Arroyo’s Extension

Wayne Krivsky and Bob Castellini are two reasons why I have hope that the Reds will actually compete for the NL pennant, not just this year, but year after year. Castellini is an owner with the single minded focus to win, but more importantly, he has an eye for talent. That was evident when he quickly fired Dan O’Brien as the Reds GM and replaced him with Wayne Krivsky; who should have been hired three years ago. One of the first moves that Krivsky made as GM was trading Wily Mo Pena for Bronson Arroyo.

The Red’s needed pitching. They were overstocked on hulking young men who could hit the ball 500′, only occasionaly catch the ball, and strike out every three at-bats (Adam Dunn; Wily Mo Pena). While every previous GM was waiting for Pena to become the next Sammy Sosa, sans the corked bat and steriods, the pitching staff became the worst in the League. Krivsky directly and decisvely dealt Pena away for a much needed starter who would pitch a lot of innings (his 240 innings led the NL) and win a lot of games.Krivsky has now locked Arroyo up until 2010 with a club option for 2011; the same length of time as Harang’s contract.

The top of the Reds’ rotation for the next four years has been established. Now if Krivsky could just figure out a way to keep Griffey healthy…

Indiana Ignominy

 “The Pacers are the NBA’s version of the Bengals.” Those are not my words, but the comment of an Indianapolis Star reader. His lament was just one in a loud chorus of fan feedback in response to the most recent display of undisciplined off-court behavior by certain Pacers players. I’ve been quick to write about the Cincinnati Bengals’ arrest record. You can read those posts here and here. I do not want to be accused of inconsistency, so I’ll poke the Pacers with the Oxgoad.
For most of their history the Pacers have been a clean franchise. Rarely, if ever, did you read reports of players getting into fights, either with fellow patrons of a night club or with NBA fans at the arena. Those days are gone. Beginning in November 2004 with the “Brawl at Auburn Hills” this team has regularly been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. At the start of this season Stephen Jackson, who was recently traded, Jamaal Tinsley, and Marquis Daniels were involved in a nasty altercation at a strip club. Jackson actually fired a firearm into the air (Don’t you go out at night armed?), and the police found marijuana in Tinsley’s car. That case is still pending.Since that incident Jackson has beend traded, but Tinsley and Daniels have not yet learned from their previous mistake. The details are in the Star article that I linked, and there is no reason to regurgitate them here. Bob Kravitz also wrote an excellent piece on this current embarassament. I just want to say how disappointing it is to have a group of thugs represent the city. You might not have liked Reggie Miller’s constant complaining to the refs, but the guy was never arrested for firing his gun into the air. You never heard reports of dime-bags being found in his car. He was a good citizen. He did things for the community. Still does.

The current Pacers’ bad behavior is being contrasted with the exemplary behavior of the Colts. The Colts have proven that a team can be successful, even champions, without behaving like thugs. As Kravitz said in his article,

There’s a reason they’re near the bottom of the league in home attendance, and it’s not because Hoosiers don’t like basketball.

All I can say is: Go Colts!