From fuzzier faces to sharper uniforms to an apparently better lineup, the Reds' new look will be evident as they open the season today against the San Francisco Giants at Cinergy Field.

        The Reds know that they can best legitimize these innovations by making another change — winning.

        The Reds have gone three consecutive years without a winning record, marking only the second time that has happened since 1961. Not since 1956, when rookie Frank Robinson helped end a streak of 11 losing seasons in a row, have the Reds had a longer stretch of hopelessness.

        But the Reds think they can reverse their fortunes this year.

        “There's a totally different feel — a feeling we can win,” said shortstop Barry Larkin, who is no longer asking to be traded to a contend ing team.

        Many fans share Larkin's anticipation. Today's game sold out more quickly than any opener since 1993, when the Reds came off a 90-72 finish and hired Tony Perez as manager. By that May, Perez was gone and the Reds were doomed for fifth place.

        That, as much as anything else, demonstrates the danger of optimism. Still, these Reds could have a contender's staying power, especially if starting pitchers Pete Harnisch, who has suffered from back spasms, and Denny Neagle, who's on the disabled list with a weakened shoulder, rebound by the end of April.

        Manager Jack McKeon's lineup features a classic blend of youth and experience. Five of eight position players are 26 or younger. So is starting pitcher Brett Tomko, who will oppose San Francisco's Mark Gardner today. Tomko, who turns 26 on Wednesday, is Cincinnati's youngest Opening Day starter since Mario Soto (25) in 1982.

        Proven players complement the potential. Left fielder Greg Vaughn, whose Feb. 2 acquisition from San Diego doubled the enthusiasm surrounding the team, became only the eighth National Leaguer in history to hit 50 home runs last year. Catcher Eddie Taubensee is one of three Reds remaining from the 1995 Central Division champions.

        Then there's Larkin, who needs no introduction.

        “You've got some known names to come and help out us less-exposed guys,” said right fielder Dmitri Young, who batted .310 with 48 doubles last year. “The nation's going to be hearing about Dmitri Young, Sean Casey and Pokey Reese. They're going to be hearing more about Aaron Boone. That's going to make the job that much easier for the Barry Larkins and Greg Vaughns and Denny Neagles and Pete Harnisches.”

        The Central's lack of a powerhouse team helps the Reds. Two-time defending champion Houston might have fit that description before left fielder Moises Alou suffered a knee injury which likely will sideline him for the season. Elbow injuries robbed the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals of top pitchers Kerry Wood and Matt Morris, respectively.

        Yet the Reds aren't polished enough right now to be dubbed a sure thing. Even General Manager Jim Bowden admits it.

        “There's a lot of young, unproven talent on this team that could easily contend this year and possibly win it,” Bowden said. “But they've got to do it on the field. They've got to make adjustments. It's not like '94 and '95, when I knew the team was good enough to win. I can't say that about this team.”

        All that can be said with certainty is that the Reds are curious to find out about themselves. “We just want to get it started, for us and the fans,” Taubensee said.

Time to win, say retooled Reds
Reds only team on cable only
Gue$$ why Reds bumped to cable?
Reds-wear for the real fan
Opening Day not Marge's finest hour Tim Sullivan column
New uniforms draw rave reviews
REDS NOTEBOOK
SCOUTING REPORT
Gardner's best pitch off the field
Opening Day drivers will leave early to avoid gridlock
Baseball pitches to kids
These guys know the score Cliff Radel column
SPECIAL OPENING DAY SECTION

Reds lineup
Mike Cameron CF
Barry Larkin SS
Sean Casey 1B
Greg Vaughn LF
Dmitri Young RF
Eddie Taubensee C
Aaron Boone 3B
Pokey Reese 2B
Brett Tomko P

Giants lineup
Marvin Benard CF
Bill Mueller 3B
Barry Bonds LF
Jeff Kent 2B
Ellis Burks RF
J.T. Snow 1B
Rich Aurilia SS
Brent Mayne C
Mark Gardner P

Openers in '90s
1998: SD 10, Reds 2
1997: Reds 11, Col 4
1996: Reds 4, Mon 1
1995: Chi 7, Reds 1
1994: St. L 6, Reds
1993: Reds 2, Mon 1
1992: SD 4, Reds 3
1991: Reds 6, Hou 2
1990: Reds 2, SD 1

Coverage
• Reds only team on cable only
• Gue$$ why Reds bumped to cable?
• Reds-wear for the real fan
• Opening Day not Marge's finest hour Tim Sullivan column
• New uniforms draw rave reviews
• REDS NOTEBOOK
• SCOUTING REPORT
• Gardner's best pitch off the field
• Opening Day drivers will leave early to avoid gridlock
• Baseball pitches to kids
• These guys know the score Cliff Radel column
SPECIAL OPENING DAY SECTION