The 2009 season for the Cincinnati Reds was another slightly under .500 for the 9th straight season 78-84. The Reds finished 4th in the NL Central and can’t seem to stay a consistent team the entire season. The Reds are good starters but fade quickly once the bats in Chicago and St. Louis get going. The Reds managed 78 wins with the talent they had which may be considered to be over-achieving.
The Reds have many talented young players to potentially build a team with Joey Votto leading the way. Votto first two full seasons produced 49 home runs and 168 RBI with a .309 average. Brandon Philips lead the team with 98 RBI and played 153 games which is even more impressive.
The Reds pitching was much to be desired allowing 723 runs while only scoring 673. Bronson Arroyo lead the team with 15 wins but other then him the Reds pitching wasn’t very good all year.
Dusty Baker – while a good manager – has yet to sniff the .500 plateau with the Reds. The last season Dusty Baker had a winning record was in 2004 with the Chicago Cubs. Dusty Baker will enter his 3rd season with the Reds and how long Baker will be the Reds manager is still unknown. Dusty baker had previous success with the San Francisco Giants – reaching the World Series in 2002 and lead the Cubs to two winning seasons in 03′ & 04.
The National League Central division has 6 teams – Pirates, Cardinals, Astros, Cubs, Brewers and Reds – the most in the major leagues. This means that it’s more difficult to win the division when competing with more teams obviously. Reds have been on the brink for many years now – time will only tell when the Reds finally break through the glass and have a winning record and challenge the Cardinals and Cubs for the division.