Cincinnati Reds historically bad season just got much worse, or better from a certain point of view
The Cincinnati Reds historically bad season just got much worse, after firing their manager and pitching coach after a horrendous 3-15 start.
From the infamous words of Brett Myers: Boom! Outta here. That’s the news (now former) Cincinnati Reds manager Bryan Price and pitching coach Mack Jenkins woke up hearing this morning, as both parties were fired after a historically bad 3-15 start — the worst in Cincinnati since 1931.
The Cincinnati Reds did win a game on Monday, so things were looking up? Okay, not really. A change needed to made and needed to be made ASAP. Baseball is too important to the Cincinnati Reds faithful to let a 3-15 mark “slide.”
I thought the most significant move the Cincinnati Reds would make this month would possibly roll the dice in calling up Minor League phenom Nick Senzel. Boy, was I wrong!
What’s next for the Cincinnati Reds?
The Reds have announced they are replacing manager Bryan Price and pitching coach Mack Jenkins. Effective immediately, bench coach Jim Riggleman is interim manager, Louisville manager Pat Kelly is bench coach, and Pensacola pitching coach Danny Darwin is major league staff.
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 19, 2018
Jim Riggleman is the perfect man for the interim job, who formerly managed the San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, and Washington Nationals. Don’t expect him to remain at the helm for long, with the Cincinnati Reds organization eying a long-term replacement — but he will do for now.
Later in the year, the team will conduct a thorough managerial search for a permanent replacement. #Reds
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 19, 2018
Taking over for the Cincinnati Reds in 2014, Bryan Price “boasted” a 279-387 record, while during his tenure Cincinnati never finished at or above the .500 mark– or higher than fourth in the competitive NL Central for that matter.
If you think that mark is terrible, pitching coach Mack Jenkins shares equal blame for the Cincinnati Reds poor play this season, with a 2018 team ERA hovering close to 6.00. Yikes!
It’s also never good when fans don’t have a clue who the pitchers are on their beloved team.
No team rolls out more "wtf is that?" pitchers than the Cincinnati Reds. Zack Weiss? WTF is that?? Tanner Rainey? OK for real, WHO the f is that?!
— Paul Sporer (@sporer) April 13, 2018
I feel the perfect man for the job would be Joey Votto. Make him the first player-manager since, ironically, since Pete Rose in the 1980’s. As much as I want to see that, I know it’s not a realistic option.
A viable and popular option is former Cincinnati Reds great and Baseball Hall of Famer Barry Larkin, who went on record saying he’d love to manage at the MLB level, but only for his beloved Reds — according to USA Today.
Time will tell on what the Cincinnati Reds ultimately decide for their future plans at the manager position, but for the time being; this is the right move. Laying down the hammer on Bryan Price and Mack Jenkins expresses to the team’s faithful fanbase that the organization will not tolerate this pathetic excuse for an MLB team.
Next: When will Reds top prospect Senzel get called up?
Even if the Cincinnati Reds pull off a great hire, they need players. Joey Votto, Billy Hamilton, and company cannot do it alone. They need arms, more bats, or even something to get the fans excited again.
This change in personnel is a step in that direction.