This and that

• The Dayton Dragons announced their 2009 coaching staff on Monday.

Jamie Dismuke, who has served as a hitting coach in the Reds organization for the past nine seasons, will make his managerial debut. Dismuke is 39. He was a first baseman who spent nine years in the minor leagues as a player, including eight years in the Reds organization. Dismuke spent the past five years as the hitting coach for Chattanooga, where he worked with Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Edwin Encarnacion and Chris Dickerson among others.

Rigo Beltran is the Dragons' new pitching coach. And former Red Todd Benzinger, a former New Richmond High School star who was the first baseman for the 1990 World Champions, will be the team's new hitting coach (when he's not coaching high school basketball).

Here's the DDN's story, with quotes and more info.

• ESPN.com's Jason Grey has an item about former Moeller High School star Andrew Brackman's professional debut in Hawaii. Apparently he looks great after Tommy John surgery and he profiles as a potential front line starter.

Yonder Alonso and Todd Frazier also are off to strong starts for Waikiki in the Hawaii League.

• JungleInsider.com reports that a banner proclaiming "Step Down Mike Brown" will fly over Paul Brown Stadium from 11 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Oct. 19.

• Not only are the Bengals without Carson Palmer as they prepare to host the Steelers, keep in mind that Pittsburgh is healthier coming off a bye week.

• A must-read for those still following the Bengals: Geoff Hobson's in-depth piece about just how bad the Bengals' running game has been.