CINCINNATI, Ohio — The gates outside Great American Ball Park remain closed, but excitement for the 2020 baseball season is ramping up.
Cincinnati Reds Super Fan Duane “The Woo Guy” Rhodes can’t wait for the first pitch.
“I’d love to go to a game but just seeing it on TV, 60 games, that’s fine by me,” he said.
Rhodes is well known in Cincinnati for his rallying call at home games.
“Go Redlegs, Woooooo.”
But unfortunately during the 2020 season, Rhodes’ “Woos” won’t be heard at Great American Ball Park — because fans are not allowed to attend due to the pandemic. But he is staying optimistic.
“Feels like something has been taken away from me this year, you know, at the beginning of the season,” Rhodes said. “So, now this week you got something to look forward to.”
His love for the Reds began back in the 70s, during the dominant run of ‘The Big Red Machine.’
“I seen that first Pete Rose head slide into third — I was hooked,” he said.
He loves the Reds so much, he even tried out for the team back in the 80s.
“I even tried out for the Reds in ’83,” he said. “I wanted to play for Pete Rose so bad, but of course I didn’t make it. But I still ain’t gave up on them. I feel like I’m part of them now, though.”
He said the “Woo!” cheer has taken his fandom to the next level. He has his own baseball card and a tattoo dedicated to the cheer that made him famous amongst Reds fans.
But this year is a little bit bittersweet, being that he can’t attend any games, but it’s not changing his optimism toward how good the club can be this year.
“I think they’re gonna win it all, myself,” he said. “I think that every year but this year I’m even more optimistic about it.”
And you can bet that he’ll be wooing at home when the Reds are looking to rally.
“Go Redlegs, Woooooo!”
