The Denny Neagle trade has sparked fiery reaction from Reds fans from Clifton to Costa Rica. Ditto the question of whether to sign or trade Barry Larkin.

        The Enquirer received 554 e-mail responses to its poll questions last week:

        • Now that the Reds have traded Denny Neagle, signaling the start of a rebuilding process, will you still go to Reds games? (71 percent said yes).

        • Should the Reds sign Barry Larkin (43 percent said yes), trade him (37 percent) or make another move? (20 percent).

        Most respondents were from Greater Cincinnati. Others were as far-flung as Costa Rica, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Mississippi, New York, and Washington state. A few came from St. Louis, thanking the Reds for handing the Cardinals the NL Central title.

        Some called Reds GM Jim Bowden a genius. Some called him “a moron” and compared him unfavorably to Bengals President Mike Brown.

        The common thread was disappointment, with a promising season gone awry.

        A sampling of e-mails:

        • I guess in a year or two we'll find out if Mr. Bowden is a visionary or an idiot. — Craig Lichtenberger

        • I completely agree with the trade. Right now Denny Neagle's market value is at its peak. — Andy Schwedler

        • I live in Costa Rica and cannot go to games. But if I could, I would still go. — Joe Parrock

        • I'll direct my attention to the WWF. — John Topmiller

        • If Carl Lindner can find $75 million to buy naming rights to the new stadium, surely he can dig up the money to keep Neagle and Larkin. — Pam Price

        • The Reds are loading the farm system and I am pumped. Great move, Jim Bowden! — Mike Allen

        • Bowden is talking about 2003? I'm as baffled as I've ever been with sports. — Larry Woolum

        • Many thanks from St. Louis! — Gordon Berry.

        • While this three-year plan to rebuild is in operation, will there also be a freeze on price increases at the gate and concession stand? — Jerry Marshall

        • Larkin is the best player on the team. They need to sign him or I just won't quit going to games, I'll move out of the city. — Rob Jones

        • Jim Bowden talks out of both sides of his mouth. He goes on TV and asks the fans not to give up on this season, that "We're only 5¹/₂ games out of the wild-card race.' Then the next day he tells us that the Reds are building for the future. What's it gonna be, Jim-Bow? — Ron Richter • I bought season tickets, but the Reds only gave me half a season. — David Nulton

        • If the Reds can get rid of Frank Robinson, Pete Rose, Tony Perez and others, then Larkin can take his unreasonable demands and hit the road. — Tony Ciuffo.

        • Dig into your pocket, Carl, and start acting like you own a big-league team. — Traci McLaughlin

        • Give Barry his three years, he deserves it. He wants to finish his career as a Red, and remember, the last contract he signed was far below market value for him. — John Albanese

        • The Reds recognize that their best plan is to set their sights on the 2003 season. That was supposed to be the original plan anyway, before they got on fire last year and almost made the playoffs. — Beth Hettinger.

        • Since we've given up on this year, I wonder if there might be a market for Harnisch, too. — David Hartman

        • As a Mariner fan in Seattle, I've followed your season with great interest. Griffey generates excitement and puts people in the stands, but offensive superstars will never win championships. — Francisco Chateaubriand. • The Reds need to show some loyalty. Larkin has been a quality player and deserves to be treated like Bench and Concepcion. — Paul Morgan

        • And last but not least, get rid of that moron Bud Selig and put Pete in the Hall of Fame. — Dick Young

        Finally, some perspective. The Enquirer usually does not publish unsigned letters, but a person identifying himself only as “Jake” put it this way:

        “It's just a game. Go and have fun at a ballgame, take a walk or play with your kids. Life goes on.”

Participate in our e-mail poll

Reds 7, Rockies 4 Box, runs Franken-Stynes has monster hit streak Staff isn't missing Neagle - yet Reds-Tigers Scouting Report Fans haven't given up on Reds Can baseball save small-market clubs? McPhee ran, fielded way to glory Hall planning keeps Marty busy West race could go to last day

• Return to Reds front page...