How Long Have You Been Following the Reds ?

[chicoruiz]

An even 60 years for me. Like many of you, I grew up in a family of Reds fans, so the team was always part of my universe, but the pennant year of ‘61 was when it really kicked into gear for me. That year I attended my first game in person; I believe Drysdale pitched for the visiting Dodgers. I remember Duke Snyder and Tommy and Willie Davis for sure. Saw Willie Mays and the Giants later that year.

I was in second grade that year, and of course the World Series was all day games back then. Our principal put a radio next to the school PA system microphone so we could all listen to the game. And you know what? Not one parent complained that we were wasting valuable time that could be used preparing for some standardized test…

[GoReds]

Since 1972. I grew up near Richmond, Indiana, so I wasn't far from Cincy. Got to go to several games as part of school field trips, dad and friends. The Reds were HUGE then.

From then on, I would make a point to be available every opening day to hear or see the Reds play. That ended somewhere around 94 or 95 when the strike happened and my affection for the team waned. Now, the Reds are interesting, but baseball less so, making me more of a casual fan.

[M2]

For me it was 1972. I was little and living in DC and the Senators had just left, again, this time for Texas. Mom worked, Dad was in school and we were broke. So Game of the Week became a bit of a ritual. They'd put it on while they were cleaning and I learned the basics on how the game works. The Reds were on a lot and it was impossible not to notice they were something different. By the time the playoffs rolled around I was hooked. Watched every game and it broke my tiny heart when they lost. Yet it put me on a fantastic ride in the following years.

I figured out which rooms and radios in every place I lived and all of my relatives homes could pull in a Reds broadcast. My grandfather gave me a handheld transistor radio that had phenomenal reception (it was his, but we were staying with my grandparents during the summer of '73 as we were relocating back to Philly and I was all over that thing - pop-pop was fantastic) and when the weather was favorable I could pull in the Reds. The '73 playoffs broke my heart again, and falling short of the division title in '74 gutted me. Then came the big payoff in 1975 and 1976. I think my relatives thought I'd slide into being a Phillies fan once they became good, but I knew it for a metaphysical certainty that I was a fan of the greatest team ever to play the game and to hell with the Phillies.

My birthday falls near Christmas and I asked for the same thing every year - take me to see the Reds play when they come to the Vet. My uncle Hugh would reliably take me to a game each summer. I remember his friend John Palladino riding me about being a Reds fan and why would I do that? I started pointing at the Reds players on the field and saying "Hall of Fame, Hall of Fame, Hall of Fame." Whenever I run into him, usually at a funeral these days, he still tells the story every time. Anyway, once you got the BRM into your veins it was addictive, and they got me young. Also taught me a lesson. When the team is going good, savor it. Even when they don't win it all or finish just out of the playoffs, it's a good ride. You get to spend a summer dreaming on what could be and going into every game thinking the Reds can win.

[westofyou]

John Palladino?

That palooka, jeez louise, he's two cheesesteak's shy of a family meal.

[faffy42]

Probably 1973. I was 7, and I remember listening to games on the radio in the background at my grandparents house.
Fond memories. Can't recall going to a game as a kid, but my dad said they brought me to one. I also remember moving to Massachusetts in 75. The Elem school I went to let us watch the world series during school! (since the red Sox were playing). I had a fun grin on my face reveling in the reds beating the Sox and being the new kid who liked the enemy. Fun week of school that was

[vaticanplum]

1986 (?), first game, hot day, stuck way out in the outfield seats, a lanky guy named Eric Davis sprinting around in front of me. I think they were playing the Expos.

[Gallen5862]

I have been a fan since I was a little Boy. I would say at the Start of the Building the Big Red Machine.

[0-2 Count]

Since 1869.

[M2]

Once Davis and then Larkin really took off I was hooked. I was 10 years old in 1990, maybe a tad young to become full-blown obsessed but I remember how caught up Reds country was with all of that. Getting that title at an early age really helped solidify my fandom. Seeing them head into the WS as underdogs and just completely dominate was fomative, especially since I didn't live through the BRM era.

I suspect a World Series title when you're 10 is like cement. Certainly was for me.

[VR]

I suspect a World Series title when you're 10 is like cement. Certainly was for me.

Indeed. 1975 set the hook. 1976 sealed the lifetime deal.

[goreds2]

1973 - the year Hal King’s baseball card became more valuable amongst my friends.

[redsfan9988]

So... I've never lived in Cincinnati, and I've only been twice - and not in the last 15 years. My dad was elementary-aged in the mid-70's and became a disciple of Bench, Rose, and Morgan. I remember watching Reggie Sanders charge Pedro Martinez (Expos) when he got plunked in the middle of a no-hitter. But really, it was 1999 that I became a true believer. I was 11 and I discovered the internet. I could listen to Marty online and dive deep in to the stats and career arcs of the roster on espn.com. I knew that roster like the back of my hand. From Avery to Williamson and all the Taubensees and Belindas in between. That season ended in disappointment, but we got Griffey and Bichette in the offseason. After that, it's been mostly disappointment. We live in Houston now, and my dad has given up and become a die-hard Astros fan. I'm sticking around though. Following a downtrodden franchise makes it all the sweeter when they finally break through....

Here's how I see it happening: Reds storm back and win the central. In the NLDS, they pay Philly back for 2010. In the NLCS, they pay SF back for 2012. In the World Series, they let Tony La Russa know just how much they miss him on route to beating Chicago to become 2021 champs. Or... This is 1999 Part 2 and the ghost of Al Leiter beats us in the Wild Card game.