OBP: "Oh Brandon Phillips"

Brandon Phillips made it clear today that he doesn't believe in the idea of OBP, aka on-base percentage, aka the measurement of how often a batter reaches base. In an Enquirer article out today, Phillips had all sorts of interesting things to say. Here are some of the most interesting.

"I don't believe in that on-base percentage (stuff). That's overrated to me. If you get hits, you'll be on base. That's what it's about."

This sounds like something a good player with a low OBP would say, or someone who is confusing real baseball with video game baseball. We all know what Dusty said recently about OBP, in reference to Willy Taveras and his lack thereof--"Everyone talks about his on-base percentage. I like the way he gets in scoring position." It appears this backwards outlook has rubbed off on our bright young grinning star.

"I'm a hitter. I swing the bat. I'm an aggressive hitter. They want me to work on [being patient], and I'll try my best. But I'm a hitter."

These quotes explain a lot about Brandon, who doesn't seem to know the difference between being a hitter and a hacker. The latter might have a career SO/BB ratio of 3:1 like Brandon does. It's okay to be aggressive but you can really hurt your team in many ways by swinging at crap pitches, which Brandon is amazing at.

"My numbers were good last year. For me to hit 20-plus homers, steal 20-plus bags and have 70-plus RBI, that's a good season, especially for a second basemen."

Brandon sounds pretty defensive, and maybe he should be. When he puts it that way, yes, he did put up pretty solid numbers for a second basemen. But when you zoom out and see that all his offensive numbers went down at an age when numbers should spike, that for his 23 swipes he was nailed 10 times, that he might have netted more RBI had he not batted .225 in 71 ABs with two outs and runners in scoring position, those general numbers lose some luster.

"I think [the Reds new emphasis on speed] is a good thing--moving runners from first to second and second to third. It's good to have speed on the team. Speed kills. We've been relying on the home run for so many years. We've had eight losing seasons. The way I look at it: It's time for a change. Walt Jocketty brought that in. We're 100 percent behind him."

When the hell did Brandon Phillips become the Machurian Candidate? I can see Brandon saying this quote in a monotone droll, his eyes not focused on anything in front of him, a Reds PR person coming out to the podium and taking him by the arm, "Okay Brandon, that will be all for today, good job." Brandon doesn't respond and is walked out of the room and placed in his pod for the night. Seriously Brandon, get with it. Speed isn't nearly as effective when you have a .319 career OBP as a Red. When you learn to get on base, we become a much more dangerous team. And to say we've been relying on home runs for the past eight years, why not just come out and blame it on Dunn and Griff? What about the other six or seven batters during that period? Couldn't they have balanced out the home run attack with some good hitting and speed. Couldn't they have done something to help win games? And what about the scalliwag pitching during those years? Somebody cut my cord. I'm turning into a crank. There can't possibly be more, can there?

"I'm not a typical fourth hitter. But who else on the team is going to do it?"

I give up. Brandon, I like you, but we have some fundamental baseball disagreements. With that kind of attitude, you will never develop into a professional hitter as they say, one who can manipulate the strike zone and make the pitcher work overtime, one who can help the team by taking ball four instead golfing for strike three. If you raise your OBP 70 points, you are Joe Morgan. That's how good you can be. Now get out there and stop trying to be Wily Mo Pena.

Reds.comments and a 10-inning win against the Netherlands!

The Reds only needed 10 innings yesterday to take down a fearsome Netherlands All-Star team made up of the same players that make up their regular team. While it hasn't been reported if the Netherlanders wore wooden cleats, according to comments on the Reds.com message board, based on a handful of Spring Training games, the Reds have a striking resemblance to the Big Red Machine, the 1990 World Series team, and the late 90's Yankee dynasty...really. And some have already lost faith in closer Francisco Cordero after 2 innings and 5 earned runs of baseball. Pop a bowl of corn and let's take a look at some comments.

"I hope I'm wrong, but I think the Francisco Cordero signing is going to wind up being a huge failure. He's giving up at least a run per inning. I know it's early but he needs to get it together. If he can't get guys out in the fifth inning, then how can we expect him to get guys out when it counts?"

10 years of 3.29 ERA baseball and you just threw Coco under the bus after 2 innings of Spring Training ball. It is clear that you have very poor stamina in the bedroom.

"Dickerson, Taveras and Bruce...WOW. If the speed is all it's advertised we are going to see some exciting defense this year. I think back to Griffey, Geronimo and Foster. Is the "Big Red Machine" getting tuned up for a comeback. I sure hope so, it's been too long without a championship."

This poor man has been starved for a winning team for too long because he just compared Dickerson/Taveras/Bruce to Griffey/Geronimo/Foster. Not that I need to clarify, but...In 19 seasons, Ken Griffey batted .296/.359/.431 with a 118 OPS+. In 15 seasons, Cesar Geronimo won 4 Gold Gloves in center field. In 18 seasons, George Foster batted .274/.338/.480 with a 126 OPS+. In 1977, he hit 52 home runs. Considering our starting outfield will have roughly six years of questionable big league experience, let's hold off on the Big Red Machine comparisons.

"The Yankee dynasty of the late 90's didn't have a single player that hit 30 or more home runs. Timely hitting, pitching and defense can take a team a long way."

While you are correct that the Yankees didn't have a single player that hit 30 or more home runs in the late 90's (Bernie hit 30 in 2000), they didn't abandon the long ball as you imply. They ranked 4th, 8th, and 6th in the AL in home runs in 1998, 1999 and 2000 during their three-peat. Not too shabby. Just throw out any stat that takes a shadow jab at Adam Dunn why don't you, you big jerk.

"I have been a Reds fan since 1961 and I think this team bears a striking resemblance to the 1990 team. The only difference being the bullpen. The 1990 team had the nasty boys and this year we have Rhodes(too old) and Weathers(too sad). There is still time to improve."

A striking resemblance to the 1990 World Series team? That's a tall order...

The 1990 Reds (NL ranks)

1st in BA (.265)

4th in OBP (.322)

3rd in SLG (.399)

2nd in ERA (3.39)

2nd in SO (1,029)

In other words, your memory is starting to go. You would have been perfect as James Garner in The Notebook. And you're a fan since 1961? Was that like the year you were born or something, because if not, that's kind of weird to say that you've been a fan since that year, like one day in 1961 you just decided to start liking the Reds or something, just turned on the damn switch huh? Well guess what, I've been a Reds fan since 1960, even though I was born in 1985, and there's nothing you can do about it.

"I too have been a fan since 1961. This team reminds me of another Reds team built around the idea of speed and defense. GM Bob Howsam traded power hitting 1B Lee May to Houston for a base stealing 2nd baseman named Joe Morgan and a centerfielder with an arm like a howitzer named Cesar Geronimo. The result? the BIG RED MACHINE. Walt has the right idea here."

Also starring Ramon Hernandez as Johnny Bench? You and the commenter above should have a 1961 class reunion and talk about how you make poor observations about baseball, and probably life.

"...Tavaras, Harriston/Dickerson, Votto/Gomes,Phillips, Bruce, Fernandez, EE, Gonzo/Kepp= 6 runs a game avg..."

This one is a little too easy, like picking on the goth kid. Harriston and Fernandez? Get the names right Jim. And also, the Cubs led the NL in runs per game last year with just over 5. Moral of the story--there is no way in hell the Reds will average 6 runs a game this year. If we are lucky, 4.6 runs/game, my final offer. Oh, and you're a dumbass.

Reds.comments: Bless Their Hearts

EDITOR'S NOTE

This will be a reoccurring segment on The Red Scare where we analyze certain fan comments posted under news articles and press releases from Reds.com, the official propaganda machine of the Cincinnati Reds.

On signing an outfielder

"Why Griffey Jr.? Did you see him play the past 8/9 years? He can't catch up to a 92 mph heater anymore. Walt has done an excellent job in the offseason acquiring players that make financial and team chemistry sense. Speed, defense, and pitching win games this days. Hernandez, Taveras, and Gomes were big acquistions this offseason. Remember when the Reds gave Cantu a chance two years ago? Can't wait for the season to start. GO REDS!!!!!!"

We won't go into the unfortunate injuries that have plagued Junior and how that has affected his play. But for the right price (which will not be that much) I wouldn't mind Junior off the bench. According to you, Walt has done "an excellent job" this offseason and "Hernandez, Taveras and Gomes were big acquisitions." Wow, you're easily impressed. You see, I would consider players like Bobby Abreu, Mark Teixiera and Milton Bradley as "big acquisitions." Keep drinking the water.

On the starting left fielder

"You have to start hairston, anyone can come up and hit 300 6 hrs and 15 rbi in the last 31 games of the season when no one is trying and a bunch of triple and double A cats are pitching. Hairston is faster than dickerson, will hit for a better avg, steal more bases and just be more of an asset to the team out in left. dont get me wrong i like dickerson but i think he has to prove himself in spring training to even be considered for the job."

I agree that Dickerson needs to prove himself, but give the guy some credit for putting up those numbers at the end of last year. You need to take your love affair with Jerry Hairston Jr. down a notch. He's a career .260/.330/.370 hitter who had a career year in his 11th season. Jerry is also linked to steroids in the Mitchell Report, but no one seems to give a crap because he's Jerry Hairston Jr. Give the young guy a chance to prove himself, not in Spring Training, but for the first month or two of the season. I think the idea of judging players by how they perform in Spring Training is silly. There are some fringe players that have incredible Spring Trainings and still don't make the squad and other players who make the squad after horrendous springs, which tells us that a majority of the roster spots are predetermined and involve money, not talent.

On not making any sense

"cincinasty got it right look at patterson last yr a baker buddy.last year had a lot to do with baker not the players when it comes to losing"

what?

Josh Hamilton's Love Affair with God, and also the Baby Jesus

"How am I here? I can only shrug and say, 'It's a God thing.' It's the only possible explanation."

"It's amazing that God allowed me to keep my baseball talents after I sat out three years and played only 15 games last season in A-ball."

"I get cravings sometimes, and I see it as the devil trying to catch me in a weak moment."

"And on this particular night, a little boy of about 9 or 10, wearing a Reds cap, handed me a pen and something to sign. Nothing unusual there, but as I was writing the boy said, 'Josh, you're my savior.' This stopped me. I looked at him and said, 'Well, thank you. Do you know who my savior is?' He thought for a minute. I could see the gears turning. Finally, he smiled and blurted out, 'Jesus Christ.' He said it like he'd just come up with the answer to a test. 'That's exactly right,' I said."

"I was completely desperate for God. For the first time in my life, I was just desperate for Him. I needed Him. I needed every bit of Him I could get. There was nothing in me that could get me through that time. I would be in my car praying for him, and it was just like I could feel God right there with me just bringing me so much peace and joy in the midst of a complete disaster."

"People think there are coincidences in life. There are no coincidences when God’s got a plan. It’s nothing I did except try to make the right choices and let God take over from there. There’s one solid and permanent way out of it, and that’s finding the Lord Jesus Christ and accepting Him."

Article from Great Christian Life: God uses Josh Hamilton to display His love and glory.

That will be all for now, but rest assured, Willy Taveras is giving this whole prayer thing a second thought.

Just thought of one last thing--how ironic would that be if Edinson Volquez was an atheist?

R.I.P. Corey Patterson

"Baseball America

and USA Today

1st Team All-American,

1998."

Corey Patterson was not very good at all.

STAT WATCH: Corey signed with the AAA affiliate of the Washington Nationals organization, where Cincinnati Reds players go to officially die. He was invited to Spring Training and will win the center field job on Opening Day, hit 55 HRs and bat .340/.450/.680. Let's keep track of how much better Willy Taveras is than Corey. You certainly can't get much worse.

Scouting Report: Little Norris Hopper

Offense
Little Norris was sidelined most of 2008 and eventually bowed out for reconstructive elbow surgery. This was unfortunate for Little Norris, who made his mark in 2007 batting .329 in 307 AB. Almost 40% of his hits never reached that vast expanse of green that is the outfield (20 bunts and 17 infield hits), but as far as swinging and making terrible contact to the point where the ball ricochets off the extreme bottom or nub of the bat then squirts down the foul line and rolls to a stop in no man's land between home, third and the mound, Norris was an assassin. What we love about Little Norris is that he carries himself with a dignified aire that says, "I meant to do that." No one will ever know but Norry.

Defense
Because Little Norris is so tiny, three Norry steps is the equivalent of one Jay Bruce step. Even with this handicap, Little Norris zips around the outfield with relative ease, covering good ground. He is not an alley-stalker or wall-climber, but he will attempt to "go get it"--that is, when he is not collecting nuts and storing food for the winter.

Overall
Little Norris is a valuable bench player. He brings good speed, can fill in at all three outfield positions and has solid sacrificing ability. He is the only Reds player who can properly execute what is known as a bunt. When Norris performed this trick for the first time, all the Reds rose to the top of the dugout. "What the hell just happened," cried Edwin Encarnacion. "Will Norris be okay?"

STAT WATCH: We won't ask Little Norris for much in 2009, mostly because we shouldn't have to, but when June rolls around and Willy Taveras is batting .230, we might begin to see more of him, although that decision would be too easy, right Dusty?

R.I.P: Ryan “Crazy Asshole” Freel

Ryan "Crazy Asshole" Freel (2003-2008) was an energetic young man who carved a niche for himself in Cincinnati the old-fashioned Charlie Hustle way. Without the possession of a natural skill set, Freel found his way into the line-up by running all the way to first base on routine ground balls and diving into the stands for balls clearly out of glove's reach, often times inflicting tremendous pain upon innocent fans. Crazy Asshole accidentally manslaughtered a handful of old ladies and babies over the years using the momentous force of his hardened skull with a 270-ft. running start. Those fans who were not murdered absolutely loved it. Freel was a super-utility man, filling in at second base, third base and all three outfield positions. Because of this, no fan was ever safe.

When he wasn't injured or resting his skull, Crazy Asshole was a fairly-productive player. He knew how to get on base (career .357 OBP), something that many current Reds have trouble with (.321 OBP team avg. in 2008). And while I believe OBP is an extremely valuable statistic, and therefore am still a supporter of Adam Dunn (career .381 OBP--startling when considering his lifetime .243 BA), Reds management thinks otherwise. They like players with low OBP (see post below).

STAT WATCH: Let's see who has the better 2009 on an at-bat basis, Ryan Freel or newly-acquired Willy Taveras. This would certainly be the year that Freel decides to hit .330, smack 25 dongs and drive in 100.

Yankees ink Sabathia, Burnett, Teixiera; Reds nab Willy Tavares, Ramon Hernandez

In a stunning display of fortitude and strength, the Reds countered the Yankees signing barrage (C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, M.C. Teixiera) with a chess manuever of their own, signing CF Willy Taveras (career .283 BA/.331 OBP). Willy will have the undaunting task of replacing Corey Patterson, whose swing used only one arm.

If you are expecting power from Taveras, you will be slightly disappointed. He is the proud owner of 7 Home Runs and 109 RBIs.....In five f#%$# seasons. Oh, and he played at Coors Field in Colorado, and Enron Field in Houston, where Home Runs are the result of broken bats sawed off at the handle. Bronson Arroyo has a better Home Run average than Willy. Of course, he must make up for it with doubles and triples, right? In 1,973 career ABs, Willy has 60 doubles and 13 triples. Jose Reyes just about did that last season. Willy's slugging percentage last year was a ripe .296--1% higher than Bronson Arroyo.

So why is Willy in the league you ask. Well, it's because he can outrun a demotion to the farm. He led the NL with 68 steals last year, caught only seven times! Good God, that's fast, and even more jaw-dropping considering he was on base about 70 times. This is a classic Cincinnati gamble. The Reds are hoping Willy can repeat his incomplete 2007 campaign with Colorado (372 ABs, .320 BA, .367 OBP, .382 SLG) and not so much his 2008 campaign (479 ABs, .251 BA, .308 OBP, an Arroyo-like .296 SLG, and a World Series benching). The Reds front office will do a complimentary job of making Willy sound like Ricky Henderson for the next four months. This is a given.

The Reds also caused tsumani-like waves around the league when they traded Ryan Freel and some prospies to the Orioles for All-Star Catcher Ramon Hernandez. That's right--2003 All-Star Catcher Ramon Hernandez. That year, Ramon destroyed American League pitchers and finished the season with a scorching .273 BA, .331 OBP and .458 SLG. If that was an All-Star year for Ramon, he should have made the All-Star team at least five other times.

What's that I hear? Why, it's them gamblin' dice. Last year, Ramon's line closed with a 32-year-old-catcher-like .257 BA, .308 OBP, .402 SLG. Oh, I forgot to mention that he's really good at defense! Apparently he calls a good game! Yeah, Ramon! For the next four months, Ramon will be touted as the next Benito Santiago. This is a given.

Willy and Ramon, welcome. We apologize in advance, but hey, you're just glad to have a job.