As Spring Training advances I am delighted to see the return go Eugenia Suarez as I have noted earlier. He was one of my favorite players during an earlier stint with the Reds. I was devastated when he got traded away during one of the never ending Reds Rebuilding efforts.

And I was disappointed last season when the Reds could not convince him to join the team before our aborted short playoff bid but I am thrilled to have him back on the team. His presence alone is not a guarantor of success but many factors will strengthen this young talented team. His strong bat will make a difference in the homer-happy confines of Great American Ballpark. His batting prowess will be a backstop to allow Ellie De La Cruz some lineup protection and hopefully allow him to develop further. His consistently positive attitude will light up the dugout and he will be a natural leader on a maturing team.

I have high hopes for the season.

Go REDS!