He was our next ace, a phenom, and everyone wanted to rush him to the big leagues. For years we touted him as a future star and were unable to appreciate the fact that he had become a very solid young arm. And we forget that he is just that, young. He is only 26, and now has a no hitter under his belt. It seems like he has been here for decades, we were hearing about him for almost 3 years before he was even called up. While the Reds struggled we wanted to look to the future and Homer was our future, and our saving grace. He still has time to become that ace, or anything close to it but even even he doesn't reach that level, it doesn't mean that he has been a disappointment. He has been a very solid number 3 or 4 starter in his years in Cincinnati, and especially recently. He doesn't need to be an ace to be a success. Throwing the no-no will help with the fans though, since he is the first Reds pitcher to do it since Tom Browning, and the first sober Reds pitcher to do it since Tom Seaver.
Going forward Homer will be very important to the Reds success in the playoffs. With Johnny Cueto and Mat Latos looking like a deadly one-two punch, Homer being a solid number 3 starter in October could take their rotation to the next level, and could be instrumental in getting the Reds back to the World Series. If he can do just that, then Cincinnati fans will be more than satisfied. We aren't asking him to be our ace anymore, he have that role filled. But a third reliable starter headed into October? I'll take it. Especially if he shows up with the same wicked stuff that he had in Pittsburgh.
His no hitter got the monkey off his back in a big way. A successful postseason as the anchor of a spectacular rotation that ends with even more champagne being sprayed and a shiny new trophy in the queen city? That will make sure that the monkey stays away for good.
No comments:
Post a Comment