Monday, April 05, 1999
Reds-wear for the real fan
BY JIM KNIPPENBERG
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Reds cap? Check. Reds jersey? Can't leave home without it.
As real Reds fans know, there's only one way to dress on Opening Day: in Reds regalia from head to toe.
After all, Opening Day is tantamount to a region-wide holiday, with heaven only knows how many people (workers and students alike) playing hooky to hit the parade and game.
It's not easy to get a bead on the typical Reds fan. The Reds couldn't tell us average age, whether there are more men or women, or average income. They did reveal, right down to the decimal point, where last season's fans were from; specifically:
• 36.12 percent from Cincinnati; 63.88 percent from out of town.
• Of the out-of-towners, 12.92 percent were from Kentucky; 6.41 percent from Indiana; .07 from Canada and the rest from Ohio.
• Dayton is the city that sends the most out-of-town fans, 12.56 percent, followed by Columbus with 6.32 percent. Even Cleveland supplied 1.87 percent.
For those headed to today's — and future — games, here's our guide to dressing like a real fan.
Our ensemble is unisex, adaptable by all ages (meaning no Spandex) and widely available, although we pulled together our outfit at the Reds Dugout in the lobby of the Westin Hotel, downtown.
Reds cap: A true fan wears a red one, even though you can buy black, kelly green, cream, beige, gray, sky and navy blue caps.
Team pennant: The elongated triangle pennants have been around a zillion years but are sporting a new look this year. Colors are gray, red and white, with a charging Red and Cinergy Stadium prominent in the foreground.
Sunglasses: The big C is on the front; red earpieces have the Reds logo or say Cincinnati Reds.
Teddy bear: Complete with in-town and out-of-town jerseys and in a bunch of sizes: 4-inch, 6-inch, 12-inch, 18-inch.
Batting helmet: If you're nodding off and Barry Larkin sends a foul ball slicing your way, you'll need one? They come in red and white and can survive a pretty good knock.
Souvenir bat: You can fantasize ... These babies, made in Venezuela in red and black, are about half the length of a Louisville Slugger and about one-third the width.
Key chain: One's a white shoe that's big and makes your pocket bulge, but at least is easy to find. The smaller one is a uniformed Red with a bat slung over his shoulder.
Media Guide: The 489 pages are crammed with facts and stats: Reds' staff and team; player bios; and the 1998 season in review.
Felt-tip pen: Make it indelible ink, because, well, some players still give autographs, and you don't want your greasy thumb smearing it off.
Reds Report: Published bi-weekly and billed as “The Official Newspaper of the Cincinnati Reds,” it's full of statistics, schedules (Reds and opponents) and stories about players. You can get it at the Dugout store, the stadium or by subscription: $27.95 a year from Reds Report, P.O. Box 12453, Columbus, Ohio 43212.
Team jersey: You'll need two: gray with red lettering for out-of-town dates, white with red for home stands. Or get a selection: white with red pinstripes; gray, black. Some are cotton, some are polyester.
Souvenir baseball: Complete with Reds logo, what the heck else would you want them to autograph?
Warmup jacket: It has been known to snow on Opening Day, and this heavily lined, nylon jacket with a stain-resistant Teflon coating will warm you all over.
No. 1 fan pin: You're probably not, thanks to the huge number of fanatics down at Cinergy, but might as well advertise your devotion.
Player pin: Hal Morris is available now. Other players, Greg Vaughn for example, soon will be immortalized in jewelry.
More dress for Reds success items
• Ear gear: A spiffy pair of enameled ball caps, pierced only, in red and white, with enough dangle to hang well below the ball cap. (For corporate types, Reds logos are available).
• Hair gear: An official Reds scrunchie, white and covered with the Reds logo.
• Arm gear: Reds wrist watches with Mr. Red as a floating second hand; or one with the Reds logo.
• Elbow gear: As in bending an elbow, try Reds shot glasses, coffee mugs and water bottles.
• Rear gear: Reds seat cushions, most in white with a Reds logo, because those seats get hard, especially when extra innings roll around.
• Rain gear: Nothing will do on a rainy spring day (you know they hate canceling games) but a Reds poncho.
OK. You're dressed; now you need to ...
• Chow down on a spicy Big Red Smokey hot dog and chase it with some Hudy Delight.
• Buy a copy of the Cincinnati Pops' Play Ball (Telarc) and play the Queen City's favorite track “Hooray for the Cincinnati Reds,” the team's official fight song.
• Doodle on an official Reds score sheet, sold at the stadium.
• Log on to www.cincinnatireds.com, the official Reds Web site, after the game.
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