The Cincinnati Reds are in the home stretch of a near historic season. Battling the Washington Nationals for the best overall record in baseball, this team is evoking memories of the Big Red Machine of the 70’s.

Johnny Cueto and Aroldis Chapman could finish 1-2 in the Cy Young Award voting, Todd Frazier has made a strong case for Rookie of the Year, Ryan Ludwick could be Comeback Player of the Year, and common sense says only his absence from the lineup after knee surgery is keeping Joey Votto out of MVP discussion.

Yet I hear no Reds fans endorse Dusty Baker for Manager of the Year. Instead I hear complaints about lineups and batting orders. There are doubts that the team can make a title run without a better leadoff hitter, and worries that Mat Latos and Bronson Arroyo are inadequate second and third starters behind Cueto in a short playoff series.

Granted, the Reds have not won a postseason series since 1995, but it’s not as if Baker is going to bring Corey Patterson out of retirement to play center field and spark an implosion. This team is not perfect, but there are no flaws large enough to prohibit a deep playoff run, if not a World Series title. However, what happens in October should take nothing away from the summer of 2012.

I have often witnessed Dayton basketball fans begin speculating about NCAA tournament bids after a big win in December. Victory celebrations are cut short by worries about how many more wins it will take to get to the Big Dance.

I said to them the same thing I say now to Reds fans. Relax. Enjoy the ride.