From my pal @Bongreatness…

The first 20,000 fans inside Great American Ball Park today will receive a Reds drawstring backpack courtesy of MLB Network. Gates to the ballpark are scheduled to open at 2:10PM for Season Ticket Holders and 2:40PM for the general public. However, if the crowd size outside the gates dictates it so, those gate opening times will be adjusted in accordance with Cincinnati Fire Code.

Today is the first Reds Birthday Babies game of the 2013 season, presented by TriHealth, Pampers & Kroger. Hundreds of babies born at TriHealth hospitals, along with their proud parents, will join us at the ballpark today for pregame activities in the Fan Zone as well as a pregame parade around the warning track. The ceremonies will culminate in a ceremony honoring doctors and nurses from TriHealth hospitals along with a pair of ceremonial first pitches.

Also during pregame ceremonies today the Reds will welcome members of the 101st Airborne (Air Assault) unit – “The Renegades” for pregame recognition on the field prior to the singing of our National Anthem. We will also observe a moment of silence prior to the singing of the Anthem today in conjunction with Major League Baseball’s participation in the activities leading up to the National Moment of Remembrance, which will occur at 3PM on Memorial Day. A moment of silence will also be observed prior to the singing of the Anthem at tomorrow afternoon’s game and then also at approximately 3PM on Memorial Day as we salute the fallen heroes of our Armed Forces.

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Homestand Highlights (for the remainder of the homestand)

Saturday, May 25, 2013 – Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs, 4:10 p.m.
• Drawstring Backpack Giveaway: The first 20,000 fans receive a drawstring backpack, presented by MLB Network. Prize Packs featuring a Sean Casey autographed baseball will be given away to three lucky winners throughout the game, thanks to MLB Network.
• Tailgate on the Terrace: Join Mo Egger from ESPN 1530 at the Mobile Bud Bar on Crosley Terrace from 2 to 4 p.m. The Mobile Bud Bar is located outside the gates before select games this season. This pregame party features Budweiser beverages at below ballpark pricing.
• Reds Baby Zone: Prior to the game, the Kroger Fan Zone will become the “Baby Zone” with games and activities for babies and their families. Reds partners TriHealth and Pampers will be giving out free samples as well as raffling off prizes. All the fun including appearances by Reds mascots begins at 1:30 p.m. Early access to the “Baby Zone” is available at the corner of Mehring and Joe Nuxhall Way.

Sunday, May 26, 2013 – Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs, 1:10 p.m.
• Kids Baseball Card Set: The first 8,000 kids 14 and under receive a 2013 Reds baseball card set, presented by Kahn’s.
• The Beach Boys Post-Game Concert: The Beach Boys concert will begin about 30 minutes after the last out of the game and is free for fans with a game ticket. Band members Mike Love, Bruce Johnston, Christian Love, Randell Kirsch, Tim Bonhomme, John Cowsill and Scott Totten will perform for about 90 minutes from a stage near second base and will be joined by actor/producer/musician John Stamos.

Monday, May 27, 2013 – Cincinnati Reds vs. Cleveland Indians, 1:10 p.m.
• Ohio Cup Series: The battle for the Ohio Cup kicks off with today’s interleague game between the Reds and Indians. The overall winner of the annual home-and-home series gets to keep the Cup for the season. The Indians currently have possession of the Cup, after winning the series in 2011. In 2012 the teams split the series. The Reds had the Cup starting with the inaugural season in 2008 through 2010. The 2013 series features two games in Cincinnati followed by two games in Cleveland on May 29 and 30.
• Memorial Day Moment of Remembrance: The Reds will join the National Moment of Remembrance, an initiative MLB has participated in since 1997, where all games will stop for a moment of silence at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day to honor Americans who have sacrificed their lives serving our country.
• Digital Camo Caps & Jerseys: The Reds (and all 30 MLB Clubs) will wear specially designed caps and jerseys featuring an authentic military digital camouflage design licensed from the United States Marine Corps in honor of Memorial Day. Fans can purchase the caps at the Reds Team Shops and the jerseys online at reds.com/shop. All net proceeds from sales will be donated to Welcome Back Veterans.
• Memorial Day Pregame Ceremonies:
- Members of the Tuskegee Airmen will be honored during pregame ceremonies.
- US Marine Gunnery SGT Samuel Deeds will throw out a ceremonial first pitch. Samuel was injured by an improvised explosive device in Iraq in 2005 and is one of five finalists for the annual “Your Hero’s Name Here” contest to have the Indianapolis Brickyard 400 named in his honor. Vote for Samuel at yourherosnamehere.nascar.com.
- Lincoln Ware, radio host on The Buzz 1230 AM and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, will serve as Honorary Captain as part of The Buzz 1230 Day at the ballpark.
- Second Class Petty Officer Nicholas Gagner of the U.S. Navy will sing the National Anthem.
-(Retired) Lt. Col. Robert R. Adams will deliver the official game ball.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013 – Cincinnati Reds vs. Cleveland Indians, 7:10 p.m.
• Tri-State Centers for Sight Senior Citizen Special: Fans 60 and older may purchase select non-premium tickets at half-price in advance of game day only. Excludes Outer View Level and Bleachers.
Reds Hall of Fame & Museum
• Ferguson Jenkins Autographs: National Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins will be signing autographs in the Hall of Fame area of the Kroger Fan Zone on Saturday from 2:10 to 5:10 p.m. and Sunday from 11:10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fergie made his major league debut in 1965 and played for the Phillies, Cubs, Rangers and Red Sox. He retired after the 1983 season as a Cub. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991 and his number 31 was retired by the Cubs in 2009. There will be a fee for autographs with proceeds benefiting the Reds Hall of Fame & Museum.

An absolutely gorgeous late afternoon in Cincinnati.  Great weather for the Reds batting practice session.  Here are some photos…

TODAY’S TRANSACTIONS: Today the Reds placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Tuesday, LHP Sean Marshall (sprained left shoulder) and returned from a rehabilitation assignment and reinstated from the 15-day disabled list LHP Manny Parra (strained left pectoral muscle)…is Marshall’s second stint on the DL this season (4/10-4/25, left shoulder tendinitis)…Parra, disabled since 4/26, is coming off 3 rehab starts for Class AA Pensacola (0-0, 0.00, 5ip, 3h, 0r, 1bb, 5k)…he last pitched in Sunday’s 6-3 Blue Wahoos win vs Mobile (2ip, 0h, 0r, 1bb, 1k, 25 pitches, 13 strikes).

**The original lineup posted had Mesoraco catching. That’s incorrect. Hanigan is tonight’s Reds catcher.

From my pal @Bongreatness…

-Tonight is the fourth Fireworks Friday of the 2013 season, presented by KOI Auto Parts. The 15-minute fireworks display will begin approximately 15 minutes after the conclusion of tonight’s game and will feature a “Player Walk Up” music soundtrack to go along with the fireworks show produced by Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks.

-Tonight we also welcome back the Long Haul Bombers of the World Softball League’s Stadium Power Tour. The Bombers will compete in a softball home run derby contest prior to the game, beginning at approximately 6:15PM, and after the game prior to the start of the postgame fireworks show. There will be 10 participants in tonight’s derby including two Ohio born competitors – Kevin Filby of Delaware, Ohio, and Brian Wegman of Cincinnati.

-Tonight also marks the first “Sam” the Bald Eagle flight of the 2013 season. Sam, courtesy of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, will be making five ceremonial flights this season from the Cincinnati Bell Riverboat Deck to the pitcher’s mound during the singing of the National Anthem. The 2013 season marks Sam’s 10th season of making these flights. (Below is a Tweet the Cincinnati Zoo sent out yesterday)

Bald eagle Sam had 2 flawless test flights this morning @reds stadium to prepare for pre-game fly-in tomorrow night! ow.ly/i/2bti3

— Cincinnati Zoo (@CincinnatiZoo) May 23, 2013

-National Baseball Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins will be signing autographs in the Fan Zone tonight from 5:10-8:10PM with proceeds benefitting the Reds Hall of Fame & Museum. Jenkins will also be at the ballpark on Saturday and Sunday this weekend as well.

Reds outfielder Donald Lutz (aka “@BraunerHulk“) took time today to visit with the folks at the MLB Fan Cave in the heart of New York’s Greenwich Village.

Donald hung out with Reds Instagram contest winner Carrie Yount and her dad, as well as MLB Fan Cave Dweller/Reds fan Ben Wietmarschen, and the rest of the Cave Dwellers.

Our own Lisa Braun was there, too and she provided some pictures for Better Off Red.  Enjoy…

My Red-To-Rock tonight is….

The official press release from Major League Baseball…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 20, 2013
JOEY VOTTO OF THE CINCINNATI REDS NAMED
NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto has been named National League Player of the Week for the period ending May 19th. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network.

In six games last week, Votto led the Majors with a .583 batting average (14-for-24) and a .655 on-base percentage. The three-time N.L. All-Star ranked among league leaders with a .917 slugging percentage (2nd), 14 hits (T-2nd), 22 total bases (3rd) and seven runs scored (T-3rd) while clubbing two home runs with five RBI. Votto had five multi-hit performances last week and extended his current hitting streak to eight games as the Reds posted a 4-2 record for the week. On Saturday, the 29-year-old paced Cincinnati’s offense, reaching base six times in six plate appearances. Votto went 4-for-4 with two walks, a double, a home run and two RBI in a 10-0 rout of the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The 2010 N.L. MVP went 2-for-4 in Friday night’s matchup between the two clubs, including a game-tying homer in the eighth inning of an eventual 5-3 loss. Votto opened his stellar week with a 3-for-4 effort in a 6-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday. In addition to his three hits, the Canadian-born slugger drew a based-loaded walk that plated the Reds’ second run of the contest. Votto currently leads the Majors with a .473 on-base percentage, having reached base a Major League-best 98 times. His 37 walks are also the most in the Majors while his .349 average ranks second in the Senior Circuit. This is his third career weekly award, having previously won August 21-27, 2009 and, most recently, July 25-31, 2011.

Other noteworthy performances last week included Votto’s Cincinnati teammate Homer Bailey (1-0, 0.00 ERA, CG, 13 SO, 16.0 IP); Milwaukee’s Norichika Aoki (.533, 16 H, 3 2B, 3 RBI, .633 SLG, .576 OBP); Arizona’s Paul Goldschmidt (.500, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 12 H, 5 2B, 1.083 SLG) and Brandon McCarthy (1-0, 0.00 ERA, CG, SHO, 9.0 IP, 5 SO); Washington’s Adam LaRoche (.308, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 4 R, .769 SLG); Daniel Murphy (.500, 14 H, 4 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, .857 SLG) of the New York Mets; San Francisco’s Marco Scutaro (.500, 11 H, 4 R, .542 OBP); Washington’s Ryan Zimmerman (.385, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 10 H, .448 OBP); Clayton Kershaw (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 11 SO, 8.2 IP) of the Los Angeles Dodgers; and Edward Mujica (0-0, 4 SV, 0.00 ERA, 5.0 IP, 4 SO) of the St. Louis Cardinals.

In recognition of his National League Player of the Week Award, Joey Votto will be awarded a watch courtesy of Game Time, the leader in licensed sports watches, available at MLB.com.
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