WORLD SERIES

WORLD SERIES

Last year at this time, I wrote with a feeble play-on-words that "I just can't take the world serious any more." Well, for some reason, I'm a little more excited this year.

Its been 16 years since the Reds went 'wire-to-wire' to sweep the Oakland A's in the world series. The same Tony La Russa, who now manages the Cards, was the A's manager. Jose Rijo was our number one starter and he was named the series MVP. Eric Davis had a great series but was seriously injured in the final game and, subsequently, had a falling out with Marge Schott. Billy Hatcher, who coaches first base for the current Reds, had a remarkable series by setting a record, at the time, for consecutive hits. It still thrills me to hear the call of Todd Benzinger making the catch in foul territory for the final out of that series.

Keep an eye on ex-Reds in this year's Series - Sean Casey and Todd Jones for the Tigers and Josh Hancock and Juan Encarnacion for the Cards. Casey, starting first baseman, was just too slow for the Reds. Jones, number one stopper in the bullpen, was let go because we had such a solid relief corps, headed by Danny Graves, that there was no room for him. Hancock was cut in spring training because he was overweight. Encarnacion, starting right fielder, was let go to make room for our rookie phenom Austin Kearns.

The Cardinals haven't been to a world series in 19 years and the Tigers in 22 years. That must mean the Reds are about due. Wait'll next year!