CINCINNATI SPORTS LAST WEEK

The Reds started the week off with a bang by trading Adam Dunn to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 'Snakes' are sending us a class A pitcher named Dallas Buck and two players to be named later. Buck, who had 'Tommy John' surgery last year, has just started to pitch again. Two years ago he pitched Oregon to the NCAA championship.

The UC basketball program got a big-time recruit in John Riek, 7'2" center from Sudan. Reik was scheduled to enter the NBA draft this Summer out of high school but hurt his knee in practice and had to have it surgically repaired. UC had kept up a close relationship with him while other schools dismissed him when it was thought he would go pro. They beat out Kansas to sign him. He should be ready by mid-season.

The Reds brought up from the minors, Chris Dickerson, an outfielder to replace Adam Dunn. In his first three games in the big leagues he went 6 for 13 including four doubles, one triple and one home run. He's hitting .462 and doesn't have a single yet. The guy has had a better start than Jay Bruce did a month ago.

XU guard Adrion Graves is leaving the team. Xavier has given him his release to transfer to another school.

Major League Baseball draft picks had to be signed by midnight the 15th. The Reds came to terms with their first round pick, Yonder Alonso, at the last minute. Alonzo played first base for the Miami Hurricane team that was rated best in the NCAA. He is a pure hitter with big-time power. He reminds me of Adam Dunn.

UC basketball got an oral commitment from Aiken High sophomore, Chane Behanan. He is a 6'6" 260 lb power forward rated the best in his class in Ohio. He also had offers from Xavier, Ohio State, Georgetown, West Virginia and Purdue.

The Reds signed a Venezuelan boy on his 16th birthday to a multi-million dollar contract. His name is Yorman Rodriguez. Look for him in the GABP centerfield in about five years. This is the second young outfielder they have signed this year from Latin America. Juan Doran, from the Dominican Republic, is also considered a 'can't miss' outfielder.

The Bengals played their second pre-season game Sunday evening against the Detroit Lions at PBS. The final score doesn't mean too much in these games. John Kitna and Calvin Johnson made scoring on the Bengals look easy.

One of the players to be named in the Dunn trade is 24-year old AAA catcher Wilkin Castillo. In the Arizona system he also played several infield and outfield positions.

Oh, yeah, the Reds went three and three this week. Yawn.
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