The Morning Update (4/29): Cincinnati Reds, Blue Jackets, Trades

Apr 28, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A general view of the field covered due to a rain delay between the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

April showers bring May flowers. Yeah I don’t really care for flowers, cool I get to sneeze more and there’s more pollen in the air. Oh, and the rain cancels Cincinnati Reds games. It’s always something weather wise in this town. Granted it’s the best city on earth, but we knew that.

One thing real quick that isn’t sports related but does affect the community. Toyota announced they are going to close their Erlanger, Kentucky offices which employ around 1,600 people. That is a huge employer for the greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area, as much as we make fun of Kentucky the NKY area is essentially part of Cincinnati as well. Those 1,600 jobs are being moved to Texas, surely someone on staff in Erlanger has stumbled across this blog. RFB just wants to say good luck to those of you who will be going to Texas in 2016 and same to those that are staying here. Tough decisions for those people.

Cincinnati Reds (11-14)

Back to sports, last night the Cincinnati Reds game against the Chicago Cubs (8-16) was rained out as thunderstorms rolled through the city for a few hours Monday Night. A make up day has not been announced, it likely will not be this week although Wednesday could logistically be set up as a double header.

Alfredo Simon was scheduled to be on the mound for the Reds, his first start since a lawsuit was filed in Washington D.C. accusing him of rape. There has been fan talk of boycotting games Simon is pitching in. That is ludicrous and irresponsible behavior as a fan. Sure you are entitled to your opinion and own free will, but this is a team sport. There are 8 other guys who need support, support the team not one player.

The Reds and the Cubs will try again Tuesday night at 7:10pm, rain is in the forecast again as Alfredo Simon is scheduled to pitch.

Blue Jackets

The ride was fun while it lasted. The Columbus Blue Jackets exit the playoffs after losing their opening series to the Pittsburgh Penguins 4 games to 2.

Columbus trailed 4-0 until the third period where the Blue Jackets staged a wild come back scoring three goals within 5 minutes. The Jackets then spent the final 5 minutes trying to tie the game to no avail.

This is a very young team with a bright future and a massively energized fan base in Columbus. Playoff hockey is unlike any other postseason in sports, Jackets fans will want it back next season. With experience look for the team to possibly make a run next year.

Cincinnati Reds Trades

The radio talking heads on Cincinnati sports talk radio have discussed two possible trades for the Reds this season. Both trades are ridiculous for multiple reasons.

The first trade was suggested by the Reds radio post game show. That was for the Reds to trade ace Johnny Cueto for a big bat. Wonderful idea expect the Reds need starting pitching to keep them in games. A bat would be great but at this point you don’t “shake things up” for the hell of it.

The second trade was posed by ESPN 1530 radio host Mo Egger and that was to trade Aroldis Chapman. Last year I would have agreed with him, this season not a chance in hell. The Reds bullpen is among the worst in baseball, if JJ Hoover is the closer of the future in a case that Chapman gets traded, we’re all going to need a Xanax.

How about we don’t worry about trades until the deadline, deal? Awesome.

Video of the Day

At a lost for words on this one. Where do you even start?! With the synthesizer voice, the girls in the bikini, the teeth on the guy at the beginning. The fact that he raps about diesel trucks? You can’t focus on one thing because you notice something else. I miss playing West Virginia for this reason, the people watching was second to none.