MR. ROBINSON BREAKS DOWN THE REDS BATTING ORDER
1.22.11
BY:MSR
COLD, WET, AND DREARY
OUTSIDE.
MR.
ROBINSON BREAKS DOWN THE REDS BATTING ORDER
(Photo:
Ryan R. Dlugosz/RRDphoto.com)
It is
cold, wet, and dreary outside. Thus far, it seems to me that it has been a
very a frigid and miserable winter. At least football is there for us. The
NFL playoffs are getting the interest of sport networks. Rightfully so, it
is the final four of pro football with the Super Bowl looming. Speaking of
the "final four," we haven't even filled out our brackets yet for March
Madness. All of these bumps in the road we must endure as we longingly await
another magical baseball season. I already have baseball on the brain. I
actually think about the game every day of my life. Pitchers and catchers
will be showing up in spring training soon so it seems time to get into
discussions about our beloved REDS of Cincinnati.
I am tremendously optimistic about this upcoming baseball season and the
type of team representing The Cincinnati Reds of 2011. Since it is still the
dead of winter and lovely spring hasn't yet arrived; this is the time of
year that I enjoy projecting, or better still, predicting what type of
seasons our Reds will have. Baseball is a sport which revolves around
statistics. Predicting stats is a part of the off season. For example, for
The Reds to repeat as NL Central champions, Joey Votto has to improve on his
already impressive numbers of 2010. Another MVP type season is needed from
Mr. Votto for the Reds to mimic their previous year but he cannot do it
alone; every single player has to improve to contribute to achieve the
ultimate goal. Just think about this, WE ALL HAVE TO CONTRIBUTE for the REDS
to have a championship season. That is the goal and here is how we can do
it.
Let me start with the starting line up through the format of my batting
order...
GOALS:
1. Brandon Phillips 2B: .280 AVG, 16 HR, 57 RBI, 182 Hits, 108 Runs, 26 SB,
and .375 OBP. (Team comes first. Hustle at all times. Pay attention on the
bases. Another gold glove but not too flashy, make routine plays as well as
"web gems." Get on base. Listen to Dusty. You are a veteran now, play like
one. Be a mentor.)
2. Drew Stubbs CF: .275 AVG, 18 HR, 74 RBI, 160 Hits, 101 Runs, 34
SB, and .355 OBP. (Learn strike zone and figure out how to utilize the bunt.
Use your speed to an advantage. Must cut down strike outs. Baltimore chop.
Hit triples. Help cover ground in left center. Realize you may just be the
most important piece of this puzzle.)
3. Joey Votto 1B: .315 AVG, 36 HR, 125 RBI, 202 Hits, 100 Runs, 44 2B, .380
OBP, and .600 SLG. (Be a leader. Win your first gold glove. Stay healthy.
Play 155+ games. Continue to dominate in pressure situations. Put this team
on your shoulders. Swipe 10 bags. Sign extension before your new contract
expires in 2014.)
4. Scott Rolen 3B: .285 AVG, 25 HR, 106 RBI, 159 Hits, 80 Runs, 37 2B, and
145 Games. (Continue road to Hall of Fame. Another gold glove. Stay HEALTHY.
Keep clubhouse in order. Clutch hits and more clutch hits. They are going to
walk Votto to get to you. Rest appropriately. Stay aggressive but smart.)
5. Jay Bruce RF: .277 AVG, 41 HR, 101 RBI, 161 Hits, 91 Runs, 20 SB, .560
SLG, and 85 Walks. (Cut down strike outs. Hit to left field. Spray the ball.
Play like you did down the stretch of 2010. Learn how to hit in clutch
situations. Ask Rolen a question every day. Win gold glove. No more being
picked off first. Swipe bags. Develop into veteran. Don't let up and earn
your contract.)
6. Jonny Gomes LF: .260 AVG, 19 HR, 59 RBI, 150 Hits, 61 Runs, .475 SLG, 18
SB, and 60 Walks. (Continue to play with passion. Earn status as fan
favorite. Better fielding in left field. Patience at the plate. Study how
they pitch you. Adjust helmet. Finish strong. Realize your role. Strike outs
a concern.)
7. Ryan Hanigan C: .280 AVG, 11 HR, 45 RBI, 112 Hits, 19 2B, and 100 Games
(Continue to hit in the clutch. Earn starting position. Work with the staff.
Improve bunting. Cut down opposing base runners. Stay healthy. Less passed
balls.)
8. Paul Janish SS: .250 AVG, 5 HR, 41 RBI, 112 Hits, 22 2B, 112 Games, 10
SB, and .340 OBP. (This is your season to prove yourself as a starter. Slick
glove continues. Do everything in your power to stay in lineup because Edgar
Renteria wants to play. Bunt well. Take pitches. Hit your pitch to all
fields. Set the table for the turn of the batting order.
9. Rotation will be discussed at a later goal
format..............................
MOST IMPORTANTLY: The 10th MAN, all of us. The fans of this ball club have
got to show up at Great American Ball Park. Professional ball players like
to play their craft. They get millions of dollars to do so. They LOVE to
play this game with passion and hustle in front of a packed house. We have
got to express such passion through our attendance.
ROBINSON SAYS YOU GOTTA KNOW THIS; "In order for us to get to the playoffs
and succeed we have got to show more support for this team. Our attendance
is extremely vital. We as a collective group have to display our
appreciation for the Castellini's dedication to providing us a winning ball
club. Let us show how intelligent we are by supporting his efforts unlike
the lack of efforts our other owner has shown, Mike Brown. We don't want to
just compete, WE WANT A WINNER. Mr. Castellini clearly has shown his
dedication to giving us such a winner. Our goal is selling out that
ballpark. I went to just 11 games last year. My personal goal is to attend
twenty. Lets all go to the ball park more often and show our appreciation
for a potentially great ball club. The team can't improve without all of us
contributing so let us earn another postseason together. Can Great American
Ball Park become a magical place in 2011? I believe it can be. It will take
Drew Stubbs, Paul Janish, and all us to make it so. GO REDS!!!!" 4256
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