CINCINNATI REDS - 2009 regular season thread

[34inXXIII]

Opening Day has finally arrived and with it comes the hope of a return to glory for the league's oldest franchise. For the first time this millenium, the Reds open the season without Ken Griffey Jr on the roster (best of luck in Seattle, Junior!). Likewise, Adam Dunn will not be taking the field in a Cincinnati uniform this year. This team has skewed much younger as they embark on another new season and the talent could be there to possibly build a contender in the future. The question is whether or not the future is now.

While the likely starters are defintely quite young as a group, what veteran leadership they have is appropriately up the middle of the defense. CF Willy Tavares, SS Alex Gonzalez, 2B Brandon Philips and C Ramon Hernandez bring a combined 3429 games worth of major league experience compared to the 785 amassed by LF Chris Dickerson, RF Jay Bruce, 1B Joey Votto and 3B Edwin Encarnacion.

Despite all the excitement surrounding last year's rookie sensations - Bruce & Votto - and a sleeper MVP candidate in Phillips plus the added speed of Tavares, the key to the position players may very well be the veteran leadership at the catcher position with Hernandez. He will be charged with handling a similarly young and talented pitching staff that will determine just how far this team goes this season.

Aaron Harang and Edison Volquez anchor the rotation with Bronson Arroyo expected to chew up a ton of innings yet again. The bottom end features promising youngster Johnny Cueto and the newly-acquired Micah Owings (who edged out Homer Baily for the 5th spot). Can these arms get the team deep enough into games to turn it over to a bullpen with a solid mix of vets and youth and, ultimately, put the game in the hands of their more-than-capable closer, Francisco Cordero? We will begin finding out that answer today.

First pitch: 1:10 p.m.
Aaron Harang vs Johan Santana

Go Reds!

[LowCountryBengalFan]

Woohoo. My favorite day of the year.

Prediction: 3rd Place, 10 Games behind in wild card.

Maybe next year.

Please prove me wrong (in a good way) Redlegs!

[Carson4mvp]

[crazyjdawg]

I loooove me some reds baseball.

Can't wait to see how the young kids are blossoming.
Bruce makes me the most excited. That kid is one of the most talented young guys in the league. Could turn into a superstar real quick.

[Megalicious23]

Ah, my favorite day of the year! No classes and baseball alll day!


I bet Votto homers today..

[Carson4mvp]

Originally Posted by Megalicious23

Ah, my favorite day of the year! No classes and baseball alll day!


I bet Votto homers today..

I hope you're right.

[Paul from Dayton]

How sad is it that we have McDonald starting Opening Day in center?

[Paul from Dayton]

Originally Posted by Megalicious23

I bet Votto homers today..

I'll take that bet. Lefty on Lefty in this weather, no way!

[Carson4mvp]

Originally Posted by Paul from Dayton

How sad is it that we have McDonald starting Opening Day in center?

It don't matter, the Mets arn't going to hit a ball past 2nd base.

[jmccracky]

Yes!!!!!! Harang got out of the first. I'm soooooo happy that opening day is finally here! I almost forgot, and then flipped on ESPN and ta da!

[Carson4mvp]

Originally Posted by jmccracky

Yes!!!!!! Harang got out of the first. I'm soooooo happy that opening day is finally here! I almost forgot, and then flipped on ESPN and ta da!

I flipped it on ESPN and it's blacked out.

Glad i got FSN.

[Mtank44]

Just want to say HAPPY OPENING DAY!!!! Can't wait for the Reds to go 162-0 this year haha But seriously this is the most excited I've been for a Reds season in a long time!

[Carson4mvp]

Originally Posted by Mtank44

Just want to say HAPPY OPENING DAY!!!! Can't wait for the Reds to go 162-0 this year haha But seriously this is the most excited I've been for a Reds season in a long time!

[Jumbro]

Excited as all get out---who is this McDonald character in Center though? And what is with the Mets getting two hits in two innings, BOTH infield singles? (I'm on a PC just getting the MLB Gamecast....so I have very little details other than "infield single")

[Paul from Dayton]

Originally Posted by Jumbro

who is this McDonald character in Center though?

He is a 30 yr old with only 20 major league starts, so that should tell you what type of player he is.

[Mtank44]

Originally Posted by Jumbro

Excited as all get out---who is this McDonald character in Center though? And what is with the Mets getting two hits in two innings, BOTH infield singles? (I'm on a PC just getting the MLB Gamecast....so I have very little details other than "infield single")

The wet conditions are making the balls roll slow in the infield. More worried that we have given up 2 stolen bases in 2 innings! Oh and I only can watch the Mets channel here in NY, and their announcer just called Skyline Chili the worst chili in the world. He has quickly catapaulted himself into the top 3 of my least favorite people!

[IgnoreME]

Good work on getting the thread started up 34.

I hope Harang has all the kinks worked out and we can get this years started off right. Start hot and stay hot redlegs. Here is to a fantastic 09 season!

[Paul from Dayton]

Originally Posted by Mtank44

Oh and I only can watch the Mets channel here in NY, and their announcer just called Skyline Chili the worst chili in the world.

How dare he!

[Jumbro]

Originally Posted by Mtank44

The wet conditions are making the balls roll slow in the infield. More worried that we have given up 2 stolen bases in 2 innings! Oh and I only can watch the Mets channel here in NY, and their announcer just called Skyline Chili the worst chili in the world. He has quickly catapaulted himself into the top 3 of my least favorite people!

[Paul from Dayton]

Harang is looking good so far. Edwin on the bases is another story!

[KY Bengal]

This will be the 1st year I try to follow baseball. Im gonna give it a week.

[Paul from Dayton]

Originally Posted by KY Bengal

This will be the 1st year I try to follow baseball. Im gonna give it a week.

[KY Bengal]

Baseball is boring. Give me me a sport with some action. Nascar and baseball are the equivalent of ballet to me.

[Headspace]

Originally Posted by KY Bengal

Baseball is boring. Give me me a sport with some action. Nascar and baseball are the equivalent of ballet to me.

You watch the NBA regular season...

[jmccracky]

Originally Posted by KY Bengal

Baseball is boring. Give me me a sport with some action. Nascar and baseball are the equivalent of ballet to me.

See, I think that most baseball games are full of action. 92 mph fastballs., curveballs that make my stomach churn, hit batters, brawls, amazing strikouts, mammoth home runs, stolen bases, wild pitches, errors, arguing with upmires, boos and cheers from the crowds, double plays, amazing defense, etc.....etc......

Also, I see a 3-2 ballgame as being 21 to 14 (like in football). A bottom of the ninth with 2 outs, bases loaded, walk off home run is a exciting as anything in sports.