The State of Cincinnati Sports: Not Looking So Hot

Edinson Volquez, the Cincinnati Reds ace, recorded his 17^th win last night against the Houston Astros.  He allowed only one run over seven plus innings of work.  He is the first Reds pitcher to reach 17 wins since Pete Schourek went 18-7 in 1995.  The year 1995 holds another significant statistic; it is also the last year the Reds made it to the playoffs.  Every year I try to hope for a better season than the last, and every year I am disappointed. 

Why do we suck?  I don’t understand. We brought powerhouse Jay Bruce out of the minors and we acquired another great rookie in Joey Votto.  Edinson Volquez and Bronson Arroyo won 17 and 15 games respectively.  Johnny Cueto had some struggles but has a lot of potential, and Francisco Cordero recorded 34 saves out of 40 opportunities.  Yet, even with all this promise, we seem to fall short.  The 2008 Reds aren’t even close to breaking 500. 

Maybe it is simple optimism, but I think the Reds will be a strong team in the coming years.  Here’s why:  Bob Castellini actually cares about winning.  He is taking the proper steps to build a championship team.  For example, he hired Walt Jocketty as the GM, the same man who brought the Cardinals a World Series ring.  Finally—under Jocketty’s leadership—the Reds got rid of Griffey and Dunn.  They may be good ballplayers, but they don’t belong on a Reds team looking toward the future.  Let’s hope for some good off-season acquisitions and a better year in 2009. 

If only the Reds were the least of Cincinnati’s sports problems—but alas—they are not.  The Cincinnati Bengals are not even worthy of negative attention.  I just can’t help myself.  They came close to beating the defending Superbowl champs last Sunday in New Jersey, but close doesn’t cut it.  We used to be one of the most potent offenses in the league.  Now Carson Palmer can barely complete a pass.  We used to have criminals play on our team.  Oh wait—we still do.  They brought Chris Henry back.  We used to be a joke of the NFL.  Oh wait—we still are.  Just look at Chad Desmond Riley Jevon Tyrese Ocho Cinco.  That is his name, right? 

I do not blame Marvin Lewis for our current, past, and future failings.  I blame Mike Brown.  Unlike Bob Castellini, Mike Brown does not care about winning.  He is cheap, selfish, and the root of all evil when it comes to the Bengals.  I also blame the Pittsburgh Steelers for taking out Carson Palmer with that low blow to the knee in the 2005 playoff game.  That was our last shot at glory. 

On Sunday the Bengals play the Cleveland Browns, their crosstown rivals, who also boast a 0-3 record.  Bet on the Browns—the probability of failure is always in our favor.