Sunday is the final regular season game of 2010 for the Reds. It is Fan Appreciation Day.
I think it should also be a day to appreciate Aaron Harang. Harang should be the starting pitcher in what will most likely be his final appearance in a Reds uniform. I can't imagine a scenario where Harang makes the 25-man playoff roster. I can't imagine the Reds picking up his $12.75-million dollar option for 2011. I would think they will pay him the $2-million dollar buyout and he will become a free agent. I think it would be fitting for Harang to end his career with the Reds as the '10 Opening Day starter and the final game starter. I know he hasn't pitched well. But Sunday likely won't have an impact on the playoffs scenarios. He deserves one last start. He deserves to walk from the mound one last time to a standing ovation. I believe the Reds owe him that after eight seasons. I know, the Reds have given him all they really owe him, $39.85 million dollars, in his time here. I believe it would be a nice finishing touch.
Think of how difficult it must be for Harang this season. He was here for the previous seven losing seasons, the down times, the lack of run support. He went from 32-17 in 2006-07 to 18-38 since then. And now his team is headed to the playoffs and he not only won't be a part of it, but he won't be a part of the organization next year.
He's always given back to the community. He's always been a class act. Give back to Harang Sunday.
He's taken the ball for 212 starts in a Reds uniform. Hand it to him for the 213th and final time Sunday.
And then cheer him

http://www.700wlw.com/pages/lancesBlog.html

Totally Agree!

I'm not a Reds fan but I agree it would be a great move to give him the start.

From the main forum page all I could see of this thread title was "why aaron harang should start" and I instantly thought you were campaigning for him to start game 1 of NLDS. Glad to see that wasn't the case.

I think it would be a good idea and it wouldn't hurt anything to give him the ball one more time.

Yes, I agree 100%. You have to appreciate him for his efforts when the Reds were bad.

Reds still have a mathematical chance (at least) to get the #2 seed (trailing Giants by 2 games with 3 to play). If SF would falter to where Cincinnati could still get the #2 seed if they win on Sunday, then no way. If not, though, why not?

He'll probably throw a perfect game.

Heretic;503553 wrote:Reds still have a mathematical chance (at least) to get the #2 seed (trailing Giants by 2 games with 3 to play). If SF would falter to where Cincinnati could still get the #2 seed if they win on Sunday, then no way. If not, though, why not?

I believe they basically trail by 3 since SF holds the tiebreaker. Maybe I'm wrong though.

se-alum;503586 wrote:I believe they basically trail by 3 since SF holds the tiebreaker. Maybe I'm wrong though.

I think that's right. I think they'd have to sweep the Brewers and SF would have to be swept by SD for Cincy to finish one game better in the standings. Still a possibility, although about as slim of one as could be conceived especially considering SF's in "slap a bitch down" mode right now.

Heretic;503591 wrote:I think that's right. I think they'd have to sweep the Brewers and SF would have to be swept by SD for Cincy to finish one game better in the standings. Still a possibility, although about as slim of one as could be conceived especially considering SF's in "slap a bitch down" mode right now.

Lol...I deleted my post because the more I read it, the more I thought it was wrong...

se-alum;503593 wrote:Lol...I deleted my post because the more I read it, the more I thought it was wrong...

Nah, I think you were right. According to Yahoo...

• The Cincinnati Reds (89-70) clinch the No. 2 seed with a sweep and a Padres sweep. Otherwise, the Reds are the No. 3 seed.

So if the two teams finished with the same record, Giants would have the tiebreaker.

That would be a cool thing to do for Harang.

It's no secret that I am a huge Harang fan. This is a no brainer for everything that the big guy has done for this club over the last 8 years. I hate using the word "class" but Harang has been nothing but. I'm not sure that there is a better person in baseball.

I'm all for it...but I'm also fearful that he would stink it up and then it could be a bit of an embarrassment.

I wish him well.

If the Reds are out of the running for the 2 seed then yeah do it. I'd like to see what he has right now. I can see at any time pretty much anyone of the Reds starters being down big early. If this were to happen could Harang com in to get them to a point where they would typically bring in a reliever?

Even if they have a chance at the 2 seed, I still say pitch him.

Let him help this team in some way. If they don't get it...bring on Philly!! They got a better chance in 5 games than they do 7 anyways.

The last time he pitched I was honestly afraid he going to get hurt....and after several line drives he took a mash off the foot and had to leave the game.

Agree 100%

He has been announced as the starter tomorrow.

I saw the link somewhere.