Cincinnati 2011, Part 2 (Mr. Redlegs Edition)

Yesterday we confirmed that the "Cincinnati chili" we make at home is awfully close to the real thing. Today, in addition to the unfortunate consequences of chili research, we watched our beloved Cardinals play the Reds.









Before the game, we visited the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum. It is currently featuring an exhibit on Johnny Bench. Johnny Bench's playing career was nearly over by the time I was really paying attention. But I love Johnny Bench. Why? Exhibit A.












Bench could hold seven baseballs in one hand. I can hold 4. Cheating, I hold 5.









The museum was fun for boys. He was thrilled with this until we told him that catchers aren't left-handed and shattered his dreams.









Then we told him he could learn two pitches, throw to one batter, and make millions of dollars. Meet the "left-handed specialist of the future."









I didn't catch it. Not even close.












Look, Joe Morgan the ballplayer is a legitimate Hall of Famer. But Joe Morgan the broadcaster is a lazy know-it-all whose long color commentating career is an incomprehensible mystery. I hate him and I'm not the only one. Anyway...










This was my seat.









This was my Skyline Cheese Coney.









This is a Mom and a boy. That Reds hat was free. We told Jefferson that if Albert Pujols saw him wearing it he'd be disappointed and he nearly took it off.












And me and a boy. People were booing. Jefferson said: "Hey mom 'Boo!'" Mom said: "Don't do that, they're booing the Cardinals." Jefferson seemed so hurt and confused: "They're booing the Cardinals (sad face)?" Commies.









This is our view. It rained pretty much the whole game. The announced attendance was about half capacity and that seemed a little high.









We stayed for the whole game. "How" you ask? D. S.












Aroldis Chapman can throw 106 mph. The problem is that he can't throw strikes. This is his walk of shame. I've never seen a pitcher look as dejected as this.









But that was a small victory. We saw back-to-back home runs in the 2nd inning (Berkman and Molina) and then nothing until the Reds bullpen imploded in the 9th. This is the line score.










Boo my Cardinals, will ya?!