For the Reds, Nothing Could Have Been Sweeter...

It was everything any Reds fan could have asked for.

It was symbolic of the entire season.

They scratched across a couple of runs on infield hits through the first eight innings. They battled and tried to grind their way to runs all night. It seemed like the big hit wouldn't come.

But it had to, didn't it?

Rolen got things started in the first. 

Edinson Volquez was lights out.

Drew Stubbs may have made the defensive play of the season, robbing a two run shot to center. 

The pitching and defense was there, as it had been all year. But where was the offense?

In front of a playoff type atmosphere, the crowd waited for that offense. And then the lightening struck. 

Jay Bruce, who had struggled all year off of lefties, until just recently, launched a bomb to center off of a lefty to win the division.

How bout that? Nobody understood why Dusty stuck with Stubbs or Bruce all year. How could he keep running out those struggling, young players?

It was for this. This moment.

And who came through? The kids. Volquez on the hill, Stubbs in center, and Bruce at the plate.

The playoffs are back in Cincinnati. And with these kids, we should get used to it.

Random Thoughts on the Season

Now that the division is all but wrapped up, we can actually start looking at the post season. Cincy's magic number is down to three, and they're up 7 1/2 games with 9 to play. The goal, at this point, is to end up with the 2nd best record in the league, behind Philadelphia, especially if Atlanta makes the playoffs as the Wild Card. Here's why: Atlanta and Philly are in the same division, and cannot play each other in the opening round, even though the Wild Card traditionally plays the team with the best record (Philly). Instead, Philly would play whichever division winner makes it with the worst record. So if Atlanta's in, I would much rather face the Braves, and have home field, then have to open up on the road in Philadelphia. If Atlanta doesn't make it, Cincy will open with one of the teams out West, preferably at home.

But looking past the playoffs, can we just take a step back and enjoy what happened this season? How magical has it been? After the season is completely over, I'll come up with a list of the memorable (both good and bad) moments of the year. We haven't seen a season like this since 1995, so regardless of what happens in the playoffs, enjoy what just happened over the course of 6 months. Cincinnati survived a 162 game season and did what few thought they would. They not only had a winning record, they won the division. For once, there was something to do this summer (sports-wise) in this town, other than get excited for football season.

And despite the MVP season Joey Votto is having, can we get a little love for Scott Rolen? He was the missing piece of the puzzle, and Jocketty knew it. It's amazing to think that in the 8 months he's been here, the Reds have gone from being one of the worst teams in baseball to one of the best, and most consistent. And that, right there, is the key: consistency. That's what Rolen brought. Everyone knew he would grind out every at bat, whether he was on a hitting streak or slumping. Everyone knew he would make the play at third, every time. Everyone knew he would be the leader in the clubhouse, by example. Cincinnati hasn't had that since Barry Larkin. So while Joey Votto is the best player on the team, Rolen may be the most important. He singlehandedly changed the culture here.

I think Jay Bruce, Jonny Gomes, and Drew Stubbs are the keys to the playoffs for the Reds this year. I think the pitching will be good enough. We know Votto, Cabrera, Rolen, and Hernandez will be there. Hopefully Phillips is physically right. But if Bruce, Gomes, and Stubbs all hit, the lineup is as deep as it gets.

Can Cincinnati just give Bronson Arroyo a 4 year $52 million contract now? That's $13 million a year, and roughly a little more than what he is making now. He's the most consistent pitcher on the staff, and maybe the most important. For 5 years he's taken the ball every 5 days. He's never missed a start, never been hurt. Dusty Baker can pencil him in every spring. The Reds need a veteran starter to go with all of the young pitchers, and you're not going to find many better than Bronson. Only four pitchers have won 15 or more games three years in a row now: CC Sabathia, Roy Halladay, John Lester, and Bronson Arroyo. And now, there are only four active pitches to throw 200 innings for 6 straight years: Dan Haren, Javier Vasquez, Mark Buehrle, and Bronson Arroyo. The big fish this year, Cliff Lee, is not on either one of those lists. Arroyo is consistent, and he's a winner. How can you not bring him back?

Finally, I've come down hard on Aaron Harang for the last few years. It's frustrating to see someone fall so far like that. I wish he had put it back together this year, because I would have loved to see him finally have a shot to pitch in the playoffs. He suffered through terrible years here. But there was a time when you could run him out against Chris Carpenter and know you could win. In 2005, he threw 211 inning and went 11-13 with a 3.83 ERA. In '06, he threw 234 innings and went 16-11 with a 3.76 ERA and 216 strikeouts. And in '07, he threw 231 innings, going 16-6 with a 3.73 ERA and 218 strikeouts. Those are unbelievable numbers over a three year period, especially for a team that was as bad as the Reds were. Did you know he's the only pitcher in MLB history to lead his league in strikeouts and wins in a year and not win the Cy Young? I truly wish he could have fought back from whatever ailed him and become that pitcher again. It wasn't to be. But I'd like to recognize that Aaron Harang has been a consummate professional throughout it all. He will not be back in Cincinnati next year. I wish him luck wherever he goes, and sincerely hope that he can regain the form he once had. He was fun to watch, and was one of the few reasons to go to Reds game years ago. So, thank you, Aaron Harang, for the good years. I'll always remember those, rather than the latest years. Thanks for being one of the few bright spots for years. I hope you get one more chance to pitch this season. And I hope the crowd gives you a standing ovation. You deserve it.

Rose, Votto Provide a Thrilling Saturday Night

As expected, Cincinnati bounced back against Pittsburgh. They took the series, though they should've swept, and the games were all difficult to watch. Homer Bailey, Edinson Volquez, and Johnny Cueto all looked great, but each one was let down by the bullpen. After winning in extras Friday and Saturday, the Reds couldn't muster another rally Sunday.

But let's focus on Saturday. The game was very apropos of the season.

The Reds honored Pete Rose for his 25th anniversary of his 4,192nd hit. The ceremony, though, was somewhat disappointing, considering I expected a speech. I guess Commissioner Bud Selig could only bend his rules a little. It was fine though. Seeing Rose back on the field gave me chills, especially hearing the "Pete" and "Hall of Fame" chants. But as the Reds honored one of the greatest players in the history of their franchise, the best player on their team now delivered. After choking away another lead, and then battling back to tie, Joey Votto bowed his neck and refused to let the night slip away. The MVP crushed a bomb to left center, and stood admiring the arc of the ball as it sailed deep into the night.

It was the perfect night. Pete Rose was back. Edinson Volquez looked like an ace again. Aroldis Chapman blew away hitters in the 9th. Joey Votto did what MVPs do. And by the end of the night, we knew that Cincinnati was back up 7 in the division, after former Red and current Brave Alex Gonzalez crushed a walk off of his own against St. Louis. Cincy also broke their consecutive losing season streak with their 81st win.

All on a night when the great history of the Reds bowed to the promising future.

Former MVP Rose, meet future MVP Votto.

The past has moved aside. These new, young Reds are looking to make a name of their own.

Frauds? Gimme a Break

The word "fraud" is defined as: "deceit, trickery, sharp practice, or breach of confidence, perpetrated for profit or to gain some unfair or dishonest advantage." 


ESPN Radio talk show host Colin Cowherd has called the Cincinnati Reds "frauds" several times over the past few weeks, including after they were swept by St. Louis in early August. He also called them frauds several weeks later, even though they were pulling away in the division. Today, he repeated his accusations. His reasons? Simply because they can't beat the good teams and their pitching isn't as good as it seems to be.


Fair enough. There is no ace on this staff, even I will admit that. Bronson Arroyo and Johnny Cueto are both 2 or 3 guys, and no one else is really better than a 3 or 4. Fine. But once you get into the playoffs, how much does that matter? How many championships did the Oakland A's win with aces Barry Zito, Mark Mulder, and Tim Hudson? None. Did Carpenter and Wainwright take St. Louis to the World Series last year? No. A pitcher can get hot, like Cole Hamels, and carry a team to a championship. Once you get to the playoffs, these so called trends that everyone likes to talk about tend to disappear. Remember in 2008 when the Cubs had the best offense and pitching in the league? They were swept in the playoffs. Even the Cardinals in 2006. They were one of the worst playoff teams in the history of baseball at 83-78. They won it all. Nobody cares how you got there. You just have to get to the playoffs, and a little bit of luck and a few hot streaks will take care of your team from there. 


As for beating the good teams, anyone that doesn't have a clue about baseball could check out the numbers and see the Reds struggle against good teams. Thanks for the insight Colin! But a team that is in first place by 6 games after 140 games into the season is not a fraud. They are what they are: a team that beats up on the bad ones and struggles against good ones. They're good, not great. But a fraud? Come on.


Here's a real fraud. In 2007, the St. Louis Cardinals missed the playoffs at 78-84, where a 9 game losing streak in September killed their season. In 2008, they finished 86-76, and in 4th place, while missing the playoffs again because of a 7 game losing streak in September. In 2009, the Cardinals won the division at 91-71. They also lost 8 of 10 and 14 out of 21 to end the year, and got swept in the first round by the Dodgers. If you look further into their year, they surged after acquiring Matt Holliday, going 20-6 in August. Otherwise, they were a very mediocre 71-65 for the year. This year, St. Louis is 72-65, 6 games out in the division and 6 1/2 out in the wild card. They are 54-57 since the end of April. So, tell me, who's the real fraud? The Reds that have risen up and played well all year, or the Cardinals who are riding on the coattails of an 18-8 April? Why do people assume St. Louis dominates the division? This will be the 5th consecutive year they've slumped at the end of the season, and the 3rd time in 4 years they've missed the playoffs. Even the year they won the World Series in 2006, they won the division by just 1 1/2 games, and lost 8 of 11 to end the year, including a 7 game losing streak in there. 


Gee, the Philadelphia Phillies are just 5-7 against the Braves, 4-4 against the Cardinals, 6-6 against the Mets, and 3-3 against the Giants. And they're a sad 2-4 against the Cubs, 2-4 against the Pirates, and 3-4 against the Astros. Are the Phillies frauds, Colin? Because they're just OK against some good teams and bad against some of the not so good ones? And those St. Louis Cardinals. They play the exact same schedule as Cincinnati. Yet the Reds are 6 games better than them. So obviously the fact that St. Louis is "a better team" is fraudulent. 


So these frauds lost 2 of 3 in St. Louis. They were swept in Colorado. It's a tough road to the playoffs, and Cincinnati is figuring that out. They couldn't beat the good teams, again. But we already knew that they might struggle on this trip. Now they get Pittsburgh back at Great American, with a chance to bounce back, as they've done all year long. And 19 of their last 22 against sub .500 teams. An 11-11 record gets them to 90 wins. That would mean a division title.


Not bad for a bunch of frauds.

Despite Loss, Reds Still in Firm Control

Don't read too much into this.

St. Louis won two out of three this weekend against Cincinnati, beating the Reds 3-2 on Friday, and 4-2 on Sunday. The Reds won 6-1 on Saturday. Jaime Garcia looked good again, while the Cards jumped early on Bronson Arroyo Friday. Cincy missed some opportunities to score, and the game got away. They beat up Adam Wainwright on Saturday, and Travis Wood looked excellent. For awhile on Sunday, it looked like Homer Bailey had Chris Carpenter beat, until Matt Holliday took him deep for a three run shot in the 6th.

This series had been billed as a big deal up until about a week ago, when the Reds began to pull away. St. Louis HAD to win this series. Cincinnati just had to show up. Most likely, if the Cardinals wanted any chance to win the division, they had to sweep the Reds. They didn't. The lead is still seven, which is nearly insurmountable at this point, barring a long losing streak from Cincinnati, and a long winning streak from St. Louis. Both of those propositions look like long shots at this point, though.

Despite winning the series, the Cardinals still look like a dying team. There wasn't a lot of excitement or offense. Wainwright looks tired, and Chris Carpenter looked hittable early on. Albert Pujols appears mortal at this point, exhausted from carrying the team on his back the whole year. Even the fans seemed to be more concerned with booing Brandon Phillips every at bat than what the team was doing on the field.

Now, the Reds head out West to Colorado. It won't be an easy series, but I expect the Reds to regroup and at least split the series. St. Louis also heads back out on the road, and will play their last 28 games without a day off.

If you want to be concerned about anything, be worried about the fact the Reds still struggle with aces, and beating winning teams. That doesn't bode well for the playoffs. But we'll worry about that when we get there.

For now, it's back to the grindstone. And winning series. That's what this team does best. It's why they'll win the Central.

Reds Grinding Out One Heck of a Season

Hello all, and welcome! As some of you may know, I have been writing Reds Updates via email since about sophomore year of high school. But now, as I pursue my dream of going into sports journalism, I've decided to expand the number of people that can see what I write. So I decided to start a blog, since the school newspaper won't let me write about the Reds. Now, this blog purely about the Reds, and baseball only, I don't care to include my own personal life or anything else to bore you with. So without further ado....

How bout them Redlegs?

I can remember the days when I would sit and wait for the other shoe to drop in a game or for the season as a whole. Not anymore. Now I feel as if the Reds will pull out every game they play, no matter how far they are down. It's an admirable quality in this team, that never say die attitude. It's that kind of red neck attitude that players like Jonny Gomes, Orlando Cabrera, and Scotty Rolen provide to the team. That grind it out style. I don't know if it will take them to the World Series, but it's sure fun to watch right now.

Speaking of fun, I'm not sure what I'm enjoying more. Is it the rise of the Reds? Or the historic collapse of the Cardinals? Seemingly everyone expected the Reds to roll over after being swept early in August by St. Louis, and for the Cardinals to take the division by storm. And indeed it was the turning point of the season. But not in the way everyone assumed. Cincinnati has roared off to a 15-4 mark since, while the Cardinals have limped  to a 5-13 mark. With an 8 game lead, and 29 to play, the Reds are almost guaranteed to win the division. Not to jinx them, or anything, but I seriously doubt the Cardinals can pick up that much ground. Even if they sweep the Reds this weekend, it doesn't matter, since the Reds will still be up 5 game. I understand that it's not over, and that the 2007 Phillies caught the Mets, and in the same year, the Rockies caught the Padres. Great. How many other times has that happened? The '69 Mets caught the Cubs with a great September run. The reason we always think of teams catching leaders down the stretch is because it happens so rarely that it sticks out in our mind. The reality is this: Cincinnati can play one game under the rest of the season, and finish with a 92-70 record. St. Louis would have to go 23-8 down the stretch then to catch the Reds. Not happening.

And now Cincinnati has another weapon on the team. A 5-1 homestand was highlighted by the arrival of the Cuban Missile, Aroldis Chapman. The flamethrowing lefty hit 104 on the gun last night, and has gotten all 6 batters he has faced out on 19 pitches. Despite the lack of big crowds down at the ballpark for his debut, the atmosphere was electric for his arrival. Can you imagine him matching up with Pujols this weekend? Or Ryan Howard and Chase Utley in the playoffs? Wow. He, Nick Masset, Arthur Rhodes, and Francisco Cordero make one heck of a back of a bullpen.

So here's to the final month of the season. And a run through October. It's been a heck of a ride, let's hope that it's no where near the end.