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Dear Aaron Harang

I know you are going through one of the toughest times in your professional career. I don't know if this is a bump in the road or if you are washed up. But you will always be one of my favorite Reds.

You have pitched some incredible games for my favorite team. Your first shutout. Both you and Carpenter went the distance, but you didn't give up a run. You threw several gems in 2006. You outduled Carpenter in an early season game. You threw 7 shutout innings, and gave the Reds a huge win over the Cards. Two Starts later you threw a SHO on 3 days rest, when you replaced an injured Eric Milton. You ended 2006 with two complete games. You lead the league in strikeouts and were a workhorse.

You pitched 10 innings in a game in 2007.

The Game that may have caused it to all come crashing down... You did a helluva a job though, you were awesome in those 4 dutiful innings, you struck out 9 batters. But you were never the same again.

You had a few flashes, the shutout you threw in September of that year, and the Easter Shutout you threw last year, but aside from a few flashes, you just haven't been the special pitcher you were prior to that long game in San Diego.

I miss being excited when it is your turn in the rotation, now I feel a certain dread, and it hurts. You are one of my personal favorite players, and it sucks watching you get hit hard in start after start, it is even more difficult seeing you booed off the field. After everything you have done you deserve better than that, you work as hard as anybody, and you just can't get it done right now, there is no dishonor in that.

I hope to see a few more flashes from you, but now I fear that those days are over. I hope I am wrong.

I should add that I want to remember you as the pitcher from 2006 and 2007, not the pitcher who started today. You will always be one of my favorite Reds, I just love watching you work.

Justin

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