Not trying to be a rec whore, but I want to say Thanks to all the mods, contributors, and commenters here at RR.  I have been lurking for a couple years now, but I check this site at least once a day.  I don't have time to contribute more than a thought here and there.   Its nice to be able get consolidated and intelligent information in one place, as well as differing opinions.  Your work is much appreciated.

This season has been fun.  It really has validated all the patience and hope I have had as a Reds fan for all these years.  I look forward to an offseason where the expectations are high, and not just "We'll see what we have" or "We may be able to contend."

Anybody else a little encouraged?

Link from Reds.com

I read this yesterday and was a little encouraged by what BP was saying.  That his concern this year was not trying to match his 30-30 season from 2007, but to continue to play Gold Glove defense and not press for power.

Seems like a different BP than the one last year who looked at times last year to press and try to jack everything out of left field.   If this is the case and he can cut down on the strikeouts, take a little more walks, and hit the ball to all fields, I feel a lot better about our 3-5 spots in the order. 

Thoughts on his comments?

I have been a Reds fan for 24 years and going into the 2008 season, I had higher expectations than for any year since the 2000 season.  Heading into February and March I was anxious to read anything I could on the Reds and this led me to drop in one day to RedReporter.  I think I have visited the site 4 times a week since.

This season has been a disappointment to say the least.  An underperforming offence, inconsistent pitching and very questionable coaching and managing decisions plagued this team all year, along with injuries to guys just as they got on a roll.  This season has been as frustrating to be a fan as any I can remember. 

Despite that, I can say that i enjoyed this season immensely, and a lot of it had to do with the perspective and knowledge that I have gained by reading this site.  With few exceptions, every consistent contributor to these posts have given me more insight into not the only my beloved Reds, but into the game of baseball as a whole.  So for that I want to thank everyone who has posted, facilitated, or contributed to this site.  I look forward to it during the offseason.