My daily email from the Cincy Business Courier informs me: "Reds Popularity on the Rise". Apparently a poll concluded Cincy is now the 15th most popular MLB team up 3 spots from the last survey.
The article provides no explanation for their rise in popularity but I'd love to hazard a guess at one explanatory factor: more Cincinnatians are devoting their attention to the Reds since the owners/mgmt actually put energy, thought and money into trying to make the Reds as successful as possible both on the field and off it.
The contrasts in ownership styles between the Reds and Bengals could not be clearer. I can see Bengals fans, after years of getting crapped on by Mike & Co, finding it much more palatable to support the Reds with their money...particularly now that there is a young, talented, likable core to the team.
I'm as optimistic about the Reds core as anyone, but can you really point to the Reds "spending money" as a way of doing this.
So far the core is Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Brandon Phillips?, Edinson Volquez, Johnny Cueto, Homer Bailey, and maybe Chris Dickerson.
Aside from Phillips, those players all make the minimum. The Reds have one of the bottom 10 payrolls in baseball, and the large contracts that have been doled out have mixed reviews to say the least.(Paging Bronson Arroyo.)
Posted by: Mike | July 16, 2009 at 05:07 PM
LOL you guys are such a joke.
Posted by: Retardsrus | July 16, 2009 at 05:33 PM
Average payroll of last 4 seasons of Lindner ownership: $53 million.
Average payroll of first 4 seasons of Castellini ownership: $69 million.
I'd call that a jump in spending.
They went out and bought a good closer (I thought they overpaid, whatever). They've paid Arroyo (again too much). They've paid Harang. The point is they clearly have spent more.
And I'm not talking just about on players. Clearly just spending money on personnel doesn't do it. But new ownership tries everywhere. They updated the Reds stadium scoreboard out of their own pockets (Mike has taxpayers footing those upgrades). The Reds came to the city to renegotiate their lease so the city is less exposed to future costs. I have heard good things about investments in scouts and our farm system. They try to make it fun with fans. They certainly have a real hall of fame.
I have not looked into the economics of the Reds as a business. And maybe they're milking the county for all their worth like the Bengals...but I don't see the evidence.
And you need to give the Reds much more slack the Bengals because the system works against them, not for them.
Retardsrus - thanks for your insightful comments. Your razor wit is always appreciated by the writers.
Posted by: Sleeping With Bieniemy | July 16, 2009 at 06:57 PM
Even if the Reds do poorly, the ownership at least appears to care about and show appreciation to its fans. Didn't the Reds do some sort of promotion on cheaper food at GABP this season due to the economy? Thats just 1 example of the way the ownership tries to keep the fanbase happy, even if the team might be subpar for a season. The last time I went to a game, there was a 20 minute firework show directly after the game ended. I'm unsure if thats a routine thing or not, but it was just cool to feel like you got your money's worth for showing up. Thats such a breath of fresh air compared to the Bengals front office.
Posted by: Who Dey Boston | July 16, 2009 at 06:59 PM
Wow! I needed a laugh... I just got one... The Reds owners are putting money into the team and make them successful... Hmm, I told everyone at the start of this season that they suck just like the Bengals yet they don't catch half the hell that MBB does -- though McAllister had a fairly lengthy section of his show that brought this charade to the forefront.
The Reds aren't any different than the Bengals... ...Oh no! That means that we will be a second rate city...
Here's a hint: We don't even make the list of a 5th rate town!
Posted by: WCH | July 17, 2009 at 02:56 AM
Thanks for providing exactly zero evidence to back up your comment WCH.
Posted by: Sleeping With Bieniemy | July 17, 2009 at 08:51 AM
Also keep in mind Reds' ownership has lowered ticket prices, added a $1 menu at the stadium for fans during this lovely recession and drastically increased their international scouting with the addition of Mario Soto, who has been instrumental in signing up-and-coming Dominican and Venenzuelan talent.
Posted by: Corona Bolivar | July 17, 2009 at 09:10 AM
I'll grant you the Reds ownership is more fan (and importantly PR) friendly, but as to how that pertains to the product on the field I've yet to see proof.
If you want to compare the record of the teams since Castellini's taken over, Mike Brown surprisingly comes out on top.
Posted by: Mike | July 17, 2009 at 09:16 AM
WCH:
Seeing as you have posted a couple of times recently I'm glad to see your glass is still half empty. I was afraid you drank it.
Posted by: Eddie Falznutz | July 17, 2009 at 10:34 AM
I can't believe this is even an argument, the point bieniemy makes is that the reds management/ownership has (for the most part) made positive and smart player personnel moves, and upgraded the fan experience significantly in the past few years, what have the Bengals done? F*&^ed the county and it's constituents monetarily, consistently refused to do what... Nevermind, we all know, don't get the argument, are Mike and WCH just natural devil's advocates?
Posted by: CurseofBoJackson | July 17, 2009 at 10:41 AM
There are two arguments here, 1) The Reds are more popular, which is great and all. 2) The Reds are a better run franchise, which results at the very least are inconclusive. I think Castellini benefits a great deal from Mike Brown reaming the fair citizens of Cincinnati for so many years that he can come in, ream them just a little bit less and they'll thank him for the pleasure.
It's not enough to spend money, the Reds have to spend money wisely, especially if they aren't going to have a payroll in the neighborhood of the Cardinals. How is signing Wily Taveras to a 2 year contract any better than placing the defensive responsibilities in Rico McDonald's hands. The Bengals "spent money" on Ki Jana Carter and Dan Wilkinson, that doesn't mean it was spent well.
Posted by: Mike | July 17, 2009 at 06:38 PM
Yeah, here's another example at how well the Reds are doing in making a winning team -- they sent down a pitcher to AAA who was there only as an emergency and really wasn't going to play (no real problem with that) but they replace him with this shitturd utility infielder who Chris Welch tries his best to pump up as being the second coming of George Foster -- this POS having 7 homers this season at AAA and a .258 batting average.
Welsch the Shill, even let out a 'Company Secret' saying the Reds Bench had nothng on it but defensive players. In case ya didn't know, you can have the best defense in the world but if you can't plate a run, you won't win.
But then again, I guess that you guys think so much of the Reds that it has blinded your common sense!
For the record, it is my position that both the Bengals -- AND -- the Reds are disgusting sports franchises planning on taking your money without any real and true effort to give the fans a winning franchise! Yippee-Yi-Yoh.... Cow Patty!
Posted by: WCH | July 17, 2009 at 08:36 PM
All we need to do is win a game or two. All we need to do is win a game or two. Repeat, all we need to do is win a game or two.
Mikey B what is your opinion of the bengal fans and there dissatisfaction of how the team performs? All we need to do is win a game or two. All we need to do is win a game or two. Signed, Mikey B'S Mantra
Posted by: kotw65 | July 17, 2009 at 08:48 PM
Mike,
Saying Mike Brown has had more success with the Bengals than Castellini with the Reds without noting the ENORMOUS structural differences between the leagues is criminally ignorant.
WCH,
The Reds are not hoping to do the exact minimum possible to get people to spend money on the team and remain profitable like the Bengals. They clearly want to go out and win. It's just really f ing hard to win in MLB for smaller markets. You are nitpicking some personnel moves and missing the point. Calling the Reds "disgusting" is again based on zero evidence. What exactly would you want changed with the Red?
Posted by: Sleeping With Bieniemy | July 18, 2009 at 03:30 PM
Another Reds deal? How's about Homer Bailey? That right there is proof that the Reds don't care either. Don't be fooled people, there are no major professional teams in Cincinnati that have a clue.
Posted by: WCH | July 22, 2009 at 01:16 AM
I took my first loans when I was 32 and it helped my business a lot. But, I require the collateral loan also.
Posted by: CYNTHIANOEL | May 30, 2011 at 09:30 PM