Minor Leaguer Daniel Tuttle Needs to Pull Himself Together

Cincinnati Reds minor leaguer Daniel Tuttle has screwed up once again.

Just one year and ten months after being handed a 50-game suspension for his second offense under MLB's Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, the 22-year-old right-hander's consequences have doubled for a third drug abuse violation. His 100-game benching without pay is effective immediately. Idiot.

A little statistical background on Tuttle: Selected by the Reds right out of high school in the 5th round of the First-Year Player Draft in 2009, the Randleman, North Carolina native debuted that same year in the Gulf Coast League. He went on to play for three of the club's rookie teams over his first three seasons, including the Arizona League Reds and Billings Mustangs. He made his Class-A debut with the Dayton Dragons in 2011 and managed to make it until July 19 of that year before getting busted doing drugs for a second time. He was 1-3 with a 5.08 ERA for the Dragons last season. I'm sure they will miss him lots.

Turns out he isn't the only moron in the minor leagues, though. Tuttle's was the 19th suspension handed out so far this season. And it's only May. You'd think a young kid given the opportunity to make a living playing a game and possibly earn millions of dollars doing what he loves, would take the rules a bit more seriously. What are the odds he learns a lesson this time? Maybe the third time's the charm.

Or maybe he can turn to something less athletic that requires little to no drug testing... like fishing. Or poker. He will definitely have enough time on his hands to check out the Titan Online Poker Site!

Season Previews: Cincinnati Reds

It's about time to kick off one of our favorite things in all the world: Season Previews. Five years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Continuing our preview of the National League Central, here is a look at the 2012 Cincinnati Reds.

Bronson Arroyo
Wails on his sweet guitar
Watch his commercials

Love Joey Votto
Brandon Phillips, Paul Janish
And Scott Rolen too

Jay Bruce is awesome
Playing right field for the Reds
Drew Stubbs in center

Ludwick in left field
Backed up by Todd Frazier with
Heisey roaming too

Johnny Cueto and
Homer Bailey, Mat Latos
And Mike Leake pitching

Ryan Hanigan
Has a weird little mustache
Getting old to catch?

The Reds will have to
Best the Brewers and Cardinals
To win the Central

BLB predicts
They'll win it by a half game
But lose to the Phils

[Red Reporter] | [Blog Red Machine] | [Redleg Nation]

Ryan Braun Becomes 30-30 Player, Way Hotter Now

We've always found Ryan Braun rather attractive. In fact, we included him in our Real Top 10 Hottest Baseball Players list from 2009... we're gonna have to update that soon.

But in all honesty, a smokin' hot bat is always sexier than a smokin' hot body. Take Tony Gwynn, for example. Eight National League batting titles makes for a dead sexy bat.

Braun became only the second player in Milwaukee Brewers history to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in a single season Friday night during his team's 6-3 win over Cincinnati, which also mathematically eliminated the Reds from playoff contention. Double whammy.

Jonny Gomes is Sporting a Nationals Jersey

The Cincinnati Reds traded Jonny Gomes away to the Washington Nationals Tuesday in return for two minor leaguers, leaving the door wide open in Cincinnati's outfield for former first-round pick Yonder Alonso.

The struggling left fielder was batting just .211 with 11 home runs and 31 RBI headed into Wednesday night's game against the Florida Marlins. His reaction to the trade:

Wilson Valdez: Phillies Extra-Inning Hero

When Charlie Manuel used up all of his available pitchers during Wednesday night's extra-inning marathon win over the Cincinnati Reds, he did what most managers do: he threw an infielder on the bump and crossed his fingers.

Luckily for Charlie and his Philadelphia Phillies, Wilson Valdez knows how to operate from a pitchers mound.

Shifting from second base, the 33-year-old tossed a hitless 19th inning like it was no big deal for his first professional pitching appearance. Phillies fans on their feet chanted "Let’s go, Wilson!" as he proceeded to nail Scott Rolen with a pitch and induce three fly outs, including reigning National League MVP Joey Votto, big bat Jay Bruce, and reliever Carlos Fisher.

Wear Your Favorite MLB Team on Your Booty

Victoria's Secret has released a new line of MLB apparel, but it might not include your favorite team.

Are you a Pirates, Blue Jays, Marlins, Braves, Reds, or Astros fan? Too bad. You don't get to wear sexy baseball panties... which is super lame.

I happen to know all kinds of hot ladies who are fans of the aforementioned teams. In fact, they love them so much they blog about them:

Braves Love

Hands of My Pirates Booty

Red Hot Mama

Astros-holic Synonymous

Aly Hearts Baseball

I'm disappointed, Vickie's... not that I'm boycotting. I don't think I could handle that.

Speaking of ladies, check out this young woman's journey from being "just another pink hat" to a well-educated female baseball fan. Just the way we like them.

[Pittsburgh Sports and Mini Ponies]

Season Previews: Cincinnati Reds

With Spring Training camps already open, it's time for one of our favorite things in all the world: Season Previews. Four years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Moving right along with our preview of the National League Central, here are the Cincinnati Reds.

We voted Votto
MVP has dollars now
Thirty-eight MILLION

Bruce got a deal too
He goes yard, hits bombs, homers
And strikes out a lot
Swings for the fences

Janish and Phillips
Will dp up the middle
Renteria too

Miguel Cairo is
Backing things up at second
Hot Corner Rolen!

Cincinnati Reds Make Joey Votto a Rich Man

Let us begin by expressing how sexy we think Joey Votto is.

Moving on. The Cincinnati Reds have agreed to give the reigning National League MVP a three-year contract worth $38 million, buying out his final arbitration years.

This is pretty great news for Joey, considering the first baseman made just $525,000 last season.

Votto made his very first All-Star team by way of fan vote last season, and finished second in the NL with a .324 batting average and third in home runs and RBI with 37 and 113, respectively. Leading the league with a ridiculous .600 slugging percentage, he was best-in-baseball with a .424 on-base percentage as well. In short, he had a damn good year.

Congratulations buddy, you've earned it!

Jay Bruce Gets Six-Year Deal from Reds

The Reds have agreed to a $51 million deal with Jay Bruce to keep the outfielder in Cincinnati for the next six years, including a club option for 2017 with an eight-team no trade clause.

The 23-year-old slugger established himself as one of the National League's top right fielders while aiding in the Reds capture of the NL Central title. Last season, he hit .281 with 25 home runs and 70 RBI over 148 games.

Joey Votto Crushes NL MVP Voting

After helping the Cincinnati Reds reach the postseason for the first time in 15 years, Joey Votto received 31 of 32 first place votes to earn the 2010 National League MVP honor.

His 443 points awarded by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America topped reigning NL MVP-hog Albert Pujols by a mile.

After winning the MVP in 2005, 2008 and 2009, Pujols came in second with 279 points and the other first place vote, from (who else but) Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Homer much?

While Pujols had yet another magnificent season, Votto was a first-time All-Star, finishing second in the NL in hitting with a .324 batting average and third in homers (37) and RBI (113). He also led the league in slugging percentage (.600), was best in the majors in on-base percentage (.424) and swiped 16 bases in 21 attempts.

Back on the D-Train

We've returned from a much-needed three week vacation to the news that yet another (sucker of a) team has agreed to give Dontrelle Willis a shot at reviving his once-promising career.

The Cincinnati Reds have agreed to a minor league deal with the lefty, who has struggled, to say the least, over recent years.

There's Always Next Year, Reds Fans

First Roy Halladay tossed a no-hitter. Then the offense rallied behind Roy Oswalt. Then Cole Hamels struck out nine in a five-hit performance.

Then Jayson Werth soaked his beard in champagne for the second time in about a week.

After polishing off the sweep of the once-hopeful Cincinnati Reds, the seemingly unstoppable Philadelphia Philles are headed to the NLCS once again with their eye on a third straight pennant.

No fans ran onto the field, no little girls were puked on. All in all, it was a successful series for the Phillies.

Jay Bruce Swings the Reds into October

March 1 - Yahoo! is founded in Santa Clara, California.

September 1 - The DVD is invented.

September 4 - eBay is founded.

September 12 - Red Hot Chili Peppers release One Hot Minute.

October 3 – O. J. Simpson is found not guilty.

The year is 1995, and it was the last time the Cincinnati Reds won the National League Central division title. In fact, it was the last time they made it past the regular season at all.

Babes Love Baseball Greats: Ken Griffey, Sr.

While waiting in line for airport security, Ken Griffey, Sr. took the time to chat on the phone with Babes Love Baseball. No, I'm not kidding. The three-time All Star and two-time World Champion is pretty busy these days. He's not only a batting coach for the Reds single-A affiliate Dayton Dragons, but he's also joined Depend in spreading awareness about prostate cancer.

And now, for your reading enjoyment, I bring to you my attempt at interviewing a baseball great without completely shrieking like an excited 4-year-old. Enjoy.

Babes Love Baseball: Mr. Griffey, tell me a bit about the Depend campaign against Prostate Cancer.

Ken Griffey, Sr.: As a five year prostate cancer survivor, I've been doing work with Depend to raise awareness, to get people screened early, and to increase their chances of survival. I've been doing this for about three years now.

So Long, Sweet Lou

Lou Piniella has officially retired.

He decided not to wait until the end of the season like he told us back in July, but instead at the end of Sunday's 16-5 walloping by the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field. The Chicago Cubs, now 21 games out in the National League Central, have dropped to sad 51-74 on the season.

The 66-year-old [former] Cubs manager is walking away from baseball to tend to his 90-year-old mother, who has been ill for much of the year:

"I'm going to enjoy today. At least, I'm going to try to enjoy it.

I didn't think my career would end this way. But my mom needs me home. She hasn't gotten any better since I've been here. She has had a couple other complications, and rather than continue to go home, come back, it's not fair to the team, it's not fair to the players. So the best thing is just to step down and go home and take care of my mother."

Benches Clear After Phillips Pops Off

A day after Brandon Phillips referred to the St. Louis Cardinals as a bunch of bitches, the dugouts and bullpens emptied in Cincinnati.

During the first inning of their Tuesday night game, the second baseman got into it with Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina in the batter's box. Phillips took off his helmet and Molina removed his mask as things got heated.

Both benches and bullpens cleared, and a shoving-match ensued as Tony La Russa and Dusty Baker yelled at each other among the players before they both were ejected.

Welcome Back, Edinson Volquez

Edinson Volquez allowed just three hits over six dominant innings Saturday in his first game back from reconstructive elbow surgery for an 8-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

After undergoing elbow surgery last August and serving a 50-game suspension for taking fertility drugs, the righty was throwing 95 mph heat, fanning nine and walking two for the win.

Just before getting a face full of shaving cream from teammate Johnny Cueto during his post-game interview, Volquez said:

It wasn’t easy, but I felt comfortable after the first inning. That first inning, I was really excited -- big crowd. It felt like my first time in the big leagues. I let my emotions get to me in the first.

Vote Votto

Need I say more?

If this picture isn't worth a thousand words to you, check out our recent post on the badassery of Joey Votto and how he's pretty much a wild animal.

Then vote him onto the 2010 NL All-Star team!! And do it pronto, because you only have until 4pm ET today to do so.

The Cincinnati Reds first baseman is batting .313 on the season with 21 homers and 59 RBI.

[Cincinatti.com] | [Cincy Jungle] | [Front Office Fans]

Joey Votto is Out of Control

After nailing his 19th home run of the season Friday, Joey Votto has now reached base in 40 straight games, marking the longest streak by any player this season.

The Cincinnati Reds first baseman also walked twice in his team's 12-0 whoopin' over the Chicago Cubs, bringing his average to .314 on the year.

Ken Griffey Jr. Retires After Two Decades

Ken Griffey Jr. has retired from Major League Baseball after more than two decades of amazingly steroid-free baseball.

Okay, technically it was parts of four decades, considering he played in the 80's, 90's, 00's and 10's.

The 40-year-old Hall of Fame shoe-in has enjoyed 13 All-Star appearances, 10 Gold Gloves, seven Silver Slugger Awards, the 1997 MVP honor, and won the Home Run Derby on three different occasions.