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    Member reds44's Avatar
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    Q&A: Phillips Big Part of Reds Future

    Some interesting comments from BP.

    http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8...0813162&ATT=49

    Brandon Phillips isn't as old as Ken Griffey Jr. or Adam Dunn. He isn't as young as Jay Bruce or Joey Votto. But in only this third full major-league season, he has emerged as the spirit of the Cincinnati Reds.

    Phillips, who turns 27 on June 28, is an accomplished player, one of only two second basemen to produce 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in a season. He is also more lively than the entire New York Mets roster combined.

    The milestone twins, Ken Griffey Jr. and Manny Ramirez, will draw heavy attention when the Reds host the Boston Red Sox this weekend. So will Reds right-hander Edinson Volquez, who takes his major-league best 1.56 ERA into Saturday's game (MLB on FOX, 3:55 p.m. ET).

    The irrepressible Phillips, though, will be difficult to overlook. How often do you see a 6-foot, 196-pound cleanup hitter, much less one who vows to become the best second baseman in the sport?

    Phillips first attained prominence when he was included in a blockbuster trade for pitcher Bartolo Colon on June 27, 2002, going from Montreal to Cleveland with left-hander Cliff Lee, center fielder Grady Sizemore and first baseman Lee Stevens.

    But Phillips never caught on with the Indians, and eventually was sent to the Reds for minor-league right-hander Jeff Stevens at the start of the 2006 season — a move that Indians general manager Mark Shapiro has since admitted was a mistake.

    Phillips shared his thoughts on his rise to stardom, Griffey's 600th home run and the emergence of Bruce in a recent Q-and-A with FOXSports.com.

    Question: Griffey and Dunn soon could be traded or lost to free agency. What will that mean for you?

    Answer: Dunn and Griffey, they're (like) the captains of the team. I'm just sitting back observing, seeing how things are. Hopefully they'll be here as long as possible. But if something does happen, I'm going to take over that role.

    I'm still learning. But if something does happen, they've just got to pass the torch. And I think that torch will get passed to me.

    Question: Are you OK with that?

    Answer: Why wouldn't I be? I see myself as a person to get people hyped up. I can do crazy things to get 'em hyped up. I know my place. Griffey and Dunn do it right now. But I know my spot — when to do some crazy things, when to get the team up. Our time will come.

    Question: What was it like seeing Griffey's 600th home run?

    Answer: It was a beautiful thing. I've never experienced anything like that. Just being part of something special, something only six people have done, I'll never forget it. It's something I can tell my kids about — I was on deck when Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 600th home run.

    Question: What was his reaction?

    Answer: "It's about time." To tell you the truth, that's what it looked like to me. He knew he was going to hit it on the road. And when a guy hits 600 home runs, you've got to believe him.

    Question: Bruce is at the other end of it, just starting his career. What are your thoughts on him?

    Answer: I know how it feels to have the hype. I had it when I was coming up. He was the Minor League Player of the Year last year. For someone to achieve that, he must be doing something right. But he's just playing baseball. I hope the hype doesn't go to his head like it did with me.

    Question: How did that happen?

    Answer: I was a young guy, called up to the big leagues when I was 21. Guys were like, "You're the future. You're the man, the biggest part of the (Colon) trade. You're going to be here." Listening to that stuff, guys saying that I was going to be here, not get sent down ... I got caught up in it.

    But it was a different story with me. The coaching staff didn't really like me over there with Cleveland Indians. We love Bruce over here. When the players on the team and the coaching staff love you instead of someone trying to change you ... if they just let Bruce play, he can be one of the best players in baseball.

    I feel the same way about Joey Votto. Honestly, I feel that he's the best player on the team. He can become one of the best first basemen in the game. That's how I feel right now. He's the real deal.

    Question: Why did the Indians coaches not like you?

    Answer: I have a lot of flair to my game. I do like to have fun. I've always been like that, since I was a little kid. I understand that it's a business, but I've still got to have fun.

    The best way to have fun is go out there knowing you can play, knowing you're the best player on the team. If I think that I'm the best player on the team, I'm going to have some fun.

    You've got to trick yourself. If you ask Griffey, he would say he's the best player still. There's no way he can beat me in basketball, bowling, tennis. But he tricks himself into thinking that he can. That's what it's all about — knowing you can play.

    The Indians didn't like me smiling all the time. Sometimes when I mess up, I smile. That's my way of showing I'm human, that it's not going to bother me. I'll just smile and say, "I'm going to get 'em."

    I'm just playing baseball. I could be at war. I could be a bum. But it's beautiful to know that I'm playing the game I love.

    Question: You've hit cleanup most of this season, right between Griffey and Dunn. You did it for part of last season as well. What's that like for you?

    Answer: I'm not a typical cleanup hitter. But I like hitting cleanup, I really do. Hitting fourth, I feel like I'm a hitter with power, not a power hitter. I have 12 home runs. That's more than I had at this time last year (when he finished with 30). My average (.269) is not up there, but my other stats are better than they were last year at this time.

    Question: What's the biggest difference hitting cleanup?

    Answer: I just get pitched differently. When you hit between the power guys, you get more breaking balls. Those guys don't have much speed. (Opponents) don't have to worry about Griffey stealing bases. They throw more curveballs to me, more sliders, more breaking pitches. It's cool. I can hit those pitches. I did it last year.

    Question: You signed a four-year, $27 million on contract on Feb. 15. How much will that change you?

    Answer: I'm still hungry. I can't change. I'm going to be the same guy. I'm still young. I still have things to prove. I'm trying to show everyone that I'm the best all-around second baseman in baseball right now.

    The best hitting second baseman is Chase Utley. The best fielding second baseman ... I have no Gold Gloves, so that has to go my boy O-Dog (Orlando Hudson). But when you put everything together, I feel like I'm the second baseman in baseball.

    Question: What it's like playing for Dusty Baker?

    Answer: He's like a father figure to me. He knows the game of baseball. He knows hitting. He knows when to run. He knows everything.

    I didn't really know what to expect. In the beginning, we were trying to feel him out, see how he reacts. But right now, everyone on the team is starting to get used to him. You can start to tell that we're jelling. And I think we're going to start going off.

    Question: So how good are the Reds?

    Answer: Let me tell you this: I never said things about the teams we had before — other than 2006. In '06, I thought we should have made the playoffs. We were the team to beat. We were in first place (or the wild-card lead) until almost September.

    Last year I didn't say anything. I knew we had holes. This year, if we just worry about ourselves — not worry about the Cubs or anyone else ahead of us — we're going to make the playoffs. We're that good.

    We've got good players, good chemistry. And once we can make the playoffs, I know we can bring a championship to Cincinnati. That's just me being real.
    Quote Originally Posted by Scooter View Post
    A little bit off topic, but do you guys think that Jesse Winker profiles more like Pete Rose or is he just the next Hal Morris??

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    Re: Q&A: Phillips Big Part of Reds Future

    All I can say is that I'd rather a guy show me that he's a leader than tell me. And BP, if you can hit outside breaking stuff, now would be a good time to start doing it.
    Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.

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    Re: Q&A: Phillips Big Part of Reds Future

    Quote Originally Posted by RedsManRick View Post
    All I can say is that I'd rather a guy show me that he's a leader than tell me. And BP, if you can hit outside breaking stuff, now would be a good time to start doing it.
    Don't bat him cleanup. Hit him leadoff where he can see more fastballs. It's not like we have a true leadoff hitter anyway.
    Quote Originally Posted by Scooter View Post
    A little bit off topic, but do you guys think that Jesse Winker profiles more like Pete Rose or is he just the next Hal Morris??

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    He has the Evil Eye! flyer85's Avatar
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    Re: Q&A: Phillips Big Part of Reds Future

    Quote Originally Posted by reds44 View Post
    Don't bat him cleanup. Hit him leadoff where he can see more fastballs. It's not like we have a true leadoff hitter anyway.
    he'll only see more fastballs once he starts laying off the breaking balls down and out of the strike zone.

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    Re: Q&A: Phillips Big Part of Reds Future

    Quote Originally Posted by RedsManRick View Post
    All I can say is that I'd rather a guy show me that he's a leader than tell me. And BP, if you can hit outside breaking stuff, now would be a good time to start doing it.
    I'd rather see him be an unspoken leader too, but I admire his honesty and passion. BP seems like a straightforward, "I'm going to tell you like it is" kind of guy. It's just his personality it seems.

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    Re: Q&A: Phillips Big Part of Reds Future

    Quote Originally Posted by RedsManRick View Post
    All I can say is that I'd rather a guy show me that he's a leader than tell me. And BP, if you can hit outside breaking stuff, now would be a good time to start doing it.
    Something tells me if he was slow and took a walk once in awhile you would love him. Just saying.
    This is the time. The real Reds organization is back.

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    Re: Q&A: Phillips Big Part of Reds Future

    Quote Originally Posted by Cedric View Post
    Something tells me if he was slow and took a walk once in awhile you would love him. Just saying.
    Nothing wrong with calling a spade a spade. If only life were really the black and white simplicity people around like to try and make it. If Phillips didn't smile so much, I bet a lot of people would be a lot unhappier about his crazy platoon splits and double plays. Forgive me for preferring that the dog actually wag the tail.

    He's a very productive player all said and done. He hits well for a 2B and plays good defense. I'm glad that he wants to be a leader -- it's certainly better than the opposite. But you're right, at the end of the day I care about production and winning ballgames.

    The Indians didn't let Phillips go because he smiled too much. They didn't think he could help them win ballgames. I'd prefer a guy who was more focused actually being productive rather than tell himself that he is and expecting people to follow him because he thinks he should be the captain.
    Last edited by RedsManRick; 06-16-2008 at 11:30 PM.
    Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.

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    Re: Q&A: Phillips Big Part of Reds Future

    Quote Originally Posted by RedsManRick View Post
    Nothing wrong with calling a spade a spade. If only life were really the black and white simplicity people around like to try and make it. If Phillips didn't smile so much, I bet a lot of people would be a lot unhappier about his crazy platoon splits and double plays. Forgive me for preferring that the dog actually wag the tail.

    He's a very productive player all said and done. He hits well for a 2B and plays good defense. I'm glad that he wants to be a leader -- it's certainly better than the opposite. But you're right, at the end of the day I care about production and winning ballgames.

    The Indians didn't let Phillips go because he smiled too much. They didn't think he could help them win ballgames. I'd prefer a guy who was more focused actually being productive rather than tell himself that he is and expecting people to follow him because he thinks he should be the captain.
    Yep, Phillips is your average Jeff Branson. What does the Indians complete blunder have to do with this discussion? They made a terrible move and kept Ramon Vasquez over Brandon Phillips, OOPS.

    You do realize the guy is gold glove caliber with a .814 ops since April 1, 2007? 43 homers and some serious speed at that. He also brings the RH power dimension this team sorely needs.

    He's not exactly terrible. Hackers hurt your feelings just like a K hurts the feelings of your everyday Joe fan. Neither is really something I strive for.

    I'd prefer to be positive about one of the very few things I can be as a Reds fan today. Sorry if I find it absurd that you compare him to someone you openly ridicule (Dusty). I'm really not surprised that you only see the subjective things in baseball though. Someone like Phillips doesn't strike me a someone you would really get.
    This is the time. The real Reds organization is back.

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    Re: Q&A: Phillips Big Part of Reds Future

    Quote Originally Posted by Cedric View Post
    Yep, Phillips is your average Jeff Branson.

    You do realize the guy is gold glove caliber with a .814 ops since April 1, 2007? 43 homers and some serious speed at that. He also brings the RH power dimension this team sorely needs.

    He's not exactly terrible.
    I'm pretty sure I stated that he's a very productive player. Let me look... Yep, I did. I am glad that Brandon Phillips is our 2B.

    Quote Originally Posted by Cedric View Post
    Hackers hurt your feelings just like a K hurts the feelings of your everyday Joe fan.
    Hacker's don't hurt my feelings. They hurt their own production.

    He's similar to Dusty in his attitude, his supreme confidence in his own abilities. Luckily Brandon's job is to play baseball, something he does well. Dusty's job is to manage. If only Dusty could manage as well as BP plays 2B.

    BP frustrates me because I think his mental approach prevents him from being even better than he already is. I think confidence, optimism, and happiness are wonderful things. But if they inhibit a player's ability to improve himself, I reserve the right to comment on that aspect.

    Quote Originally Posted by Cedric View Post
    I'd prefer to be positive about one of the very few things I can be as a Reds fan today. Sorry if I find it absurd that you compare him to someone you openly ridicule (Dusty). I'm really not surprised that you only see the subjective things in baseball though. Someone like Phillips doesn't strike me a someone you would really get.
    I'm sorry if I find it possible to hold a complex view about a player. I like Phillips a lot. He's one of my favorite Reds. I bet he'd be a ton of fun to hang out with. But I also am frustrated by him because I think he could be better and his attitude limits his ability to address his weaknesses. These aren't contrarian opinions. People have many facets. I don't dislike Dusty Baker the person. I dislike his ability to manage a baseball team. I think Dusty's immense self-confidence prevents him from learning the mechanics of run scoring, something he didn't need to understand as a player. He and Brandon Phillips have very similar personalities and I see no problem with pointing that out. I'm just glad that BP is our 2B and not our manager.

    Lastly, I would appreciate it if would keep your words out of my mouth. I get the subjective (I presume you meant objective?) and don't appreciate your characterization of my ability, or inability, to "get" Phillips. If you want to continue the personal attacks, I'm open to a PM.
    Last edited by RedsManRick; 06-17-2008 at 12:42 AM.
    Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.

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    Re: Q&A: Phillips Big Part of Reds Future

    I was on deck when Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 600th home run.
    Oh God he's the next Dusty Baker

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    Re: Q&A: Phillips Big Part of Reds Future

    Quote Originally Posted by Degenerate39 View Post
    Oh God he's the next Dusty Baker
    I see the comparison -- it's scary in more ways than one.
    Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.

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    Re: Q&A: Phillips Big Part of Reds Future

    Quote Originally Posted by RedsManRick View Post
    I see the comparison -- it's scary in more ways than one.
    I don't know about that. Dusty was a pretty good player.

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    Re: Q&A: Phillips Big Part of Reds Future

    Too much damn smiling.

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    Rally Onion! Chip R's Avatar
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    Re: Q&A: Phillips Big Part of Reds Future

    Question: What it's like playing for Dusty Baker?

    Answer: He's like a father figure to me. He knows the game of baseball. He knows hitting. He knows when to run. He knows everything.

    Except how to fill out a lineup card with a semblance of competence.
    Quote Originally Posted by Raisor View Post
    I was wrong
    Quote Originally Posted by Raisor View Post
    Chip is right

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    Re: Q&A: Phillips Big Part of Reds Future

    Answer: I'm not a typical cleanup hitter. But I like hitting cleanup, I really do. Hitting fourth, I feel like I'm a hitter with power, not a power hitter. I have 12 home runs. That's more than I had at this time last year (when he finished with 30). My average (.269) is not up there, but my other stats are better than they were last year at this time.

    Question: What's the biggest difference hitting cleanup?

    Answer: I just get pitched differently. When you hit between the power guys, you get more breaking balls. Those guys don't have much speed. (Opponents) don't have to worry about Griffey stealing bases. They throw more curveballs to me, more sliders, more breaking pitches.
    Maybe that is why he has more trouble with right hander’s and hits into those double plays.

    Question: What it's like playing for Dusty Baker?

    Answer: He knows the game of baseball. He knows hitting. He knows when to run. He knows everything.
    Can't wait until GAC sees this



    Question: So how good are the Reds?

    Answer:
    Last year I didn't say anything. I knew we had holes. This year, if we just worry about ourselves — not worry about the Cubs or anyone else ahead of us — we're going to make the playoffs. We're that good.
    Good Luck


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