The Reds Division TItle

THEY DID IT!!!!

Saturday night, I was in Cincinnati with my grandfather, to attend the Reds vs. Dodgers game. The magic number was at 1 going in, and the Cardinals victory seemed imminent. I thought it was a nice night to see a division clinched. I was right.

It started off like any other night at the ballpark. Opening ceremonies and beginning of game started just like any other. Mat Latos, starting pitcher for the Reds, was "throwing cheese" as the gentleman in front of me so eloquently put it, and the Dodgers (aside from a single by Adrian Gonzalez) were getting nowhere, and fast.

The Reds didn't start off poorly, but neither did they start of particularly well. Finally, the Dodgers starter, Stephen Fife, made a mistake that Jay Bruce turned into a solo home run, which was about 4 feet to the left of landing in the Ohio River.

The crowd was loud, they were cheering what sounded like "BOOO" but was actually the more affectionately known "BRUUUUUUCE". Jay Bruce had started it, and now the rest of them had to finish it.

They brought in a few more runs here and there, when later in the game Brandon Phillips (@DatDudeBP) first was made to look pretty silly on a breaking ball, then took that same breaking ball and crushed it into the stands.

Eventually, Don Mattingly (LAD Manager) had used several pitchers and Latos stayed strong until the 9th. The Dodgers could not get anything going, and none of their pitchers seemed to be able to stop the offense, either.

Another one of the best moments of this game was when Aroldis Chapman came out on to the field to pitch the 9th inning. He had not made an appearance since September 10th, The place was abuzz. Sure, the Reds had a 6-0 lead and the Cuban Missile came in to pitch the 9th, but nothing's ever a certainty.

Chapman was also "throwing cheese", and my grandfather and I joked about his initial 97 MPH fastball. "He's throwing a little slow today, isn't he?", we joked, as Chapman has been known to hit speeds upwards of 103-105.

Chapman got the first out, and then walked the next batter. He was pitching to the last batter who grounded to Zack Cozart at shortstop. Cozart flipped to Phillips at second, who in turn fired to Joey Votto at first base. As soon as Joey Votto made the catch and the umpire called the runner out, the audience ERUPTED. The players ran out on to the field and celebrated, while the fans cheered incessantly for 20-30 minutes. The clips on the Jumbo-tron were also incredible (my favorite was Mat Latos and Homer Bailey vaulting over the dugout fence after the final out was called.)

Needless to say, this was an incredible moment, especially in my own sports history. It was the best sports moment I ever witnessed and an incredible moment for life-long Reds fans like myself.  I was never more proud to be a Reds fan, and it was an incredible experience to share with my grandfather.

I love you all, Thanks for reading. Good luck, and Godspeed.

NAH