Let the Jay Bruce Era Begin

[Juice]

The Reds are moving Jay Bruce up for Tuesday's game. It is about time. I would rather watch a struggling rookie who would be building for next season than some veteran who has a OBP not even close to .300.

[jdm2000]

Finally. It's a shame they blew the game on Sunday -- they would've come back at 3 games under .500 after a ridiculously bad start to the road trip.
Can't wait to see how the rotation is messed up after yesterday's debacle.

[cinskyline]

It's about time. There's nothing more for Bruce to accomplish in the minors, so you might as well see what you have at the major league level.

If he struggles initially, it's no big deal since the Reds aren't going anywhere this season anyway.

[Juice]

My thoughts exactly on if he struggles. Other teams have brought up young players to let them get experience and have stuck with them regardless of their struggles. Arizona did it with Justin Upton, the Devil Rays did it with mot of their team with Kazmir, Delmon Young (no longer with them), Longoria, BJ Upton, and the Rockies did this with Tulowitzki. The Reds are not going to win with the current roster, which is obvious, and it is time to get younger.

[nuts4xu]

After Corey Patterson went 0-8 yesterday, I would have cut his ass and left him in San Diego. I wouldn't have allowed him back on the plane. He started the game with an average of .211 or so, and 0fer 18 innings will push his average closer to the mendoza line.

Bruce can really not do much worse than that. I am going to look into tickets for tomorrow night's game

[Stonebreaker]

Bout time.

[Xman95]

After Corey Patterson went 0-8 yesterday, I would have cut his ass and left him in San Diego.


Actually, I'm pretty sure he already has a crack in it. Cutting it would just be overkill.

[BlueGuy]

I'm very tempted to buy a couple tix for tonight's game. Has there been any word on if Jay will get the start? Then there is the rain to deal with.

[94GRAD]

I'm very tempted to buy a couple tix for tonight's game. Has there been any word on if Jay will get the start? Then there is the rain to deal with.

The Red's made an announcement this afternoon that he will be starting.

[Juice]

Scott Hatteberg was deginated for assignment. Hopefully he can go to a good team and win something.

[Raoul Duke]

Scott Hatteberg was deginated for assignment. Hopefully he can go to a good team and win something.

Shoulda been you, Patterson.

[XU Dozer]

Hatteberg was "expendable" because they have been playing Valentine at first. Though I'd much rather see Patterson sent down or outright released. The outfield is way too crowded now: Dunn, JR, Freel, Patterson, Bruce, Hariston when he plays.

[PM Thor]

Shoulda been you, Patterson.

Damn straight.

I too am considering going to the game tonight...just to say I was there, in case JB goes on to have a great career....

No pressure on the kid though...yeeikes.

[AdamtheFlyer]

Hatteberg was "expendable" because they have been playing Valentine at first. Though I'd much rather see Patterson sent down or outright released. The outfield is way too crowded now: Dunn, JR, Freel, Patterson, Bruce, Hariston when he plays.

That, and role for role, pound for pound, Hatteberg has provided less than Patterson. Patterson can't hit at all, but he's a plus defender in the outfield. As bad as the Reds defense is, that small amount of value Patterson brings becomes much larger. Hatteberg can hit when he plays every day, but he's awful off the bench. Valentin is actually a better PH option.

That's not to say Patterson belongs on the team. He doesn't. Chris Dickerson down in AAA would play better defense and probably get on base a little more than KKKKKKorey, but unfortunately, he doesn't have Dusty's balls in his mouth.

I wish Hatteberg well, and hope he finds another team. In his prime, he was one of the most undervalued players in the bigs. Right up through his first season here in Cincy.

[GoMuskies]

Hatteberg has provided less than Patterson.

Incorrect. By not playing, Hatteberg has provided more than Patterson. By not playing, YOU have provided more to this team than Patterson.

Deleting Patterson from the roster would be a HUGE addition by subtraction.

[AdamtheFlyer]

Incorrect. By not playing, Hatteberg has provided more than Patterson. By not playing, YOU have provided more to this team than Patterson.

Deleting Patterson from the roster would be a HUGE addition by subtraction.


I loathe Patterson being on the field, too, but he is a good defender and baserunner. He also had a great first week of the season. That's more than Hatteberg. The crime isn't that Patterson is on the roster, it's that he starts over half the games and bats leadoff while doing so. That's on Dusty. Hopefully, Jocketty laid down the law and put a stop to that with the Bruce callup. Let Jay start 5 games a week with Freel getting a start or two in center as part of his super sub role.

And I've done more than both. I help the bottom line by purchasing tickets and overpriced beer/La Rosas. Although, with this being the Reds and all, I'm not really helping the product on the field. I'm helping to keep canned fruit on the production line.

[Juice]

I wonder what happens to this outfield when Norris Hopper comes back.

[GoMuskies]

Bruce currently OPSing 2.000. Cooperstown here we come.

[PM Thor]

Wow what a very nice debut. Double, 2 singles, 2 walks, stolen base, 2 runs scored, 2 RBI.

I am speechless with his play tonight. Hit with guys in position, hit when we needed a runner, showed some serious patience at the plate. Damn.

And the kid just looked so freakin happy out there! Just looked like he was having a blast.

aand I think he got the shaving creme pie to the face too...Oh they NAILED HIM! AWESOME!!!! Hilarious.

He deadpanned it to perfection, beautiful.

[nuts4xu]

Great debut. Tough to live up to that performance, but I hope he goes 3 for 3 with 2 walks every night.

[jdm2000]

Don't look now, but Dunn is really starting to hit. That was an absolute monster shot for the three-run jack tonight, though I was just as excited that he went the other way for an RBI single later in the game with the bases loaded.

[wkrq59]

Thor, et al.
Damned glad to see Bruce has brought something with him that doesn't show up in the box score and that he hasn't become the victim of the hypercritical in our fair city.
The kid is having fun, and dog gone it he should. That's one thing I have enjoyed about the Xavier basketball team and not enjoyed about the Bengals and Reds. X kids have fun playing a game and winning, too.
Baseball is still a game. yeah, the money is such that it seems to take the fun out of the game, but it is a game.
That's one thing I always enjoyed about Junior Griffey--I know, that will cause some posters discomfort because they won't be happy till he's gone-- but he always had fun playing the game before he got hurt. And he didn't get hurt jaging around. He was hurt extending himself.
Think I'm too Polyanna? Think baseball hasn't become a matter of life and death or that values aren't somehow screwed up? Weeellllll--Elsewhere in this thread we have a poster suggesting that Patterson is fellating the Reds manager. We also have suggestons that not only should he have not been allowed on the plane back to Cincinnati after going 0-for-8, the underlying tone suggested that he should have been ejected from the plane in the air on the trip back.
One of the funniest and yet saddest scenes and exchanges I've heard in sports occurred on the sidelines of a Xavier soccer game several years ago. The coach of the team and his brother were arguing violently, speaking often with their hands as well as vocal chords, and gesturing toward the goal-keeper who was having an absolutely horrible day...The sports information director at the time walked up to the coach and said to him in a not too quiet voice, "Coach I understand what your argument is all about. You want to take the goalie out of the game and send a sub in. Your brother wants to kill him right on the field."
I know one thing for certain, I enjoyed that game tonight, watching Bruce go 3-for-3, walk twice, steal a base and score...and get the pie in the puss. But I enjoyed even more watching the exchange and smiles among Bruce and Adam Dunn and Griffey in the outfield while they were waiting for Affeldt (sp) to have his sorry ass and the rest of him removed from the game.
It's always nice to see a rookie have a huge game in his first big-league start. And it's nice to win. But it's even nicer to see people having fun and enjoy doing their jobs.:D

[GoMuskies]

I'd rather have a Reds team full of jerks that looks very unhappy and wins than a team full of lovable nice guy losers who are having fun.

Of course, the team winning and looking like they're having fun doing it is the best case.

[Tardy Turtle]

Patterson optioned to AAA (http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080528/SPT04/305280105/1071/SPT)
(http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=SPT)

[Juice]

Shearn was sold to Korea to the same team as Lehr. Korea must love Triple A Reds players.

[GoMuskies]

Jay Bruce walked, keying a 6 run outburst for the Reds in the first tonight. He has now reached base in his first six MLB PAs. Not too shabby.

[PM Thor]

But Bruce made an out, dammit.

Aaand hits a double. Holy crap he has a good bat.

[GoMuskies]

Bruce can take his .900 OBP back to Louisville to clog up the bases there. Weak.

[Jumpy]

I loathe Patterson being on the field, too, but he is a good defender and baserunner. He also had a great first week of the season. That's more than Hatteberg. The crime isn't that Patterson is on the roster, it's that he starts over half the games and bats leadoff while doing so. That's on Dusty. Hopefully, Jocketty laid down the law and put a stop to that with the Bruce callup. Let Jay start 5 games a week with Freel getting a start or two in center as part of his super sub role.

And I've done more than both. I help the bottom line by purchasing tickets and overpriced beer/La Rosas. Although, with this being the Reds and all, I'm not really helping the product on the field. I'm helping to keep canned fruit on the production line.


Its a moot point now, but Patterson was not a good base runner. He had speed, but he was nearly as dumb as Ryan Freel on the paths.

On a side note, you can call Larosa's from the game and have a pizza delivered to your seat for the regular price of a pizza. Much better than paying by the slice down there.

[Jumpy]

This town notoriously inflates the skills of players yet unproven, then mercilessly turns their back on them when they stumble. Because of this, I tired to stay off the Jay Bruce hype-train. After watching this kid for two games, though, I am starting to get excited.

I am amazed at the poise and confidence that he exudes at the plate. here's a 21 year old kid, fresh off the bus from AAA and he gets a standing ovation before ever swinging a bat in the majors. What does he do, stays calm, shows complete plate control and draws a walk. Second AB, takes what he is given and goes the other way. Rinse and repeat throught the next two times around the lineup and I'm left with my jaw planted firmly on the floor. For a kid to have that much plate discipline in that stressful of a situation is astounding. I am starting to agree that this kid is born to hit.

[gladdenguy]

Even though Roger Clemens son is probably a sour subject, I do remember him saying when he played with Jay Bruce, "he was the best player he has ever seen".

[Jumpy]

Even though Roger Clemens son is probably a sour subject, I do remember him saying when he played with Jay Bruce, "he was the best player he has ever seen".


I like how the tall tales are starting to sprout about the guy. Did you read the Enquirer article about him yesterday? In it, his baseball coach from his sophomore year in H.S. said he watched him hit a ball clear into a dugout on another diamond 500 feet away.

[PM Thor]

You have got to be kidding me with this kid...a walkoff homer....

[AviatorX]

Wow what a MOON SHOT! He crushed that one, nothing better than a no doubter walk off home run.

[GoMuskies]

I assume this Bruce clown goes back to Louisville when Hopper is healthy, right?

[Juice]

I assume this Bruce clown goes back to Louisville when Hopper is healthy, right?

I do wonder what is going to happen to Hopper when he comes back. Andy Phillips may have to go back down but who knows. Also, Fogg is on the DL and Majewski was brought up. Who gets brought up to make the start? It has to be Thompson, Maloney, or Homer.

[jdm2000]

They could always start Affeldt. Couldn't be worse than Belisle or Fogg.

[Juice]

Hal McCoy says that Homer Bailey was pulled from his start today after two innings, which signals his promotion back to the bigs. It will be interesting to see what he does in his first start this year.

[xeus]

Bring up Homer Bailey - let's see if he sinks or swims. I think the timing would be good for him with the positive vibe in the clubhouse.

Jay Bruce has me taking timed breaks in my yard work just so I don't miss an at-bat.

[waggy]

That was a really nice hit to left. His bat is so quick.

[PM Thor]

Really, I'm done. The kid is a freak. An opposite field homer? Really?

Screw ESPN for trying to make his nickname "The Boss". That sucks.

"The Red Freak" is much better.

[Xman95]

Not to put a negative spin on this or to jinx the kid (I have him in three fantasy leagues so I hope he keeps smoking it), but I just saw this:

It was Bruce’s third homer in his first seven games. The 21-year-old has been on a tear since getting called up from Triple-A last week, hitting .577 with three homers and seven RBI. He also has two steals and a 1:6 K:BB ratio. After Bruce’s first three at-bats, he was 2-for-3, making him 15-for-25 overall. The last player to have at least 15 hits in his first 25 major league at-bats was Chris C. Jones of the Reds in 1991. Bruce flied out in his final at-bat in the eighth.

So the Reds have seen this before. We just have to hope Bruce isn't another Chris C. Jones. (Just for the record, I don't think he is!)

[Kahns Krazy]

Who the hell was Chrissy Jones?