A note to the Cincinnati Reds

Okay now I admit I am no sports writer, but i just had to come out of blogging retirement to comment on What an amazing job the Reds have done this season. For years baseball fans like me have been starving for a season like this. At first some of us didn't want to believe it, didn't want to get our hopes up only to see them lost before our eyes. But as the end of the season drew near and the Reds stayed on top and the lead over the Cardinals began to grow, some of the excitement we have all been feeling slowly seeped out. The conversations at the sports bars began to discuss who our possible post game match ups could be, excited texts between those at the game and those stuck at work began flying with increasing frequency, every television airing the game seemed to turn itself up just a smidgen, and all of Cincinnati waited with baited breath as Jay Bruce stepped up to the plate Tuesday night. Then something happened we haven't seen in fifteen years, the Reds have made it to the playoffs. At that moment it was all worth it, the whole season came flooding back to me in a tidal wave of memories. This moment, the moment when the ball hit by Jay Bruce rocketed over the wall, that moment will forever be etched in my memory. At that second i knew it had all been worth it, the standing in line for tickets, the cold and rainy game that i had stubbornly stayed in my seat while those around me headed for shelter, the overwhelming heat of that day game that drenched my well worn jersey. It had all been for this one moment, this tiny fraction of a minute. From a humble bartender to every member of the Reds team, and staff i just want to say thanks, thanks for a great season, thanks for a memory. To all those fans that endured, that stayed till the games were over, that cheered at that batter in the bottom of the ninth, that made signs, that skipped work to sneak off to the games, thank you as well. As long as I'm around the Reds will always be on the TV's at our bar.

P.S. I really meant to come down early one day and have Jonny sign this for me. Well maybe next season.