Spring Training 2010
Rainy day in the desert
By C. Trent Rosecrans, CNATI.com Posted March 7, 2010 3:22 PM ET
GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Before the Reds even got on the bus to make the short drive the Brewers' complex in Maryville, Ariz., Milwaukee had already called off Sunday's game with the Reds.
Since spring training started, the desert has been anything but dry, especially on the weekends. Each Sunday since pitchers and catchers reported has been soggy.
"I could write a song, 'It Only Rains in Arizona on Sunday' - it would be a good blues song," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. Baker wouldn't sing it, he said, but maybe Van Morrison could.
Then he asked the question - and perhaps discovered his B side to the single -- "What now?"
What now is a B game on Monday morning against Milwaukee at the Reds' complex, with Homer Bailey taking the mound. Bailey had been scheduled to start Monday's game against the Royals, but that nod will instead go to Bronson Arroyo, Sunday's scheduled starter.
More of note, Aroldis Chapman will make his exhibition debut against the Royals. The team had scheduled to start him against the Brewers in the morning game, but instead moved him to relief in the main game.
"We thought that just to get him more acclimated," Baker said. "Homer's schedule was such that he was comfortable pitching that 9:30 game and he can get his work in as usual. He's starting to get a regiment that fits what he needs to do physically and mentally. We wanted to keep him on regiment and let Chapman pitch in the big arena."
Not that it's going to be too big of an arena for Chapman. There will be plenty of national media types on hand for his spring debut, but he's pitched in several international tournaments, including the World Baseball Classic. The Cactus League should be no sweat.
"I don't think any league he's going to play in will compare to pitching for food," Baker said.
The Reds' last spring training rainout was exactly two years ago, March 7, 2008 at Bradenton (vs. the Pirates). The Reds had just two rainouts in the last six years in Florida.
Categories: Cincinnati Reds, Featured Stories, Spring Training 2010
Tags: Aroldis Chapman, Bronson Arroyo, Dusty Baker, Homer Bailey, Van Morrison
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