Sandman

In regard to international sports discussion and the commentary (truth) on the corruption and ineptitude involved they go hand in hand. I'm guessing the international soccer scandal proved it. Most of the world is corrupt and inept. We see it to varying degrees all the time. It might two months to get a pothole fixed in Mayberry these days. How long you think it may take in China? Count it in decades. I like the Olympics, but I hate the corruption that runs them. And, I'm not sure I'd want or really think any US city is ready to host them full-time. I'd maybe go with LA for the summer and Vancouver or Toronto in Canada for the winter as hosts.

Loved me some MTV once upon a time. The station changed pop culture, and I'd argue culture in general many ways before it became a cesspool of, whatever. They did, however, have their "heavy rotation" songs. A few have been mentioned some I still remember: Brass in Pocket was played every 15 minutes. Hated the song, like it now. Billy Jean may have been played once or twice, as was Beat It. Thriller was announced like 12 hours in advance. Big Time was played every 8 minutes I think. Still hate the song. Madonna got more than decent air-play, but Open You Heart was the one that sticks out. Three times an hour maybe. I didn't care, Madonna was hot in the video. MTV played a lot new artists, but may have given too much clock to some folks that were a bit old. Steve Winwood's career was reinvented thanks to MTV (no problem with that. Those tunes are still okay). Rod Stewart's Forever Young was only played a billion and three times. Still hate the song. The dude from Genesis, with the song about his father or fatherhood? Really they played that like 25 million times a day. I wasn't in. Note: All times may be exaggerated by my then young mind. Just what it seemed at the time.

Nice thread. Quick poll. Nina or Martha? I was all in with Martha.

We ended up making a lot of the same points. Totally agree with your first graph. second graph, I agree Cueto had to be moved given all the circumstances involved (more than a little bit were Reds self induced though). But why no proven major league talent in return? If the deadline was looming, why not trade him in the off season? Who thought this Reds team was playoff bound in December? Last graph, I think the ship has sailed on a salary cap in baseball. Ownership missed their chance decades ago, and the players union has all the power now. They'll never agree to it. Holding out for one could result in the longest strike in sports history. Same graph, not seeing baseball pushing the NFL under any circumstances. Games are still to long, season last forever, and honestly the way the game is meant to be played is just too slow for most fans attention span. I've had a pretty good relationship with baseball for most of my life, but I'll be honest. It's hard for me to watch closely anymore. I'm used to something happening every 10 seconds, or else I'm checking my phone. The last thing I want to see is a guy throw a ball, wait 40 seconds to throw another pitch, then their is a foul ball, and we wait more. Happened tonight with the Reds game. Tuned in during the ninth when the Pirates were rallying. It was excruciating to watch. I just wanted to see how the game ended.

Reading this thread I find it interesting that I agree with Hellbird more often than not. Mind you, I'm not going off the reservation beating his drum, but I'm not sold all these moves were as good as many of you think. First, the elephant in the room is the contract the Reds signed Bailey to. I said days ago they could have signed both Cueto and Leake at the time longer term and now everyone in the media is saying it. I'm not sure how you give the Reds a pass on this deal. Prospects are just that. Someone said that most of the top Reds players were once top prospects. So were a lot of guys in every franchise that don't work out. Seems like top major league players should market major league players in return. Seems like simple math to me. I'm giving you a proven number one, I want a couple guys that can play for me tomorrow in return. My math may be a bit off, but the Reds gave up two arms that have been a large part of their rotation for the last five plus years, for ONE player who has seen major league duty? Color me unimpressed with the return. Baseball economics isn't nearly as difficult to figure out as you guys want to make it. Don't spend a ton on a terrible contract, and all is good. The Cards turn over their roster, allow guys to walk, and yet are never "waiting for another window". Sounds like settling to me. Fantasy baseball seems to have given us plenty of arm-chair GM's who are willing to tell us how we should think and how important "prospects" are. As if everyone should be excited that we are hoarding our pieces, and we might come get ya in 2019. Oh boy, sign me up.

On the bolded, I think Mark Cuban is fine if loses money and the Mavs win an NBA. Jerry Jones as well if the Cowboys win a Super Bowl. There are certainly franchise owners who view their team as a "toy" and if they don't make money but win they aren't going broke as a result. Frankly, today it's awfully hard to own a pro sports team and lose money. In Cincinnati we've had an NFL owner for 50 year's who didn't have money, and thus ran the team as a family business. They still run it that way. Lot of rich Brown's because of the NFL. But that's the exception, not the rule. Most folks get rich first, then buy a team. Hellbirds point has some validity in that Castillini can't afford to spend money like some other owners. He's rich, he's not as rich as some.

Ringing endorsement for Buckheads. Maybe I'd like a salad.

I'd likely go with T v X.

LB is doing some work in this thread. I like it:thumb: What city did the Axl Rose thing happen?

Is this an OSU testing, or an NCAA testing. Rocky Boiman was on WLW today and said all players get tested in preseason. The way he talked, it seemed like an NCAA thing. But, he never elaborated. I do think the talk about Urban laying down the law is hilarious. I have some die-hard OSU fans who absolutely hated the guy when he was at Florida. Now, all the sudden they have amnesia of all their vile. He's the same guy. What happened at Florida will happen at OSU, good and bad. He can recruit, coach, and win games. No question. But, let's not pretend he's wearing a big badge around Columbus proclaiming there's a new sheriff in town. I say this with no ill will toward OSU. I hope they win the big 10 every year (unless it's one of those wacky seasons when Northwestern has a chance).

Is this an OSU testing, or an NCAA testing. Rocky Boiman was on WLW today and said all players get tested in preseason. The way he talked, it seemed like an NCAA thing. But, he never elaborated. I do think the talk about Urban laying down the law is hilarious. I have some die-hard OSU fans who absolutely hated the guy when he was at Florida. Now, all the sudden they have amnesia of all their vile. He's the same guy. What happened at Florida will happen at OSU, good and bad. He can recruit, coach, and win games. No question. But, let's not pretend he's wearing a big badge around Columbus proclaiming there's a new sheriff in town. I say this with no ill will toward OSU. I hope they win the big 10 every year (unless it's one of those wacky seasons when Northwestern has a chance).

All good points, except I can't believe the bolded is the case. The Cyclones schedule is already set for the 16-17 season? Cost is likely higher, not an issue for UC though. Turnaround from hockey to hoops is time consuming. But they make it work in multiple arenas around the country. US Bank will draw the most UC fans to the games, which is most important to UC. And IMO that's why they'll get a deal done. Women's team will also play their is my guess. Though they frankly could play at Elder's Pit and not sell the place out.

Looks like Leake is on his way to the Giants.

In my first post I was mostly having fun with your disdain for the Eagles and apparent infatuation with Dusty. But, it's all good. When it comes to fan bases though, you are painting with an awfully broad brush. All that you mention have over the top fans, no question. As do most every team. Personally, I've found Reds fans to be fairly polite by and large. And, as fans go, they tend to have pretty good baseball knowledge. I'd have a hard time lumping them with the masses of the other three. Not the same stock to me.

So says the man who still hates the Eagles, and has Dusty Rhodes as an avatar. Really? Cueto wouldn't get booed. May not get a standing O, but likely won't start anyway so it's no biggie. UK fans are a bit different, I will grant you. Some have zero clue if the football team ever plays a game. Many don't care. Even when it comes to bball they are hard to deal with. Reds fans on the other hand include a lot of area's of Ohio. Not the same stock at all. Poor comparison.

Tell ya what, I thought the exact same thing about Leake via Maddox from day one. He won't have Maddox's career, but very similar pitchers. IMO a fair comparison A lot of Reds fans and so called experts were upset when the Reds traded the other guy (Wood maybe) instead of Leake. Many thought the Wood guy had better potential. Neither were proven MLB pitchers, but to me Leake was by far the better prospect. Of course Wood did throw harder, so that enticed some folks. Bailey threw hard as well. I'll take Leake

So here's our winner. Imagine Clyde settling the issue. Cobb is Cobb, most know his good and bad. I'd have never guessed Staub. I remember him as a pretty good hitter, but no idea he played in majors that young, nor that he played that long. I'd have guessed a 12 to 15 year career. Sheffield could hit early and often. Lots of baggage over the years, but he could hit. ARod is doing some good things late in his career, despite all the tarnishments involved. Honestly, I'm more of a fan of his now than ever before.

Short answer, not sure. Longer answer, I hope it happens, but I think the place and/or the city missed their chances. A better arena may lured an NHL team rather than Columbus years back. A newer/renovated arena may have lured interest from an NBA franchise. Location is good enough, but I think it needs a permanent tenant besides the Cyclones. UC basketball isn't coming with the 5/3 renovations being announced. I'm just not sure what this place's niche is in the city anymore. Has to be more than a circus and wrestling venue with winter concerts to warrant the upgrade IMO.

Word I get from an industry insider is that Crave at the Banks (in Cincinnati) is on the verge of closing. Source has pretty solid connections in the Cincy restaurant scene so I give him more than fair credibility on issues like this. If true, how many failed businesses does that bring the Banks up to? Seems like the area may not be the gold mine for all that it was thought to be. I will say I hope the place doesn't close, for a variety of reasons. I like the Banks and the new Cincy riverfront area as a whole. We were in Crave on Tuesday night for dinner and the place was more empty than full. Actually 1/4 full at best. By the time we finished, we were the only people in the place. Banks as a whole seemed pretty quite. Granted it was a week night and the Reds were out of town. But, it was before 9 pm. Morelein House seemed busy enough, Yard House looked fairly busy, but the other places even Jefferson Social were remarkably quite. Unrelated note, the Orange Leaf down there closes at 7? If the place is ever hopping, why not stay open until 9 or 10 and take advantage of diners who may want a cup after their meal for a walk down by the river.

I just assumed they'd simply use US Bank Arena. Have to think UC, the Cyclones, and UC's conference would work together to make it work for all the Bearcats home games. If not, I don't think the Gardens is an option. I really surprised the place is still standing. I have no idea when the last time it was used for anything, but would have to think major dollars would have to be spent to rehab it just so it would be useable. Can't even imagine what condition those locker rooms are in. On first blush I'd think Cintas is a big no chance. Never really want to use your biggest rival's facility for home games. NKU would make some sense, but I still think they'll make US Bank Arena work for all their home games

I've been a Leake fan since his rookie year. the guy knows how to pitch. I've said that even when the bad is bad, as it has been at times during his Reds stint. What can the Reds get for him, I'd like to think a decent return. Not sure though. May trade one proven major leaguer for a "potential" good to decent major leaguer. Bailey deal was a bad deal, and I said that from the word go. The injury is a crutch some fans and Reds exec's may use for years to come. Bottom line is he wasn't that good prior to the injury. I wonder if when the Reds signed Bailey, they could have instead given Leake a five-year deal and added three more years to Cueto's deal for the same money? May have been possible at the time.

I agree with MTGL on many a thing, but this post has me puzzled. What's wrong with sitting outside in September? It might be the best month of the year to sit outside. Other than sharing a decade, what do Night Ranger and NWA have in common? There's a place for both mind you, but I can't imagine a trajectory anywhere in the universe where their planes would intersect.

Nice gets. This thread had potential.... Gotta agree with MTGL though, I hated Sledgehammer 8 kinds of ways. Hated the video even more. Pretty sure MTV would sometimes play it twice in a row just to peeve me off. I have mellowed to the point I can now tolerate Sledgehammer at the occasional 80's type party or reunion.

Preface this by saying I have no clue where the term "reality tv" was born or how it actually applies to most of the shows we are discussing. What is "real" about throwing a bunch of people on an island and then manipulating them for a few months? None of these shows mimic real life much, if at all. Only reality shows that really come to my mind are the OJ and Casey Anthony trials. Those were real life dramas. Watched neither, kept up with both to some degree. They were freak shows mind you, but at least they were real. Not knocking anyone who watches any of the shows listed though. Just knocking that they have any semblance of reality to them. Personally, I veer toward the talent shows myself. Early rounds of the voice. Later rounds of American Idol. Dancing with the Stars if the cast of stars intrigues me. My two cents.

national news broadcasts now reporting on a Cueto to Royals deal being completed. Can't find what the Reds are getting in return anywhere you.