AGRI Biz

Note to Phillies' manager Charlie Manuel: Don't get drunk on the night you select the reserves of an All-Star Game. Snubbing Joey Votto in favor of Omar Infante, a utility player, was not a wise idea. As of July 5, Votto is leading or near the top of the National League in almost every major offensive category. Let's have a look: First in home runs, first in on-base percentage, first in slugging percentage, ...

That's the newest Cincinnati outfielder, Gary Matthews Jr. If the Reds' skipper wasn't such good pals with his pop, they would trade him for a warm six-pack and a couple of Slim Jims. Rather than someone that no one would want, let's take a look at some Reds' needs and some prospects they may be willing to trade.Begin Slideshow

“Someday, I want to be just like him, one of the best pitchers in the big leagues.” I've been accused of many things.  Paranoia, scrutinizing words, conspiracy freak, reading too much into what people say, and on one occasion attempting to take an up-skirt photograph—I swear, I knew the girl and thought she'd be cool with it. “Someday, I want to be just like him, one of the best pitchers in the big ...

The Cincinnati Reds are seemingly caught up in their own hype.  Sure, they're currently in first place.  But they missed a huge opportunity to stab a midseason dagger right in the hearts of the St. Louis Cardinals and the rest of the NL Central last week. The Cardiac Reds lead the NL Central by a game and a half.  They also lead the league in come from behind wins, and victories ...

In the words of my esteemed colleague, Jim Anchower , "Hola amigos. How's (stuff) shaking out? I know it's been a long time since I rapped at ya, but misery's been flying at me from all directions, and it's been a (dang) full-time job to just duck out of the way of all of it." Well not really—four days. But it's been a long time since I've stood on my anti-Dusty Baker soapbox ...

Starlin Castro had Chicago Cubs' fans licking their chops since they first caught wind of his Arizona Fall League performance and while they watched his spring training. The newly turned 20-year old Dominican made his major league debut on Friday night.  To say he did not disappoint would be like saying Cubs' uniforms aren't blue. The wunderkind joined the exclusive club of 104 others by popping a shot over the wall off of ...

The Cincinnati Reds' starters are pitching like we thought they would going into the season, including, yes, Aaron Harang.  But the Reds have an unexpected problem. The bullpen, more specifically the middle relievers, are pitching like kids dropped on their heads as babies. The back-end is fine. Coco Cordero is lights out. And if Arthur Rhodes keeps it up, he may be the first eighth-inning guy to win a Cy Young ...

Baseball is unlike any other American sport. While its popularity has diminished and has been overtaken by the NFL, there is no denying its rich history. Over the history of the game, many words have been used to describe it. Again, there is no denying baseball is steeped with some of the best quotes ever. Many are well known: Yogi's, "It's déjà vu all over again.", Ernie Banks', "Let's play ...

Cincinnati, whether deserved or undeserved, has long held a reputation of racist city. And no, that's not a photo of Joe Morgan giving a "black power" fist. He's waving. But the photo looked silly after trying to crop it down and get the wave into the shot. Having never lived in Cincinnati, it's tough to properly judge.  Just a hunch, but most whites would probably deny it, blacks would agree that the city ...

Of those three gentlemen, one needs to make his way to the Queen City, and two need to hit the road.  Since one is down on the farm and two are already with the big club, it's a question most third grade Reds' fans can answer correctly. For the Cincinnati Reds to compete this season Aroldis Chapman must be brought up before his next scheduled start in Louisville.  Aaron Harang either needs to ...