Unfinished business for Reds in '13 season
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
CINCINNATI — Brandon Phillips said in a pregame press conference Monday that 2013 was a season of "unfinished business" before the Reds opened their season with a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels, followed with three games against the Washington Nationals.
"I'm saying we have some unfinished business," Phillips said. "I feel like we owe it to the city to bring a championship to the city (of Cincinnati).
[[In-content Ad]]Last season, the Reds won the NL Central with 97 wins, their second such championship in a three-year span. From there, in the NL Divisional Series, the Reds won the first two games against the San Francisco Giants, on the road, but then lost three straight at Great American Ball Park. The Giants eventually won the World Series for the second time in three seasons.
"Last year didn't end the way we wanted it," Phillips said. "I've tweeted about it being unfinished business. It still hurts me to this day (the postseason ending), but we have to get as many wins as possible and get back to the postseason.
"I'm glad we are playing these guys (Angels, Nationals) at the beginning of the season. You can see what type of team you are, and it is good to get them out of the way early."
With this being the first Opening Day game featuring Interleague play, the Reds and Angels will make a little bit of history. This game also is the start of a long, tough season.
"Opening Day is a holiday here," Reds right fielder Jay Bruce said. "This is special to the fans, the city as they look forward to it, so I looked forward to it, too."
Bruce also spoke about last season, but said the Reds need to be focused on 2013.
"We have to have a short memory," he said. "Our motivation is the high expectations, now we need to play it on the field. What helps is a lot of the guys got the experience last year, and I'm looking forward to putting it all together this year."
The conversation came back to the start of the season.
"This is special," third baseman Todd Frazier said. "This (Opening Day) is just another thing off the bucket list."
Zack Cozart went back to the expectations of the Reds.
"We like having the expectations," he said. "A lot of people didn't have us as front- runners last year, now we are the front-runners. We have it on paper, but now we have to prove it on the field."
"I'm saying we have some unfinished business," Phillips said. "I feel like we owe it to the city to bring a championship to the city (of Cincinnati).
[[In-content Ad]]Last season, the Reds won the NL Central with 97 wins, their second such championship in a three-year span. From there, in the NL Divisional Series, the Reds won the first two games against the San Francisco Giants, on the road, but then lost three straight at Great American Ball Park. The Giants eventually won the World Series for the second time in three seasons.
"Last year didn't end the way we wanted it," Phillips said. "I've tweeted about it being unfinished business. It still hurts me to this day (the postseason ending), but we have to get as many wins as possible and get back to the postseason.
"I'm glad we are playing these guys (Angels, Nationals) at the beginning of the season. You can see what type of team you are, and it is good to get them out of the way early."
With this being the first Opening Day game featuring Interleague play, the Reds and Angels will make a little bit of history. This game also is the start of a long, tough season.
"Opening Day is a holiday here," Reds right fielder Jay Bruce said. "This is special to the fans, the city as they look forward to it, so I looked forward to it, too."
Bruce also spoke about last season, but said the Reds need to be focused on 2013.
"We have to have a short memory," he said. "Our motivation is the high expectations, now we need to play it on the field. What helps is a lot of the guys got the experience last year, and I'm looking forward to putting it all together this year."
The conversation came back to the start of the season.
"This is special," third baseman Todd Frazier said. "This (Opening Day) is just another thing off the bucket list."
Zack Cozart went back to the expectations of the Reds.
"We like having the expectations," he said. "A lot of people didn't have us as front- runners last year, now we are the front-runners. We have it on paper, but now we have to prove it on the field."