NOTES OFF THE CUFF as thoughts of San Francisco dance through the mind before the Cincinnati Reds embark of their quest for what Ryan Ludwick calles, “The Cup,” which is the World Series trophy.

THE CURRENT PLIGHT of the Reds and their quiet bats reminds me of when Dave Bristol managed the Reds in the late 60’s. And it’s something current manager Dusty Baker might consider.

As a couple of dismal losses to the Giants in which the Reds couldn’t buy a hit with a Visa card, Bristol made the following announcement after the second game:

“There will be two buses leaving at different times for the ballpark tomorrow,” he said. “The first bus will leave at 2:30 and will be for all the hitters who need extra batting practice. The empty bus will leave at 4:30.”

SAN FRANCISCO, also known as Street Person City, has somebody on nearly every corner with an empy paper cup and a cardboard sign. That makes it easy to say, “I gave all my change to the guy on the last corner.”

But there was one resourceful street person on Fisherman’s Wharf who had a sign that read: “Why lie? I need money for beer.” I gave him five bucks.

WHAT I MISS MOST about past visits to the city by the bay: A trip across the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito for dinner at Scoma’s, home of the best sea scallops I ever tasted and outlandishly decadent clam chowder. Order two bowls.

FOR THOSE SCREAMING that Reds manager Dusty Baker needs to start Todd Frazier to jump start the offense, well, in September Frazier was 13 for 72 (.181) with one home run and three RBIs.

I love Todd Frazier for his enthusiasm and personality as much as the next guy, but in series against a team loaded with pitching like the Giants, defense is tantamount and that’s why Scott Rolen will be at third base. And it is also why Drew Stubbs will be roaming the vast expanses of the AT&T outfield.

OAKLAND GENERAL MANAGER Billy Beane calls it Moneyball, but it is more like No Moneyball. The Athletics’ payroll is $105 million less than that of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, but the A’s won the AL West. Oakland has 12 players making less than $1 million.

If the A’s win the World Series, maybe they can make a sequel movie, Moneyball II, and this time make it good and make the dialogue close to something you’d hear in a front office, clubhouse and baseball field.

ANY MINUTE NOW the Boston Red Sox will fire first-year manager Bobby Valentine and whoever’s idea it was to hire Valentine in the first place should be pushed out the door in his swivel chair right alongside Valentine. Another sure to go is Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen. Not only did his stick both feet in his mouth a couple of times this season, he led a team that invested millions in player acquisitions, moved into a pastel-painted new stadium and finished last in the NL East.

ANOTHER MANAGER squirming right now has to be Don Mattingly of the Los Angeles Dodgers. GM Ned Colletti acquired a roster full of All-Stars at and after the non-waivers deadline and instead of surging forward the Dodgers faded like new bluejeans in the washer.

DOES ANYBODY hate ballpark organs as much as I do? I despise it almost as much as I can’t stand the ridiculous woo-oo, woo-oo, woo-oo a few fans are doing in ballparks these days.

WONDER WHY THE Reds brought up pitcher Pedro Villarreal from Louisville in early September? He made one appearance for one inning the entire month, but he did look good in a Cincinnati uniform.