The Thursday Morning Rush for February 21, 2013

GOODYEAR, AZ - It's Thursday, February 21, 2013:

WET WEDNESDAY: The Reds enjoyed a short workday after rain and cold swept into the Phoenix area. I think everybody was ready for a limited schedule after a week's worth of drills.

BACKSTOP: "I never had a good team without a good catcher" said Dusty Baker on Wednesday. He had been asked about Ryan Hanigan, who is clearly overlooked for his contributions. "He's appreciated around baseball" said the Reds manager. Baker feels Hanigan deserves a lot of credit for the success of the Reds pitching staff last season.

OUT OF CLASSIC: Johnny Cueto will not pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.  According to Cueto's agent, the pitcher wanted to compete, but the Reds have exercised their right to keep him out because of the injury he suffered in the playoffs.

IN THE CLASSIC: Brandon Phillips will play for the Americans, Alfredo Simon will pitch for the Dominicans

MAYBE IN THE CLASSIC: The Canadians hope Joey Votto will play for his native country. "As of now, Joey is going to be with us" Greg Hamilton of the Canadian team told the Toronto Star on Wednesday. Votto hasn't made a firm commitment according to a few other reports.

DOES ANYBODY CARE ABOUT THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC? Not in the USA.

AT THE HOOP: Xavier beat Rhode Island Wednesday night 55-42 as Travis Taylor scored 13 points, grabbed 17 rebounds and had two steals....Kentucky downed Vandy 74-70 and Ohio State humbled Minnesota 71-45. Poor Tubby.

TONIGHT: UC plays at Connecticut while NKU is at Kennesaw State.

RECORD-SETTER: Courtney Osborn became the all-time leading scorer in Miami women's basketball in the Redhawks 69-56 victory over Buffalo. Osborn, who scored 19, now has 1,995 career points.

LADY HOOPS: Xavier beat Temple 54-53 as Jessica Pachko scored 14 points. UC topped Pitt 59-50 with Dayeesha Hollins scoring 17.

PAC MAN AND PAC WOMAN: Thomas More is hosting the PAC semi-finals over the next two nights.  The PAC is the Presidents Athletic Conference.  The Thomas More men play Thiel in the conference semi finals Thursday at 7pm. The women meet Waynesburg at 8pm on Friday.

PERSONAL NOTE: I felt bad that I was out of town when Bishop William Hughes, the former bishop of Covington passed away.  I read that he was laid to rest earlier this week. Back in the dark ages when I was an altar boy at St. Nick's in Struthers, Ohio, I would occasionally serve mass for then Father Hughes. I'll never forget him because he gave sermons that really had some substance. You left church with some inspiration. When you're ten years old, masses totally in Latin could get very long and boring. Father Hughes gave them some life. I met him when I came to Cincinnati because a mutual friend held a party for Youngstown natives every year.  Bishop Hughes usually attended and was great to talk to. A very smart and very kind man. 

Hope your Thursday is a good one..

popo