GMTS Newsletter: Don't call it a bucket list...

Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012

“Bucket Lists” are like pictures of your kids: you think they’re AWESOME, but really, no one else cares. Also like kids, you sometimes fall short in trying to make them work.

So I don’t have one.

A bucket list, that is. I have two kids. Wanna see pictures?

That said, I do have one thing that I’m dying to see.

A Reds World Series.

I’m a simple girl. I don’t need fancy vacations or expensive cars or the newest gadgets.

A Super Bowl, a BCS Championship, the Olympics? Not even close.

All I want is to see the Reds in the World Series.

And the thing is -- it could happen.

My husband often talks about getting picked up from school and finding out a family friend had gotten them tickets to the 1990 World Series. They were sitting in the stands near Pete Rose’s mom, and my brother-in-law got her autograph on the game program. (This really freaked Pete out when, years later, my brother-in-law had him sign it, too).

In many cities, many more fans would have stories like that. But we’re sitting in the midst of a 22-year drought. An entire generation of Reds fans has grown up without seeing their favorite team in the World Series.

Sure, it’s better than Cubs fans (last played in a WS in 1945, last won in 1908), but nothing like the Yankees (they’ve won 40 WS, most recently in 2009).

Can you imagine? This city would be crazy cakes. This is and always has been a baseball town, but let’s admit it – we’re kinda bandwagony here.

But once those Reds start winning? The stadium fills up. The team dominates conversations among young and old. You see Reds jerseys everywhere. People are literally wearing their team on their sleeves.

And there are thousands of people out there just like me: we’ve never had a truly vested interest in the Fall Classic. And a World Series would be icing on that crazy cake.

It’s easy to get caught up in magic numbers and why Johnny Cueto’s slipping as of late and wondering if Joey Votto is 100 percent and what’s up with Zack Cozart’s oblique and will the rotation hold up and can the Reds hit good post-season pitching and how’s Aroldis Chapman’s shoulder…

People, get out of the shame spiral and enjoy the run. And let’s hope that 22-year drought ends in a matter of weeks.

I know I do.

From Today’s Show:

-Variations on a Theme: Great classical composers write variations on a theme. Haydn, Vivaldi, Bach and so many more. I’m just like those guys. Except for the talent, the knowledge and the excellence in their field. But whatever. It’s just a way to get more Reds stuff in here. You still have a chance to register for a chance to buy tickets to the NLCS or World Series. The lucky ones who won the Reds NLDS (first playoff round) lottery get to start buying their tickets this morning.

-Hot Toys: The Toys R Us Hot Toys list is out! If I had to guess, I’d say Santa is bringing One Direction Dolls and that cool sticker maker to our house. But who knows. The best part is, you can reserve the hot toys at Toys R Us through Halloween.

Today’s Distracting Link:

Jennifer Aniston is even more likeable than normal when she pokes fun at herself.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2012/09/jennifer-aniston-shows-off-faux-baby-bump-in-new-smartwater-ad/