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Reds Hall-of-Famer new staff coach?
Saturday, August 23, 2008
DENVER — Eric Davis thought he would leave Chicago after the Cincinnati Reds left Wrigley Field on Thursday night, Aug. 21, thought he would return home to California.
But there he was Friday in the visitor's clubhouse at Coors Field.
"They said my services are needed, so I go where my services are needed," said Davis.
And his services may be needed next year — full-time service as a coach.
General Manager Walt Jocketty told Davis last week that he wanted to talk to him about employment, and the rumor is that Davis is wanted as a staff coach.
Would he take it?
"I'm open," Davis said with a smile. "I'm certainly going to talk to Walt about it."
Davis, a member of the Reds Hall of Fame, played for the Reds from 1984-91 and returned for the 1996 season.
Phillips: 'I'm a 2B'
How about Brandon Phillips at shortstop next year? What does Brandon Phillips think about it?
"Nobody from the Reds has talked to me about it," he said. "I'm a second baseman. We'll be getting Alex Gonzalez back next year, and other than Omar Vizquel, Juan Castro and John McDonald, he's the best shortstop I ever played with."
What if Gonzalez's knee isn't better or what if Gonzalez is traded? Phillips signed as a shortstop and played shortstop all through his minor-league career with the Indians, but moved to second because Vizquel was at short.
"I don't see the point in me going over there, especially with Alex Gonzalez there," Phillips said. "I don't write the lineup; I just play. I could play any position if I worked my butt off and put my mind to it. When the Reds traded for me, they told me I'd be a utility guy and had me working in the outfield. I could play any position they want me to do."
Phillips paused for a long period, then said, "I'm a second baseman, man. I am a second baseman. If it comes to me going over there, I'll welcome it. But I'm a second baseman."
Burton is close
Jared Burton, who hasn't pitched since the week before the All-Star break, was enthralled with his 30-pitch batting practice session early Friday.
He'll do another Tuesday in Houston, and if it goes as well, he'll go to Class AAA Louisville on Thursday for a rehab assignment, "And I'd say I'm about two weeks away from coming back."
Said Burton, "I had a good day with Jolbert Cabrera and Adam Rosales standing in there for me. I dialed it up a little more. All in all, my ball was live, and the swings looked a bit awkward, which means I had some deception. I only threw fastballs and changeups, but that's about all I throw anyway."
Rings for two Reds
Reds pitchers Josh Fogg and Jeremy Affeldt pitched for the Colorado Rockies last year, and both were given National League championship rings before Friday's game.
Fogg became known as The Dragon Slayer because eight of his 10 wins last year were against playoff teams or teams still in contention that last week.
Fogg is 2-6 with a 7.66 ERA with the Reds this year.
