Birthdays: 1/8

[chicoruiz]

Reds:

Mike Cameron (39) -Still going at 39. One of Marty Brenneman's favorite people.

Brian Johnson (44) -Played high school basketball with Gary Payton, started at QB for Stanford, and came to the plate 127 times as a backup catcher for the 1999 Reds.

Gene Freese (78) -Came over from the White Sox and had his career year in 1961, just in time to help the Reds win the pennant.

Walker Cooper -Mostly a Cardinal, but on July 6, 1949 as a member of the Reds he drove in ten runs in a game- the only catcher ever to do so.

Others:

Jeff Francoeur (28) -Seems like he should be older...A devout Christian, he has "Joshua 1:9" written on his glove wrist strap.

Jeff Francis (31) -They say almost every player holds some kind of record if you dig deep enough. Jeff is the first Canadian to pitch in a World Series.

Bruce Sutter (59) -First player elected to the HOF without ever starting a game. You could argue that beginning in the late '70s he was the first player to be used the way closers are used nowadays.

[chicoruiz]

One other thing I forgot to mention: At different points in his career, Walker Cooper was a teammate of both his brother (Mort Cooper) and his son-in-law (Don Blasingame). In his last year, he said, "When your teammates start asking to marry your daughter, it's time to hang them up".

[Bob Borkowski]

Jeff Francoeur (28) -Seems like he should be older...A devout Christian, he has "Joshua 1:9" written on his glove wrist strap.

chico probably wants the curious among us to look up this verse for themselves. I figured that for the uncurious among us I'd quote the verse right here:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (NIV)

An excellent verse...maybe I will write this on my own glove wrist strap.

[gilpdawg]

Is there a bible verse for "Thou shoult not swing at pitches 4 inches outside of the strike zone"? That's the one Francoeur should have on his wrist strap.

[Bob Borkowski]

One other thing I forgot to mention: At different points in his career, Walker Cooper was a teammate of both his brother (Mort Cooper) and his son-in-law (Don Blasingame). In his last year, he said, "When your teammates start asking to marry your daughter, it's time to hang them up".

This is a great quote...very funny!