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Aveosmth · May 23rd, 2005, 10:37 PM

That was a well-written letter, and I'm sure most people will agree with you on your premise, but I don't agree at all.

Danny Graves was the best closer the Reds have ever had. He shut opposing teams down in one of the best hitters parks in all of baseball (Riverfront, Cinergy or Great American Park). He gave the Reds 8 good seasons and they cut him after two months????

There is no debating that he did some very inappropriate things...his behavior was unexcusable. His pitching was terrible as well and he needed some help there as well. However, you just don't cut a guy like that. From what I read, Sean Casey was seething mad, and he seems like he's the only one that makes any sense.

The right thing to do is to suspend Graves, and use that time to send him to anger management. As a Dodger fan, I know about decent players with anger problems. Milton Bradley did things FAR worse than Graves and the rest of you Reds fans could ever imagine. Thank goodness we didn't cut him. He's now our best player and a team leader.

If I were you my letter would be about 5,000 pages longer and it would be a lot LESS about Danny Graves. I'd start with the atrocious starting pitching. Paul Wilson gave up 8 runs to my team (Dodgers) in the first inning without getting ONE OUT!!! I'd cut him really quick.

I'd write a whole lot about Reds management. You guys have a potential stud in Austin Kearns and you guys just let him sit and rot on the bench. Every year I pick that guy on my fantasy team, and every year the Reds mismanage him. It drives me crazy. You guys should either trade him or let the guy play.

I'd write about Ken Griffey Jr. Yes, I know this kills you guys, but it has to be said. It is very true that hindsight is 20-20, but not only has he been out of the lineup, he hasn't been a true leader when he's been there. Some guys are very talented and winners, and some guys are just very talented. Griffey, unfortunately for Reds fans, falls in the latter.

I'd write about letting Jose Guillen go. That guy had a GREAT season in 03'. How do you let the Angels grab that guy. Yes, he had anger problems too...and guess what, he's flourishing in Washington now.

I'd write about Ryan Freel. Pick a friggin position for this guy!!! He has a decent bat and great speed. I used to play baseball, its very unnerving to not know where youre gonna play every night.

I'd write about Adam Dunn. This guy has a super bat AND a great eye, yet he strikes out all the DAMN time. All someone needs to tell him is that every pitcher is not going to throw him fastball middle in; some just might throw some breaking stuff.

I'd write about Sean Casey and how the Reds need to give this guy a gold star for what he said today. He was forthright with his opinions and he actually sounded like a leader. If I were a Reds fan and they got punished or traded Sean Casey after his comments today, I would never, ever watch a game again.

The Reds stink, and Danny Graves has about 2% to do with it. Baseball is a total team game, and to single one guy out like that and make him the scapegoat really sucks. Being a closer is the loneliest job in the world, and Reds fans turned their backs on someone who gave them a solid job.

May 23rd, 2005, 10:37 PM	#5
Aveosmth Loyalist Join Date: 01-28-2005 Posts: 241 Tournaments Joined: 0 Tournament Wins: 0	That was a well-written letter, and I'm sure most people will agree with you on your premise, but I don't agree at all. Danny Graves was the best closer the Reds have ever had. He shut opposing teams down in one of the best hitters parks in all of baseball (Riverfront, Cinergy or Great American Park). He gave the Reds 8 good seasons and they cut him after two months???? There is no debating that he did some very inappropriate things...his behavior was unexcusable. His pitching was terrible as well and he needed some help there as well. However, you just don't cut a guy like that. From what I read, Sean Casey was seething mad, and he seems like he's the only one that makes any sense. The right thing to do is to suspend Graves, and use that time to send him to anger management. As a Dodger fan, I know about decent players with anger problems. Milton Bradley did things FAR worse than Graves and the rest of you Reds fans could ever imagine. Thank goodness we didn't cut him. He's now our best player and a team leader. If I were you my letter would be about 5,000 pages longer and it would be a lot LESS about Danny Graves. I'd start with the atrocious starting pitching. Paul Wilson gave up 8 runs to my team (Dodgers) in the first inning without getting ONE OUT!!! I'd cut him really quick. I'd write a whole lot about Reds management. You guys have a potential stud in Austin Kearns and you guys just let him sit and rot on the bench. Every year I pick that guy on my fantasy team, and every year the Reds mismanage him. It drives me crazy. You guys should either trade him or let the guy play. I'd write about Ken Griffey Jr. Yes, I know this kills you guys, but it has to be said. It is very true that hindsight is 20-20, but not only has he been out of the lineup, he hasn't been a true leader when he's been there. Some guys are very talented and winners, and some guys are just very talented. Griffey, unfortunately for Reds fans, falls in the latter. I'd write about letting Jose Guillen go. That guy had a GREAT season in 03'. How do you let the Angels grab that guy. Yes, he had anger problems too...and guess what, he's flourishing in Washington now. I'd write about Ryan Freel. Pick a friggin position for this guy!!! He has a decent bat and great speed. I used to play baseball, its very unnerving to not know where youre gonna play every night. I'd write about Adam Dunn. This guy has a super bat AND a great eye, yet he strikes out all the DAMN time. All someone needs to tell him is that every pitcher is not going to throw him fastball middle in; some just might throw some breaking stuff. I'd write about Sean Casey and how the Reds need to give this guy a gold star for what he said today. He was forthright with his opinions and he actually sounded like a leader. If I were a Reds fan and they got punished or traded Sean Casey after his comments today, I would never, ever watch a game again. The Reds stink, and Danny Graves has about 2% to do with it. Baseball is a total team game, and to single one guy out like that and make him the scapegoat really sucks. Being a closer is the loneliest job in the world, and Reds fans turned their backs on someone who gave them a solid job.