Wearing the Reds Colored Glasses

Last year at this time I was pretty pessimistic about the Reds' chances for 2006. The thing about a blog is that a record of everything you've ever said is available for review. It's interesting to watch the progression from pessimism and utter hopelessness in the dullness of winter to optimism and excitement as flowers began to make their appearances and spring set in.

On February 16, in a post about the pathetic off season signings of third rate pitchers I said:

Last year, I was excited at the Reds prospects. This year, I feel last place coming on. But hey, miracles can happen, right?

At least we have better ownership and hope in Krivsky.

From March 6:

And the Reds – their pitching is doing well in Spring Training. That won’t hold, but I can hope.

On March 16, the optimism started to shine through:

Reds 2006 - A Decent Year?

I'm starting to wonder if the underachieving Reds just might have a chance to contend this year. Yes, it is still Spring Training, but the pitching has been pretty good, and ideas of a good season are beginning to creep into my head...It seems as if Edwin Encarnation has come around, judging from his torrid spring, and it would be exciting to have another homegrown guy turn out to be something of a ballplayer. In addition, with the way Griffey has been swinging the bat at the WBC, he could ignite the offense in a way he hasn't done in years. On the other hand, when the Reds make Bowdenesque moves like adding another infielder to an already crowded infield, I sort of come back to reality.

March 19:

Oh yeah, I'm starting to get pumped about the Reds chances that they won't end up in last place. They might even compete this year! I'm not going to be overly optimistic like I was last year when I thought they would be in the playoff hunt in September. I think my exact words to a friend were, "The Reds are going to the World Series this year." Oops.

Aaron Harang seems to be in midseason form, and I'm definitely thinking he'll end up with at least 15 wins this year. He hasn't given up a run all spring. Woohoo! It's nice to be excited about a Reds pitcher. Maybe this year will be his breakout year and people from other parts of the country will start to recognize his name. Aaron Harang. Get it, baseball fans?...The Reds have a great offense and have for the past few years, so even with the slow starts of Kearns and Dunn, things are coming around, and the offense will be able to power the team to some victories. Anytime you have a healthy guy named Griffey on your team, you have a chance. And come on, isn't this what being a non-Yankees fan is about, hope and optimism, no matter how unrealistic?

March 20:

Sweet! I can't tell you how much I am excited that we got a pitcher! Arroyo for Wily Mo..I think we just went from non-contender status to contenders.

On March 25, I made the prediction "Reds will be the surprise of the season:"

...I got to watch two Reds games, two winning Reds games, on Fox Sports Ohio rather than the internet. Man, they look good. They fielded their A team, almost the Opening Day lineup, and Arroyo made his first start in a Reds uniform. He didn't do too well, giving up 5 earned runs, but it was one of those days where he was making good pitches and the batters were getting lucky, like the time when a Twins player hit a broken bat double down the line that scored a couple. Dunn hit two out, Griffey hit one out and hit the game winning single, and LaRue hit one out for a positively delightful offensive day.

March 29:

And this one belongs to the Reds ! One of the sweetest sentences ever uttered.

It was the ninth inning. Aaron Harang had pitched well but grew tired in the sixth, giving up 3 runs and turning it over to Matt Belisle, who hopefully will be shipped to Louisville today, with a 7-3 lead. The score was 7-6 at the end of the inning and stayed that way when the ninth came up. Coffey strikes out the first guy but he reaches on a wild pitch, moves around the bases and stands on third with no outs, but the Rays or the Devil Rays or whatever they are called now failed on the suicide squeeze (which had just happened to the Reds in the last inning.) Double play ends the game, and this one belongs to the Reds, bringing their spring record to 19-11. Yes, I know it is Spring Training. But they are playing so well, and Opening Day is in five days, and it is always good to get a running start into the season...

Non-Reds fans, I'll say the name again: Aaron Harang. Here's a fantasy league tip for you: Aaron Harang.

There'll be none of that fifth place finish that I keep seeing all over the place in predictions about this season. NONE OF IT. So quit throwing the Reds in the same sentence as the Devil Rays or Diamondbacks or Rockies...

In Baseball Spring, hope springs eternal. I'm definitely wearing the Reds colored glasses for the 2007 season!
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