Doc's Morning Line: It's time for Castellinis, Reds fans to call a truce

It's time to call a truce.

Castellinis v. Fans needs to stop. Each side knows how the other side feels. Each has expressed itself clearly. We spent the offseason firing spitballs at each other. Time to turn the page.

The rhetoric flamed anew Tuesday, at Opening Day of all places. It’s time to bank the fires. Reds president Phil Castellini apologized at 9 last night for insulting the fans. You can debate the quality of the sorry, but what’s the point?

Current ownership doesn’t want to move the team. Never has. Which is convenient because for reasons stated in This Space yesterday, The Club ain’t going nowhere.

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The whole move-the-team narrative was created by the heathen media. I don’t recall Bob Castellini giving the speculation any credence. If you don’t like the product, don’t buy it. It’s not on you to keep the Reds in the black. It’s on the Reds to do that.

Nor is it your responsibility to change the current sell-the-team sentiments. I’m just suggesting you cool it, Point made, yeah? The first thing I heard at the game Tuesday, right after Tyler Mahle threw the game’s first pitch, was a fan yelling, ”Sell the team, Bob!’’

OK. Got it.

Now, do you think we might move on and try to actually enjoy the next six months?

Man, I hope so. We spent a couple decades love-hating the Bengals. It wasn’t always a lot of fun. Let’s try to avoid a repeat with America’s first professional baseball team, shall we?

Now, then. . .

I UNDERSTAND THE THINKING behind carrying 11 relief pitchers. One, the rosters currently are set at 28 players, so there is room. Two, the starting pitchers will be baby-ed for awhile (even more than usual) because of the shortened spring training.

It just looks so awkward.

How does David Bell give 11 bullpen guys enough work? Hunter Strickland gave up a go-ahead two-run homer in the 9th yesterday. He looked rusty. I suppose the issue will correct itself once the starting pitchers get stretched out and Castillo and Minor return, by the end of the month. But right now, the fact the Reds have more relievers on the major-league roster than teams used to have spots for an entire staff gives me pause.

Do the Reds honestly have 11 major-league quality relief pitchers?

(Rhetorical question.)

DAVID BELL was in no mood cater to the inevitable 2nd-guessing re his bullpen decisions in the 9th inning. After getting good work from Warren and Santillan, he went first to Strickland, then Duarte. Strickland pitched to five hitters and got one of them out. The other four went double-homer-hit batter-double. Duarte came in to give up the grand slam to Jose Ramirez.

Bell said he had no issue with his pitching decisions and would, in fact, have zero problem using Strickland again late, in today’s game.

And so it begins, our town’s favorite parlor game, 2nd-guessing the manager’s bullpen usage.

I WENT TO MY FIRST Opening Day parade yesterday. It only took 34 years. Jillian is a member of the CinCity Shakers, a dance team that took part in the festivities. And I have to say it was pretty cool, in a very Cincinnati way.

High school marching bands, lots of cops and firemen, Clydesdales. Americana. A city unabashedly unself-conscious about it all. We’re not too cool here to throw a small-town parade. And that’s cool.

My only gripe was, how come none of the people riding on the makeshift floats tossed candy and/or trinkets to the crowd? I mean, would it kill ‘em to give us a little bite-sized Snickers love?

HOW MUCH WERE THE BEERS? I saw $11.25 and $15. Really? Fifteen dollars?

PARKING IN NEWPORT used to be a great way to get to Opening Day, but as I discovered, they stopped running the Southbank Trolley after COVID-19 hit. Now, you have to take the TANK, which doesn’t run as often. Plus, parking at the Levee has gone from $5 to $10. And the walk across the bridge hasn’t gotten any shorter.

CASTELLANOS RIPS REDS AGAIN. In an ESPN.com story about tanking in MLB, he said this re the Reds:

“It's just a classic example of ownership using organizations as profit," former Reds and current Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos said recently. "When ... there are no consequences for losing, you're not held accountable for your performance.

"What sucks is in a great city like Cincinnati where the fan base is impeccable, it's suffocating," Castellanos said, "because of ownership.’’

Yeah, well, I’m not big on players who sound off after they leave here. Castellanos was a good player here for one year. On the surface, he seemed a charismatic leader. But if you’re going to lead, maybe put some pressure on ownership when that pressure could make a difference.

Wouldn’t it have been nice if Nick had been even slightly vocal last summer, when the Reds promising season died on the vine for lack of relief help? They got Givens too late. Where was Nick’s voice then?

As an aside, he’s represented by Scott Boras, who is among Bob Castellini’s least favorite people.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT. . . Michael Lorenzen allowed one run on two hits over six innings in his Angels debut as Los Angeles defeated the Miami Marlins 6-2 on Monday night.

AND NOW. . . FunMaster David gets festive.

Did any of you see the CincyFests fire truck in the parade? After years of attending as a spectator it was my first time participating in the parade and what a fun time it was. Baseball is back which means festival season is almost here! Let's take a look at what's going on in the city this week.

While all the focus has been on baseball, our minor league hockey team is battling for a playoff spot (I'd love a 2022 Kelly Cup Champions t-shirt). The Cincinnati Cyclones are hosting Fan Appreciation Night this Friday at the Heritage Bank Center. The event will feature giveaways galore, as well as the famous $1 hot dogs, pizza, beer, and soft drinks. Also I believe that Heritage Bank Center also is one of the few establishments remaining that sells RC Cola. So enjoy that. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

Elsewhere, the City of Wyoming is hosting their annual easter egg hunt at the Wyoming Recreation and Family Aquatic Center. Children will be divided by age groups and have chances to win a prize. Also, make sure you bring your cameras as there will be a visit from the one and only Easter Bunny.

Finally, it's yet another great week if you're into supporting #local #bands and there's a few shows around town on Saturday night. Joey Says No will be at the Little River Bar at 7pm, while Mad Costanza is at the Monkey Bar at the same time. Vinyl Countdown is on from 8p-11p at Little Miami Brewing Company. Oh, and Kings Island opens this Saturday (or Friday if you have a gold/platinum pass).

Phew. Did I get it all in?

TUNE O’ THE DAY. . . One of my guy Steve Forbert’s early gems.

“I might be leavin’ but the door ain’t shut. . .’’

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Phil Castellini, Cincinnati Reds fans need to call a truce