Reds fans have plenty to cheer about

it's been a long time since the Cincinnati Reds have still been in contention this late in the season.

With 124 games under their belt, the Reds are 72-52 and have a three-and-a-half game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central Division.

But while some fans are ready to pop open the champagne, I choose to wait.

Earlier Monday, I happened to be listening to ESPN Radio Analyst Colin Cowherd, who was talking about the Reds.

He mentioned the team had many wins against the "bottom feeders" of the National League and also pointed out the Reds had not performed well against the Cardinals this season.

He's right.

Basically, he said he didn't think the Reds had what it took to be a top-notch playoff team this year.

While I agree with him to this point, my only thought regarding this is who cares.

The 2010 Reds' squad has given their fans something to believe in. And believing is half the battle.

I know it's sports cliche, but it's true.

For nearly a decade, Reds fans across the globe have been getting ready for the NFL season by this point.

Now, things are different.

I admit, practically by early July for the better part of 10 years, I've tired of the baseball season and have started thinking football.

I've been a Reds' fan since the days of the Big Red Machine.

While I don't remember the World Series days of the 1970s all that well, Cincinnati was one of the few teams on television when I was a child.

I loved watching the Reds then and still enjoy games to this day.

But Reds' fans have had little to cheer about this late in a season for quite some time.

And again, believing is half the battle.

You never know.

In reference to Cowherd's proclamation that the Reds don't have what it takes to be a top-notch playoff team, you really never know.

Sure, the Reds don't have a name fronting their pitching staff. But they are a team.

In 1990, the Reds didn't have a name at the top of the staff either.

Jose Rijo was the top pitcher on the staff that season, along with Tom Browning.

Currently, the Reds have Bronson Arroyo and Johnny Cueto.

The Reds advanced to the World Series in 1990 to face the mighty Oakland Athletics.

The won the series, 4-0.