MILWAUKEE — Paul Konerko understands why the Reds did what they did. “If I were the general manager, I would have done the same thing,” Konerko said.

        That is Konerko would have traded Konerko, just as the Reds did on Nov. 11, 1999. The Reds sent Konerko to the Chicago White Sox for outfielder Mike Cameron. It's fair to say the trade worked out pretty well for all parties involved.

        Cameron was one of the key players in the Reds' 96-win season in 1999. He was later the key player in the Ken Griffey Jr. trade with Seattle.

        And Konerko? He's flourished with the White Sox. He hit .291 and averaged 26 home runs and 92 RBI in his first three seasons with Chicago. This year, he's put up MVP-type numbers: .328, 20 homers, 71 RBI.

        “Getting traded was everything for me,” he said. “As soon as I got there, they told me I was going to play every day, get 500-plus at-bats. That's what you need. You get to face pitchers over and over again. Going to the American League helped. With the DH, you have that extra spot to work people in.”

        Konerko's stay with the Reds was a brief one. He was traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Reds on July 4, 1998, along with pitcher Dennys Reyes.

        Three months earlier, the Reds had gotten Sean Casey, who was established at first base when Konerko arrived. Casey was also one of then-manager Jack McKeon's favorites.

        “They thought I could play third base,” Konerko said. “I couldn't. I can't. First base is my best position. Casey was doing the job. I give them credit. They didn't wait. They pulled the trigger on the trade.”

        Casey went on to make the National League All-Star team in 1999 and 2001.

        Konerko is clearly having the better year this season. Whether the Reds traded the right guy will be debated as long as Konerko and Casey play.

        A HERO'S TAKE: Cleveland Indians All-Star shortstop Omar Vizquel is well aware of Ray Olmedo, the Reds' shortstop prospect. Olmedo, like Vizquel, is from Venezuela.

        “I've taken groundballs with him,” Vizquel said. “He is a great talent, great ability. But this game is played over six months. You may be great one day but make three errors the next day. You have to be consistent to be a great shortstop.”

        Vizquel is a great shortstop. His nine straight Gold Gloves testify to that. The Reds hope Olmedo, 21, can turn into a similar type of player. Besides their national heritage, Vizquel (5-foot-9, 175 pounds) and Olmedo (5-11, 155) are similar in size.

        LANDSLIDE WINNERS: The Reds have had more players elected to the All-Star team than any other club in either league. Forty-two Reds, which includes multi-electees, have been voted to the National League team since the current system was installed in 1970. The New York Yankees are second (38), followed by the Baltimore Orioles (33).

        Johnny Bench was the Red elected the most, voted to 10 teams. Joe Morgan is next with seven. Pete Rose, Dave Concepcion, George Foster and Barry Larkin all were voted in five times.

        ERA ELMER: Reds starter Elmer Dessens entered the break with an ERA lower than three of the six starting pitchers on the National League roster. Of course, all six have twice as many wins as Dessens, who is 5-4.

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