And This One Belongs to the Reds
As the Cactus League comes to a close and opening day looms, I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas. “How can you not be romantic about baseball?” I think to myself. After all, my favorite team is the oldest professional baseball team. The Cincinnati Reds have a rich history steeped in nostalgia. You can feel it the moment you step foot in Great American Ballpark. “But what have you done for me lately?” Unfortunately it has been a few years since the Reds have made a playoff appearance and even longer since they have won. There is no denying the past few years have been tough on the Redlegs faithful, but I can feel the winds of change blowing through the Cincinnati air.
On October 4, 2024 the Reds hired Terry Francona to be the new Reds Manager. Most people call him “Tito”, a nickname inherited from his father, and it didn’t take long for Reds Country to fall in love. Early in spring training there was a split squad day where one squad would stay in Goodyear to face the team Francona spent 11 years managing, the Cleveland Guardians. The other squad would go to Maryvale to face the Brewers. Tito then gave us a quote for the ages when he said, "These games need to be about the players. It's just not the right time to have a hug fest. I want these guys to know how important they are. I'm a f------g Red and so I'm gonna go over to Maryvale.”
“I’m a f—ing Red!” We cry as we collectively run through a brick wall! Cincy Shirts wasted no time printing up that one.
Words aside, the best endorsement for Tito is the players and coaches who followed him to Cincinnati. Assistant coach and former All-Star catcher Mike Napoli and hitting coach Chris Valaika are both believers. Veteran pitcher Bryan Shaw even opted for a Reds Triple-A assignment instead of trying to sign on with another team. The dedication his players and coaches have shown him are the hallmark of a leader who empowers and supports everyone around them.
“Tito can’t do it all, what about the actual players?” Dear reader, I'm so glad you asked. This Reds roster is brimming with young and exciting talent. As he graces the cover of MLB video game “The Show 25” it’s hard to imagine anyone has forgotten about Elly De La Cruz or his 67 stolen bases last year (yes, that was the most in the league). I think Elly takes a step forward this year on defense while continuing his stratospheric rise on offense. I’m predicting fewer errors and continued value in the outs above average stats. Returning from injury Matt McLain is poised to be a real difference-maker both offensively and at second base.
Hunter Greene has won the honor of starting pitcher for Opening Day. Greene has worked hard the past two years to become the leader of the Reds pitching staff and his popularity with the fans is only out shined by his French bulldog, Ross. Health is always wealth when it comes to starting pitching and the past few years have left the Reds scrambling for depth. Health and wellness seem to be two big priorities this year. The Reds have hired an incredible new team chef; and with the signing of veteran Brady Singer and the noticeably stronger and leaner starters, the Reds hope to improve the longevity down the stretch.
“And this one belongs to the Reds,” Marty Brennaman famously said. After a win, a flood of #ATOBTTR can be seen all across social media platforms. Marty said his famous phrase for the last time on September 18, 2019. It was a thrilling 3-2 10-inning victory over the Cubs at Wrigley Field. The call was one of many during Marty’s 46 seasons as the play-by-play voice of the Reds. He was there for three World Series wins and left Reds fans with plenty of beautiful memories of listening to our favorite team on the AM radio. It was recently announced that the Marty Brennaman bronze sculpture will be unveiled at Great American Ballpark on September 6th; forever signifying the impact Marty has had on our beloved community.
Here in the Queen City we remember our and cherish our past, but it’s all eyes on the future. 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the Cincinnati Reds. With our new Skipper, roster full of young talent, improving pitching staff, and offense that is sure to grace the highlight reels, the Reds are poised to make a serious push in the NL Central.
Bio: Jess, sometimes known as her online moniker “The Who Bae” is a Cincinnati native who loves her hometown sports teams. As a child her dad took her to her first Reds games as a very special treat in the summer. She is a long-time season ticket holder for the Cincinnati Bengals, she and her husband, “Cap” were the Bengals Fans of the Year last year, and she spends her summers attending as many Reds games as possible.