Memorable Season Comes to an End

     The city was energized.  The stadium was electric.  45,999 fans packed Great American Ballpark to see their Reds play in October.  And even for just one night, Cincinnati got a taste of playoff fever.
     The Reds lost to the Philadelphia Phillies 2-0 Sunday night, ending their remarkable season in lackluster fashion.  Phillies starting pitcher, Cole Hamels, threw a complete game, 5-hit shutout to close the door on the series.  Brandon Phillips led off the bottom of the 9th with a single, but Joey Votto grounded into a double play and Scott Rolen struck out to end the threat.  The Reds, who led the National League in batting average, home runs, RBI, and slugging percentage, looked like they were over-swinging against the Philadelphia aces.  They were only able to amount four runs in the series (all in the first five innings of Game 2).
     For the life of me, I cannot curse or abandon this team.  This was not supposed to be the year.  We could say what we wanted in March, but we all wondered if this club was ready for the pressures of a pennant race, let alone a playoff series.  But, the Reds exceeded expectations.  They overcame massive obstacles again and again: the brutal meltdown in Atlanta in June, the sweep at the hands of the Cardinals in July, etc.  However, they did what good, experienced teams do: they beat the teams they were supposed to.
     Cincinnati fans will be saying "what if" all winter.  We will ponder the Game 2 debacle, the constant struggles of Rolen, and the defensive woes that showed up out of nowhere in the playoffs.  But when pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in February, Reds fan should be reassured that they will be watching a playoff baseball team.  And this was no fluke.  This team will be back.  They are young, talented, deep, and now experienced.  For the first time ever I can say, without any doubt, that I am confident in this team.  See you on March 31st; this team is here to stay.