The Reds season ended painfully, losing the NLDS despite winning the first two games in San Francisco.

While the ultimate measure of a team is winning a World Series title, this season was a very good one to be a Reds fan.

I thank the Reds for their perseverance that led to another Division Championship.

If, before the season, I would tell you that ANY team would go through the following circumstances, I doubt you would predict that they would be a Division Champ and one swing of the bat from the National League Championship Series:

1. Spent big money on a proven closer only to lose him for the season to a spring injury.

2. Lost two bullpen mainstays effectively for the entire season.

3. Regularly employed a rookie left side of the infield.

4. Lost a recent MVP, in his prime, for nearly one-third of the season.

5. Had its aggregate leadoff hitters compile the worst stats in MLB.

6. Had to play an 11-game West Coast swing going into the All-Star break which wrapped up a stretch of 17 out of 23 on the road.

7. Had its everyday CF hit about .210.

8. Had possibly the worst bench in baseball.

9. Made no major move at the trade deadline.

I applaud this team for its toughness and its refusal to cave in despite all the very convenient reasons to do so.

The best things that happened this season was the evolution of Homer Bailey. He has now arrived. The no-hitter and the postseason gem show that the maturation is complete.

Reds fans, let's try to savor this season in the midst of the pain and take solace in the fact that this team is built to win for a number of years into the future.

Again, thank you  2012 Reds.