Christmas Baseball Bling from Santa

     The kids got some great baseball team oriented gifts from Santa this year. Tyler & Travis got some really cool Reds bling. Sean got some cool Giants gear. Dylan got some Red Sox gear in the form of a Wally Pillow Pet(no good pic because he doesn't like having his picture taken). I got a Reds Gapper Pillow Pet, new Red Mizuno 9Spike steal spikes, and a Crystal Baseball shaped wine bottle topper! We have the array of MLB baseball teams covered! Here are some pics. (Alicia got some really cool stuff too. Diamonds are not really baseball related, so hence not in the sports blog!!! LOL)

 Thanks all and Cheers from the Cheap Seats.

FYI... Jeff Russell days until the Reds Pitchers & catchers report to Spring Training! (46)

Missing Reds & Sabres - #Movember

    The Baseball season ended for my Reds earlier than anticipated. I miss the anticipation of looking for scores, listening, and watching the team play. Damn it!

     The NHL lockout is in effect, it's day 33, I think! I am missing my Sabres on the ice. I do get to watch some up and coming Sabres play for the Rochester Americans. It's a small help.

     If you are or aren't aware, it's Movember time! Time to help Men's Prostate Cancer help fight or even find a cure for testicular cancer. I have a page at the official #Movember web site. If you would like to donate, you'll be surprised what $1 dollar will do.

Please give so my #Movember Mo may grow: http://mobro.co/3173049

Thanks Yawl and Cheers from the Cheap Seats.

2012 Reds Season is over, Damn! YO!

      This is the tough blog post of the 2012 Reds season. The Reds season came to an end yesterday at or around 5:00pm EST. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Reds 6-3 in game 5 of the NLDS. The guys fought and gave everything they had, it was easily seen in the play of the game. My hat goes off to all the guys on the team. Special thanks to Mat, Sam, Ryan, and Brandon - I dare say the four of you tried to lift the entire 25 man team and fans up to victory. It was a hell of a try, an entire Reds nation was pulling for you.

#RedstillDeath (I borrowed the hash tag from @nastyboysclub, he came up with it.)

      There were a ton of great moments all season long. I'm not sure where to start, so I won't. The guys on this team are all players I am damn proud to call Reds - Thanks Gentleman: Ryan L., Mat, Sam, Brandon, Joey, Logan, Aroldis, Scott, Miguel, Devon, Alfredo, Sean, Todd, Zack, Chris, Drew, Jay, Jose, Bronson, Homer, Wilson, Xavier, Dionner, Ryan H., Mike, J.J., Tony, & Jonathan. To Dusty, Chris, Bryan, Billy, Brook, Mack, Mark, Juan, Mike, Walt, Jamie(#BOR), and Mr. Castellini -- From the bottom of this Reds fan's heart -- Thanks for the entire 2012 season. My love for this team and organization has never been this enormous. Keep doing what you have been, the hard work will pay off, and we will all get that gold trophy.

After the game was over yesterday, the one song that came to my mind was this because the season is over.

Then after a few minutes of being, understandably upset, this song came to my mind. 

I LOVE THIS SONG! Reds Fan

I look forward to the 2013 season. Keep the guys we have, they are awesome and will give all to get the job done. To all the expiring contract guys: think about stay with the Reds guys, all of Reds Nation love having you on the team.

DL/CL- Word YO!

Thanks and Cheers from the Cheap Seats.

Reds Pre-Game 3 Excitement (Jitters!) Fan sided

     Hello all. I'm sitting here at work trying to focus on work rather than the Reds Game 3 tonight. I'm not doing a very good job, considering I'm typing out this blog post! The Reds have a chance to close out the NLDS series against the Giants tonight. My excitement resides on several levels this morning. I'm excited, stoked, pumped, fidgety, giddy, nervous, worried, scared, and unable to concentrate.

     We Reds fans have not seen our team advance to the NLCS since 1995, which the Reds lost. I was 24 years old  the last time the Reds had the playoff opportunity to advance to the NLCS. Yes, the Reds were in the playoffs in 2010, but were swept by the Phillies. It was a short lived playoff experience, almost not rewarding, considering how the Reds exited the playoffs so quick. 

     I'm 41 years old today and not sure if I'm dreaming or if this is actually real. If this is real, I'm hoping tonight will be the next step to help clear away seventeen long years of playoff disappointment. Lets go Reds #RedsOctober 

     To any Giants fans that may read this, I wish you and your team good luck tonight. Your team is a very excellent foe.

Thanks all and Cheers from the Cheap Seats.

This is what I keep looking at this morning!!!!!!!

Reds Pre-Clinchmas Nerves

     Hello all, the Reds Clinch magic number is down to two or Zack Cozart! I'm happy, excited, nervous, and worried all at one time. Like most of my Reds friends, the mix of emotions is starting to get the best of me this afternoon. I've uber tweeted all of the possible things I can think of today. I started out being calm and collected and currently can't sit still in my office chair.
     I see all my Cincinnati friends tweeting about their playoff tickets or games they are going to attend down the stretch. I've honestly never felt completely jealous of them until today. I really am happy for them and wish I could be there too. The problem is, as you may or may not know, I live in upstate NY. For a life long Reds fan, this anticipation of the Division Clinch is awesome. On the other hand, I have to sit from afar, not able to watch the game on TV. I have to listen to the radio broadcast on my MLB12 App. How depressing is that?
      So, to be on a better note, I really hope the Cardinals lose to the Cubs this afternoon and the Reds beat the Dodgers tonight to complete the clinch. Please know friends, I'll be screaming from NY, if this happens. I hope yawl will hear me! If not, yell once for me at the game tonight!

I remember how great this was and hope we get something close to the same level tonight.

As always, thanks all and Cheers from the Cheap Seats.

First Day of School in 2nd Grade

Good morning all. I went to meet my sons (surprise them) before their first day of 2nd grade. I hid in their daycare room and popped out to say "Good Morning!" I got the two of them all excited and they ran to me yelling "Daddy!" I will never ever ever ever, be tired of hearing that from them. Here is a picture of them in their new school outfits. Good Luck boys and have a great day. Hugs and Kisses from Daddy.

                                            Left to Right - Travis & Tyler - 7yrs old.

Thanks and Cheers from the Cheap Seats.

My 1st Reds game in Great American Ball Park

Hey all. This little rant is about my pilgrimage to Cincinnati @ Great American Ball Park. I had a "Marvelous" (Billy Crystal voice) day.

Bob Laten is the owner of the In Between Tavern. I mentioned driving from NY, 9 hours about 500 miles, to see the Reds and he let me keep my car in his lot all day. Thanks Much Bob. You have a great place, Pete Rose/Reds stuff all over inside. I can honestly throw a ball from this place and hit the Stadium.

My first view of the GABP Stadium

My Pilgrimage to Reds Mecca GABP!

Larkin Weekend!

Johnny Bench Statue. This is at the entrance to the Reds HOF. Sparky Anderson Quote "I don't want to embarrass other catchers by comparing them to Johnny Bench."

This is Amy, we follow each other on twitter. I met her before the game by accident. It was her birthday Saturday. She has a wonderful family.

Nuxy. Nuff said.

Moerlein - this is in the floor of the Lager House. The building was built on the old Riverfront infield.

Pete Rose got a 9 minute standing ovation for hit #4192. His quote "I'm just like everyone else. I have two arms, two legs, and four thousand hits!"

The Reds cannot be affiliated with Pete Rose because of his lifetime ban from baseball. Well, the Reds org put a "Rose Garden" where Pete Rose hit his historical 4,192 hit. Take that MLB.

Me enjoying a couple 4oz beers at Moerlein, pre-game. Sporting my InTheGapShirts Cooperstown Larkin tribute shirt & Reds Stars & Stripes NewERA cap.

View of the Moerlein taps.

Standing in line to get into GABP for an hour and a half. I got the Commemorative Stein. It was hot as HELL and there was a ton of people waiting in the sun.

Amy got me my First Reds Game Certificate for being at GABP. Thanks much Amy.

This is a mini wiffle ball field for the kids. I had to ask to be allowed to play outfield! The kids let me too!! I made one catch and let the rest go, for the kids of course!!

Me as Gapper!

Pic says it all.

#11

#11 on the wall forever!

My seat view. It was perfect for this game. RF plays - BP's double, Bruce's Diving catch, Bruce HR, and BP HR to Right Center.

BBRRRUUCCEEEE

I see you JamieBlog - first row - 3rd seat - above the retired number wall. My enlarged pic does better justice!

The Stacks. I could hear Chuck D. and the crew all game. Good thing Carpenter wasn't with the Cardinals, there was smoke all day!!!

Jay Bruce made his diving catch where the divots are, look a bit above middle right of the pic. It was an Awesome catch.

Bruce hitting his BOMB!

Todd Father on the Jumbo Tron

Copy the below link to view the video highlights. I'm in two of the footage snipits!

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=24210293&c_id=mlb

I tried to lighten my face - next to the score logo.

I have my Right arm up almost pointing directly at the ball in the corner, wearing #63. I was actually raising my arm yelling because of the great hit by BP. Beltran was busy.

 I didn't get to meet any of my Bro twitter followers.

My twitter lady followers represented very well. I met Amy & her family -  @photomama0825, Stephanie W. - @HotCrner3B, Ally - Steph's daughter, and Robin - @SwarlesBarkley_ . I got to waive at Stephanie B. - @stephseesgreen,  from my seat to hers in Left Field!! It was awesome to meet you all.

I had an amazing time at GABP. I met some wonderful people, tried to sight see as much as possible, got to see #11 retired, saw several great defensive plays, two #Funkblasts, and the Reds won 8-2. The only way it could have been scripted better, was to see Sam LeCure #63 pitch. I was sporting my #63 Spring training Jersey and got a bunch of peeps asking me about it. I am definitely going to go back, next time my family is going with me, so we can all share these types of memories. I am still wound up from the game! Let's go Reds. #HuntforRedsOctober

Thanks all and Cheers from the Cheap Seats!

Playing Ball on Doubleday Field in Cooperstown

G'day. I was fortunate enough to get to play on Doubleday field in Cooperstown this past Sunday, August 18, 2012. All I can say is that it was nerve racking, awesome, fun, and a great experience. My team the Devils here pictured.

Top left to Right - Nick, Todd (Chico), Marc T, RJ, & Bill

Bottom left to Right - Rick, Gil, Chris (CJ), me, & Greg (Dog)

Here are some more great pics from the game. Thanks for taking the time to check them out.

As always -- Thanks From the Cheap Seats!

Arno U Diint

BOR

Better Off Red 

@jamieblog

LeCure sighting in Cooperstown, NY. Home of the MLB Hall of Fame

ITG Sighting too!

Brauner Hulk T Shirt

In The Gap Shirts

@Inthegapshirts.com

Game Photos

Alicia & my cousin Mike(Korn)