MILWAUKEE (AP) — This was the kind of moment that helped lure Terry Francona back into managing.

The Cincinnati Reds earned their first playoff berth since 2020 on Sunday, setting off a wild, champagne-soaked celebration. It's the first time in franchise history the Reds have clinched a playoff berth on the final day of the regular season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

“When you watch those guys, it’s just unbridled joy,” said Francona, who spent last year away from baseball for health reasons before taking over the Reds. “It doesn’t matter the language you speak, what country you’re from. They’re hugging each other, and it’s real. And it’s worth all the heartache and everything we did, just for those couple of minutes.”

The Reds blew an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot on t

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