Kirk Herbstreit didn’t hold back when he talked about the Cincinnati Reds, and the ESPN college football analyst made it clear just how worn down he’s become after years of waiting for something better.
During a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, the Ohio native said the Reds’ season is basically over before summer even gets rolling.
"Being a Reds fan, their season ended in late April," Herbstreit told McAfee. "They are done, done, done, done.
I'm ready for NFL. When's the Hall of Fame Game?
I've got to get to the Hall of Fame Game, and then I'm home free. Reds baseball is just a disaster, and it has been for 13 straight years.
It just kills your summer."
That frustration comes with some ugly numbers behind it. The Reds have not won a postseason game since 2012, and they have not won a postseason series since 1995. It has been 21 years since they advanced in the postseason.
Herbstreit said the hardest part is that he still cares enough to feel every bit of it.
"Mid-May (contention) is a bonus. Mid-May would be huge," Herbstreit continued.
"I'm a Columbus Blue Jackets fan. Cincinnati Reds fan.
And it is hell. It is just a living hell.
I follow it. I cheer.
That's my problem is I care too much. I need to get to that stage where you just don't care anymore."
The message was blunt, but it also reflected the reality many Reds fans have lived with for more than a decade. If the organization doesn’t start producing soon, the distance between the team and its fan base only figures to grow.
There was at least one bright spot on the field: Brady Singer has been rolling lately. Over his last nine starts, he has posted a 2.92 ERA in 52 1/3 innings with 52 strikeouts.
"I think he’s a good pitcher," manager Terry Francona said after Wednesday's win. "He got off to a tough start.
He had the blister coming out of camp. He’s kind of found his stride.
You’ve heard me tell you a million times, hitters find their level. So do pitchers.”
With the Reds most likely out of playoff contention and Singer in the final year of his deal, a trade to a contender feels likely. For now, Singer says he’s focused on the basics and on giving the team whatever he can.
“Just trying to get deep in the games," Singer said. "It started with first-pitch strikes, attacking the zone and trying to get some early contact. I enjoy getting deep in the game and trying to help out the bullpen as much as I can.”
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