Now Batting For The Cincinnati Reds…

Jay Bruce!

True, I already wrote about Bruce’s long expected call-up last night.  The problem was, I chose to go with a witty title in lieu of the standard “Now Batting For…”, leading Extra P to email me this morning to say, “Looks like it’s time for the “Now batting…” that we’ve all been waiting for.”  And he’s absolutely correct.  Because, as I replied, if Jay Bruce doesn’t get a “Now Batting For…”, then what’s the point of doing it for anyone?

So here it is, folks: the official Jay Bruce “Now Batting For…”.  Enjoy it.  Cherish it.  Love it.

This Week In Bobbleheads

A couple of months ago, we got a comment from a guy who had made amazing happen and compiled a list of every bobblehead giveaway scheduled for the 2008 season (full disclosure: I attempted to make a list like this for all minor league promotions. It hurt my brain and I stopped before it was even close to done). My admiration for this man knows no bounds.

I sent an email some time later to see if he might like to join the ranks here at Bus Leagues as the official promotions contributor; the resulting, deafening silence indicated that a) he was not interested or b) he no longer uses that email address. Either way, I’m not about to let this golden resource get away for another day. From now on, every Sunday I will post a list of the bobbleheads that will be available during the next seven days. This will allow you, our awesome readers, to strategize: “Can I get OMDQ the Robinson Cano AND the Shelley Duncan? How will we pull off the Braun-Gallardo double when they’re being given on THE SAME DAY?! That jerk is on his own for Petrocelli – time to actually go to a Fisher Cats game, OMDQ.” Okay, that last thought might’ve been a little harsh.

If you want to see the whole list, visit the above link. It will not be a disappointment.

Tuesday, May 27
Chicago Cubs – Kosuke Fukudome
Trenton Thunder – Robinson Cano

Wednesday, May 28
Trenton Thunder – Shelley Duncan

Thursday, May 29
Toledo Mudhens – Mike Hessman

Friday, May 30
Fort Worth Cats – Mayor Mike Moncrief
Hagerstown Suns – Blue Devil (Mascot)

Saturday, May 31
Fresno Grizzlies – Drag Kings
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes – Frankie Rodriguez Figurine
Salem Avalanche – Matt Holliday

Sunday, June 1
Arizona Diamondbacks – Baxter (Mascot)
Beloit Snappers – Yovani Gallardo
Greensboro Grasshoppers – Miss Babe Ruth
Milwaukee Brewers – Ryan Braun
New Hampshire Fisher Cats – Rico Petrocelli
Rochester Redwings – Stan/Stu Cliburn Double

I’m Happy…No, I’m Sad…No, I’m Happy…No, I’m –

In two weeks, I was planning to make the two hour trip down to Pawtucket, Rhode Island, to see the Red Sox take on the Louisville Bats.  Though I’m a Red Sox fan and would welcome the chance to see youngsters like Clay Buchholz and Justin Masterson for a far more reasonable price than a trip to Fenway, this trip wasn’t about them.  This trip was to be my best chance to see The Deal, Jay Bruce, the number one baseball playing prospect in the world, in action.

Alas, the Reds were not on my side.  The team announced today that Bruce will be recalled from Louisville in time for Tuesday’s game against the Pirates.  He had been crushing International League pitching, posting a .364 batting average, 10 homeruns and 37 runs batted in this season. 

Where Bruce will play when he arrives in Cincinnati is still up in the air.  I always thought he projected as a centerfielder in the majors, but apparently the good folks in the Reds front office do not share that assessment and see him as a long term solution at one of the corner outfield slots.  Problem is, those positions are currently occupied by Ken Griffey, Jr., who won’t be going anywhere at least until he hits his 600th career homerun (and probably not even then – he would need to approve any trade), and Adam Dunn, who is working on a fifth consecutive 40-homer season.  So, if The Deal is gonna see any playing time, any at all, it will probably be in center…provided he can unseat the Hall of Fame-bound duo of Corey Patterson and Ryan Freel.

I hadn’t realized this previously, but the Reds have some serious potential in the next couple of years.  A lineup featuring Bruce, Dunn, Joey Votto, and Brandon Phillips?  A rotation featuring Aaron Harang, Johnny Cueto, Edinson Volquez, and Homer Bailey?  Careful, Reds fans – brighter days might be on the horizon.

And you know what?  All is not lost – Clay Buchholz is still on a rehab assignment in Pawtucket…