Thursday, January 06, 2005
Getting Back Into Shape
Most people this time of year have devised new and improved ways to lose weight, increase their muscle mass, and decrease their waistline. I am facing the task of getting my pens, pencils, and wits sharpened for yet another season of baseball here and ESPN and RLS (theredletters.blogspot.com). I’m looking forward to April 4 just as I know you are (otherwise I would hope you could find better ways to spend your time than by reading a baseball column). So, now that my inbox is almost empty for a change, excuse me while I [snap], [crackle], and [pop] my knuckles and try and get back down to my fighting weight, get all my ducks in a row, and get back up on the horse. One thing is for sure--my truckloads of clichés are definitely alive and kickin'.
The Smallest of the Smalleys
The Cincinnati Red Stockings of 1869 became the first ever professional baseball team. Their descendants, known popularly to you and I as simply the Cincinnati Reds about 135 years later, have become the smallest professional baseball team. Not in terms of weight or muscle, no, this team is the smallest in terms of market and population support. Don't get mad, gentle fans in Cincinnati--I'm a life-long Reds fan too--but facts are facts. In terms of sheer population in MLB cities, only Tampa ranks lower than the Queen City the Reds call home, and that's only if you don't include the massive St. Petersburg contingent, which puts TB well ahead. I also checked Nielsen's Designated Market Areas for television. Where does Cincinnati rank among MLB? 30 out of 30.
If ever there was a time and place for a city to develop a David complex to the other Goliaths of varying size around the league, that time is now and that place is Cincinnati. "But we just signed Eric Milton," you say. "That's true," I say, "but the Reds may just end up regretting that. "Bergleflickle," you answer, to which I reply, "Indeed." Yes, these are daunting realities to face as a Reds fan in what is perceived (somewhat correctly) to be a strictly big-market game now, but the Reds certainly don't rank 30th as far as team talent is concerned. I use the above as a means to rally the Reds fans around each other to say, "We may not be as big as Kansas City, but we're good enough, we're smart enough, and doggoneit, people like us!&
Offseason Shuffle
The great Jerry Seinfeld (whom I recently had the pleasure of seeing for the 3rd time at the Louisville Palace) has noted that all sports fans are really doing is rooting for laundry and that never seems more true than during the Hot Stove League, when free agents are being dealt like the Topps and Upper Deck cards that bear their names and visages. My first in-depth task in the New Year will be to take a look at each of these moves for the Reds, from the big to the small, and forecast what it means on the field and on your fantasy roster. I won't be able to cover all those here, but rest assured you'll be able to read the breakdown in full format at The Red Letters. Look for that here and there in the next week.
RLS Offices Open for Business
Sure, we only have a staff of one, but we're ready to serve. The e-mail is theredletters@insightbb.com if you want to take part. I've recently uncovered some older e-mails that I apparently haven't answered yet, and if yours is one of that bunch, rest assured your response will be out to you shortly (albeit long after I'm sure you wanted it). With those answered, we've renew our New Year's Resolution for 2004 in ‘05: answer each and every single one of your Reds queries (okay, each and every one of the least combative, non-profanity-laced ones anyway.) I look forward to an exciting year with all of you that will hopefully end with new Red David Weathers brandishing his Rawlings slingshot and for the Reds' 6th World Championship. I'm Matt Allen, and this one belongs to the Red Letters.
The Smallest of the Smalleys
The Cincinnati Red Stockings of 1869 became the first ever professional baseball team. Their descendants, known popularly to you and I as simply the Cincinnati Reds about 135 years later, have become the smallest professional baseball team. Not in terms of weight or muscle, no, this team is the smallest in terms of market and population support. Don't get mad, gentle fans in Cincinnati--I'm a life-long Reds fan too--but facts are facts. In terms of sheer population in MLB cities, only Tampa ranks lower than the Queen City the Reds call home, and that's only if you don't include the massive St. Petersburg contingent, which puts TB well ahead. I also checked Nielsen's Designated Market Areas for television. Where does Cincinnati rank among MLB? 30 out of 30.
If ever there was a time and place for a city to develop a David complex to the other Goliaths of varying size around the league, that time is now and that place is Cincinnati. "But we just signed Eric Milton," you say. "That's true," I say, "but the Reds may just end up regretting that. "Bergleflickle," you answer, to which I reply, "Indeed." Yes, these are daunting realities to face as a Reds fan in what is perceived (somewhat correctly) to be a strictly big-market game now, but the Reds certainly don't rank 30th as far as team talent is concerned. I use the above as a means to rally the Reds fans around each other to say, "We may not be as big as Kansas City, but we're good enough, we're smart enough, and doggoneit, people like us!&
Offseason Shuffle
The great Jerry Seinfeld (whom I recently had the pleasure of seeing for the 3rd time at the Louisville Palace) has noted that all sports fans are really doing is rooting for laundry and that never seems more true than during the Hot Stove League, when free agents are being dealt like the Topps and Upper Deck cards that bear their names and visages. My first in-depth task in the New Year will be to take a look at each of these moves for the Reds, from the big to the small, and forecast what it means on the field and on your fantasy roster. I won't be able to cover all those here, but rest assured you'll be able to read the breakdown in full format at The Red Letters. Look for that here and there in the next week.
RLS Offices Open for Business
Sure, we only have a staff of one, but we're ready to serve. The e-mail is theredletters@insightbb.com if you want to take part. I've recently uncovered some older e-mails that I apparently haven't answered yet, and if yours is one of that bunch, rest assured your response will be out to you shortly (albeit long after I'm sure you wanted it). With those answered, we've renew our New Year's Resolution for 2004 in ‘05: answer each and every single one of your Reds queries (okay, each and every one of the least combative, non-profanity-laced ones anyway.) I look forward to an exciting year with all of you that will hopefully end with new Red David Weathers brandishing his Rawlings slingshot and for the Reds' 6th World Championship. I'm Matt Allen, and this one belongs to the Red Letters.
