Maybe, just maybe, the best move for the son of a team owner is not to antagonize the fans or the baseball gods. Cincinnati Reds team president Phil Castellini did just that on Opening Day as he responded to the sentiment that he sell the franchise. Castellini essentially responded by telling Reds fans what they could do to themselves as he asked “sell the team to who?”
Castellini should have left that part unsaid. Reds ownership had already angered the fanbase with their bizarre offseason, seemingly initiating a fire sale only to bring in worse players at the same price. Wade Miley was literally given away, only for the Reds to take on Mike Minor in exchange for Amir Garrett. Jesse Winker was sacrificed to be rid of Eugenio Suarez. And yet, the Reds still seemed as though they could contend.
Cincinnati Reds president Phil Castellini has brought down the wrath of the baseball gods
Then Castellini opened his mouth. The baseball gods clearly took umbrage at his hubris and decided to teach the Reds a lesson. Since Castellini asked who he should sell the team to, they have lost ten consecutive games, holding the lead for all of 18 pitches. The Reds have also been outscored 63-20 in those ten games.
Yes, the Reds had injury issues even before Castellini opened his mouth. Losing Luis Castillo to start the season did not help anything. Minor has also been injured, as are Jonathan India, Donovan Solano, Mike Moustakas, and Tyler Stephenson. Hunter Greene saw his velocity drop sharply on Friday night, even if the team claims that this is just fatigue and they are unconcerned. The Reds cannot withstand that sort of carnage.
There are solutions. The Castellini family could put the team on the market and look for an owner who would actually care. He could apologize to the fans for his comments and fade away into the background, a faceless executive like so many others. But that would actually mean that he is capable of contrition.
Cincinnati Reds president Phil Castellini has brought down the wrath of the baseball gods. Maybe he will learn his lesson in humility with this recent stretch.