Kuzul

Was the Reds success of last season an aberration or a trend?  They were 43-24 against the Astros, Brewers, Cubs and Pirates, and 48-47 against everyone else.

1–Who among the Reds’ young stable of starting pitchers will take it to the next level?

Homer Bailey: 4-3, 4.46 ERA, 19 starts, 109 innings

Johnny Cueto: 12-7, 3.64 ERA, 31 starts, 185 innings

Mike Leake: 8-4, 4.23 ERA, 22 starts, 136 innings

Edinson Volquez:  4-3, 4.31 ERA,  12 Starts, 62 innings

Travis Wood  5-4,  3.61 ERA, 17 starts, 102 innings

Do you see a pattern here?  Cueto was the only one who was in the rotation all year.

 Volquez was out after Tommy John elbow surgery a year.  With his control lapses and mechanics issues, did he come back too soon?   If he can regain his fom of 2008, he may never be worth Josh Hamilton, but has the potential to be a #1 starter on the level of Jose Rijo before his elbow problems.

Wood came up at mid year, and came within two outs of a perfect game, a feat only accomplished by the last successful Reds’ left-handed starter, Tom Browning.  He seems to have the stuff for long-term success.

If Bailey is still around, 2011 may be his last shot at gaining a permanent spot in the rotation. He could fulfill the need for long relief they had[n  Pedro Borbon who kept the Reds in a lot of ball games.  But Bailey takes a while to warm up the clock is ticking…

 After getting off to a fast start that would have made Leake an early Rookie of the year candidate, Leake seemed to have evaporated after Volquez returned.  When he went to the bullpen, he got hammered.  And then he disappeared.

Although Champan is able to throw 105 m.p.h., I am more concerned with his ability to get 27 outs.  He either has to start or finish.  There is no way to justify his money for a set up man. 

If he becomes a closer. where does that put Francisco Cordero?  Cordero gets a huge salary to finish games and probably not be around after next year. To justify Chapman’s salary, he would have to be a Mariano Rivera.

In order to compete with other clubs, the starters have to go deeper into games.   Given the Brewers recent acquirisitions, they will need to get better in order to repeat.

Bullpen.

Cordero, 6-5, 3.84 ERA, 40 saves is in the last year of contract.   With eight blown saves, if half of his blown saves had been converted, the Reds playoff position and maybe results could have been different.  Even when he converted saves, it was rarely easy due to erratic control.

 Behind Cordero is Nick Masset, who was 4-4 with a 3.40 ERA, with two saves.  With Arthur Rhodes departed, Matt Maloney or the possible resurrection of Dontrell Willis filling the void.  Logan Ondrusek, 5-0, 3.68 ERA, in 60 appearances, pitched much better in his second stint with the big club.

Middle and long relief could be a weakness of this team, if a starter, relegated to the bullpen is unable to make the adjustment. 

Catching

Last season’s pickup of Ramon Hernandez (97 games, 7 home runs, 48 RBIs, .297 ave) was, for the short term, along with Scott Rolen, one of the best in recent years.  Coupled with Ryan Hannigan, (70 games, 5, 40, .306) two solid catchers, until last year’s first round draft choice, Yasmani Grandal time to develop.  Last year, Hernandez handled about 60%, to Hannigan’s 40%.  Hannigan always caught Arroyo. and usually an additional start a week.  Barring injury, the Reds seem to be in good shape.

Infield

If the Reds can pony up the dough, they seem to be set for the decade with Joey Votto (150 games, 37, 113, .328, almost unanimous MVP) at first base is the first real difference maker that has come up through the Reds’ system since Barry Larkin, meaning to the Reds what Jeff Bagwell meant to the Astros in the 90’s and Tony Perez to the Big Red Machine. 

With another potential big bat in Yonder Alonzo waiting in the wings, one or the other may have to play out of position, like Perez playing third when Lee May came up.  Votto worked hard on his defense last year, so any move of Votto that would affect his offense would be a  bad idea, and Alonzo may become to Votto what Hal Morris was to Don Mattingly, or Paul Konerko was to Sean Casey.

Brandon Phillips (150 gams, 18, 59, .275) scored a lot of runs, and had a better year than the stats due to a late season hand injury.  His remarks about the Cardinals didn’t set to well in head-to-head encounters, but seemed to set a fire under the other teams in the division,  The Cards were 12-6 against the Reds, but 27-33 against the other four teams, with much of the damage coming after Phillips’ remarks. 

When Willie Stargell wrote his book on the 1979 “We are Familee” Pittsburgh Pirates, he wrote that Dave Parker, a guy who was so talented that he replaced Roberto Clemente, played out of hate.  It doesn’t take much bitterness to shove one into playing out of hate.  They win championships and they are not happy.  Baseball is still a game that pays insane money and most of us can only dream about it.  My best advise to Phillips is to play hard but be happy. 

The 1979 Pirates were their last championship team, sweeping the Reds in the LCS, and beating the Orioles in a seven game World Series.  They haven’t had a winning season since Barry Bonds left them.

Like most Reds good second basemen, Phillips is a converted shortstop, with shortstop range at second base.  Phillips made only three errors and won his second Gold Glove.With Cabrerra out of the picture, it seems that the Reds have put the confidence in Paul Janish (82 games, 5, 25, 260)as an everyday shortstop.  Like Juan Castro, there was never any doubt about Janish’s defense, but had little confidence in his hitting.  But Dave Concepcion was not much of a hitter when he started either.  Put Janish in the eighth slot and leave him there.  They have plenty of 1-7 offense.  Geronimo batted .307 in the eighth slot in 1976, and Sparky Anderson didn’t move him. 

Who’s on third, long term: I dunno.

Last year at this time I speculated what kind of a difference having Scott Rolen (133 games, 20-83, .85) for a whole season would be.  He certainly was enough of a difference to make the Reds a division winner.  But Rolen faded in the second half of the season, and will probably be limited in starts in 2011.   Like several guys in the past, I wish Rolen would have become a Red earlier than when he was acquired.  It is possible that the Reds can have four Gold Gloves this year.

Two guys that were brought up in September, Juan Francisco (36 games, 1-7, .273) and Chris Valiaka (19 games, 1-2, .263) are possiblilties.  Francisco has the offensive pop, and Valaika can back up at second, short, or third, taking Janish’s spot as a backup.  With Miguel Cairo (91 games, 4, 28, .290) returing, it is unlikely that Francisco, Valaika and Alonzo will be with the team on opening day.

Outfield

Johnny Gomes (148 games, 18. 86, .266) was an enigma in left field.  At times he looked like the perfect #5 hitter, driving in runs in droves, and other times he looked all the things Adam Dunn’s agent never brings up in contract negotiations, strikeouts, and although he made only one more error than Jay Bruce, he had 149 less total chances than Bruce.  At 29, he could still have many productive years ahead of him, but 2010 could have been a career year.

Whenever the Reds are approached about trades, Chris Heisey’s (97 games, 8, 21, .254) name probably comes up in discussions.  He appears to be a five tool guy that could be an everyday outfielder for a decade.  When Bruce was injured, and Gomes, Heisey and Stubbs had to play every inning of every game, the team’s play suffered.  Since no one was brought up from Louisville to fill the void, it seems there is little help at AAA. 

The potential great white hope of the Reds is former #1 pick Drew Stubbs (150 games, 22, 77, .255h).  With blazing speed, he appears to be the perfect leadoff hitter.  With Stubbs it is all about contact.  How many times last season was Stubbs 0-2 without taking the bat off his shoulders?  Batting lead off is a lot of pressure, but Baker and the coaching staff are working to make him more aggressive.  If he can become even a decent bunter,he can become a terror to opposing teams.  Short fences in small ballparks are a real tempta tion for guys like Stubbs to look for a perfect pitch to drive.  In the “dead ball” era, guys like Willie Keeler were successful because, as he put it, “I hit ’em where the ain’t.”

With their speed Heisey and Stubbs can cover a lot of ground.  One aspect of the Big Red Machine that is often overlooked was that its defense was as good as its offense.  A great defensive outfield can knock off half a run off the team ERA.

The Reds made a major commitment by signing Jay Bruce (148 games, 25, 70, .281) to a long term contract.  At one point last season Marty Brenamin wondered aloud, “will this kid ever get it?

 One can summarize last season in this statement “as goes Jay Bruce, so goes the Cincinnati Reds.”  As good as Votto is, Votto cannot carry this team alone.  When Bruce is on top of his game, he can hit the first pitch 400 feet to clinch a playoff erth.  When he slumps, the whole team suffers. 

In terms of talent, Bruce is a faster version of Paul O’Neill.  O’Neill “got it” after he left the Reds, and has five World Series rings.  When O’Neill first came up, Pete Rose called him “Jethro.”

Management

When Bob Castelinni bought the team, he got Walt Jockety to be General Manager.  Baseball is different from other sports because baseball is a very long season with the fewest teams making the post season.  A franchise that was an also ran has a bright future.  Jockety sems to be pushing the right buttons like Bob Howsam in the ’70s.  I feel for Bengal fans who are stuck with Mike Brown.

When Dusty Baker was hired as manager, I had my doubts.  Like any. leader, he can only tell his people what to do.  His players have to execute.  Some guys succeed, other do not.  In 1990, people were looking for any reason for hope against the prohibitively favored Oakland A’s.  What they came up with was “the ex Cub factor,” with the Reds having less ex Cubs than the A’s.  After losing the LCS, the win 66 games the next year, Baker gets canned.  His teams weren’t very good his first two years, but found success in the third.

Outlook

Aside from starting pitching, and even then cannot keep up with the big spenders, the Reds are not very deep.  If their regulars stay healthy and continue to improve the decade of 2010 might be like the decade of 1970.  1990 was a great year.  A unique year, being in first place all season.  The rest of the decade was up and down.  I make no predictions.

My Opening Day Lineup:

Stubbs, CF

Phillips, 2B

Votto, 1B

Rolen, 3B

Bruce, RF

Gomes, LF

Hannigan, C (catches Arroyo)

Janish, SS

Arroyo, P  He deserves it.

An irony to end this piece:  only one year have they opened on the road:

 1990

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Cincinnati Reds fans will get to see Bronson Arroyo‘s high leg kick again in 2011.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports is reporting that the Cincinnati Reds and starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo have agreed on an extension worth $35 million for the next three years.

Arroyo is coming off his best season with the Reds where he won 17 games, a career high.

Arroyo, 33, finished the 2010 season with a 17-10 record and a 3.88 era during 215 innings of work. Arroyo has sure been an innings eater having pitched over 200 innings in all of his five seasons with the Reds.

This is a big move for the Reds because Arroyo keeps some stability in the Reds rotation.

Arroyo has always been known to give the Reds innings and as long as he remains healthy, he will continue to do so during his next three seasons within Cincinnati.

Certainly, Arroyo did post quality numbers in a contract year, but the fact remains that he also put up solid numbers during his previous four years with the Reds.

The Reds are surely excited to bring Arroyo back next season to defend their National League Central Division title, and to make another run at the playoffs.

Having Arroyo back in a Reds uniform will sure help Cincinnati do that.

Source:  Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal on Twitter

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Now that the playoffs and World Series are over, it is time for baseball fans to either choose the NFL or the NBA, or dwell on the “what if?” scenarios.

Since professional football players have now become entrenched in a kill-or-be-killed mentality I must confess to all sports fans that I have not watched an entire quarter of football yet this fall.

The NBA is hardly worth watching, save the last 30 or 40 seconds. That leaves me with nothing but playing the “what if” game along with other Reds fans.

How humiliating it was to watch the New Red Machine become a footnote in baseball trivia at the hands of the best pitcher in the game, Roy Halladay?. What a gargantuan performance by the Phil Sims look-alike.

Let’s play now. What if Dusty Baker had started Travis Wood in Game 1 instead of Edinson Volquez? Did Baker think he was the best we had, really? Who did he use as a soundboard for opinions?

Did he forget that Wood nearly pitched a perfect game against the Phillies in Philadelphia earlier this season? Did he forget that Wood is a lefty and many of the Phillies hitters are lefties as well?

Was his thinking based on a “can’t win” mentality since he was facing Halladay, expecting nothing short of a complete game win by the stud?  Perhaps he was merely throwing Volquez in as the proverbial sacrificial lamb.

That is a bad thought right there, I don’t care who you are.  Giving up Game 1 before it starts should be a non sequitor.

I just can’t justify that type of logic, that cries out “why waste Bronson Arroyo or Wood on a game we are going to lose anyway?”

Where was the offense in that playoff series? The Reds were the best offensive and defensive teams in the entire league, though their statistics would surely belie that.

The only two Reds who batted their weight were Brandon Phillips (.333) and Jay Bruce (.250).They scored a paltry four runs in the three games and batted only .124, probably a playoff record but I am too mad to look it up.

Bruce and Phillips are the only two who played long ball against Philly pitching. The Reds ERA was surprisingly good at 2.52 but pales in contrast to the 1.00 posted by the Philadelphia hurlers.

The Reds did have higher numbers in one category than the Phillies. They made seven errors compared to three for the Phills.

Were they happy just to be there? You tell me. I can say that I was totally embarrassed by the overall performance and am anxious to see what transpires in the offseason.

The way GM Walt Jocketty operates, you can probably expect to see Jonny Gomes non-tendered again and picked up the day spring training starts again.

The same thing probably holds true for shortstop Orlando Cabrera. They won’t pick up his option but will probably try to negotiate a cheaper price.

I hope he decides to keep Sir Arthur Rhodes.

Say goodbye to Aaron Harang, who had two really good years with the Reds. I think Jocketty will try and hold on to Arroyo. He did manage to win 17 games, tying Volquez’ 2008 performance which was the best for a Reds pitcher since Pete Schourek won 18 back in 1995.

Arroyo also won his first Gold Glove award this year as well.

So, you watch the NFL Parade of Concussions or the NBA Dunkfest, and I will continue to wonder “what if?”

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On Wednesday, Bronson Arroyo, Brandon Phillips and Scott Rolen took home Gold Glove awards, as it was the first time since 1977 that the Reds had multiple winners in the same season.

For Cincinnati, great glove work was a big reason in it capturing it’s first NL Central title in 15 years, as team records were set for fielding percentage (.988) and fewest errors in a season (72).

Unfortunately, shoddy fielding was a big part of their undoing in the NLDS against the Phillies, but that doesn’t take away from their overall reputation.

With the exception of Jonny Gomes, everyone who played on a regular basis was an average or an above average fielder.

For Rolen, who is light years better at third base than Edwin Encarnacion ever was, this is nothing new for him, as this is his eighth one.

The 35-year-old had declining production at the plate as the season advanced, but those struggles at the dish never affected his work in the field.

Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals deserves an honorable mention, and as Rolen gets older, will certainly have his opportunities as well.

At second base, Brandon Phillips is a stud, simply put. 

He ate up a lot of ground balls that were seemingly destined to end up in right field, as this is his second Gold Glove.

The third recipient, Bronson Arroyo, is a tall, lanky athlete who fields his position well, and at 33 years old, is a first-time recipient.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, all three of these individuals should be in the running again next year, and Joey Votto, Drew Stubbs and Jay Bruce are improving fielders that will also get future consideration.

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Although the Reds didn’t have a “true” ace this season, which cost them in the postseason, they had a ton of quality depth that helped them navigate through the 162-game meat grinder.

Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto, Edinson Volquez, Travis Wood, Aroldis Chapman and Homer Bailey are the seven names for the five available spots in the rotation. 

Without further ado, here’s a look at the individuals, and their potential for making the five-man rotation in 2011.

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Hey there, baseball fans. Die-hard baseball fan Evan Adrian  here, live blogging game 2 of the Reds-Phillies NLDS. Let’s see if Roy Oswalt can follow Roy Halladay’s lead and shut out the National League best Cincinnati Reds‘ offense.

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The 2010 MLB Playoffs are only just underway—each NLDS series is only one game old—and we’ve got both drama and storylines. Rarely has the first six games of a baseball playoff season been so eventful.

As we head into this weekend’s games, here’s a look at the storylines that have begun to develop. Some teams are doing the opposite of what we expected, while Derek Jeter and the New York Yankees are doing exactly what we expected.

Let’s have a look.

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The Cincinnati Reds had a rude welcome to the 2010 MLB playoffs.

The Phillies’ Roy Halladay threw an absolute gem. The Reds couldn’t even muster a hit off the leading candidate for NL Cy Young. He threw 104 pitches, with only 25 of those for balls.

That is incredible.

It didn’t matter what team Halladay was facing, he has a buzz-saw. So the Reds have to keep that in mind when Game 2 begins on Friday night.

Sure the Reds haven’t scored a run against the Phillies in 30 innings, all at Citizens Bank Park

Sure they have been shut out by the same team in three consecutive games for the first time since the Cubs did it in 1982.

But here is why the Reds can bounce back against the Phillies in Game 2.

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The 2010 NLDS has arrived and it has pitted David against Goliath.
 
It’s the mighty Philadelphia Phillies against the “happy to be here” Cincinnati Reds.
 
Going from 78 wins to 91 is an outstanding achievement. The Queen city enjoyed quite the celebration when the team went out to Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati to celebrate the teams’ first postseason appearance since 1995 on Monday.
 
But is that it? Are you satisfied Reds fans?
 
The media has given the Reds a minuscule chance of beating the mighty Phillies—the same team that has gone to back-to-back World Series, winning one of them.
 
Critics look at the ridiculous rotation of H2O: Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels and think the Reds are screwed. They see All-Stars Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Jason Werth, and Shane Victorino and think the Reds young pitching staff is screwed.
 
Not so fast my friend.
 
Led by Dusty Baker, managing his fifth postseason with his third different team, the unproven Red have to show poise and maturity when they take the field against a weathered Phillies team.
 
They also have absolutely nothing to lose. All the pressure is on the home team.
 
With 22 wins in their last at-bat in ‘10, the Reds are very familiar to playing the underdog role. Sure ESPN radio host Colin Cowerd has called the Reds “frauds” all year. Sure they have an awful record against the other three NL teams in the postseason, 10-19 to be exact. Sure there starting pitcher doesn’t feature a single “ace”.
 
But think about all the times this club has been doubted throughout the “big 162”. They were picked to finish third in the majority of preseason predictions. A .500 or better record was the bar that was set.
 
After an embarrassing home loss to the Padres in mid-April, the Reds seemed destined for yet another long season.
 
As the season rolled on most expected the St. Louis Cardinals to eventually catch the Reds after they captured first place in May. After being swept in a four game set at Philly to end the first half, the doubters again emerged.
 
The brawl series had everyone more than convinced that the little team that could ran out of steam.
 
Well here they are, predicted by none and given no respect by all. Now the Reds once again find themselves facing the same scenario. So how can this miracle upset occur?
 
Cincinnati committed just 72 errors this season. That’s the third-fewest in the National League, and their fielding percentage of .988 was second best in the NL. The Phillies committed 83 errors.
 
The Reds were the highest-scoring team in all of the NL. If a game comes down to one swing, there are few better to have on your side then soon-to-be MVP Joey Votto, whose 37 homers and 113 RBI beat the numbers of any Phillies player this season.
 
The Reds had six players with at least 18 home runs (the Phillies had five). They hit more homers than the Phillies 188-166 and had a significantly higher team average (.272-.260).
 
And if the Phillies’ pitchers have a weakness, it’s the home run, their 131 homers allowed is tied for second in all of baseball.
 
If the Reds starting pitching can hold the potent Phils lineup to three or four runs a start, the Reds power can do the rest.
 
But that is certainly a big IF.
 
Walks will destroy you and Reds pitchers walked 108 more batters than the Phillies in 2010. That was a large factor in Philadelphia’s notably better ERA (3.66 to 4.03).
 
Should rookie Travis Wood be in the rotation? He is the only Reds lefty starter and had a perfect game into the ninth inning against the Phils in July.
 
Problem is, the Philies line-up was banged up, it was their first time seeing Wood, and he has only pitched in the majors since June. So there is no need to second-guess Baker. Look for Wood to be the first one out of the ‘pen if a starter falters early.
 
Bronson Arroyo has been rocked by the lefty-latent Phillies line-up. Edinson Volquez was pitching in Single A ball last month. Johnny Cueto has been known to get overly emotional in big moments.
 
These are legit concerns and what everyone is looking at. It’s obvious: Phillies three-man rotation> the Reds three-man rotation.
 
The Phillies are finally healthy after being banged up for most of the season. All of the mashers have returned.
 
So you can see why most think the Reds are going to get eliminated very quickly.
 
The Red Legs must rely on their potent line-up filled with power, stellar defense around the diamond and the bullpen to carry them. Aroldis Chapman will be used to lock-up the lefties in big moments. Arthur Rhodes and Nick Masset are some of the best middle-relievers out there.
 
The Philies bullpen is not nearly as intimidating as the starters. Getting to the ‘pen early will be a huge advantage for the Reds. Hanging tough with the Phils through the first six innings will be the key. A tie game in the seventh is a big Reds advantage.
 
The Reds will have to dig deep to pull it off, especially with the weight of 15 losing seasons in a row on their collective backs.
 
On paper this series should be a breeze for the Phillies…but that’s why they play the game…

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The Cincinnati Reds are the 2010 NL Central division champions.
 
I’ll repeat: The Cincinnati Reds are the 2010 NL Central division champions.
 
Who in their right mind could have predicted this back in March? The Reds’ goal was to play over .500. Progress was the key.
 
Well, the team that never quits sped up the progress tenfold.
 
The offense led the NL in the most important categories for the vast majority of he season. The pitching staff is overloaded with above-average starters. The bullpen was up-and-down, but never let the team down in an important game.
 
GM Walt Jocketty has done an excellent job of blending young studs with wily veterans. Nobody liked the Scott Rolen trade at the time, but now it looks brilliant. His wisdom and leadership really lit a fuse under the losing mentality that had plagued the franchise for 15 years.
 
Since the trade, the Reds are 97-63 when Rolen starts.
 
The biggest reason for success is the leading candidate for the National League’s Most Valuable Player, Joey Votto, who has gone above and beyond all expectations placed on him this year.
 
He ranks second in the NL with a .325 batting average, third in home runs with 37, and third in RBI at 111. He has been a force in the middle of a potent lineup. He has played an excellent first base, possibly worthy of a Gold Glove.
 
Speaking of Gold Gloves, Brandon Phillips is in line for his second. He made his first All-Star team and has drank the hustle Kool-Aid. His numbers have fallen since hurting his wrist, but don’t be mistaken—he had a career year.
 
Johnny Gomes didn’t have a contract offer from any team until the day before spring training began. He lead the NL in RBI at one point in late May.
 
Miguel Cairo, Arthur Rhodes, and Orlando Cabrera were considered washed up, and now all three of them will play pivotal roles in October.
 
For the sixth time in seven years, and with five different teams, Cabrera will be going to the postseason. His ability to stabilize the shortstop position offensively has been a huge asset.
 
With the Reds’ rotation getting younger with Johnny Cueto, Travis Wood, Edinson Volquez, Homer Bailey, and Mike Leake, it was Bronson Arroyo who was old reliable.
 
Arroyo was a steady veteran presence that could be counted on to deliver every fifth day. He set a career high with 16 wins, and has pitched at least 200 innings every year as a Red. He is the No. 1 starter.
 
Mike Leake may have been shut down for the rest of this season, but his eight wins are nothing to sneeze at. He was the Reds’ best starter in the month of May.
 
Travis Wood almost threw a no-hitter against the defending NL champs in his third major league start. Incredible!
 
It’s hard to believe that Aaron Harang was the opening day starter back in the beginning of April. Sad to think that he won’t even make the 25-man playoff roster, but that’s another testament to how spectacular the pitching has been.
 
The beauty of the Reds is in their bench. Cabrera got hurt, Paul Janish stepped up, and the team didn’t miss a beat. Ditto with Chris Heisey.
 
The two-headed RH combo at catcher has kept both players fresh. Ramon Hernandez has hovered around .300 all season while playing stellar defense. When Hernandez gets hurt or Bronson Arroyo is starting, Ryan Hannigan steps in and puts up similar numbers.
 
Then there is the $30 million phenom.
 
Aroldis Chapman exploded onto the scene in September and will be a Red for at least the next five seasons. He may not have contributed a whole lot to the ’10 club, but Chapman will be a vital component for the playoffs and beyond. He is spoiled with winning already.
 
Then there’s Dusty Baker, one of only two managers to win a division title for three different National League teams; he seemingly pulled all the right strings for his club. He stuck with youngsters Jay Bruce, Nick Massett, and Drew Stubbs. He never called out a player or had a blowup caught on camera.
 
Don’t forget owner Bob Castellini. He famously said, “We are here to bring winning baseball back to Cincinnati” back when he took over in 2006. It may have taken a few years, but he made good on his promise.
 
The lost decade is over.  Nine straight losing seasons is history. The Reds are legit once again and are relevant to the rest of the nation. Cincinnati really is a “baseball town,” and record setting attendance in August proves it.
 
The entire 2010 Cincinnati Reds organization deserves credit.
 
It took a total team effort by everybody from the front office brass to the ball boy: The long-term vision from the top, the guts of the manger, the focus and superb talent of the players. Put it all together and you have one scrappy bunch of winners.
 
Congrats Reds, you did it.

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