I hope he doesn't start swinging for the fences, we need some pro hitters.

If he thinks coming to Cincinnati will encourage him to go the other way, he is in for a rude surprise. This organization DEMANDS that all hitters dig in and swing for the smokestacks on every pitch.

He'd be better off reading this message board than listening to the coaches in this organization.

Or jump in when he needs help? LOL

You know they have to try to get a winner for the truck or no one will go to the games.

I think the last two years they donated the trucks to different fire stations. Then replace that truck with a brand new one.

THANKS MIKEYD for the kind words.

As for the brutal hazing , I am way past 21 [ 62 to be exact ] so I can take it.

When you are self employed like I am [ auto mechanic ] for 40 years you get used to nearly everything thrown at you in life.

Also my " tag " LTRG means LONG TIME RED GUY [ since 1959 ] although the littering comment I accept.

My wife, customers , groupies etc. have called me worse.

I still believe STUBBS will determine his own fate.

If he doesn't improve his OBP he will sit .

He is the best leadoff option I think we have.

PHILLIPS I think is best as a # 2 hitter.

But you can't steal 1st base , so again STUBBS will determine his own fate.

I have lived in CHICAGO and now its suburbs all my life.

So I have heard all the stories about the CUBS and some of their fans hatred of DUSTY.

DUSTY according to some is to be blamed for the following ;

CHICAGO FIRE of 1872

HAYMARKET SQUARE RIOT in the 1890's

ST. VALENTINE's DAY MASSACRE 1929 - yeah it was DUSTY not MACHINE GUN JACK MC GURN who planned this surprise party for BUGS MORAN 's BOYS compliments of BIG AL.

THE GREAT CHICAGO SNOW STORMS of 1967 1979 etc.

MARK PRIOR 's CAREER.

AND OF COURSE 2003 PLAYOFFS !

ALSO HE OWNS A GOAT FARM !

Is he SPARKY ? no is he LOU - no ! is he HUTCH - no !

But in his defense he is a winning manager and players like him.

Does any one want a VERN RAPP clone again ?

He has this year left on his contract so I am sure he feels the heat.

And anybody who is a good friend of ELVIN BISHOP can't be all bad.

Finally MIKE as for being on your list of TOP THREE DENIZENS well it brings to mine what GROUCHO MARX once said -

" I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE A MEMBER OF A CLUB THAT WOULD HAVE ME AS A MEMBER ".

Heisey played better last year and is younger with a greater upswing. But if you're correct, that bodes well for the reds too.

Welcome to the boards LTRG.

Bump. We should look through and award credit for breakout predictions.

Real sure I'm out. I think I picked Torreyes.

Crosley

Groles-Devin Mesoraco

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Whoops lol

jmt5887 - Drew Stubbs

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Bigger Whoops

Going over this thread makes me hungry for the 2013 season for some reason

Alot of people picked players that were traded before the season even started.

Alot of votes for Juan Francisco.

I would say Band with Homer Bailey was the winner. That is who I woulda picked as well, of course that's who I've said was gonna break out for 3 years now so I mighta switched up who knows lol.

I'm gonna say we wait closer till start of the season to do this thread again so not everyone picks someone that gets traded this year lol.

It's still not determined whether last season was a breakout year for Homer, or not. He did some struggling in the middle of the season, and he's finished hot in seasons' past. We'll need some more data before we decide he was the breakout player of 2012.

Francisco did some literal breaking out last season

He was the only one I would say broke out, Frazier maybe but he was much more inconsistent than Homer.