Reds Claim NL Center
Bruce led the Reds first title after a 15-year wait
It’s been 15 years since Cincinnati Reds last headed to the playoffs. They beat Astros 3-2 Tuesday at the Great American Ball Park. The Reds cut a 2-1 deficit in the second inning after taking the first. Jay Bruce homered from Tim Byrdak on the first pitch to lead towards playoffs to win in the same time the National League Central in front of more than 30,000 fans. Bruce would raise his hands as the teammates ran to him while fireworks went off overhead. Wonderful moment for Reds manager Dusty Baker who admitted in the end the team couldn’t get any better than that.
Thus, a 15-year wait broke as the Reds last won the NL Central in 1995 to reach also the League Championship Series. “2010 playoffs, Cincinnati Reds. It doesn’t get any better than that,” Baker said. “It’s a wonderful thing, isn’t it?” the 23-year-old outfielder Bruce brought a fitting finish to enrich Cincinnati’s record of 22 games won in its last at-bat, second-most in the majors. “When he hit that one up there, there was a big sigh of relief and the party was on. I’m as happy as a man can be. This is sweet. This is a special group, special guys and a special feeling,” the same manager would add. However, Baker lived his third similar experience. He won three titles with three different teams, including, apart from the Reds, San Francisco and Chicago Cubs. It was also Byrdak (2-2) that left his lone pitch right down the middle to give the proper spot to start the joy. “You never want to see that. We wanted to win all three games and make them clinch against somebody else,” while owner Bob Castellini would repeat manager’s words. “We’re not finished, but it doesn’t get any better than this,” he said.
Bronson Arroyo, who arrived in Cincinnati in 2006 said he’s glad to be part of Reds’ historical win. “I’m sure it means a whole lot to the fans here. This is my fifth year, and these guys have been waiting a long time. I was looking up at the banners today inside the stadium — ’75, ’76 and ’90. I know there were a couple years in between that they made the playoffs, but there hasn’t been a whole lot the last 20-some years. So for us to be at this point after 15 years of not making the playoffs is definitely a nice feeling,” he said.
The Reds would probably surprise a good part who didn’t expect to see a team which didn’t use to win that often since 2000 reaching the playoffs. Reds’ defensive became one of the best ones in the league, this including Rolen and Cabrera, both of them backed by Brandon Phillips and All-Star Votto Joey. “For a big part of the season, it’s been a different guy every night. That’s something that makes this team really dangerous and special at the same time. We all play defense. We all do something hitting-wise, driving in runs or getting a base hit. Anything can happen with this team,” Cabrera claimed. Finally, it was Aaron Harang who is the longest tenured member for Cincinnati, he joined the Reds seven years ago.
He also looked delighted with the title brought in the city. “It’s an exciting time for the city. You could feel the energy from the first pitch tonight. Everybody seemed to be really into the game. It was like every play, every hit, you heard the ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ throughout the game. It means a lot to this city. I know they’ve had a tough time — 15 years now — we have to enjoy this tonight and look forward to the future,” he added.
Champagne was the only drink had at the Great American Ball Park on Tuesday night as the crowd remained for longer in order to celebrate close to the team. “I hope it was as great for you guys as it was for me,” Bruce would tell all the fans come to witness the historical moment.
