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REDS NOTES

Rolen: Nothing beats experience

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By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer Updated 1:07 AM Sunday, October 4, 2009

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Reds are 24-11 when Scott Rolen mans third base and they are 31-29 since he arrived via trade from Toronto.

Does he like what he sees from this team as far as next season? Rolen talks as if he'd like to see the team add more veterans, of which they have few.

"I'm a big believer in experience," he said. "That's invaluable when you build a team, winning teams and teams that are perennial contenders.

"What you see on those teams are veterans, what you see is experience, what you see is professionals," Rolen added.

Asked if the Reds have enough of that, Rolen quickly said, "Don't know. I'm not necessarily pointing at this team with what I'm saying. I'm talking about typically good teams that win. They have experienced guys who have been in all the situations and survived all the situations in baseball.

Rolen agrees that the game of baseball is a kid's game, but not the major leagues.

"This is a man's game, right?" he said. "Everybody is trying to get to a spot, get in the major leagues, stay in the major leagues and make some money. Once you get over that curve and you have the confidence that you belong, you have maturity and experience and it starts to show on the field," he added.

And that's how playing sharp, alert, correct baseball evolves.

Manager Dusty Baker is a Rolen believer.

"Rolen has been there, been to the mountaintop," he said. "He knows the sacrifice, the dedication, the length of the race better than anybody out there."

Grande calls it quits

Broadcaster George Grande is telling people he has declined his option for next year and won't return to the broadcast booth, citing time away from his family in Connecticut.

He will make the formal announcement on the air today during the last broadcast of the season.

Grande has been in the business for 41 years and has been TV play-by-play voice of the Reds since 1993. He and Chris Welsh have been a team for 17 years.

Baker's utterings

With the season winding down and not much happening, manager Dusty Baker filled his pre-game media briefing with some philosophy and witticisms:

—"I was on deck in the World Series when Goose Gossage hit Ron Cey in the head and I felt as if I was the safest guy in the world because what are the chances of me getting hit, too."

—"Even before he broke his big toe, Arthur Rhodes walked with a limp around the clubhouse like Fred Sanford."

—"I don't want guys who pitch five and fly when they have a lead so they can get a win."

—"When you're legs are tired your whole body is tired and you can't play baseball."

Quote of the day

"This guy (Albert Pujols) is sitting on my off-speed stuff and all I have is off-speed stuff and that's big trouble." — Pitcher Bronson Arroyo, telling Baker why he should leave Wednesday's game in the eighth inning.

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How many times have our young hopefulls failed in clutch situations over last 9 yrs? Let them develop confidence & consistency @ AAA; that's what it's there for! Stubbs, Heisey & Francisco had very avg yrs in AA & AAA. Francisco caught fire late & posted some great #s, but he has very little AAA time. Frazier has been productive & most consistent, but AAA Mgr noted how raw 2nd base play was. We have pitching to win now,but lack offense. Why waste quality pitching we'll lose after next season??

MAC
5:18 AM, 10/9/2009

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I want another quality ML ready vet because I want to WIN...not hope & pray the young guys develop only to watch the team fall out of contention again before the break! 2ndly, Gomes is the only OF who has (produced) EARNED a position IMHO. Gifting a spot/start to a bunch of young guys who have under achieved isn't setting the right "tone" IMO. Clearly, Stubbs,Dickerson,Bruce, & others have potential; I like most of them, but Reds need more of what Rolen has already provided & less empty promises

MAC
5:03 AM, 10/9/2009

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Why would you pay the salary required of an Abreu, or whomever; when paying Gomes,Dickerson, and Francisco is much cheaper, for much younger players--who are still developing?

Believe It Or Not
11:41 PM, 10/7/2009

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Have to agree with Tom; but would also include the subtraction of Gonzo, too. We don't need to go out and pay for a "veteran". We have numerous options for having good sticks in LF: Gomes, Dickerson, Francisco come to mind. Too many are too impatient.Do not forget about Dickerson. He is probably our best example of a good leadoff hitter. Stubbs has more power; but because of his strikeouts is not a good option for leading off...perhaps hitting second behind Dickerson would be best.

Believe It Or Not
11:34 PM, 10/7/2009

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I'll 2nd Jim Kelch vote; I enjoyed listening to him. From the list FA I've seen, there R several good players available. For 1, there R a # of quality catchers who could platoon w/ Hannigan & cost less than Hernandez. As for the OF, Carl Crawford's #s R very good! He'd give the Reds a true #2 hitter, he's good in OF, has good speed, hits for avg & has a high OBP. Angles want a closer & R willing to part w/ Abreu; sounds like a good match. Pt is there R moves to be made; Reds need to step up!

MAC
1:05 AM, 10/7/2009

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