• Jay Bruce lost his star-status dressing area, a two-stall cubicle in prime location, an area first occupied by Barry Larkin.
“We’ve got the big guy here, so I’ve gotta move it on over,” said Bruce. “Hey, I don’t mind. He’s an All-Star and a Gold Glover, so he deserves that locker. He has a lot more credentials than me.”
Instead of conducting his first interview at that locker, Rolen sat in the dugout and talked for the first time to the media.
Asked if he liked hitting in Great American Ball Park, Rolen smiled broadly and said, “I love hitting here. Has anybody ever say they don’t? I’ve faced Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto, so I know we have great pitching and I won’t have to face Aaron Harang, against who I’m about 1 for 106.”
Rolen pushed for the trade because he wants to finish his career near home, Jasper, Ind. Asked how far it is, he said, “Depends upon who’s driving. About 2 ½ hours.”
And he added, “I’m thrilled to be here because this is about as close to home as I can be. My parents brought me here to watch ballgames.”
Rolen, ostensibly, was brought in to display leadership and provide some fire to a dormant team.
“That’s a tough one to tackle,” he said. “I just got here and put on the uniform. I’ll compete as best as I can. As professional ballplayers we have a responsibility and accountability to be professionals on and off the field. I’ll go about my business to be the best I can be.
“I’m not a screamer or a yeller and if I turn into that it is not genuine,” he added. “If you are genuine, you earn respect and gain respect.”
Volquez surgery set
As feared by many insiders, pitcher Edinson Volquez needs surgery and it will be done Monday, an exploratory procedure in which it is hoped he won’t require Tommy John surgery.
“They’re going to go in there and see what’s bothering him,” said general manager Walt Jocketty. “We won’t really know until after the surgery what needs to be done. It hasn’t gotten better. You always try to take the conservative route and players are able to come back without surgery.
“In this case, it hadn’t gotten better. It is still stiff and sore, and we felt we should go in and see what’s going on,” Jocketty added.
Said Volquez, “I agree with the surgery. The team is 10 games behind and doesn’t need me. Maybe I can be ready next spring. I had some bullpen sessions and didn’t feel anything. But when I tried the simulated game (Friday) and saw hitters up there I tried to throw harder and my elbow became swollen and tight.
“We have to fix it,” he said. “We tried hard to not have surgery, but it didn’t work. I hope I don’t have Tommy John so I can be back for spring training.”
Quote of the day
“I saw Brooks Robinson, I saw Mike Schmidt and I
played with George Brett. Scott Rolen is the best third baseman I’ve ever seen. With us he’d make one play a year where you’d say, ‘That’s the best play at third I’ve ever seen.’ The next year he’d give you one better. His feet are quick like a wrestler’s.” — Cardinals coach and former Reds outfielder Hal McRae.
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