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THE AUDIBLE | COMMENTARY
So many loyal fans, but can Reds reward them?
COMMENT: How do you think the Reds will do this season?
Thursday, April 03, 2008
At the Cincinnati Reds' season opener, I was struck by the loyalty of baseball fans in this area and how this is an organization that hasn't always deserved their passion.
After seven consecutive losing seasons, you wouldn't have expected so few empty seats in Great American Ball Park, not to mention such a palpable sense of optimism from the cheap seats to the luxury boxes.
Extras
But there's this thing called hope that fans cling to, especially in baseball, where, as the poets tell us, the birth of a new season coincides with the coming of spring.
Is the hope justified? Only the long, hot summer will tell, but signs point to a contender emerging in a division whose recognized contenders, Chicago and Milwaukee, both have issues.
Everything hinges on pitching, of course, but it seems the Reds actually have some for a change. A glance around the clubhouse and on the field during batting practice turned up no evidence of Eric Milton or Kyle Lohse, which can't be anything but good news.
The bullpen has been fortified, and if young starters Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto live up to even half their hype, this team — with a manager who has helmed winners in the past — actually could be playing meaningful games in October, not just September.
And it would be about time that baseball's oldest franchise rewarded its recently-suffering yet ever-so-loyal fans with a product they can feel better about supporting.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2408 or smcclelland@coxohio.com.
Comments
By Dave
April 3, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
Bob how can you say Dusty is a bad manager look at his stats, do they even come close to the last 3 managers the Reds have had, no way give the man a chance the Reds will have their best year in 10 years
By Bobby
April 3, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
The MLB Sucks!!! Bud Selig has ruined the game. ESPN only wants you to think that 2 teams are in the league. Its sad because baseball actually is a fun game (to me) but the MLB organization needs to instill a salary cap. Small mkt teams like the Reds have no chance. People that say money doesnt buy wins is lying. It does. Any team can build from the ground up with a good farm system, but when those good players start getting higher offers from larger mkt teams, they sign. No equal playing field!
By mike
April 3, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
Trade Griffy and Dunn for some younger prospects and you might have a chance.
By Brian
April 3, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
Griffey has how many HR the right way? Encarnacion was the best clutch hitter on the team last year and last night obviously.. Baker has the 5th most wins of Active coaches today.. Harang is one of the Pitchers in Baseball, And we have two of the best Pitching Prospects in the Majors maybe three (Vasquez) And Dunns D is not that bad, His HR, RBI’s out weigh that, If He is gone where is the power hitter? Don’t have one.. Do I need to go on?
By mike
April 3, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
14,016 fans in attendance last night. Sure it was cold, but you’ll still only see 22,000 on a warm summer evening. That is exactly an extreme amount of loyalty. Despite the 14k attendance I will agree that Reds fans are loyal just not exactly newspaper/blog (whatever this is) article worthy. What else can you be though. When you’re a few years old you pick the teams you are going to root for usually the teams closest to you or the teams that your father roots for. I think I am out of spac
By JOE
April 3, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
i think the bull pin will be the # 1 question yes there is a problem but i think the reds will end up either 1st or second place or a wild card team we have the offence this year again the bull pin is the answer with the new additions hopefully the reds will prevale this year go reds the reds need help at third i say its time for mr freel?
By Byron
April 3, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this
First. Neither the Cubs or the Brewers have a closer. That will haunt them. I’m so tired of the Griffey bashers that it makes me want to scream. Encarnacion will come around, too…just watch and see.
By Gary
April 3, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this
Red’s fans are loyal to the core. People of my age were spoiled by the great teams of the seventys and the reality is that will never happen again. Small market teams have little or no reasources to retain good young stars. I applaud the new ownership who at least are attempting to address the teams shortcomings it is probably not enough.The team will as always succeed or fail only if the pitching holds up if that happens they will be in it till the end.
By Chris
April 3, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this
Whoa! Check out this optimism!
By bob
April 3, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this
Last. Griffey is too old. Encarnacion is terrible defensively. Baker is not a good manager. The pitching is terrible. Dunn is weak on defense. Do I need to go on?
By tom
April 3, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this
Last place.