Cincinnati Reds @ Bare Baseball - Baseball MLB Blog

Hanks, Howard pay visit to GABP

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 17:05:00 +0000

07/19/2006
CINCINNATI -- On Wednesday night at Great American Ball Park, actors Tom Hanks and Dennis Miller and director Ron Howard were just three regular guys killing time during a long rain delay.
They just happened to be three guys who have film and television credits that have earned them millions of fans.
In an impromptu gathering with the media in a room adjacent to the press box, the three entertainers talked baseball and worked the room a little, too.
"Will you please stop being the jaded media?" Hanks jokingly bellowed. "You are here to entertain us. It's not the other way around."
The trio and some of their friends recently rented a bus and have been on a tour of some Major League ballparks. They'd been to Baltimore's Camden Yards and Pittsburgh's PNC Park before reaching Cincinnati to watch the Reds play the Mets.
"It was Tommy's idea," said Miller, a comedian and former talk show host and "Saturday Night Live" cast member.
"I turned 50 about 10 days ago," said Hanks, a two-time Oscar winner famous for such films as "Apollo 13," "Forrest Gump" and "Saving Private Ryan." "This was the dream that you have, gosh, all the way back. Wouldn't you love to be able to go to a bunch of ballparks with a bunch of guys? The requisite was you had to be a baseball fan and funny to make it on the bus."
Hanks, Howard and Miller aren't just novice appreciators of baseball. All are longtime fans with plenty of detailed and nostalgic memories.
"I grew up with the Dodgers," said Howard, an Academy Award-winning director responsible for such films as "The Da Vinci Code" and "Apollo 13," and star of the TV show "Happy Days." "I fell in love with them in '63, and Vin Scully taught me everything about baseball. I loved it. All last year, I was out of the country. I missed the entire season. I heard about Tom's deal, and signed up."
Miller grew up in Pittsburgh loving the Pirates, and Roberto Clemente and Bill Mazeroski.
"I remember when Bob Prince used to call games at Crosley [Field]," Miller said. "Somebody would hit a home run, and it was only like 303 feet. He would say, 'It was out over the moon deck and into a pickup truck on I-75 and on its way to Dayton.' "
"I sold peanuts and soda in the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum," Hanks said. "Until, quite frankly, I got robbed a few times too many. It was a money-losing proposition, so I stopped that."
"Tough room out there," Miller said. "Rickey Henderson was not the only one stealing things in Oakland."
Where does the caravan go next? It's not a movie-promotion junket, so there will be no advance billing.
"Should we divulge our top secret? So far we've been under the radar," Hanks said.
"Tom is so important that he's arranged for a St. Louis Browns game," Miller said.

Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/

Reds' late rally soaks Mets

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 17:03:00 +0000

07/20/2006
CINCINNATI -- A pair of Hollywood heavyweights were among those who endured a long night at Great American Ball Park on Wednesday.
But though actor Tom Hanks and director Ron Howard were among the 26,300 in attendance, it was the ensemble cast of the Reds' bullpen that provided one of the "tour de force" performances of the summer in a 7-4 win over the Mets.
New York jumped out to a 4-0 lead off Cincinnati starter Aaron Harang by the second inning before a burst of heavy thundershowers rolled through and delayed the game for two hours and 23 minutes.
On the other side of the delay, Harang was out of the game, and six members of the Reds' bullpen came up big, stringing together seven scoreless innings while the lineup chipped away at the deficit. Jason LaRue's two-run double in the eighth provided the go-ahead runs.
"You can't say enough about the way our bullpen pitched tonight," said third baseman Rich Aurilia, whose fifth-inning solo home run tied the game at 4 and extended his hitting streak to 12 games. "They kept them off the board after the second inning, and we had some big defensive plays, too. Any time you do that, you're going to win a lot of ballgames. We beat a good team tonight."
Two enthusiastic thumbs-up also came from manager Jerry Narron.
"The bullpen [was] outstanding," Narron said. "Every one of them."
Coming off back-to-back solid starts, Harang did not look as strong, allowing four earned runs and four hits in just two innings. There was no consideration of bringing him back when play resumed.
"I really did not want to send him back out there after a two-hour delay," Narron said. "There was no way he was going to go back out there. If it had been September, he probably would have gone back out, but not in July."
Following Harang's departure, it was plausible that the game could have gotten out of hand. The Mets entered second in the National League in runs scored. The Reds came in with the league's worst bullpen ERA, at 5.20.
The players didn't buy into the potential typecasting.
"Bullpens go through ups and downs," Mets manager Willie Randolph said. "Just because they've struggled doesn't mean they're going to struggle all the time. They did their job tonight."
Jason Standridge halted the Mets with two scoreless innings. David Weathers followed with the next two, which included working out of a sixth inning in which he allowed three walks. After Kent Mercker's scoreless seventh, Bill Bray gave up a leadoff double and a one-out walk in the eighth.
Todd Coffey (5-4) faced one batter and finished the eighth for the win. Eddie Guardado's perfect ninth earned him his fourth save.
The game ended at 12:28 a.m. ET on Thursday, just a little more than 12 hours before the two teams will meet again to complete the series.
"That lineup has everything," LaRue said of the Mets. "They've got power. They've got speed. They hit and run. They bunt. I was impressed that we went out there and played the game that we did, especially as long a night as it was. It was outstanding to see the bullpen shut that offense down."
Mets starter Steve Trachsel returned after the rain but was knocked out when Cincinnati rallied for three runs in the fourth on an RBI single from Brandon Phillips and a two-run single by pinch-hitter Edwin Encarnacion. Aurilia's homer came against reliever Darren Oliver.
In addition to nearly exhausting his bullpen, Narron needed several pinch-hitters and used all of his position players, too. A reporter told the manager that he looked spent after the game.
"Just a little bit," he replied. "When you start pinch-hitting in the second inning, [you're] trying to figure out ways to get through it to give yourself a chance to win."
They got their chance in the eighth. Scott Hatteberg was on second base with one out when Royce Clayton grounded to shortstop. In a fielder's-choice play, New York's Jose Reyes fired to third base to get Hatteberg, but his throw was not in time.
Swinging on a 3-0 pitch from Duaner Sanchez (5-1), LaRue followed with a two-run double near the left-field foul line. Narron gave LaRue the green light to swing on the 3-0 count.
"I was just looking for a fastball over the plate to just try and get a sacrifice fly," LaRue said. "With the way they were pitching to me, that might be the only pitch that was good to swing at."
Pinch-hitter Javier Valentin added an RBI single for an insurance run.
"It was a team effort tonight," Narron said. "We used everybody -- all the position guys -- and we used everybody in the bullpen except [Gary] Majewski. That's a pretty good feeling when you use everybody to get a win."

Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/

Notes: Harang to stay on schedule

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 17:02:00 +0000

07/20/2006
CINCINNATI -- Aaron Harang's short night of two innings in Wednesday's game likely won't prompt manager Jerry Narron to alter the Reds rotation to give the pitcher another start.
Narron said he was "99 percent sure" Harang would stay in his regular spot and make his next start Tuesday at Houston.
"We talked about it," Harang said on Thursday morning. "As far as I know, they're not. It wouldn't work any way we did it."
Harang allowed four earned runs in two innings and threw 51 pitches before a two-hour, 23-minute rain delay halted the game. The bullpen worked seven scoreless innings after the game resumed for a 7-4 victory. The right-hander admitted he lacked his best stuff during the game.
"I really hadn't been sleeping. I've been fighting some allergies," Harang said of his shortest start this season. "I couldn't hit my spots. It was one of those days."
The night wasn't a total loss for Harang, who also worked off a mound in the Reds' indoor batting cage at Great American Ball Park.
"I was throwing during the whole rain delay to stay ready to go in and pitch," Harang said. "Once it got to the two-hour mark, Jerry said, 'That's it.'"
Harang threw 55 more pitches, which moved his pitch count to 106.
"Although the intensity was not as high in the cage," said Harang, who is 10-6 with a 3.72 ERA in 21 starts this season.
Plan B: With the rain delay throwing any regular plans out the window, Narron had several contingencies working throughout Wednesday night. The manager took a slight risk in the eighth by pinch-hitting with Javier Valentin, his only other available catcher with David Ross on the disabled list.
Had starter Jason LaRue been injured, it would have gotten really interesting. Utility man Ryan Freel would have debuted in a new position.
"Freelie would have caught. [Chris] Denorfia said he never caught but would strap it on," Narron said. "We could have done something."
To save pinch-hitters earlier in the game, he looked for opportunities to bat starting pitchers Elizardo Ramirez or Bronson Arroyo. But Cincinnati's ninth spot came up during run-scoring chances.
Had the Reds not taken an eighth-inning lead in Wednesday's game and won it nine innings, the pitching was set up to get through extras.
"If the game would have stayed tied, [Todd] Coffey would have gone back out there for the ninth," Narron said. "[Eddie] Guardado would have pitched the 10th. And [Gary] Majewski would have had to throw as long as he could."
Saturday's scheduled starter, Joe Mays, was also considered available to pitch or pinch-hit.
Red dot special: Freel started in center field on Thursday in place of lefty slugger Ken Griffey Jr., who got a day off following a night game. ... Rich Aurilia shifted from third base and started at first base in place of Scott Hatteberg. It opened up a spot for Edwin Encarnacion to start at third base. ... Wednesday's victory gave the Reds 50 wins for the season. Last season's 50th win did not come until Aug. 8. ... A fan gained illegal entry into Narron's office in the home clubhouse following Wednesday's game. The fan quietly sat down in the manager's office and listened to the postgame press conference and remained after it ended before Narron asked what he was doing there. Security later escorted the unidentified man away without incident.

Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/

Missed chances cost Reds dearly

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 16:59:00 +0000

07/20/2006
CINCINNATI -- The final images may not have been the most lasting ones that came out of Thursday's 4-2 Reds loss to the Mets in 10 innings.
A 10th-inning rookie defensive mistake by right fielder Chris Denorfia was costly during another unfortunate outing by reliever Gary Majewski.
But the game never should have gotten to that point.
What really stood out was one missed chance after another by the Reds lineup, which went 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position and left 12 runners on base. It foiled starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo's sixth bid for his 10th victory, despite his strong eight-inning performance where he allowed two earned runs.
"We should have had the game. We did have the game," said second baseman Brandon Phillips, who himself missed capitalizing on a bases-loaded chance in the seventh. "Things happen."
The game wasn't truly lost until the extra inning. Against Majewski (3-3), Mets pinch-hitter Xavier Nady lofted a one-out pop fly to shallow right field. Phillips appeared to have the best chance at making the play, but was called off by a charging Denorfia, who missed the ball off the end of his glove in a diving attempt.
Nady reached second base with a bloop double. He scored the go-ahead run on Endy Chavez's RBI double down the left-field line.
Not wanting to come down publicly on Denorfia, Phillips deferred the matter to Reds manager Jerry Narron's opinion.
"I think everybody knows Brandon had that ball," Narron said. "Dino really thought he had it and took charge of it. It's just an aggressive mistake."
"It's one of those balls where if I don't call for it, I don't know if he's going to get it or not," Denorfia said. "That's how I'm looking at it. I charged pretty hard and definitely took control of it. I just came up a little short."
Carlos Beltran's RBI double off Kent Mercker added another run and ensured the Mets would leave taking two of three in the series. The run was charged to Majewski, who has allowed five earned runs in three appearances since last week's trade to the Reds from the Nationals.
"He's going to do a good job for us," Narron said. "It seems like every outing he's been out there, he's gotten a freaky little play or something. He's going to be fine."
Locked into a duel with crafty Mets lefty Tom Glavine, Arroyo's only runs allowed came on solo homers by Cliff Floyd in the second inning and Carlos Delgado in the fourth that made it 2-0. The right-hander stepped up his intensity after Ryan Freel's two-run, game-tying double in the fifth inning.
At one point, Arroyo retired 12 in a row and 13 of his final 14 batters. He walked off the field pumping his fist after he struck out Beltran, his final batter.
"When we tied the game, I definitely went out there and tried to pitch [with] more max effort," said Arroyo, who is 9-6 with a 2.92 ERA in 21 starts. "I don't do that a lot in the beginning of a game. Once you get to a point in the game when you don't have too many innings left, you have to give everything you got and either hold the lead or hold it where it is."
The Reds did not reward Arroyo's effort. They put the leadoff batter on base in the fifth through ninth innings, but scored no more after the fifth.
The two best chances came with the bases loaded in both the sixth and seventh innings. Batting with two outs, Arroyo dropped a low percentage bunt to the mound, with Glavine easily firing home for the inning-ending force play.
In the seventh, after Glavine issued back-to-back walks that loaded the bases with one out, Scott Hatteberg was called to pinch-hit for Edwin Encarnacion against submarine right-hander Chad Bradford. Hatteberg struck out swinging before Phillips grounded into an inning-ending fielder's choice.
"He's one of the toughest guys in all of baseball to strike out," Narron said of Hatteberg. "That's the real reason I sent him up there for Eddie. Bradford is just a funky right-hander that can be very difficult with right-handed hitters. With one out, I like my chances with Hattie out there. "
"It's a situation where you've got to come through," Hatteberg said. "We had a couple of them that slipped through our fingers."
Symbolic of the kind of day it was for the Reds, Hatteberg struck out in his second at-bat during the ninth against Pedro Feliciano (4-2). It was only the second time all season he struck out twice in a game. There were no chances left when closer Billy Wagner finished the game in the 10th.
"We should have won the game," Narron said. "We just didn't get a hit when we needed it."

Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/

Notes: Reds look to fill vacancy

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 17:03:00 +0000

02/17/2006
SARASOTA, Fla. -- With a vacancy at first base coach, the Reds identified a list of internal candidates for the job on Friday.
Among the internal candidates are Ken Griffey Sr., who interviewed for the position Friday, Ed Napoleon, Lynn Jones and Pete Mackanin. Manager Jerry Narron indicated the search could be expanded to people outside the organization.
Cincinnati is seeking a replacement for former coach John Moses, who called Narron and abruptly quit on Thursday because he wanted to spend more time with his family.
"We've got some very qualified guys right here," Narron said. "We don't have to do it right now. Shoot, it would have been nice to have done this a month ago or whatever but we're not there. We just have to do the best we can with where we are."
The Reds would like the new coach to also work with the outfielders and on baserunning skills.
Griffey Sr., the father of center fielder Ken Griffey Jr., is a team consultant. A star outfielder for the club in the 1970s, the elder Griffey was a coach on former Reds skipper Bob Boone's staff before abruptly quitting midseason.
Also the first base coach for Team USA's entry in the World Baseball Classic, Griffey Sr. has let the Reds know those duties wouldn't hinder him from accepting the job.
"That's something we'll talk with him about, and to Major League Baseball about, if it comes down to it," Narron said.
Napoleon is entering his third season with the Reds organization as outfield/bunting instructor. He has a long resume of Major League coaching stints, most recently with the Rangers from 1995-2000.
Jones was hired this winter as the Reds' Minor League outfield/baserunning coordinator after spending the past three seasons working for the Red Sox. He was manager Terry Francona's first base coach in Boston from 2004-05. A former big league outfielder with the Tigers and Royals, Jones was originally a 10th-round draft pick of the Reds in 1974.
Mackanin was just named the Reds' Major League advance scout on Friday after spending the last five seasons with the Pirates organization, the last three as a big league bench coach. A former big league player from 1973-81, he worked with outfielders while a third base coach for Montreal from 1997-2000 and managed the Reds' old Triple-A affiliate in Nashville in 1991-92.
Hatteberg arrives: More early arrivals trickled into Reds camp Friday, including recent acquisition Scott Hatteberg. The former A's and Red Sox first baseman was signed as a free agent on Sunday.
Hatteberg, 36, spent the entire offseason working out at his home in Washington State not knowing if he'd land a job for 2006.
"It was getting harder and harder as the day got closer to keep it up," said Hatteberg, who batted .256 with seven home runs and 59 RBIs in 134 games last season with Oakland. "It came together. That's what I kept telling myself -- 'Just be ready. It can happen.' And it did."
Hatteberg is behind Adam Dunn on the depth chart at first base. Narron was pleased he was still available so late in the offseason.
"He gives us tremendous insurance at first, if Dunn can't play or somebody gets traded or somebody gets injured," Narron said. "He's a professional hitter. He's a guy that can put the ball in play and a tough out when he comes to bat. He's not going to give away at-bats."
"I know who is playing first base. I'm aware they're solid over there," Hatteberg said. "I want to be able to get in there. They sound like they wanted me to get in there. I know [Dunn] plays outfield also, so maybe it's a matchup type of thing. However they cycle me in, I'll be ready."
Breaking away: As part of his offseason workout regimen, pitcher Aaron Harang spent a lot of time riding his mountain bike on roads near his San Diego home. A couple of years ago, Harang took a spinning class on exercise bikes and then bought the mountain bike last year. It didn't get much use until this winter.
"I rode that [bike] a lot this year," said Harang, who was 11-13 with a 3.83 ERA in 32 starts last season. "It's not too much different. But it was different being on the road than in a room. I was doing a lot of hill work and stuff."
Harang said the bike work, plus running three times a week, was to condition his legs to handle the endurance of a lot of innings and work. With 211 2/3 innings in 2005, he was the only Reds starter to cross the 200-innings benchmark last season.
Odds and ends: There were no formal workouts held on Friday as Reds players underwent their annual physicals. Pitchers and catchers will have their first workout Saturday morning.
So far, 37 of 38 Reds pitchers and catchers are in camp. Backup catcher Javier Valentin, whose wife delivered a baby boy in Puerto Rico, remained excused. Narron said Valentin was scheduled to be in uniform on Monday.
With Mackanin on board as the Major League advance scout, former Reds advance scout Gene Bennett was shifted to a professional scouting position.
After just over a month as a Cubs' special assistant to the general manager, Chris Buckley was named the Reds' senior director of scouting. Buckley worked in the Toronto organization from 1989-2005 in a variety of roles.

Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/

Notes: Overweight Hancock released

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 17:03:00 +0000

02/18/2006
SARASOTA, Fla. -- In a matter of minutes on Saturday, Josh Hancock went from being a Reds pitcher to a cautionary tale.
Manager Jerry Narron's message to his players has been to be ready to work. He drove that point home by making an example out of Hancock. The right-hander was released by the club just before pitchers and catchers set foot on the field for their first Spring Training workout.
Narron said that Hancock, a non-roster player, reported to camp 17 pounds overweight. After the move was announced, Narron recalled a speech he made to his players on the last day of the 2005 season in St. Louis.
"I told these guys to give themselves a chance to be successful," Narron said. "The only way you can do that is by being committed, working out this winter and coming to Spring Training in shape. Take serious what you're doing, even if you're in the winter. I have no clue what Josh Hancock did."
Hancock was 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in 11 relief appearances last season, but he spent most of the year on the disabled list with a strained right groin. The 27-year-old did not pitch in his first game until September. Last month when the Reds signed pitcher Grant Balfour, Hancock was taken off the 40-man roster to clear space, and he was signed to a Minor League deal with an invite to camp.
That invitation was quickly rescinded.
"Can he be a successful Major League pitcher at 17 pounds more than he was asked to be? Maybe," Narron said. "But we looked at last year. He was on the disabled list for 133 games. We did not see the commitment that we wanted to see this winter."
In an indication of his preference for veterans, Narron also made it known that all players are not created equal in his clubhouse.
"I'm not going to say I'm going to treat everybody the same," Narron said. "I believe you earn the right to do things in this game. A player may come in here tomorrow that's 50 pounds overweight, but if he does, he better have had a real good year last year."
It's rare that a player is sent out on the very first day. The move reverberated around the Reds clubhouse.
"It makes a statement," utility player Ryan Freel said. "It doesn't look like we're messing around. [Narron] is showing that the first day. You could hear a pin drop in here when they announced that. It keeps people in check, and you realize they mean business right now. We're trying to do something positive here and win something."
"It's a surprise for everyone," pitcher Eric Milton said. "That's not a bad thing, because it shows everyone in here you have to be on top of your game. If you're not here and ready to play, then you shouldn't be here. I think it sent a message to everyone."
Under the sun: The remaining 31 pitchers and catchers have hit the field for their first official workout of camp. Typical of the first day, there were assorted drills performed, including pitchers fielding grounders and covering first base and bunting.
Still recovering from a torn tendon in his right index finger, reliever David Weathers was limited to long-tossing and light throwing in a side session.
Balfour, who is rehabilitating from ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow and shoulder surgery, began throwing again for the first time last week. He was throwing from 60 feet, but not off a mound. Head trainer Mark Mann said that Balfour was expected to start throwing off a mound by the end of Spring Training.
Coaching search: The process of hiring a new first-base coach is ongoing. Narron, who interviewed Ken Griffey Sr. on Friday, said that he's spoken informally about the position with internal candidates Ed Napoleon and Pete Mackanin and called Lynn Jones, who is not expected to be in camp until next week.
Seen and heard: Right fielder Austin Kearns was the latest prominent early arrival at the Reds' complex on Saturday. Position players aren't required to report until Tuesday.
Tickets for Opening Day quickly sold out after going on sale on Saturday morning, the club said. Cincinnati opens the 2006 season on April 3 against the Cubs.
Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky hired Ken "Squeaky" Parker as a professional scout. Parker, 69, most recently scouted for the Pirates and is considered to be a legend in the industry. Over the years, he's been responsible for signing big-league players Will Clark, Matt Williams and Jeff Brantley.

Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/

Reds hire Hatcher as first base coach

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 17:02:00 +0000

02/19/2006
SARASOTA, Fla. -- Reds manager Jerry Narron felt that he had five qualified candidates, and five friends, to choose from for the vacant first base coaching position.
On Sunday, Narron decided to hire Billy Hatcher to fill it.
Hatcher, 45, spent the previous 10 seasons coaching in the Devil Rays organization and was the lone candidate from outside the organization to replace John Moses, who abruptly retired Thursday.
"I've always enjoyed going back to Cincinnati," Hatcher said. "When it's one of the places you played, as a coach, you say, 'I hope I can go back.' I was elated. It's a great feeling to coach where you've played."
After Narron spoke with Hatcher on Saturday and interviewed him on Sunday, he selected the former Reds outfielder over Ken Griffey Sr., Ed Napoleon, Pete Mackanin and Lynn Jones.
"The deciding factor was being able to watch Billy work the last few years," Narron said Sunday evening. "I know what he's all about. I really felt comfortable talking with him yesterday."
Hatcher, who will also work with Reds outfielders, has coached at the big-league level the last eight years -- Tampa Bay's entire history -- including the past three years as first base coach on former skipper Lou Piniella's staff.
"I can help the guys be better outfielders, and I can help them be better base runners and base stealers," Hatcher said. "You look at where your strengths and weaknesses are and work from there. I can do that."
Reds chief executive officer Bob Castellini and general manager Wayne Krivsky gave Narron complete decision-making authority in naming a coach.
"It was a really difficult decision," Narron said. "All are good people and all are friends of mine. No one tried to influence me away from anybody, which was nice. No one tried to influence me towards anybody either. I appreciate the confidence that Mr. Castellini had in me."
The other four candidates will remain with the organization in their current roles. Mackanin was named Major League advance scout last week. Napoleon is entering his third season with the Reds organization as outfield/bunting instructor. Jones was hired this winter as the Reds' Minor League outfield/baserunning coordinator.
Narron asked Griffey, a team consultant and first base coach for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, to help hitting coach Chris Chambliss at various times during the season.
Hatcher's hiring should spark fond memories for many Reds fans. As part of a 12-year big-league career with seven teams, he played with Cincinnati from 1990-92. His World Series-record .750 (9-for-12) average helped Cincinnati sweep Oakland in the 1990 Fall Classic. A .264 lifetime hitter, he batted .519 overall in the '90 postseason.
Narron said Hatcher would be on the job Monday morning.
"Billy is a guy that's very experienced with outfielders and very experienced at coaching first base," Narron said. "He had a very good Major League career and did some outstanding things with the Cincinnati Reds as a player."

Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/

Notes: Multi-tasking Krivsky settling in

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 17:01:00 +0000

02/19/2006
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There has been little time for the dust to settle in Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky's universe.
Since his hiring on Feb. 8, which was just over a week before Spring Training opened, Krivsky has kept the club's human resource staff busy. In a short amount of time, he has reorganized his front office staff, hired several new scouts and signed a few players.
All of this while also settling personal affairs at home in Texas and making the trip to Florida.
"There's a stack of paper I'd like to put a match to," Krivsky joked on Sunday. "But other than that, I'll get organized. My assistant, Debbie Bent, is so organized. She's making me look a little better than I am now. There are a lot of good people here."
Krivsky isn't done with trying to make improvements this spring.
"I'm still looking for a starting pitcher to add to the mix," said Krivsky, trying to address the club's main offseason concern.
One thing the new GM has yet to do much of is watch his pitchers and catchers work out on the practice fields.
"I'd like to get out there and observe. I'm more interested in the games," Krivsky said. "But I'd like to get out there a little bit."
On other issues, Krivsky said he fully supported manager Jerry Narron's suggestion about releasing Josh Hancock on Saturday when the non-roster pitcher reported to camp overweight.
"He handled a tough situation yesterday with Josh very well, very professional," Krivsky said. "He had the end-of-the-year meeting with every player: 'Hey, there it is right there. You were told.' I think it was important he could fall back on the year-end conversation with every player so that when you have something like this, there's not a whole lot a player could say."
Blank board: Above a couple of chairs in Narron's Spring Training office is a chalkboard that usually has players' names listed from his roster. Since camp opened Thursday, the board has been blank.
"Too many names," Narron said.
Cincinnati will have 61 players in camp this year, including 30 pitchers. That's not counting pitcher Jung Bong, who already left the team to train with Korea for the World Baseball Classic.
Because of the crowded roster, Narron knows that some players will be disappointed with their playing time.
"It's the way the game is," he said. "Everybody is not going to get the same amount of chances."
"I would not expect us to be this heavy next year," Krivsky said. "Ideally, you want to be between 24-25 pitchers and somewhere in the mid-50s with total players. We're a little heavy right now. That will take care of itself."
Hudson hurting: Pitchers and catchers participated in their second day of workouts minus one player. Right-handed pitcher Luke Hudson was unable to take the field because of back spasms. Hudson, in camp as a non-roster player, was listed as day-to-day.

Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/

Last season a distant memory for Milton

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 17:00:00 +0000

02/19/2006
SARASOTA, Fla. -- For Reds pitcher Eric Milton, spending much time dwelling on his poor 2005 season might seem like an exercise in self torture.
An 8-15 record, a 6.47 ERA and a club-record 40 home runs allowed aren't the kind of numbers that age well, like a fine wine. Milton did the only thing he could do. He tried to forget about it.
"It wasn't easy, that's for sure," Milton said. "It was the worst season I've ever had, as far as the mental aspect and going through the struggles I went through."
Instead of focusing on what's behind him, the left-hander immediately went back to work.
The 30-year-old figured it wasn't his arm that was betraying him, but his legs. Milton endured two surgeries on his left knee while with the Twins, including a major operation that wiped out all but one month of the 2003 season. Even during 2004, with the Phillies, he felt like his legs weren't ready to handle the long workload of a season.
"In Minnesota, I was a lot bigger and a lot stronger. I lost a lot of weight with the knee surgery," he said. "This was the first offseason I've been able to lift heavy weights with my legs. I've gotten a lot stronger and a little bigger -- back to where I used to be. I think it helped a lot."
Milton said the muscle added this winter has pushed his weight closer to where he was with the Twins. Listed at 207 pounds last season, he was around 230-235 pounds with Minnesota.
"That probably will pay dividends for him," pitching coach Vern Ruhle said. "I think anytime you work at something, you have a chance to get better. He's done that."
For most pitchers, their power and endurance comes from using the strength in their legs. When in his delivery, Milton said he was unable to finish off his pitches the way he would have liked. He doesn't believe that will be an issue this year.
"After my last surgery, I'm finally back to normal," Milton said. "It's good not to have that in the back of my mind."
Milton's history shows he's prone to giving up the long ball, but he is still good at finding ways to win. A year before he arrived in Cincinnati, he surrendered 43 homers but went 14-6 with a 4.75 ERA. From 2000-04, he enjoyed four seasons of double-digit wins despite never having an ERA below 4.00.
What was so different about last season?
"It was the amount of baserunners -- singles, doubles and triples," Milton said. "I'd rather give up a solo homer than three straight singles and a double. Too many hits, too many baserunners. Usually, I'm right around a hit per inning, but last year I was way off the charts. It's something I have to focus on."
The Reds signed Milton as a free agent to a three-year, $25.5 million contract before last season and hoped he would be the centerpiece of the staff. Now the club is hoping that the return on its investment will finally come one year later. The Reds' chances at being competitive this season could hinge on it.
"He's had success, so you can say it's likely he'll find it again," Ruhle said. "He's already experienced it. That's what I'm looking for -- for him to lead himself back that way.
"A lot of times, you don't have to do a lot. Give them room to work, and they have the ability to process it themselves. You're not starting from scratch like you would with a rookie. He's a professional. He's going to rely on those experiences."
And so will Cincinnati.

Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/

Honored Lopez bows out of Classic

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 16:59:00 +0000

02/19/2006
SARASOTA, Fla. -- Reds shortstop Felipe Lopez announced Sunday that he has decided not to play for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.
Lopez, who arrived early to Spring Training for Cincinnati on Saturday, said he needed to get ready for the upcoming regular season.
"I would love to represent my country, don't get me wrong," Lopez said. "We have a lot of new people that I want to get to know and work with. (Reds bench coach) Bucky Dent is our new infield coach. I really want to get acquainted with what he wants to do and his style of teaching everything."
Players participating in the World Baseball Classic have to leave their Major League club's Spring Training sites to practice and play in games with their countries. The inaugural tournament is scheduled from March 3-20.
After not starting out as a regular player last season, Lopez emerged to become an All-Star and Silver Slugger Award winner. The 25-year-old switch-hitter batted .291 with 23 home runs and 85 RBIs in 148 games and ranked first among National League shortstops in homers, RBIs and tied for the top in extra-base hits.
Reds backup catcher Javier Valentin is still expected to play for Puerto Rico in the WBC. Cincinnati has a total of six players that were named to participate, including center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. for Team USA and left fielder Wily Mo Pena for the Dominican Republic.

Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/

Castellini hands-on in Sarasota

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 16:57:00 +0000

02/20/2006
SARASOTA, Fla. -- In his days as a minority owner with the St. Louis Cardinals, Bob Castellini said he only visited that team's camp once a year for a couple of days.
As new majority owner and chief executive officer of the Reds, Castellini expects to spend at least half of Spring Training in town with the club.
"This is a different situation," Castellini said after he arrived to the club's spring complex for the first time Monday morning.
Different indeed.
In charge of the Reds for one month since his purchase from former owner Carl Lindner was approved, Castellini's straight-shooting approach has quickly won over fans, staff, players and management.
"Seeing how the new ownership came and made the moves they wanted to make, everything was handled so professionally," first baseman Adam Dunn said. "They kind of asserted themselves and said this is how it's going to be. That's definitely what we needed. We've got the right two guys in ownership and the general manager [Wayne Krivsky]. I'm assuming everything will turn around in a hurry."
Castellini's first hours in camp were low key. Several members of the front office, including Krivsky and assistant GM Dean Taylor, escorted their boss to a staple of Spring Training dining -- Gus's. It's a mom-and-pop diner across the street from Ed Smith Stadium.
"It's a 10," said Castellini, who ordered a late breakfast.
Castellini doesn't just plan to eat and sightsee in Florida like a spring breaker. There is work to be done and he's got a new office set up at the complex to get started.
What is the first order of business? Getting to know his team. Still, Castellini doesn't plan on hovering over the shoulders of his people.
"I'll be just walking about," Castellini said. "I want to get acclimated and get some exposure [to the team] for myself."
Also on the Castellini agenda is talking with local officials about upgrading the team's Spring Training complex. The Reds began training in Sarasota in 1998 and their lease expires Oct. 1, 2008.
"We certainly want to approach the state legislature about a new facility," Castellini said. "We understand that the people in the state of Florida are favorably inclined."
Castellini would like to keep the team training in Sarasota.
"Absolutely, we certainly do," he said. "I'm not going to play games and say we don't want it to be in Sarasota. It's got to happen. We need cooperation of the state, county and city officials, which I understand we have.
"We want an identification with Sarasota. We want to be the team that's in Sarasota. We want to be their favorite sons."

Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/

Mailbag: Filling out the roster

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 16:56:00 +0000

02/20/2006
I don't really understand some of the signings that we have done. I can sort of understand the Scott Hatteberg signing, but Timo Perez, Quinton McCracken, and Tuffy Rhodes? For a small-market team on a tight budget, don't these signings seem like a waste? If we are looking to bring 35-plus-year-old veterans to the team, maybe we can fill our opening for a closer and bring back Jeff Shaw. I just wanted your thoughts on the signings. -- Christopher M., Columbus, Ohio
I think you're making more of these moves than is necessary. Signing extra players to Minor League deals with invites to camp is a way for organizations to improve depth and increase competition, with little risk on the team's end. And in the Reds' case, general manager Wayne Krivsky came on the scene very late in the offseason and wanted to do things his own way. You can bet that the players without assured jobs will have to earn a spot and not win one by default.
McCracken will get $600,000 if he makes the 25-man roster. While $600,000 is a lot of clams to you and me, it's not too big of a big dent on a Major League team, even a small-market one on a tight budget, as you put it. Reds manager Jerry Narron appears to prefer having experienced players with strong preparation skills. McCracken and Hatteberg have a track record of coming off the bench and performing. Rhodes is a lesser-known entity since he's spent the last decade in Japan, but it never hurts to take a look.
What are the chances of letting Hatteberg play first base and leave Adam Dunn in the outfield with Ken Griffey Jr. and Austin Kearns? It would add another productive bat to the lineup. Then, maybe they could trade Wily Mo Pena for a decent pitcher. What do you think? -- C.J., Kokomo, Ind.
If the regular season opened today, Dunn would be starting at first base with Hatteberg as an option off the bench. The other day, Narron left open the possibility that the scenario could change if "Dunn can't play or somebody gets traded or somebody gets injured." Read into that as much as you'd like. At this time of year, you don't see too many decent pitchers getting dealt because every club craves pitching depth -- unless it has a key injury and a sudden hole to fill elsewhere. I don't expect Pena will be going anywhere for now.
Who do you predict to win the second and third base jobs this upcoming year? -- Torry F., Chicago
Without seeing a single inning played yet, my guess is the spot at third base is Edwin Encarnacion's to lose. The Reds think quite highly of him and now he just has to earn the role, or risk losing it to Rich Aurilia. Second base really seems wide open. Ryan Freel hustles and has tremendous speed but is considered very valuable in the utility role because he can play well anywhere. That might be enough reason for the team to give Tony Womack every opportunity to claim the spot outright, barring a poor spring.
Besides promoting Johnny Almaraz and Tim Naehring, what will GM Krivsky do differently than the prior regime to beef up the Reds' scouting and player development program? To me that is the most important missing link for bringing back the winning tradition to Cincy. -- Dan W., Birmingham, Ala.
In a short amount of time, Krivsky has already begun assembling and adding new scouts and evaluators for his front office. Many, I'm sure, will bring in a different perspective than what was around in past regimes. The new GM also comes with a lengthy scouting background of his own and a successful blueprint in Minnesota from which to emulate. The Twins are among the leaders in scouting and development and were better than most at identifying and signing prospects. The dedication also helped that organization make some shrewd trades over the years. Johan Santana, Francisco Liriano and David Ortiz are three examples -- all were acquired by Minnesota when they were in the lower ranks of the farm system.
With the NBA changing and not allowing players to go straight from high school to the pro league, what are the chances Major League Baseball will change its ways? In my opinion, hopefully they never will. -- Andrew H., Brandon, SD
It's an apples and oranges comparison. Unlike MLB, the NBA lacks a true player development system or Minor Leagues. Yes, there have been the NBADL and CBA, but most of your high school hoops standouts were bypassing those leagues to go straight into the NBA draft to face competition much older and more experienced. Many were washing out and were unable to play college hoops because they hired agents.
In baseball, most high school kids are drafted and begin at the lowest rungs of the Minors and often take four to six years to reach the Majors. But in that time the young men are usually playing with people near their own age and skill level. They also are afforded the time to grow up and learn about the game and life while honing their skills. After that, clubs hope when they do call a player up to the Majors, that person is ready to handle it.
What are the chances of trying to make a deal with the likes of Roger Clemens or Rafael Palmeiro or one of the big name free agents? -- Tommy H., Colerain Township, Ohio
How does zero percent sound? Clemens made $18 million last season and would be way out of the Reds' budget. From what I've read and heard, I get the feeling Rocket will retire after the World Baseball Classic, unless the Astros, Yankees or Red Sox blow him away with a great offer. If it's Houston, Clemens would have to wait until May 1. As for Palmeiro, I think Cincinnati and other clubs would prefer to stay clear of the circus he created during last year's scandal in Baltimore.
Do you think the Reds could swing a deal for Eric Gagne? With the Reds' overload of outfielders and No. 5 starters and the Dodgers needing healthy outfielders, could it ever happen? -- Kyle B., parts unknown
I'll go ahead and slap a zero percent chance on this happening, too. Although Gagne is still recovering from an elbow injury, he is considered one of the most elite closers in baseball. No way would the Dodgers deal him away unless someone better comes along.

Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/

Notes: Dunn transitions to first base

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 16:55:00 +0000

02/20/2006
SARASOTA, Fla. -- In camp early with a new contract, and a new position in the field, first baseman Adam Dunn completed his first workout Monday morning.
After dealing away first baseman Sean Casey to Pittsburgh in December, Cincinnati decided to move Dunn in from left field, allowing the club to find everyday spots for outfielder Wily Mo Pena and Austin Kearns.
Dunn filled in at first base late last season when Casey was injured. He also played the position in high school.
"I anticipate doing well," Dunn said. "It should be an easier transition going from the outfield to the infield since I've played infield a little."
Although he originally agreed to participate if asked, the 26-year-old Dunn decided to pass on playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic because he wanted to use the time to improve defensively. While home in Texas during the offseason, he didn't take any grounders.
"I'll work on it. That's what Spring Training is for," Dunn said. "I'll come in and do some early work and try to get as good as possible -- in a hurry."
Dunn batted .247 with 40 home runs and 101 RBIs last season, which made him only the third hitter in Reds history to have back-to-back 40-homer, 100-RBI seasons. He was rewarded with a two-year, $18.5 million contract with a $13 million club option for the 2008 season, which avoided arbitration.
"First and foremost, I'm glad to have gotten it out of the way, so I don't have to deal with it," Dunn said. "I didn't want to go to arbitration and fortunately, the Reds didn't want to go either. Everything worked out for both sides, I think."
Wilson update: The rehabilitation from shoulder surgery continued to be positive for starting pitcher Paul Wilson. The right-hander stretched his long toss regimen to 120 feet Monday, and he will be throwing in a side session from flat ground Wednesday.
Reds head trainer Mark Mann said that Wilson could be throwing in a live batting practice session next week.
Wilson's last bullpen session was Wednesday. He was given a longer rest period since the volume and intensity of his pitches had been increasing. He was throwing at around 75 percent but ended sessions working at 90 percent intensity.
Injury report: Right-hander Luke Hudson reported improvement after missing Sunday's workout with lower back spasms. Mann said Hudson would long toss Tuesday if the pitcher felt better.
More arrivals: Reds catcher Javier Valentin was part of the latest wave of position player arrivals to camp Monday. Third baseman Edwin Encarnacion and infielder Ray Olmedo also showed up. Position players aren't required to report until Tuesday. Tony Womack, Wily Mo Pena and Rich Aurilia are among those who have yet to appear.
Valentin just returned from Puerto Rico, where he was with his wife when she delivered a baby boy on Wednesday. The newborn came two weeks premature and had difficulty breathing at first.
"It was scary," Valentin said. "Right now, he's responding and doing a little better. He's home with his mom. Everybody is OK."
It will be a relatively short stay in Florida for Valentin, who will return to Puerto Rico on March 2 to play for his country in the World Baseball Classic. Manager Jerry Narron said that would mean more opportunities in camp for the two younger catchers on his 40-man roster -- Dane Sardinha and Miguel Perez.
"They're going to get a lot of playing time," Narron said.
Emergency catcher? With Scott Hatteberg in camp, Narron was asked if he would use the veteran behind the plate this spring or during the season. Hatteberg, now a first baseman, was a catcher earlier in his career while with Boston.
It didn't sound likely that Hatteberg would be seen in catcher's gear too often.
"I talked with Hatteberg about trying to get [utility player] Ryan Freel out of the emergency catcher role," Narron said. "I think Freelie wants to fight him for it though.
"I may be completely wrong, but if he catches this year, I'll be very surprised."

Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/

Narron setting clear path for Reds

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 16:54:00 +0000

02/20/2006
SARASOTA, Fla. -- Yes, Jerry Narron is entering his first full year as Reds manager and presiding over his first Spring Training with the club.
No, players haven't been wondering what they're in for or worried about the direction they might be taking.
They've already gotten a good idea about how Narron operates since he took over from Dave Miley in June.
"I think the players that were here a year ago know what to expect and what I expect," Narron said. "That part of it is the same."
Narron drove home that point just before the first workout on Saturday, with a sledgehammer. That's when he released non-roster pitcher Josh Hancock for reporting to camp 17 pounds overweight. All of Cincinnati's players were told at the end of last season to come to camp prepared and ready to work.
Yes, the 50-year-old skipper is all about business, and he also means business.
And that's how the players like it.
"Jerry seems like an old-school baseball guy," pitcher Aaron Harang said. "He likes the hard-nosed, go get 'em attitude."
"It's a matter of running a tight ship and pounding home the idea that baseball needs to be played the right way," fellow starting pitcher Eric Milton said. "The only thing he asks is you come [in] and bust your [tail]. Show up when you're supposed to. Do what you're supposed to."
Narron has spent well over half his life in baseball since the Yankees made him a sixth-round draft pick in 1974. The former catcher was a part-time player for eight seasons with New York, the Mariners and Angels from 1979-87. His managerial career commenced in the Orioles' farm system in 1989. By 1993, he was a coach on late manager Johnny Oate's staff in Baltimore and later with the Rangers.
The first crack at big league managing came when he replaced Oates in Texas for most of two seasons in 2001-02. Although Narron had superstar Alex Rodriguez on those teams, there was little in the way of a supporting cast. The Rangers finished fourth both years before Narron was let go and replaced by Buck Showalter.
Baseball lifers tend to appreciate one another for their diligence and for demanding that the game be played the right way. Maybe that's why Narron's style of operation already appears to be in sync with new general manager Wayne Krivsky's -- a longtime former scout who is entering his 30th year in the game.
"It's been fantastic," Krivsky said. "I couldn't ask for anything better. He's been great. We're very much on the same page with just general philosophy. ... I'm extremely confident we're going to have an outstanding working relationship."
When Miley was running the team from 2003-05, he preferred to remain in his office and not mill about the clubhouse too often. Some players felt the former manager wasn't a great communicator when it came to identifying his objectives, or players' roles.
Under Narron, players definitely know what he's thinking.
"Jerry has the respect of everybody on this team," utility player Ryan Freel said. "I don't think I've ever heard a bad thing said about Jerry by my teammates. He's a very personable guy. [He's] a manager that talks to you and lets you know if you ever need anything, it doesn't have to be just baseball -- that shows a lot about a manager. It makes a player feel more relaxed and not tight."
Not every exchange with Narron is guaranteed to be a pleasant one. That often comes with the territory when getting business done is the No. 1 objective.
"Jerry is a very credible guy," pitcher Brandon Claussen said. "He lives what he talks. I completely respect that. Sometimes, he may say something to you that you don't want to hear. But it's the truth. Sometimes that will prune you back a little bit. But when you get pruned, you always grow more fruit."
"I'm a guy that believes in treating everybody with respect and honesty," Narron said. "Everybody in that clubhouse knows that I'll do that with them."
The Reds went 27-43 under Miley last season before improving to 46-46 after Narron was promoted from bench coach to manager. Did his straightforward approach equate to more wins? Could it lead to more victories in 2006?
"Absolutely," Freel said. "For the most part, we played good under Jerry."

Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/

Notes: Womack wants second to himself

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 16:53:00 +0000

02/21/2006
SARASOTA, Fla. -- For new Reds infielder Tony Womack, Dec. 8, 2005 was probably the best day he had last year.
That was the day Womack was dealt by the Yankees to Cincinnati for two Minor Leaguers. He opened last season as New York's starting second baseman, but he soon lost his job to rookie Robinson Cano. He was playing in the outfield after one month and was used sporadically in the second half.
Womack, a career .273 hitter, batted .307 for the National League-champion Cardinals in 2004 before signing a two-year contract with New York. He batted just .249 with 15 RBIs in 108 games while posting a .276 on-base percentage for the Yankees.
It proved to be one of the most difficult seasons of a 12-year big league career.
"I went through it because they put me through it. It wasn't like I did it to myself," Womack said. "I still like to play. It's no fun knowing that you can still play and contribute to somebody when this team is holding you back. The Yankees held me back."
Womack, who won a World Series with Arizona in 2001, said his one year in St. Louis is better proof of what he can do for the Reds, not his one year in New York.
"The only thing that makes me mad is it messes up my baseball card," said Womack, who reported to Reds camp Tuesday and completed his first workout. "I was consistent for a long time and then that comes up. It was a learning experience for me. I'm a stronger person. I had to be. I had to bite my tongue a lot. I had to keep myself going and make sure I got my work in."
Second base could be up for grabs in Cincinnati, which has no defined regular named yet. Womack, Rich Aurilia and utility player Ryan Freel are all in the mix with manager Jerry Narron planning on all getting chances this year while also moving elsewhere around the field.
But the 36-year-old Womack has ambitions on claiming the spot outright.
"That's all I care about," he said. "[Splitting time] is not what I want. That's what I'm going for. I'm going to take it. I'm going to go out there and do it. That's the only thing I know.
"My job is to make their decision easy."
Former Reds general manager Dan O'Brien traded for Womack because he liked the veteran's speed. Although his career-high 72 stolen bases in 1999 with the Diamondbacks are a distant memory, Womack stole 27 bases for the Yankees last season. However, he has a relatively low career on-base percentage -- .316.
"The intangibles never show up in the stats," Womack said. "People say I don't have a good on-base percentage. But when I get on, a lot of things happen. There are no stats for that."
All present: Womack and non-roster outfielder Quinton McCracken were the latest arrivals to Reds camp Tuesday, the reporting date for position players. The club's first workout is scheduled for late Wednesday morning.
All 61 players in camp were expected to be present and accounted for at the team dinner Tuesday night hosted by chief executive officer Bob Castellini. Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench is the featured speaker. Bench was in uniform during the morning workout for pitchers and catchers.
Golf with the Gov.: Center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. was excused from the team dinner because he will be a guest of Florida Governor Jeb Bush at a Tallahassee gala celebrating Black History Month. Griffey will present an award to Hall of Famer Willie Mays.
Griffey is an infrequent golfing partner of the governor's. The two last played together in January. Did the outfielder let Bush win?
"Nah. We more or less had fun," Griffey said.
Go Lady Eagles: Narron was pleased knowing that the girls basketball team he coaches during the offseason won its first-round game in the North Carolina state high school tournament on Monday.
The Rosewood Lady Eagles of Goldsboro, N.C., are 20-4 for the season and Narron's daughter, Clare, plays for the team. How did the girls lose their four games?
"I wasn't there," said Narron, who was 16-0 when running the bench. He missed the losing games because of Reds obligations. He had Monday's play-by-play action relayed to him over his cellular phone.
"I had a parent there tell me he'd fly down here and pick me up every day and fly me back and forth if I could coach the games," Narron said.

Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/