We are all painly aware of J.J. Hoovers horrible relief pitching abilities last season. If you weren’t aware, then you are lucky, and I’m guessing not a Cincinnati Reds fan. He went 1-10 with a 4.88 ERA. Yikes. That wasn’t his first year in the majors; he actually had his big league appearance in 2012. So we can’t blame that on nerves. I’m really not sure what we can say about that season other than lets forget it. But at least he set a franchise record for 10 straight losses, silver lining?

            He was on record saying countless times after the season that he was working hard, every time he did anything in the media it was focused on him feeling good, and working hard, as well as being excited for the new season…. We have all heard this before, and then we don’t see anything promising. But that isn’t the case for Hoover, I truly believe he did work hard and it’s showing this season.

We saw improvement in Spring Training games this year. Showing us some of the old Hoover we saw in 2012 or 2013. In 2013 he was 5-5 in 69 appearances with a 2.86 ERA. But Spring Training and Regular Season games are different.

What does he do this season? Well he has more wins than losses already, so that’s an improvement. But really he is looking great, 2-0 after six games. Throwing nice and good fastballs, being accurate, way better than our other bullpen relief pitchers. Hoover has pitched in 3 games so far in this young season and owns a record of 2-0. He has faced a total of 16 batters in his 4.1 innings pitched allowing 2 hits, 1 walk and 4 strikeouts. But best of all his ERA is currently 0.00. 

I see Hoover making a big name for himself and proving his pitching ability to all the people that doubted him in the past. It wont be forgotten that he did horrible last season, but the team as a whole didn’t do that hot either. Hoover is a breath of relief to us when we see him come into the game, who would have thought that would happen?

Last year I screamed at the television every time he came in from the bullpen. Last year I watched J.J. burn that bridge between starter and Chapman. By years end the bridge had caught fire so many times that all that was left was chard soil on each side where the bridge once stood. This year the bridge has been reconstructed, and every board and rope is in tact. Now, because of last year when you get out to the center of the bridge it still sways back and forth, but all that makes you do is go a little faster to the other side. This is great to see, because last year Hoover to his credit never swayed away from the press and always stood right in the fire he created and answered all the questions. Therefore, last year he earned my respect, now I hope he continues to earn wins.

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