The Reds can’t help being the Reds

[Matos]

Just read a season recap for the Cardinals which concluded with a comment for each NL Central rival. They commented “the Reds can’t help being the Reds”. I’m interested in your thoughts as to what they mean by that???

I suppose it could be the writer simply trying to be clever but is there something more to it?? The Reds are in a very rough stretch and it’s easy to pile on. After five last place finishes, they are an easy target. Maybe it’s the irrevocable Reds fan in me, but I don’t think they are far from contending.

What would lead someone to say that???

[Mutaman]

facts

[REDREAD]

yea, we've probably been the worst team over the past 4 years, or close to it. The Reds deserve to be treated like a laughing stock

[Edskin]

Our “peak” from 2010-2014 didn’t bear much fruit... it came and went quickly and even one of those years was a clunker. I think that brief uptick was easy for people to forget considering we didn’t advance in post season and the fact that 15 years of ineptitude preceded it followed immediately by five years of abysmal results. In other words words, with one brief exception we’ve been a punching bag for over 20 years now. Thus the comment.

[dougdirt]

Our “peak” from 2010-2014 didn’t bear much fruit... it came and went quickly and even one of those years was a clunker. I think that brief uptick was easy for people to forget considering we didn’t advance in post season and the fact that 15 years of ineptitude preceded it followed immediately by five years of abysmal results. In other words words, with one brief exception we’ve been a punching bag for over 20 years now. Thus the comment.

It wasn't just that it was quick. It was painful.

First time in the playoffs for 15 years? You get no-hit in game 1 and embarrassed.
Next time you get in the playoffs? You go up 2-0 in the series, then come home and get swept 3-0 including a go-ahead grand slam.

It's Cincinnati sports in a nut shell. Big stage, you suffer an embarrassing loss. Every. Single. Time. Or, well, at least during my entire lifetime. I'm not exactly young anymore.

[REDREAD]

Yep, the last time the Reds really made a strong playoff appearance? If you are generous, you can say 1995.. we did sweep the Dodgers in the first round and the loss to the Braves was hardly humiliating, IMO.. we were close in the Braves series, if I remember correctly.
.. Either 1995 or 1990 was the last time we had a strong playoff appearance.. that is a long freaking time.

[KronoRed]

Reds have wasted a HOF players peak years on a rebuild that is going in circles, they deserve all the mocking.

[The Operator]

Reds have wasted a HOF players peak years on a rebuild that is going in circles, they deserve all the mocking.

This, to me, is the most egregious part about this rebuild.

They've absolutely wasted Joey Votto's greatness and even in 2013, the last time they contended, they were too cheap to replace Ryan Ludwick and didn't even grab marlon Byrd who was right there and wound up helping The Pirates instead.

[GAC]

Looking at how we have so many St Louis cast-offs running our front office I can understand the statement. What's not good enough for St Louis is good enough for the Reds (LOL).

[scotly50]

Optimism. I am dumbfounded by fans who believe a little tweak in the roster is going to produce a contender. This is a perennial last place team. Its not like we were the Rays and won 90 games and just missed the playoffs.

[Ben Zinger]

Maybe the St. Louis author was referring to the Reflexive Property.

[Griffey012]

Optimism. I am dumbfounded by fans who believe a little tweak in the roster is going to produce a contender. This is a perennial last place team. Its not like we were the Rays and won 90 games and just missed the playoffs.

Is anyone saying that around here though? I see a lot of people that think the current offensive lineup is enough, sans maybe a tweak, but I don't think anyone here has claimed the pitching doesn't need a lot of upgrades.

[Sea Ray]

This, to me, is the most egregious part about this rebuild.

They've absolutely wasted Joey Votto's greatness and even in 2013, the last time they contended, they were too cheap to replace Ryan Ludwick and didn't even grab marlon Byrd who was right there and wound up helping The Pirates instead.

Actually Joey Votto has to take some blame here for wasting greatness. In 9 post season games Joey has no extra base hits. His OPS is .574. He struck out twice as many times as he walked.

In the post season is when you need your studs to carry you and Joey failed miserably at that.

[Crumbley]

Is anyone saying that around here though? I see a lot of people that think the current offensive lineup is enough, sans maybe a tweak, but I don't think anyone here has claimed the pitching doesn't need a lot of upgrades.

People were getting mad at Sam LeCure this summer for pointing out that Robert Stephenson is bad, there are still rotation truthers.

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Actually Joey Votto has to take some blame here for wasting greatness. In 9 post season games Joey has no extra base hits. His OPS is .574. He struck out twice as many times as he walked.

In the post season is when you need your studs to carry you and Joey failed miserably at that.

Nine games.

[CaiGuy]

Actually Joey Votto has to take some blame here for wasting greatness. In 9 post season games Joey has no extra base hits. His OPS is .574. He struck out twice as many times as he walked.

In the post season is when you need your studs to carry you and Joey failed miserably at that.

I mean...really?? We're talking about 9 games here...