Sean Casey wanted to make one thing perfectly clear. Pundits already were saying the protracted labor talks and near-strike were as bad as a strike.

        “I don't think that's true,” the Reds first baseman said. “We got a deal done with no work stopped. That's a humongous thing, given the history. This is a wonderful day for baseball.”

        Casey was one of the players who felt a strike must be avoided. That it was avoided, he says, should be enough.

        “It's the first time in history,” he said. “That says a lot. We were able to get a deal done. That's 100 percent positive.”

        The Reds, like players everywhere, were happy to have a game to play Friday.

        “It's a big relief for everyone,” catcher Kelly Stinnett said.

        Stinnett was home Friday morning awaiting word.

        “I was laying in bed, listening to the radio,” he said. “My agent called about noon and said there was a good chance it would get done.”

        The Reds were prepared for a strike. They had a meeting after Thursday's game, a 7-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. The usual celebration, with Casey dancing, wasn't used.

        “It was a day to meet,” Casey said. “We wanted to make sure everyone could get a hold of each other.”

        The two highest-paid Reds players, shortstop Barry Larkin and outfielder Ken Griffey Jr., offered loans to help players with bills if the strike happened.

        “I made the offer,” Larkin said, “and put Junior's name to it.”

        Larkin and Griffey, the two players who had been through the 1990 and 1994 work stoppages, knew word wouldn't come until the deadline neared.

        “I knew what to expect,” Griffey said. “Nothing gets done until the last minute. But they got it done. That's the important thing.”

        Larkin is about as strong a union voice as there is in the Reds' clubhouse. He reserved judgment on the new deal.

        “We won't know the effect of it for four years,” he said.

        The Reds still have a glimmer of hope in the National League Central race. They entered Friday night's game against Milwaukee 7 1/2 games behind first-place St.Louis. Three more games against the Cardinals are the Reds' only games against a .500-plus team in their remaining 28 contests.

        “I'm pleased,” Reds manager Bob Boone. “But I don't think it changes anything for us. We're still chasing St.Louis and Houston. We'll try to win as many games as we can.”

Reds should benefit from deal Baseball deal has something for everyone DAUGHERTY: Free money should mean free agents Highlights of the labor deal Reds relieved to keep playing Twins saved; Expos to D.C.? Bows, barbs for Selig Deal lifts burden from Boone Brewers 9, Reds 4 Reds Box, Runs Reds Notebook: Glove earns Stinnett more time Brewers end strange day with high five Cardinals 6, Cubs 3 Astros 8, Dodgers 4 Royals 5, Mariners 1 Angels 6, Orioles 2 Athletics 4, Twins 2 Giants 7, Diamondbacks 6 Padres 2, Rockies 0

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