Don't look for Pokey Reese's boycott of Redsfest to become a trend. “I can't speak for Pokey,” Danny Graves said. “He may have some different reasons. But if I'm scheduled to be here, I'm going to be here.”

New manager Bob Boone signs autographs at RedsFest (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Reese pulled out because he didn't want to discuss his contract with the media. Graves, who was at Redsfest at Albert B. Sabin Cincinnati Convention Center Friday, is in the same situation as Reese. Both are arbitration eligible and are about $900,000 apart from the team.

        “I would never let that stop me from coming here,” Graves said. “I really enjoy this. During the season, we don't get much of an opportunity to interact with the fans. Here, they get to see us as people, not players.”

        Graves was the biggest star among current Reds., Barry Larkin, Ken Griffey Jr., Sean Casey and Dmitri Young were not there because of schedule conflicts. Michael Tucker was a last-minute no-show because his wife Azurre'D gave birth to a son (Milan Anthony) Thursday. But the crowd Friday was good.

        “I've been really pleased,” Reds marketing director Cal Levy said.

WHO'S NOT THERE

Reds players not attending RedsFest:   • Ken Griffey Jr.: Sponsor commitment   • Barry Larkin: Alex Ochoa's wedding   • Sean Casey: Wedding   • Pokey Reese: Contract dispute   • Michael Tucker: Wife had baby Thursday   • Pete Harnisch: Family commitment   • Scott Sullivan: Family commitment   • Mark Wohlers: Family commitment   • Dmitri Young: Family commitment   • Alex Ochoa: Getting married

IF YOU GO

Redsfest schedule

        Amy Brueggemann, 31, a restaurant manager and season ticket holder from West Chester Township, said she did not think Reese's contract dispute was a valid reason not to attend.

        “Because he doesn't want to talk to the media is not a good enough reason,” she said. “This is for the fans.”

        But Roy Chapman, 44, a deputy sheriff from Hamilton who's been a Reds fan “as long as I've been able to walk,” defended Reese.

        “You really can't fault Pokey,” he said. “I'm sure he has his own reasons. As long as he contributes to the Reds, it's OK.”

        Scott and Kim Terrell, from Fairfield, brought their children Cameron, 8, and Madison, 6, to Redsfest for the first time. The children, each decked out in a Reds jersey, were getting their picture taken with the team mascot.

        Because of some schedule conflicts and unavailability of January dates for 2002, the Reds are considering not having Redsfest next year.

        “Cal and I will sit down in a few weeks and evaluate it,” chief operating officer John Allen said. “My strong, strong preference is to have it. I really like the event. It's a good perk for our season-ticket holders (who get in free).”

        Redsfest continues today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children under 12.

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