As I look back and wonder what made me fall in love with Cincinnati Reds close to 20 years ago, one thing always comes to mind; They have always been the underdog, the little guy. And of course as far as big market / small market teams, the Reds are and have always been in that small market group but they have always had the potential of making a big market team lose a lot of sleep at night. With the addition of Mat Latos, Sean Marshall and Ryan Madson fans are ready for a World Series win and the fans are not the only ones excited about their chances in 2012. Players and the front office are starting to see what it is like when you give fans something to look forward to. Sure, Walt had to really work hard to get these missing pieces in order to give the fans more hope for 2012 but I think he did a great job with what he had.

Now it is up to the players and the coaching staff to step up and show us what they got. They need Scott Rolen to be healthy. They need Bronson Arroyo to be a leader in the starting rotation and show the younger guys how to pitch deep into innings and get 200+ a season. The Reds need Nick Masset, Sean Marshall and Ryan Madson to step up and become the new generation’s Nasty Boys. (The Ma-sty Boys) And most of all, the Reds need promising players like Drew Stubbs, Homer Bailey and Aroldis Chapman to show us they are ready to become great! To be honest, adding guys like Mat Latos, Sean Marshall and Ryan Madson will boost Bailey and Chapman and show them what it takes to become the best in baseball.

Sure, the Reds are still not the favorite to win the National League Central. Tell, me something I don’t know. When have they ever been the favorite in everyone’s eyes? That is what I like about them, they have the potential and only a select few can see it. That is what will make them winning this season even more powerful for those that have been with them for so many years. The history of Cincinnati Reds alone is something to cheer for but I think 2012 is going to be a record-breaking season and a time for Reds fans to get ready for a whole new breed of Big Red Machine / Nasty Boys.

You can go to any other baseball blog out there and get the realistic views and comments of who is “expected” to win, or you can shy away from that thinking and look deep into the roster of the Reds and see what I see, the right combination of players that will win another championship for one of the most exciting ball clubs to ever be in the National League, the Cincinnati Reds!

On a side note, make sure you add @JayABruce on Twitter.