Jeter Breaks in, Cincinnati Reds Get a Day Off

Premier Auctions Online photo

May 29, 1995 was a big day for baseball history, but not a big day in Cincinnati Red history.

The Cincinnati Reds did not have a game on Monday, May 29, 1995.

Hal Morris, starting first basemen for the Cincinnati Reds on May 29, 1995, was known for his unusual hitting technique. Morris never settled his feet while the pitcher was delivering the pitch. He did not get the opportunity to show off his technique on the day that Derek Jeter broke into the Major League because the Reds did not play. His unsettled feet would have to wait for the next day, May 30, 1995, in Pittsburg.

Shortstop Barry Larkin was elected the 1995 National League Most Valuable Player. This pivotal player for the Reds was not only apart of the team when they won the World Series in 1990, but he was also inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame years later.

J. J. Hoover, pitcher for the current Cincinnati Reds, was eight-years-old during Jeter’s debut game in 1995.

In Ohio, on May 29, 1995, there was a high temperature of 78.1 degrees. With this high of a temperature, it is beneficial that the Reds did not have a home game and that their games were in Pittsburg.

 

–Riley Eike

Aroldis Chapman hit by line drive

Aroldis Chapman, Cuban closing pitcher, took a line drive to the face on Wednesday’s game against

700 WLW photo

the Kansas City Royals.

The 99-mph fast ball was pitched to Royals catcher Salvador Perez during the bottom of the sixth with two outs and the bases loaded. After making contact with Perez’ bat, the ball hit Chapman right above his left eye.

Silence filled the crowd as the trainers of the Reds and the Royals rushed to Chapman’s side. While Chapman was carted off the field by the first responders, the umpires and managers Bryan Price and Ned Yost made the unanimous decision to end the game immediately.

According to USA Today, Chapman never lost consciousness, and was able to move his legs and arms until he was restrained by the stretcher and carted off the field.

Following a successful surgery for his facial fractures on Thursday, March 20, Chapman is expected to make a full recovery in six to eight weeks. Based upon MLB.com, Chapman will then resume pitching.

–Riley Eike

Reunited at Last

The pieces are finally coming together for Reds closing pitcher Aroldis Chapman. Originally from Cuba, Chapman left his home country to pursue a career in the MLB. Nearly five years later, his personal and professional lives have aligned.

Black Sports Online photo

According to MLB.com, between last year and the most recent off season, Chapman’s parents, ex-girlfriend, and four-year-old daughter, who he has never met, have successfully gained freedom from Marxist Cuba and have moved to Chapman’s home in South Florida.

While Chapman and Ashanti, his daughter, have some catching up to do. Chapman hopes that once Ashanti grows up, she will understand the sacrifices he had to make during her early years.

According to MLB.com, Chapman said, “I could not ask for anything more to how my life is right now, I have all of the members of my family with me. That is all I need.”

With his family in place, Chapman is ready to take on the 2014 season without any regrets or worries.

–Riley Eike

Cincinnati Reds Outlook

With the 2013 season in the past, the Cincinnati Reds are processing some of their off season personnel changes.

Shin-Soo Choo was let go as a free agent and signed to the Texas Rangers for this upcoming season, making a large concern for the Reds whether or not the 23-year-old Billy Hamilton can step up and show strength in the major leagues.  His minor league speed is impressive, and the Reds are hopeful that he will be able to replace 31-year-old Choo’s speed.

Bryan Price, the pitching coach, replaces Dusty Baker, after six years of his management, when promoted to team manager. The Reds hope that this change will be what the team needs to get past the NL Central playoffs and into the NLCS round.

Cincinnati, a force when it comes to the NL Central, usually battles the Cardinals for first. The Pittsburg Pirates showed their unexpected strength against the reads during the 2013 post season for the first time. For the 2014 season, the Reds are hoping that the Pirates strength has diminished since the previous post season. Otherwise, the Reds are in for some unforeseen competition.

–Riley Eike

Goodyear, Ariz. (Reds)

Feb. 28 kick started spring training for the Cincinnati Reds in Goodyear, Ariz.  Opened in 2009, the Goodyear Ballpark, created by architectural firm HOK Sport of Kansas City, provides a home to two Ohio teams for spring training and a place for the community during the off season. The Reds joined the Cleveland Indians for spring training in 2010 when they made the switch from Sarasota, Fla., to Goodyear.

For players, the complex offers clubhouses, pitching mounds, batting cages, tunnels, observation towers, two half-fields, one agility field and two full-size practice fields. For fans, the complex offers 8,000 stadium seats, 1,500 lawn seats, six luxury suites, terrace seating on the third level behind home plate and 500 seats in the Right Field Pavilion.

–Riley Eike