Monday, January 4, 1999

REDS NOTEBOOK

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Pokey's ready for second chance

BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Adam Gellenbeck, 10, of Fairfield peeks through the Johnny Bench cutout as dad Neal takes a photo at Redsfest Sunday. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        Pokey Reese knew what was on his interrogator's mind before the first question was asked.

        “Am I ready to play second base? Yes,” he said.

        Reese, primarily a shortstop during his eight-year professional career, was named the Reds' projected starter at second base after Bret Boone was traded to the Atlanta Braves on Nov. 11.

        He's eager to show that the “prospect” tag he has worn for years is well-deserved.

        “I'm finally getting my chance,” said Reese, 25. “I know a lot of people are mad because of the trade, but that's baseball. You have to move on.”

        Reese refuses to burden himself with the knowledge that he's replacing a Gold Glove winner who was popular with teammates and fans.

        “I can't go out there and think about it,” Reese said. “When you think about it, that's when you screw up. I'm not worried about what people are going to say. I know I'm not going to put up Bret Boone's numbers, but in my mind, I'm capable of doing anything.”

        Reese has recovered from the torn ligament in his right thumb which he suffered last July 30 when he dove for a ground ball. The injury ended his season and froze his average at .256.

        “It's 100 percent now,” he said. “It healed basically on its own.”

        FULL-TIME JOB? After skipping a road series last year, radio announcer Joe Nuxhall said he's considering working the entire 81-game schedule away from home this season.

        “The travel looks pretty good. It might go clean,” said Nuxhall, who has endured 32 years of road trips as a broadcaster and 16 as a player.

        Nuxhall, 70, said he'd finalize his decision at some point in the spring.

        “We've got only one long trip, and that's early in the season,” said Nuxhall, referring to a 13-day, 12-game journey that spans four cities from May 28-June 9. “I'll look (the schedule) over and see how I feel, that's the main thing.”

        He jokingly added, “If I feel all right, heck. It beats staying at home.”

        CROWDS DOWN, ZEST ISN'T: Managing Executive John Allen was buoyed by the enthusiasm fans displayed at Redsfest, which was held for the third time.

        “It was very successful and I got nothing but positive feedback,” he said. “We'll certainly plan on doing it next year.

        Allen estimated that Saturday's snowstorm halved attendance for the two-day event. “We've been averaging 10,000, 11,000 the last couple of years,” he said.

        CLINIC SET: Numerous Reds personnel will speak and provide clinics at the 1999 Baseball Coaching Symposium on Saturday at Sports Plus (formerly Icelands), 10765 Reading Road in Evendale.

        Those expected to provide tips on coaching, injury prevention and rehabilitation include manager Jack McKeon, coaches Ron Oester and Don Gullett, pitchers Danny Graves and Scott Winchester, minor-league instructors Buddy Bell and Bill Doran, team physician Dr. Timothy Kremchek and members of the front office and medical staff.

        Cost is $25 per person. For more information, call 554-8946.

       

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