I forgot you are closer to my age than Sam’s. You would remember him. I didn’t know them well, stayed in touch with Janie for several years. She was in grad school at Uk the last I knew.
I always tell people I fell in love with White Castles in utero. Born in Louisville while Dad finished school. Mom worked and had young children.
Your Cincinnati Reds have stolen exactly 1 base so far this season, that by Jonny India, one of four MLB outfits to have achieved this lofty level of derring-do. I'm not sure if Stephenson and staff have thrown out anyone yet? First week of the season appears steals and attempts have sorta doubled from last season but still not above the numbers we used to see in the last century
Your humility belies your ability, Sam. You turned in a great Hemingway. Won't Back Down is a natural for situational ballpark music. I'd nominate Summer Wind by Sinatra for 7th inning stretch music. Maybe better suited to an east coast team. But I think it would sound great on a summer Saturday night at any ballpark.
Sam, Enjoyed your raptures on Cinci's beautiful sports memories. Let's hope generations can keep them going.
First song I heard in Cinci on a visit in the 1970's was Old Black Water, Doobie Brothers, when I saw the Ohio River rolling for the first time. Back then, it was rumored you shouldn't throw a match on it or it would most likely light up.
Nice effort Sam. After you guest Hemingway it really gives you a greater appreciation for Doc's talents. I found it very humbling and thought he makes it seem really easy. It aint easy....
Excellent Hemingway, Sam. Love hearing from a young one out in the trenches helping raise the young. I used to enjoy driving back and forth from Highland Heights to Frankfort on 27/62. Once had to wait for a group of wild turkeys to get out of the road in southern Campbell County. All twenty miles of Pendleton followed by all twenty miles of Harrison. I guess you coached Mr. Kentucky basketball Dontae Allen whose name is on a road sign. I hope he had fun again when he left UK. The other road sign I enjoyed was for Philip Sparks (think that's right), Nobel prize winner for chemistry.
Casual Reds fan, tolerate football. My younger cousin married a Michigan girl. She dresses the kids for some of the games. I like the helmets.
Come back whenever you can spare the time. Well done.
This TML was clearly written by the artificial intelligence of ChatGPT. How do I know this? Since I was born, I was taught that Michigan fans could only communicate with the modern world by flinging their feces at an alphabet board. Since I detect no odor on my iPad, this isn’t that. This is nicely done and coherent. Coherent to a Michigan fan means two people who get an early inheritance from the same uncle in Ohio…co-herents…like my two numbskull nephews from Ann Arbor said to me.
Congratulations to the person that prompted the ChatGPT to entertain us today. I enjoyed the writing.
Will forever be a Reds fan but I’ve also wondered how the franchise has been able to get so much mileage out of an era nearly 50 years old. Good call out
Sam, let me congratulate you on a job well done. And while I can’t argue with you on really any point you made regarding the Reds, Bengals and Cincy sports in general, I do have some thought. Being a babe of 38, you weren’t EVEN around for the last crowning moment in Cincy sports, the 1990 miracle “wire to wire” year and that being said, IMO, you and your generation are justifiably jaded.
I, on the other hand, am a certifiable OG. I will turn74 this June. I’m a born Cincinnatian who only lived there until I was 9. My life was lived mostly in the Dayton area. But, I did come back to go to and graduate from UC. Like you, I was a teacher (elementary) then an administrator. I spent my life wanting nothing more than to live in the Cincinnati area BUT never did. AND, I’m writing this reply from my home in Pennsylvania. So, you say, what’s my point?
Well, my point is…I was alive and aware during, what I’d call, all of the Cincinnati sports glory days. And because of that fact, like your dad, I always have hope. My love for the city, it’s food, it’s sports teams, etc; has no expiration date. As I read your piece, I kept thinking…he’s right. Everything’s changed and, most of it, not for the better. BUT…I just can’t give up. I understand and feel your frustration . My love for the Bengals is at an all time high. And, I’m a guy who actually saw the Bengals play in Nippert Stadium (from my Calhoun Hall dorm) back in 1968, for Gods sake! I attended my one and only WS game, Game 1 of the 1970 series at Riverfront and witnessed in person Brook Robinson’s magical plays at 3rd AND the controversial play at the plate when Carbo missed the plate, the catcher missed the tag and the umpire missed the call.
I have celebrated and suffered with all of the Cincinnati sports teams for as long as I can remember. Yet, even after the Reds management destroyed my hopes last spring by giving the team away, I just can’t give up. I am hopeless I know.
So, as I said, I can’t argue with you on any of your points but I just can’t give up my love of Cincinnati and it’s sports. Just can’t. You have a fine writing style and I enjoy reading your thoughts. Only one thing bothers me…your love for “that school-up North.” WTF?!?!
I'm with you on the Reds. The only thing that could beat my spirit down as a fan more would be if they brought Bob Boone back as Manager. I still have hope they will get it right with this rebuild, because of the old saying "it's always darkest before the dawn". But, other than that, I am not sure what is going to happen.
In any event, Happy Easter and Happy Passover to everyone!
Speaking of special education, old school shoutout from this '75 Deming Black Devil. George Clooney overlapped me my last semester him at Augusta High with Bracken and Pendleton the rest of the old 38th district. You blew the doors right off Doc's franchise ramblin' on, I'm truly impressed to the point of being tickled and i wonder if your Dad was as much of a fan of Jim McIntyre with Knuxhall as i was? Johnny Cash's cover of Won't Back Down with Petty strumming and backup vocals should also be in at least the 7th inning stretch protocol
Nice take. Interesting you note the "wasteland" (an apt description) years of '00-'09 ... I lament them as well. We've live in, and raised our kids in, Arkansas (unabashedly Cardinals' country) and while I tried to get my son (aged 5-15 during those years) all aboard the Reds' train like his old man, he couldn't resist the siren call of the Cardinals and as such, was lost for life to Redbirdism. I do think the Reds' decade of irrelevance contributed significantly. We have a nice and good natured rivalry now. But I think you're spot on that a good chuck of millenials were lost during that period.
A lotta points that hit home with this 45-year-old, Sam. Liked how you framed it all, almost a melancholic trip down memory lane, applicable to any Reds fans of our generation. Great job!
You have it right about Seattle in the summer, too. I was stationed at Fort Lewis from '05-'07. It amazed me that the natives there would complain about sunny 80 degree days, with no humidity, as being "hot."
I told several, while stationed there, that I'd take a Pacific Northwest summer any day, and twice on Sunday, over a sweltering Cincinnati summer. One of my biggest regrets, while there, is not ever having the proper camera to take a proper photo of Mount Rainier in the distance, from Fort Lewis. Definitely one of the most beautiful sights these eyes have ever seen, though. Never got tired of seeing it daily while out there.
Yes, the first Saturday of May is creeping up on us. I'll likely make my sojourn down to the new and improved Turfway, as I have in past years -- even back when the betting windows and simulcast area were in that dingy dungeon -- and place my bets. Adds a bit of spice to the fastest two minutes in sports.
Great job, but as I am much closer to your father’s age and you are my son’s age, I must disagree about baseball being past its time. I know it’s a clever saying that someone came up with and others use way too often (sorry, Doc). Opening Day isn’t just a party, it’s a celebration of our love for baseball and our Reds. It’s what this franchise could still be if ownership can just put together a consistent competitive team. I also long for the days of no DH and double switches, but I do see small ball making a comeback. Go Reds!
I forgot you are closer to my age than Sam’s. You would remember him. I didn’t know them well, stayed in touch with Janie for several years. She was in grad school at Uk the last I knew.
I always tell people I fell in love with White Castles in utero. Born in Louisville while Dad finished school. Mom worked and had young children.
Nice tune. Richie Furay from just up the road in Yellow Springs.
Your Cincinnati Reds have stolen exactly 1 base so far this season, that by Jonny India, one of four MLB outfits to have achieved this lofty level of derring-do. I'm not sure if Stephenson and staff have thrown out anyone yet? First week of the season appears steals and attempts have sorta doubled from last season but still not above the numbers we used to see in the last century
https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-stolen-bases-2023-after-first-week
Sortable, which you can learn stuff playing around with that:
https://www.teamrankings.com/mlb/stat/stolen-bases-attempted-per-game
https://www.teamrankings.com/mlb/stat/stolen-bases-per-game
Tied for #3o o.5pg CS:
https://www.teamrankings.com/mlb/stat/caught-stealing-per-game
Your humility belies your ability, Sam. You turned in a great Hemingway. Won't Back Down is a natural for situational ballpark music. I'd nominate Summer Wind by Sinatra for 7th inning stretch music. Maybe better suited to an east coast team. But I think it would sound great on a summer Saturday night at any ballpark.
Sam, Enjoyed your raptures on Cinci's beautiful sports memories. Let's hope generations can keep them going.
First song I heard in Cinci on a visit in the 1970's was Old Black Water, Doobie Brothers, when I saw the Ohio River rolling for the first time. Back then, it was rumored you shouldn't throw a match on it or it would most likely light up.
Nice effort Sam. After you guest Hemingway it really gives you a greater appreciation for Doc's talents. I found it very humbling and thought he makes it seem really easy. It aint easy....
Excellent Hemingway, Sam. Love hearing from a young one out in the trenches helping raise the young. I used to enjoy driving back and forth from Highland Heights to Frankfort on 27/62. Once had to wait for a group of wild turkeys to get out of the road in southern Campbell County. All twenty miles of Pendleton followed by all twenty miles of Harrison. I guess you coached Mr. Kentucky basketball Dontae Allen whose name is on a road sign. I hope he had fun again when he left UK. The other road sign I enjoyed was for Philip Sparks (think that's right), Nobel prize winner for chemistry.
Casual Reds fan, tolerate football. My younger cousin married a Michigan girl. She dresses the kids for some of the games. I like the helmets.
Come back whenever you can spare the time. Well done.
This TML was clearly written by the artificial intelligence of ChatGPT. How do I know this? Since I was born, I was taught that Michigan fans could only communicate with the modern world by flinging their feces at an alphabet board. Since I detect no odor on my iPad, this isn’t that. This is nicely done and coherent. Coherent to a Michigan fan means two people who get an early inheritance from the same uncle in Ohio…co-herents…like my two numbskull nephews from Ann Arbor said to me.
Congratulations to the person that prompted the ChatGPT to entertain us today. I enjoyed the writing.
😇
Nice work.
Will forever be a Reds fan but I’ve also wondered how the franchise has been able to get so much mileage out of an era nearly 50 years old. Good call out
Sam, let me congratulate you on a job well done. And while I can’t argue with you on really any point you made regarding the Reds, Bengals and Cincy sports in general, I do have some thought. Being a babe of 38, you weren’t EVEN around for the last crowning moment in Cincy sports, the 1990 miracle “wire to wire” year and that being said, IMO, you and your generation are justifiably jaded.
I, on the other hand, am a certifiable OG. I will turn74 this June. I’m a born Cincinnatian who only lived there until I was 9. My life was lived mostly in the Dayton area. But, I did come back to go to and graduate from UC. Like you, I was a teacher (elementary) then an administrator. I spent my life wanting nothing more than to live in the Cincinnati area BUT never did. AND, I’m writing this reply from my home in Pennsylvania. So, you say, what’s my point?
Well, my point is…I was alive and aware during, what I’d call, all of the Cincinnati sports glory days. And because of that fact, like your dad, I always have hope. My love for the city, it’s food, it’s sports teams, etc; has no expiration date. As I read your piece, I kept thinking…he’s right. Everything’s changed and, most of it, not for the better. BUT…I just can’t give up. I understand and feel your frustration . My love for the Bengals is at an all time high. And, I’m a guy who actually saw the Bengals play in Nippert Stadium (from my Calhoun Hall dorm) back in 1968, for Gods sake! I attended my one and only WS game, Game 1 of the 1970 series at Riverfront and witnessed in person Brook Robinson’s magical plays at 3rd AND the controversial play at the plate when Carbo missed the plate, the catcher missed the tag and the umpire missed the call.
I have celebrated and suffered with all of the Cincinnati sports teams for as long as I can remember. Yet, even after the Reds management destroyed my hopes last spring by giving the team away, I just can’t give up. I am hopeless I know.
So, as I said, I can’t argue with you on any of your points but I just can’t give up my love of Cincinnati and it’s sports. Just can’t. You have a fine writing style and I enjoy reading your thoughts. Only one thing bothers me…your love for “that school-up North.” WTF?!?!
Well, kid, that was a great post. Well done.
I'm with you on the Reds. The only thing that could beat my spirit down as a fan more would be if they brought Bob Boone back as Manager. I still have hope they will get it right with this rebuild, because of the old saying "it's always darkest before the dawn". But, other than that, I am not sure what is going to happen.
In any event, Happy Easter and Happy Passover to everyone!
Speaking of special education, old school shoutout from this '75 Deming Black Devil. George Clooney overlapped me my last semester him at Augusta High with Bracken and Pendleton the rest of the old 38th district. You blew the doors right off Doc's franchise ramblin' on, I'm truly impressed to the point of being tickled and i wonder if your Dad was as much of a fan of Jim McIntyre with Knuxhall as i was? Johnny Cash's cover of Won't Back Down with Petty strumming and backup vocals should also be in at least the 7th inning stretch protocol
Nice take. Interesting you note the "wasteland" (an apt description) years of '00-'09 ... I lament them as well. We've live in, and raised our kids in, Arkansas (unabashedly Cardinals' country) and while I tried to get my son (aged 5-15 during those years) all aboard the Reds' train like his old man, he couldn't resist the siren call of the Cardinals and as such, was lost for life to Redbirdism. I do think the Reds' decade of irrelevance contributed significantly. We have a nice and good natured rivalry now. But I think you're spot on that a good chuck of millenials were lost during that period.
Well done, Wolverine fan. (That's really hard for a Buckeye to say.)
Thank you for your service, both to our country and to TML today. And to our students. Need good people in the trenches to learn 'em up.
A lotta points that hit home with this 45-year-old, Sam. Liked how you framed it all, almost a melancholic trip down memory lane, applicable to any Reds fans of our generation. Great job!
You have it right about Seattle in the summer, too. I was stationed at Fort Lewis from '05-'07. It amazed me that the natives there would complain about sunny 80 degree days, with no humidity, as being "hot."
I told several, while stationed there, that I'd take a Pacific Northwest summer any day, and twice on Sunday, over a sweltering Cincinnati summer. One of my biggest regrets, while there, is not ever having the proper camera to take a proper photo of Mount Rainier in the distance, from Fort Lewis. Definitely one of the most beautiful sights these eyes have ever seen, though. Never got tired of seeing it daily while out there.
Yes, the first Saturday of May is creeping up on us. I'll likely make my sojourn down to the new and improved Turfway, as I have in past years -- even back when the betting windows and simulcast area were in that dingy dungeon -- and place my bets. Adds a bit of spice to the fastest two minutes in sports.
Great job, but as I am much closer to your father’s age and you are my son’s age, I must disagree about baseball being past its time. I know it’s a clever saying that someone came up with and others use way too often (sorry, Doc). Opening Day isn’t just a party, it’s a celebration of our love for baseball and our Reds. It’s what this franchise could still be if ownership can just put together a consistent competitive team. I also long for the days of no DH and double switches, but I do see small ball making a comeback. Go Reds!