Tuesday, October 05, 1999Reds retain pride despite sadness, disappointment
BY SCOTT MacGREGOR
The Cincinnati EnquirerThe Reds lost but did not view themselves as losers. There were plenty of tears but lots of perspective.
The scene after Monday's 5-0 loss to the Mets in a one-game wild-card playoff was a mix of emotions: sadness and anger at losing but pride in the accomplishment of making it as far as they did.
The loss did not temper that. That was evident when players stuck around the field after the final out, waving to the fans and throwing them hats and batting gloves. Eddie Taubensee raised his fist in triumph, and the emotional Sean Casey pumped his fist high, then pointed a single finger high into the night sky.
“The heart we poured out to the city, to each other,” Casey said. “This is a special group of guys. This is why you play this game, to have a team like this. All the emotions we've been going through — it's been such a wonderful year. I'm just thankful I'm a Cincinnati Red this year.”
“I'm very proud to be on this team,” Dmitri Young said. “This was a great learning experience for all the young guys. The 25 guys in here believed in us.”
Still, pride doesn't erase disappointment, and the young guys took it hardest.
Casey cried openly in front of TV cameras. Aaron Boone sat with his right hand on his temple, staring blankly across the crowded lockerroom. Pokey Reese sat and stared at the ground for several minutes.
“It's been a year of awesome moments,” Boone said. “There's been a lot said about how close this team is, and it's true. We leaned on each other all year long. Hopefully, we can come away better for this, be better for it next year.”
The Reds won 96 games and made it farther than anyone but themselves believed.
“Ninety-six wins usually gets you in the playoffs,” Young said. “But this year, there were five teams with at least that many. Somebody had to lose.”
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Reds retain pride despite sadness, disappointment