The return of Jose Rijo (the 1990 World Series MVP) to Cinergy Field on Aug. 17, 2001, after a six-year layoff and five major surgeries on his arm, was a baseball miracle.

        “That has to be the best regular-season game ever,” Rijo said recently. “For me. For anybody. I never saw so much excitement in one regular-season game. People were giving me standing ovations, and shouting my name. It was unbelievable.”

        Rijo pitched two scoreless innings in relief against the Milwaukee Brewers, giving up two hits and striking out two. It was his first major-league appearance since July 18, 1995, against San Diego.

        “People love me in Cincinnati,” said Rijo, noting it is a mutual admiration love-fest when he takes the mound. “I knew it was going to be special. I would see people on the street downtown (in the days leading up to the game) and people would say, "I haven't been to a game in so long, but I'm going to come out to see you.' That was like a shot of motivation in my arm. It gave me a hunger to want to give people a show. I didn't want to just go through the motions and say, "OK, I made it back.' It was more than that. I wanted to do something for the people.”

        In 13 relief appearances for the season, Rijo was 0-0 with a 2.12 ERA. It set up his invitation to spring training and, ultimately, his return to the starting rotation this season.

Reds 7, Cards 3 Reds box, runs Reds' final game tickets sell out in under an hour Reds Q&A with John Fay Say it ain't so Armed for the long haul Handicapping the NL Central race Cinergy Countdown No. 27: Aug. 17, 2001 Clutch double ends Clark's 2-for-26 skid Down on the farms Pineda heats up in bullpen Reds chatter The week ahead Durazo's big night shatters team records Legislature approves Twins stadium bill Prior's debut Wednesday at Wrigley Field Selig says Brewers' bad season not hurting his crusade John Fay's MLB Power Rankings Louisville 4, Ottawa 1 NL roundup AL roundup Notes from Saturday's games

Bengals Q&A with Mark Curnutte
Football Hall is honored
Titans looking Freakier
Ashland ends NKU's bid 6-2
Buckeyes split with Gophers
Former Navy great ponders past choices
NKU women show in NCAA golf
Ohio State to play Marshall in 2004
Two roundabout roads to success
Cauthen hopes War Emblem wins Triple Crown
Espinoza enjoys a smooth ride
Preakness notebook
Take the heat and keep going
War Emblem wins Preakness
Indy hopefuls want smooth road on Bump Day
McWilliams family tree rooted in racing
Newman cashes in at The Winston
Price leads Colonial by 5
Serena meets Henin in Italian Open final
World Cup lookin' up
A peek inside the NBA draft lottery
K-Mart will try to slow down Celtics' Pierce
Lakers 106, Kings 99
McCarty's hat trick leads Wings past Avs
NHL notes column
Quinn hopes Leafs aren't too relaxed
The Cup runneth all over the place
Coming up this week
Enquirer Page Two power rankings
DAUGHERTY: Kelly loved, and in turn, receives love
Taft baseball alive with Webb at reins
Fehr riddles Elder - again
Spring sparks Lebanon's rally over Oak Hills
Preps schedule
Saturday's results

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