Thanks for a 2012 Season

Here we are, Thanksgiving Day 2012. The turkey is on the oven. Well, for some of us, it is. All the side dishes are being prepared. Giving thanks for another Reds season and maybe we can give extra thanks in future years.

The 2012 Reds season honestly had reasons for giving thanks. Crappy way for it to end, but I do possess the ability to see the forest through the trees.

I have a number of reasons I give thanks for the Reds and the 2012 season.

1. Homer Bailey – I have this track record of not being one of Bailey’s biggest fans. I realized some have continually delved into the other numbers and seen promise. Well, their persistence may have paid off toward the end of 2012 when Bailey hurled his no-hitter and backed it up with a couple excellent performances including his start in Game 3 of the NLDS. I hold out hope that this is a sign of better things to come.

(US PRESSWIRE)

2. Todd Frazier – Honestly, where would the Reds have been if not for the hero from Toms River? Filled in for the oft-injured Scott Rolen (who has reportedly told the Reds he might return in 2013). Assumed first base when Joey Votto was on the mend. Finished 3rd in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. Owns one of the most effervescent personalities you’ll ever see. Yet, he can still have that “Aw, shcks” character about himself. He’s as refreshing a person you would ever want to meet. I had that opportunity. One I will not forget.

3. Walt Jocketty for signing Ryan Ludwick – When the Reds were out of the running for Josh Willingham (three years, $21 MM took the Reds out of that shuffle), the focus shifted to Ludwick. His 2012 did have a sluggish (pun intended) beginning, but as the season progressed, Ludwick got on track. Did anyone envision the season he would have 26 HR and 80 RBI with a triple slash of .275/.346/.531?

4. Ludwick – Other than the offense he provided for the Reds, how about that Ludwick became a leader on this team?

5. Barry Larkin and his Hall of Fame Induction – Always makes seeing a Reds inducted a little sweeter if you were able to see him play.

View from our seats on the moondeck. Simply incredible.

6. Lisa Braun, Jamie Ramsey and the Reds – My 2012 season would have been drastically different if BRM had not had the honor of attending a Reds game as guests of the team. Jamie and Lisa were extremely instrumental in that. Not only were we provided seats out on the moon deck in the Budweiser Front Row (view of such is to the left), we were taken on a tour of GABP and the Reds Hall of Fame, on the field for batting practice, and had the pleasure of meeting Frazier and Drew Stubbs.

And say what you want about Stubbs. He is as genuine as they come.

7. Our readers – Without your daily browsing of our shenanigans, we wouldn’t be where we are. Simply put, you are the reason we write.

On behalf of the entire BRM staff, I wish all a Happy Thanksgiving!