When did Cincinnati Reds forget how to treat their fans proper? | W&W

GOODYEAR, Arizona − Wittenmyer & Williams is a common point/counterpoint column from Enquirer Reds reporter Gordon Wittenmyer and sports activities columnist Jason Williams. This week, they lay out the blueprint for fixing what’s damaged on the possession aspect.

Williams: Great to be right here in Arizona. Had a pleasant chat with Bob Castellini on Tuesday morning. He appeared to be doing just advantageous. Apparently, stories of his demise have been tremendously exaggerated.

Wittenmyer: You must be speaking about the rumors that swirled when the Reds enterprise aspect utterly botched the announcement of Phil Castellini succeeding Bob as controlling proprietor. They screwed up so unhealthy with that bizarre leaked report the first week of spring training that team officers have been bombarded with questions about Bob’s health.

Williams: And by the time team officers have been made out there to the media, none of them have been Phil or anybody else from the enterprise aspect of the operation.

Wittenmyer: It made no sense.

Williams: The enterprise aspect retains trying more like the Cincinnati Bengals every day when it comes to basic public relations. Heck, even that team’s proprietor talks at the very least yearly, at the start of training camp.

Phil Castellini, shown prior to the Opening Day game against the San Francisco Giants in 2025, has been named the successor to his father as controlling proprietor. Gordon Wittenmyer and Jason Williams agreed the announcement of the transfer was dealt with poorly.

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Wittenmyer: How does that even occur, particularly with a team that has some of the best media relations in the game on the baseball aspect? For the first time in years, Reds possession had an opportunity to take a victory lap because they prolonged the payroll to carry again well-liked slugger Eugenio Suarez.

Williams: It’s the damnedest factor in Cincinnati sports activities. Even this possession used to be so accessible and accountable. The Reds have been always a mannequin for good public relations, on either side of the operation. As you pointed out, their entire baseball aspect is first class, beginning with team president Nick Krall, GM Brad Meador and media relations veterans Larry Herms and Jamie Ramsey. I’ve always discovered Bob to be nice, and I respect him. But ever since Phil caught his foot in his mouth, that aspect of the operation hasn’t been in a position to get it out.

Wittenmyer: And the worst half is, they appear to be hiding from it. I do not know if the people who work for Phil are afraid of bringing common sense recommendation to him or whether or not he just cannot deal with the warmth. But there’s an enormous hole in widespread sense occurring over there. And it isn’t serving to promote some of the nice issues this club has to provide proper now on the area.

Williams: I would like be clear about one thing. This is not private, and it isn’t about us needing quotes for tales and columns. It’s about being accountable to the fans. If it was important sufficient to finally acknowledge the change atop the group, then it is definitely important sufficient to present a proof about why it issues and why now. Especially when the cryptic report leads to assumptions about Bob Castellini’s properly being.

Wittenmyer: I can not think about that’s what they wished. But that’s what they bought. Because of the ham-handed approach they dealt with it. All they’d to do was make an announcement early in the day and make Phil out there to discuss. In fact, they need to’ve performed it before spring training ever began. Especially since we have been told that this was a formality within a course of that’s been underway for more than a yr.

Williams: Why danger doing this to Bob just because of the approach fans and media would possibly understand Phil? Bob is 84 years outdated. He’s been an upstanding proprietor and performed great issues for the community. Sure, the Reds have not received, however Bob’s had good intentions as an proprietor. He’d already been by the wringer with the “sell the team, Bob” PR hit. The bunker mentality is not what Bob wants − and Reds fans definitely deserve more, particularly with what the team has put them by in recent times.

Wittenmyer: Look, man, I do not want to kiss-up apparently as a lot as you do. But credit score the place credit score is due when it comes to his willingness by most of his possession to arise and talk his intentions with the fans. You can always ask for more (see: nickel-and-dime payroll), however you in all probability cannot anticipate more.

Williams: I’ll let you know what fans have a proper to anticipate. Any signal of a backbone from the new controlling proprietor. You do not like what fans say? Stand up and reply questions.

Wittenmyer: Wait a minute. Aren’t you the one who’s said he ought to sit down and shut up? Now you need him to arise and communicate to the lots?

Williams: Now that he is the controlling proprietor, yeah, I anticipate Phil to arise whether or not he likes it or not. It’s a part of his job now. Heavy is the head that wears the crown.

Wittenmyer: It’s no different than Nick Krall standing up last summer time and proudly owning the fact he made a mistake signing and then having to release Jeimer Candalario with $22.5 million left on his deal. That’s what management seems like. You make a mistake. You personal it. You transfer on and hold attempting to do what’s best for the club.

Williams: And that’s the factor, even one big mistake would not have to outline how good any person is at their job. Krall’s team was in the playoffs by end of that season, and so they appear like they’ve an opportunity to do even more this yr.

Wittenmyer: It’s time the new man in cost on the other aspect of the operation reveals what sort of job he can do. But he is gonna have to start doing it, including the a part of the job that entails speaking and management. Until he does that, I’m unsure any of us can know −

Williams: Don’t say it.

Wittenmyer: That’s proper. Until then, none of us can know the place he is gonna go.

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Cincinnati Reds host Kanas City Royals in Cactus League game. See photographs

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott (41) throws a pitch in the first inning of a Cactus League game between the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Ariz.

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Cincinnati Reds host Kanas City Royals in Cactus League game. See photographs

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Cincinnati Reds host Kanas City Royals in Cactus League game. See photographs

Kansas City Royals pitcher Michael Wacha (52) throws a pitch in the first inning of a Cactus League game between the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Ariz.

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Cincinnati Reds host Kanas City Royals in Cactus League game. See photographs

Cincinnati Reds heart fielder Dane Myers (17) walks in the second inning of a Cactus League game between the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Ariz.

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Cincinnati Reds host Kanas City Royals in Cactus League game. See photographs

Cincinnati Reds designated hitter TJ Friedl (29) this a RBI in the second inning of a Cactus League game between the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Ariz.

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Cincinnati Reds host Kanas City Royals in Cactus League game. See photographs

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brandon Williamson (55) throws a pitch in the third inning of a Cactus League game between the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Ariz.

This article initially appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: When did Reds forget how to treat their fans proper?

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When did Cincinnati Reds forget how to treat their fans proper? | W&W