And this one belongs to the Reds...

Jan. 31—It is a revived team and fanbase for the Cincinnati Reds this year and the momentum that arose during last year's season is hoped to continue into the 2024 year.

That hope was expressed by managers, broadcasters and former and current players who visited London's Old Town Grill on Friday afternoon as part of the Reds Caravan tour throughout Kentucky.

The team was divided into four groups, with the London stop termed as part of the South Tour.

Those participating in the South Tour included pitcher Buck Farmer, infield prospects Sammy Stafura and Carlos Jorge, former pitcher Ron Robinson, Reds/Bally Sports broadcaster Jim Day, Reds President & COO Phil Castellini and Senior Vice President & General Manager Brad Meador.

Sammy Stafura, a 19-year-old high school recruit for the Reds, is anxiously anticipating the upcoming season as he begins his professional baseball career.

"I feel amazing. It's a blessing. I'm super thankful to be in tour today. It's a fantastic organization. It feels like family," he said. "I'm excited about it. I'm super excited about the season this year."

Stafura was the 2022-2023 New York Ballplayer of the Year, something in which he holds great pride.

"It was a goal last year and I won it and I'm super happy about," he said.

Stafura initially signed to play at Clemson but the chips still fell in his favor when that deal fell through.

"I went to the school and got an offer. Unfortunately fortunately that didn't work out and I'm in a great spot now," Stafura added. "I'm ready for baseball."

Reds Broadcaster Jim Day said the upcoming season holds a lot of positivity, explaining that the fan base has been energized by last year's team and the new players for the upcoming season.

"There's a lot of optimism and hope — and it's real. The group of players they have together in the roster, they've been able to assemble, they've been able to draft. It's real," Day said.

Day said the fan base had become apathetic because of the past record but the last half of the 2023 season had boosted morale for both players and fans.

"These guys are really talented. They're hungry. They play the game right away," he said. "We're excited."

Reds General Manager Phil Castellini is also looking forward to this year's team. He said restructuring and the team's success last year had revived the fan base.

"The energy back in the building and this team and the way they played last year and the new guys coming up is really perfect timing. We kind of got stuck in May and moving forward through that middle season. It's the form of baseball we haven't seen in a long time," Castellini said.

He added that last year's season had some hardships.

"There was some pieces, especially in the pitching that had to have some depth. We had some guys get hurt and lost some along the way but I think the offense and defense is there so it's a healthy, great bunch of guys," he said. "These guys are hungry; I think they got enough of the post season that they're ready to get back."

To further enhance the "fan experience" at the Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, the management is renovating some past traditions.

"We're redoing the whole Diamond Club. Actually, a wholesale renovation that reinvents the club since we opened back in "03," he said. "We're doing a Grab-n-Go concept called The Food Hut, taking all those concessions down by the stands on the 3rd base line, blowing up the countertops where you usually get your food so you can walk in, grab your stuff, check yourself out. It's going to greatly improve the acquisition time and reduce the lines. Now that the fans are back, we want to make sure to get them feed and back in their seats to watch this team."

The Cincinnati Reds had a 62-100 season in 2022, but came back to end the 2023 season with an 82-80 record. A 12-game winning streak enhanced the team spirit as well as the fan base last year and is hoped to continue as the team tackles opponents this year.