The End of the Adam Dunn Era?

You get the feeling that the end of an era is just nearing, closer and closer with every hour. At least I get the feeling, and it is a terrifying one; that Adam Dunn could on an instant no longer be playing baseball for the Cincinnati Reds.

I knew that this had to be the year in which Dunn showed something special. He’s my favorite player, at least for as long as he plays for the team I pull for. I’ve followed his career for a very long time, since he was a rookie. I’ve got more memories of Adam Dunn slams and ballgames than any other player since I’ve been watching baseball. I just knew though, that if Dunn didn’t come out this year and hit near .300 with all kinds of power, and in timely situations, the Reds were aiming to sell, with GM Wayne Krivsky leading the charge in the “Trade Dunn” parade.

Afterall, Krivsky likes to win games with pitching and defense; even though that ballpark isn’t tailored for pitching and defense. The right field porch was something that was supposed to be built short for Dunn and Griffey. This homer land of a ballpark was supposed to be what turned Adam Dunn into the greatest slugger in Cincinnati Reds history by the time he retired. It’s what has already made Dunn into the leading homerun hitter at Great American Ballpark in it’s short lifespan.

I’ll save the crybaby and tribute bullshit rant for when, not if, Dunn is traded. At this point I have given into the fact that it’s very probable it happens. You can’t blame GM Wayne Krivsky for it all; Adam Dunn simply hasn’t gotten it done. He has not cut down on his strikeouts, and he hasn’t changed much from the same frustrating player with unfulfilled prophecies he’s had the past few seasons. While I’ll never let someone call him Rob Deer, he’s extremely one dimensional to a point. He strikes out, he walks, he homers.

As I get older I am starting to realize that baseball is just a business. There was a time when an organization would be happy with a guy showing up, playing every day, and hitting 40+ homeruns every season. That time is aparently not now. Sure, these features are what brings Adam Dunn some value in a trade, however you just hope the Reds are able to retrieve more value when that time comes then when they dealt Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez to the Washington Nationals for what looks to be nothing at this point.

How ironic that the Tony Soprano and Adam Dunn in Cincinnati Era(s) are coming to an abrupt ending right now? I always knew it would happen, however I didn’t ever think it would be in this fashion or nearly this soon. So much more I thought was coming, so much more.