Amidst the mediocrity, a memorable Reds moment

It’s human nature to question your own intelligence when you devote time to such a thankless endeavor as following the daily disappointment that is the Cincinnati Reds. And then, even in the mid-May morass of mediocrity, a single play pops up to remind you why you were watching in the first place.

I caught the first three or four innings of the Reds-Marlins game last night on the tube before switching over to Idol. Stuck with that for the whole hour. Ryan Seacrest has to go, by the way. And judging by her attire, Paula must be reading the gossip about her predicted ouster. Simon’s eyes always tell the story. I liked Syesha, but she had to go. David vs. David was destined from the start. David A. is cute, cuddly, a bit odd, with a stage dad, and a Disney Channel vibe. Despite what Ken Levine believes, I don’t think he wins. David Cook seems more the Idol-type to me. But that’s a guess. And enough about that.

Back to the Reds, which I did after the Idol finale. By the time I made way back to Channel 66, the game was tied. Marlins had scored six runs in the top of the ninth. So it’s 6-6.  Now it’s the bottom of the 10th inning. There were Reds on the bases. At the plate was rookie Paul Janish.

Let’s back up here. The night before had been a heartbreaker. I didn’t see it – Dancing and Idol on the same night, are you kidding – but apparently Jeff Keppinger fouled a ball off his his kneecap with such force it broke his something or other. Life isn’t fair. Keppinger is a great story. Former Georgia Bulldog. Journeyman infielder. Hit everywhere, stuck nowhere. Then the Reds picked him up last year. He’s done nothing but hit since. Saturday, in the second game of a doubleheader at New York, Kep went five-for-five. Two days later, he’s on the Disabled List.

(Nice story here on how Ken Griffey, Jr., kept Keppinger's spirits up after the injury.)

Back to Janish. He’s at the plate. Two outs. It’s his second big-league at-bat. He's 25 years old. He had just been called up that day from AAA Louisville. In fact, his mom was driving to Louisville to visit her son, got the news, re-programmed the GPS, and found her way to Great American Ballpark. Janish fouls off the first pitch. He swings through the second. Third time is his charm.

Janish sends a line drive to the right field corner.

This one belongs to the Reds.

The Reds burst out of the dugout like happy Little Leaguers. They try to ride Janish like a bull at the rodeo. He’s fighting (sort of) to get away. They keep riding. Finally, in all the flailing, someone catches Janish right across the schnoz (sp?) and the rookie ends up with a bloody nose. Two things he'll never forget.

Make it three.

Final camera shot, there’s the rookie with the bloody nose, hugging his mother.

That’s why you watch.

Comments

[Pete]

Very nice post, John. You really should work this into a column.

[John Clay]

Thanks. I'll try and do that.

[cc]

Good stuff, John. Baseball is a great sport. You captured the essense of the beauty of this game with this post.