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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2009 > December > 03 > Entry
REDSFEST: Up close and personal
The best way to have up close and personal contact with Cincinnati Reds players is spring training, where the atmosphere is relaxed and congenial.
Nobody is in a slump, games don’t count, averages and ERA’s don ‘t mean much except to a few players trying to make the team. Most of their minds are on fishing holes and what golf course to attack.
Players are more apt to stop near the grandstands to chat and sign autographs than they are once the season begins asnd things turn serious.
THE SECOND best way is to attend Redsfest, a carnival-like atmosphere where players are even more accessible. And fans can get that opportunity Friday and Saturday at the Duke Energy Convention Center in downtown Cincinnati.
Many members of the Reds will be there to interact with fans and sign autographs.
It all begins Friday afternoon at 4, with introduction of the players in attendance at 6:10.
Before that, former Reds shortstop Barry Larkin will hold a 5:45 press conference to talk about his candidacy for the Hall of Fame this year and his manager from the 1990 World Series champions, Lou Piniella, has a 7 o’clock press conference.
At 6:50, on center stage, the winners of the MVP (Brandon Phillips), Most Outstanding pitcher (Bronson Arroyo) and the Good Guy Award (Arroyo) will receive their awards, as voted by the Cincinnati chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.
Some of the main stage festivities are to be broadcast on reds.com, including the introduction of all players, the awards presentations and a question-and-answer session with the 1990 championship team (8:15-8:50).
There will be a Fox Dating Game Show (9-9:15) and a Cintas concert featuring The Rusty Griswolds (9:30-11).
On Saturday, pitcher Bronson Arroyo and Elom Trotman put on a concernt from 1:30 to 2:20 and there will be a Playstation Longest Hit Challenge featuring Joey Vo9tto (5:35-5:50).
IN ADDITION, the convention center will be filled with exhibits, interactive games and concession stands.
TICKETS FOR the Fox Sports Ohio Redsfest, presented by Kahn’s, are on sale via the internet at reds.com or by phone at 513-381-REDS and at Meijer stores or at Great American Ball Park or at the Duke Energy Convention Center doors
It’s an event all Reds fans, or any baseball fans, will thoroughly enjoy - a precursor to when baseball returns for spring training.
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By M.Y. Wu
December 4, 2009 8:50 AM | Link to this
I normally attend the whole events. But, Bearcats will play one of the most important game in school history, I probably won’t attend the Saturday until the game is over. I hope the Reds could avoid the schedule conflict in the future. I will really appreciate it.
By Deaner
December 4, 2009 12:38 AM | Link to this
Sorry but I’m with TheNaturalmevs on this one. Arroyo is not a good guy. Unless of course you consider making racial and ethnic slurs on stage during a kids’ Q&A session at last year’s Redsfest a criteria.
By r
December 3, 2009 4:41 PM | Link to this
what are these idiots talking about….
By jim t
December 3, 2009 4:01 PM | Link to this
TheNaturalmevs,sounds like a case of sour grapes. Could it be your mom was one of Arroyo’s MILF’s. Haha!
By TheNaturalmevs
December 3, 2009 3:48 PM | Link to this
Arroyo won the Good Guy Award? Well that award loses all credibility now. Haha. What was the criteria for that award? MILF hunting?