By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Barry Larkin is set to leave the Reds without the obligatory rocking chair given to baseball retirees. But he did give one memorable parting gift.

Larkin gave Reds clubhouse manager Rick Stowe a silver Mercedes-Benz C320. Manufacturer's suggested retail price: $37,630.

Stowe knew nothing of the gift until he walked up the steps to the players' parking garage.

"For 17 years, this guy has done everything I asked him for nothing in return," Larkin said.

The Reds players and staffers gathered around to watch the moment burst out in applause. Stowe almost burst into tears.

Stowe hugged Larkin, walked over to check out the car and returned for another hug.

"It knocked my socks off," Stowe said. "I was speechless."

Stowe, Larkin, Stowe's father, Bernie, and Rick's son, Noah, took the car for a spin.

Where'd they go?

"I honestly don't know," Rick said. "I was in shock."

Stowe has received a lot of gifts over the years from players.

"There have been some really generous tips," Stowe said. "But nothing like this."

MORE LARKIN: Larkin has had no new talks with the Reds regarding a new contract since he turned down the Reds' offer of $500,000 plus incentives for one year Monday. Larkin said he's open to talking more.

"I didn't close negotiations," he said. "They did. I didn't accomplish all I was hoping for. I'm going to get in shape and go elsewhere (to play) if I have to."

PAPA JOHN: Reliever John Riedling's wife, Mary, gave birth to the couple's first child Thursday morning at Good Samaritan Hospital.

Jackson Thomas Riedling is 19 inches long and weighs 6 pounds, 8 ounces.

Riedling was available to pitch Thursday against the Chicago Cubs.

JAMMER JAMMED: Eddie Vedder, the lead singer of Pearl Jam and a fan and friend of Reds first base coach Jose Cardenal, took batting practice before Thursday's game and threw out the first pitch.

How'd he do?

"Not so good," said Cardenal, who threw to Vedder.

Vedder has been a Cardenal fan since he played for the Cubs when Vedder was growing up in Evanston, Ill.

STILL TBA: The Reds haven't announced a starter for Saturday's game against the Montreal Expos.

Pitching coach Don Gullett said it could be Danny Serafini, Matt Belisle or Brian Reith.