At approximately 1:30 in the
above video, Jeff Brantley starts a wonderful rant while talking to Thom
Brennaman. Brantley was asked "What is so great about ribs? You talk about
them all the time!" by an anonymous Reds fan during a rain delay on FSN.
Seven minutes of hilarity ensue.
Aroldis Chapman made his
second appearance this spring on Friday. Chapman threw 35 pitches over two
scoreless innings allowing two infield hits. Struggling with his control at
times, Chapman once again hit 100mph on the radar gun and seemed confident
on the mound.
Everyone seems to want Chapman in the Opening Day rotation, but four innings
of work during spring training isn't Major League Baseball. A great fastball
from the left side of the mound can be deadly, but rushing a 22 year old you
just spent $30 million on is NOT a intelligent move. Just because Chapman
seems to be dominate in his very short time with the Reds at camp, it
doesn't make anyone smarter than the people who work for great baseball
organizations like the Cincinnati Reds. We shall trust the people Bob
Castellini pays to make the decisions who have track records proving their
knowledge and understanding of the game and it's development. No matter how
bad we want to see Aroldis Chapman pitch at Great American Ballpark we must
be patient. If Chapman does make the rotation on Opening Day, and pitches on
April 10th against Chicago, it will be a decision made only by Walt Jocketty
and Dusty Baker. The importance of trusting them is great. If they decide to
place Chapman in the minors to further develop, we will wait. Patience is a
virtue.
The Reds beat the Dodgers on Friday by a final score of 3-2. Bronson Arroyo
started the game pitching three scoreless innings. Jonny Gomes hit a two-run
home run in the fourth and Chris Heisey hit a solo home run in the sixth.