My view from the cheap seats
My four-year-old is really into classic country music right now. I’m not complaining. It’s way better than listening to the “Frozen†soundtrack on repeat, and occasionally I get reintroduced to some gems from my childhood. The other day in the car, “The Cheap Seats†by Alabama came on (do yourself a favor and watch the video…amazing unibrow on the lead singer) and I found myself reflecting on the Redlegs’ 2015 campaign.
We don’t worry about the pennant much.
We just like to see the boys hit it deep.
There’s nothing like the view from the cheap seats.
I was five when the Reds won the World Series in 1990, so the bulk of my life has been spent cheering for a team not unlike the one in the song. Not worrying about the pennant, occasionally following some great players, ultimately happy to be at the game in the Red Seats (RIP, Riverfront). Perhaps because of this, I’ve found myself weirdly satisfied with this year’s team. Allow me to explain.
From a sports perspective, there’s nothing I want more than the Reds to win a World Series. I’ve had the chance to attend the Final Four, an NFC Championship game, and several NBA playoff games. I’d trade them all for a seat in GABP watching the Reds clinch a title. But that ain’t happening this year. Probably not next year, either. But, isn’t there something delightful about following a team that’s not winning and realistically has little shot at post-season glory? Or, am I just a masochist?
We don’t worry about the pennant much.
In years past I’d be glued to my radio between 7 and 10 each night following every single pitch of every single Reds game. This season? Not so much. It’s freeing to feel like I don’t have to follow every moment. If the Reds are battling for the playoffs, I can’t help but be invested in every game. Pennant races swing on one bad inning. But this year I’ve been able to enjoy life outside of baseball. My wife and kids and I went on a two-week road trip (2,500 miles in the car with two kids 4 or under is never recommended…), I’ve been catching up with VEEP on Amazon Prime, and I’m spending more time at the gym. From a health standpoint (mental and physical), I’m way better off than when the Reds are doing well.
We just like to see the boys hit it deep.
Would I have gotten as much joy from Todd Frazier winning this year’s Home Run Derby if the Reds were in the thick of a pennant race? No. You know why? Because I’d be worrying the whole time that those 100+ swings in rapid succession were going to fundamentally alter his approach for the rest of the season. But now – I can enjoy what was arguably the greatest Home Run Derby in the event’s history won by a Reds player in Cincinnati.
There’s nothing like the view from the cheap seats.
This is the big one for a cheapskate dad like me. When the Reds are out of contention, the games are so much more accessible. Go check out prices on www.tiqiq.com. The fam and I went to last night’s game against Cleveland for eight bucks per ticket. EIGHT DOLLARS! You’re telling me I can take my whole family to a baseball game and an excellent fireworks show in a top-notch stadium that’s as fan-friendly as any in the Majors…for less than $25? Sign me up. I don’t need the Reds to be great to go to a game. Sitting up in the stands with my daughters, explaining the game the way my dad did for me – those are priceless memories. We take a cooler full of sandwiches and peanuts and cookies and make a special picnic out of it. My kids love it. I get to watch baseball. The product on the field is secondary to the quality time with my family. And it’s so much easier when the tickets are cheap and we’ve got room to spread out.
I’m a Reds fan. I’ll be one until I die. Would I trade this year for 2010 or 2012? Absolutely. But that doesn’t mean I can’t take some joy from following this team this year. For now, I’ll relish in the summer, the September call-ups, and the final games for some beloved Reds before the trade deadline. And next year or the year after when the Reds are back in the thick of things and tickets are more expensive and it’s harder to take the entire family…well, I’ll deal.