Wednesday, March 15, 2000
Kearns has big-league day
Former No. 1 pick homers in spring debut
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SARASOTA, Fla. — Austin Kearns would have been happy just to go along for the ride. Then he sent a baseball on a long-distance journey.
Kearns, the Reds' first-round draft choice in 1998, received the thrill of his brief professional career Tuesday when he blasted a two-run, fifth-inning homer off Philadelphia left-hander Randy Wolf in the Phillies' 8-6 exhibition victory at Clearwater, Fla.
Kearns, who's destined to open the season with Single-A Dayton, wasn't invited to major-league camp. But the 19-year-old outfielder from Lexington, Ky., was told a couple of days ago to suit up with the big club for Tuesday's split-squad games, since the Reds would need extra players.
“For me, it was pretty awesome to get to spend a day seeing what it's like up here,” Kearns said in the clubhouse at the Reds' Sarasota headquarters. “I guess I'd call it getting my feet wet a little bit. I had a blast. If I had struck out or not even had gotten in, this definitely would have been one of the best days I've had.”
General Manager Jim Bowden believes more days like this await Kearns. Lumping Kearns, a right-handed hitter, with left-handed slugger Adam Dunn, Bowden said, “They both have unlimited potential.”
Kearns said he wasn't thinking about homering when he pinch-hit for Reds starter Osvaldo Fernandez and connected with Wolf's 1-0 delivery.
“A home run was the last thing on my mind,” said Kearns, who hit .258 with 13 homers and 48 RBI with Single-A Rockford last year. “I knew I hit it well, but I wasn't about to take a chance. I took off running.”
Then Kearns saw the ball clear Jack Russell Memorial Stadium's left-field wall. Or at least he thinks he did.
“I really can't describe the feeling,” he said. “It's like I hardly even remember.”
Kearns came to his senses when he realized he wanted the home-run ball as a keepsake, though. To obtain it, he gave the fan who recovered it a practice bat and a spare ball, which he signed.
Reds Stories
Xavier gets another chance
Huggins: No pressure from past
Bengals' O'Dwyer suspended for bar fight
Heated field to keep grass green
Public should have say on our stadium
NBA's Stern recognizes his folly
St. X star leads Butler back to NCAAs
Men's NCAA Schedule
Men's NIT Scores - Schedule
Women's NCAA Schedule
Women's NIT Schedule
Tough guy key for Elder
Eastern Brown combined 49-0
No rebuilding at Madeira
Ohio boys regional pairings
Cincinnati boys/girls basketball schedules
Local coaches share state honors
Ohio boys basketball scores
Ohio Girls Div. II All-State team
Ohio Girls Div. III All-State team
Ohio girls state pairings
Highlands girls reach Sweet 16
Kentucky Boys State Tournament Schedule
NCC opens Sweet 16 vs. Male
Cyclones 3, Houston 2
Sence has new altitude
Reds page
