Sunday, February 25, 2001
Reds Notebook
Players share fans' enthusiasm
By Chris Haft
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SARASOTA, Fla. — Cinergy Field's diminished capacity assured the Reds of a quick Opening Day sellout when tickets went on sale Saturday, but the news every seat was sold for the April 2 opener against Atlanta in less than an hour was welcomed in the clubhouse.
“That's one of the greatest opening days in major-league baseball, if not the greatest,” first baseman Sean Casey said. “Who wouldn't want to be a part of it? It's great to see that fans still know how special that day is and know that we have a good club this year. It's exciting for everybody.”
All standing-room-only tickets for the Atlanta game also were sold. Though Opening Day routinely sells out, the removal of approximately 14,000 seats to accommodate construction of Great American Ball Park made the ticket even tougher to get.
Thus, said left fielder Dmitri Young, the true test of fan enthusiasm will come later.
“Opening Day is Opening Day. Everybody wants to be there,” Young said. “It's the games after Opening Day that'll mean something. Will they continue to show up or will they hide in the wilderness until they see the Reds are for real?”
PITCHERS OK: Right-handers Elmer Dessens, Seth Etherton and Leo Estrella will begin throwing off a mound today after passing strength and flexibility tests that followed 10 days of intense physical rehabilitation.
All three could be able to pitch in exhibition games about a week after the schedule begins Thursday against Cleveland.
Dessens and Etherton, who are expected to compete for spots in the starting rotation, passed their tests “with flying colors,” exercise therapist Lonnie Soloff said. Estrella, a leading prospect, is likely bound for the minor leagues.
Each pitcher was found to have weakness in his shoulder and upper back during physical examinations on Feb.14, prompting the Reds medical staff to prescribe exercise and no throwing more intense than games of catch.
Soloff said Dessens, Etherton and Estrella will maintain their exercise programs but will taper off sharply as they pitch more. They'll be tested again in approximately 10 more days to monitor their progress.
IN THE ZONE: Saturday's workout began almost 20 minutes late as Bob Boone told players about the new enforcements in the strike zone, based on a meeting he attended with major-league officials and fellow managers Friday night.
Boone warned the Reds umpires won't be as tolerant of players questioning balls and strikes and will be quicker to eject a pitcher if a high, inside pitch is perceived as intentional.
“As I told the team, they (umpires) are taking control of the game away from the players,” Boone said. “We have to adjust to it.”
Sandy Alderson, the executive vice president for baseball operations in the commissioner's office, and Ralph Nelson, his assistant, conducted the meeting at a Sarasota hotel. Boone was joined by representatives from four other teams that train in the area — Boston, Minnesota, Pittsburgh and Texas.
Umpire Mark Hirschbeck will visit camp on Tuesday to discuss the revised rules interpretations directly with players.
ETC.: Third baseman Aaron Boone came down with flu-like symptoms Friday night and didn't attend Saturday's workout. He's expected to return today.
• Infielder Gookie Dawkins and left-handers Clayton Andrews and Ed Yarnall signed one-year contracts, trimming the list of unsigned players to eight.
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Reds share fans' enthusiasm
