Sports Talk Year in Review

Lance, Mo, Austin and Tony recap the year in Cincinnati sports.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
Oh, let's get it going. Good morning, Merry Christmas, and
welcome in to this excursion, our yearly gathering. They bring together.

Speaker 2 (00:17):
Four bright minds, the four brightest minds in Cincinnati Sports
in one room.

Speaker 3 (00:22):
Who's the fourth?

Speaker 2 (00:25):
We always say somebody should be left behind in case
something happens to all of us, because if that's the case,
the designated survivors left the seg or our Chad Brundle,
and that could get really merry Christmas everybody. Our task
this morning is to reset, walk through, recap the year

(00:46):
in Cincinnati Sports, and look ahead to twenty twenty six.
Lance Pacallister, Moeger, Tony Pike, Austin Elmore. We are all
decked out in our in our Christmas footy pajamas, Tony
has a Austin has an elf, hat Mo has sleigh bells,
and I'm wearing a Santa Claus beard. And we're already

(01:08):
the sight for what is about credible? What is about
to unfold? We joke, but one of these years we
are going to do whether it's Meredith who agrees or
Molly agrees, We're going to do this from somebody's living room.

Speaker 3 (01:21):
Awesome.

Speaker 2 (01:21):
Perhaps going to be rock paper scissors to decide who
gets it.

Speaker 4 (01:25):
Well, Tony's'll be the noisiest. Yes, well mine this morning,
I could assure you whatever we're doing, Taylor Swift is
a part of it, so you'll hear that. So you
have grown kids, Austin has no kids. So it depends
on how much chaos we want.

Speaker 5 (01:40):
True, my kids aren't allowed to open anything until we
all sit down and listen to this show in its entirety.

Speaker 3 (01:44):
You're not gonna open them as you listen to this show. Nope.

Speaker 5 (01:47):
Wow, they're just gonna sit. They're sitting and watching and listening.

Speaker 2 (01:50):
See, our household doesn't Christmas doesn't begin. I've said this.
We always used to negotiate the time Christmas would start
because they'd want to get up. Casey Peyton would want
to get up at five and run down the hall.
Now we're to the point where you have to dootiate
Casey actually getting up to open the Presence, or he'd
sleep till one.

Speaker 4 (02:07):
See, you're lucky because you escaped the Elf on the shelf.
E Tony and I have been been practicing for almost
four weeks because of Elf on the Shelf.

Speaker 6 (02:19):
How many times have you been laying in bed and realize,
oh crap, I forgot to, so.

Speaker 3 (02:24):
My wife check on the elf.

Speaker 4 (02:25):
My wife and I usually have a you know, meeting
at night, like who's doing tonight. The day we're recording this,
I woke up at seven o'clock in a panic, in
a panic, and it's like I had to go into
the room next door and get the stuff. And I
don't want to spoil this for anybody who may be listening,
but I had to go get the stuff, take it
to another room, write the note, and as soon as

(02:45):
I got done, she came downstairs.

Speaker 5 (02:47):
My wife despises the elf, and at the start of it,
I was like, well, I'll do it.

Speaker 3 (02:51):
Yeah, how hard can this be? It's awful. Yes, it's unbelievable.

Speaker 4 (02:56):
I spend my day furiously like looking up elf ideas.

Speaker 5 (02:59):
Yesterday I had a string going from our banister to
our tree, and our elf was just riding down this string.
Not sure why not true? So that was like and
then the very next day, it's like, the elf is
sitting on the table because I forget I'm.

Speaker 3 (03:12):
Either elaborate or right.

Speaker 5 (03:13):
The kids are coming downstairs, and I gotta throw that
thing somewhere. Yes, magic of Christmas.

Speaker 3 (03:17):
Let's get to it.

Speaker 2 (03:18):
We've broken this down into segments. It's very researched, very
very well structured and prepared, and then we're just gonna
blow the whole thing up. We'll start with the high points.
I figure we start high and then work our way
down short of segment. Yeah, exactly right. The high points
of Cincinnati Sports twenty twenty five. I'll throw out the Reds,
who made the postseason for the first time since twenty thirteen.

(03:41):
It was a season and a journey where I think
people gave up on the Reds about seventeen times at
various points during the season, and then late in the
season we were scoreboard watching, got some help from the Mets,
but the Cincinnati Reds in twenty twenty five actually made
the postseason in a full season for the first time
since twenty thirteen.

Speaker 3 (03:58):
Cockroaches couldn't care.

Speaker 4 (04:00):
I remember walking out of the ballpark that Friday before
the NFL season started. They lost that Friday game against
the Mets, fell six back, and it's like, all right, well,
they literally got us to football season. Tony and I
talked about that a lot, like they literally got us
to football season, and then quietly without a lot of
people paying attention. They won the next two games and
kind of took off from there.

Speaker 5 (04:19):
There was this cool debut series of Chase Burns or Not,
like it felt like every team he started against was
a perennial contender, Like the hardest start to your career
you could ever have. But I think it, unfortunately says
kind of the landscape of Cincinnati sports in the last
year that when you talk about high points, we talk
about Savannah Bananas came into town and a high school

(04:39):
football game in pouring rain that brought twenty two thousand
plus down to downtown Cincinnati. I mean, that was incredible
in itself, but there wasn't as many high points as
maybe we've had in years past. But certainly sayt Nex
and Elder and what they did. You think about what
that game would have been if it was nice weather,
Holy cow, if they had planned it.

Speaker 2 (05:00):
From the planet, from the GOP and the thing that
started with seven thousand at Mason from the initial plan
it turns into twenty two thousand plus.

Speaker 3 (05:08):
Incredible.

Speaker 6 (05:08):
Yeah, going back to the Reds, the thing for me
is like, for the first time in a long time,
it felt like they were actually trying it felt like
there was an energy about them, whether it be getting
rid of jam or Candelario calling up Chase Burns, moving
guys around, making trades at the deadline. There was an
energy about the Reds this year that I appreciated. And
obviously it fizzled out towards the end in the playoffs,

(05:30):
but for the first time in a while, you felt
that energy around the ball club again, which I was
excited about.

Speaker 2 (05:35):
And that night with Birds, I mean the anticipation and
the build up and just the short of time from
the time they drafted into He's on a Major League
mount of Great American Ballpark facing the Yankees, and there
was electricity that was almost like Homer Bailey debut, like
Jay Bruce debut, like Roman Yeah, a Rolls Chapman. It
felt big that night, and against the big bad Yankees

(05:57):
for his debut.

Speaker 3 (05:58):
Yeah.

Speaker 4 (05:58):
And to me, I just think of the number of
times they would lose a game, and this goes back
to the middle of this summer, the number of times
they would lose a game and you go, Okay, that's it,
and you know, we it got to the point that
we sort of made fun of it, but they never
got swept in a series. You know, right, never got swept,
But you can't lose four, five, six, seven, eight in
a row if you don't get swept in a series.
That team found a way to stay afloat to the

(06:20):
very end and they made the postseason. They were very
quickly swept out of the postseason. Didn't really feel like
they have participated in the postseason. But to have something
like that in September, which has been so few and
far between this century, was a lot of fun.

Speaker 5 (06:34):
It made you appreciate what the crowds and the atmosphere
can be, and the team's competitive in Cincinnati just going
down to the ballpark. I remember the was that the
Pirates came in late in town and I'm sitting there
at the dinner table like I got to take the
kids down, like you don't know when this is going
to happen. And the environments were awesome, and you know,
I equated him many times on the show this year

(06:55):
to like a boxer who it feels like he's about
to get knocked out and he somehow survives around and
he comes back out the next round and he's back
in it. It felt like that ten different times this
season with the Cincinnati Rep.

Speaker 6 (07:05):
I went to twenty five Reds games in four states
this summer, and obviously they didn't play Bristol, including Bristol,
which was a disaster in and of itself that we'll
get to. But it was just a fun team that
drew you in. They didn't always play in a fun way,
but they drew you in, and it made you wonder, Okay,
what is the Francona era actually going to look like

(07:26):
by the time it's all said and done.

Speaker 2 (07:28):
And FC Cincinnati is going to show up later on
a list of low points. But the fact that they
knock out the Columbus Crew in in a three game
series and Brenner scores twice, that was like the first
step in what everybody thought, all right, they're going to
the MLS Championship and then we'll get to the low
point later. But that moment with him against that team,
that's like a Bengals Steeler moment when it's f C

(07:50):
Cincinnati the Crew and they knocked him out of the playoffs.

Speaker 4 (07:52):
So farst is after losing to them in the Eastern
Final two years prior, they lose Game two and just
got absolutely smoked.

Speaker 3 (07:58):
Yep, and anybody who's a.

Speaker 4 (08:00):
Cincinnati sports fan felt like that was Okay, they missed
their chance to win up there. Now Columbus is going
to come back here and win. Really, that entire season,
the regular season was such a high point because it
started so weird, right they trade away an MVP yep,
and then they get an MVP candidate Pat Noonan's done
a great job. I know things fizzled out with the
way they played against Miami, but the night that they

(08:21):
beat Columbus, I just I'm so excited for Major League
Soccer to adjust its calendar because that got buried amid
all the other stuff. But for diehard fans of that club,
that was a special night.

Speaker 5 (08:32):
I think one of the high points, along with just
the season, is what that organization continues to do, because
it never feels like with FC Cincinnati that they just
go all in for one year and then you're worry
about the rest. Like they they have a plan. They're
going to continue to be aggressive, not just for the
season they're in, but they're going to be aggressive for
the future as well, and I think that gives you
confidence as a fan to know, Okay, this organization's going

(08:54):
to try to win year in and year out.

Speaker 3 (08:55):
All right, those are some of the high points. We
didn't even mention. The Bengals is a high point.

Speaker 2 (08:59):
And the return of Joe and now everybody thought he
had written are there anyways.

Speaker 3 (09:02):
They started doing. Oh gotta get off to a fast start.
It's on my point. Show's over.

Speaker 2 (09:07):
Let's go perfect transition into low points as we continue.
MO Tony Austin, I'm Liance, thanks for hanging out with this.
Merry Christmas. Thanks for hanging out with us on this
Christmas morning at Sports Talk the Yearine Review and look
Ahead show on seven hundred WLW.

Speaker 7 (09:22):
Poof we work as hard as sent his elves to
keep you happy poo and let me tell you these
stupid curled elf shoes are killing my feet. Happy Holidays
from seven hundred WLW.

Speaker 8 (09:37):
I'm Jeff Stevens. If you're like me, you're super excited
for the upcoming holiday season. It's going to be great
and I've got some time off and I look forward
to spending some of that at one of the locations
of Hanson Audio Video. If you're looking for a home theater,
outdoor entertainment, hi fi audio, home technology, even a golf
simulator and more, Hanson Audio Video has it Visit them

(09:57):
on Far Hills in Dayton, or they're newly remodeled Experience
and Center at Montgomery Road in two seventy five in Cincinnati.
Make this Christmas an extra special one at Hanson Audio Video.

Speaker 3 (10:07):
Happy Holidays from the Bengals.

Speaker 9 (10:09):
The Bengals welcome the NFC West Arizona Cardinals to Paypoor
Stadium on Sunday, December twenty eighth at one pm.

Speaker 3 (10:16):
Round up family and friends and join us for this
holiday game.

Speaker 2 (10:19):
Come early to get ready to rule the Jungle, then
turn it up at halftime with Mike Wade and the
Nasty Natty Brash Band.

Speaker 9 (10:26):
Go to Bengals dot com slash promos for special holiday
ticket offers, or call five one three six' two one
eighty three eighty. Three come rule The jungle.

Speaker 3 (10:36):
With us Or. Hi I'm, kyle founder of blindster dot.

Speaker 10 (10:39):
COM i Started blindster in twenty ten to make, quality
custom made blinds affordable to. Everyone traditional window covering retailers are,
Expensive our prices are, low and our blinds are guaranteed
to fit blindster dot.

Speaker 11 (10:51):
Com every business has an. Ambition PayPal open is the
platform designed to help you grow into yours with business
loans so you can expand and access to hundreds of
millions Of PayPal customers. Worldwide and your customers can pay
all the ways they want With, PayPal, venmo Pay, later
and all major, cards so you can focus on scaling.

(11:11):
Up when it's time to get. Growing there's one platform
for all Business PayPal Open grow today at paypalopen dot.
Com loan subject to approval and available.

Speaker 12 (11:21):
Locations running a business is hard. Enough don't make it
harder with dozens of apps that don't talk to each.
Other one for, sales another for, inventory a separate one
for accounting that's software. OVERLOAD odo is the all in
one platform that replaces them ALL, crm, accounting, inventory e,
COMMERCE hr fully integrated and easy to use and build

(11:41):
to grow with your. Business thousands have already made the.
Switch why not you TRY odo for free at odoo dot.
Com That's odo dot.

Speaker 13 (11:50):
Com At Dorothy, lanemarket quality is our foundation and you'll
see that in everything we. Do we love making you
happy with great. Food we are your, baker your, much
your pantry and your. Kitchen come Experience Dorothy Lane, market
your local family owned, Grocer.

Speaker 14 (12:05):
Zeros carpet and At cleaning is bringing the gift of
clean this season with their holiday. Sales schedule today and
get forty bucks per room carpet cleaning and when you
book three rooms or more at a staircase for just
one dollar using their non Toxic zra Water zero's cleans
better than soaps and leaves zero residue, behind so your
carpet is stay, soft, fluffy and clean much. Longer hurry,

(12:27):
now appointments are filling up. Fast mention Me Bill cunningham
the lock in forty dollars per room cleaning all the
month Of. December schedule online now Zero sinc dot.

Speaker 3 (12:37):
Com tired of being.

Speaker 15 (12:38):
Underappreciated Gilky windows is hiring experienced window and door. Installers
we offer great, pay steady, work and respect for quality.
Craftsmanship apply today At guilty dot com or call us
at eight seven seven Seven.

Speaker 3 (12:51):
Gilky that's eight seven seven Seven.

Speaker 14 (12:53):
Gilkey when the job site gets loud and deadlines get,
tighter your team needs a line of communication that won't.
Quit rapid radios Keep cruise connected on construction, zones in
warehouses or across campus. Grounds no, delays just, crisp reliable
talk with the push of a. Button group, chats private,
calls and battery life that goes for days even in

(13:14):
the toughest. Conditions from forem into security to field. Staff
Rapid radios get the job, done clear, communications fast, response
built for. Work Visit Rappid radios dot Com Communication.

Speaker 16 (13:25):
Redefined you ever wonder Why verizon charges twice as much
As Pure talk for the same basic. Service THINK i
might have something to do with the fact That verizon
spends twelve billion dollars a year on advertising and. Promotion
that's billion with A. B, Yeah Peer talk doesn't spend
that kind of money on. Commercials that's why they can
offer unlimited, talk, text and plenty of data on a
blazing fast FIVE g network for just twenty five bucks a.

(13:48):
Month save an additional fifty percent off your first month
when you dial pound two fifty and say the words.

Speaker 3 (13:53):
Micro that's pound two to five to zero. Micro every
business has an.

Speaker 11 (13:57):
Ambition PayPal open is the Platform i'm designed to help
you grow into yours with business, loans so you can
expand and access to hundreds of millions Of PayPal customers,
worldwide and your customers can pay all the ways they
want With, PayPal, venmo Pay, later and all major, cards
so you can focus on scaling up when it's time
to get. Growing there's one platform for all, Business PayPal

(14:20):
Open grow today at paypalopen dot. Com loan subject to
approval and available.

Speaker 3 (14:25):
Locations do you own a small? BUSINESS a seismic shift is.
Coming it's time to get super. Sure this is former
Not dame Quarterback Brady.

Speaker 8 (14:32):
Quinn here's what's trending from The Iheartsports network presented by Els.

Speaker 17 (14:35):
DAY a plethora of games to feast On. Christmas THREE
nfl Games cowboys And commanders and The lions take on
The vikings in a must win games to keep their
slim playoff hopes. Alive broncos can clench THE Afc west
with the win against The chiefs tonight AND kc.

Speaker 3 (14:51):
And A charger's loss to The Texans.

Speaker 17 (14:53):
Saturday FIVE mba games on, tap including The caves And
knicks In New. York i'm round them.

Speaker 18 (14:59):
ON i wish you could save on home. Insurance with
All state you could easily save and get quality. Protection,
yep it's a win, Win so what are you waiting?
For check All state first for a quote. Today you're
in good hands with All.

Speaker 3 (15:14):
State.

Speaker 2 (15:22):
Mary christmas And welcome back in To Sports, talk The
year and review and look ahead, show fine tuned with
precision by executive Producer drew Wester.

Speaker 3 (15:32):
Hiding just a flow to this.

Speaker 6 (15:34):
Show good For Tony bender to finally have A christmas morning.

Speaker 3 (15:37):
Off yeah To. Tony by the.

Speaker 4 (15:40):
Way one of the biggest parts of twenty twenty five
the rise of Drewby yeah For Western, heidi that's, Right, yeah,
right the ascension.

Speaker 3 (15:48):
Of drew and our.

Speaker 2 (15:48):
Building he's been all over the. Place, yes we're serving
eggnog this. Morning i'm just happy to be. Here breakfast
cocktails are.

Speaker 3 (15:56):
Right that's the.

Speaker 5 (15:58):
POINT a couple of months, AGO i didn't know IF
i be doing this show.

Speaker 3 (16:00):
Today.

Speaker 6 (16:03):
Yeah is that part of the low points we're gonna?
GET i forgot at the top of the.

Speaker 2 (16:07):
List wait a, minute we're gonna have to insert this
into my unofficial.

Speaker 3 (16:12):
Rundown it says here The Lost. Weekend there was also
The lost.

Speaker 2 (16:17):
Job oh, MAN i completely blanked on that, one.

Speaker 3 (16:25):
So did the people who Let tony. Go let's let's
go to The Lost.

Speaker 2 (16:31):
Weekend it Was november twenty first through the twenty, third
and let's see in a matter of how many hours
you see loses downtown To. Louisville in, basketball you see
loses TO. Byu With Big monday in town and hopes
and dreams of A big twelve championship dancing at our.
Minds The bengals lose to The, patriots AND Fc cincinnati

(16:52):
gets blown out By mess In miami four nil all
in a period of what forty eight sixty, hours and
the devastration and destruction left.

Speaker 3 (17:01):
Behind everything was in rubble at that.

Speaker 6 (17:02):
Point, well to pick up with from what we said
in the last, segment like after since AN Fc cincinnati
had Beaten, columbus there was a lot of confidence because
they had Owned miami in the last couple of, meetings
including with or WITHOUT messi so you're feeling great about
that energy all over downtown.

Speaker 3 (17:18):
And you get your face bashed.

Speaker 4 (17:19):
IN i remember we were wondering which of those games
do you feel most confident?

Speaker 3 (17:24):
In everyone said UP C. Cincinnati everybody SAID Fc.

Speaker 4 (17:28):
Cincinnati. YEAH i didn't feel great ABOUT uc Beating. Louisville
ALTHOUGH i loved how they played in the first, HALF
i didn't really think they would BEAT, byu counting on
The bengals as a fool's errand so, YEAH i for it.

Speaker 3 (17:39):
To unfold the way they.

Speaker 4 (17:40):
Did AND i think you could tell when we went
to bed On friday, night it's, like all, right The
bearcats lost To.

Speaker 3 (17:44):
Louisville it ain't gonna get any better this.

Speaker 5 (17:45):
Weekend IF i could go back to that, NIGHT i
would happily take THAT uc basketball. Team, yeah because the
WAY i felt about, them even after a. Loss LIKE
i remember leaving the arena AND i said this To.
MO i hated how many people were content with a ten.
Points it was, like, well we, competed played hard Against.
Louisville i'm, like, man is that where this program is?
At and then THE u see AND i know it's

(18:08):
it's the loss TO byu with big newon, kickoff but
it's really the microcosm of what happened down the stretch
for The Cincinnati. Bearcats there's the low point seven straight
wins AND i drank the kool. AID i liked what
they were doing on. OFFENSE i liked the pieces they
had special teams was, elite and you're, thinking, man they
could compete to play In dallas for A big twelve.
Championship and then it was a complete collapse down the,

(18:29):
stretch just more pain For Cincinnati bearcat, fans.

Speaker 4 (18:36):
The moment Show Heyo tani stepped in the batter's box
In game one against the against the against The dodgers
was a low.

Speaker 5 (18:44):
Point, say When hunter bounced the ball about eight foot
and for eight feet in front of.

Speaker 4 (18:47):
HIM i Love Hunter, green but when he took him
deep and hit the ball about five hundred, feet it
was Like Eric davis against The a's where you just
knew and it was the same.

Speaker 2 (18:57):
Thing you just kind of. Knew best of three they
have not it was that. Classic the ball sounds different
coming off the. Bat i'll never forget would show hey
hit the, BALL i. Jumped it was so loud off the.
Bat and that's After Blake snell had used a total
OF i think eight pitches to retire The reds in
the top of the first and just it was like
that smack of, reality like welcome to Major League baseball

(19:21):
and The Los angeles.

Speaker 5 (19:22):
DODGE i wember thinking, like all, right now he's going
to settle. In you, know he gave up the big.
One now he can settle. In and it didn't.

Speaker 6 (19:28):
Happen to go back to that lost, weekend The bengals
were playing The, patriots they were doing so Without Jamar
chase because the previous Week Jamar chase said spit On
Jalen ramsey and that was a hot. Topic and then,
meanwhile there's the idea That burrow could actually come back
for The patriots. Game he ends up being held out
and The bengals played one of their best games of

(19:49):
the season against one of the best teams in THE.
Afc and that's one of those what. Ifs If burrow had,
played If chase had, played had The bengals won that?
Game does this season turn out a lot?

Speaker 5 (20:00):
Different it's unfortunately a season of what, ifs and every
loss was a what? If, yeah you know you You, Bears, Jets.

Speaker 2 (20:07):
VIKINGS i went back this morning and looked and how
they gave up AND i know the defense has been,
bad but they gave up forty eight points To Curson
wentz in The Minnesota. Vikings you just look at some
games that they, like what The jet that?

Speaker 19 (20:19):
Happened The jets just the fields and The jets like
The bills where you have it Like and it wasn't
until The buffalo game WHERE i allowed myself to buy
back in that they're just saying like this is In.

Speaker 5 (20:30):
Buffalo it's in the Snow burrow's. Back they can do,
this that they can go on this run that everyone
has talked. About mixed that in with the race like
it's it's so many, TIMES i feel like with so
Many cincinnati, sports and you can equate it to The
reds where they lose a game and you say that's
gonna be one that comes back to bite them at the.

Speaker 4 (20:47):
End The burrow injury obviously a low, point but you
even came out of. That, okay they're two to zero
And Jake browning will keep them, afloat and then they
got destroyed Against minnesota and you kind of, thought all,
right a lot of weird stuff happened in that. Game
they went To denver and The roncos were one and,
two and you're, like you know, what get this one
three and. One then they've got some cushion because you're
talking about like just by time to Mid, december, right
just keep it afloat till Mid, december and what already

(21:10):
felt like a DOWN afc and they got throttled that
night And Jake browning looked like An arena league. Quarterback to,
me there were all the Losses, chicago The jets, game
how they lost To, baltimore how they lost to The,
bills The. Patriots but that night Against, DENVER i think
to me was so sobering because you looked at this and, Said,
Okay PLAN b A qb isn't going to.

Speaker 3 (21:30):
Work they're gonna have to find somebody.

Speaker 2 (21:31):
ELSE i remember When joe goes down limps off the
field the next, day and then we had to deal
with the onslaught of everybody diagnosing what it was and
how long he was going to be, out and then
running the, numbers thinking all, right if he does come back,
late if they can if it's eight nine, games can
they go four and? Four can they go four and,
five five and?

Speaker 3 (21:50):
Four?

Speaker 2 (21:51):
Somehow stay in the hunt and to see What Jake browning.
Did the collapse Of Jake browning you talk about a little,
bit and we're talking about a guy who had an
opportunity a runway in a free agent year to have
a big chunk of the, season and he did nothing with.

Speaker 6 (22:05):
Not even close to the same player that took over
For Joe burrow at the end of twenty twenty. THREE i,
mean he played that one game against The steelers in
twenty three where it was, Like, okay that wasn't very.
Good but after that he was a VIABLE nfl. Quarterback
he was never even close to that in this.

Speaker 5 (22:20):
Season it's the most frustrating thing About cincinnati sports is
we're always talking ourselves into. Something if they can just,
win you, know three out of the next, four how
many times with The, reds is? It, well if they
can sweep this, weekend they're only three back in the wild.
Card it's never like midway late in the, season you're, like,
oh we're playing for playoff, seating, Right they're never playing
from a. Head same thing WITH uc, basketball like they're

(22:43):
in the tournament, now we're playing for. Seeding it's always
you need a run in the. Tournament, yes well the.
Crown there's a lot of them, now any one of
the tournaments.

Speaker 6 (22:52):
Now Even Terry francona tried to talk himself Into Ian
jabou being the closer on Opening day and that didn't.

Speaker 3 (22:57):
WORK i want to talk about a low.

Speaker 4 (22:59):
POINT i will never forget the sound in the ballpark
when that gate flung open and here COMES i mean
like people were like tapping each, other weren't even paying
attention to the, games like we're winning, right is he
the closer this? Year, LIKE i don't think. So you
talk about low moments for everybody But Jamer. Candelario, yeah
when they had to end The Jamber candelario, experiment you

(23:19):
talk about one of the failed signings.

Speaker 3 (23:21):
In the recent and not so recent twenty two.

Speaker 6 (23:24):
SEE i considered that a high point when they Let jamber,
go BECAUSE i was, Like, okay we're done with.

Speaker 4 (23:29):
This you talk about like talking ourselves into. Things if
you listen To God Love Tommy thrall And Jeff, brantley
but they were selling it hard during The Cactus. League
jamer looks like he's in great. Shape he's rededicated himself to,
baseball like rededicated.

Speaker 3 (23:40):
HIMSELF i remember.

Speaker 6 (23:41):
When matt McClain looked Like Barry larkin in The Cactus
league this.

Speaker 3 (23:44):
Year that was pretty.

Speaker 4 (23:45):
GOOD i think of low, POINTS i also think of
folks we lost In cincinnati. Sports you, Know Rudy, johnson
way too, Young Dave parker right before he goes into
The National Baseball hall Of, Fame Davy, johnson the last
manager of A reds team to make AN. Lcs our
Friend Bob, trumpy our Friend Jim. Kelly, yeah just you
know people that made such an indelible mark on sports

(24:06):
in this, town and it just felt like there was
this run during the middle of the year where we
lost so many of.

Speaker 3 (24:11):
Them, ye no. Doubt let's take a time.

Speaker 2 (24:13):
Out let's continue with best individual game performances by. Players
there were some of those that might include talking about the,
shootout so be.

Speaker 3 (24:22):
PREPARED i got to step out for a few.

Speaker 2 (24:24):
Minutes Tony Austin, Lance Merry, christmas everybody At Sports talk
The year And review and Look Ahead show on seven
HUNDRED Wlw Mary, christmas, everybody welcome. In thanks for hanging
out with us and sharing Your christmas morning with. Us

(24:45):
Moeg Or Tony, Pike Austin Elmore, lance But Countlester Sports
talk The year And review and the Look Ahead.

Speaker 3 (24:49):
Show do we have a quick side?

Speaker 2 (24:53):
Note we have a like a fake electric, fireplace WHICH
i don't believe we've turned on in a decade or.
So does anybody to use the YouTube? Fireplace log up
on YOUR tv as you're looking, like we don't know
what that.

Speaker 3 (25:06):
Is it's been on for three days in our. House,
yeah there's. On go to.

Speaker 2 (25:10):
YouTube AM i gonna have to teach you? Technology go to?
YouTube and google Like christmas log you.

Speaker 3 (25:17):
Could find some with with music in the. Background we've
got eight TVs in this. Room can we do it
in here and like something don't happen?

Speaker 2 (25:24):
Here a dog will run across the fireplace in front
of the, fireplace or a.

Speaker 20 (25:28):
Cat and you've never expected more power old ones that
we do now as you can turn YOUR tv into
like a big picture frame, too with a holiday scene
framed holiday scene you just searched that on.

Speaker 4 (25:39):
YouTube understand the unending chaos that's going to be unfolding
in my house over a thirty six hour. Period and
that's just with one kid That i'm gonna step aside
and turn on a YouTube.

Speaker 3 (25:50):
For the family a little. Bit this we actually have
a real. Fireplace the crackling of a.

Speaker 5 (25:56):
Fire you have to n, well, NO i don't cut
what my daughter has assio over?

Speaker 4 (26:01):
Here if we have a, fire how To sanna get?
In we can so MAYBE i won't have to go
to the YouTube FIRE i.

Speaker 3 (26:07):
Don't know you're looking. Up you'll YouTube put it on my? Computer,
yeah really?

Speaker 2 (26:14):
Sad all, right let's get too, uh let's look back
through the.

Speaker 3 (26:17):
Best let's keep talking about mull.

Speaker 2 (26:19):
Locks let's get to the best individual game performances by,
players and let me get this one out there so
we could move on from, it BECAUSE i know it'll
be devastating To. Tony it's memories Of Trey carroll thirty,
points seven rebounds in the, shootout which is perfect the
course in that game because every year one of the
storylines is which player will turn into performance nobody was,

(26:42):
expecting And Trey carroll drops thirty and owned the.

Speaker 5 (26:45):
Shootout and let's be, Honest xavier should feel lucky that
that game was played as early as it, was because
if the game is played later in the, schedule Then
Wes miller would have had a chance to go over
double team in the post in a.

Speaker 3 (26:54):
Practice, yes at some.

Speaker 5 (26:56):
Point because when the game is played that, early you
don't get to go over things like double team the
post player when he's going off and no one can guard.
Him but shout out To Trey carroll because, he like
we've talked about this. Before how in this world Of
nil and The portal does the shootout mean as much
or do you understand the value of that that game
in the History Trey carroll. Did, yes the emotion that

(27:18):
he showed and The passion in which he played with
no one FROM uc matched.

Speaker 3 (27:22):
That so thirty.

Speaker 5 (27:23):
SEVEN i mean that that was incredible and, uh thankful
For xaviy that one later in the.

Speaker 4 (27:28):
YEAR i will remember two things about this Year's Skyline
Chili crosstown. Shootout one was how Many xavier fans in
the week up to it were, like just take it, easy,
Honest oh, god you know he lost To Santa clara
by a thousand.

Speaker 3 (27:40):
Points.

Speaker 4 (27:40):
Yeah and then the incredulous look on my face WHEN
i Heard Wes miller, say we haven't had time to
double the. Post we haven't that time to practice doubling the.
POST i can't do it. Justice you have a better
chance of me with the YouTube fire.

Speaker 5 (27:53):
LAW i REMEMBER i texted. YOU i did text BECAUSE
i get fooled a lot on social. Media, Ye austin
text more like did he really say? That, like surely
that's not a.

Speaker 3 (28:04):
Quote it WAS ai. Generated, yeah it was. Real it was.
Real BUT i don't know if you.

Speaker 6 (28:09):
Saw wes was talking To Roy williams the other. Day
roy was explaining that to him just the other, day
of how to implement that in.

Speaker 3 (28:15):
Practice.

Speaker 2 (28:16):
Yeah one of the Other fighter performances of the Year Joe,
flacco And Joe flacco arrived in this town and. Everybody
the more he, talked the more people loved him because
he gave us insight that nobody had really heard beyond
just short soundbites Of Joe flacco as an opposing player
over the. Years But Joe flacco goes thirty one of
forty seven for four hundred and seventy. Yards he'd never

(28:38):
thrown for four hundred in his. Career he throws for
four to seventy and four touchdowns on A thursday night
to beat The.

Speaker 4 (28:44):
Steelers The Joe flacco experience was, fleeting but. Fun i've
become such a fan of. His and he's a guy
that he never moved the needle for, me you, know
which is you, know odd thinking all the years he
played against The. BENGALS i didn't love, HIM i didn't hate,
Him but you, know from the get, go he just
you could tell he just appreciated the absurdity of situation
he was. In you could tell that he was going

(29:05):
to embrace the. Opportunity you could tell he was going
to approach it with a level of professionalism that was badly.
Needed and that night against The Pittsburgh. Steelers it felt
like it certainly felt like at the time like a high.
Point it felt, like all, right this is probably not.
Sustainable but that was a blast that night watching him
And Aaron rodgers go toe to. Toe Jamar chase was
awesome that. Night T higgins was really good that. Night

(29:27):
AND i think for most, people for Most bengals, fans
years from, now when you hear the Name Joe, flacco
you're gonna think of of warm, feelings and you're going
to think of A thursday night against The Pittsburgh steelers when.

Speaker 3 (29:37):
It felt like The bengals had to win that game
or The steelers.

Speaker 2 (29:39):
Were going to run away and hide from everybody else
and eating by yourself at a, restaurant WHICH i.

Speaker 5 (29:43):
Enjoyed Joe flacco walked So Philip rivers could, run like, yeah,
yeah you know WHAT i love most About. Flacco he
just simplified, things like he threw the ball in That steeler.
Game he threw the ball To Jamar chase twenty three, times.
Yep AND i remember like the sincerity like Of Joe
flacco talking during the week of like just the human
nature of, like you, KNOW i was talking to my

(30:05):
family and friends And i'm telling, him Like Jamar chase
AND T, higgins you should see. That, like he just
sounds like a normal dude who's excited to get the
throat To Jamar chase AND T. Higgins and he simplified the.
Game and it was so fun watching. Him and again
it was fleeting and everyone knew what was going to.
Be but to do it against The steelers' arrival and
you Know tomlin leading up talking about you, know The

(30:27):
browns giving him to The bengals and things like.

Speaker 3 (30:29):
That it.

Speaker 5 (30:30):
Was it was a high point both individually and team
in a tough.

Speaker 6 (30:34):
Season you might remember it was labeled as The Unk,
bowl him Against Aaron, rodgers two forty plus year old.
Quarterbacks my favorite play from that game Was flacco pulling
it on A reid option and running like ten yards
and picking up a first down in that stadium going.
Berserk but you guys are, RIGHT i, mean just the
genuine refreshing nature Of Joe.

Speaker 3 (30:53):
Flacco he's made a fan in me for.

Speaker 2 (30:55):
Life some of the individual moments rens wise to. ME i,
MEAN i think back To Nick martinez is, Who, yeah
the twenty one million never made. SENSE i don't know
that The reds expected him to take, it him to take,
it but he, did and he, pitched and he pitched
whenever they needed. Him and then on a magical, night
he takes a no hitter into the ninth, inning tracking
beyond a hundred. Pitches it was a ball hitt of

(31:17):
the gap that winds up. Dropping and then he comes
back AND i think then would pitch out of the
bullpen a couple of. Days there was just crazy sequences
where he, said whatever you need me to. Do but
that night the crowd was standing And Nick martinez was
that close to a no hitter for The.

Speaker 3 (31:31):
Reds, yeah they had a lot of those this.

Speaker 4 (31:33):
Year they had the week Where Will benson was the
greatest outfielder of all. Time they had The Austin wins
game where we, thought you know, what they don't need
these other two. Catchers just Let Austin wins catch every,
day Like Eli Dela cruz play shortstop every single.

Speaker 3 (31:43):
Day you.

Speaker 4 (31:44):
Know they had The christian And karnassi on strand week
weekend against The Arizona, diamondbacks and then he got sent
away and we never heard from him. Again they had
a lot of those moments this. Year BUT i think
Of the two individual performances were both authored By Hunter.
Green one was That sunday afternoon game against The mets
that nobody was paying attention to because The bengals were
playing their opener and he was awesome in the game

(32:06):
they had to. Win lose your six, back win your four.
Back and then that game against The cubs That thursday
against The cubs where he goes the, distance one hit,
shutout one hit, shutout and just it felt like it
felt Like Hunter green for that, night putting the team
on his back and keeping their hopes. ALIVE i know
he would go on to pitch poorly against The. Dodgers
he didn't pitch great in that game Against Paul skeens Against,

(32:28):
pittsburgh but they don't make the postseason without those two.

Speaker 3 (32:31):
WINS i.

Speaker 5 (32:32):
REMEMBER i don't Think i've ever wanted to no hitter
more for someone Than Nick martinez because you could just
tell he was.

Speaker 3 (32:37):
Gassed, yes come, on, man find a.

Speaker 5 (32:40):
Way you mentioned so Many reds, Moments Andrew abbott the
one nothing win over The, guardians the three hit, shutout
And rabbit as a pitcher he was on the roster
in the. Postseason, oh just did not have a chance to.
Start BUT i thought the year Of Andrew, abbott not
just the individual performances Aside Andrew abbit was solid this
year for The Cincinnati reds and certainly something to build

(33:01):
on going.

Speaker 6 (33:01):
Forward one of my favorite performances took place just a
couple of days, Ago Joe burrow against The Miami. Dolphins
after all that has happened over the last couple of
weeks for him to come out and even though the team's,
eliminated in my, understanding the only Game burrow has played
in his career in which The bengals were actually, eliminated
for him to perform at that level to kind OF
i don't, know just give everybody a deep breath if

(33:23):
that was one of my favorite ones of the.

Speaker 3 (33:24):
Year have. Fun, yeah four Touchdowns.

Speaker 2 (33:26):
Burrow a perfect segue into our next. Segment we'll look
back and discuss some of the injuries that Hit cincinnati
sports and athletes in the calendar year of twenty twenty.
Five Merry, christmas everybody at sports talk the year and
review in the Look ahead show on seven HUNDRED Wlw Marry.

Speaker 3 (33:50):
Christmas listen to that Fireplace Crackles.

Speaker 2 (33:53):
Moe has discovered in this show the legendary fireplace. Scene
purce of you.

Speaker 3 (34:00):
Two those presents next to the fire are gonna. Melt
give it long, enough you get an ad.

Speaker 2 (34:08):
On.

Speaker 3 (34:08):
Fire got a? Fire why do you have to have lit?
Candles it's the ambiance that's very.

Speaker 2 (34:13):
Nice welcome back into our sports Talk year And review
and look ahead show here on seven HUNDRED.

Speaker 3 (34:18):
WLW i am.

Speaker 2 (34:20):
One i'm gonna guess before we get into the serious
nature of these.

Speaker 3 (34:23):
Injuries i'm gonna.

Speaker 2 (34:24):
Guess of the foursome, HERE i am the only one
who is prepared each and Every christmas morning with a
garbage bag to take all the torn wrapping and stuff
it into the.

Speaker 3 (34:34):
Bag that's usually my. Job oh, yeah all, right, Yeah
i'm the guy who crumples it up and throws it at.
PEOPLE i get the. LOOK i scurry around the room
and grab it. All get, go get the. Bag yeah,
yeah that's my.

Speaker 4 (34:46):
JOB i have two THINGS i, MORNING i have a
story for you about. THAT i ask my wife what
the presents, are AND i go and get the garbage.
Bag what did we get this?

Speaker 3 (34:57):
Year? Cool my?

Speaker 5 (35:00):
Job this YEAR i introduced our oldest To christmas vacation
because it's my all time favorite And my wife just
happened to walk down at like the scene where they're
in the malls and he's shopping For Longe, range like really, old.

Speaker 3 (35:13):
Like the first of. All it's one. Scene, Right we're,
Good he'll be. Fine i'll be. Fine, Yeah christmas. VACATION
i love.

Speaker 2 (35:19):
It you said you're the, bagman and Now i'm flashing
to Like tony and The wire or something is the?
Bagman all, right we're dealing with injuries of twenty twenty,
five And i'm going to start with one Who i'd
almost in trying to put this.

Speaker 3 (35:32):
Together i'd almost forgot about.

Speaker 2 (35:33):
It and THEN i went back AND i watched the,
play AND i remember just how painful it was when
the Unknown red's left Fielder Tyler, callahan who'd been promoted
to the major league level and was trying to impress
and busting his, tail takes off on a dead sprint
towards the left field line to make a, play hits
the wall head first and lie crumple crumpled on the,

(35:54):
ground and it was it was, shoulder it was, wrist
it was. Arm there were multiple things can and, torn
and that image Of Tyler, callahan who was trying to
prove himself as a major. LEAGUER i, think what a
lot of the hearts Of reds fans who, said that's
the all out ussele we. Love but they had to
pick him up in pieces off the track.

Speaker 4 (36:13):
And he kind of like found out about his story
in the days subsequent to, that and you felt awful
because this guy had battled, injuries had taken such a
twisted road to the big leagues and he finally gets
there on a team where there was an opening for
outfielders right because of the endless cycle of dudes Like
Blake dunn And Jacob, hurdabies et, cetera and Maybe callahan
was going to have an opportunity and he gets, one

(36:35):
and that.

Speaker 3 (36:36):
Injury was so, rough so, gruesome so. DEVASTATING i still
can't believe they didn't call it a. Catch he caught the.

Speaker 4 (36:43):
BALL i remember watching the game with my daughter and
trying to explain to her why that wasn't a, catch and,
like you, Know i'm, like, well if an eight year
old thinks that's a, catch that's Exactly.

Speaker 5 (36:57):
This is the hardest SEGMENT i think of the. Show
because you can, relate you can, relate but it's also
like for some of these guys that their season never
was even able to get off the, ground and you
think of the work that goes in LIKE i thought
of The burrow, injury not from the physical, side but
from the mental, side because you go from being around
the guys working your tail off to your alone every

(37:19):
day in the training. ROOM i don't even want to
begin to think the mental hurdles That Joe burrow was going,
through because it's one thing to go through an. Injury
when you go through an injury rehab and come back
and Win player of The, year and then you go
through another, injury you just start, wondering like what what
what AM i? DOING i have to go through this
again and. Again it's not the physical part of the,

(37:39):
rehab it's the mental, part because you know what's going to,
happen you know what you're going to go through to get.
Back and that's WHY i give so many of these
guys the credit of A Joe Burrow Nick heglin coming
back and winning the Comeback player of The, Year like
that's that's so hard to. Do and for so many
of these guys whose season didn't get off the to
to to the start they wanted. It it's hard mentally

(38:01):
to do it.

Speaker 6 (38:01):
And to be labeled injury. Prone, YEAH i Mean Hunter
green has dealt with. That Joe burrow now has dealt with,
that and that unfortunately becoming a part of the story
of two of the most prolific athletes in this. City
burrow and maybe not really a lot of bad. LUCK
i feel like with his Injuries Hunter, green it was
kind of mysterious at times this, year this prolonged absence
from the team and second opinions and maybe not hearing

(38:24):
what we expected to hear From Terry. Francona it was
a strange year From Hunter. Green but when he came,
back he was.

Speaker 3 (38:30):
Nail you.

Speaker 2 (38:30):
Know The Nick haglin one sticks out to me BECAUSE
i REMEMBER i Had nick on the show shortly after
he had been in the. Play that happened was a
very innocent looking, play and he wound up puncturing alung
and collapsed lung and broken ribs and he had to
stay back In atlanta with the team flew. Home he
stayed In atlanta in the hospital FOR i think ten.
Days his wife was watching at the time and kids

(38:53):
were watching at the time at, home And i'll never
Forget nick telling me his. Daughter his young daughter turned
to his and, said did daddy? Die because it was
so ugly at that. Moment And nick's wife took the
kids to the grandparents and she caught a flight To
atlanta to be with him during the whole. Thing and
to come back from all of that is kind of
What Nick hagelin has been unfortunately all, about because he's

(39:14):
dealt with so many, injuries but he's continued to come
back and.

Speaker 3 (39:17):
Won As tony, Mentioned player of The.

Speaker 4 (39:18):
Year ellie de La cruz might not have been officially,
injured but the cycle of in the second half of the,
season you would, say, Boy ellie's really, struggling and then
you would, hear well he's, hurt and you'd, say, okay
well they should give him a day. Off well you, can't,
okay but he's not playing very well while he's. Hurt,
well then they should put him on the injured. List
well they can't because they need, him but he's not

(39:38):
playing very. WELL i, mean it just went on and
then after the season when everybody's, like you, know what
we should have, done it's probably Given ellie a day,
Off like you think that was weird and So i'm
kind of curious this coming, season we'll talk about this
as we look ahead with the injury hopefully behind, him
do we see the Old?

Speaker 6 (39:56):
ELLIE i love the juxtaposition of the way That David
bell would talk about injuries and the Way Terry francona
would talk about. Injuries And francona asked About ellie da
La cruz said he's got a. Leg, yeah, thanks appreciate.

Speaker 5 (40:09):
It how weird are you talking about mysteries The Trey hendrickson,
situation because in today's, football you get, injured you're gonna
be out at some, time you go on the injured.
List it was it was odd at that, moment and
then Hearing zach Every monday just he's, Doubtful he's, doubtful
and then it leads to the second. Opinion then it
leads to the, surgery and it leaves a very unclear,

(40:31):
future obviously For Trey. HENDRICKSON i think that with The
bengals and obviously T higgins because it's most. Recent you
want to talk about. It we've talked about this a.
Lot you want to talk about a, guy ultimate. Teammate
no one would have fall to T higgins to, say,
Hey I'm i'm done for the. Year i'm gonna make
sure my head is right and shout out to The.
Bengals they got the the the second.

Speaker 3 (40:51):
Opinion they flew him to make sure he was.

Speaker 5 (40:52):
Good they adjusted the helmet in meaningless games with T
higgins going through multiple concussions to come back and, say,
No i'm gonna be out, There i'm gonna. Play you
can't say enough about him as a teammate in this.
Organization i'll give you a.

Speaker 2 (41:04):
GUY a classic out of, sight out of mind that
people forget about Is Reht louder and as well As
Red louder pitched in twenty twenty four the back end
of the season and the expectation of what he would
mean for twenty twenty. Five he comes to camp with
a forearm, issue a little, soreness so they're very protective
of that that he doesn't pitch it. All during spring,
training he makes a rehab start and tears his. Oblique

(41:27):
he winds up THROWING i think it was nine minor
league rehab innings the entire, season not a single major league,
inning and you forget like What Rhet lauder was supposed
to be for.

Speaker 3 (41:38):
The team last, season how as.

Speaker 4 (41:40):
Good as he was toward the end of twenty twenty,
four a non entity in twenty twenty, five and one
of the questions for twenty twenty six is what are
they going to get from? HIM i think of Injuries Jalen,
haynes you, see because.

Speaker 3 (41:51):
If he's in the, Whole, god they could double the. Post,
yep really they didn't have to double the, post.

Speaker 6 (41:56):
Right you want to talk about guys come to spring training,
hurt the Strange Spencer steer injury that somehow wasn't treated
during the off. Season it leads to him, being you,
know fifty percent of himself through the first month of the.
Season he turns out to have a pretty good. Year
i'm A Spencer steer. Believer hopefully he's. Held Austin hayes
hurt his calf on the.

Speaker 2 (42:15):
Airplane, yes, yeah something like, that and if not for
The Tyler stevenson, oblique we never Have Austin.

Speaker 3 (42:21):
Wins so there you, Go austin ALL i do Is.

Speaker 2 (42:24):
Wins remember we argued Keeping Austin wins is a third,
catcher and then like for a month they didn't use
him at, all or a third catcher of the lost he,
said to. Whatsoever thanks a segue into The reds twenty
twenty five, season and they look back at the roller
coaster ride that Was, Mo, Tony, Austin, Lance Merry, christmas,
Everybody Sports, Talk year In review and the Look ahead

(42:45):
show here on seven HUNDRED Wlw Mary, Christmas welcome back
in turn The corner in our second. Hour thanks for
enjoying Your christmas morning with, Us, Lance, McAlister, Moeger Tony,
Pike Austin. Illmore we're all decked out in our candy

(43:08):
cane striped footy pajamas for your visual enhancement of the.

Speaker 4 (43:13):
Show And i'm not just wearing them because It's, christmas
wearing them because It's.

Speaker 5 (43:18):
Thursday you're a big footy pajama. Guy huge footy pajama.

Speaker 3 (43:21):
Guy.

Speaker 2 (43:21):
Yeah we navigate into the twenty twenty five red season that,
was and on one, hand we talked earlier the high
point they make the, playoffs first time in a full
season since twenty, thirteen they get bounced. Immediately they win
eighty three, games yet they finished third, place and we
debated whether they were done or alive much of the.

(43:42):
Season So i'm left to look back at twenty twenty,
five and on one, HAND i want TO i want
to be excited about the, postseason but, mode they won
eighty three games and they finished in third, place and
if not for the collapse of the mat The mets
in the, End So i'm torn in what exactly did
it take away from the?

Speaker 4 (44:00):
Season ask me at the end of this, Year because
if twenty twenty five proves to be a jumping point
for something bigger and, BETTER i think we look at
this season as a necessary. STEP i view it as
tangible proof that what they're doing is, working but tangible
evidence that they need to do. More and so this
offseason so far and, no we'll talk about twenty twenty
six frankly. Underwhelming it doesn't feel like they've made themselves appreciably.

(44:24):
Better they're gonna have to have a lot of guys
who underperformed in twenty twenty five be better this. Year
BUT i looked at it As, okay that is a.
Step if this ends up being the high point of
this entire, process boy what a. Failure but if if
this leads to more postseason, appearances consecutive postseason, appearances actual postseason,
advancement then you, go, okay the first step was making

(44:45):
it and losing to The dodgers in twenty twenty.

Speaker 5 (44:47):
FIVE i remember sitting on an opening day talking about
the season, upcoming and one of the points, was you
have to dominate the bad. Teams you've got to make
your mark. There you've got to beat the teams like
The pirate and those types of teams that you get
a chance to. Play they were thirty eight and thirty
eight against teams below five. Hundred that's not good. Enough

(45:07):
and then to add on to that fifty four times
scoring three or fewer, runs it's a.

Speaker 3 (45:12):
Miracle they won eighty three.

Speaker 5 (45:13):
Games so the struggles on offense AND i know when
we'll look ahead to twenty twenty, six, well what's the
answer going to be to? That feels like they haven't
addressed that. Much this offense is not good enough as.
Is they've got to find ways to jump start that.
Offense but you look back at eighty three wins and
five hundred baseball against teams under five, hundred it's a
miracle that got to eighty.

Speaker 6 (45:34):
THREE i keep thinking about a stretch of one nothing,
losses about their inability to perform in extra, innings And
i've came away from this season pretty underwhelmed By Terry.
FRANCONA i thought THAT i was gonna JUST i thought
this guy was gonna squeeze all the juice out of
The orange and get the most out of these. Players
but it felt like he kind of went the opposite
direction of the way the team is. Built AND i

(45:55):
think that's part of because The reds have given him
complete control of how he wants to manage. Games that's,
fine but the lack of aggression on the bass pass
when you have a team built around speed and, athleticism,
uh just overall to trying to move the runners over
this lack of gut feel and, Analytics it felt like
he was indecisive a lot of. Times it felt like

(46:15):
an underwhelming season From Terry.

Speaker 2 (46:17):
Franco, yeah they went from in a neighborhood of two
hundred stolen bases to just over one hundred stolen bases
for for whatever. Reason but back to the, point the elusive.
Bat they search for the elusive bat. Again there were thirteen,
shutouts they scored one run twenty one, times they scored
two runs twenty, times and As tony, mentioned fifty four
times scoring fewer than three runs and how many times

(46:37):
did we reference wasting a performance by a starting pitcher
because they didn't score that.

Speaker 3 (46:43):
Night it was.

Speaker 4 (46:44):
Maddening and we also talked for months about what bat
will they add at the, deadline and then they add
a guy who's known for not having a bat and
back or.

Speaker 3 (46:55):
Four more and Keep Brian.

Speaker 4 (46:58):
Hayes it was funny because On, twitter every time he
would make a really nice play in the, field it.

Speaker 3 (47:02):
Was, like see see, That and he is awesome with the.

Speaker 4 (47:05):
Glove he might be the best defensive player in the,
sport but he, is by everybody's own, admission an offensive.
Zero we saw it in the, Postseason so just the
weirdness of. That and then all the best laid plans
they put in black magic Marker matt McLain's second base
matting second league worst production from the too hole and
it felt Like matt McClain had the longest leash of all.
Time ellie de La, cruz this team was built around

(47:26):
him being. Awesome he Wasn't christian And carnassi on strain
was supposed to hold down first base got sent down
and never heard from. Again so many of the best
laid plans not working, out and then the total lack
of depth at the back end of the, roster where
it Was Jacob hurdabies And Blake dunn And Will, Benson.

Speaker 3 (47:43):
Will benson being in the doghouse for a, WHILE i Thought.

Speaker 4 (47:45):
Will benson in the, Doghouse matt McClain out, there allowed
to just strike out time after. Time they're Using Santiago
espin on the two.

Speaker 3 (47:51):
Hole it was a.

Speaker 4 (47:52):
Weird year in terms of lineup, construction roster, construction and
dudes that you thought were going to be a, big
big part of this team twenty twenty five failing frankly
to show in.

Speaker 5 (48:02):
A weird time because you, know you go back to
when all those guys were, rookies, like, man the future is. Bright,
well now the clock is ticking. On are they going
to be busted or are they going to figure this?
Out i'm not, one especially On Christmas, day to point the.
Finger i'll point the finger At. Austin austin put AN
mvp vote a bed end For matt McLain to start the.

Speaker 3 (48:20):
Year did you?

Speaker 6 (48:21):
DID i told you in The Cactus league he's in
like seven point.

Speaker 5 (48:23):
Fifty placed a wager On matt McLain to win THE.
Mvp SO i don't want to point the, finger but,
Well i'm happy to take your. Blame here's What i'm
worried about with The reds this. Offseason last he, yes
did you not watch in the?

Speaker 3 (48:36):
League did you not watch The Cactus league?

Speaker 6 (48:38):
Game was going like like eight hits in a row
to be better than, Show, Hey otani to be the good, Value,
edgar you should know.

Speaker 3 (48:50):
This good value in lighting your money on fire. Too,
yeah what If tani got? Hurt, okay Then Kyle schwarber
Would we're.

Speaker 6 (48:58):
Fine you never. Know here's my fear with The reds last.
Offseason The bengals chalked it up, to, oh we got,
unlucky we got. Hurt The reds might look at those.
Numbers lance just gave and, said we're not going to
be that bad. Offensively we're not gonna get hurt. Again
we're gonna have the pitching depth this. Time Harry francona
better understands this. Team we don't have to do that
much to get over the. Hump that's my fear with

(49:20):
The reds And.

Speaker 2 (49:20):
Austin you spent an evening In bristol among eighty five
a game that was delayed and, delayed and then suspended
with one out of the bottom of the first when
there were lakes that had formed in the outfield at
its second.

Speaker 6 (49:33):
Base, yeah just to quickly surreal. Experience. Bizarre still feels
like a fever dream to. Me the lines were hours
long to get. FOOD i was in line for over an.
Hour we got to the window and all they had
left was popcorn and. Candy we couldn't see the pregame.
Concert it was seemingly a mile away on the other

(49:54):
side of the race. Track we got to our seats
and a gutter had broken and was pouring water onto our.
Seats there was standing water on the. Concourses it was
the biggest, disappointment train wreck Disaster i'd ever been a
part of at a baseball game or any sort of sporting.
Event it was surreal speaking of a red played great

(50:16):
for an inning, though.

Speaker 2 (50:19):
Speaking of train wrecks and disasters a perfect segue to
The bengals. Season we'll recap that in twenty twenty five
as we. Continue thanks for sharing Your Christmas morning with, Us,
Moeger Tony, Pike Austin, Elmoor Lance. Pacallister it's The Sports
Talk year In review and Look ahead show here on
seven HUNDRED wlw