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Don’t jump yet
By George Starks
The Reds are currently 4-6 and judging from everything I’ve been
reading, the season is over, Dusty Baker should be fired and the Reds
should R.I.P.
Oh please!
When was the last time 10 games decided a season?
Now for a little honest truth. Here are some facts about some Reds
teams from the past you might find interesting.
2010: The Reds burst out of the gate with a 5-8 mark. I think all of us
remember how it ended up; 91-71 and a little bubbly.
1999: The Reds started 4-8, finished 96-67 and lost a one-game playoff
against the Mets.
1995: The Reds lost their first 6 games to start the season and 8 of
their first 9. In the end, the boys won 85 and lost 59 games and
eventually lost to the Braves in the NLCS.
1979: The Red began the ’79 season 4-6 (oh my). Somehow, they managed
to finish with a 90-71 record and made it all the way to the NLCS where
they lost to Stargell, Parker and the Pirates.
1975: Without Twitter and popular radio call-in shows, folks didn’t
have the luxury of hiding in the comfort of their own homes while
proclaiming to the universe that the 4-6 Reds were bound for
disappointment. If 108 wins and a world championship are disappointing,
then I officially retire from writing sports.
1972: The dreadful Reds of ’72 stumbled off the blocks to a 2-6 mark.
Who would’ve guessed that 8 games don’t actually forecast 95 wins and a
World Series appearance?
Now I’m not saying the Reds will win the World Series in 2012 but let’s
be real, we are only 10 games into the season. Granted, Cincinnati
hasn’t set the baseball world on fire, unlike the Washington Nationals
and their 7-3 start.
Who would have seen that one coming? Then again, I don’t think they are
lined up in Washington buying tickets for game one of the World Series
either.
Baker and the boys start a series tonight in St. Louis. The Cardinals
are looking good with a 7-3 mark, like the Nationals. But right now,
the season is still 162 games long and that means there are still 152
games left to be played.
Cincy is three games behind the Cards in the NL Central, making the
magic number what...148 maybe?
Even in the Wild Card standing, the Reds are 2.5 games behind the Mets.
I wonder, with 152 games remaining, can we close the gap?
If you really feel the need to get out on the ledge and jump, go for it
but I think it’s a little pre-mature.
At least wait until the first of August.
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