Harang has an emotional farewell
Lead Summary

By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
CINCINNATI — Aaron Harang began the game like he did most games in his career as the ace of the Cincinnati Reds … with a strikeout.
But it wasn't a storybook ending, in what might be the final start for Harang as a member of the Cincinnati Reds.
Harang allowed two runs in the top of the third before leaving the Sunday's season finale against the Milwaukee Brewere with a blister on his right middle finger. He finished with two-plus innings pitched, striking out three. He gave up two earned runs on three hits and two walks.
The Reds defeated the Brewers, 3-2.
"We had something working there. We've been trying to work on it and get it right, but I went out there and it definitely kept me from being able to throw much breaking stuff. When I tried to throw any breaking pitches it was breaking the skin, so it was more of a fastball-changeup day."
As Harang walked off the field toward the Reds' dugout, he got a standing ovation from the 37,582 fans in attendance at Great American Ball Park.
"I felt good those first couple innings, and they asked me every inning how I felt. But after I batted and went back out there, I just had so much built up from the stuff they had to keep it closed. It just didn't hold on and it started bothering me.
"I was trying to adjust how I was throwing my fastball. It was starting to cut on me. After Hart got that hit, I just didn't have it anymore, I might have torn it open and bleeding all over the ball."
It hasn't been announced if he will be a part of the bullpen, but Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker said Harang will be with the team once the playoffs start.
Harang won't be one of the starters for the NLDS with Edinson Volquez starting Game 1. Bronson Arroyo will be the Game 2 starter and Jonny Cueto will start Game 3, in Cincinnati.
"We haven't set our roster yet," Baker said. "He's not going home and he's not going to Arizona, so he'll be with us."
The Reds have the option of retaining Harang, who has been tabbed the Opening Day starter the past five years, next season for one year at $12.75 million, but that's not likely to happen. The Reds will buy out the option for $2 million.
"I don't really know now, but you kind of know in a way," a tearful Harang said about returning to Cincinnati next season.
During his time in Cincinnati, starting with nine games in 2003, the 32-year old Harang is 75-80 overall in 217 games.
But it soon turned into more than just about baseball for Harang as he stood in front of his locker, going through many emotions when talking about his time with the Reds organization.
"(This place), you know for me and my family, my daughter always grew up here and besides regular home, this is the only other place she's known, so it's tough," Harang said. "I thought I'd never do this, it's not completely over yet, so we'll see what happens."
Harang first arrived in Cincinnati as a part of a four-player trade that included Jeff Bruksch and Joe Valentine from Oakland to the Reds for Jose Guillen on July 30, 2003.
In his first year in Cincinnati, Harang went 4-3 in nine starts.
He followed that season with years of 10-9, 11-13, 16-11 and 16-6. In the past three seasons, he's gone 6-17, 6-14 and 6-7. His ERA for the Reds is 4.27 and is 6th place all-time in Reds history in strikeouts.
It came back to the fans for Harang.
"They've been here through the good and the bad and a lot more bad for this organization, so hopefully this is a turnaround to things to come," Harang said. "They've always been out there cheering you when you are doing well, so hopefully we can just keep it going."
He came back to talking about some of the different times while a member of the Reds.
"It's been a tough seven years, but it's been an enjoyable seven years. This city has been good to me, and I'll definitely miss it here. Cincinnati definitely has a part in the back of my heart, and you never know what's going to happen," an emotional Harang said.
Though he may not be a part of their future, Harang thinks this core group the Reds have can compete for years to come.
"The young group of guys and the nucleus they have will be here for the future. You definitely see there is change, and they just have to keep it going."
No matter what jersey Harang will be buttoning up next season, he did say he will be playing when the 2011 season starts in late March.
"No matter what happens here, I will get ready for next year, and you never know where I will be at."[[In-content Ad]]
But it wasn't a storybook ending, in what might be the final start for Harang as a member of the Cincinnati Reds.
Harang allowed two runs in the top of the third before leaving the Sunday's season finale against the Milwaukee Brewere with a blister on his right middle finger. He finished with two-plus innings pitched, striking out three. He gave up two earned runs on three hits and two walks.
The Reds defeated the Brewers, 3-2.
"We had something working there. We've been trying to work on it and get it right, but I went out there and it definitely kept me from being able to throw much breaking stuff. When I tried to throw any breaking pitches it was breaking the skin, so it was more of a fastball-changeup day."
As Harang walked off the field toward the Reds' dugout, he got a standing ovation from the 37,582 fans in attendance at Great American Ball Park.
"I felt good those first couple innings, and they asked me every inning how I felt. But after I batted and went back out there, I just had so much built up from the stuff they had to keep it closed. It just didn't hold on and it started bothering me.
"I was trying to adjust how I was throwing my fastball. It was starting to cut on me. After Hart got that hit, I just didn't have it anymore, I might have torn it open and bleeding all over the ball."
It hasn't been announced if he will be a part of the bullpen, but Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker said Harang will be with the team once the playoffs start.
Harang won't be one of the starters for the NLDS with Edinson Volquez starting Game 1. Bronson Arroyo will be the Game 2 starter and Jonny Cueto will start Game 3, in Cincinnati.
"We haven't set our roster yet," Baker said. "He's not going home and he's not going to Arizona, so he'll be with us."
The Reds have the option of retaining Harang, who has been tabbed the Opening Day starter the past five years, next season for one year at $12.75 million, but that's not likely to happen. The Reds will buy out the option for $2 million.
"I don't really know now, but you kind of know in a way," a tearful Harang said about returning to Cincinnati next season.
During his time in Cincinnati, starting with nine games in 2003, the 32-year old Harang is 75-80 overall in 217 games.
But it soon turned into more than just about baseball for Harang as he stood in front of his locker, going through many emotions when talking about his time with the Reds organization.
"(This place), you know for me and my family, my daughter always grew up here and besides regular home, this is the only other place she's known, so it's tough," Harang said. "I thought I'd never do this, it's not completely over yet, so we'll see what happens."
Harang first arrived in Cincinnati as a part of a four-player trade that included Jeff Bruksch and Joe Valentine from Oakland to the Reds for Jose Guillen on July 30, 2003.
In his first year in Cincinnati, Harang went 4-3 in nine starts.
He followed that season with years of 10-9, 11-13, 16-11 and 16-6. In the past three seasons, he's gone 6-17, 6-14 and 6-7. His ERA for the Reds is 4.27 and is 6th place all-time in Reds history in strikeouts.
It came back to the fans for Harang.
"They've been here through the good and the bad and a lot more bad for this organization, so hopefully this is a turnaround to things to come," Harang said. "They've always been out there cheering you when you are doing well, so hopefully we can just keep it going."
He came back to talking about some of the different times while a member of the Reds.
"It's been a tough seven years, but it's been an enjoyable seven years. This city has been good to me, and I'll definitely miss it here. Cincinnati definitely has a part in the back of my heart, and you never know what's going to happen," an emotional Harang said.
Though he may not be a part of their future, Harang thinks this core group the Reds have can compete for years to come.
"The young group of guys and the nucleus they have will be here for the future. You definitely see there is change, and they just have to keep it going."
No matter what jersey Harang will be buttoning up next season, he did say he will be playing when the 2011 season starts in late March.
"No matter what happens here, I will get ready for next year, and you never know where I will be at."[[In-content Ad]]