Farewell Adam Dunn; Week 5 Picks
One of my favorite baseball players played his last game this past week and no, it was not Derek Jeter.
Adam Dunn, aka the Big Donkey, a Cincinnati Reds outfielder from 2001-09, is set to retire after 14 seasons in the big leagues.
ESPN's Jayson Stark had a great column about Dunn back in September that is well worth the read, but now that Dunn's career is over, it got me thinking about my favorite Adam Dunn moments.
There is his banana phone call to Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman during a rain delay. Seeing the 6'6" Dunn out on the mound finally getting his chance to pitch. Dunn's walk-off grand slam against the Indians and so many more.
But my favorite Adam Dunn moment has to be on August 10, 2004. Dunn hit a pitch off of the late Jose Lima that went an estimated 535-feet. This video doesn't do the hit justice, but according to several accounts, the ball hit the road outside Great American Ballpark, bounced into the Ohio River, eventually ended up on a piece of driftwood and floated all the way across the river to Kentucky before it was picked up by an electrician.
As told to Jayson Stark, "He hit it in Ohio, and it ended up in Kentucky," laughed Ryan Dempster, Dunn's teammate at the time. "Just one more thing to add to the legend that is Adam Dunn."
The next day, Adam Dunn was signing autographs at the grocery store near my house. I stood in line for hours with my mom and brother to get his autograph on a baseball card that my brother had given me. I remember being told we were past the cutoff point to get an autograph, but being the great guy he is, Adam Dunn stayed longer than anticipated and I got to meet one of my favorite players. I still have the card he signed for me that day, sitting next to an Adam Dunn figurine I got at a Reds game years ago.
That card means a lot to me because Dunn was one of my favorite players growing up. People may think all Adam Dunn did was walk, strikeout or hit a home run and you would be right in thinking that. He hit 462 career home runs (T-35th all-time), walked 1,317 times (T-40th all-time) and is third on the all-time strikeout list with 2,379 K's. Dunn even had a streak of hitting exactly 40 home runs in four consecutive seasons. No other player in the history of baseball can say that.
But Adam Dunn was more than just strikeouts, walks and home runs. I can honestly say that he was one of the most entertaining players I've ever had the privilege to watch. You knew he was going to strikeout, walk or homer, but it was fun to watch and see which of the three it would be. And if he hit a home run, it was going to be a no doubter.
Adam Dunn was beloved in the Queen City, not only for his home runs, but for being a great guy and a great teammate. Dunn may never go into Cooperstown, but expect him to go into the Reds Hall of Fame in the not to distance future.
He's a Hall of Famer in my eyes and I will miss watching him walk, strikeout or hitting another monster home run. Thanks for the memories, Adam, and thanks for sticking around that day in the grocery store. You made me a fan for life.
Now for my picks for Week 5 in the NFL.
Week 5 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
GREEN BAY over Minnesota: With it being a short week, the Packers being at home and the insane play of Aaron Rodgers last week -- 22/28 for 302-yards and four touchdowns -- I like Green Bay on Thursday night.
Chicago over CAROLINA: In the past two weeks, the Panthers defense has given up 908-yards of offense and Carolina has been outscored by 49 points. Going up against Jay Cutler, Matt Forte, Martellus Bennett, Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall this week won't make things any better in Carolina.
Cleveland over TENNESSEE: Looking back, it is amazing to think the Titans beat the Chiefs in Week 1. The Titans have looked abysmal the last three weeks and have lost by a combined 66 points. Quarterback Jake Locker is questionable with a wrist injury after missing last week's game, but even if he plays, I like the Browns. Cleveland is 1-2 and their two losses are by a combined 5 points. Watch out for Cleveland.
PHILADELPHIA over St. Louis: Rough loss for the Eagles last week in San Francisco -- Eagles only had 213-yards of total offense -- but Chip Kelly will have the Eagles ready to play and I expect them to light up the scoreboard against the Rams.
NY GIANTS over Atlanta: In two home games this season, Atlanta has scored 93 points and given up 48. On the road, the Falcons have only scored 38 points and given up 65. Not surprisingly they are 2-0 at home and 0-2 on the road. I think their road woes will continue this week when they face a hot New York Giants team who is averaging 37.5 points/game in the last two weeks.
NEW ORLEANS over Tampa Bay: I'm still stunned that the Saints are 1-3, but all three of those losses have come on the road. The Saints are a completely different team when they play in New Orleans and I like them to get a much needed win at home against division rival Tampa Bay.
DALLAS over Houston: I was wrong about the Cowboys and so was the majority of the country. Dallas is much better than I originally thought and after four games they look like a playoff team. The Cowboys might have the best offensive line and best running back in the league as their ground game is first in the NFL at 165-yards/game. If Dallas can block J.J. Watt on Sunday, they will win the Battle for Texas.
DETROIT over Buffalo: It's never a good sign when a team decides to switch quarterbacks before it's played its first five games, but the Bills have done just that. Head coach Doug Marrone is making the switch from 2013 first round pick EJ Manuel to veteran Kyle Orton, a guy who was once benched for Tim Tebow. I don't like the move because Manuel has played in just 14 games in his career and that is too small of a sample size to know if he's going to be the guy or not. Manuel has played poorly the last two weeks, yes, but the Bills are 2-2 and tied for first place in the AFC East. A questionable move by Marrone, whose days in Buffalo may be numbered if Orton struggles. I like the Lions to beat Orton and Buffalo on Sunday.
INDIANAPOLIS over Baltimore: Game of the week. Two of the league's hottest teams face off in Indianapolis on Sunday. The Colts have scored 85 points the last two weeks and Andrew Luck is playing the best football of his young career with 1,305-yards and 13 touchdowns through four games this season. The Ravens have won three straight including a 28 point victory against the Panthers last week and have been running the ball very effectively the last three weeks with an average 148-yards/game. I would not be surprised if it's a high scoring game and I like the Colts to win an entertaining game.
Pittsburgh over JACKSONVILLE: Even though the Jaguars are 0-4, things might be getting better in Jacksonville with quarterback Blake Bortles now starting. He played alright for a rookie going 29/37 for 253-yards, one touchdown and two interceptions last week against San Diego. Problem is the Jacksonville defense in the worst in the league, having given up 152 through four games, an average of 38 points/game. I'll take the under again this week and say Pittsburgh scores 31 in the win.
DENVER over Arizona: The Cardinals and Bengals are the only remaining undefeated teams and the Cardinals will have to win a tough road game if they are to remain perfect. Peyton Manning and the Broncos have had two weeks to prepare for the Cardinals and since 2005, Manning is 8-0 after a bye. I like the Broncos to give the Cardinals their first loss of the season.
SAN FRANCISCO over Kansas City: Impressive win for the Chiefs on Monday night against the Patriots and it has been two good games in a row for Kansas City after an 0-2 start. I like the 49ers in this one though. The San Francisco defense only allowed 213-yards and zero points against the Eagles in a 27-21 win -- the 21 points that were given up came via a blocked punt, an interception return and punt return -- last week. Philadelphia has one of the best offenses in football and if San Francisco was able to shut them down, then they should be able to do the same to Kansas City.
SAN DIEGO over NY Jets: I really like what I've seen from the Chargers this season and I think they are in the conversation for best team in the NFL along with Cincinnati, Arizona, Seattle and Denver. We will find out just how good San Diego is when they play at Denver on October 23rd, but until then I expect them to win every game they play including against the Jets on Sunday.
Seattle over WASHINGTON: Washington is coming off a shellacking from the Giants and things won't get any easier this week as a rested Seahawks team comes to D.C. I like Seattle in a blowout.
Bengals over PATRIOTS: Is this the end of the Brady/Belichick dynasty?
After watching the Patriots get embarrassed on Monday Night Football, you have to wonder if the Patriots best days with Brady and Belichick are over. New England may have one of the worst offensive lines in football and they have no deep threat at receiver. Belichick and Brady rarely loss back-to-back games, but the Bengals have played, arguably, the best football of anyone this season, Bill Belichick is prepared as he stated in his press conference, "We're on to Cincinnati," but I like the Bengals to go into Foxborough Sunday night and get the win.
New England has yet to face an offense with as many weapons as the Bengals have and the Cincinnati defense will be the best Tom Brady has faced all season. I see the Bengals staying undefeated as they send the Patriots into unfamiliar territory at 2-3. Bengals 27, Patriots 17.
Bye: Oakland, Miami
Last Week: 8-5
Overall: 39-22
Adam Dunn, aka the Big Donkey, a Cincinnati Reds outfielder from 2001-09, is set to retire after 14 seasons in the big leagues.
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| Adam Dunn watched the ball fly over the fence 462 times in 14 MLB seasons. (M. Spencer Green/Associated Press) |
There is his banana phone call to Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman during a rain delay. Seeing the 6'6" Dunn out on the mound finally getting his chance to pitch. Dunn's walk-off grand slam against the Indians and so many more.
But my favorite Adam Dunn moment has to be on August 10, 2004. Dunn hit a pitch off of the late Jose Lima that went an estimated 535-feet. This video doesn't do the hit justice, but according to several accounts, the ball hit the road outside Great American Ballpark, bounced into the Ohio River, eventually ended up on a piece of driftwood and floated all the way across the river to Kentucky before it was picked up by an electrician.
As told to Jayson Stark, "He hit it in Ohio, and it ended up in Kentucky," laughed Ryan Dempster, Dunn's teammate at the time. "Just one more thing to add to the legend that is Adam Dunn."
The next day, Adam Dunn was signing autographs at the grocery store near my house. I stood in line for hours with my mom and brother to get his autograph on a baseball card that my brother had given me. I remember being told we were past the cutoff point to get an autograph, but being the great guy he is, Adam Dunn stayed longer than anticipated and I got to meet one of my favorite players. I still have the card he signed for me that day, sitting next to an Adam Dunn figurine I got at a Reds game years ago.
That card means a lot to me because Dunn was one of my favorite players growing up. People may think all Adam Dunn did was walk, strikeout or hit a home run and you would be right in thinking that. He hit 462 career home runs (T-35th all-time), walked 1,317 times (T-40th all-time) and is third on the all-time strikeout list with 2,379 K's. Dunn even had a streak of hitting exactly 40 home runs in four consecutive seasons. No other player in the history of baseball can say that.
But Adam Dunn was more than just strikeouts, walks and home runs. I can honestly say that he was one of the most entertaining players I've ever had the privilege to watch. You knew he was going to strikeout, walk or homer, but it was fun to watch and see which of the three it would be. And if he hit a home run, it was going to be a no doubter.
Adam Dunn was beloved in the Queen City, not only for his home runs, but for being a great guy and a great teammate. Dunn may never go into Cooperstown, but expect him to go into the Reds Hall of Fame in the not to distance future.
He's a Hall of Famer in my eyes and I will miss watching him walk, strikeout or hitting another monster home run. Thanks for the memories, Adam, and thanks for sticking around that day in the grocery store. You made me a fan for life.
Now for my picks for Week 5 in the NFL.
Week 5 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
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| Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson hooked up for 108-yards and two touchdowns in a 38-17 win over the Bears last week. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) |
Chicago over CAROLINA: In the past two weeks, the Panthers defense has given up 908-yards of offense and Carolina has been outscored by 49 points. Going up against Jay Cutler, Matt Forte, Martellus Bennett, Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall this week won't make things any better in Carolina.
Cleveland over TENNESSEE: Looking back, it is amazing to think the Titans beat the Chiefs in Week 1. The Titans have looked abysmal the last three weeks and have lost by a combined 66 points. Quarterback Jake Locker is questionable with a wrist injury after missing last week's game, but even if he plays, I like the Browns. Cleveland is 1-2 and their two losses are by a combined 5 points. Watch out for Cleveland.
PHILADELPHIA over St. Louis: Rough loss for the Eagles last week in San Francisco -- Eagles only had 213-yards of total offense -- but Chip Kelly will have the Eagles ready to play and I expect them to light up the scoreboard against the Rams.
NY GIANTS over Atlanta: In two home games this season, Atlanta has scored 93 points and given up 48. On the road, the Falcons have only scored 38 points and given up 65. Not surprisingly they are 2-0 at home and 0-2 on the road. I think their road woes will continue this week when they face a hot New York Giants team who is averaging 37.5 points/game in the last two weeks.
NEW ORLEANS over Tampa Bay: I'm still stunned that the Saints are 1-3, but all three of those losses have come on the road. The Saints are a completely different team when they play in New Orleans and I like them to get a much needed win at home against division rival Tampa Bay.
DALLAS over Houston: I was wrong about the Cowboys and so was the majority of the country. Dallas is much better than I originally thought and after four games they look like a playoff team. The Cowboys might have the best offensive line and best running back in the league as their ground game is first in the NFL at 165-yards/game. If Dallas can block J.J. Watt on Sunday, they will win the Battle for Texas.
DETROIT over Buffalo: It's never a good sign when a team decides to switch quarterbacks before it's played its first five games, but the Bills have done just that. Head coach Doug Marrone is making the switch from 2013 first round pick EJ Manuel to veteran Kyle Orton, a guy who was once benched for Tim Tebow. I don't like the move because Manuel has played in just 14 games in his career and that is too small of a sample size to know if he's going to be the guy or not. Manuel has played poorly the last two weeks, yes, but the Bills are 2-2 and tied for first place in the AFC East. A questionable move by Marrone, whose days in Buffalo may be numbered if Orton struggles. I like the Lions to beat Orton and Buffalo on Sunday.
INDIANAPOLIS over Baltimore: Game of the week. Two of the league's hottest teams face off in Indianapolis on Sunday. The Colts have scored 85 points the last two weeks and Andrew Luck is playing the best football of his young career with 1,305-yards and 13 touchdowns through four games this season. The Ravens have won three straight including a 28 point victory against the Panthers last week and have been running the ball very effectively the last three weeks with an average 148-yards/game. I would not be surprised if it's a high scoring game and I like the Colts to win an entertaining game.
Pittsburgh over JACKSONVILLE: Even though the Jaguars are 0-4, things might be getting better in Jacksonville with quarterback Blake Bortles now starting. He played alright for a rookie going 29/37 for 253-yards, one touchdown and two interceptions last week against San Diego. Problem is the Jacksonville defense in the worst in the league, having given up 152 through four games, an average of 38 points/game. I'll take the under again this week and say Pittsburgh scores 31 in the win.
DENVER over Arizona: The Cardinals and Bengals are the only remaining undefeated teams and the Cardinals will have to win a tough road game if they are to remain perfect. Peyton Manning and the Broncos have had two weeks to prepare for the Cardinals and since 2005, Manning is 8-0 after a bye. I like the Broncos to give the Cardinals their first loss of the season.
SAN FRANCISCO over Kansas City: Impressive win for the Chiefs on Monday night against the Patriots and it has been two good games in a row for Kansas City after an 0-2 start. I like the 49ers in this one though. The San Francisco defense only allowed 213-yards and zero points against the Eagles in a 27-21 win -- the 21 points that were given up came via a blocked punt, an interception return and punt return -- last week. Philadelphia has one of the best offenses in football and if San Francisco was able to shut them down, then they should be able to do the same to Kansas City.
SAN DIEGO over NY Jets: I really like what I've seen from the Chargers this season and I think they are in the conversation for best team in the NFL along with Cincinnati, Arizona, Seattle and Denver. We will find out just how good San Diego is when they play at Denver on October 23rd, but until then I expect them to win every game they play including against the Jets on Sunday.
Seattle over WASHINGTON: Washington is coming off a shellacking from the Giants and things won't get any easier this week as a rested Seahawks team comes to D.C. I like Seattle in a blowout.
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| Tom Brady and the Patriots were dismantled by the Chiefs Monday night. (Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) |
After watching the Patriots get embarrassed on Monday Night Football, you have to wonder if the Patriots best days with Brady and Belichick are over. New England may have one of the worst offensive lines in football and they have no deep threat at receiver. Belichick and Brady rarely loss back-to-back games, but the Bengals have played, arguably, the best football of anyone this season, Bill Belichick is prepared as he stated in his press conference, "We're on to Cincinnati," but I like the Bengals to go into Foxborough Sunday night and get the win.
New England has yet to face an offense with as many weapons as the Bengals have and the Cincinnati defense will be the best Tom Brady has faced all season. I see the Bengals staying undefeated as they send the Patriots into unfamiliar territory at 2-3. Bengals 27, Patriots 17.
Bye: Oakland, Miami
Last Week: 8-5
Overall: 39-22
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