Bubble gum chewing helps Reds third baseman relax

Eugenio Suarez packs three to five pieces of gum in his mouth

Credit: David Jablonski - Staff Writer

Credit: David Jablonski - Staff Writer

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez faced a not-so-important question Thursday in the clubhouse at Great American Ball Park.

“Are you the best bubble gum blower in baseball?” a reporter asked.

Suarez smiled. He wasn’t ready to anoint himself the best, even though he blows bubbles as big as his head when he’s playing third.

“Johnny Cueto’s good with that,” Suarez said. “That’s the only guy I’ve seen get that big. “

Gum chewing relaxes Suarez, he said. He’s done it as long as he has played baseball.

“When I was young, eating gum was my favorite thing,” Suarez said. “I’ve always got some in my mouth.”

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The Reds have large buckets of Dubble Bubble chewing gum in a room steps away from the dugout. Suarez chewed a different brand growing up in Venezuela. He said he puts three to five pieces in his mouth at a time to create giant bubbles. He gets new gum every two innings.

“It’s hard when it sticks to your face because I’ve got hair on my face,” Suarez said, “but I don’t care about that. I just try to enjoy the gum.”

Suarez is enjoying everything about the game right now. The Reds began a 10-game homestand Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers with a 7-2 record, tied for the best in baseball. It’s their best start since 1990.

Suarez is hitting .429. He was 10-for-19 with two home runs and eight RBIs on a six-game road trip that saw the Reds take two of three games in St. Louis and then sweep the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“Everything feels good,” Suarez said. “I’m just trying to do the same thing every day.”

Credit: David Jablonski/Staff

Credit: David Jablonski/Staff

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