Cincinnati Reds Opening Day Countdown: 55 Days and an Unforgettable Memory

There's 55 days until Opening Day, remember this iconic Opening Day moment?

Author:
Austin Elmore
Publish date:
Feb 2, 2024 9:03 AM EST

In this story:

CINCINNATI — With every passing day, we get closer and closer to meaningful Reds baseball being played again. With pitchers and catchers reporting to Goodyear, Arizona right around the corner, let's begin the countdown to Opening Day, shall we?

There are currently 55 days until the Reds square off with the Washington Nationals in one of the most anticipated openers in recent memory. Does that number ring a bell to you?

No, I’m not talking about legendary Reds players to wear that number like Peaches Davis, Ozzie Timmons, or Mat Latos.

I’m talking about iconic Opening Day memories in Reds history. Let me take you back to 2011 when the Reds played the Milwaukee Brewers on Opening Day. The Reds were fresh off an improbable 2010 National League Central Division championship and the buzz for the club was at a fever pitch.

They opened the year on March 31 against Milwaukee with Edison Volquez on the mound. We won’t talk about Paul Janish starting at shortstop or Drew Stubbs in centerfield.

The game started on a sour note, with Volquez giving up back-to-back solo home runs to Rickie Weeks and Carlos Gomez. Nine pitches into the season, the Reds were down 2-0. But fear not, they battled back.

It wasn’t future National Baseball Hall of Fame players Scott Rolen or Joey Votto that put the Reds on their back, but instead the starting catcher Ramon Hernandez. Yes, No. 55 Ramon Hernandez.

The Reds entered the bottom of the ninth inning trailing the Brewers 6-3 with Milwaukee closer John Axford striding to the mound.

Brandon Phillips lead the inning off with a single, then Votto drew a walk. After that, Rolen reached base on a fielder's choice, loading the bases.

Jay Bruce struck out.

Jonny Gomes, just seconds after pulling his helmet up and down in the batter's box, hit a sacrifice fly to bring the Reds within two.

Hernandez was up next, wearing No. 55. He took a first pitch strike. Then he did this:

And just like that, baseball was back. That was my first Opening Day. Talk about a memory, right? From that point on, I was hooked.

The important history of Opening Day in Cincinnati has been well documented, but it’s true what they say: There’s something special about Opening Day.

Here's to another iconic Opening Day moment, 55 days from now.

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