For the last six seasons, I’ve written about the Reds nearly every single day here at Redleg Nation. The team has been pretty bad for most of that time, but this site has been a labor of love for me. What was I going to do, quit rooting for the Reds? There were times when that would have been a better option (for my mental health), but this team is a part of who I am. My father and grandfather were Reds fans, I’m a Reds fan, and my son is going to be a Reds fan, it appears.
The group of editors here at RN have spent countless hours writing about the Reds, talking about the Reds, investing ourselves emotionally in the ups and downs of this organization. You understand what I’m trying to say, because you are all just like me. Those of you who are regulars here, who comment often and are a vital part of this community: you understand. Those of you who don’t comment much, or at all, but who are loyal about coming here every day to be part of a group that is obsessive about the Reds: you understand. You’ve all been living and dying with the Reds through all the bad years, just like me.
Last night was so sweet precisely because of all those bad years. Last night was just perfect, because we’ve been there when things were awful. In the end, the Reds don’t owe me anything, but I can’t help but feel like I earned the right to enjoy last night’s stirring and dramatic victory, and the celebration that followed. (See Chris’ related post, which I whole-heartedly endorse and which you should read, if you haven’t already.)
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