CNATI: Cincinnati OH Sports Journalism

I would love to see the Reds stay in Sarasota. At the same time, I'm ticked at the county commissioners' mishandling of this situation. If the Reds agree to go to Arizona--and who could blame them?--those commissioners have no one to blame but themselves.

And if the Reds ultimately decide to stay in Sarasota, I feel bad for the folks in Goodyear who became pawns in this chessmatch.

well, if they stay in sarasota i won't feel too bad for goodyear, i mean... they are the ones trying to attract a team from florida and i don't think the reds were/are negotiating with them in bad faith (that is, if sarasota doesn't step up, i don't think the reds are going to not leave).

sounds like sarasota's county commissioners are about as capable as hamilton county's. maybe they could get together at a game this spring and discuss ways to botch things. maybe we can have sarasota consult for us on the banks, and in return our guys can show sarasota how to pass a tax the voters apparently don't want *before* you have the vote, not after.

Excellent headline. So very, very true. You could add, "I promise, it'll never happen again."

Here's my burning question of the day for Trent: are you going to live in the RV the entire time you're in Sarasota, perhaps in the parking lot of Ed Smith Stadium, a la Tom Shearn?

Completely irrelevent, but Roger Clemens on trial today is a joke. Andy Pettite apparently is good at "misremebering things". Even if Roger gets covicted he'll deny it to his death it looks like.

And Mike Stanton just got a mention. Noticed Clemen's bloody pants.

Wow... it's sounds like Roger Clemens 2008 = Pete Rose 1989.

Sarasota, it's too late baby.

Someone made an excellent point awhile back (I think it was Hugh) that Sarasota County had to spend those hotel/motel/tourism tax dollars on tourism-related projects anyway. Hard to fathom why they didn't agree to the the $17M in the first place. I haven't seen any information that they were looking to spend the money on other projects that they thought would generate more revenue for the local economy.

You know who's lovin this...Bonds. His boy won't flip.

Hope this puts the racial stuff to rest. Clemens is the new face in this witch hunt. When will MLB be held accountable for turning a blind eye for their benefit.

On another note,Sux for Sarasota and for Reds fans in FL

Right, Otter, it was I who pointed out that the county commission could not by law use the tourist taxes to solve budget problems, roads, schools etc. Looks like they blew it. Too bad, but that's all too common in Florida these days. Politicians are going to wreck the state with their shortsightedness and kowtowing to developers and the people are either too cheap or ignorant to stop it.

There has never been a more awkward or uncomfortable seating arrangment than that Clemens/McNamee table today.

Off topic, but since I consider you all my pals, I have to remind you that tomorrow is Valentine's Day, and if you buy whatever it is you choose to give your significant other on the way home from work tomorrow at the last possible minute, it's not a good thing :)

So you mean if I bought her a new car at the last minute, I'd still get in trouble for not purchasing it earlier????

Well, okay, docproc, there are a few exceptions! Blindingly large gemstones at the last minute are also okay. I'm just sayin' don't get that last sad bunch of flowers at Kroger.

Okay, Amy, you'll be pleased to know that the flowers from Kroger are already on the kitchen counter--bought 'em Monday to beat the rush!

BTW, this week is the perfect storm at our house--Valentine's Day is also my mother-in-law's birthday (she lives with us), and the 18th is my wife's birthday. February is a VERY expensive month. :-)

Nice work!!

Here's a question? I sent the wife to New York to get her hair cut by some TV stylist. It was supposed to cover Christmas, B day(in Jan) and V-Day.

How obligated am I? She says its OK but is it? Keep in mind the wife is pretty level headed.

You still need a card. The card is a must, no matter what. Otherwise, you should be all set--amazing gift, btw!

If it takes them this long to decide they want them...screw em. Go with a place that gives you better facilities and a better deal that WANTS you there.Come on Reds don't be like the high school girl with low self-esteem by staying with your boyfriend who's a dick(Sarasota) and go with the dude who likes you and treats you nicely(Arizona).

Trent, you should totally christen the RV before you take off. Just don't be like in One Crazy Summer and use a tiny bottle and then ram your hand through the side!

yeah, champ, you got to do at least something, even if it's as simple as a card.

my wife and i have an agreement about valentine's day. no presents, but i have to write her a letter. not a card, a letter. i don't even remember why that started, but that's been the thing ever since we got married. works for me.

other than insisting on buying me presents for christmas (and a cadbury egg or three at easter) my wife generally respects my complete hatred of holidays. especially big family holidays. as far as i am concerned, the only two holidays i really like are the fourth of july and new year's, and i've become kinda lukewarm about new year's lately. as for my birthday, i usually threaten to beat anyone who brings it up.

i don't mind buying her presents for all those events, though. especially since everyplace does gift wrapping now. it saves me from having to give her a giant wad of paper and tape with a present someplace inside of it. as long as i live, there will be three things that i don't think i'll ever learn to do:

1) make an omelet (i always wind up with scrambled eggs)
2) fold a fitted sheet (i always end up with a, um, ball of sheet).
3) wrap a present.

RPA,
We are supposed to wrap those gifts? I thought that was what the plastic bag from the Dollar Tree store was for. I can do the omelet but I agree with you about the fitted sheet and the wrapping.

Trent one recommendation before you christen the RV. Pop the cork , drink the champagne, fill it up with water and then christen it. Nothing like a good buzz to start a trip off right.

yeah, although i did get my dad a present this past weekend for his birthday and didn't have time to wrap it so i tied the plastic handles of the sears bag into a nice little bow. that i can do.

he was very happy to have the new screwdriver set. there's no point in wrapping things for him, anyways. he's the champion of guessing what's in the package. the only time i tricked him was once when i was a kid i bought him some new hunting socks and rolled them up and put them in the holes of a cinder block, then wrapped the cinder block.

of course, he picked it up and said "what is this, a cinder block?", so i didn't really trick him that time, either.

trent, do you actually have to DRIVE the rv? if not, i think the suggestion of drinking the champagne first is a good one. hate to see perfectly good alcohol go to waste, and i wonder if champagne is bad for the rv's paint job... (yeah, that's the reason to do it... you know, concern for the rv.)

RPA:

Any dude who loves Cadbury eggs and hates wrapping presents is okay by me!

Thanks guys, I have the card. I bought it the day I got the B-Day card.

RPA-I have the same distain for holidays. I would rather my gift be a quiet day away from the family. Last fathers day she made breakfast and I ate with the kids then she took them away for the day. I read the paper. played 18 and then watched golf. What a day!

We have a standing rule that we don't go out for V-Day(dinner). Just found out we are going out but with a twist. Floor tickets to Van Halen!

Okay my wife has given me a list of don't wants for Valentines day. No flowers, no candy, no jewelry, no perfume, no dinner, no card, and I have no ideas. And best of all she hit me with that tidbit of info this morning.

Does she like Van Halen?

My standing rule for V-day is that I don't want roses. Yep, I said it. Give them to me any other time of the year, when they're not insanely marked up, but not now!

And Trent, I'm serious, you do NOT want to drive an RV up Lookout Mountain. Park that sucker and take a cab, borrow your pal's car, hitchhike, whatever. That little road is a beast.

Wow, VA, she sounds like me! Except I do want the card. Get her a gift certificate for a pedicure or something like that.

another off topic post

I vote for Today is the Day (rock version) by Yo La Tengo for the theme song of the Spring Training trip.

A card really? I bought my wife flowers Sunday, and gave her another V day gift already. In years past I bought the power pack tickets so we could go to Opening Day, she loves the Reds. We get to go down to Spring Training for the first time this year. But I now have to go get a card? Ugh.

Trying to fold fitted sheets is just a waste of time. I don't even attempt.

Card is key.

Yeah VA, the spa thing is always a winner. Just in case Van Halen will be in VA next week.

Anyone visiting Fl spring training, check out the the Rays if you have time. Talk about a team loaded full of young talent. They are in St Pete.

Champ , Let me know about the Van Halen concert. We bought our daughter and son-in-law tickets as a
christmas present, when they come to Cincinnati. They are excited about it. Just wanted to let them know if it is good or not.

Fitted sheets are great on the bed but should be disposable as i have never seen anyone able to fold them properly.

Amy, I am fixing wife a candlelight dinner tomorrow and I will even do the dishes. I leave a card by her plate. Will that work?

Champ: I'll be seeing the Reds play the Rays in St. Pete--can't wait. I hear the stadium (Al Lang Field) has a great view, too.

Amy: You really like getting greeting cards? Ugh. I'm with you, though--gift certificates to spas always go over big.

Everybody: I have box seats to the Reds/Astros game at Ed Smith Stadium on March 11. I'll sell them at cost if anyone's interested.

ohioredsfan, that'll definitely work! You guys are making me so proud :)

Yes, docproc, I like the cards. What can I say? I like that it's a small token, I like the tradition of it, and I especially like that whatever money saved by not buying me $60+ roses can go towards something I really want...like another trip to the Diamond Club at GABP next year!!!

And fwiw, I totally agree about the fitted sheets. I must've missed that lesson at girl school.

Ohio, I'll get you a review. I've heard several great reviews from others including guys from the Stern Show on sirius.

Doc, Al Lang is a great place to see a game. The best spring training view in my opinion, the pier. Too bad they are moving to Port Charlotte. It's just a bit of a haul from the training facility to the stadium. Hopefully you get to see Longoria, Price etc.

Amy, Glad to see a female with my opinion on VDay roses.

I just got a look when I brought up the fact that V day cards are lame. Oh boy, I think I better see if there is any construction paper around here.

I guess we are going to go down and have a special weekend again in Cincy and get those Diamond seats. We had a great time last surely that will win me back points.

By the way anyone else try to get Opening Day tickets through the online raffle? I and all of my family members were not part of the lucky chosen.

RC, I as well was not a lucky one with the tickets.

I was not chosen for Opening Day tickets either.

Love the letter idea - working on that right now! (VA, that might work for you too - also figure out the one thing around the house that most po's her & figure out how to spare her that aggro at least once.)

I'm also:
Kidnapping for lunch tomorrow.

And a full massage... redeemable in the future.

p.s do you think she'd like a free membership to this blog?

DrOptimism
I like the kidnapping thing as long as no one calls the police.

But a free membership to this blog would probably be the coup de gras for the day. Go for it. But in case it doesn't thrill her , remember the word "neuter" and what happens.

Thanks Amy. I got a crate at Gold Star and a large bag at White castle to serve for our meal. (just kidding, I really am cooking a nice meal).

Amy
I thought my wife was the only woman out there that did not want flowers on V-day. She worked for a florist several years back and after V-day made me vow to never buy her the so badly marked up flowers ever again. I was/am too happy to oblige. But I am good to get a card and gift or dinner. Try to do something different each year.

Also have the double in Feb. her B-day is 22nd.

My wife is pretty negative about the whole flowers thing. She also says it is not worth the money. But I did "get "her a Brighton purse.(Actually, I stood with the kids outside the store while she bought it.) She got me the 20 game ticket pack for the reds. Now that's true love!

Oh, and I will try to figure how to blog for a spring training game. I will be in Florida from Mar 1-8. I will try to make it to the Cleveland game, and maybe that Friday Pi-rats game. If my children can leave me alone for a moment, I may be able to write a few words about the game.

Okay here's what I've got so far. My wife love's electronics so I just got back from Best Buy with a 42 inch plasma and a blu-ray. Just got my oldest girl to help me hide it out back. Now my evil plan is to sneak back home tomorrow after she leaves for work and hook it up. I've already put a little note on her steering wheel with the lovie dovies. And I've got my little one hooked up to drop mom a card in the morning.

Also I was wondering if some of you guys would be interested in getting a fantasy league together. I used ESPN last year and other than a quirk in the software at the beginning of the season found it to be pretty easy to use.

va redsfan
You can't go wrong with plasma and even if she does not like it, well I am sure you will get some pleasure out of it.

I bought my wife a set of golf clubs one year for christmas. Just because they were men's clubs and extra long shafts, she did not ever use them so I had to use them so as not to waste the money. I hated that.

Wow, Va, you're putting us to shame.

I'd probably join if you put a fantasy league together.

I saw her eyeballing both of them Saturday when we were in the store. But like you said Ohio if by some chance she doesn't like it I sure as hell do. Only problem is I forgot to get an HD box for it. Just have a regular dish box in the bedroom.

Who knew?

Amy Ryan, blog sweetheart and romance counselor of docs, dimbulbs, silly animals and other savory baseball characters and klunkerheads?

Now, do I give Ms. R that trip to the Arizona spa for V-Day, or hold off til her birthday in early March? If you say the later, I'm so hosed.

Little off topic but can anyone tell me when Brandon Phillips hearing is? Hopefully they don't need one; and they reach a long term deal.

Sounds like everybody's doing fine without my counseling! Seriously, VA, a plasma tv?? I'm gonna make my husband read that.

Oh no, Mr. R., that's wonderful for V-Day. In fact, my friends and I got postcards from the AZ spa the other day and all called each other to reminisce. It's that good. Only one warning: if either of you is a caffeine junkie, stop on the way there and pick some up for the fridge in your casita. The onsite restaurants are good, but all about the healthy.

chwilliams, your wife sounds highly intelligent :)

Actually, Bob, you're more on topic than the rest of us.

VA, I'd be down with some fantasy league action although I don't think Mr. RL will be wanting to join!