Me, the Reds homer

Normally, I don't respond to questions of my integrity in a forum such as this, but today is an exception. Fellow Enquirer reporter John Kiesewetter suggested recently in his blog that I'm "soft'' on the Reds. That's an absolute first in my 19 years in town, someone suggesting I'm a cheerleader. Anyway, Kiesewetter surmises that's the case because the team's radio deal w/Clear Channel is up after this year, so CC talkers have to make nice. A few things:

I didnt know the deal was up after this year.

No one has told me what to say on the radio. Or even suggested it.

The specific instance Kiesewetter pointed to was a segment on-air last week, when I read a list of Reds promotions for the rest of the season. The intent was not to boost interest or attendance. It was to poke fun of the product on the field. I mean, "Build A Bear Night''?

It's called "sarcasm'', John. Look it up.

Trust me. A very good reason for keeping my "day'' job at the newspaper is, I can do the show the way I want. Integrity is all I have. I ain't about to give it up. Both the paper and the radio station have been extremely supportive.

Hope that clears things up.