Big Red Machine?

Something strange is happening in Cincinnati. The Reds actually look like a team that might contend for the Central Division crown in the National League. The Reds improved themselves in many ways over the winter:

1. They picked up Eric Milton and Ramon Ortiz as starting pitchers -- even though
they have their detractors, both are legitimate starters.
2. They got Joe Randa to play third base and Rich Aurellia to play shortstop. Randa
is the real deal with good fielding range and a deceiving bat. Aurellia is a former
All-Star shortstop who gives the club stability at that position. Last year, Ryan
Freel manned third most of the time and short was filled with 40-year-old Barry
Larkin and Felipe Lopez. Barry was hurt and Lopez was inconsistent.
3. Ken Griffey, Jr. is back. Already having five hits on the season (all singles, by the
way), he looks like a million bucks--well several million bucks.

If they continue to play this well, they will surprise a lot of folks. Like the Mets, who already had placed a victory cigar on new manager Willie Randolph's desk for the after-victory celebration. Not today.