An Open Letter to Cincinnati Reds Fans

Issue: Why are Cincinnati Reds' fans such fair-weather fans?

Short Answer: It's always been that way...

Reasoning: I have been hearing a lot of talk lately about how bad the Cincinnati Reds are.  And, well, it is really pissing me off.  There has been talk of sending players down, calling players up, bad managing (which I actually agree with), lifeless play, and typical moaning and groaning from Reds fans.  It all adds up to a city with a bad attitude...and it's not even football season!  I have been wondering all summer how a city with only two professional teams, who have both historically stunk, can be as greedy as they are.  Our football team has never won a Super Bowl (although, at least we have been twice) and our baseball team has made the playoffs twice since 1995 (and that includes last year's division championship).  Where do our fans get off?  We are doing our best impression of Atlanta Braves fans, but, at least they have a history of being, you know, good at baseball.  We are Cincinnatians.  We stink at pro sports.  Deal with it.

I read a blog post from Lance McAlister (a Cincinnati radio personality, for those of you from outside the Queen City) that said in part (and this is the prevailing attitude of Cincinnatians, unfortunately):

This team has no life. There is no sense of urgency. They have been flat and uninspired much of the season...That philosophy [of not adding free agents in the offseason] turned out to be wrong. The problem is that 87 games into the season [GM] Walt [Jocketty] has yet to admit that and fix it...That's the theme of 2011 for this team...nobody is worried...This team plays like it is sleeping. They play without focus. Nothing is done...The mood and tone has got to change. The Reds are what they are. 87 games has made it clear. The defending NL Central champs are simply medicore...They are simply not good enough. This team, as currently put together, will not win the NL Central...Who would have thought the Reds play would have fans wondering when the Bengals will start camp? Your move Walt.

SAY WHAT?!?!  Allow me to take these one at a time, because I could go on for days:

1. There is no sense of urgency...nobody is worried.  And why should they be?????  This is baseball.  There are 162 games to be played in a single season.  Why should there be a sense of urgency before the All-Star break?  Remember, this is not football (where every loss means something), this is baseball (where a loss is a loss is a loss, period).  Also, unless you have actually played a 162 game season (I have not, but I have played a few 155 game seasons in the minors) then you have no idea.  Playing 162 games in about 175 days is a grind that you cannot imagine.  In the minor leagues, everyone prays that they will have a great season, but that they will finish a half game out of the playoffs.  That way they won't have to play MORE baseball.  I imagine it is different in the Majors, but only because of the financial gain players receive for making the post-season.  Trust me when I tell you that not a single person in the Reds' clubhouse is worried about a thing.  There is no sense of urgency either.  There needn't be any either.  The Reds are currently 44-44 and only 3 games out of 1st place.  They sit in 4th place, which probably has a lot of Cincinnatian's panties in a bunch.  But, all that means is over the next 74 games, the Reds have to win 3 more games than the Cardinals.  Whoa, better kick it in gear.
2. The Reds not adding free agents was the wrong decision.  First, I don't know how anyone can say such a thing 87 games into the season.  Second, after winning a division championship in 2010, signing big free agents wouldn't have been on the top of my list either.  Third, Walt Jocketty has proven he knows what he is doing.  Now, hindsight has always proven to be correct.  Through 87 games (88 as I write this) the Reds' shortstops and left fielders are absolutely awful.  It's easy to sit here and say we should have signed free agents at both positions.  Funny thing is, we did at short (Edgar Reneteria) and we did in left (Fred Lewis).  Where else should we have spent millions of dollars?  Replacing Edinson Volquez?  Easy to say now.  Fact is, the 2011 Reds were/are set up to repeat as champs of the NL Central.  We didn't need to add free agents.  We are fine.  Let's give it another 50 games or so.
3. The Reds are simply mediocre.  This is asinine at best.  Through 88 games the 2010 Reds were 49-39 - a full 5 games better than this year!!  Oh no!!  What are we going to do?!?!  The biggest difference is the 2010 Reds were in 1st place through 88 games, and the 2011 Reds are in 4th place.  I have heard Cincinnatians complain that we are behind the Pirates in the standings.  Oh no!!  What are we going to do?!?!  How about this - let's give the Pirates some props.  Through 87 games this year, the Pirates are 45-42.  Through 87 games last year, the Pirates were 30-57.  That, ladies and gentlemen, is a full 15 games better.  So, we are behind a team that is playing out of their mind.  Oh no!!  What are we...alright, you get it.
4. The Reds' play has people looking forward to football season.  A couple things here: 1) People are always looking forward to football season; doesn't matter if the Reds are good or bad; 2) No one ever really looks forward to the Bengals season, especially this year when our quarterback will either be Jordan Palmer (that's right, Carson's much worse, younger brother) or Andy Dalton (rookie); 3) The Reds' play has me looking forward to the second half of the season.  The Reds are the defending NL Central Champs, and will be until someone takes it away from them.  They are 3 games out of 1st place with 74 games left to go.  We waited 15 years between playoff appearances and now we should go every year?  To say we are in the hunt is to give credence to the doubters.  Not only are we in the hunt, but with the 2010 crown still in our back pocket, how can we not be favorites?  Wake up people.  The Reds are fine.  There is plenty of time.  Let's let everything take care of itself, rather than trying to force it.  Please.

I did mention earlier that I believe Dusty Baker is a terrible manager.  Let me clarify: I know he is a terrible manager.  His lineup changes make no sense.  His in game managing wouldn't win games at the 14-year old age level.  He makes bad decisions all the time.  His players consistantly bail him out, which is good, but it makes it so people don't realize he is a bad manager.  I'm not sure how Dusty got the Reds job, but, after winning the first division championship in years, something tells me he will be around for awhile.  Unfortunately.

I hope to update this post in September and give all Cincinnatians a big I-told-you-so while we are watching them in the playoffs.  Again.