Cincinnati Reds one game away

The Cincinnati Reds are one win, or one St. Louis Cardinals loss, away from clinching their first playoff appearance since 1995. I barely remember that year, and while I have grown up rooting for the Florida Marlins as my favorite team, I have also kept a close eye on the hometown team.

Maybe this year I’ve kept an eye on it more so than at any other time.

As you may know from keeping up with the blog, one of the biggest Reds fans I have ever met passed away in July—my grandfather, Joe Lasita.

Right after his passing, I wrote this: “I went to see the barber who cut my grandpa’s hair for as long as I can remember. He told me, ‘Your grandfather was a great man. A great man. And he loved the Reds. It’s just too bad he won’t be around to see them win the World Series this year.’I don’t like the Reds, but if that happens, I know there won’t be a dry eye in my house.”

So tonight, the Marlins are eliminated (and have been for quite some time), so my allegiances must lie with the Cincinnati Reds. And I know everyone in my family will be rooting on the Redlegs too.

It seems like fate, but if the Reds pull it off, and go all the way, I might have to put the radio near my grandpa’s grave, and let him listen to the World Series he didn’t get the chance to see.