Live from St. Pete

Here at Progress Energy Field The bay waters are glistening just to beyond left field. Lovely place. Made it over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge without incident or panic attack for the first time this spring.

The lineup for the tilt with the Rays:

1. Ryan Freel, CF
2. Alex Gonzalez, SS
3. Scott Hatteberg, 1B
4. Adam Dunn, LF
5. Jeff Conine, DH
6. Mark Bellhorn, 2B
7. David Ross, C
8. Juan Castro, 3B
9. Chris Denorfia, RF

Eric Milton, SP

Conine will be making his Reds' debut. Freel is back after the wrist injury.

Here's an email I got this morning:

Hi John I just wanted to comment on Reds Radio thus far. It was heartwarming to hear Marty and Thom work together. I'm glad the old left-hander is on the air as well. Joe sounds healthy.I think Jeff Brantley was outstanding on color and he didn't do too bad calling play by play. He'll get better there.Listening to both Thom and Jeff together, I can only say "WOW!" I believe those two will be this generation's "Marty & Joe." In fact I believe Thom and Jeff are better! It will be a pleasure listening to Reds on Radio again! John, Coal Grove, Ohio