In the end, the Cincinnati Reds had no problem finding a place for Deion Sanders. Their problem lies in keeping him in place.

        Do they act as if he is here for the duration this time, or do they trust him only as far as he can throw? Will Prime Time heed the siren call of pro football and say “See you” in September, or can he be counted on to stick it out with the Reds down the stretch?

        “We wouldn't have signed him if we didn't think he'd finish the year playing baseball,” Reds general manager Jim Bowden said Tuesday afternoon. “I believe if he is successful in our sport, he'll be here.”

Deion Sanders wouldn't say when or if he'd go back to the Redskins. (Craig Ruttle photos) | ZOOM |

        If Sanders' success Tuesday night is any indication of coming attractions, the Reds should move heaven, Earth and at
least one other outfielder to accommodate him. They should stop construction on Great American Ball Park and turn the stadium site into a fishing hole. If this guy is for real, the Reds should do whatever it takes to keep him, and then some.

        Sanders returned to the major leagues after a 44-month absence Tuesday night with three hits, a stolen base and a vital sacrifice bunt in the Reds' 7-6 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was a comeback worthy of Michael Jordan or Mario Lemieux, except Sanders was never quite this good at this game.

That pesky NFL thing

        Before we get all giddy about the new/old left fielder, it should be remembered that baseball is his second-best sport. The better he plays, the more Reds fans will worry about the depth of his commitment.

        “Trust me, man, I know what I'm going to do,” Sanders said. “My plan is already made. ... It won't even come to a stressful decision.”

Deion clowns around with Barry Larkin. | ZOOM |

        What exactly that plan entails, Sanders declined to say. He remains cryptic for a variety of reasons, not the least of them an $8 million signing bonus he accepted last year as part of a seven-year, $56 million contract with the Washington Redskins. Were Sanders to retire from football, the Redskins might have grounds to pursue a partial refund of their up-front payment. Were Sanders to commit to baseball prematurely, he might lose some wiggle room he might want later on.

        His most specific promise is that he “won't let anyone down,” but that hardly seems possible anymore. Simply put, Sanders has too much talent and not enough bodies to keep both of his employers satisfied.

Reds cross fingers

        The Redskins, in need of maneuvering room beneath the NFL's salary cap, ultimately may elect to release Sanders rather than await his return. Yet even if the Redskins cut him, Sanders remains a pretty marketable cornerback. The Reds, who are paying him a comparative pittance (a pro-rated $500,000), must depend on his decision being about something other than dollars.

        If it's about challenge and affection, the Reds have a chance. Sanders is still driven to prove himself in baseball, and Reds fans responded to his debut with an ovation that produced what he said was the first curtain call of his career. With a line single, a home run, a bunt single, a stand-up steal of third base and a sacrifice, he made the transition from Triple-A as if the jump required no elevation.

        For weeks, Reds fans have been wondering where Sanders might fit. Tuesday, that question seemed silly.

        There's always room for talent.

        E-mail tsullivan@enquirer.com. Past columns at Enquirer.com/columns/sullivan.

Reds 7, Dodgers 6 Will Deion stay past kickoff? Will OF crunch prompt trade? Casey should return quickly Newcomer Clark already turning heads Boone drills outfielders on throws Reds box, runs

XU brings search back home
Point guard to visit UC
Satterfield struggled with decision
Logan wins UC MVP
Bengals, Ross agree on 1-year deal
Spikes will miss minicamp
Magic lingers around Cauthen
Baffert basks in Derby's glare
Kentucky Derby notebook
Marathoners preach patience, pace
Cities to face off in Flying Pig Challenge
OSU football recruit dies
College sports notebook
Cincinnati high school highlights
Cincinnati baseball results
Cincinnati softball results
Cincinnati tennis results
Cincinnati track results
Other Cincinnati results
Ohio baseball poll
N.Ky. high school highlights
Ohio softball poll
N.Ky. baseball results
N.Ky. softball results
N.Ky. tennis results
N.Ky. track results

• Return to Reds front page...