Thursday, February 24, 2000
Big fan turnout bolsters club's optimism
REDS NOTEBOOK
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SARASOTA, Fla. — Optimism fueled the Reds' collective energy as they conducted their first full-squad workout Wednesday.
The promise of a successful season lightened the tedium of baserunning fundamentals and fielding drills. The enthusiasm spread to local fans, 1,845 of whom attended the workout. By comparison, last year's March 5 exhibition game against Texas drew 1,669. In previous years, an average workout might lure a couple of hundred fans.
Though center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. was the obvious draw, manager Jack McKeon had another explanation for the attendance.
“We won,” said McKeon, referring to last year's 96-67 finish. “Everybody loves a winner.”
Shortstop Barry Larkin agreed.
“I think the excitement is continuing from the last game we had last year, then Redsfest, then the (Griffey) trade and now spring training. Everybody's gearing up,” he said. “It's hard to hold that inside. Especially for the fans. They have a lot to be excited about.”
First baseman Hal Morris said being considered a contender, if not a division favorite, cannot be underestimated at this time of year.
“It's the greatest feeling in the world sitting here on the first day of spring training knowing that you might be playing in October,” Morris said. “And it's the worst knowing you have no chance. Trust me, more than half the other teams are sitting there today knowing, "There's no way we're going to be in the playoffs.' It's a terrible feeling. Whether they'll admit it or not, they know it.”
JUNIOR'S CONCERN: Griffey doesn't want the attention that follows him, whether it's a throng of fans or hordes of reporters, to affect his teammates negatively.
“You don't want to disrupt the club at all,” Griffey said. “It takes 25 guys to win a championship, and I don't want to be that one guy who everybody follows around.”
Griffey jokingly said that he might grow his hair Afro-length to serve as a disguise. “I can't grow a goatee, because (the mustache and beard) won't connect,” he said.
Larkin, however, expects the fuss to last: “I think the hype will be here all year. It might not be as much, but I think there's going to be media attention all year.”
PURPOSEFUL PEPPER: Newcomers Griffey and Dante Bichette joined Larkin and outfielders Michael Tucker and Dmitri Young in a spirited game of pepper, which is part of the Reds' pre-workout routine.
Larkin said the clowning and the inclusion of Griffey and Bichette were intended to foster camaraderie.
“It's a matter of making them feel comfortable,” Larkin said. “Part of my job is to do that.”
IT'S "GOOKIE': The name Travis Dawkins exists only on official documents. The Reds' top shortstop prospect has asked the outside world to call him “Gookie,” as his friends and teammates have known him.
It's a nickname he said he picked up when he was 3 or 4 years old. He has always liked it, and it has always stuck.
“When you're used to people calling you Gookie, it feels kind of weird when you hear Travis every now and then,” he said.
Though Dawkins' given first name still appears on his bats, he said he's expecting a shipment with “Gookie” on the barrel.
For a while, it appeared Dawkins might have to re-introduce himself to the Seattle Mariners. He was among the players Reds General Manager Jim Bowden insisted on keeping throughout the Griffey trade talks.
“Maybe he knows something I don't know,” Dawkins said.
Dawkins said it was “outstanding” to be mentioned in proposals involving a premier player but felt more than happy to stick with the Reds. “Whatever happens just happens. It's turned out for the best,” he said.
After starring for the U.S. team in the Pan American Games last year and hitting a combined .300 in the minors, Dawkins doesn't need to improve his glittering reputation.
“I just want to continue to do the things I did last year,” the 20-year-old said. “One day I'll get the chance, but it's not my call.”
ETC.: Bowden said the Reds made no progress in efforts to sign free agent catcher Benito Santiago, who would provide depth.
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