Wednesday, November 18, 1998

BY SCOTT MacGREGOR
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Cleveland was a nice town, but in American League-style baseball most utility players are about as active as the batboy. So for Jeff Branson, a versatile infielder, returning to Cincinnati and the National League was a no-brainer.

Branson, 31, signed a minor league contract with the Reds Tuesday and was invited to major league spring training as a non-roster returning him to the team where he began his major league career and played five years.

Branson, a second-round draft pick of the Reds in 1988, spent his first nine professional seasons in their organization, including 1992-97 in the majors before being dealt to Cleveland in July 1997.

"The Reds gave me my start," Branson said from his home in Union, Ky. "There will always be some ties, and it's a great organization. This is where I make my home."

The Reds also signed pitcher Kevin Foster, formerly of the Chicago Cubs, and pitchers Marty Janzen and Todd Etler (Covington Catholic) to minor league contracts. They also added right-handed pitcher Ted Rose to the 40-man roster.

Branson will add infield depth behind Pokey Reese at second and Aaron Boone at third.

Branson liked playing in a good baseball town such as Cleveland, but when he became a free agent, he wanted to leave partly because he got only 100 at bats without the chance to pinch-hit for the pitcher.

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