Cincinnati Hoping Jason Marquis and the "Q" Factor Lead Them to the Pennant
The Reds made a somewhat surprising deal during the offseason, acquiring veteran pitcher Jason Marquis.
Although he had not pitched in the majors since 2013, the 36 year old righthander had a spring that was impressive enough for Cincinnati to give him a spot in the rotation.
Marquis, who has been projected by both Cincinnati Enquirer beat writers (John Fay and C.
Trent Rosencranz) to be the fourth starter in the rotation, will certainly bring a veteran presence to the staff.
The Reds can also perhaps count on receiving a less tangible boost from Marquis, one based solely on his name.
Fewer than one hundred players in the history of baseball have had the letter Q in their names, and merely half of those have been pitchers.
Interestingly enough, many of those hurlers have helped their teams to a pennant.
Evidence of what could be called the "Q" factor dates back to the New York Yankees of the Babe Ruth-Lou Gehrig era, when Herb McQuaid was a regular in their 1926 rotation.
The Bronx Bombers won the pennant, falling to the Brooklyn Dodgers in the World Series.
Nearly forty years later, both teams in the 1985 fall classic would be led by pitchers with the "Q" factor.
The World Series champion Royals relied on All-Star closer Dan Quisenberry, while the N.
L.
champs boasted Joaquin Andujar as the ace of their rotation.
The "Q" factor was active again exactly ten years ago, when the N.
L.
champion Houston Astros relied on Chad Qualls to aid their rotation.
Unfortunately, the 18th letter did not have enough magic for the Astros to beat their A.
L.
counterpart, as the Chicago White Sox swept the 2005 Series.
More recently, the Detroit Tigers enjoyed the good fortune of having a pitcher with not one, but two, Qs in his name.
It is no wonder Jim Leyland's squad, featuring reliever Al Alburquerque, was able to sweep the Yankees in the 2012 ALCS.
Not even the double Q, though, could prevent the Tigers from being swept by the St.
Louis Cardinals.
The Reds are hoping that the "Q" factor reappears this year, as Jason Marquis is expected to help boost a Cincinnati rotation that lost two key starters from 2014.
Over the winter All-Star Alfredo Simon was dealt to Detroit, and number two man Mat Latos went to Miami.
In addition to now having Marquis and the middle letter of his last name, it might also help that the Reds play their home games in a town affectionately known as the "Queen City.
"
Although he had not pitched in the majors since 2013, the 36 year old righthander had a spring that was impressive enough for Cincinnati to give him a spot in the rotation.
Marquis, who has been projected by both Cincinnati Enquirer beat writers (John Fay and C.
Trent Rosencranz) to be the fourth starter in the rotation, will certainly bring a veteran presence to the staff.
The Reds can also perhaps count on receiving a less tangible boost from Marquis, one based solely on his name.
Fewer than one hundred players in the history of baseball have had the letter Q in their names, and merely half of those have been pitchers.
Interestingly enough, many of those hurlers have helped their teams to a pennant.
Evidence of what could be called the "Q" factor dates back to the New York Yankees of the Babe Ruth-Lou Gehrig era, when Herb McQuaid was a regular in their 1926 rotation.
The Bronx Bombers won the pennant, falling to the Brooklyn Dodgers in the World Series.
Nearly forty years later, both teams in the 1985 fall classic would be led by pitchers with the "Q" factor.
The World Series champion Royals relied on All-Star closer Dan Quisenberry, while the N.
L.
champs boasted Joaquin Andujar as the ace of their rotation.
The "Q" factor was active again exactly ten years ago, when the N.
L.
champion Houston Astros relied on Chad Qualls to aid their rotation.
Unfortunately, the 18th letter did not have enough magic for the Astros to beat their A.
L.
counterpart, as the Chicago White Sox swept the 2005 Series.
More recently, the Detroit Tigers enjoyed the good fortune of having a pitcher with not one, but two, Qs in his name.
It is no wonder Jim Leyland's squad, featuring reliever Al Alburquerque, was able to sweep the Yankees in the 2012 ALCS.
Not even the double Q, though, could prevent the Tigers from being swept by the St.
Louis Cardinals.
The Reds are hoping that the "Q" factor reappears this year, as Jason Marquis is expected to help boost a Cincinnati rotation that lost two key starters from 2014.
Over the winter All-Star Alfredo Simon was dealt to Detroit, and number two man Mat Latos went to Miami.
In addition to now having Marquis and the middle letter of his last name, it might also help that the Reds play their home games in a town affectionately known as the "Queen City.
"
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