(AP) Cincinnati, OH
Today the Cincinnati Reds have announce fan 'DFA day'. In late July on a home date to be determined fans will participate in a contest where each fan in the stadium will be allowed to cast their vote for a Cincinnati Reds reliever to be officially designated for assignment. Fans will be asked up entering the stadium to vote for one of the relievers to be designated for assignment. The votes will be counted and announced in the 8th inning. The leaving pitcher will have a short cermony in the middle of the 8th followed by an escort out of the stadium.
"Absolutely ridiculous", commented Reds pitcher Chris Hammond. "We have 3 or 4 guys in there that on any given night could have an All Star performance." Manager Jerry Narron commented, "At this point we need all the help we can get. I have no idea who to put out there, so talking to Wayne (Krivsky) we thought we should make the best out of a bad situation and let the fans have unprecedented interaction with a team transaction."
Fans will have a tough choice as most of the Reds staff has over a 5.00 ERA, leaving little doubt as to if the player will be missed. Reds GM Wayne Krivsky left open the possiblity for more fan days like this in the future, including Adam Dunn strikeout night, where for each Dunn strikeout fans get discounts on future Reds home games.
2006 (C) Associated Press