WHATTTTT????  Is it REALLY the final day of 2011??  Wow, what a quick year this was.  Hopefully each of you had the opportunity to do something new, exciting and fulfilling in each of your lives.  For me there are some great memories that I will always remember the year by – including witnessing Joey Votto’s “This is SportsCenter” commercial shoot firsthand, traveling to Europe for the first time, going to trapeze school with my staff after another successful Redsfest, the big Paul McCartney concert at GABP, completing my second full marathon & much, much more.  What will you remember 2011 by?  We’ll get to more of that in a moment as we talk about our favorite memories from the award-winning Better Off Red blog at the end of this segment.  But in the meantime, I wanted to share some things to look forward to in 2012 with everyone!

Here are my top 5 things to look forward to in 2012 (your own list may vary – you should Tweet them or post in the comments below!):

1.       Opening Weekend at GABP – Only speculating here, because I don’t set the lineups or make the team roster out, but it should be pretty awesome to see an opening series rotation that could include Johnny Cueto, newly acquired Mat Latos and veteran Bronson Arroyo and/or Mike Leake!  Also back is our outstanding lineup including @DatDudeBP, Joey MVP Votto, TreyDuece, Mr. Rolen, Snacks, The Gazelle, the “other” Zack and many more.  I think we’ll have an exciting team in 2012, and Opening Weekend with the pomp & circumstance of Opening Day, the glitz and glamour of Opening Night, and also a GREAT family day to visit the ballpark on Sunday afternoon, should just be a special way to start the season.  I hope you’re looking forward to it as much as those of us around the offices are!

2.       Reds Hall of Fame Induction Weekend – I absolutely love Sean Casey.  I got the opportunity to work with him for 3 seasons when I first began my job, and he’s an all-around class act.  I cannot wait to hear his acceptance speech during pregame ceremonies at GABP on Saturday, June 23^rd and then the full-length version at the Duke Energy Convention Center on Sunday evening at the HOF Gala.  Get your tickets for these events before they’re gone!

3.       New Music – @Jamieblog and I will be tweeting about this throughout the year, sorry if it annoys you all (that includes you, Mo Egger).  Personally I look forward to the new album by Tennis (February 14^th – produced by Patrick Carney of The Black Keys), The Shins (coming in March) & Cat Power (TBA).  I’m sure there will be more – hopefully a full length album by The Alabama Shakes!  (credit where it’s due to @Jamieblog for tuning me in to that fantastic band)

4.       London Olympics – I am not much for the Winter Olympics, but I really do enjoy the summer games, especially track & field.  We’re going to try and plan some fun things here at the ballpark to coincide with this big event.  I have a feeling our mascots will be heavily involved in whatever we do to that end!  I’m pretty sure that everyone would like to see a “Better Off Red Olympics” too (get to work on that Jamie & Lisa!).

5.       MLB Postseason – I’ll leave it at that.

So, I happened to walk by @Jamieblog’s office before making this post, to try and gather ideas for it, and I happened upon his three New Year’s Resolutions – check them out – and yes, believe it or not he wrote them in crayon!

Finally, as promised, here is a compilation of everyone’s favorite moments from Better Off Red 2011.  Thank YOU for making it the blog it is today.  And I suppose we should give some credit to the guy who writes the vast majority of the posts too.

Good work Jamie Ramsey.

Had to be the #HatsOffCin campaign!  – @LoriS526

the Vote Reds lunch, the umpteen days of Christmas, and Jamie’s trip to fantasy camp. – @KarenCincy

Getting “welcomed” by Jamie on the first day and already feeling like part of the team!  – @pk927

The #HatsOffCIN movement, culminating in the #VoteRedsLunch…and winning the contest. – @BrianWedge88

Jamie’s (fake?) Christmas card for sure. Still laugh every time I see it!  – @kim_brough

I loved all the Vote Reds Lunches, great way to get fans involved and to get our boys to the All Star Game! – @MBM71

@jamieblog isn’t going to like this but the Christmas card spoof was pretty hilarious!  – @Tonester5

Favorite moment of the year – Adding a new fan to the #Reds Nation – @paulpetera – @Tonester5

I have a couple favorites.. winning Cozart jersey(UmpteenDaysOfChristmas),Ramsey Christmas card, photos(stadium, events,etc) – @Redsfan_4192

one of my favorite has gotta be getting my magic shoelaces and BOR shirt at the redlegs run – @jesserz923

The Burt Awards  – @MissAmbur

Of course there’s nothing like a good FUNKBLAST! #BOR2011 — @MBM71

My favorite moment was the rally before Sunday Night Baseball – finding @Jamieblog, folks w/ BOR signs, Larkin – @laurie_PDX

My fave moment was almost falling off my chair at work when Ramon hit that walk off 3 run HR on Opening Day. Awesome! — @kwanfan1212

clearly Burt Bobblered’s national television debut on @ManvFoodNation  – @adumturer

when @Jamieblog fields questions about gate opening – @theworldofdale

late to the party, but my #BOR2011 fave moment was definitely #RedsForPaul. It’s pretty much the reason I’m here! -- @paulpetera

Folks – that’s all the time we have for now, but your regularly scheduled programming will resume next week when @Jamieblog returns from his vacation.  He’s been tweeting about sunny Sarasota, Florida, but that is just a cover up story.  He’s actually in San Francisco.  Odd time to visit San Fran, I know, but I believe he spent most of his time here:  http://www.catmuseumsf.org/.

Be safe tonight & Happy New Year!

–@Bongreatness

Zach Bonkowski is the Director of Promotional Events for your Cincinnati Reds and proud godfather to Jamie’s cats, Grace and Scout. 

Can you believe it? I’ve been asked to guest blog again for my boy James while he is off and (hopefully) enjoying summer time temperatures on his private island while we frolic in your basic Cincinnati winter: cold and cloudy. It’s a tall order filling in for James so I’m thankful for another opportunity to wow you with my musings.

Last time we met I filled you in on the inner workings of the Reds ticket office and told you that now is the time where the ticket department really gets cranking with the goal of selling season tickets. I won’t bore you with those details again but will add that this winter has been no different as we work toward selling as many season ticket packages as possible by Opening Day, which as of this writing is just 97(!) days away. If you haven’t seen the many offerings we provide then please check out Reds.com for all your ticket needs. Don’t let the term ‘season ticket’ scare you away – we have plenty of plans 13 games and above that include many benefits, including price discounts, special invitations and the opportunity to purchase both Opening Day and postseason tickets before public onsales. If you already have a ticket plan, first and foremost thank you for your support, and be sure to call us to find out how to create your own mini-section this year!

Let’s continue now that the obligatory sales push is out of the way.  Anyone know where our snow is? I’m a big fan of all four seasons and especially love winter so long as there is snow. Seeing as it’s December 30^th and we haven’t seen any snow yet is kind of disappointing. While I love my snow, it definitely has a place. From Thanksgiving until February 28th (or February 29th like 2012) there should be snow. Before and after? Not so much. March 1 is when spring starts therefore the weather needs to warm up and attentions turn toward another season of Reds baseball.

Say, that reminds me (outstanding line from the outstanding move Raising Arizona): while there is plenty to do between now and April 5, this is the time of year where we (or maybe it’s just me) start to get excited about the prospects of another season. I speak for everyone when I say the transactions made the last few weeks just fuel the fire.  I’m VERY excited about the outlook for 2012 and hope you all are as well. Special welcomes and shoutouts to our newest Reds, Mat Latos and Sean Marshall.  Can’t wait to see them toeing the rubber at Great American Ball Park during the first homestand of the year (which by the way, you can buy tickets for now, Opening Day excluded). Sorry, I went sales guy on your again.

Speaking of the Opening Day, April 5^th will be my fifth Opening Day as a member of the Reds Front Office and 15^th straight I’ve seen in person. We all wish for picture perfect baseball weather on Opening Day but as you know those types of days can be the exception rather than the norm during a Cincinnati spring. In fact, my first two Opening Day’s with the Reds were both delayed by rain (’08 and ’09) and last year’s game was darn cold (41 at first pitch). The exception was 2010 in which the game started at a temperature of 78! We all know what the rest of that summer had in store for us so let’s hope for a similar start and end to 2012!

I suppose it’s time for me to get back to the job they pay me to do (can’t sit around tweeting and blogging all day like some) so thank you for taking the time to read my guest entry. Hopefully it’s good enough to be asked back the next time James needs a break from the daily grind. It’s exciting to be a part of one of the best MLB Blog’s and hope Better Off Red remains at or near the top of the leaderboard throughout the winter. It couldn’t happen without you all – so thank you!

Chris Bausano is Inside Sales Manager for your Cincinnati Reds.  It would make his day to talk about Reds tickets with you on twitter @cjbausano. 

Thanks to Jamie for letting me guest blog….I’m a loyal reader and follower of BOR, even though we all know Lisa does all the work.  Let’s get a few things out of the way.

1. I’m doing this while on vacation, meaning Jamie owes me one of his elusive t-shirts.  You’ve arrived when you can get people to fill in for you while they’re on vacation.
2. Most of the bands Jamie refers to either here or on Twitter are made up. (I think he just types in a bunch of words into the Band Name Generator) http://www.bandnamemaker.com/

Glad that’s out of the way.

This Sunday we celebrate New Year’s, but the Monday after New Year’s Day is big.  January 2^nd is the Baseball Equinox.  The Baseball Equinox is the day that marks the crossing of midway point between the last Reds game of 2011 and the first one of 2012.  (You can tell I have a lot of time on my hands this week)

There are 190 days between September 28^th and April 5^th.  January 2^nd is the 96^th day, meaning starting Monday we are closer to the beginning of the 2012 season that we are to the end of the 2011 season.

(Note:  I romanticize about Opening Day.  I do not romanticize about Spring Training because I don’t go to Spring Training and the fact that guys are playing catch while I’m still freezing my face off doesn’t make me any warmer.  Therefore, we calculate the Baseball Equinox by using Opening Day)

With the Baseball Equinox upon us, let’s turn our attention to 2012, with 12 questions, predictions, wishes or random thoughts for the new season.

1)      Joey Votto will win the MVP Award.
Joey went from otherworldly numbers in 2010 to merely really really really really really good numbers in 2011.   He did this with getting maybe one quality pitch per game and with lineup instability around him.  The lineup should be more stable this season – Jay Bruce is poised for a monster year (Jay was among the best bargains in baseball in 2011) – meaning RBI opportunities and better protection for Votto.  Plus, the reigning MVP faces a 50-game suspension, Albert Pujols is gone, and Prince Fielder could be.  I’m not buying that Matt Kemp has the same year he did last season and I do buy that Joey, hard as it is to believe, is better than he was in either 2010 or 2011 this coming season.

2)      Will MLB’s new playoff format be awesome?
Yes. Forget about the impact on the regular season.  Some years it will create incredible races involving a number of teams and other years there will be finishes more anticlimactic than the ending of Castaway (That Helen Hunt didn’t immediately ditch her husband for Tom Hanks still angers me).  What counts is the postseason.  The new playoff tier is one and done, do-or-die, which is exactly what our favorite sport needs.  We had five deciding games in the 2011 playoffs…tell me you didn’t watch.  Of course you did.  Baseball needs a little football, who’s playoffs are one game, winner-take-all.  The new wild card round gives MLB just that.

3)      Go see Bruce Springsteen.
My man Jamie may tell you otherwise, that some band you’ve never heard of offers up a better show.  Don’t listen to him. A Bruce show is the greatest musical experience one person can have. He’s got an album coming out in 2012, and he’s touring. No US dates have been announced, but word is he’s playing ballparks, including potential shows at Wrigley,PNC Park, and whatever they call the park the Giants play in now.

4)      Sean Marshall will be Walt Jocketty’s best pickup.
He’s lefty.  He gets ground balls.  He’s experienced. He’s pitched in the NL Central his entire career.  Also, he gives bad headline writers chances to use “Marshall Law” and “Marshall Plan” all summer.

5)      Terry Francona has a chance to be a TV star.
He was phenomenal filling in for Tim McCarver during Fox’s coverage of the ALDS. The former Phillies and Red Sox manager (and former Red) is likable, knowledgeable, glib, and most important, he’s insightful.  He replaces Bobby Valentine on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball, just as Valentine replaces Francona in the Fenway Park manager’s office.  Boston’s loss is the TV viewer’s gain.

6)      There is a difference between a milkshake and a frosty malt.
I’m not even going to argue this.  If you don’t know this difference it’s not worth explaining.

7)      Who will replace Yonder Alonso as Mo’s favorite Red?
As a rule, every fan must have a favorite player, and as another rule that player cannot be an established player who’s been on the team for a while. It has to be a new guy, preferably a homegrown guy.  The odds-on favorite is Todd Frazier.  He can play four positions, he’s from Jersey, and with Sinatra songs for his at-bat music, he has intelligible music accompanying him to the plate.

8)      Jamie Ramsey has made it uncool to be negative.
I say that as a term of endearment.  The dude brims with positivity about the Reds, which is great….until they give people like me reason to be negative (it happens).  My job is to say mean things about teams when they don’t win.  The problem is Jamie is just so damn happy, and his readers and followers follow in suit that I hear about it every time I rip ‘em, which I don’t like doing by the way.

And four wishes for the 2012 season…

9)      Barry Larkin to get inducted into the Hall.
Barry Larkin is, and always will be, my all-time favorite Red. The very idea of one of the heroes of my youth even being eligible for Cooperstown makes me feel old, nonetheless when he’s on the ballot for the third time. Barry’s numbers compare favorably to other shortstops already in the Hall, he was an MVP, a World Champion, a Gold Glove winner, an All-Star, a consummate clutch player, and he helped usher in a new era of shortstops who didn’t merely occupy the eighth spot in the batting order. He played 18 years, often the best player on some very good teams, and was among the most community-minded players our city has had. He’s one of the ten best players who ever played for a franchise rich with immortals. That he’s not in the Hall already is a sham, a wrong that’s hopefully righted in 2012.

(And the induction should be accompanied by a number retirement this summer as well)

10)  Johnny Cueto to win 20 games.
Remarkably, it’s been 26 years and counting since a Reds pitcher reached 20 wins in a season. Johnny can be the guy to break the dry spell. He’s got great stuff and has room to improve, plus the run support figures to improve this season, and he pitches in front of three Gold Glovers, and two players who may win one soon. Cueto is one of the best pitchers in baseball that no one beyond Cincinnati knows about. That changes if he reaches 20.

11)  Pork Tenderloin Sandwich at GABP.
It’s the best sandwich no one talks about. You can eat more meat products than ever before when you see the Reds play, but a solid pork sandwich, with the meat overflowing past the boundaries of the bun, needs to happen to complete the culinary baseball experience.

12) MLB to announce that we’re getting an All-Star Game.

The Reds deserve one. Cincinnati deserves one. Fans deserve one. Baseball has no event like the All-Star game, and what better time to showcase the city, as the Banks blooms around the ballpark? Since the Reds last hosted in 1988, some cities have gotten multiple All-Star Games, and other cities that’ve paid for new ballparks have been rewarded despite building their yards after GABP’s 2003 debut. The Reds hosted two Civil Rights Games, which were huge successes. Their efforts should be recognized by MLB giving us a midsummer classic. And soon.

Mo Egger is a Reds Sundeck/Moondeck Season Ticket Holder, afternoon sports talk show host on ESPN1530 in Cincinnati (weekdays 3-6pm), and writes one of the most read Clear Channel Radio blogs in the country.

For the next few days, our beloved Jamie Ramsey, Blogger extraordinaire and all around good guy, will be taken some much deserved time off. In his stead, he has given his permission to have guests write about what we want. After very little thought of what I would share with everyone, it came to mind that I want to thank all of those that invited me and my fellow mascots to Holiday Parties, and one young man in particular that reminded me of how special Christmas really is.

To start of the holiday season, Rosie, Mr. Redlegs and myself were invited to CVG ( Cincinnati airport ) to join in the fun of the Operation North Pole event.

Next, Rosie and I spent the evening with the folks at the Barrington located in West Chester. It was very nice hanging out with everyone sharing snacks and drinks.

A few days later, I attended Mamma Bear’s (Shirley Tilford ) special Christmas for some of the less fortunate in Oakley. Mamma Bear is a wonderful lady and has been doing this for many years and she has always been gracious enough to send me an invite.

The following evening I spent here in the Riverfront Club with the group from the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. ( say that three times fast ) I was concerned the head doctors would want to keep me but they weren’t that kind of head doctors.

Then one of my favorite appearances of the season, I attended the Madison Avenue Christian Church, where they put on a meal and holiday event for many of the needier people in Covington KY. A special thank you to Rachel Wyrick, who was the winner of the mascot visit as one of the prizes for the Umpteen Days of Christmas contest. I really enjoyed hanging out with you and meeting all your friends and family. It was a real treat getting some face time with Santa also. ( who promised a Pennant )

The next visit was to Willowville Elementary near Batavia. The children were very warm and receptive and appeared to be big Reds fans.

Finally we ended our Holiday tour with our usual stop at the Freestore Foodbank. As well as food, this time of year the Freestore gives out Christmas presents for those who need them and seeing the relief on the families faces that they will be able to have something for the kids is a joy all it self.

Earlier, I had mentioned one young man who touched my heart. During one of my holiday events some of the kids that would probably not be getting Christmas this year were given Christmas gifts supplied from others out of the goodness of the hearts. During the distribution the young man I am talking about was overlooked. Rather than being upset, he sat and reveled in those around him receiving and opening gifts. All though he had a big smile you could see the sadness and pain in his eyes but as I had said he was not going to let this effect his mood. Very shortly after this his bag arrived with all his presents. To see the absolute joy and happiness wash over this young mans face is a gift I will cherish forever. Thank you, little man for making my Christmas.

Nick St. Pierre is the Mascot Coordinator in the Promotional Events Department for your Cincinnati Reds and is also really really close with Gapper.

It is a privilege to be invited as a “guest blogger” on Better Off Red, though I readily admit I’m not nearly as humorous or intellectually stimulating as some of the other bloggers and tweeters whose names you see mentioned regularly in this space. But something happened last week that I hope you all find as cool as I did.

By now you know Jamie Ramsey, whose wit and insights into our game have made this space the ultimate internet destination that it is, is on a quiet break in a much warmer place than Cincinnati. Before he left, he was riding shotgun as the Reds pushed the technological envelope in announcing last week’s trade in which we acquired LHP Sean Marshall from the Cubs for LHP Travis Wood, OF Dave Sappelt and minor league IF Ronald Torreyes. Back to the trade in a minute….

One of the most important duties of any team’s media relations department is to disseminate information as quickly as it can, particularly as it pertains to a trade or other roster-related transactions. When I began my career in baseball in 1988, we notified the media of such transactions by fax and phone. In the mid- to late-1990s, email became a preferred method. Now, 15 or almost 20 years later, teams are breaking their own news and transactions via Twitter and Facebook and other social media outlets because those vehicles are immediate. If you’re reading this, you are aware we can do it now by phone, if necessary.

Two days before Christmas, the Reds and Cubs were finalizing details of the Marshall trade. I was on a plane to San Francisco, Jamie was in the office. The teams agreed to announce the trade at noon ET, which means I was going to be 30,000 feet somewhere over the state of Utah. Jamie had the hard part, tracking down new player Sean Marshall to see if he was available for a conference call later that afternoon while at the same time monitoring our email conversation to make sure we didn’t lose contact with each other. Thanks to our good friends at Delta and GoGo In Flight, I was able to log on to the internet while in the clouds, chat via email with Reds GM Walt Jocketty and Jamie and Cubs PR and, precisely at noon, announce the trade via Twitter before emailing my media list from my own computer.

My wife said it had been a long time since she had seen me that excited about announcing a trade. She might even have used the word “giddy.” It also could have been the 8 cups of coffee I had in-flight, but I doubt it. I simply was fascinated by the technological advances that allow us all to do our jobs while on an airplane. Anyway, I thought it was the coolest thing ever. I’m hoping the Reds are the first team ever to announce a trade via Twitter from 30,000 feet. If you follow @Reds, you might have been part of history….

Rob Butcher is the Director of Media Relations for your Cincinnati Reds.

The Reds today acquired LHP Sean Marshall from the Chicago Cubs. 

Marshall, considered by many to be the best lefty reliever in the National League, spoke to Cincinnati media this afternoon on a conference call.  Click on the MP3 file below to listen…

ConferenceCall

In addition to this afternoon’s trade, the Reds today claimed off waivers from the Cleveland Indians RHP Josh Judy. 

Judy, 25, last season appeared in 12 games during 4 stints for Cleveland in his Major League debut. He went 6-2 with 23 saves and a 3.12 ERA (52.0IP, 44H, 23R/18ER, 25BB, 60K) in 50 appearances for Triple-A Columbus. Judy was drafted by the Indians in the 34th round of the 2007 First-Year Player draft.

JOSH JUDY
Age: 25, born February 9, 1986 in Morgantown, WV
Bats: R
Throws: R
Height: 6-4
Weight: 210

2011 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:
-Spent most of the season between AAA Columbus and Cleveland, making his Major League debut in May over four stints with Cleveland this year.
-Was with Cleveland from May 22-25, July 1-6, August 22-23 and from September 2-thru the end of the season…
-At AAA Columbus this year Judy went 6-2 with 23 saves and a 3.12 ERA (52.0IP, 44H, 23R/18ER, 25BB, 60K) in 50 appearances… His 23 saves were tied for 2nd most in the International League at the time of his September 2 recall and he did not allow a run over his last 9 appearances (7.2IP, 2H, 0R, 3BB, 5K) with the Clippers from August 12-31…Combined in June/July he was 2-1-8 w/a 1.35 ERA in 18 outings for the Clippers (20.0IP, 13H, 3ER)…Overall at AAA batters hit .230 (44-191, 5HR), lefties hit .280 (21-75) and RHH batted .198 (23-116)…Batters hit .241 (21-87) with runners on base and .216 (11-51) with RISP…Was 23 for 28 in save chances…Was 3rd among Indians minor leaguers in saves and 4th in appearances.
- Made his Major League debut on May 22 vs. Cincinnati (1.0IP, 2H, 0R, 1K)…After his Sept 2 recall he posted an ERA of 9.00 (10.0IP, 14H, 10ER, 7K, .350avg)…11 of his 18 hits allowed went for extra bases…Batters hit .303 (10-33) off him with runners on base and .316 (6-19) with RISP…Allowed 10R/ER in last 9.0IP.

2010 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
-Spent all but two games with Triple A Columbus after starting the season on the Columbus disabled list with right arm soreness after experiencing pain at the end of minor league camp in March…. He made 2 rehab relief appearances for Double-A Akron (2.0IP, 6H, 2R/ER) on May 12-14 before settling at AAA Columbus on May 17 for the remainder of the season…Was impressive in Major League camp as an invite, recording 5 scoreless outings in front of the big league staff (5.1IP, 1H, 0R, 3K, .059AVG)
-Josh recorded 10-straight appearances without allowing an earned run from June 7-July 7 (13.0IP, 15H, 3R, 19K)… For the season at Triple-A, he went 3-0 with 2 saves and had a 2.68ERA in 38 games (47.0IP, 48H, 18R/14ER, 14BB, 55K) and closed out the regular season with a 0.82ERA in his final 10 games (11.0IP, 8H, 2R/1ER, 3BB, 14K)…He made 4 postseason appearances (3.2IP, 2H, 1ER, 2BB, 3K), including a perfect hitless inning of relief in the Triple-A National Championship game…Did not allow an ER over his last 8 appearances on the year (9.0IP, 5H, 1R/0ER, 12K…ERA in the 2nd half was 2.25 in 19 games (24.0IP, 22H, 6ER)… Pitched for Aguilas in the Dominican Winter League (1.50ERA, 12.0IP, 11H, 2ER, 9K, 5SV)…Added to 40man roster on Nov 19.

PRO CAREER

2009: Split the season between A Kinston and AA Akron where he was 4-3 w/a 2.83 ERA in 41 games (54.0IP, 39H, 17ER, 18BB, 70K, 11.7SO/9.0IP, .201 avg)…Batters hit .201 (39-194) off him with just 2HR allowed…Promoted to AA Akron on 4/21 after 5 scoreless outings and 3 saves and Kinston to begin the season (4.2IP, 4H, 0R, 0BB, 7K)…Served as the Akron closer in the second half and was a perfect 9-for-9 after the break, posting an ERA of 1.47 (18.1IP, 9H, 3ER, 6BB, 30K) in 16 2nd half outings…From 7/1 on his ERA was 1.07 (25.1IP, 13H, 3ER, 43K, .149avg)…Was unscored upon over his last 9 games, covering 10.0 innings (3H, 17K)… Overall at Akron batters hit .198 (35-177) off him…Was outstanding in the Arizona Fall League for Peoria, going 2-2 w/a 1.59 ERA in 11 games (17.0IP, 13H, 3ER, 8BB, 20K, .210AVG)

2008: Ranked 3rd in the South Atlantic League in wins (12), all in relief… Spent most of the season at Lake County before a late season call-up to Kinston.

PERSONAL/MISC

Full name JOSH STEVEN JUDY…Resides in Stow, OH…Wife, Vivian…Graduated from University High School in Morgantown, WV in 2004 where he played baseball and football…Attended Indiana Tech where he played three years and was a 2007 NAIA honorable mention All-American and first-team all WHAC.

(bio information courtesy of the Cleveland Indians Media Relations Department)

REDS ACQUIRE PITCHER SEAN MARSHALL FROM CUBS
Send 3 Players to Chicago

CINCINNATI – Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty today announced the acquisition of LHP Sean Marshall from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for LHP Travis Wood, OF Dave Sappelt and minor league IF Ronald Torreyes.

Marshall, 29, last season for the Cubs posted a 2.26 ERA and 5 saves in 78 relief appearances, tied for fifth-most in the Major Leagues. He established a single-season franchise record with 34 holds while holding opponents scoreless in 65 of his 78 games.

“Sean has been one of the best and most durable relievers in baseball the last couple of seasons,” Jocketty said. “He will be a solid addition to what we think already is a strong bullpen.”

Also in 2011, Marshall allowed just 1 home run in 75.2 innings, the fourth-best ratio among all Major League relievers. His 0.89 ERA in his final 33 appearances of the season was the second-best in the majors over that span to Jose Valverde’s 0.88 ERA. Marshall’s 4.65 strikeouts-per-walks ratio led all relievers who threw at least 75.0 innings.

Over the last 2 seasons, Marshall ranks second among all Major League pitchers with 158 appearances. Among among all big league relievers the last 2 years, he ranks second with a 2.45 ERA and fifth with 150.1 innings pitched and 169 strikeouts. Marshall has posted a sterling 2.67 ERA in 233 career relief appearances.

Last season Wood went 6-6 with a 4.84 ERA in 18 starts and 4 relief appearances for the Reds and 2-3 with a 5.33 ERA in 10 starts for Class AAA Louisville. Sappelt spent most of the season with the Bats but hit .243 in 38 appearances for the Reds. Torreyes hit .356 in 67 games for Class A Dayton.

See the full press release here —> Marshall from Cubs

I recently sent an email out to some of our Redlegs asking for their favorite things of 2011. Here’s what they had to say…

Sam LeCure
Favorite Album- ”And the People Say” by Sam Sliva and the Good
Favorite Song- The Prodigal Son
Favorite Movie- The Music Never Stopped
Favorite TV Show- River Monsters
Favorite “Thing”- my favorite thing about 2011 is all of the memories that I’ll have from it. Whether that be my first opening day or some of the games I pitched. Having family come and visit me, some of the good times with my buddies who also happen to be co-workers. Some of the plane rides we had, the stories we told and the new ones we made. Seeing different cities and meeting new people. If you can qualify that as a ‘thing’, that’s my favorite thing of 2011.

Homer Bailey
Favorite Album – The Guitar Song by Jamey Johnson
Favorite Song – Back Down South by Kings of Leon
Favorite Movie – War Horse
Favorite TV Show – Justified
Favorite Video Game – Video games are making kids FAT and LAZY, I dont play them.
Favorite “Thing” – Bowtech Invasion

Mat Latos
Favorite CD – My favorite cd is my iPod because nobody listens to CDs anymore!!!
Favorite Song -  Mirror by Lil Wayne
Favorite Movie -  Hangover Pt. 2
Favorite TV Show – Family Guy, hands down!
Favorite Video Game – MLB the Show.
Favorite “Thing” – Getting a late birthday gift of being traded to a talented team ready to compete!

Chris Heisey
Favorite Song – Take a Back Road by Rodney Atkins
Favorite Movie – The Lincoln Lawyer
Favorite TV Show – NCIS
Favorite Thing – Shooting my buck in Arkansas with Travis Wood.

 
Travis Wood
Favorite Album -  Outlaws like Me by Justin Moore
Favorite song(s) – Chris Young (Voices), Jake Owen (Barefoot Bluejean Night), Justin Moore (Redneck Side) & Jason Aldean (dirt road anthem)
Favorite Movie- I’ll admit it, Breaking Dawn
Favorite TV Show(s) – NCIS and White Collar
Favorite “Thing” – Being home to watch my son take his first steps.

Drew Stubbs
Favorite Album: Watch the Throne by Jay-Z and Kanye West
Favorite Song: Old Alabama by Brad Paisley
Favorite Movie: Lincoln Lawyer
Favorite Video Game: Call of Duty Black Ops

Jay Bruce
Favorite Album- Take Care by Drake
Favorite Song-  Ninjas in Paris by Jay-Z and Kanye West
Favorite TV Show- Breaking Bad

Carlos Fisher
Favorite Album – Watch the Throne by Jay-Z and Kanye West
Favorite Movie- Hall Pass
Favorite Tv Show- The Walking Dead
Favorite Thing- Ipad 2