During Sunday's Reds-Astros game, something in the air was different.
Maybe I was hallucinating from the 90-degree heat, but something felt peculiar. Great American Ballpark was almost sold out. Crowds of red covered the stands, and fans actually stood and cheered throughout the game. An energy we Cincinnatians aren't used to could be felt on the muggy afternoon.
Sunday wasn't the only day that droves of fans showed up in downtown Cincinnati, when a crowd of at least 36,000 filled the 42,000-seat stadium. Saturday night, 37,000 fans showed up to watch the Reds beat down Houston, 12-2.
The night before, 31,000 watched as Johnny Gomes and the rest of the lineup pounded the Astros, 15-6.
For someone who was used to being at games where maybe a quarter of the seats were filled, the sea of fans was a satisfying and welcome change.
As of yesterday morning, the Reds stood in first place in the National League Central Division, a game ahead the St. Louis Cardinals. At 30-21, the team now has the second-best record in the NL, a half-game behind San Diego. The Reds were the first team in the NL to reach 30 wins after beating Houston on Saturday.
Cincinnati fans have seen this many times in recent years. The Reds start out hot, only to flounder around the All-Star break. When the club starts coming apart, the fans stop showing up as another mediocre year is secured.
However, something feels different about this string of successes. In years past, the Reds that achieved early success usually had some serious flaws. Lack of experience, lack of pitching depth or just an overall lack of talent usually plagues the team.
The only huge hole that scares me about this year's team is the support from the back end of the bullpen. Micah Owings confirmed my fears Sunday when he gave up two runs in the 10th inning to give the win to the Astros. Besides the lack of relief our bullpen has given our starters, I don't see too many other glaring holes.
I don't know what aspect of the squad excites me the most. Whether it's young pitchers like Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake providing solid innings of work, or veterans like Scott Rolen, Orlando Cabrera and Jonny Gomes coming through with clutch hitting, the Reds have found different ways to win this season. The club ranks first in every major statistical hitting category in the NL, and that's without some of its better hitters like Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce catching fire.
The leadership that guys like Rolen and Cabrera have provided for this young team is another reason this team is different. Many questioned general manager Walt Jocketty's decision to trade Edwin Encarnacion for Rolen last season, but Jocketty knew what he was doing. He knew the young but talented Reds needed perspective from an experienced veteran like Rolen.
So far this season, players like Rolen and Gomes have taught the Reds how to have fun and enjoy the game. The change has been noticeable, as Cincinnati has played looser than they've played in the past.
Cincinnati fans and the rest of the baseball world might not be taking stock in the Reds current string of success, but fans should let their guard down. Whether it's the veteran leadership we haven't had in the past, clutch hitting or young pitching, this year's team has a markedly different feel than other years.
2 Sports
Will Frasure
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