Pure Joy and Priceless Moments

I love the Cincinnati Reds-- not as much as I love my girlfriend or son-- but trust me the Reds aren't far behind.

Now, I don't just love the Reds because I love sports and Cincinnati is the closest Major League ball club to Dayton.

Or the fact I can't stand those teams by the lake, besides Lebron. As the saying goes-- the only sign of life in Cleveland is I-71 South to Cincinnati.

You see, I love the Reds because the memories they have given me, as a child and into my adulthood.

So here's my top five reasons why Joe's Dugout has a soft spot in his heart for the boys in red.

5. When I was 12 years old my mom surprised my brother and I with tickets for us three for a day/night doubleheader with a camp for kids in between the two games. We threw off the mound with Dave Burba , hit out of the cage with the team's hitting coach, fielded ground balls and even had a contest to see if any of the kids could climb the wall and rob a home-run-- it didn't happen.

4. Marty and Joe. Along with Hal McCoy they're my hero's--the best sports announcing duo ever. When I turned 10 my mom and dad spoiled the shiz out of me and my favirote out of all the gifts I got that year my dad pick up at Krogers-- the best of Marty and Joe on cassette. When I told him that, he cried and my dad wasn't one to cry.

3. Spring Training with my grandma and grandpa on spring break. This year was the first year without my grandma there and I thought it would be tough, but I knew she was watching with us and getting just as upset as I was when things weren't going well. I was always lucky enough too take the coolest spring break trips ever.

2. The first game my dad took me too. It was 1990, I was 6 years old and the Reds were the best team in baseball. We sat behind these two guys who were fanatics and they told us if the Reds made the World Series that year they were going to every game. Well, the Reds went and that year for Christmas we got a video about the 1990 team and the run to the World Series. It had clips of the whole season and wouldn't you know the two guys who sat in front of us were caught on tape at Game 4 of the series with their brooms in hand getting ready to celebrate the sweep of Oakland.

And the number one reason I love the Cincinnati Reds...Drum roll please.

1. My 80 year old Papaw. I live with him and we watch every game televised together. He is a die-hard fan. He tells me stories about the Big Red Machine-- the team that tore up the 70's-- and no matter how many times I hear the same story, it always gets better. We keep it entertaining with our disagreements then share the joy when the team wins. Forget Mastercard, that right there-- is priceless.