Cincinnati Reds: All-time greatest moments at Great American Ball Park

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CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 28: Jay Bruce #32 of the Cincinnati Reds watches his walk off home run in the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Great American Ball Park on September 28, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reds won 3-2 to clinch the NL Central Division title. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

1. Jay Bruce hits a walk-off homer to win the NL Central

When Jay Bruce stepped into the batters box in the bottom of the ninth inning on September 28, 2010, the Cincinnati Reds had not seen the playoffs since 1995. That year the Reds went on to the National League Championship Series against the eventual World Series Champion Atlanta Braves.

With the National League Central Division crown within their grasp and the 2010 season winding down, fans of the Cincinnati Reds were getting anxious. The playoff drought had been maddening, especially for a baseball town like Cincinnati.

With the game knotted at two runs a piece, Bruce stepped to the plate. He lifted his left arm towards the backstop like he always does, moving the sleeve up his arm. The first pitch from left-handed pitcher, Tim Byrdak, was a 90-mph fastball down the heart of the plate. Bruce swung, made contact and immediately threw his hand in the air as he knew he got a hold of it.

There was never a doubt as that ball sailed into the night’s sky and straight to center, clearing the farthest part of the ball park with ease. The stadium erupted as fans were going crazy having witnessed one of the greatest moments in the history of the franchise.

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The Reds went on to play the Philadelphia Phillies and we all know how that went, so we’ll leave that out of it. This was, in my opinion, the greatest moment in Great American Ball Park history, as it snapped the drought that this baseball town had been forced to endure for 15 years.

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