Well, It Was Good While It Lasted

         The 2010 season for the Cincinnati Reds went about as good as anyone could have hoped for. There were plenty of one-run wins, clutch performances and a MVP season for the Reds' first baseman Joey Votto. Overall, this added up to the teams' first playoff birth since 1995. Scott Rolen drank from the fountain of youth and role players like Jonny Gomes and Layce Nix became a formidable tandem. After getting swept dismissed in the playoffs by the Philadelphia Phillies, it seemed as though the Reds were poised to win the division and make the playoffs in back to back years for the first time since 1975-1976. It seemed that young players like Jay Bruce and Drew Stubbs would figure out what it takes to be an everyday player in the Major Leagues and really become consistent forces in the outfield. Joey Votto was just going to build on his MVP season and Brandon Phillips was going to be a human highlight reel. Scott Rolen was going to start and be the teams' anchor, providing veteran leadership to an overall young team. Edison Volquez was going to be our ace, followed by a solid rotation of pitchers like Johnny Cueto, Bronson Arroyo, Mike Leake and Travis Wood. With everything looking up for this organization at the start of the season, it is hard to believe that the Cincinnati Reds are 11 games out of first place and are struggling to stay in 3rd place in the National League Central. This is a division we won last year and now we aren't even close. With that said, how can the Reds return to the top of the division in 2012?


          Well, quite frankly I have no idea. Many players that I thought were good, just haven't been this season. The Reds just aren't a good team. This Scott Rolen looked like the 36 year old he is, Jonny Gomes never had the hot streak he had last season and that led to him being traded, the only consistent starting pitcher the Reds have is Johnny Cueto and he can only do so much. Joey Votto has played well, but he certainly is not having the season he had last year. Brandon Phillips has been great with his glove and decent with his bat. Hell, Dontrelle Willis has been our second best pitcher since he was promoted from the minors and he has yet to get a win. This team isn't scoring runs. They aren't getting hits with runners on base. They are missing the clutch factor that the Phillies, Red Sox, Rangers and any other World Series contender possess. Jay Bruce has been very inconsistent and I'm not really sure that he deserved to be an All Star. Drew Stubbs strikes out more than anyone and he still doesn't know how to bunt. During our most recent slide errors seem to be a problem, which shows a lack of concentration among the Reds. Travis Wood and Edison Volquez have been in, or flirted with the minors all season. Our opponent beats us in their last at bat, unlike last year when we were second best in last at bat wins. The Reds are 55-61 and have outscored their opponents by 31 total runs. The Milwaukee Brewers are 66-50 (11 games ahead) and they have only outscored their opponents by 28 total runs. The Reds seem to have the talent, but something is missing. Maybe they didn't click this year and next year will be more like 2010. But, I find it hard to be so optimistic. After the season there will have to be plenty of questions that need to be andwered. I hope they work out for the best as does all of Reds Nation. The 2011 Reds are done. So long 2011 Cincinnati Reds, so long playoffs.... See you in 2012? All we can do is hope at this point.

The Playoff Clincher: How long ago
does this seem?