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Cincinnati Reds President Scolds Fanbase Ahead of Opening Day

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Cincinnati Reds announcer Marty Brennaman, center, stands with Reds owner Bob Castellini, left, and Phil Castellini, right, before a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, in Cincinnati. The 77-year-old broadcaster is retiring after 46 years. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Cincinnati Reds president Phil Castellini wasn’t feeling the positive vibes of their Opening Day on Tuesday afternoon.

The controlling owner of the team was speaking during the teams opening parade today. And when asked about the fan base asking for a sale of Reds following their offseason sell-off, Castellini didn’t hold back.

“Well, where are you going to go? Let’s start there,” Castellini said, per Fletcher Keel of WLWT. “Sell the team to who? You want to have this debate? If you want to look at what would you do with this team to be more profitable, make more money, compete more in the current economic system that this game exists, it would be to pick it up and move it somewhere else. So, be careful what you ask for.”

Once he made his way to Great American Ballpark, Phil Castellini was asked about his comments. Instead of taking back his words about the fans, he decided to double-down.

“Are you gonna abandon being a Reds fan?” Castellini said. “Are you gonna abandon following this team? We haven’t abandoned it, we haven’t abandoned investing in the team and the community. The point is, how about everybody just settle down and celebrate and cheer for the team. You can hate on us all you want, we’re not going anywhere.”

Despite being in Wild Card contention for most of the year last season, Phil Castellini appears to have chosen to go through a rebuild of the Reds — sending away several of their key players during the offseason.

Now, the Reds are back to the cellar of the National League, their fan base is (rightfully) upset, and Phil Castellini doesn’t appear to give a damn.

Sad times in Cincy.

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