PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Bob Boone has been around baseball long enough to know that winning in spring training means relatively little. But that little bit can often save a team's sanity.

        “The work is more important,” Boone said Sunday before the Reds' rained-out exhibition game against Texas froze their Grapefruit League record at 2-1. “The tough thing is that you've got to have a few wins. If we can come out of the spring anywhere from four games under .500 to a couple of games over, that's about what you want. You just want to stay in that respectable range so you don't think there's a big problem brewing.”

        Boone addressed other as pects of the Reds' play after the first weekend of the exhibition schedule, including:

        • His pleasure in the pitchers' overall control, which has resulted in 12 walks in 36 innings.

        • The “aggressiveness” of some of the younger Reds and the attitude of outfield prospects Austin Kearns, Adam Dunn and Jackson Melian. “They're not awed by this,” Boone said. “It's just a matter of their honing their skills. Their brains are going to work fine when they get here.”

        • The catchers' proficiency in calling games — sure to be a pet topic for Boone, who caught 19 years in the majors.

        • The team's “professional” approach. “We've left them on their own,” Boone said. “Our message is, this is about getting yourself individually ready. We haven't pushed any team-concept feelings yet.”

DAUGHERTY: Baseball salaries all about ego Sullivan's conditioning pays off Boone pleased by early progress Bell gets $252M strikeout

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