Just Enjoying It

By Tony Neary

Just enjoy it.

There’s something special happening here in Cincinnati. That’s not a new phrase or a new idea,

of course, as many sports teams and cities have said it before. Sometimes that feeling or

premonition pays off with the ultimate prize at the end of the season. Often it is a hopeful feeling

that never quite pans out.

So when you start to go through the inevitable roller coaster ride of emotion that was attached to

that sense of excitement and hope, how do you deal with it?

I say, just enjoy it.

If you have watched the Reds, you know that it is a pretty special thing to watch a blend of

excitement, resilience, toughness, swagger, confidence, humbleness all wrapped up in one

package. They have a budding superstar, everyone can feel it. Then they have a whole bunch

of guys that are going be incredible pros, All-Stars potentially. And they have some veteran

glue-guys that can keep it all together. Yes, the Cincinnati Reds have something special.

If you’ve never watched the Reds, here’s my take on what you are missing.

They are clutch. They run with no fear. They do not believe they are ever out of a game. They

make mistakes. Then they quickly make up for those mistakes, they don’t compound. They are

electric. They are youthful, and joyous. They are seriously fierce and they are convinced they

are going to win. They are for each other. They are for the city of Cincinnati.

It’s hard not to start off and not talk about Elly De La Cruz first. He showed up like a lightning

strike. And that’s a pretty decent simile, especially when you seem him on the base path. A

single for most could easily become a double for Elly. A standard double is probably a triple for

him, and oh man, he may just try to stretch it all the way. At the plate, when he connects, it has

a shot to leave the yard as a moonshot. Still young, he is figuring out how not to chase. And he

chases a lot. But somehow… I kind of don’t mind. It’s a thrill every time he’s up.

In 2023, Elly had some incredible company in the youth movement on the Reds. Mat McClain

looked like a 10 year veteran the moment he stepped out to shortstop. Steady, calm, and

always in control of the infield. Spenser Steer is the ultimate Swiss Army knife, playing at first,

third, left field, right field, second… the guy could probably catch in a pinch. And at the plate,

there are few Reds you’d rather have up in a clutch moment. He’s delivered time and time

again, and that has carried over into 2024 a few times already, walking it off for the win.

I love the energy and fierceness of Will Benson. The hustle of TJ Friedl. The pop of CES, Jake

Fraley and now Nick Martini. Johnathan India is a fan favorite and always gives everything. I’m

excited to see what the veterans like Maile and Stephenson will do, and new guys Candelario

and Espinal. There are a lot of guys on this roster to like.

The rotation added some leadership with Frankie Montas. He is steady, and he is focused.

Hunter Greene is a powerhouse looking to dominate. Andrew Abbott is a bulldog, fearless and

ready to battle. The steady strength of Graham Ashcraft always feels like you’ve got a shot to

win.

The bullpen has some guys you feel pretty good about. Not necessarily light out all the time, but

you feel hopeful in Suter, Farmer, Simms, Pagán, Cruz, Wilson… and the amazing return of

Tejay Antone from multiple Tommy John surgeries. It’s a group that easy to root for.

Finally, Alexis Díaz is the guy. Or at least, he can be and needs to be the guy. He certainly was

all of 2023 until the final month or so, when like the rest of this youthful squad, the gas just ran

out. I expect a rise in 2024 and beyond.

Walking into Great American Ballpark has a different feeling of late. The Reds organization

certainly left some less-than-warm-fuzzy feelings at the start of the 2023 season. But to their

credit, the players were professionals. Beyond their years, for sure. And they just showed up to

play hard. They gave baseball fans everywhere, something really exciting to watch. They’ve

given Cincinnati that sense of hope, and expectation.

Will it pan out? Will the hope and expectation lead to post-season success? Dare we ask, is

there a potential World Series birth in the near future, the first since 1990?

I don’t know. Maybe. But I do know there is a roller-coaster ride on the way.

I say, just enjoy it.