SNOW-HITTER

I just took this photo moments ago from the GABP pressbox…

……

Catching up on last night’s announcement of new Reds…

Monday, January 10, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

REDS SIGN EDGAR RENTERIA, FRED LEWIS
Free Agent Shortstop, Outfielder Agree To 1-Year Contracts

CINCINNATI – Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty today announced the signings of free agents SS Edgar Renteria and OF Fred Lewis to 1-year contracts through the 2011 season.

“These two players address a couple of needs we had identified for our club,” Jocketty said. “Edgar is a veteran middle infielder who we expect to have a positive influence on our younger players, and he is a proven winner. Fred gives us a left handed bat capable of playing all three outfield positions, with speed and a lot of experience leading off.”

Renteria, 35, last season for the champion San Francisco Giants was the Most Valuable Player of the World Series. His 3-run HR off Texas starter Cliff Lee in the seventh inning of the deciding Game 5 snapped the scoreless tie and led the Giants to their first title since 1954. He was named World Series MVP after hitting .412 with 2 HR and 6 RBI.

The native of Colombia is a 5-time National League All-Star and twice was a Sporting News All-Star in voting of his peers. He has won 2 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards and 3 Louisville Silver Slugger Awards. Renteria has 2,252 career hits and a lifetime average of .287 while appearing in 7 Division Series, 5 League Championship Series and 3 World Series. He also won a World Series title with the Florida Marlins in 1997.

Lewis, 30, last season produced a career-high 31 doubles and led the Toronto Blue Jays with 17 stolen bases. Among American League leadoff hitters he ranked third in doubles, triples (5) and extra-base hits (44); T3rd in HR (8); fourth in slugging (.423); T7th in RBI (36); and eighth in runs scored (70). Last season he also produced 4 leadoff home runs. Lewis has a lifetime batting average of .272.

To hear a Reds broadcaster offers his views on the Renteria acquisition, click here.

…..

Burt BobbleRed got a new uniform!  Log on later today to see what it looks like!

…..

I received word that Reds Fantasy Camp is filling up fast and only a few spots remain.  Don’t miss out.  I’d love for you to be there at Baseball Heaven with me as I inevitably hurt and/or embarrass myself!   For more information, go to Reds.com/fantasycamp .

…..

I’ll be back in a little bit…

Jamie