As the Chicago Cubs wrapped up a 5-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates last night at Wrigley Field, talks intensified between Isiah Thomas and the organization who hasn’t won a championship in 102 seasons. Thomas, who flew to Chicago on Tuesday, met with GM Jim Hendry about the job opening. Sources say the two had a 30 minute meeting concluding with Thomas talking to the media about the allegations. Thomas was questioned by many members of the media about his intentions for the club if he is hired. “World Series baby! That’s what we do here in Chicago. Jim and I had a nice discussion and talks have really caught fire lately.” What is more puzzling to the situation is that Thomas has no background with the Cubs, let alone baseball itself. In the early 2000s, Thomas was in charge of the Indiana Pacers, leading them to the playoffs multiple times but was eventually relieved of his duties. Then, the former Piston great was hired by James Dolan and the New York Knicks in an attempt to bring the New York franchise back to the level that it was at when Patrick Ewing sported the blue and orange. After acquiring Zach Randolph,  Fred Jones and Dan Dickau on a draft day trade with the Trailblazers, Thomas proceeded to sign Jared Jeffries and Jermaine Jones to full mid-level exception deals which recked the New York salary cap. Relieved of his duties on April 2, 2008, Thomas fell into relative obscurity until being introduced as the head basketball coach of Florida Internation in 2009. After securing a 7-25 record in his first season on campus, speculation raged whether or not the 12 All-Star would return. When family problems put an end to Lou Piniella’s career, somehow the Cubs came calling. The Cubs? Really?

When BtBS questioned Hendry about the situation at a press conference today, the GM offered a different story. “There’s no way in hell we would hire Isiah Thomas. He sucked at coaching basketball, what makes you think he could do baseball?” Hendry became more distraught when a reported questioned the job he was doing, as the reporter stated, “Well Jim, what have you done lately? Offer up your best pitcher for a scrub second baseman? Have you seen the standings lately? You’re 21.5 games out of first place and 20 games under .500, maybe you should worry about your job.” Hendry had a sharp response to the young reporter saying, “You should worry about whether or not you’ll be able to pay your car payment in the next month. I’ve seen your stuff, first reporter in history to write in ebonics, oh and tell your mother I’m sorry for the back pain.” The fued escalated as Aramis Ramirez barged into the media room to complain at Hendry. “How the hell you gonna hire Isiah Thomas? You already brought Alfonso Soriano’s bum ass in here and traded away Derrick Lee.” Hendry had no response to his best player, and opted to leave the room. Before walking out the door, a reporter in the back yelled at the emotionally torn general manager, yelling, “Hell, hire Steve Bartman!”

As for now it remains to be seen what’s going to go down in the Cubs organization. For a club who hasn’t won a championship since Teddy Roosevelt’s administration, you would think they would try a little harder to win, but with baseball you never know. If Isiah Thomas couldn’t build a winner with the most money and the biggest market in the NBA, maybe things would be different if he were to be hired by the Cubs. As long as the Wilson Chandler Project isn’t moved to Chicago, the Cubs can’t get any worse. It’s not like Thomas will unload their entire roster for a group of free agents three years from now. This is the latest from Chicago, a city where on game days, there’s more drive by’s than line drives.

Reds fans, Reds country, enjoy it. I said it last night, but it needs said again. This is still the dream ride, still the storybook type season that every fan has waited for. We struggled through Adam Dunn’s strikeouts, through Corey Patterson’s amazing .205 average in ’08, flushing away millions of dollars in him and Willy Taveras, just to get to possibly the promise land, with some “Chapmania” to go along with it. I am no bandwagon. I didn’t hop on the train in mid-May and ride till today. I’ve been a Reds fan for as long as I can remember, with my parents questioning it from the beginning (being both Indians fans). I stuck through all of the terrible, to get to the great. Every Reds fan knows that 2000-2009 were dark years.

It’s September 1st, the Reds are 78-55, sitting 8 games ahead of the faltering St. Louis Cardinals. A year ago, the Reds finished with a total of 78 wins, the WHOLE year. Anything is possible, yes, but ANYthing is possible. I don’t think it will happen, but the Reds can’t stop right now. I kept trying to come up with the last line to really sum up what I’ve tried to say, and find a way to tie it all together. Talking to my best friend, she said it, and I tweaked it to define what this team is about, and what they could be about. We’ve come too far, fighting through the sweep in Pittsburgh, then the loss in ATL, and sweep in Philly/STL at home, and sitting with an 8-game lead, to let it go.

One simple memo to every Reds fan:

“Enjoy it. Every second of it. We waited for this moment, now it’s here.”

Jimmy Ros, the 6’1″ 285 lb defensive tackle from Franklin Heights decided on Wednesday to return to Columbus West, the school he had a stellar junior season with after the failure of the South-Western City School operating levy. After racking up 73 tackles, 30 for a loss and four sacks in 2009, it had been rumored to return to Franklin Heights all summer long, the school where he played his first two seasons with. Garnering Honorable Mention All-District in ’09 with West, the decision was made to return to the Cowboys when it became known that Franklin Heights coach Rodney Hopkins wouldn’t let him back on the team. Hopkins decision made Ros’ even easier to make.

After receiving an offer from Ohio State over the summer, Ros was very adamant when talking about what he needs to improve on to make it to the Division I level and excel. “First, I need to improve on my grades. I need at least an 18 or higher to go D1.” Outside the classroom, Ros reflected on what he excels at on the field. Ros, a very strong pass rusher, admitted that he needs to, “stay lower on the ball, and get out of blocks easier.” What was clear to see throughout the entire ’09 season was the way Ros was able to get to the quarterback, sometimes at ease. But for the defensive front to truly be effective, they must stop the run gain and Ros was key to West’s run defense last season. “I’m very good with my pursuit angles and good with my hands once I get off a block.”

Clearly, Ros has something going good for him at the moment. Already in a system that he has excelled in historically, the 2010 season should only continue his ascent to the top of recruiting boards. Ros, who plans on racking up 100 tackles this season, had bigger goals when asked about what he wants to accomplish this season, “I want to be first team All-City and All-State.” If he can stay on the field and increase his level of production from last season, there’s no reason why we won’t see Ros in scarlet and gray down the road.

Ros will begin his senior season on the road as West takes on Centennial, a team who currently has a 31 game losing streak. For more on Ros, contact him at http://www.scoutingohio.com/index.php/view-profile.html?task=userProfile&user=3673&name=jroc76

The Big Ten Network has just released the new conference divisions that will take place in solely football for the 2011 season and on. Included in this change is the separation of arch rivals Ohio State and Michigan. In the new alignment, the first conference includes Illinois, Indiana, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin. In the other division is Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska and Northwestern. Building up to the realignment was speculation whether or not the protected rivalries would retain their place on the schedule. According to Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany, these rivalry games will keep their place on the schedule, so fans in Columbus and Ann Arbor will no longer fear losing the “Game,” which has lost some of it’s importance since Rich Rodriguez arrived on the scene. The heavily anticipated Big Ten Championship Game will take place on December 3, 2011 at Lucas Oil Stadium, marking the first time the 115 year old conference has had a championship game in football. This is what Delany had to say on the change;

“We focused on competitive equality, traditional rivalries and geography. We considered multiple models and countless permutations in an effort to achieve the most competitively balanced divisions while at the same time respecting our traditions, preserving existing rivalries, and creating opportunities for the establishment and growth of new rivalries. We have listened to the feedback from our institutions, alumni and fans, and while we understand that no final alignments could possibly satisfy all of our constituents, we believe that we have achieved a very exciting result.”

In his three years as the general manager of the dreadful Pittsburgh Pirates, Neal Huntington hasn’t shied away from shocking moves. First was in his inaugural season, shipping off Jason Bay. Then in his second year, sending Jack Wilson, Freddy Sanchez, Nate McClouth and Adam LaRoche packing for new cities, new teams and new dreams. Well Huntington has pulled the trigger once again, with what he calls his “Legend Package.”

During a one hour press conference on Fox Sports Pittsburgh, Huntington announced his new plan of action for the organization. Many had no idea what he was referring to and when the plan was revealed, it left the numerous members of the media in Pittsburgh stunned. In what Huntington called, “a deadline deal,” the last place Pirates acquired LW Wayne Gretzy, not sure where he is going to play but they have had similar problems with Lastings Milledge, P Roger Clemens, who will likely be sent to jail for a very long time in the next year and SG Michael Jordan, who in the mid 90s explored a baseball career in the Chicago White Sox organization.

“We feel Gretzky will give us needed depth and a bat to go to in the later innings. I heard he scored alot, runs I believe. He’s about as old as Andy LaRoche, and hey, they both suck so I figured might as well sign him.”

When asked about the Clemens acquisition, Huntington replied, “He can’t be much worse than Ross Olendorf, and he is a fighter, that’s what we need. Come on, the guy has denied steroid use for the past three years, he can handle adversity.” When BtBS attempted to contact Jordan on the situation, Michael had no valuable comment. “The Pirates. Me? No, can’t be possible. I gave up that sport awhile back.”

After a bombardment of criticism from the Pittsburgh media, Huntington stayed strong with his bold move.

“Look, playoff baseball hasn’t been played here since Pamela Anderson was a virgin.”

Huntington would add later, “It’s August 31st!!!!!! Trade Deadline, duh.”

When you’re 33 games out of first place and 44 games under .500 anything is possible. But for Pittsburgh, this is truly shocking. Usually they trade players, not sign them. With a month left in the season, it’ll be very interesting to see how the Bucos do down the stretch with the AARP squad out on the field at PNC Park. “When we win 35 straight games and steal the World Series, I’ll be the one laughing. Neal Huntington. Out” Can’t blame a guy for wanting to win, but Huntington’s plan for success is about as dismal as the Stimulus Package.

• In other National League news, the Cincinnati Reds extended their lead over the St. Louis Cardinals to seven games after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 8-4 in a game where the Cuban Missile Aroldis Chapman came in relief.

• The Chicago Cubs have found their heir apparent to Lou Piniella. Sources tell BtBS that Isiah Thomas has been in contact with the organization about the managerial position. Thomas, who is under contract with the Florida International basketball program, told Behind the Box Score that, “If I can get this job, I will finally be able to complete my masterplan. Operation Knick Destruction.” Not sure how he will be able to accomplish that but this is coming from a man who believed Eddy Curry was the savior for New York basketball.

• Omaha Nighthawks RB Maurice Clarett practiced with his new team today in front of a crowd of seven. Clarett, who served three and a half years in prison in Toledo is excited for his new start. “It’s a blessing. Instead of facing Big Bubba on every down, I’ll face guys with less intention.” Clarett is slated as the no. 2 back behind Ahman Green who is returning from hip replacement surgery.

Watching Reds Live, Scott Rolen had a quote that I think shows what this team really has been like this year.

“We didn’t get 7 games up by looking at the scoreboard… We did it by playing, and winning.”

This is special. Chapmania hits GABP, the Reds keep rolling, the Cards keep stumbling. I keep trying to find other words for this last 2 1/2 weeks after getting swept those dreaded Cards, the way we have played. This is the kind of stuff that champion-type teams do, they play baseball the right way. Since that series, the Reds are  13-4, and (not counting tonight’s stats), have batted 20 percentage points better than their season average (.290 vs .270), and bang out an average of 10.8 hits a game, 1.4 better than the earlier part of the year.

I don’t know that there are many words I can use right now. Just every Reds fan out there, look at the standings, look at the schedule, smile. And realize how special of a run that this can be. It’s far from being over, there is still a whole month of baseball left to play, and we have a big series in St. Louis this weekend that could put Reds Nation into a euphoric state if we take care of business. Just think, a year ago, the Reds were 58-73, 18.5 GB at this point. This year, a 7 game lead, and a 76-55 record. Good times.

In City Leage action, the Northland Vikings upset Eastmoor in an interleague matchup between two of the best teams in Columbus. Kevin Tooson’s team was led all night by Myles Taylor-Hicks, the dual threat Northland quarterback who scored twice on Friday. The Vikings took an early first quarter lead as Taylor-Hicks hooked up with Trey Bias for a 25 yard strike. Eastmoor would tie the game in the second quarter as Ron Tanner, who is headed to Ohio State, and Jalen Crosby connected for a 45 yard score. Going into halftime tied, Northland took a six point lead in the third behind Jarell Jones’ 3 yard touchdown run. Jones would score again in the fourth but was shortsighted as Ron Tanner led the EA Warriors to consecutive touchdowns in the final quarter, the last coming with a little over a minute remaining. Going into overtime tied, the second City League matchup to do so on Friday, as Briggs and Whetstone also went into the extra period, Northland would come out on top 25-19. Jones scored once again for Northland and an interception on Eastmoor’s first possession of overtime guaranteed the Vikings the victory. For Northland, this is a promising start to what many think will be a successful season. Behind Taylor-Hicks, who was one of the top quarterbacks at the Next Level Football Combine held at Grove City Christian early this month, Northland looks to take the north by storm this season. Traditionally, Brookhaven and Beechcroft have been the major powers but after the Bearcats were downed by Marion-Franklin 27-2 on Friday, a power shift seems to be coming into effect. The Vikings visit Central Crossing on Friday and hope to continue their early season success.

After LeBron James held the summer of 2010 in his hands, as far as the sports world is concerned, another star was waiting for his moment. Buried in the shadow of LeBron once again, Carmelo Anthony wasn’t the only conceited star looking for an easy route to a ring. As tension began rising in the Denver front office, it became well known that the 3rd overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft wanted out, and out soon. Similar to the LeBron issue, Denver has the ability to offer Anthony more money than any other team in the league. But is it money that these stars want? Clearly no. After taking into account the amount these guys have already made in their seven years in the NBA, what’s the difference between $20 million/year and $16 million. Once you throw in two All-Star teammates and a larger market, the money is meaningless.

After Melo and LeBron were selected as two of the top three picks in the 2003 draft, one being compared to that of the ’83 class, the NBA’s next generation was born. At the time, it was expected that one of the big names that were taken in the first round would lead their team to a championship. Seven years later, it’s clear to see that the NBA landscape has changed drastically. In the days of Jordan, Magic, Bird and even Kobe Bryant, the biggest stars of the game have historically strived to defeat their greatest competition. For the Eastern Conference, the alignment of stars in Miami, Boston and potentially New York and Orlando, have produced powerful alliances that are similar to those of World War I.

Now we sit today, with another star waiting to leave his most loyal fanbase and the place that he has called home for his entire career. To many, the arrogance and egotistical display of greed has changed what people think about the NBA. Never before in any sport have players had such control over entire franchises than what’s going on in the association. After LeBron blatantly gave the entire state of Ohio the middle finger, it’s clear Carmelo has similar intentions. A great deal of speculation has been going around about a possible alliance in Madison Square Garden with Melo, Amare Stoudemire, who signed with the Knicks days before LeBron’s decision, and Chris Paul, who clearly wants out of New Orleans. Is this what’s right for the NBA? As small market teams struggle to retain high profile players, what’s happening in the NBA is similar to Major League Baseball. When the rich get richer, it only creates a disparity in the league, thus decreasing competition.

What I’d like to memo to the Nuggets organization is if Carmelo won’t accept the money now, he never will. Don’t let Anthony hold the future of your team in his hands when it’s clear he doesn’t care about his teammates and the success of the club. This is where arrogance and ego comes into play. With zero championship rings and one series win under his belt, Carmelo Anthony has literally accomplished nothing in the NBA other than averaging 24.7 ppg in his seven years in Denver. Proving that he is unable to carry the Nuggets anywhere in the postseason, even after having an above average supporting cast, Melo is steadily etching himself into the LeBron type of player. Rather than taking the blame on his shoulders, which big name stars are expected to do, the new crop of superstars are opting for the Miami route. Is this what’s right for the NBA? Tell me what you think.

Just call it a 13 month break. Edinson Volquez went 6 strong tonight, giving up only 1 run and 3 hits in in his return appearance after having Tommy John surgery last July, en route to a 8-1 win. He dominated the Rockies (49-41) after a bumpy first inning, retiring 15 out of the 18 batters in the 2nd through 6th innings. The bats came alive tonight, supporting the pitching staff with 8 runs, 7 of the 8 runs came in via the long ball, 4 home runs hit by the Reds tonight, Stubbs adding two of the blasts. Thoughts from tonight:

• Volquez looked likethe Volquez we came to know during the 2008 season when he picked up the All-Star bid. His stuff was moving around, and his fastball was clocked at about 95 mph, not bad for a ML return.
• Nice to see the fans in the stands for a game that wasn’t titled Opening Day or Civil Rights Game. 41,300 attended this titanic struggle (also check out Redleg Nation for a Titanic Struggle Recap, great stuff), ESPN said that would make GABP 97.6% full.
• Offensive outburst by Drew Stubbs tonight. 2-for-4, 2 HRs and 3 RBIs. He saved his 3 HR game for the next time he plays the Cubs again.
• Young pitchers out of the bullpen giving quality innings. Jordan Smith and Logan Ondrusek both pitched scoreless baseball, with Smith going for 2 innings.
• Not sure if it was because of the HOF weekend or not, but the attendance spike is certainly a nice change for GABP, hearing the place rock and roll at every big play the Reds (51-41) made tonight.
• I want playoff style baseball this September and October. Knock on wood.

As half of the 2010 season is in the books for the first-place Cincinnati Reds (sounds weird, doesn’t it?), BtBS is going to take a look at the big wins, losses, plays, and what needs to be done to stay ahead of those dreaded Cardinals to clinch a playoff birth for the first time since 1995.

Best Wins of the 1st half:

May 18th: Reds 5, Brewers 4- Dreading the 9th inning against all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman, the Reds find the rally at the perfect time, retaining at the time a short-lived stint as the NL Central leader. Janish led off the 9th inning with a double, and was knocked in as Rolen hit a blast into the left field seats (the deck below where we had been sitting in the bleachers). Hoffman crumbled under the pressure by giving up a double, walk, and Joey Votto ended the game with a long single that allowed Heisey to come around to score the winning run, capping the comeback that seemed impossible when Cincy trailed 4-1 in the bottom of the 8th, and before Votto’s 8th inning blast, 9 reds had been retired in a row.

April 8th: Reds 2, Cardinals 1- A rough start by dropping the first two night games of the 2010 campaign were erased with one swing of the bat by none other than Jonny Gomes, who hit a walk-off blast into the left field seats to cap off win #1 of 2010. Bronson Arroyo worked his day game magic in the victory, going 8 strong with only 4 hits and 1 ER. This helped Cincy avoid a dreaded sweep by St. Louis, keeping the Reds around for the time being (see below).

May 16th: Reds 7, Cardinals 2- Another big win over the Cards to take over first place in the central for the first time all season. Scott Rolen was the big man of the night, going 2 for 4 with a big blast in the first inning to help the Reds jump on STL and Brad Penny early. Bronson worked his magic again, going the distance, giving up only 2 ER and 7 hits, en route to his 3rd win on the season.

Rough moments of the 1st half:

5 game slide/Swept in Pittsburgh (April 14th-18th): Moments to forget from this stretch include: 30-160 (.188 BA) from the plate, 2 terrible bullpen appearances in the 9th inning in consecutive games (Masset on Friday, Cordero on Saturday). Add to the batting part with amazing run outputs of: 3,2,3,4,3. Yikes. At this point, I think about how finishing anything better than 5th or 6th would quite an accomplishment.

The collapse in Atlanta: Up 6 runs going to the 9th. Single, single, single, single, walk, error, strikeout, grand slam. That’s all for that one.

The collapse in Philly: Up 6 runs going to the 9th. Double, flyout, single, single, home run, flyball, walk, home run. Lost in 10th. ‘Nuff said, again.

For the Reds to win the division/wild card, they must…

• Not have any more meltdowns in the 9th inning. Those two games in Philly and Atlanta are games you will look back on at the end of the year and realize how they could have changed the season if they fall short.
• Take care of business against the teams they should take 2 of 3 or sweep with ease. They get Houston for 9, Pittsburgh for 6, and the Brewers for 9 as well.
• Have Nick Masset figure out which Nick Masset he wants to be, whether it be 2009 or 2010 Masset, he needs to decide so the bullpen can get more stability.
• Figure out Coco Cordero, and every save cannot be a “thrill a minute” as Marty goes on and on about. It’s just not what we need. Some of those thrills turn into BS’s and L’s in the stat column.

If the Reds don’t make the playoffs, it will be because…

• Teams figure out the rookie core of pitchers and we get rocked night in and night out. I don’t see this happening though. They are too strong and capable to adjust on the fly. This is the future of the Reds right here.
• The bats all of a sudden come to a halt. There have been spurts of this during the season, and it scares me a little bit, if in a big series against STL this would somehow happen.
• They choke on the infamous west coast swing. We have not been able to win on the west coast at all, example being the debacles in Seattle.

Prediction- This team has the right mix of everything. The batting has been amazing at times, pitching off the charts, and the core of young players don’t have a lot of September expierence, but i feel like they can make the playoffs and dethrone the Cardinals. A new decade calls for a new leader of the division, and the NL Central will belong to the Cincinnati Reds.

Let’s get him back too.