Arizona on lock

Reds have finalized their agreement with the City of Goodyear, Arizona and will be moving spring training activities there in 2010. The short of the deal is a 20-year agreement with two five-year team options. So, it looks like the Reds will be there a while. For more, clicky, clicky.

We'll see you and all the grey hairs out west in 2010! Any good bars out there?

Goodyear is Go

This ugly little guy has a lot to cheer about - the Reds are moving out to his turf in Arizona for Spring Training activites. He's stoked. He's said in the past that he is excited about the Indians moving out there, but deep inside he's a Reds fanatic. Apparently dude is a big fan of Jeff Keppinger. Who knew?

Anyways, the news it out... Goodyear, Arizona has approved the chish cash to build the stadium and the Reds are heading out there for the 2010 season warm-ups games.

Sorry, Sarasota... ya had ya chance.

Spring training photos

Paul headed to yesterday's Reds/Rays game yesterday and took some photos. Check 'em out over on our photo blog.

Spring Training, Part 2

I'm down in Florida this weekend to catch a few Reds games. Too bad Jay Bruce didn't stick around with the big club for a few more days, I would have liked to watch him play. I'm sure I'll get the chance in CIncinnati later this year, though.

Here's my agenda: golfing today in Jacksonville, then heading to Kissimmee to watch the Reds/Astros on Saturday. Sunday in Sarasota for the Reds/Rays. Hope to see Cueto pitch one of those games, keeping my fingers crossed.

I'll try to update with some photos on the OMGReds photoblog. But a word of warning, my cameraphone sucks.

Goodyear is a go...

If the city secures financing. The Reds will pack their spring training bags and head to Goodyear, Arizona if the city secures financing. The Reds will need to pony up $30 million. Big Bob has given his nod. Here's more from ye ol' Enquirer.

Gut feeling? We'll be planning March vacations in Arizona in 2010. Werd. Sarasota, you're nice and all... but like all the old ladies on the roads down there... you're way too slow.

From Sarasota

It's warm. It's nice. No complaints. Not missing Cincy much right now at all. How is it up there?

Anyways, got a chance to catch the Reds and Bucs get it on Saturday. It was a fun game to watch - Junior and Dunn go deep and Chris Dickerson hit a shot that it still orbiting the earth. The Pirates defense was absolutely AWFUL. My god. It was horrible. You have no clue. Oh, and I got a GREAT photo of Griffey making a pretty nice over-the-shoulder catch in right field (see above). Balls to right field seemed to be a problem... everyone was having trouble playing fly balls hit out there. I guess the wind was swirling or something? I dunno.

It was a beautiful day to watch a ballgame in Florida. If you haven't had a chance - check out photos from my camera phone on the OMGreds.com photos page. There are a few extras in there from the Beach (Longboat Key) and one from the finish of the Sarasota Half-Marathon. Yes, I got in a Reds game and a race. Busy weekend. The rest is devoted to the beach. Oh - more photos are up on flickr, too.

Spring Training or Bust

Hey ya'll OMGreds.com fans... I'll be in Sarasota this weekend to take in the sunshine and a little baseball. I'll be photoblogging for OMGreds.com right here on our new photos page during the Reds/Pirates game on March 1. Look for more (and better) photos after the weekend. I'll also be trying to get Brook Jacoby and Chris Speier autographs. Which me luck!

Phil's Kendrick totally PWND

LOL! Check out this story about "second year rookie" pitcher Kyle Kendrick. His teammates totally hose him and have him thinking he's been traded to a team in Japan. Classic.

Music to my ears...

Pitchers and catchers report. It's the four words we've been longing to hear since the end of the Reds regular season.


And this is a a nice sight, Homer Bailey and Jay Bruce working out on what looks to be a beautiful day in Sarasota. Hopefully we see a lot more of these two this year up here in Cincinnati. Photos by Jeff Swinger/Cincinnati Enquirer.

Sarasota: Back in the mix

Less than a day after declaring Sarasota pretty much long gone, we now have this development:

Sarasota city officials voted 4-1 today to assemble an interlocal agreement in hopes of bringing the Reds back to the table and possibly staying in Sarasota. If the Reds do accept the offer from Goodyear, AZ, it's all basically moot and Sarasota will go searching for another team to fill the void. Today's vote is a very positive sign from the city that seemed to be willing to let the Reds go without a fight. Read more about the vote and what changed at the sun-herald.com.

Florida Governor Charlie Crist is also trying to keep Sarasota and the Reds together. During a stop today in Sarasota, he said that keeping the Reds in Florida is a priority of his. Read more at HeraldTribune.com.

Sayonara Sarasota?

Not terribly in-depth, but here is a column from HearaldTribune.com on what Sarasota stands to lose from the fans if the Reds leave town. It's obvious that the Sarasota community will lose the economic stimulus of the fans that travel south to see the Reds. There are other considerations as well - Reds Fantasy Camp, the Sarasota Reds (The Reds Rookie League Affiliate) and other baseball events such as the State High School Baseball Tournament - they are thinking of moving elsewhere too.

Even more interesting, are some of the comments that the column has generated from locals who are glad to see a pro sports team leave:

Thank goodness. The only people that watch the games are the retirees anyway, and they aren't exactly known for being big spenders in the economy. As they like to complain, while driving from up north in their brand new Cadillacs and Lincolns, to their second homes: "We're on fixed income, we don't have any money for _____." I am sick of my tax dollars being wasted on this nonsense. More money for the schools- what REALLY matters. - toots2375

Local elected officials are FINALLY doing what their constituents want. Taxpayers are tired of paying for sports teams. It wont make a hill of beans of difference here. We have the beaches. We dont need no stinkig baseball team here unless they pay their own way. - srqpilot

All in all, it looks like the Reds already have one foot out of town. While many fans are disappointed with the possibility of the move, there seem to be an awful lot that are excited about Arizona.

While we are talking about Reds' Spring Training and Ed Smith Stadium, there will be three different OMGreds.com team members heading to spring training this year - all at different times. So, we'll have a lot of first-hand spring training action for you right here.