Where do we start….
I guess with what a fun season this was to watch as a fan. My heart is broken as I sit here and write this, wishing this story’s ending was written a little bit differently. But, it isn’t, and we, as a city, have to cope with that. But man what a helluva ride this 2021 season was.
I remember going to Opening Day with my dad with aspirations through the roof. Ace, Luis Castillo on the mound, we didn’t care that it felt like it was 30° out, we were just happy to be there and be considered contenders early off.
The thing about my dad and I is that we have never exactly seen eye to eye when it comes to what this Reds team could do. I was always up, excited, looking at the best case scenario in every situation. He was always there to bring me back down to earth. Countless conversations that went like “Dad this team is different…” followed by my father reminding me that we live in Cincinnati and anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. I always brushed that off because that’s just who I am, and I believe the baseball Gods listen when you speak poorly on your team.
But that Opening Day game on April 1st…..Luis came out and gave up 6 to the Cardinals in the first inning. It’s funny how that works now that I think about it. The same team that ruined that Opening Day game (who I never considered a threat, but then again, it is the Cardinals and this is what they do) was the same team that kept creeping up on us, until they were right in our backyard.
My dad and I talk on the phone 5 times a day now that I live down in Florida…and I can still remember word for word the conversation we had when we were still 2.5 games back from the Padre’s.
I’d call “Dad we are going to catch them!” and he would respond “I’m not worried about the Padre’s, focus on the Cardinal’s…. they’re on us.” And I would laugh “The Cardinals? They are 3.5 behind us I’m not worried about the Cardinals.”
Well now I sit here looking at the NL Standings…..with the Cardinal’s 4 games in front of us, on a 10 game winning streak, just wondering where we went wrong.
Let’s recap shall we….
The pitching…..that started off the season not exactly in the right direction as I pictured, but boy did they turn it around. Luis having what will be the roughest start to a season in his career did a complete 180. Once he figured it out, he was lights out. I thought he was one of the biggest factors in this run we had, I envisioned us riding him into the playoffs, and actually giving the Dodgers a real series against a real pitching rotation. Let’s not forget how dominant he was against that Dodgers lineup last Friday.
Tyler Mahle…. What a season he had. He delivered every time he stepped on the mound. I don’t know if I missed something last year or in the off season, but I didn’t expect a season like that out of him.
Wade Miley….every single time he stepped on the rubber this season, there wasn’t a doubt in my mind. He essentially took up that Ace spot when Castillo was at his lowest and even when Luis got back on stride, I still would argue Miley was the best pitcher on the staff.
Sonny…he wasn’t anything like I thought he was going to be, but he even figured it out. With how rough September has been for us, he was always there to make things better in our darkest month. Not at his best in the slightest, but he did his part and more.
Vladdy…..you couldn’t even tell this guy was a rookie till this last month of September. He was a problem all season for opposing teams, but he’s young and hit a wall towards the end of the year. He is going to be a joy to watch for the next 3 years and hopefully beyond that.
The bullpen…..I would rather not speak on this part of the team, but how can I not. This is nobody’s fault besides the front office. Once they realized “oh this team can actually play and might have a shot” it was too late. We should of already ran away with the 2nd Wild Card spot months ago if we could of relied on our bullpen for even half of those games.
They did show upside towards the end of the season, which is something to ride into the offseason, but still nowhere near where a playoff teams bullpen should be. They were the ones who made it hard to compete towards the end of the year when everyone was gasping for air. They never gave us the break we needed.
First and foremost, Joseph Daniel Votto. What a blessing this guy has been for over a decade. My father has never been to fond of this guy, and I’ve always had his back, but he definitely grew on my dad this year and that was fun to watch. Anyone that says his contract wasn’t worth it, is simply wrong. He has given us more than we can handle and we are forever in debt to this man. At 38-years old he has proven that he can still bang (as most of you say). I could go on and on….I mean just look at all the milestones this guy has reached and legends he has surpassed.
Nicky Castellanos…..this guy just produces wherever he goes. He’s an everyday bat who rarely took nights off.
He made this season exciting and I wish we could give him all the money in the world and keep him forever, but I am grateful for the time he spent here in Cincinnati….I hope we can get him back for another year, but I might be wishful thinking at this point.
OUR ROOKIES……these guys were absolutely outstanding to say the least. Jonathan India was a workhorse EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. and by far the toughest guy on our roster. This kid is going to be awesome to watch play for years in a Reds uniform. Tyler Stephenson was nothing short of great either. Even though he fell off towards the end of the year, and was moved to the IL to end his season, he did his part in my opinion with the time he was given. It’s going to be nice having these guys around for some time, and it brings a smile to my face seeing these guys produce while still being on rookie contracts……we love that.
And for Jesse Winker…..he did it all this year. He brings energy, and he always had a bat besides one month out of this season when he was slumped up. He was simply spectacular. But, he went down when we needed him most and man did that effect this team. I think that is the most unsettling piece of this Red’s season to me. One person clearly does not make a team, and yes, Votto, India, and Castellanos picked up some slack when Winker wasn’t there, but where would this team be if he was in that dugout everyday? He was such a joy to watch this season, and I’m a believer we would be sitting next to the Cardinals right now, battling it out for that last Wild Card spot if Winker had stayed healthy.
These guys went above and beyond for us with what they had….they were running on fumes towards the end. They needed help and we didn’t have it. They needed support and we didn’t give it to them.
I love this team and it kills me to watch it end the way it did. This team was different to me, it had some type of feel when we were the hottest team in baseball and even when we weren’t, you could tell they had something to prove. I believe they did just that. I know they would rewrite this last month of September if they could, but it doesn’t work like that, and I promise there would be a different outcome if that were the case. They brought baseball back to life in the city of Cincinnati, and all I can say is THANK YOU!
I thought we were here to shock a lot of souls this season, they just…..ran out of gas.
Beyond The Banks 
Well written & interesting opinion However as YOGI told us years ago “ it’s not over until …. Papa chuck
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