

Please visit those who find themselves in situations, most can’t imagine.

Take 30 minutes out of your week, without any authority-induced shove, to talk to someone that yearns for anyone’s company.

As charitable as people feel they are, this request will travel in and out the minds of the readers of this newspaper faster than their daily horoscope.

Why is this?

Perhaps it’s because people cannot see the benefit for those they will be spending time with. Or maybe it’s because they believe the stereotypes of nursing homes, as places people go to die.

But probably, they cannot see how visiting someone in a nursing home will benefit them personally.

Residents at Brookside awake between 7 and 8 a.m. every morning. They eat breakfast, do exercises, and then ability-willing; watch television, movies or take part in other recreational activities until lunch.

The residents look forward to daily activities and especially the occasional visitor.

One man said he loves when someone has a birthday because they get to have cake.

“I just love spending time with my friends,” one lady said, referring to the nurses and a group of ladies she sits with and watches TV.

They truly appreciate the simple things in life.

Something non-nursing home bound people can take a lesson from.

Of the roughly 50 residents at Brookside, of which this newspaper is prohibited from naming, many have had distinguished lives and careers.

One man is a Vietnam War veteran and Ball State University graduate.

Another was a teacher in the Muncie school system.

And another was even in city government at a time that, he said, “feels like hundreds of years ago.”

“I wish I could see my family,” one man said. “But, I can’t go to them.”

Heartwarming and often devastating stories fill the minds of the residents at Brookside. And as most are void of any visitors, these stories can be heard from anyone that is willing to listen.

“I don’t feel like I have anything to look forward to anymore,” one lady said. “I get up every day and can’t do nothing without (the nurses) help.”

Why not give these residents, often in dire situations, something to look forward to?

Why can’t Muncie do something comparable to what communities across the country are doing by establishing Friendly Visitor programs?

“Adopt” a resident or home, throw a party, or lead a craft making workshop, at one of the area homes.

Or, just visit someone. Talk to them, let them talk to you and learn something about them and you’ll probably make their year.

You might even make yours too and you might learn something about yourself.

School Work

(822) - Just for fun I'm going to post some of the work that I do in my classes, from time to time.

As I write 1 or 2 stories each week, some are better than others. So, I will spare you of the crap that I still amaze myself with, and give you only what I think is moderately good at best.

Peace.

A Whole New World

(822) - So, I finally took the time to comply with, what seems like the rest of the world, and host a blog.

Reading several blogs weekly and sometimes daily I know the code; write something interesting and people will read it. Write something un-interesting and I will read it, and only I will read it.

I took the time to go through the tutorial of what a blog is before I picked a template and a name for my blog (which I will get to later). As you can see I picked the black background which seemed to set off and allow for premiere illumination of whatever I write.

Not really, I just like black. I wear black. I have a black phone, ipod, car and sense of humour. Yes, humour, spelled H-U-M-O-U-R, which leads me to a reason for beginning this blog.

As you may or may not know, I will be spending my time from Jan. 8 t0 April 3 in London, England, UK, or whatever. No I am not going to sip tea and kiss the queen, well not those things exclusively. I am studying with the London Centre foreign exchange program, yes again, C-E-N-T-R-E.

Without further adieu, the spelling was a segue for my announcement about London. English people spell weird, talk weird and smell weird, from what I'm told. However, I am bubbling over with anticipation about the semester. I hope to use this Blog as a means of communicating with those of you that are not coming with me on my adventure.

So, I guess that is all for tonight. Be sure to stay tuned as I learn this complicated Blogging thing. I will have much more next time.