2010 Revisited on Opening Day 2011

"Oh, put me in, Coach, I'm ready to play, today.
Put me in, Coach, I'm ready to play, today.
Look at me, I can be Centerfield."
- John Fogerty's "Centerfield"

Opening Day is special. There's no other way to describe it. Even if you aren't a baseball fan or a sports fan, you probably know about Opening Day. Especially in Cincinnati. It's that one day of the year where it feels like everything stops. In this city, there's something unique about today. People no longer are arguing between Xavier and UC. There's no discussion about the Bengals or what they need to do to be relevant. For one day, every single fan in Cincinnati cares about one single thing: the Reds. And Opening Day is unique, because there's no negativity. Hope springs eternal. For one day, Reds' fans can dream as big as they want. There's only good on this day. It's just the fact that people can be back at the ballpark, and talking about their team that is exciting. The outcome doesn't really matter. In the end, there's nothing different about this game than there is with the first 161. And yet, there is. You can't tell me a Reds fan didn't feel something when Joe Randa hit a walkoff homer in 2005. Or when Adam Dunn went deep off of Carlos Zambrano twice in 2007. And when Josh Hamilton got a standing ovation before he even stepped to the plate. On Opening Day, every baseball fan can dream. It's a celebration before anything has been won. And in Cincinnati, it means something more. Of course, we have been doing this since 1869. Every year at this time, every person in this town truly does have Reds fever.

And today was one of those days that left Reds fans dreaming big. Like late October big. The day didn't start off like it was going to be special. At least not for Cincinnati. Rickie Weeks and Carlos Gomez hit back to back homers to start the game, the first time that has happened since Pete Rose and Bobby Tolan did it for the Reds in 1969. The Brewers would score a third time off of Edinson Volquez, who needed 30 pitches to get through the first inning. Needless to say it was not looking good, and I was having flashbacks to last year when the Reds were knocked around 11-6 on Opening Day.

Joey Votto would get a run back in the bottom of the inning when he crushed a ball to dead center that was caught on the warning track. It worked as a sacrifice fly, though. Weeks got the run back for Milwuakee in the next inning. Drew Stubbs showed some life for the team, though going opposite field for a solo shot to pull within 4-2 in the fourth. The Reds couldn't muster anymore against Yovani Gallardo, who looked very good for the Brewers over 6 innings. Cincy had their chances, and put together good at bats with 7 hits off of Gallardo, but couldn't come through. Meanwhile, Ryan Braun teed off for a bomb to center field off Volquez, who surrendered 5 runs in 6 innings of work. The Brewers extended their lead to 6-2 in the 7th, and things looked bleak again. On a cold, windy day by the river, the Reds seemed doomed for their 7th Opening Day loss in 9 seasons at Great American. Even a Joey Votto homer in the 7th didn't seem to help the mood. The Reds had stranded a staggering 10 base runners going into the 9th inning.

And then, all of the sudden, it was 2010 all over again. Brandon Phillips singled to begin the 9th, and Joey Votto worked a walk off of Milwaukee closer John Axford. Then came the play of the game. Scott Rolen chopped a ball to third, and Casey McGehee tried to make a play on the charging Phillips. Brandon avoided the tag, and the throw to first wasn't in time to get Scott Rolen. In this game, it's little things that matter. Good baserunning helped win a division for the Reds. Today, it provided a glimpse into both the past and the future. Jay Bruce struck out for the first out, and Jonny Gomes hit a bullet to center that was caught short of the wall. Phillips scored, but there was two down. Then, Ramon Hernandez, who had singled three times earlier in the day, sent a line drive into the bullpen in right. Home run. Game over. Reds win. Just like that. All of the magic from 2010 was reborn in an instant.

This team doesn't quit. They play until the final out is recorded. Milwaukee played great for 8 innings today. The Reds looked like champions for one. That's all that mattered. When a team like this refuses to lose, anything can happen. No lead is safe. Not against this team.

What a way to start the season.