What will be stated concerning the Cincinnati Reds that hasn’t already been stated?
In spite of everything, this group is doing issues that haven’t been carried out by the storied franchise for the reason that nineteenth century.
As this column is being banged out, my hometown group is on an 11-game profitable streak, the longest since 1957.
That Redlegs group received 12 in a row from April 30-Could 12 to enhance from 4-7 to 16-7. The ’57 Redlegs completed with 48 comeback wins, however sadly additionally they completed in fourth place with an 80-74 file, 15 video games behind the Nationwide League pennant-winning Milwaukee Braves.
The Hank Aaron-led Braves additionally received the World Collection, defeating the Yankees in seven video games.
However let’s get again to this history-making 2023 group with a few nuggets:
This 12 months’s Reds membership is the primary group to win 11 consecutive video games after dropping 100 video games the 12 months earlier than for the reason that 1890 Louisville Colonels.
The Reds are additionally seeking to match their all-time file win streak of 14, which was set in 1899. That group lastly misplaced 8-3 to the Boston Beaneaters on Aug. 14, however the mark has stood for greater than 120 years.
Not solely did the 1957 group win 12 in a row, however so did the 1939 Reds, a group that was swept within the World Collection by the Yankees. The 1890, 1918 and 1919 groups every received 13 consecutive video games.
It is going to be removed from a simple process to stretch the streak to 14, requiring a three-game sweep of the highly effective Atlanta Braves.
The Braves, who invaded Nice American Ball Park Friday night time (a day after this column was written) have received eight video games in a row and lead the NL East with a 48-26 file. Atlanta has plenty of pop in its lineup as properly, main the large leagues in house runs with 129 bombs, whereas the Reds have hit 68 up to now.
The 2023 Reds are profitable by taking part in aggressive baseball, whereas the Redlegs from 66 years in the past relied on the lengthy ball.
The ’57 group clubbed 187 house runs, led by first baseman George Crowe and leftfielder Frank Robinson, who hit 31 and 29 homers, respectively. The catching tandem of Ed Bailey and Smoky Burgess mixed for 34 house runs (20 and 14 every), and rightfielder Wally Submit additionally smacked 20 lengthy balls.
The Redlegs’ 28-year-old centerfielder had a well-recognized identify as properly.
That may be one David “Gus” Bell, who had 13 homers whereas lacking a part of the 1957 season with an damage. The grandfather of present Reds supervisor David Bell loved a protracted and productive profession, amassing 1,823 hits and hitting 206 house runs, whereas making the All-Star group 4 occasions.
The downfall of the ’57 Redlegs was an inconsistent pitching workers, regardless of one of the best efforts of Brooks Lawrence, Hal Jeffcoat and Joe Nuxhall. The three main starters had a mixed 28 of the group’s 40 full video games, one thing that might be exceptional in right this moment’s sport.
Sure, it is a completely totally different period, however high quality pitching stays a continuing in the case of making a playoff run.
One way or the other, the present Reds are profitable with out their “Large 3” of Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft, who’re presently on the injured listing.
The sudden carry from the bullpen has been key within the profitable streak, particularly lockdown nearer Alexis Diaz, who’s now 20-for-20 in save conditions. Diaz has been on the ropes in his final couple of outings, however wriggled out of hassle together with his devastating stuff when it counted.
The Reds proceed to exhibit a hustling fashion of baseball, main the league in stolen bases, and taking the additional base regularly.
Through the present streak, a special participant is coming by way of on the proper time and delivering a key hit.
Reds followers are having fun with watching gamers like Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Jonathan India, TJ Friedl, Jake Fraley, Spencer Steer, Tyler Stephenson, and not too long ago, Will Benson, play like “their hair’s on fireplace,” to cite radio shade analyst Jeff Brantley.
They seem to actually take pleasure in taking part in baseball the suitable means, and that’s what’ll take for this group to proceed its success.
Probably the most outstanding side of the speedy Reds is how they’re by no means out of a sport, presently main the large leagues with 26 comeback wins. The group is the epitome of resilience and so they’re taking part in with an amazing quantity of confidence.
They’re a enjoyable bunch to look at, and the profitable streak is one thing that has captured the creativeness of the fanbase.
Nonetheless, a number of questions stay:
*Can Joey Votto proceed to supply management for the younger gamers, and be a persistently productive bat?
*Will the entrance workplace really enhance the pitching workers by bringing in a veteran or two?
Maybe the Reds can discover a pitcher who will likely be lightning in a bottle and assist them attain the playoffs, just like the 1972 Detroit Tigers did.
His identify was Woodie Fryman.
The Ewing tobacco farmer was struggling in his fifth season with the Philadelphia Phillies with a 4-10 file and 4.36 ERA heading into August, when the Phils positioned Fryman on waivers.
All of the hard-throwing 32-year-old southpaw did after the Tigers signed him on August 2nd was go 10-3 with a 2.06 ERA, and provides supervisor Billy Martin and his group an enormous carry. Detroit received the American League East title earlier than falling to the eventual world champion Oakland A’s within the ALCS.
*Will the bullpen proceed to carry out properly and never put on down late within the 12 months?
*Can Ian Gibaut (8-1 in reduction appearances) maintain doing his imitation of Phil “The Vulture” Regan?
FYI, Regan was a wonderful reliever for the Dodgers who was given the nickname by teammate Sandy Koufax for his penchant of swooping in and notching wins in late-inning conditions in 1966. Regan loved a profession 12 months, going 14-1 with a 1.62 ERA, and main the league with 21 saves.
Koufax gave Regan the moniker after an August 1st sport when the fireballing lefthander exited a 1-1 sport for the second consecutive begin, solely to see Regan swoop in for the victory.
*Will the group avoid accidents to key performers?
*Can Greene, Lodolo and Ashcraft return and be efficient?
*Will Andrew Abbott proceed doing his finest Tom Browning impersonation?
*Can the younger gamers make the mandatory changes wanted for achievement down the stretch?
If the reply is sure to these questions, and the group continues its aggressive play, profitable the mediocre Nationwide League Central Division shouldn’t be an issue.
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NL CENTRAL UP FOR GRABS—Following a gradual begin, the Chicago Cubs are on the transfer. They’ve received eight of their final 10 video games, and handed the slumping Pittsburgh Pirates within the standings within the course of. The Bucs, the early season shock group within the division, are sinking quick, having misplaced 9 of their final 10.
The Milwaukee Brewers have battled accidents many of the season, however they’re showing to look an increasing number of beatable because the season progresses. While you examine lineups, the Reds look like extra strong than the Brew Crew, however Milwaukee could have a slight pitching edge.
Nonetheless sitting within the cellar is a group that simply can’t appear to get it going, which stays fairly stunning to this observer.
The St. Louis Cardinals are 9 video games behind the Reds with a 31-44 file, making the preseason favorites probably the most disappointing group within the league.
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FC CINCINNATI STREAKING TOO—Not solely are the Reds on fireplace, however so is a soccer group that performs on the West Aspect.
FC Cincinnati stays one of the best group in MLS play after profitable its twelfth house match in a row Wednesday, topping Toronto FC 3-0.
A number of Reds gamers have been in attendance after ending off their sweep of the Colorado Rockies earlier within the day. Jonathan India obtained the respect of elevating the sword earlier than the match, a lot to the delight of the sellout crowd of 25,513.
The Orange and Blue improved their MLS file to 13-4-1, and they are going to be on the highway to play DC United tonight at Audi Discipline.
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COLLEGE WORLD SERIES—The annual get-together in Omaha is all the way down to the ultimate two groups, who will play a best-of-three sequence to find out this 12 months’s nationwide champions.
Florida (51-15) awaits the winner of Thursday night time’s sport between 49-15 LSU and top-seeded Wake Forest within the first sport of the sequence Saturday at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
The sport ended after this column was submitted, but when LSU was in a position to upend the Demon Deacons, it will arrange a battle of SEC groups within the finals. The Tigers have been sending righthander Paul Skenes to the mound towards 52-10 Wake, and Skenes is anticipated to be one of many prime picks within the July MLB Draft.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!—To my favourite baseball participant.
Yep, that might be Owen Hamilton, who turns 9 years previous in a couple of days.
To say I’m a proud grandpa can be a ginormous understatement, and never simply due to his apparent athletic talents.
Additionally happy with the nice child that he’s, not solely on the sector, however extra importantly, off the diamond.
Owen is sensible, well mannered, considerate, and rising up means too quick.
Keep the way in which you might be, maintain taking part in onerous and having enjoyable!
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“I used to be born modest, but it surely didn’t final.”—Mark Twain
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“Good pitching will at all times cease good hitting, and vice-versa.”—Casey Stengel