MLB: Take a Deep Breath, Cincinnati Reds Country

When you're passionate about something, overreaction is understandable.

People in Cincinnati and throughout Reds Country are deeply passionate about their Redlegs.

After starting the season 5-0, the level of excitement surrounding this baseball team got so high that it had nowhere to go but down.

I was as happy as anyone when Ramon Hernandez hit the game-winning home run on Opening Day. I loved seeing the timely hitting and superb defense in the games that followed. A banged-up pitching staff was holding their own and the team was rolling.

Everyone needs to remember that the baseball season is a marathon, not a sprint.

There will be ups and downs to test your level of patience as a fan. Every player goes through it.

Bronson Arroyo will be untouchable and then turn around and get hammered. Jay Bruce will show the world his sweet swing while driving balls into the gaps, followed up by a period of not being able to hit the ground if he fell out of a tree.

Check out this post from April 19, 2010.

Baseball is a game where you are destined to fail. The best hitters fail 70 percent of the time. Joey Votto won the National League MVP Award last year with a batting average of .324. So much goes into being a productive player and team, making it impossible to have it all clicking every night.

Twitter exploded with irate fans yesterday when the Reds lost to the Diamondbacks. Yes, it was a tough loss. Mike Leake and Nick Masset both pitched poorly. Juan Francisco is having a hard time at the plate.

However, I am not going to completely discount the worth of any player over a span of nine games.

So please, take a deep breath and step back from the ledge. This is a very talented baseball team. If you feel the need for some positive reinforcement, look no further than the Cincinnati Reds No. 1 Fan Show.

Chuck D and DZ continue to preach the gospel on behalf of Reds Country.

Are you in Reds Country?