MASS FOR THE CHANGING OF THE CALENDAR (May Day, May Day, we're going down!)

Here at the Church of Baseball, I try to have a positive outlook on things. I mean, that's what a church is for, right? With all the crap that goes on in the world, all the wars, poverty, disease, liverwurst, and one hit wonders, church is a place you can go to find hope. Well, there's hope in this church, hope for the Cincinnati Reds. Yeah, yeah, I know that comparing something so trivial as baseball to something so important as eternal salvation is a bit asinine, but I'm convinced Heaven is located in the middle of some cornfield in Iowa, so just bear with me.

We as human beings love symbols. We need symbols. And just like the wishbone C represents the entire concept of Cincinnati Reds baseball, from the team that has lost two in a row and 17 on the young season to Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Joe Nuxhall, and yes, the Wright Brothers - George and Harry, the guys who started it all! (although they used an Old English C for the Red Stockings logo), a calendar change is often symbolic. It's a new month of the baseball season, a new month for all of us. What will May bring besides flowers? New job? New love? New Cincinnati Red? Jay Bruce and Homer Bailey and first place by the first of June?

So hey, we lost a road trip for the 17th out of the last 18 road trips. We're five games under .500, 5.5 games back of the Chub$ and the Deadbirds. But if you pay attention, look closely, there are signs of drastic changes about to take place as we turn our calendar page. Adam Dunn is starting to hit, but what's more important is that he is hitting the other way! I believe his bad April stems from his working on that aspect of his game, and he's now starting to come around. He hit a homer to leftfield a few games ago and has had several hits there of late. Can we say goodbye to the shift?

And look! Edwin has hit seven homers in the month of April! He is on pace to hit 42 on the season. Can you imagine? Dunn's 40, Griff's 30, BP's 30, and Edwin's 30? 35? 40? Ooohhh, man, makes me want to go out and buy tix for September games!

Hang in there, Reds fans. Have faith. We will be rewarded for it!