I guess for me the Bengals are like a pendulum of jubilation and remorse. It's winter in Cincinnati...grey skies, wind, cold rain, snow, depression, gloomy dark days...when the Bengals win it's as if the week ahead was swept clean and clear and bright and there is hope for the future of...what??...our personal otherwise possibly boring lives, if we seem to have nothing else to look forward to...or another light at the end of the tunnel of gloom beckoning us to keep watching. It's like a drug...an addiction. I keep watching for the highs, for they are so wonderfully high and we can share them with people we don't even know, and high five them on the street or in a grocery store if they wear a Bengals hat or sweatshirt who may have different political views who are brought together as one...a pod of crazy "Who Deys". Now you all know what a very shallow life I lead. And why I chose to love the Bengals and the Reds.
I somehow missed this one the first time. With what the Reds are doing, it's great timing. It's funny how quickly hope can go from being a cruel trick of fate to an irresistible opiate. I'm buzzing hard on it today. But to borrow a line from Kris Kristofferson, I only hope the Going up is worth the Coming down.
Doc, I believe that, if you are from a certain area and are a fan of their teams, whatever sport, in some way shape or form, you kind of remain a fan. I’ve heard you talk about you being a “former” fan of the Pirates and that you’d sworn off. Then the Pirates started hot and, in your writings, I could tell you were kinda wanting to jump on their wagon.
Well, being originally from Cincinnati (read: born there,) I have truly lived and died (mostly died) with their sports teams, collegiate and pro. I was a TML reader when it was a blog and read your writings every day, along with everybody’s comments. And, the joy we get out of the good times, like UC’s recent run in football, the last two years with the Burrow Bengals and now this 11 game Reds winning streak, well, it kinda, sorta, maybe makes all the years of pain worth it.
I’ve been there before I met you, leaning back on a sapling outside a WC dormitory, tapping away on a brand new portable word processor. When Jack and Butch were on the beat I was already there, first a fan and then a camp worker and later game-day video. Yes, these are the good ole days.
Paul, I remember this column--because it’s very memorable. That is a stellar metaphor you employed, comparing the guy in Section 1 Million of the renamed PBS to a guy on his former deck, now a raft, floating randomly at sea post hurricane. You made it so easy to visualize AND understand such a guy. Thanks, a most entertaining read!
Well, all I can say is these are our days Cincinnati sports fans.
The Reds are currently AND most improbably in 1st place in their division by 1.5 games. Now if that is not a surprise, surprises do not exist. As is a winning streak of 11 games. Best on record since 1957, when I a 2 year old. BTW, we are going to our 1st game this season at GABP on Saturday to watch them play the 1st place Braves. Just a few months ago I did not foresee spending $ to see this team.
Next, FC Cincinnati won again last night and currently have the best record in MLS history at this point in the season. We have tickets for July 1st vs. New England.
We should embrace and enjoy this moment while it lasts. As the MLS & MLB seasons move on, what do we have to look forward to? A team called the Bengals. I think this is the most I’ve looked forward to the start of a new NFL season, well, at least since last year. But I love these warm months and can wait for American football.
Don’t forget, the women’s World Cup starts next month--and that the US team are the reigning WC Champions.
Moved to Florida 5 years ago. Always will be a Bengals and Reds fan, diehard. Even though the Bucs won a Super Bowl and the Rays are damn good……Fie on them! Go Cincy
I have been a diehard Bengals fan since their inception because there was always hope. Their results were a product of their own ineptitude and cheapness rather than a slanted playing field. I also rooted for the Reds forever as well until the playing field got so slanted that there was no real hope anymore. We have a glimmer of hope this year so I will start paying attention again. But it probably will last only for a year or two when all of our highly touted rookies are eligible for their second contracts and they will be all gone.
When I was asked over the years why I still root for the Bengals and Reds (when they have been really bad), my response is that is all we have and that I firmly believe that Hell will NOT freeze over and that someday we will rise from the ashes. Feels good that those days don’t seem so far away!!!
I guess for me the Bengals are like a pendulum of jubilation and remorse. It's winter in Cincinnati...grey skies, wind, cold rain, snow, depression, gloomy dark days...when the Bengals win it's as if the week ahead was swept clean and clear and bright and there is hope for the future of...what??...our personal otherwise possibly boring lives, if we seem to have nothing else to look forward to...or another light at the end of the tunnel of gloom beckoning us to keep watching. It's like a drug...an addiction. I keep watching for the highs, for they are so wonderfully high and we can share them with people we don't even know, and high five them on the street or in a grocery store if they wear a Bengals hat or sweatshirt who may have different political views who are brought together as one...a pod of crazy "Who Deys". Now you all know what a very shallow life I lead. And why I chose to love the Bengals and the Reds.
I somehow missed this one the first time. With what the Reds are doing, it's great timing. It's funny how quickly hope can go from being a cruel trick of fate to an irresistible opiate. I'm buzzing hard on it today. But to borrow a line from Kris Kristofferson, I only hope the Going up is worth the Coming down.
Ok I’ll bite. What am I missing with the 6:30 tonight comment? What’s happening at 6:30
Best little sports town on the planet! Republic of Cincinnati! It’s even good when it’s bad!
Doc, I believe that, if you are from a certain area and are a fan of their teams, whatever sport, in some way shape or form, you kind of remain a fan. I’ve heard you talk about you being a “former” fan of the Pirates and that you’d sworn off. Then the Pirates started hot and, in your writings, I could tell you were kinda wanting to jump on their wagon.
Well, being originally from Cincinnati (read: born there,) I have truly lived and died (mostly died) with their sports teams, collegiate and pro. I was a TML reader when it was a blog and read your writings every day, along with everybody’s comments. And, the joy we get out of the good times, like UC’s recent run in football, the last two years with the Burrow Bengals and now this 11 game Reds winning streak, well, it kinda, sorta, maybe makes all the years of pain worth it.
I’ve been there before I met you, leaning back on a sapling outside a WC dormitory, tapping away on a brand new portable word processor. When Jack and Butch were on the beat I was already there, first a fan and then a camp worker and later game-day video. Yes, these are the good ole days.
Paul, I remember this column--because it’s very memorable. That is a stellar metaphor you employed, comparing the guy in Section 1 Million of the renamed PBS to a guy on his former deck, now a raft, floating randomly at sea post hurricane. You made it so easy to visualize AND understand such a guy. Thanks, a most entertaining read!
Well, all I can say is these are our days Cincinnati sports fans.
The Reds are currently AND most improbably in 1st place in their division by 1.5 games. Now if that is not a surprise, surprises do not exist. As is a winning streak of 11 games. Best on record since 1957, when I a 2 year old. BTW, we are going to our 1st game this season at GABP on Saturday to watch them play the 1st place Braves. Just a few months ago I did not foresee spending $ to see this team.
Next, FC Cincinnati won again last night and currently have the best record in MLS history at this point in the season. We have tickets for July 1st vs. New England.
We should embrace and enjoy this moment while it lasts. As the MLS & MLB seasons move on, what do we have to look forward to? A team called the Bengals. I think this is the most I’ve looked forward to the start of a new NFL season, well, at least since last year. But I love these warm months and can wait for American football.
Don’t forget, the women’s World Cup starts next month--and that the US team are the reigning WC Champions.
Moved to Florida 5 years ago. Always will be a Bengals and Reds fan, diehard. Even though the Bucs won a Super Bowl and the Rays are damn good……Fie on them! Go Cincy
I have been a diehard Bengals fan since their inception because there was always hope. Their results were a product of their own ineptitude and cheapness rather than a slanted playing field. I also rooted for the Reds forever as well until the playing field got so slanted that there was no real hope anymore. We have a glimmer of hope this year so I will start paying attention again. But it probably will last only for a year or two when all of our highly touted rookies are eligible for their second contracts and they will be all gone.
When I was asked over the years why I still root for the Bengals and Reds (when they have been really bad), my response is that is all we have and that I firmly believe that Hell will NOT freeze over and that someday we will rise from the ashes. Feels good that those days don’t seem so far away!!!
I love the Bengals , Reds and FCC enough said …