The Perfect Night

     September 28th, 2010.  For the rest of my life, I will associate this date with the most amazing feeling that I could have imagined while watching a sporting event.  While I longed to be at Great American Ballpark for the 7:10 start, I knew that if things went as planned, I would have no motivation to return to Lexington for class the next morning.  But, I had a seat on the couch with some of my closest buddies, wearing my red Jay Bruce jersey, watching for the inevitable result that I had waited my whole life to celebrate.
     The game played out just as any other.  Edinson Volquez had great stuff, giving up two earned runs and striking out eight in six innings.  After only getting one run out of a bases loaded, no out scenario in the 7th inning, the game was tied entering the 8th inning. Nick Masset and Aroldis Chapman pitched a smooth 8th and 9th, respectively.  That set the picture. Jay Bruce leading off in a tie game, bottom of the 9th, with a chance to set the city of Cincinnati ablaze.  One pitch.  One swing.  Pandemonium.  All of Cincinnati was suddenly in sheer and utter joy.  With one sweet swing from the Reds young, yet inconsistent slugger, 15 years of turmoil were erased.
     The things running through my head in the moments after that are hard to explain.  It was as if every emotion that I had ever invested into the Reds organization was pouring out.  I mean, think about.  For the past 15 years, we, as Reds fans, have endured a wide array of emotion.  We have welcomed Ken Griffey Jr. back to town, only to watch him never reach his full potential.  We've seen 10 different Opening Day starters.  Every April, we've told anyone who would listen that "this is the year."  We've spent hundreds of dollars a year on bleacher seats, $1 hot dogs, and souvenirs.  We've cursed up a storm every time Francisco Cordero entered the game, loaded the bases, and then struck out the side to preserve the victory.  But, it was all worth it.  Every disheartening trip to the ballpark was forgotten.  Every minute of ups and downs and wins and losses became a distant memory when Jay Bruce's home run slammed into the batter's eye in center field.  That is why this feeling is so indescribable.  My entire life as a Cincinnati Reds fan culminated with one swing.  And boy, was it sweet.        
     When I was walking home that night, I really couldn't describe my feelings.  I talked to some people who experienced the same thing I did, and others who couldn't understand what the big deal was.  But I slipped my Jay Bruce jersey back on the next morning and walked out of my room like I was on top of the world.  I didn't have any complaints.  I wasn't already looking to next year.  I wasn't questioning the front office, the managing, or the bullpen.  Everything was right.  September 28th, 2010: a great day to be a fan of the Cincinnati Reds.