Cincinnati's New Fire Chief

Richard A. Braun was sworn in as the new Fire Chief of the City of Cincinnati on Tuesday at Cincinnati's North College Hill fire station #51.

Chief Braun was Assistant Fire Chief with the Columbus Division of Fire for the past 11 years and was with the department a total of 36 years.

Among the people attending the event were city council members, Mayor Mark Mallory, City Manager Milton Dohoney Jr., Columbus Fire Chief Ned Pettus and other Cincinnati Fire Department personnel.

Long Time...No Blog

Hello folks. It has been a long time since I have been able to share some information with you all but I am trying to get back into the swing of things.

I have been extremely busy over the past year, working 2 jobs at about 75 hours a week and being a full-time student. I am still on that crazy life schedule but I may be able to find some extra time in the upcoming months to keep my blog up and running.

Not much else to say yet but hopefully if there is anyone out there that follows this blog, stay tuned and I will not disappoint you again!

Bengals Ink Rookie T Andre Smith

From The Cincinnatian

CINCINNATI - And then there were zero. The Bengals finally signed their first round pick on Sunday, leaving only Michael Crabtree as the only unsigned rookie of this year's draft. Andre Smith ended his 30-day holdout by signing a deal that could be worth as much as 42 million.



The ongoig negotiation between Smith's agent Alvin Keels has been publically displayed through HBO's hit show, Hard Knocks: Training Camp With The Cinncinnati Bengals, where it looked as if a deal were never going to be agreed on. Katie Blackburn, daughter of owner and president of the Bengals Mike Brown, was in talks with Keels on a day to day basis and at times both sides seem irritated with one another. The show even showed one meeting in Cincinnati lasting 4 hours behind closed doors and emerging with no progress.



Thats all in the past now as the rookie was on the practice field just minutes after signing the deal. The contract is said to be a complex deal that is hinged on play time, which may actually hurt Smith, since the Bengals don't plan to start him right away. Offensive line coach Paul Alexander wants to move slow with him and make sure he learns the system before throwing him to the wolves in the AFC North. Smith will most likely rotate in as time goes on and then may start at some point in the season but he will have to earn that spot since second year T Anthony Collins has impressed so far in this young season.



The Bengals, who are notorious for having their first round picks hold out, can finally put this behind them and move on with the player they needed when they drafted him 6th overall. We all know the Bengals could definitely use the nation's best college offensive lineman a year ago since the team is dependent on the health of their franchise quarterback Carson Palmer. Smith will be a work in progress but hopefully Smith will be worth his 42 million dollar price tag.

Report: Volquez May Need Tommy John Surgery

From The Cincinnatian

CINCINNATI - Just as the Reds were scurrying to complete deals before the trade deadline, Reds' all-star pitcher Edinson Volquez was leaving his simulated game early with pain in the muscles below his right elbow.

Volquez has been on the disabled list since June 2nd with tendinitis in the right elbow and has been on a strict rehab schedule trying to make it back on the field.

"It’s not good," he said. "I was fine in all my bullpens. But when I threw with more intensity to hitters today, I felt it. It's crazy. It's not as bad as it was."

Volquez will be examined by local orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Tim Kremchek to determine if he will need the ligament repairing, Tommy John surgery. If this is the case, Volquez will not be able to pitch again until this time next season, at least.

"Were back to the drawing board," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "I'm very concerned, but I also have full confidence in Dr. Kremchek. I also have full confidence in modern medicine. Years ago, these things could be career-ending."

Volquez went 17-6 last year with 3.21 ERA and was re-signed after last season to come in and be the ace of a struggling pitching staff. He will more than likely be done for the 2009 and will finish with a 4-2 record, 4.35 ERA and 47 strikeouts.

Quote Of The Week

"It is possible to fail in many ways...while to succeed is possible in only one way"
-Aristotle

Agent: Maualuga Signs

From The Cincinnatian

CINCINNATI - Gary Uberstine, agent for rookie linebacker, Rey Maualuga, has confirmed Wednesday that his client and the Benals have agreed to terms on a contract. Details of the deal are undisclosed but it is believed to be a 4-year deal.

First round pick Andre Smith and third rounder Michael Johnson are the only 2 unsigned rookies left.

Pete Rose Reinstatement Imminent?

From The Cincinnatian

Reports are that MLB Commisioner, Bud Selig, is "seriously considering" the reinstatement of hit king Pete Rose.

It has been nearly 20 years since Rose was banned from Major League Baseball for gambling on the sport. Since then, there has been much controversy whether or not Pete Rose should be reinstated and eligible for the hall of fame.

Pete Rose's Career Statistics:
Batting Average: .303
Hits: 4,256
Home Runs: 160
RBIs: 1,314

Bengals Prepare to Take The National Stage.

CINCINNATI - With just days to go until training camp, the Cincinnati Bengals players are preparing for their opportunity to show the nation why they are the team to beat this year. HBO's hit reality TV program, Hard Knocks, will spotlight the Bengals from day 1 of training camp, all the way up to the season opener on September 13th against the Denver Broncos.

Many people have questioned why HBO would waste their time displaying a team that finished 4-11-1 last season and are never really considered a contender but with HBO changing their theme for the show this year, the Bengals are exactly what they have in mind. HBO was looking for a team that has a chance to come out and surprise people, a dynamic coach and a team that has a lot of characters on it. The Bengals have a little bit of all that.

Marvin Lewis was a part of the first season of Hard Knocks in 2001 was the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens and he has had the opportunity to showcase his Bengals team in past years, but this year, he feels his team is finally mature enough to handle it.

Hard Knocks will air on Wednesdays at 10PM on HBO starting August 12th.

You can go see first hand how the team is progressing at training camp in Georgetown, KY. Here are some key dates leading up to the season opener on September 13th.

• Thursday July 30th - team reports to camp
• Friday July 31st - first practice 3-5PM
• August 7th - scrimmage
• August 8th - black/orange mock game
• August 12th - first episode of "Hard Knocks," 10PM
• August 14th - first pre-season game @ New Orleans, 8PM
• August 17th - last practice at Georgetown, KY, 3-5PM
• August 18th - team breaks camp
• August 19th - "Hard Knock," 10PM
• August 20th - pre-season game @ New England, 7:30PM
• August 26th - "Hard Knocks," 10PM
• August 27th - pre-season game vs. Stl Louis, 7:30PM
• September 1st - roster cutdown to 75 players
• September 2nd - "Hard Knocks," 10PM
• September 3rd - final pre-season game vs. Indianapolis, 7:30PM
• September 5th - roster cutdown to 53 players
• September 9th - final "Hard Knocks" episode, 10PM
• September 13th - regular season opener vs. Denver Broncos, 1PM

Reds Losing Streak Continues; Dickerson, Owings Leave Game With Injuries

CHICAGO - It wasn't a pretty weekend in Chicago for the beleaguered Reds as they lost their sixth straight game and fall 9 games under .500 at 44-53.

Joey Votto gave the team an early lead in the first inning when he turned on a Rich Harden fast ball and crushed it into the seats. Then, it was the Rich Harden show. He followed the Votto homer by sitting down the next 16 batters he faced before exiting after 6 innings.

The Reds are now 7.5 games behind the Cubs, who took over the first place spot by a half game over St. Louis. On July 5th, the Reds were just 2 games out of first and 1 game over .500, and they have completely fallen off the radar after going 4-14 since.

A Rally in the 8th inning fell short when a bad call at home plate outted Encarnacion and brought Dusty Baker out the dugout to have a few words with umpire Laz Diaz. Just like all season long, the terrible officiating was on display again and may have cost the Reds a much needed win. The Reds bullpen kept the team within reach of winning unitl Arthur Rhodes gave up a couple of runs in the 8th that were too much for Reds to catch up to.

Micah Owings gave up 2 runs in 3 innings before leaving the game with shoulder tightness and is expected to looked at when returing home. Chris Dickerson was forced from the game after crashing into the wall while trying to track down a ball. No word yet on either injury, both are expected to be examined in Cincinnati on Monday.

It's Coming...Are You Ready?