Monday, March 27, 2000
REDS NOTEBOOK
Sore finger sidelines Pokey
BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SARASOTA, Fla. — Pokey Reese was a late scratch from the lineup Sunday.
Reese aggravated his sore right ring finger. He tried to take batting practice, but had to quit after three rounds.
“He's listed as day-to-day,” assistant trainer Mark Mann said. “We'll see how feels (today).”
The finger, which Reese injured while sliding into second base in the spring opener, caused him to miss 13 games.
“It's not surprising that he had a minor setback, which is what this is, given how he uses his hand,” Mann said. “He uses it continuously.”
BOWDEN'S REPLY: Reds General Manager Jim Bowden on Sunday responded to remarks made by former Red Greg Vaughn.
Vaughn said he had all good memories about the Reds, but he lashed out at Bowden and manager Jack McKeon.
Vaughn said: “I just had a problem with two guys because of the cheap shots they threw out after I left. After they got (Ken Griffey) Junior — "Oh, Vaughn was selfish. We didn't want him.' Come on, man. That was very unprofessional.”
“I never called Greg Vaughn selfish,” Bowden said. “You guys know what I said. Greg Vaughn brought a different work ethic and attitude to our clubhouse. He was one of the reasons we won 96 games last year.”
The Reds let Vaughn leave via free agency after last season.
“We made a business and baseball decision,” Bowden said.
PARRIS IN SPRING: On Sunday, Steve Parris became the first Reds starter to pitch into the eighth inning this spring. Parris went 7ö innings, allowing two runs on eight hits.
“I'm close,” he said. “The arm strength is getting there. But going almost eight innings is a plus.”
Parris allowed five of the hits in the first two innings.
“After the first three innings, he pitched extremely well,” McKeon said. “He only had 80 or 81 pitches in the eighth inning. He could have gone nine.”
LEWIS UPDATE: Mark Lewis still was not available to play Sunday. He was given a cortisone injection on Saturday for his sprained right big toe.
“It will be a couple of days,” team doctor Tim Kremchek said. “No more than that, at least we hope.”
WATCH YOUR MOUTH: Griffey popped out in Friday's game and used a word newspapers don't print. He heard about from his mother, Birdie.
“She said, "Don't say those things,'” Griffey said. “I told her it was dad. He said, "Why'd you do that?' I said, "She'll only hit you a couple of times. I get those “You won't do that anymore” whippings, with a smack on each word.”
NO SICK SWING: Dante Bichette has been fighting a cold the last few days. But he's on a four-game hitting streak: 8-for-17 (.470), with two doubles, a homer, three RBI.
“And I had my best (batting practice) of the spring (Sunday),” Bichette said. “I'm going to stay sick.”
DEION UPDATE: Deion Sanders is close to being 100 percent. He went from first base to third on an infield out in a Triple-A game Saturday.
“He's going to hit the point where he's 100 percent for a day or two,” Kremchek said. “Then he's going to drop down a step on two.”
Sanders will start the season at Triple-A Louisville on a rehabilitation assignment.
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