3 biggest winners, 2 biggest losers from Reds Opening Day

Obviously things didn't go according to plan, but a scrappy Cincinnati Reds team almost pulled off a ninth-inning rally to take home the win on Opening Day. Unfortunately, Cincinnati fell to the Pittsburgh Pirates by a final score of 5-4.

It's important not to overreact. Remember, the baseball season is 162 games. But that doesn't mean that a fine outing during Game 1 can't help set the tone for a terrific 2023 campaign. By the same token, an underwhelming performance could be a precursor of things to come.

In baseball, there are winners and losers. So, with some time to reflect upon on the Reds Opening Day loss, let's look at the three biggest winners and the two biggest losers from Thursday's game against Pittsburgh.

Reds biggest Opening Day winner: The city of Cincinnati

Okay, some folks may find this a bit cheesy, but it's the truth. The city of Cincinnati shined on Opening Day, and after the last few years, it was great to see a return to normalcy.

Let's face it, Opening Day in the Queen City hasn't been the same since 2019. In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic cancelled Opening Day. The season didn't even begin until the summer, and even then, the stands were empty.

In 2021, because of the lingering community health restrictions in place, the Reds opened the season before a crowd of just 12,264. The pageantry was absent and there was just something missing.

Last season, because of the lockout, for the first time since 1990, the Cincinnati Reds opened the season on the road. Opening Day took place in Atlanta against the defending champion Braves, and it just felt wrong.

But this year, before a record-breaking crowd for a regular season game at Great American Ball Park, Opening Day in Cincinnati finally felt normal again. The Findlay Market Parade, the American flag unfurled in center field, and 40,000-plus in attendance. Take a bow, Cincinnati. You know how to do Opening Day right.