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Joe Nuxhall, Reds legend, dead at 79.

Joe Nuxhall, RIP -- Just after the D-Day invasion in 1944 a young 15 year old left hander took the mound for the Cincinnati Reds and made history. He came in to pitch in a 13-0 drubbing to the St. Louis Cardinals, let up several more runs, and would not return to the Reds for 8 years thereafter. That man was Reds' legend Joe Nuxhall, the youngest player ever in MLB, who died today in Fairfield, OH at age 79. Joe rebounded from his rough teenage pitching appearance when his MLB years resumed in 1952 by posting a 135-117 career record and making two All-Star games. Joe is best remembered by relatively younger fans as the voice of the Reds with Marty Brenneman. The two shared the radio announcing booth for 28 years. Sadly, fans, the old lefthander has finally rounded third and headed for home. God love ya and keep ya, Joe.

Dusty Baker Interested in Kerry Wood?

Pitcher Ponderings -- What to dream about for the Reds in the off-season? How about pitching. Yes, pitching, something Cincinnati fans saw very little of in the positive in 2007 except for Aaron Harang. Well, Harang will be around for 2008, and we can always hope for fulfilled promised from Homer Bailey and a return to form from Bronson Arroyo, but where does that leave us? Matt Belisle for #4? Clearly managment needs to seek out at least one SP free agent this offseason. It'll be money well spent. Many rumors have the Reds interested in Dusty Baker favorite Kerry Wood, perhaps as a closer. If the price is right, it's worth a gamble. David Weathers is probably the only 2007 Reds reliever who can be confident he'll be with the big league club coming out of Spring Training. Let's keep our eye on the ball, front office! 

This one will cost you more -- from Tom Seaver's no-no.

Going Up, Going Down -- It's a roller coaster ride for ticket prices at Great American Ballpark for 2008. The schedule for next year has been released along with a statement that bleacher prices are reduced from $10 to $7. However, view level tickets are going up a buck to $14 and most categories are increasing by $2. Of course, there are games denoted as "select" and "premier" by the club. If you want to see the Reds play a "select" game, such as against the Indians, be prepared to pay a $5 increase on all ducats. For "premier" games against the Red Sox and on opening day, you're shelling out a $15 premium.

Coaching Changes -- The front office is moving forward to fill the various Reds coaching vacancies. Chris Speier, who worked in Chicago with new manager and then Cubs manager Dusty Baker during 2005-06, has been hired as bench coach. Juan Lopez, another Baker contact, fills the bullpen coach role. Former favorite Tom Browning, of 1988 perfect game fame, will be the extended spring training pitching coach and will then move on to the in-demand destination of Billings, Montana for rookie league ball duties.

Dunn Deal

Got-R-Dunn -- Good news in the Queen City: Adam Dunn is remaining a Cincinnati Red for next year, and hopefully then beyond. The ballclub used its $13 million option on Dunn to keep him out of free agency, and will try for a two year extension. Dunn led the Reds in home runs in 2007 with 40 and RBI with a career high 106, while also significantly raising his average and lowering his strikeouts. The Reds also picked up lesser options on catcher Javier Valentin but more importantly on 1B Scott Hatteberg, a Reds Rap favorite due to his plate tenacity. A walk's as good as a single folks, plus Hatteberg's career has that feelgood story quality we all so like. Wayne Krivsky is sure there is room for Hatteberg and youngster Joey Votto, though both are lefties. Reliever Eddie Guardado's option was not selected, and he has filed for free agency.

Tags: baseball, cincinnati reds, mlb