Reds Rumors Straight From Bob Castellini

I attended the annual Reds suite holder/season ticket holder lunch on Friday and found out some interesting insider news that I am about to share with all of you.

In attendance were Bob Castellini, Walt Jocketty, Jay Bruce, Chris Dickerson, Mike Lincoln, Carlos Fisher and Marty.

Castellini was asked if the Reds would host an all-star game in Cincinnati in the near future? The owner was hesitant to answer at first and asked if their were any press in attendance. He then said that he has received a guarantee that the Reds will host the all-star game from Bud Selig himself sometime after 2012 and before 2014... meaning the Reds will host the game in 2013. He then said if you tell anyone it didn't come from him...

Jocketty said that Volquez looked great and will automatically be placed in the starting rotation when he comes back in July. Question: who is dumped out of the starting five? I think Arroyo, Cueto and Leake are safe but he likely will fill Homer's spot and they may send Homer to the bullpen. Also, what happens if Lecure pitches well in his next start as well? Does Homer go to the bullpen now?

Jocketty said that the team has no interest in going after Roy Oswalt, mainly because of funds, but also because he didn't want to mess with team chemistry and he likes the arms the Reds have in the majors and minors (i.e. Chapman, Lecure, Maloney, Lehr).

Jocketty also said that Mario Soto clocked Chapman at 103 mph in his last start. 103! You should've seen Lincoln and Fisher's faces, priceless.

Stat of the Day

From ESPN.com and Jayson Stark.

Since Rolen showed up, the Reds are 54-27 in games he’s played and 6-20 in games he’s missed.

A few thoughts....

* Man I love the NBA Playoffs! Anyone else watching? The Suns just looked like they were lost and dead in the water in their first two games in LA. Now they have bounced back to even the series at 2-2 after two impressive home wins. And Orlando just looked like they were going to get steamrolled by Boston. The series is a currently at 3-1 Boston, but Orlando held off elimination in Boston on Monday and now play tonight at home. A 3-2 series could get interesting.

* I am not a Dusty basher like most Reds fans. But, I don't understand why he doesn't stick with Arthur Rhodes for longer. King Arthur's numbers are outstanding, he comes in for tough batters and tough situations. But last night, why don't you stick with him to get you through the ninth? We saw it in Atlanta last week when Dusty took out Rhodes for CoCo and Cordero gave up the Grand Slam.

* It's a bit of old news now but congratulations to the Cincinnati Cyclones for winning the 2010 Kelly Cup. That makes two Kelly Cup Championships for Cincinnati in the last three years. I think a lot of the success of the Cyclones can be attributed to Chuck Webber the 33 year old head coach of the Cincinnati Cyclones. I can't pretend to be an expert on hockey coaching but the new level of success in Cincinnati with a lot of player turnover on the roster there is one common thread and that is Chuck Webber. The players really seem to respond to his style. I hope that one day Chuck gets an opportunity at a higher level but for the time being I am happy to see him in Cincinnati.

* I think the idea of having the Super Bowl in New York City is a terrible idea. I don't want to watch a Super Bowl game played in the snow or bitter cold. I understand that most of the game is played in the elements and the cold. But the Super Bowl is the true neutral environment where weather has typically not been a factor. Now this adds a whole new element to the game. Anyone else excited to see a 7-0 game in a foot of snow? If it ain't broke don't fix it Rodge, and right now it ain't broke.

Josh Lueke promoted to AA

Seems like just a day after I posted about local product Josh Lueke's solid numbers he was promoted to the AA Frisco RoughRiders. Lueke was roughed up for 3 hits and one earned run in 1.1 innings pitched so far in AA.

Local Pitcher Lueke Dominating

Scott High school and Northern Kentucky University Alumnus Josh Lueke is finding great success so far this season in the Texas Rangers minor league system. Lueke, RHP, is currently playing for the Low-A Hickory Crawdads in the Class A South Atlantic League. So far this season Lueke is 2-1 with a 0.46 ERA with 36 strikeouts and a league leading 10 saves.

Calipari does it again!

If you have been following Kentucky basketball in the offseason you know that Calipari has been hot on the recruiting trail once again. But what you might not know is that John Calipari has assembled another recruiting class that can be considered one of the most talented groups...ever! Last night Kentucky received their signed financial aid papers from Terrence Jones. Three weeks ago Jones, a McDonalds All-American, had committed to Washington but voiced his doubt shortly after making his decision public. Last night Jones officially changed his decision and sent his paperwork to Kentucky. The financial aid papers are not a binding deal, Jones can still back out, but he indicated that he is now 95% sure he will be attending Kentucky.

What does this mean for the Kentucky recruiting class? This takes them from amazing to epic.

What can Kentucky expect next year?
Kentucky now has four Five Star ranked recruits:
Terrence Jones- PF
Brandon Knight- PG
Enes Kanter- PF
Doron Lamb- SG

And add to that two Four Star ranked recruits:
Stacey Poole- SF
Eloy Vargas- C (transfer from Miami Dade CC, previously played at Florida)

I don't know how John Calipari does it (and maybe I don't want to know) But I do know that Kentucky will have the talent next year to be even better than their Elite Eight team this season.

Is Lebron recruiting Coach Cal?

Now that Lebron and the Cavs have been knocked out of the playoffs we can really start talking about Lebron's next move. Chris Broussard from ESPN was on Mike and Mike a few times this week. Chris believes that Lebron is seriously considering leaving Cleveland. The number one destination in his mind...the Chicago Bulls. The Chicago Bulls have Derrick Rose at PG, who played under Coach Cal at Memphis. Rose and Cal are still close. Coach Cal has been following Lebron throughout the NBA playoffs and twice now has been near the Cleveland sidelines as a guest of Lebron's. Chicago has no coach right now. Could Coach Cal be heading to Chicago?

It's no secret that Cal would like another shot in the NBA. Rumors were circulating earlier this year that the New Jersey Nets were interested in bringing him back for another shot. I don't know that he did enough to squash those rumors. He said that he has to listen and has always been intrigued by the NBA. Even if Chicago is not the place for a Lebron/Calipari package, there are a lot of possibilities. The Knicks have no reason to keep D'antoni and have NO roster right now. Coach Cal would have some say in who is brought in. They have enough for two max guys like Wade and Lebron or Lebron and Bosh. We all know Coach likes to start from scratch! And, it's New York, the biggest market in the league.

There are a few other possibilites. Mike Brown is as good as gone in Cleveland. The Cavs ownership is desperate to keep Lebron. If he wants Coach Cal in Cleveland, he could probably get him. Also, the LA Clippers could use a coaching change and the NJ Nets have a brand new owner who is hungry to win now.

Where there is smoke there is usually fire. The history of infractions following Cal is a scary thought and Cal likes to get out while the gettin's good. If he leaves, that leaves UK in possibly a very bad situation. The cupboard is bare if the new recruits decide that they don't want to play under a new coach at UK.

Thoughts?

Cyclones advance to Kelly Cup Finals

The Cincinnati Cyclones had their back against the wall going down 0-3. But in the greatest comeback since the Sand Pit of Dreams at Freedom Park, the Cyclones defeated Reading 1-0 on Wednesday to take the series.

The Cyclones will face the Idaho Steelhead, who have cruised thus far throughout the playoffs. The Steelheads have only lost once thus far in their playoff run. Reading was the same way coming into their series with Cincinnati.

It is pretty phenomenal to think that Cincinnati has made it back to the Kelly Cup since their victory in 2008. In the world of ECHL hockey there is so much turnover each season. Chuch Webber is a rising star for sure, and I would be shocked if he stayed in Cincinnati for long. Good Luck Clones! Get Cyc'd!

Bengals Arrests since 2000

Brent Schrotenboer, a staff writer at the San Diego Union Tribune created a database following all of the NFL arrests since 2000. I extracted each of the Bengals arrests from that list and have them listed below. The Bengals have had the most arrests since 2000 of any team in the NFL.

5/4/2010 Maurice Purify Cincinnati WR
Arrested on disorderly conduct charge in Newport, Ky., after alleged late night bar fight.

1/29/2010 Rey Maualuga Cincinnati LB
Arrested on DUI charge in Kentucky after hitting a parking meter and two parked cars with his 2003 Pontiac. Pleaded guilty, blood-alcohol-content of .157, suspended sentence of seven days in jail, $350 in fines, two years probation, driver's license suspended 90 days.

4/5/2009 Leon Hall Cincinnati CB
Charged with DUI after being pulled over at 3:11 a.m. Blood-alcohol level of 0.149, according to breath test. Pleaded guilty to misdemeanor reckless driving, sentenced to 64 hours community service, three days in a residential driver intervention program, $250 fine.

5/1/2008 Ahmad Brooks Cincinnati LB
Charged with misdemeanor assault, accused of punching woman in face in Kentucky.

3/31/2008 Chris Henry Cincinnati WR
Charged with assault and disorderly conduct after police said he punched man in the head and threw beer bottle threw car window. Released by team same week. NFL suspended him four games.
Assault charge dropped.

6/17/2007 Quincy Wilson Cincinnati RB
Charged with disorderly conduct after refusing police request to disperse after wedding in West Virginia. Dropped if he avoids trouble through Dec. 17

5/18/2007 A.J. Nicholson Cincinnati LB Arrested
Charged with misdemeanor assault. Police said his girlfriend told them he hit her in the eye. Cut by team three days later. Misdemeanor charge dropped after completing 40 hours of community service, parenting class and an anger management evaluation.

3/21/2007 Chris Henry Cincinnati WR
Cited for three traffic charges, including driving with suspended license, vehicle impounded.

1/22/2007 Johnathan Joseph Cincinnati CB
Arrested and charged with possession of marijuana in northern Kentucky after traffic stop. Diversionary program

12/9/2006 Deltha O'Neal Cincinnati CB
Arrested and was charged with driving while intoxicated after being stopped at a traffic checkpoint in Amelia, Ohio. Benched one game, pleaded to reckless operation of vehicle

12/3/2006 Reggie McNeal Cincinnati WR
Arrested in Houston and charged with resisting arrest after being refused entrance to a nightclub. Fined and placed on probation.

9/25/2006 Odell Thurman Cincinnati LB
Arrested and charged with drunken driving. NFL suspended rest of the season and later all of 2007 season. Pleaded no contest, license suspended, 90-day-sentence suspended, six days in rehab.

8/5/2006 Eric Steinbach Cincinnati OG
Arrested and charged with boating under the influence on the Ohio River. Diversion program, fine

7/22/2006 Matthias Askew Cincinnati DT
Arrested and charged with obstruction of police business, resisting arrest and two parking violations. Acquitted. He sued the city of Cincinnati, accusing police of unlawful arrest and excessive force. The city agreed to pay him $500,000.

6/21/2006 Frostee Rucker Cincinnati DE
Charged with two counts of spousal battery and vandalism after an alleged fight between Rucker and his girlfriend. Pleaded to one count of false imprisonment and one count of vandalism. 36 months of summary probation, one year of domestic violence counseling, 750 hours of community labor.

6/14/2006 Chris Henry Cincinnati WR
Henry turns himself in and is arrested for providing alcohol to three teenage girls in a Covington, Ky., motel room on April 29. Sentenced to two days in jail, 88-day suspended sentence. Suspended eight games in 2007 for multiple arrests.

6/3/2006 A.J. Nicholson Cincinnati LB
Charged with burglarizing the apartment of a former Florida State teammate the weekend of May 20-21. Pleaded no contest, two years probation, 60 days at work program

6/3/2006 Chris Henry Cincinnati WR
Arrested and charged with speeding and operating a vehicle under the influence. Henry was stopped on Interstate 275 in Cincinnati at 1:18 a.m., after being clocked driving 82 mph in a 65 mph zone. Pleaded guilty to lesser charge of reckless operation of car, 30-day suspended jail sentence

1/28/2006 Chris Henry Cincinnati WR
Arrested in Florida on concealed weapons charges for allegedly possessed a firearm outside an Orlando nightclub. NFL suspended two games, 100 hours community service, two years probation

12/15/2005 Chris Henry Cincinnati WR
Arrested in Covington, Ky., and charged with possession of marijuana after traffic stop. Pleaded guilty, drug rehab

10/5/2004 Justin Smith Cincinnati DE
Arrested and charged with drunken driving after he failed a breath test, in Dayton, Ohio Pleaded guilty, weekend intervention, license suspended six months, $300 fine

2/2/2004 Levi Jones Cincinnati OT
Jones and his cousin Fred Robinson were arrested hours after the Super Bowl after a fight broke out at a Houston nightclub. Dropped

12/2/2003 James Lynch Cincinnati FB
Arrested at 2:40 a.m., in Kentucky for five offenses, including resisting arrest, public intoxication. Police say he urinated in street. Four officers needed to cuff and shackle him. Pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, fleeing, 10 days in jail served, two years probation, $525 in fines

12/9/2001 Neil Rackers Cincinnati K_
Charged with fourth-degree assault stemming from an altercation in a Covington, Ky.nightclub. Dropped

8/31/2001 Vaughn Booker Cincinnati DE
Arrested on domestic violence charges after police responded to a 3 a.m. call from Booker's wife at the couple's home. Dropped

2/8/2001 Akili Smith Cincinnati QB
Smith(Lincoln High, Grossmont College) was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol after he steered his 2001 Mercedes the wrong way on a one-way street in downtown San Diego. Acquitted

1/9/2001 Tremain Mack Cincinnati DB
Jailed for probation violation, having operated a vehicle when he was not supposed to after alcohol-related incidents in 1997 and 1998. 30 days in jail, cut by team in September.

8/26/2000 Corey Dillon Cincinnati RB
Booked into the Washington jail for investigation of fourth-degree assault on his wife. Probation, $750 to women's shelter, counseling

7/20/2000 Darnay Scott Cincinnati WR
Arrested at his Florence, Ky., home on a charge of theft by deception for allegedly writing a bad check for $5158.92 to motorcycle shop. One night jail, paid check

4/6/2000 Steve Foley Cincinnati LB
Arrested outside a Monroe, La., nightclub and charged with disturbing the peace. Dropped

2/5/2000 Steve Foley Cincinnati LB
Arrested on a domestic violence charge in Monroe, La., after an argument with the mother of his son. Dropped

Compiled by Brent Schrotenboer, Union-Tribune staff writer

Tuesday News and Notes

* The Cincinnati Cyclones have brought their series to 2-3 after winning back to back games in Reading. The Cyclone dropped their first 3 games of the series and on the brink of elimination have fought back (literally.) There was a brawl in game 5 that resulted in two Reading players being suspended along with Cyclones Ryan Del Monte. They will serve their suspensions tonight in game 6 at US Bank Arena.

* The Reds have won 10 of their last 14 and are currently sitting 3 games behind St. Louis for the Division lead. At 17-15, I think this team can really make a push to stay competitive throughout the season. Especially if they get some good pitching.

* Jermaine Gresham jersey's are now available for purchase in the Bengals pro-shop. Gresham will wear number 84, which was recently made famous by TJ Houshmanzadeh. By putting on this number Gresham will not argue every play that he doesn't catch a ball as pass interference, and while to each referee that he is being held.

* Marvin Lewis is in the last year of his contract. Local sports talking heads have posed the question, should the Bengals re-sign him? My answer........YES! Seriously is this even a question? Look at what he has accomplished as head coach for the Bengals. Two division titles in the past 7 years. Sure only two winning seasons in that span but his only major blemish is 4-11 in 2008. Keep him, this whole thing could blow up under the wrong person.

Pac Man Jones to sign with the Bengals

According to Profootballtalk.com Adam "PacMan" Jones will sign with the Bengals. Reports have confirmed that Jones was in town today for his second round of workouts. Mike Brown is staying true to form in being the "Second Chance" Franchise. Interesting that this news would break on the same day of another Bengals arrest.

If this proves to be true I don't like it. The main reason I don't like it is I don't think we need him. What do you think? Where will we use him? We have a log-jam at cornerback with two soon to be All-Pro corners in Joseph and Hall and we just drafted Ghee. His other specialty is as a return man but we have Cosby and just drafted Jordan Shipley who can return.

Purify Arrested in Northern Kentucky

And it continues..... Bengals Wide Receiver Maurice Purify was arrested early this morning on disorderly conduct charges after an incident at Jefferson Hall. Purify was booked and released from the Campbell County jail. No word yet on what exactly occurred at the bar, my best guess is Purify was just trying to throw one of his wicked blocks trying to clear the way for a friend to get to the bar.

Cyclones Down 2 games to 0

The Cincinnati Cyclones could not take advantage of the good crowds this weekend at US Bank arena and have gone down 2-0 in the series with Reading losing 5-2 on Friday and 3-1 on Saturday. The seven game series shifts to Reading for at least the next two games. Game 3 is scheduled to be played Tuesday and Game 4 Saturday. If a game 5 is needed it will be played on Sunday in Reading.

The Cyclones just could not find their way into some goals despite having a playoff high shots on goal in Saturday's contest. The Cyclones have not been down 0-2 in a playoff series yet this season, and more impressive Reading has yet to lose a game in their run towards the Kelly Cup.

Chuck Webber's boys face an uphill battle to try to win their second Kelly Cup in three years.