Silly Season

Baseball is back bringing a spring to my step and a smile to my face.  Reports out of the Reds camp have been cautiously optimistic.  And with a couple of games in the books against Cleveland I am already hearing the beginnings of the silliness that is Spring Training.  Now when I call it this it does not extend to the players, management, or anyone in any Major League organization.  Even traditional media types maintain a low key approach.  It is the social media types, who seem to be losing their collective minds.

I have listened to two of the Reds games of the four played thus far and this is what I have gleaned from the games.  Every time Homer Bailey allowed a hit yesterday, someone would suggest on Twitter he should be cut.  With every out, I see a negative comment here or there.

In truth most of it results from a sense of jealousy by people who could never sniff this level of competition.  Ultimately my evaluation of the team is not so specific.  I am more fascinated by the attitude and approach the 2012 incarnation of the team has brought to the table.

First the position competition, very few rosters spots are in contention so I love the attitude shown by the competitors reporting early to camp.  Infielders Juan Francisco, Todd Frazier, Paul Janish, and Wilson Valdez were all in camp when the pitchers reported demonstrating an early commitment to excel.  Chris Valaika and Zack Cozart never really left in their offseason physical rehab programs and Ryan Ludwick and Chris Heisey also both checked in as they battle for the Left Field starting job or at least a platoon situation.  It does not reflect poorly on any player who did not come in early, it simply looks good when you do.

My second observation reflects on the saying that in Spring Training pitchers are ahead of the hitters.  Based on just a minuscule 3 game sample that does not seem to be the case for the Reds.  The hitters seem to be effective almost across the board and the pitchers are giving up a few extra runs.  Corky Miller got into the act today with a long home run over the left field bullpen.

My final observation is that the Reds defense has come to camp ready to play.  I doubt that many teams could boast as impressive a highlight reel as Cincinnati could yesterday and today.  Sunday featured a catch by Denis Phipps that Marty Brennaman suggested might be the best defensive play we see all season.  That set the stage for this afternoon’s game.  In the 8th inning with the score 12-5 Reds the Reds decided to offer a defensive clinic.  First a ground ball is hit caroming off Pitcher Chad Reineke into the glove of a patient Didi Gregorius who smoothly fields the ball and throws the baserunner out at first.  Travis Hafner then softly lines a ball into left field and Willie Harris makes a tremendous shoestring catch to retire the Indians DH.  Following a walk, Indians 2nd baseman Cord Phelps drills a ball to center and Jim Kelch seems stunned to announce that instead of an extra base hit Chris Heisey has ended the inning in spectacular fashion.

Just an inning, just a preseason game, just a couple of guys showing up early to get into form for the season.  Little things.  Call me silly but championships are built on taking care of the little things.

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