Homer Bailey threw a no-hitter against the Pirates on Friday. Between the Ryder Cup and another weekend of replacement ref-less NFL action on the horizon, you probably didn’t hear much about it. In fact, the media have not had much to say about the N.L. Central champion Reds all season. Cincinnati has one of the best records in baseball, and Bailey is frustrated that they aren’t getting a lot of credit.
“No one’s even paid attention,” Bailey said according to The Enquirer. “You don’t hear about that on ESPN. We keep hearing about (the Reds in the 70s). Nobody’s talking about this team, this rotation, the things we’ve done, the amount of quality starts, the innings. Four guys over 200. Five guys making every start. Johnny Cueto about to go for his 20th win. He was in Cy Young contention.
“Nobody’s paying attention to it. Nobody’s paying attention to how our bullpen is probably the best in baseball.”
It’s not just ESPN that Bailey is upset with. He also took a shot at Reds fans for their lack of support. Despite playing well all season, the Reds rank 16th in the MLB in average home attendance.
“We come here last night and there’s (34,000) people. We go back home and there’s only 20,000. We’re a first-place team with a bunch of exciting things going on — whether it’s Todd Frazier going for Rookie of the Year or Joey Votto going for a batting title or Johnny Cueto up for a Cy Young. A rotation full of guys that day in day out take the ball. I don’t think we necessarily try to get attention. But I think what everybody is witnessing with this team is pretty special. It shouldn’t go overlooked.”
Instead of complaining about it, Bailey and his teammates would benefit from using the lack of attention they have received as motivation to prove everyone wrong in the postseason. If the Reds’ opponents underestimate them the way the media and fans have, that can only work to their advantage.
