12.3.10 BY:MEH WHAT HAPPENED?
NOVEMBER BRINGS AWARDS,
CONTRACTS, AND SORROW
(Photo:
NBC Sports)
We here at Whack Reds
would like to extend our obvious apologies for our recent lack of
information. After completing our rookie blogging season that unmistakably
plunged the Reds into victory after nine consecutive losing seasons, after
the fore mentioned absence due to shock after the Reds were swept by the
Philadelphia Phillies during the 2010 MLB Playoffs, and after spending some
time following Cincinnati's pathetic excuse for a professional football
team, we are beginning to focus back into our beloved 2010 NL Central
Champion Redlegs. With
Redsfest 2010 going on this weekend and the winter meetings right around
the corner, the Cincinnati Reds are quickly approaching the demise of the
'10 off-season as Reds fans readily anticipate an exciting follow-up to the
Reds' 2010 Championship season. Let's reflect on November....
11.1
Joey Votto wins Hank Aaron Award:
The annual award given to the best swinger in each league every season was
handed to Joey Votto in 2010. Joey's .324 average, 37 dingers, and 113 runs
batted in '10 helped him acquire just the twelfth ever NL Hank Aaron Award
and settled his name with the likes of previous winners such as Manny
Ramirez, Todd Helton, Barry Bonds, Albert Pujols, David Ortiz, Alex
Rodriguez, Ryan Howard, Kevin Youkilis, and Derek Jeter. Remember those
prolific names during contract times.
11.3
Walt Jocketty named Executive of the
Year: Since 1936
The Sporting News has named Major League Baseball's Executive of the Year.
Reds' GM Walt Jocketty was named the 2010 E.O.Y. and the honor marked Walt's
third award. Jocketty won his first two E.O.Y. awards during his stint in
St. Louis in which he won seven division titles, two National League
Championships, and one World Series. Upon arriving in Cincinnati , Mr.
Jocketty quickly turned the organization sideways and figured out a way to
compile a championship season in 2010.
11.3
Bats to keep staff while Reds
exercise with Gomes and Arroyo:
The Reds' minor league affiliate in Louisville will bring back manager Rick
Sweet along with his entire staff after the squad won their third straight
International League West Division Championship with a 79-64 record. Sweet
is the all-time winningest manager in Bats history with a 466-394 record.
Adrian "Smokey" Garrett, Ted Power, Tomas Vera, and Gabe Moreno will all
assist Rick Sweet for the 2011 season. In Cincinnati, outfielder Jonny Gomes
and pitcher Bronson Arroyo both had their contract options exercised by the
Reds. Gomes will receive $1.75 million in 2011 while Arroyo will receive $11
million. Options for shortstop Orlando Cabrera and pitcher Aaron Harang were
not optioned.
11.4
Big Red Sparky dies at 76:
Battling dementia, former Reds manager Sparky Anderson passed away on
November 4, 2010 at the age of seventy-six. Sparky led the Big Red Machine
to a pair of NL Pennants and two World Championships during the seventies
and continued to manage for the Detroit Tigers for seventeen years while
leading them to a World Championship in 1984. The Hall of Famer is survived
by his wife (Carol), two sons (Lee and Albert), one daughter (Shirley), and
nine grandchildren.
11.10
Rolen, Phillips, and Arroyo win Gold
Gloves: Reds'
pitcher Bronson Arroyo was honored with his first Rawlings Gold Glove Award
for his excellent defense while on the mound during the 2011 season. Second
baseman Brandon Phillips received the award for the second time in his
career while third baseman Scott Rolen received his eighth. The last
multiple Gold Glove winners for the Reds were Bench, Morgan, Concepcion, and
Geronimo who did it four straight years (1974-77).
11.15
Reds resign Ramon:
Ramon Hernandez was traded to the Cincinnati Reds on December 9, 2008 in a
deal that included Ryan Freel. After five seasons in Oakland, two in San
Diego, and three in Baltimore; Hernandez returned to the National League and
began posting solid number with the Reds offensively and brought some Latin
flavor to the receiving end of th Reds' pitching staff. Ramon hit .258 for
the Reds in 2009 with 37 RBI during 81 games and hit .297 with 48 RBI in
2010 during 97 games. He will return to Cincinnati and will play aside Ryan
Hanigan for the 2011 season in which Ramon will be paid $3 million.
11.19
Votto won something:
Reds' first baseman Joey Votto's .424 OBP, .600 SLG, 1.024 OPS, .324 BA, 113
RBI, and 37 HR during the 2010 season established him as the tenth Red to
win the Most Valuable Player Award and first since since Barry Larkin in
1995. During just his third season in the majors, one would have to agree
that Votto has established himself as one of the games greatest, eh?
11.23
D-Train's next stop, Cincinnati:
2003 Rookie of the Year and two-time All-Star Dontrelle Willis signed a
minor league contract with the Reds and was invited to the team's 2011
Spring Training. The 28 year-old lefthander won 68 games during five seasons
in Florida (2003-07) and helped the Marlins win a World Championship in
2003. Since then, Willis has played for the Detroit Tigers and the Arizona
Diamondbacks. Averaging a 3.78 ERA in Florida, Willis' ERAs have been 9.38,
7.49, and 5.62 over the past three years.
