[Van Hagar]

I saw my first game in the mid 70s, right in the heart of the Big Red Machine era. Can’t remember the exact details, but my dad would take me at least once a summer back then. People under our age OSH probably can’t believe that baseball was still king back then nationally.

My biggest in person memory was a mid-summer Sunday game against the Mike Schmidt, Larry Bowa, Greg Luzinski Phillies while the Reds were still the Big Red Machine. Riverfront was packed, and the game went extras. My dad had to get up early to go to work the next day, so we left after I think 11 innings. We always parked on the Kentucky side and walked over. As we were crossing the bridge to our car we heard a huge roar. Had to get in the car and turn on Marty and Joe to find out Ken Griffey (the Sr. on his name would come later) had hit one out to win the game in the bottom of the 12th.

My favorite player on those teams was Tony Perez. The Big Dog was so underrated, as was Davey Concepcion, another of my favorites from that time. After that I loved Eric Davis and the Cobra, Dave Parker. My favorite player of all-time is Ken Griffey, Jr. He was a little past his prime in Cincy, but I always felt he was just the most effortlessly great player I ever saw, and I loved the joy he played with.

Presently I’m with Jaron’s, I’m a big Jonathan India fan. He busts his ass every night, just a somewhat above average talent that gives you everything he has, I really respect that.