Some things just can't be stopped, there meant to happen. A Cincinnati 3 Game win streak was inevitable. The Blog being the leader of this POSITIVE force meant to be. Don"t mean to be preaching to the choir but I TOLD YOU SO. Such confidence I have in the RED squad. So Confident put a BENJAMIN on it with pre game radio announcer of the Swinging Athletics Marty Lurie. Its a joy waking up with a smile on your face-winning does that for you.
For our great Cincinnati Reds fans, I think this would be great reading for you. Greg McClain one of our Northern California scouts last year lost his wife to a rare disease called Amyloidosis. They have two young sons Ellis and Charles. Ron Kroichick wrote a story titled Life and the Single dad. There is a great picture of Greg and his boys on the front of the titled magazine San Francisco Chronicle Magazine Sunday edition. Great article about Greg's everyday life with his boys and just his battles without his wife. It's must reading. Greg is a mans man and somebody I have a ton of respect for. He puts his family before this game and their are so many that don't.
San Francisco is a great place to scout besides the cold. My good friend Keith Boeck is in town from AZ to watch this series, didn't bring enough jackets so I have to remember to bring him one tonight.
Boeck in about the 7th inning last night in front of the other scouts got set-up so hard, you couldn't help but laugh. Rockies Pacific Rim Coordinator for the life Of me I can't remember his name right now was at the game with his girlfriend. Keith didn't know his girlfriend, so he sent his girlfriend down into our section and she sat next to Boeck and asked if he remembered her, it was the funniest damn thing, she kept pushing him until he finally said I'm sorry I don't know who you are. Marcel Lacheman was part of the gag on Keith- but all of us scouts got a big kick out of it.
When your at AT&T you have to watch your head late in the game for seagull in comings. Last night was no different-there was probably 5000 people left in the stadium when Fred Nelson-the Houston Astros scout was narrowly missed in the seat in front of him. He is a smart man though as he pointed out he had put his hood over his head.
For my money I'm taking Lou Seal as the entertainment package for mascots at ML games. The Seal can flat ass dance and that seal always gets the good looking ones. Great Balance as he scales walls and just good rthymn overall.
I like the friendly people at AT&T, and every day I meet more. I have for years talked with Joe Salvadore one of the voices of KCBS radio 740 in San Francisco. Whenever I'm in Oakland or SF Joe is always there smiling happy and wanting to talk shop. I really like Joe. Good Guy.
I first met him as the Official Scorekeeper, but Michael Duca is somebody I search out when I get to AT&T because of his knowledge and wisdom. He appears to be a very sharing person, great historical stories and he reminds me of my grandfather Milt, because when your around him you learn.
Last but not least is Marty Lurie. Marty loves being the pre-game announcer for the Oakland A's. Boy his enthusiasm is contagious- he loves baseball and the people involved in it. I know he's a good guy because Shooty Babbitt likes him and talks to him. Shooty from what I can see is very respected among the media and I know having worked with Shooty-Marty's got to be a great guy, plus he mentioned Gary Hughes the Babe Ruth of Nor Cal scouts.
Last Year the Giants gave LHP Barry Zito one of the largest contracts ever in the game. This season Zito has struggled and been lit up everytime he goes out. Right now he has lost all his confidence and he is pitching like he is gonna lose. Let the guy return to doing what he loves-surfing-I'm sure he will regain some of his old form- but number one he can relax,
I wrote my pitching reports of the Rockies pitchers when I got home last night, this morning at 8am pst I'm having breakfast with two of my former Coaches at Petaluma High School Frank Wright and Steve Ellison. It will be great to see them again. I can't wait to hear about their grandchildren. Thats when you know we"re all getting older.
Until tomorrow lets keep the winning streak afloat. I know I'm a RED, but I think there is no stopping Dusty and the Boys. Tonight Cook versus Linecum. It will be fun to watch Sea Biscuit.
Keep It Real
Butch Baccala
ML Scout
Cincinnati Reds
bbaccala@vzw.blackberry.net
All things must end. Unfortunately, it may be Cueto's major league stint, too. He hasn't been good lately. I think he's trying a bit too hard to be like Volquez!
Here's to another streak starting today with Aaron on the hill. It'd be nice for the Reds to give the big man some support.
Posted by: Jeff Gentil | April 30, 2008 at 05:33 AM
Hey Butch, what is your opinion on Juan Duran, the kid the Reds recently signed for two million dollars out of the DR?
Posted by: Brandon | May 03, 2008 at 01:31 PM