ESPN guys like the Reds

It’s nice to see the ESPN baseball analysts finally recognizing that the Reds are the best NL team. Steve Phillips, former Mets general manager, quipped on a recent “Baseball Tonight” show that we should forget the comparisons between Barry Bonds and Babe Ruth, and consider Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo (5-0, 2 HRs):
“It’s hard for anyone to claim a better month when not only is he winning games, but he is hitting home runs. He is Babe Ruth right now!”
Former Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser on the Reds: “Bronson Arroyo has been a solid staff pitcher, but has always had bigger upside, and he’s been amazing in Cincinnati. The pitching has been solid, which I didn’t expect, and the offense has been unbelievable.”
All three Reds games this weekend in Arizona will be on Fox Sports Net. Arroyo pitches Saturday night.

Nick News
My how Nick Lachey’s image has changed. The co-star of MTV’s hit “Newlyweds,” Cincinnati native and former 98 Degrees singer was identified in a New York Times story this week as “Jessica Simpson’s estranged husband and gossip magazine superstar.” The story noted that Lachey’s “She Said, He Said” comedy pilot was still alive at the new CW network. The CW – CBS’ and Warner Bros.’ combined assets from UPN and WB from CBS – will announce its fall lineup on May 18.

Big Brother All-Stars
Well, it worked for “Survivor.” So CBS has announced “Big Brother 7: All-Stars,” featuring 20 former houseguests, to premiere July 6. No cast members were named. Also coming this summer on CBS: “Gameshow Marathon,” with six celebrities competing in a weekly elimination-style tournament by playing classic TV game shows (May 31); “Tuesday Night Book Club,” a reality show about busy suburban mothers (June 13); and “Rock Star: Supernova,” a reality competition to find a lead singer to perform with Tommy Lee, Gilby Clarke and Jason Newsted (July 5).