What's your excitement level for this year? - Page 2 - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

RFS62 · 01-29-2008, 01:31 PM

I'm excited. I've got hope.

Long time since we could say that.

Team Clark · 01-29-2008, 01:34 PM

I have hope. I'm still at a 7. Once Pitchers and Catchers report I will be at an 8 or 9. 10 is reserved for World Series.

RedsManRick · 01-29-2008, 01:40 PM

This is the first time in a while where I feel like we actually have enough talent to compete if guys perform up to their ability. That doesn't mean I think they will do that, but for once I don't think hope for success requires hoping for the failure of everybody else around us.

membengal · 01-29-2008, 01:51 PM

I'm as excited for a year as I have been in about 10 seasons or so. Easily. Well, at least since the spring of 2000 and the acquisition of Jr. And it is NOT because I think they necessarily can win, or should win, the division.

Rather, I am excited because:

(1) Phillips and Dunn are a fun core, and I like those guys;

(2) there is going to be depth at AAA in the rotation, and I can't remember the last time that was the case;

(3) as much as I was not a huge fan of the Baker hire, I can certainly give him a chance, and it is always fun to hear from the new guy. And, really, I think teams respond well to him initially, and his brand of intensity will be welcome in my view.

(4) Votto and Bruce this spring would by themselves be a fascinating story, toss in Volquez, Bailey, Cueto, Maloney and the Affeldt experiment, and it will be something non-stop interesting every day.

(5) The fact that this team looks like it has a plan now. And I like the addition of Jocketty to the front office, I am with those who think the more baseball minds the better.

(6) I like Castellini's urgency, which likely resulted in the Cordero signing. Yes, getting another stud starter would have been nice, but when ownership applies pressure through words and deeds and expectations, well, those are always franchises that I want to root for. Too long in Cincy, that has not been the case, for either the Reds or Bengals. Well, for the Reds now, it is different.

Add it all up, and this is a fascinating time to be a Reds fan, and there are a ton of reasons to be excited this is all getting going again.

nate · 01-29-2008, 01:53 PM

I'm at a 5. I don't want to peak too soon.

WebScorpion · 01-29-2008, 02:27 PM

Like you said, I'm more excited than I have been since the front office followed the 1999 feel good, almost playoff team with adding Griffey. I forsee a few things some good, some not so good:

We'll see if Dusty can learn from his mistakes or if he's the same old pitcher killer...regardless, game threads should be lively in '08.

No more Milton or Wilson in the rotation! Young guys with energy and heat! ...and young guy inconsistency and mistakes...

Jay Effin Bruce! I am soooo looking forward to seeing this kid play. To see the young kid playing between the old Kid and the Donkey. Adeventure in the outfield, but murder at the plate. I have a feeling we'll all remember the first time we see him play.

The 8th in '08 should be nothing like the 8th in '07. I'm looking forward to keeping a lead once or twice without leaving the starter in for 9 innings. I bet Arroyo is too!

But like everone else, none of it will really matter. As soon as I hear those two magic words, I'll be instantly transported to heaven. PLAY BALL!!!

KronoRed · 01-29-2008, 02:28 PM

4, pretty much still the same team that lost 90 last year

jmcclain19 · 01-29-2008, 02:30 PM

I dont care what the year, or the circumstances of the offseason, I always start drinking a little of the koolaid at this time of year. This year especially. Encarnacion & Belisle are primed for big steps forward. Jr is in the last year of his deal, always a good motivator. Bruce & Phillips will both probably take steps back but the rookie core is reason enough to be excited for a while. There will be surprises but things are looking up.

BRM · 01-29-2008, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KronoRed

4, pretty much still the same team that lost 90 last year

Nah, we'll get a full season of Norris Hopper this year.

KronoRed · 01-29-2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRM

Nah, we'll get a full season of Norris Hopper this year.

Indeed.

3 then.

lollipopcurve · 01-29-2008, 02:38 PM

this one goes up to 11

Falls City Beer · 01-29-2008, 02:39 PM

More excited than I was last year, but I still have no illusions.

BRM · 01-29-2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KronoRed

Indeed.

3 then.

And I thought Norris would boost your excitement level up, not down.

WMR · 01-29-2008, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRM

And I thought Norris would boost your excitement level up, not down.

Marty's at a 14.

Hopper's better than Dunn, ya know?

guttle11 · 01-29-2008, 02:54 PM

Yellow: Elevated

Significant risk of delusional thoughts about winning.

01-29-2008, 01:31 PM	#16
RFS62 Hey Cubs Fans Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: New York Posts: 16,567	Re: What's your excitement level for this year? I'm excited. I've got hope. Long time since we could say that. __________________ "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ~ Mark Twain

01-29-2008, 01:40 PM	#18
RedsManRick Stat Wanker Hodiernus Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 14,919	Re: What's your excitement level for this year? This is the first time in a while where I feel like we actually have enough talent to compete if guys perform up to their ability. That doesn't mean I think they will do that, but for once I don't think hope for success requires hoping for the failure of everybody else around us. __________________ Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.

01-29-2008, 01:51 PM	#19
membengal Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Baltimore Posts: 8,380	Re: What's your excitement level for this year? I'm as excited for a year as I have been in about 10 seasons or so. Easily. Well, at least since the spring of 2000 and the acquisition of Jr. And it is NOT because I think they necessarily can win, or should win, the division. Rather, I am excited because: (1) Phillips and Dunn are a fun core, and I like those guys; (2) there is going to be depth at AAA in the rotation, and I can't remember the last time that was the case; (3) as much as I was not a huge fan of the Baker hire, I can certainly give him a chance, and it is always fun to hear from the new guy. And, really, I think teams respond well to him initially, and his brand of intensity will be welcome in my view. (4) Votto and Bruce this spring would by themselves be a fascinating story, toss in Volquez, Bailey, Cueto, Maloney and the Affeldt experiment, and it will be something non-stop interesting every day. (5) The fact that this team looks like it has a plan now. And I like the addition of Jocketty to the front office, I am with those who think the more baseball minds the better. (6) I like Castellini's urgency, which likely resulted in the Cordero signing. Yes, getting another stud starter would have been nice, but when ownership applies pressure through words and deeds and expectations, well, those are always franchises that I want to root for. Too long in Cincy, that has not been the case, for either the Reds or Bengals. Well, for the Reds now, it is different. Add it all up, and this is a fascinating time to be a Reds fan, and there are a ton of reasons to be excited this is all getting going again. Last edited by membengal; 01-29-2008 at 01:53 PM.

01-29-2008, 01:53 PM	#20
nate High five! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 6,776	Re: What's your excitement level for this year? I'm at a 5. I don't want to peak too soon. __________________ "Bring on Rod Stupid!"

01-29-2008, 02:27 PM	#21
WebScorpion SERP deep cover ops Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: In the Ether Posts: 5,364	Re: What's your excitement level for this year? Like you said, I'm more excited than I have been since the front office followed the 1999 feel good, almost playoff team with adding Griffey. I forsee a few things some good, some not so good: We'll see if Dusty can learn from his mistakes or if he's the same old pitcher killer...regardless, game threads should be lively in '08. No more Milton or Wilson in the rotation! Young guys with energy and heat! ...and young guy inconsistency and mistakes... Jay Effin Bruce! I am soooo looking forward to seeing this kid play. To see the young kid playing between the old Kid and the Donkey. Adeventure in the outfield, but murder at the plate. I have a feeling we'll all remember the first time we see him play. The 8th in '08 should be nothing like the 8th in '07. I'm looking forward to keeping a lead once or twice without leaving the starter in for 9 innings. I bet Arroyo is too! But like everone else, none of it will really matter. As soon as I hear those two magic words, I'll be instantly transported to heaven. PLAY BALL!!! __________________ "It doesn't get any better than this," --Marty Brennaman

01-29-2008, 02:28 PM	#22
KronoRed The Lineups stink. Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: West N. Carolina Posts: 55,343	Re: What's your excitement level for this year? 4, pretty much still the same team that lost 90 last year __________________ Go Gators!

01-29-2008, 02:30 PM	#23
jmcclain19 Smells Like Teen Spirit Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Phoenix Posts: 6,486	Re: What's your excitement level for this year? I dont care what the year, or the circumstances of the offseason, I always start drinking a little of the koolaid at this time of year. This year especially. Encarnacion & Belisle are primed for big steps forward. Jr is in the last year of his deal, always a good motivator. Bruce & Phillips will both probably take steps back but the rookie core is reason enough to be excited for a while. There will be surprises but things are looking up.

01-29-2008, 02:38 PM	#26
lollipopcurve Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Shelburne Falls, MA Posts: 9,484	Re: What's your excitement level for this year? this one goes up to 11 __________________ "Baseball is a very, very complex business. It's more of a people business than most businesses." - Bob Castellini

01-29-2008, 02:39 PM	#27
Falls City Beer Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 24,098	Re: What's your excitement level for this year? More excited than I was last year, but I still have no illusions.

01-29-2008, 02:54 PM	#30
guttle11 Raaaaaaaandy Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 4,118	Re: What's your excitement level for this year? Yellow: Elevated Significant risk of delusional thoughts about winning. __________________ "I saw Wedding Crashers accidentally. I bought a ticket for Grizzly Man and went into the wrong theater. After an hour, I figured I was in the wrong theater, but I kept waiting. That’s the thing about bear attacks. They come when you least expect it."-Dwight K. Schrute

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