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Home , Adam Conley, Adam Dunn, Adeiny Hechavarria, Barry Larkin, Bob Castellini, Casey McGehee

Reds Press Clippings July 11, 2015

THIS DAY IN REDS HISTORY 1939-Reds starts for the in the All-Star Game and pitches 3.0 shutout innings. Derringer allows two hits, with one , before Bill Lee receives the loss for the National League.

MLB.COM Bruce homer enough for stellar Leake in Miami By Joe Frisaro and Steve Wilaj / MLB.com

MIAMI -- may have lost his no- bid in the fifth inning on Friday night, but the Reds right-hander continued his mastery over the Marlins. Leake struck out a season-high 10 over eight shutout innings of three-hit ball, recorded his 18th save and deposited a home in the second inning that lifted Cincinnati to a 1-0 win at Marlins Park.

Leake improved to 5-1 with a 1.33 ERA in six career starts against the Marlins. The first hit he allowed was Derek Dietrich's one- out single in the fifth inning. In the seventh, Miami threatened after pinch-hitter singled and advanced to third, but he was stranded after Leake got to bounce out to short.

"He had the good cutter and was really just more aggressive, I thought," Reds Bryan Price said. "We've seen that before from him. It's always fun when he's locked in, and he took us right to Chapman, which was great."

Casey McGehee, who signed with the Marlins after clearing release waivers on Friday afternoon, delivered a pinch-hit with two outs in the eighth inning. But Leake struck out Dee Gordon for the third time, thwarting the rally.

"Leake was good," McGehee said. "I've seen him when he was good before. He had that cutter going. He wasn't missing with it. You could tell early on that it was going to be one of those games where it didn't take much to win it. At some point you've got to tip your cap to the other guy."

David Phelps had a strong start for Miami, but he was victimized by Bruce, who had a homer, a double and a walk. Phelps allowed the lone run on five hits with four and the walk in six innings.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Bruce's blast: Leading off the second inning, Bruce wasted no time when he jumped on Phelps' first-pitch and hit it into the upper deck of the right-field seats. The lefty's 13th homer of the season traveled a projected 394 feet according to Statcast™, and left the bat at 107 mph.

"Last time we faced him, he was a guy that threw strikes," Bruce said. "I was ready to hit from pitch one -- looking for a mistake -- and he left a ball up that I could get to."

Dietrich gets first hit: Leake was sailing along, retiring the first 10 batters he faced before drew a one-out walk in the fourth inning. Still, Miami was held without a hit by Leake until the fifth inning when Dietrich floated a soft liner into right field. The single was just beyond the reach of . Miami wasn't able to do anything after the hit, as Leake retired the next two on routine ground balls.

Leake likes South Florida: On June 19 at , Leake held the Marlins to two hits in seven scoreless innings. But he's been even better at Marlins Park, improving to 3-0 with a 0.44 ERA in three starts. Leake's 1.33 ERA in his career against the Marlins is his lowest against any opponent he's faced more than once.

"I think any team that you have good numbers with is just coincidence," he said. "I guess it might help pitching in a park like this, but it's just a team that you have to go after or else they'll make you pay."

McGehee makes big return: After a tough stint with the Giants, McGehee signed with the Marlins and found himself in uniform once again with the team he played for in 2014. In the eighth inning, McGehee delivered a pinch-hit double on a drive that nearly tied the game.

"I was really just trying to get a pitch to put in play," McGehee said. "It was one of those, I was really trying not to do too much. I was trying to get something I could hit hard somewhere."

QUOTABLE "It's great to see Casey back. We've always respected who he is and certainly what he brings inside that clubhouse." -- Miami manager Dan Jennings, on the return of McGehee.

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

Chapman allowed a one-out single to Adeiny Hechavarria on a 103-mph fastball in the ninth, but he struck out the side, including getting Justin Bour and Michael Morse swinging through 103-mph .

WHAT'S NEXT

Reds: With Anthony DeSclafani scratched on Friday, (1-1, 5.11 ERA) starts in his place on Saturday at 4:10 p.m. ET. Iglesias has been on the 15-day disabled list on June 5.

Marlins: Mat Latos (3-6, 4.90) had been scheduled to make the start, but the right-hander was scratched due to a bruised right foot, suffered after he was struck in the dugout on a Christian Yelich foul ball on Thursday night. Lefty Adam Conley was called up from Triple-A New Orleans to make his first Major League start (second appearance).

Leake finds extra gear against favorite foe Reds righty dominates from get-go, lowers career ERA at Marlins Park to 0.44 By Steve Wilaj / MLB.com

MIAMI -- While Reds manager Bryan Price is used to seeing a steady Mike Leake every five days, occasionally he notices that his right-hander has a little extra in the tank. Such was the case on Friday night at Marlins Park, where Leake went eight scoreless innings in the Reds' 1-0 win.

"He's like most good ," Price said. "He pitches really well and gives up a few runs along the way, which is kind of status quo. But every now and again, he has a game like that where he looks like he's in complete control."

Leake (6-5, 4.08 ERA) was certainly in control from the outset, as he notched a season-high 10 strikeouts, allowed just three hits and walked only one on 102 pitches.

Perhaps it shouldn't have been a surprise, though. The 27-year-old improved to 5-1 with a 1.33 ERA against the Marlins -- his lowest ERA against any opponent he's faced more than once. Moreover, he's now 3-0 with a 0.44 ERA in three career starts at Marlins Park.

"I think any team that you have good numbers with is just coincidence," Leake said. "I guess it might help pitching in a park like this, but it's just a team that you have to go after or else they'll make you pay."

Leake -- who surpassed 1,000 career innings during the contest, and is now at 1,006 1/3 -- breezed through most of the outing.

Ichiro Suzuki singled and reached third in the sixth, while Casey McGehee doubled with two outs in the eighth. But Leake promptly escaped unharmed both times -- spinning Dee Gordon into the ground with an inning-ending strikeout in the eighth.

"I was going after them and attacking them and [ Tucker Barnhart] did a great job of calling pitches tonight and keeping them off-balance," Leake said.

It was a welcomed adjustment for Leake, who struggled a bit in his past two outings. He allowed seven earned runs against the Twins on June 29, while the Brewers hung a loss on him with three earned runs in six innings on Sunday.

"He was locked in, aggressive and confident," Price said. "He had a real nice mix going with Barney behind the plate and had a real nice breaking ball. He could throw it early in the count, he could throw it when he was behind to get back in and he had some real nice finish for strikeouts.

"He had the good cutter and was really just more aggressive, I thought. ... We've seen that before from him. It's always fun when he's locked in."

Reds recall Iglesias, scratch DeSclafani By Steve Wilaj / MLB.com

MIAMI -- With right-hander Anthony DeSclafani still dealing with tightness in his gluteal muscle, the Reds are taking precautionary measures and skipping his scheduled start on Saturday in Miami. In turn, manager Bryan Price said Raisel Iglesias will be recalled from Triple-A Louisville to make the start.

DeSclafani, a rookie, pitched with the gluteal strain on Monday against Washington as he went 5 2/3 innings and allowed two runs. Price said the injury does not require a disabled-list stint, and he said the club isn't overly concerned.

"That glute tightness just hasn't subsided to the point where we want it to," Price said. "He can pitch -- it's not something that would prevent him from pitching -- it's just that we'd like him to be back to 100 percent coming out of the All-Star break."

Price added that DeSclafani will rejoin the starting rotation immediately following the break. In 17 starts this season, the 25-year- old is 5-6 with a 3.65 ERA.

"We're organizationally confident that it'll be better if we skip him one start, and let him get more treatment and get stretched out," Price said. "We'll let the stiffness subside in the glute, and [he'll] be ready to go in the second half."

Iglesias (1-1, 5.11 ERA) is also a 25-year-old right-handed rookie, and he has been on the disabled list since June 5 with right shoulder tendinitis.

Prior to his injury, the Cuba native made six appearances for Cincinnati, four of which were starts (11 earned runs in 21 2/3 innings). He recently made two rehab starts for Louisville, striking out 10 in 7 2/3 innings while allowing two earned runs.

"We've been looking forward to getting Iglesias back here," Price said. "We think he's a big leaguer, and a guy that's gonna benefit greatly from being in the rotation and pitching at the big league level. We see him as a big part of this ballclub moving forward, and these are valuable innings for him."

Price added that Iglesias will be on a pitch count "somewhere in the range of 90 pitches."

"If he was in the neighborhood where he could throw 55-60 pitches, we wouldn't have made this decision," Price said. "But because his pitch count will allow it, we're gonna use him."

Lorenzen making strides with each start By Steve Wilaj / MLB.com

MIAMI -- Going into Thursday's 2-0 loss at Marlins Park, Reds starter Michael Lorenzen set a lofty goal for himself: outpitch Marlins ace Jose Fernandez.

But despite allowing just two runs in six innings, Lorenzen came up short as the Miami righty tossed seven scoreless frames to earn the victory and pin the 23-year-old with his fourth loss of the season.

"I wasn't able to outpitch Fernandez," Lorenzen said. "That was my goal. When you get an opportunity to go up against a guy like him, you want to do your best and show that you can compete at the highest level."

While Lorenzen (3-4, 3.53 ERA) threw 100 pitches, 28 of them came in a shaky first inning. Still, he only allowed one run despite loading the bases and settled in after escaping the jam.

"There are lessons to be learned," manager Bryan Price said. "Number one, when you don't have your best stuff, you can still compete -- which he did today…They just sprinkled a few base hits throughout the course of their lineup. I'll tell ya, when Michael gets to where he's commanding the zone better, he's gonna be a force."

That was evident as Lorenzen allowed just one run over the next five innings. However, the righty who finished with five strikeouts while allowing five hits and four walks admitted he's still trying to figure out his rough beginnings.

"It was just a long first inning and that's the adjustment that I need to make," Lorenzen said. "I've had some long first innings and it's kind of hurt me in the long run. I'm just learning from it. But I felt good. I competed, I attacked. I didn't think about my mechanics or anything. I just went out there and had fun, really."

In six road starts, Lorenzen is 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA (11 earned runs in 33 innings). Even more, he has surrendered three or fewer runs in his past five starts -- all while trying to learn from the best, like Fernandez.

"I definitely like to watch, like when I faced [the Mets' Matt] Harvey, as well," Lorenzen said. "I love to watch and see what they're doing -- what makes them great.

"[Fernandez] just got ahead. He attacked guys and threw a ton of strikes. He backed our guys in the corner and it's hard to hit that way. I need to learn that."

Rookies Iglesias, Conley fill in for Reds, Marlins By Steve Wilaj / MLB.com

With both of Saturday's original starters scratched, the third game of the four-game series between the Marlins and Reds at Marlins Park features a matchup of rookies. For Cincinnati, Raisel Iglesias gets the call in place of Anthony DeSclafani (gluteal tightness), while Miami is sending Adam Conley to the mound for Mat Latos (foot).

Iglesias (1-1, 5.40 ERA), a 25-year-old rookie, has been on the disabled list since June 5 with right shoulder tendinitis. Prior to his injury, the Cuba native made four starts and went 1-1 while allowing 11 earned runs in 21 2/3 innings. He's replacing DeSclafani as the Reds take precautionary measures with the former Marlins righty's bothersome glute.

Latos, meanwhile, was a member of the Reds from 2012-14 and went 33-16. However, he won't face his former team after getting struck by a ball in the dugout during Thursday night's game. That opens the door for the lefty Conley, who made his Major League debut on June 10 with a scoreless inning of relief. That has been his only appearance with the Marlins, and he's 8-2 with a 2.33 ERA in 16 games (15 starts) for Triple-A New Orleans this season.

Things to know about this game

• Casey McGehee is expected to make his first Marlins start of the season after rejoining the team as a free agent on Friday. After hitting .287 in 160 games for Miami last season, the 32-year-old was traded to the Giants in the offseason. San Francisco then released McGehee on Wednesday as he hit just .213 to begin the 2015 season. McGehee nearly homered in his first at-bat of 2015 with Miami, settling for a pinch-hit double off the wall in the eighth inning of Friday night's 1-0 loss.

• Conley is the Marlins' No. 6 ranked prospect by MLB.com. He was selected in the second round of the 2011 Draft. This will be his first Major League start.

• The Reds will have to make a roster move prior to the game to account for Iglesias' callup. The Marlins designated Jordany Valdespin for assignment to make room for Conley.

Cueto a runner-up in NL Final Vote By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com / [email protected] / @m_sheldon

MIAMI -- Ace will not get to represent the host Reds in the Midsummer Classic with teammates and Aroldis Chapman. Cueto could not hold back a last-day surge by the Cardinals' Carlos Martinez, finishing second among National League players in the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote.

"I don't have anything specific to say; it just did not come out how I wanted," Cueto said after the Reds' 1-0 win over the Marlins on Friday night. "But all I have to say is that I want to thank everybody who voted and tried to get me to the All-Star Game." Since Final Vote candidates were announced on Monday, Cueto led on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Ultimately, Martinez went from third to first and claimed 14.1 million votes overall.

"I was thinking ... it has to be [], then [] and then maybe me behind them," Cueto said. "But Martinez got me by surprise, so you never know what's gonna happen."

Cueto did top Martinez in final day voting. In the end, the top two leading Twitter votegetters were in the , with AL winner (#VoteMoose) of the Royals and the Twins' Brian Dozier (#VoteDozier), followed by Cueto (#Vote Cueto) and Martinez (#VoteTsunami).

In 16 starts this season, Cueto is 6-5 with a 2.61 ERA. During Tuesday's 5-0 Reds win over Washington, he dealt a two-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts.

Manager Bryan Price said he was disappointed his ace will not get the chance to represent the Reds.

"I see how hard Johnny works, how efficient he is and how he can dominate a game," Price said. "I see that he's a true ace -- not just an ace for the Reds -- but he's a true ace in the Major Leagues. So we would have loved for him to represent us in Cincinnati, because he's a great performer and great talent."

During the All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile in Cincinnati on Tuesday, July 14, fans can once again visit MLB.com to submit their choice for the Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. Voting exclusively at MLB.com, online and via their mobile devices in the 2015 All-Star Game MVP Vote presented by Chevrolet, the fans' collective voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.

MLB.TV Premium subscribers will be able to live stream the All-Star Game via MLB.TV through FOX's participating video providers. Access will be available across more than 400 supported MLB.TV platforms, including the award-winning MLB.com app. MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities, including the 2015 Derby presented by Head & Shoulders, part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day on Monday, July 13. The Derby will feature a new format with brackets and timed rounds and will be broadcast live by ESPN and MLB.com beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

The 86th Midsummer Classic will be televised nationally by FOX Sports (coverage begins 7 p.m. ET), in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.

All-Star FanFest opens with Kids' Day Young baseball fans get to swing bats, sing songs, snag ASG swag By Megan Zahneis / MLB.com

And this one belongs to the kids.

So it was this Friday, on of T-Mobile All-Star FanFest.

It all started with the national anthem -- sung by two young girls selected by MLB and the Reds -- and the free plush doll, distributed to the first 2,400 kids under 12 to enter the event on Friday morning.

The Duke Energy Center in downtown Cincinnati was crammed with interactive exhibits for kids to participate in.

Just listen to young Hagan Kaylor recount his morning: "We pitched balls, got a lot of free stuff, and ran the bases."

Indeed, Hagan and his brother Maddox got plenty of chances to hone their baseball skills -- The Diamond, an indoor , hosted hitting and fielding clinics with such guest instructors as All-Star spokesman Larkin, and there were batting cages and radar- equipped pitching mounds to try out, too.

Lest Hagan forget, his father, Terry, reminded him, "You got your picture taken, did a hitting clinic …"

The point is, according to Hagan, "We get to have fun!"

For Terry Kaylor and his wife, Jessica, both of Cincinnati, Kids' Day represented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"It's an experience that doesn't happen very often, so you have to take advantage of it when it's in your hometown. It's just nice to take in all the aspects about the game, see all the teams represented from the Major Leagues," Kaylor said.

From stealing a base to practicing drills at the House of Performance (presented by Under Armour), young baseball and players of all ages were able to partake in the fun. Photo booths and video games allowed kids to rob -- or hit! -- a home run, try on an All-Star jersey or their favorite player's batting gloves, and even create their own baseball card.

Free autograph and photo sessions with MLB legends were interspersed throughout the day, along with a baseball boot camp and a "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" singing contest for kids.

Other special Kids' Day attractions included a , a spelling bee, face painters, balloon artists and even a kids-only press conference.

Jessica Kaylor's favorite part of it all?

"Just watching [Hagan and Maddox] have fun."

Mission accomplished.

Cincy honors Oester with special day, local field Diamond at 's high school renovated, named in his honor By Mark Newman / MLB.com

CINCINNATI -- runs the Blue Spruce Lawn Care landscaping business these days, serving about 50 residential and commercial clients. Most of them know his background as a Reds Hall of Famer, and they'll come out while he's cutting or maintaining a property and talk about the old days, like when he had that big RBI pinch-hit single off Oakland's Bob Welch to help Cincinnati come back in Game 2 of the , and then go on to sweep the 1990 championship.

"I'm outside every day, staying semi in shape," Oester says. "We do just about everything. We maintain and we cut and we build retaining walls, just about everything. A lot of people like to come out and talk to me, and that makes it nice, whenever that happens."

So you can imagine how this beloved former second baseman -- the guy who played hard-nosed all the time and never wore batting gloves for 13 seasons with Cincy -- reacted when just about everyone seemed to come out to talk to him on Friday. and the Reds unveiled upgrades to the Withrow All-Star Complex, home to Oester's alma mater, Withrow High School, its baseball and softball teams, and Cincinnati knothole youth baseball teams.

Mayor John Cranley read a proclamation designating this Ron Oester Day in Cincinnati, while the words "Ron Oester Field" adorned a beautiful field behind them.

"I didn't expect anything like this," Oester told the crowd, which began laughing with him. "I thought I was going to come here and cut a ribbon and go home. ... It's a great honor."

The improvements to the facility include a new grass baseball infield, upgraded irrigation, a new outfield fence, new batting cages, updated dugouts and backstops, a new scoreboard and a new archway to the baseball and softball fields. With these modifications, there will be fewer rained-out games, and Cincinnati Public Schools will have a premier field comparable to suburban school districts.

It was the ninth field dedication as part of the community legacy program happening courtesy of MLB, the Reds and various sponsors. Oester wore his old home white Reds jersey with the familiar No. 16 and his name on the back, It was like old times as All-Star Week got underway in advance of Tuesday's 86th All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile at Great American Ball Park.

Attendees at the event included Reds president and Reds chief operating officer Phil Castellini; MLB COO Tony Petitti; Mary Ronan, superintendent of Cincinnati Public Schools; Sharon Robinson, daughter of and MLB's director of educational programming; members of Withrow's 1950 state champs; current youth ballplayers and many more.

"It's unbelievable. I never thought anything like this would happen when I was a kid playing here," Oester said. "I wish I could have played on a field like this with these guys. I'll have to come and see them play here. This is a first-class field. When you have these guys involved in something like this, the youth of Cincinnati, it's going to make them better ballplayers, because they're going to want to play on this field."

As a landscaper, Oester knows all about the benefits of an improved field, which comes courtesy of the All-Star Week legacy program.

"They don't have to help shovel off the snow in the winter, and they get better hops," he said. "It's easy to maintain. You don't get as many rainouts. It's something they'll really look forward to and take care of. It's a big honor to them to be able to play on something like this."

Like Oester's landscaping customers, many people want to know about those playing days. was the Reds' regular second baseman by the time they got to that 1990 Fall Classic, but Oester came up huge in that Game 2, cutting the A's lead to 4-3 with that RBI single.

"I think it got us going a little bit," Oester recalled. "[Manager] put me in as a pinch-hitter, and I came through. I think it pulled us within a run, and we ended up winning that game, so that was a big memory. The World Series was the ultimate."

Oester said it's enjoyable to see the All-Star excitement return to the Queen City.

"It's crazy," he said. "You go downtown and all the All-Star signs down there, the Cincinnati Zip Line Experience and everything else. Now they've got Smale Riverfront Park going down there, and the carousel. Just everything involved with it. Cincinnati's going to have a Home Run Derby, and the Legends [and Celebrity Softball] game, not to mention the All-Star Game. I've been through two All-Star Games, and this one doesn't compare to the other ones, it's much better."

Harmon statue unveiled at Cincinnati UYA By Mark Newman / MLB.com

CINCINNATI -- Chuck Harmon, the first African-American player in history, looked admiringly at his own likeness. A new statue honoring him was unveiled Friday night at the entrance to the lavish new P&G Cincinnati MLB Urban Youth Academy, greeting young ballplayers who come here to play.

It was a beautiful moment. Think of what the multiple-sport star went through back in April 1954, when he helped integrate the national pastime in those early years after Jackie Robinson led the way breaking through Major League Baseball's color barrier.

Now here Harmon was, 91 years young, attending the Opening Ceremonies of MLB's Jr. RBI Classic during All-Star Week, seeing hundreds of inner-city kids who came from Alabama and Louisiana and . No one cared that it was raining. In the many years ahead, kids will come here and look at the ballplayer with a glove reaching for a baseball, and they'll find out about Chuck Harmon.

"With all these people here, giving you honor, you can't beat this," Harmon said. "You remember this all your life. It's great to be here.

"The Reds and [Major League] Baseball, everybody is pitching in and helping out and the honor they show and things like that. You just can't beat this. You just can't beat all these people in the rain out here celebrating. The statue is great. Thank God it will be here for years."

MLB and the Reds kicked off the seventh annual friendly round-robin tournament designed to provide hundreds of young RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) baseball and softball players with an opportunity to participate in All-Star Week. The tournament consists of eight baseball and four softball teams of 11-12-year-olds from around the U.S., including both a baseball and softball team from the Cincinnati Reds RBI program.

The Jr. RBI Classic Opening Ceremony was scheduled to take place on Don Johnson Field at the academy, which was renovated through the 2015 All-Star Game Community Legacy effort due to high playing demand from multiple age levels of youth baseball. Renovations include the installation of a turf infield to allow for youth participation of all ages, as well as a rebuild of the outfield and irrigation system. The new functional format allows the opportunity to host tournaments such as the Jr. RBI Classic.

The rain forced the Opening Ceremony indoors, but that was OK because they just happened to have a magnificent indoor field for the young ballplayers here. Johnson, a Negro Leaguer and Cincinnati native, was honored along with Harmon in the ceremony. Others in attendance included Hall of Famer from the ; , who earned two of his seven All- Star selections while with his hometown Reds in 1985-86; Reds chief operating officer Phil Castellini; David James, MLB senior director of RBI; and Steve Pacella, Cincinnati's director or recreation.

"This city is on fire," Parker said, referring to the nine field dedications and widespread All-Star Community Legacy events that have been taking place in advance of Tuesday's 86th All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile. "And you can feel the flame." The rain couldn't put out that flame.

Or the "torch" that Parker said Harmon and Johnson carried for him and so many future African-American ballplayers.

Morgan told the assembled RBI kids that he had one tip, and that is to "have fun." He invoked a famous saying of one of his contemporary National League All-Stars -- and Parker's former Pirates teammate -- : "They don't say, 'Work ball,' they say, 'Play ball.'" That got the kids' attention.

Everyone went from the gym out to the main entrance island leading to the three ballfields, and that's where Harmon's statue was unveiled. created the statue, through support from MLB, the Reds and the Reds Community Fund, and at the ceremony he called this work "The Glove." Tsuchiya noted that Harmon had a glove for every position on the field, and he chose the one he used at third base to be memorialized at the hot corner.

"Oh, I had plenty. I had enough to last," Harmon said.

"I always made sure I had one. I played anywhere they let me."

Kids take field for Miracle League game MLB, Reds co-host event for special-needs youth during All-Star Week By Alyson Footer / MLB.com

CINCINNATI -- In addition to the actual baseball game that is played during All-Star Week, Major League Baseball also sanctions dozens of supplemental activities that directly benefit the community surrounding the host city.

This year, in addition to renovating and building youth baseball fields at nine different locations, Major League Baseball and the Cincinnati Reds included an event for the Cincinnati Recreation Commission Miracle League and the Great Miami Valley YMCA Youth Miracle League, both of which focus on children with physical and intellectual disabilities.

On Friday, with their parents and families cheering from the stands, the Miracle League kids played a one-inning game on the outfield grass at Great American Ball Park.

"We want every kid, regardless of needs and abilities, to play baseball," said Tom Brasuell, vice president of community affairs for Major League Baseball. "Giving the opportunity for the Miracle League to participate in the special needs game is really special for us."

There was plenty of star power for this event. Reds public address announcer Joe Zerhusen, with his unmistakable booming voice, served as the emcee, and former Reds pitcher and 1999 Rookie of the Year took the mound as the game's designated pitcher.

Throw in two cool mascots -- Cincinnati's Mr. Red and Texas' Rangers Captain -- and this was an event that few in attendance will forget. Steady rain fell on the field throughout the game, but it deterred no one from having a good time.

"It's an honor to be a part of something like this," Williamson said. "Being out here with these kids and watching their faces, I don't even have words for it. It's a great feeling. I'm very pleased and grateful that they even asked me to do it."

Each kid received a jersey, provided by Baseball Fantasy Camp for Kids. With the help of volunteer buddies from the community, all participants were engaged in the game, regardless of physical limitations.

Miracle League Baseball offers athletes with or without disabilities an opportunity to have fun and participate in an organized and competitive league. Friday's event at Great American Ball Park was a good example of how the simple act of playing baseball can impact a child and that child's loved ones.

"Looking in the stands and watching these parents," Brasuell said, surveying the more than 150 people watching from the seats, "this is also an unbelievable thing. Most of these parents never thought their kids would play any type of baseball, let alone playing baseball on a Major League field, with an ex-Major League All-Star and Rookie of the Year pitching to them. I see tears in the parents' eyes as much as I see joy on the kids' faces."

Jr. RBI Classic unites youth from around the nation By Robert Bondy / MLB.com

CINCINNATI -- For months, players and coaches had been counting down the days until the Jr. RBI Classic began. On Friday, that day finally arrived.

Players from eight baseball teams and four softball teams took the field Friday morning to start the seventh annual Jr. RBI Classic. The competing teams came from all over the country, arriving in the Queen City on Thursday.

"I liked it today because it was just all about fun, and just working together and coming together all as a team," said Caleb Lewis, a second baseman for City of Shreveport RBI team from Shreveport, La. "I just liked it all today."

All of the baseball and softball teams played two games on Friday, and they will each play four or five more games throughout the event. The games have a 90-minute time limit, and a seven-runs-per-inning cap keeps the games moving.

Game scores will not be kept during the event and there won't be a champion, but the teams were still competing hard during the event's opening day.

San Francisco Jr. Giants RBI manager Celestino Ellington was trying to get the most out of his players during the two games on Friday. He said the event would be a great opportunity for the players to meet and interact with kids from all over the country.

"It's just about experience," Ellington said. "The more they play the better they get. But I think the best thing for all these kids that are here is being able to mix in with different people from around the [United] [S]tates. You hear the different accents and stuff. I just think it's a cool thing to do."

An official opening ceremony of the Jr. RBI Classic will take place Friday night at the P&G Cincinnati MLB Urban Youth Academy. The opening ceremony is one of the many events outside of the games that the players will be a part of during the tournament, including the T-Mobile All-Star FanFest, the Gillette Home Run Derby presented by Head & Shoulders and a community service activity at The Giving Fields.

With the many events and opportunities, different players had a variety of things they were most looking forward to.

"[I'm excited for] the Home Run Derby," said Brandon Sneed, a for City of Shreveport RBI. "I'm rooting for ."

"[I'm looking forward to] FanFest," said Karon Mitchell, a third baseman for Driving Park Youth Baseball RBI from Columbus, . "Meeting all of the players. [I want to meet] ."

"Just making new friends, meeting new people and just seeing new places," Lewis said.

MLB, Reds host 'All Lives Matter' diversity summit By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com / [email protected] / @m_sheldon

CINCINNATI -- Issues of diversity, racial equality or injustice and inclusion are topics that Major League Baseball has not been afraid to engage for several years.

That's why it was viewed as important by the Reds and Major League Baseball to bring local community and business leaders together for a special diversity summit on Friday. Held at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, it was called "All Lives Matter: A Social Justice Dialogue of Faith, Community and Baseball."

With the 2015 All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile in Cincinnati, some community leaders were poised to use the event's national exposure to protest and call attention to important issues. Not only has there been a spike in violence locally, but also civil unrest this year in cities like Ferguson, Mo., Baltimore, Cleveland and New York. There are also social and economic disparities and struggles for equal justice under the law for the African-American community.

"We said, 'Hey look, if you want to have a conversation with the league, let's have a conversation and not have a protest," Reds COO Phil Castellini said. "Because that's not going to do a lot to get your voices heard. It would be lost in the sauce of other stuff going on.'"

Castellini met two weeks ago with local clergy and community leaders, including the Rev. Damon Lynch III, the senior pastor of the New Prospect Baptist Church.

"In that first discussion, we came up with the concept of having the summit," Castellini said. "Let's look at the issues beyond the one big issue. We've broken it down to five key components that need work: education, assets, jobs, health and welfare and criminal justice-related issues, all of which need work."

Besides Castellini and Lynch, among those who spoke at the summit were Dr. Clarence Newsome, the president of National Underground Railroad Museum and Freedom Center; Pastor KZ Smith, the senior pastor of Corinthian Baptist Church; Wendy Lewis, MLB's senior vice president of diversity, inclusion and strategic alliances; and Judge Nathaniel Jones.

"We each are positioned to make a contribution and investment of ourselves to bring about a big enduring win for Cincinnati today," said Newsome.

Castellini discussed the club's efforts to broadening diversity in the front office, in hiring contractors and suppliers and with fan engagement. One of the biggest initiatives has been the Reds Community Fund, where 45,000 kids and coaches are connected annually with programs like Rookie Success League, the Match Program, field renovations and Greater Cincinnati RBI.

Lewis discussed MLB's multiple programs that underscore inclusion and diversity, going back to 1947 when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier. Since Robinson's watershed moment, societal changes have continued to happen -- some bigger than others.

"Shift happens. It always happens," Lewis said. "If you don't believe that, today all you have to do is witness the coming down of the Confederate flag in South Carolina. Shift will happen with or without your permission, with or without your convenience. It is better that we collaboratively figure out how to do it in a very successful way."

The Rev. Lynch pointed out that disparities are visible throughout Cincinnati, noting that the life expectancy of a man in the predominantly wealthy Mt. Lookout section of Cincinnati is about 20 years longer than someone in South Fairmount, a poorer section on the other side of the city. Minorities earn less money and accrue higher debt to attend college.

"One of the worst things you can do in baseball is leave men on base when they are in scoring position. That's one of the worst things we can do today -- leave our children, leave people with great opportunities and purpose in their lives -- left on base without us bringing them home," Lynch said.

Lynch, who noted he was 55 years old, realized he didn't have 55 more years to help improve opportunities from the next generations.

"Our work is not done. These disparities are huge. The gap is widening," Lynch said. "I have more behind me than is ahead of me. That pushes me to get our young people in our communities to the next base."

Cincinnati has made great improvements since the riots of 2001, and police-community relations are viewed as significantly better. That doesn't mean everything is good. Castellini noted that violence last weekend on Fountain Square during a local concert and the murder of Cincinnati police officer Sonny Kim last month, are signs of that imperfection.

"We've covered so much ground in a positive way, such a great revitalization of our urban core going on. But it's also a reminder that there is still work to do," Castellini said. "We need to continue to do the work. Taking this conversation into this format, instead of it happening on the street with signs and people shouting at each other, is a much more productive way to have a conversation that turns into action. That's the goal of today."

All-Star Week fun begins with opening of FanFest By Alyson Footer / MLB.com

CINCINNATI -- The Opening Ceremonies of the T-Mobile All-Star FanFest on Friday had a little bit of everything: music, mascots, dignitaries, fans and, of course, a beloved Hall of Famer.

Barry Larkin, a 12-time All-Star who played in his first Midsummer Classic the last time the Reds hosted the game in 1988, was the official ribbon-cutter in a brief but energetic ceremony that officially began the festivities surrounding the 2015 All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile.

"What a fantastic week to be up here for the All-Star Game," said Larkin, who grew up in Cincinnati and now resides in Florida. "I had the chance to play in the All-Star Game in 1988. I remember the energy and excitement in the city. It wasn't as big an event then as it is right now.

"I'm happy to be here, and let's put on a great show for Major League Baseball. I'm happy to be home."

Larkin will be present throughout All-Star Week as one of two main spokesmen who will represent the host Reds and Major League Baseball. The other is current Reds third baseman Todd Frazier, who will join in on the fun as soon as Cincinnati finishes up its series in Miami on Sunday.

The Opening Ceremony began with a performance by the Mistics, a local R&B/pop band that grooved to the smooth stylings of four famous songs: "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay," "My Girl," "Johnny B. Goode" and "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours."

Flanked by two rows of kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs and the color guard from Diamond Oaks, two young ladies named Selena and Alexa, who were chosen by Major League Baseball and the Reds, performed the national anthem.

Reds president and CEO Bob Castellini welcomed the crowd with a few words on behalf of the host franchise.

"Cincinnati is a baseball city, and we can think of no better use for our convention center than housing three floors of exhibition space dedicated to a game that started right here in 1869," said Castellini, who was joined on the stage by his son, Phil, who is the Reds' COO. "Across the world, baseball may be known as America's pastime, but here it is known as Cincinnati's passion."

In addition to the Castellinis, a few more dignitaries were on hand to welcome the start of the FanFest: Tony Petitti, COO of Major League Baseball; Marty Pisciotti, North Central Area Vice President of T-Mobile; and John Cranley, the Mayor of Cincinnati.

"Over the last 10 years, we've seen an incredible renaissance and rebirth of our city," Cranley said. "Our Riverfront Park, our Fountain Square, our Washington Park. We're ready to show this off to the whole world."

Friday was designated as "Kids Day," giving young fans special opportunities to enjoy all aspects of baseball through skills games, a kids-only news conference, a home run derby and more.

The first eligible 2,400 children ages 12 and under received a Barry Larkin plush figure at the entrance of the event. A random selection of T-Mobile All-Star FanFest "MVP" kids received promotional items from each day of the event, including a T-Mobile JUMP! Lane bracelet and T-shirt.

The first activities on Friday's FanFest schedule included the MLB Drill the Skills Clinic with Larkin, MLB Mascot Home Run Derby and FanFest Home Run Derby, where young fans were invited to compete for the daily title of Home Run Derby Champion.

CINCINNATI ENQUIRER Strong performance by Leake carries Reds By John Fay / Cincinnati Enquirer / [email protected] / @Johnfayman

MIAMI – If Friday's start was one of Mike Leake's last as a Red, it was also one of the best.

Leake pitched eight innings of three-hit ball to beat the 1-0 before a crowd of 22,222 at Marlins Park. Leake (6-5) struck out a season-high 10 and walked one. He threw 102 pitches, 68 for strikes.

"I was going after them, attacking them," Leake said. "(Catcher Tucker Barnhart) did a great job calling pitches keeping them off balance. I was pretty convicted with my pitches tonight. That's pretty key for me."

Jay Bruce gave the Reds a 1-0 lead by hitting the first pitch of the second inning into the second deck in right field for his 13th home run of the year.

"Last time we faced (David Phelps), we saw he was a guy who throws strikes," Bruce said. "I was ready to hit from Pitch 1. He left a ball up I could get to."

Bruce was glad to get the lead for Leake.

"It was good to reward his performance," Bruce said. "He was great. That was vintage Mike Leake."

The run broke a 14-inning scoring drought for the Reds.

It was all the Reds would get. But Leake made it stand up.

"It's kind of make or break," Leake said of working with a 1-0 lead. "You've either got to lock it up or you're going to get beat."

Leake is 2-0 and has shut Miami out over 15 innings this year. He's 5-1 with a 1.33 ERA in his career against the Marlins.

Leake, of course, is a trade candidate. He is in the same situation as Johnny Cueto: He becomes a free agent after this season.

Leake has been spotty this year. He allowed 10 runs on 17 hits over 10 innings in his last two starts. In the two starts before that, he allowed two runs on 10 hits over 14 innings.

Leake was dealing from the start Friday. He retired the first 10 batters he faced, five by strikeout. He walked Christain Yelich with one out in the fourth. But Leake retired the next two.

He got the first out of the fifth as well. But Derek Dietrich lined a 0-1 pitch into right for the first hit. Joey Votto made a stab at it, but came up a foot or so short.

"He was locked in, aggressive, confident," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "He had a real nice mix going with Barnie behind the plate. He had a really good breaking ball. He could throw it to get ahead. He could throw it behind in the count."

The Reds, meanwhile, didn't get much going after the Bruce home run. Phelps retired the next six straight after the homer.

Leake faced his first jam in the sixth.

Ichiro Suzuki, hitting for Phelps, slapped one down the third-base line. got over quickly and held Suzuki to a single. Dee Gordon bunted Suzuki over. He went to third on Yelich's groundout to short. But Leake got Adeiny Hechavarria to ground softly to shortstop Eugenio Suarez. His throw was a bit high, but Votto made the stretch and kept his toe on the bag to get him.

Byrd's play was a big one.

"You know what he shows up and defends," Price said. "I thought as guy who's going to be 38 at the end of the year, he may have taken a step back as far as ground he could cover.

"... He played that ball perfectly. It saved us a base and made it a completely different environment right there."

Leake got back on track in the seventh. He struck out Justin Bour and Michael Morse to start the inning and got Dietrich to fly out to end it.

He retired the first two of the eighth as well. But pinch-hitter Casey McGehee, re-signed by Miami earlier in the day, lined one off the wall in left-center for a double.

"That was the only bad miss I had," Leake said. "I tried to overthrow it a bit. He made me pay."

But Leake struck out Gordon for the third time to escape. Gordon fell down swinging at an inside cutter.

"(Leake is) like most good pitchers," Price said. "Every now and again, he's going to have a games where he's in complete control."

Aroldis Chapman pitched the ninth for his 18th save.

After Chapman struck out Yelich to start the ninth, Hechavarria hit a soft line drive for single. Chapman then struck out Bour. The last two pitches were 103 mph. He struck out Morse as well – on a 103 pitch.

Iglesias to start for ailing DeSclafani By John Fay / Cincinnati Enquirer / [email protected] / @Johnfayman

MIAMI – Rookie right-hander Anthony DeSclafani will not make his scheduled start Saturday against the Miami Marlins.

Rookie right-hander Raisel Iglesias will start instead.

DeSclafani pitched with a strained gluteal muscle in his last start. It is still bothering him.

"The tightness hasn't subsided to the point where we want him to take the mound," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "He could pitch. It's not something that could prevent him from pitching.

"We'd just like him to be 100 percent coming out of the All-Star Break, instead of something he'd limp through with in the second half of the season."

DeSclafani dealt with the glute issue in his last start. DeSclafani was able to go 5 2/3 innings in a 3-2 win over the .

Price said this is a short-term thing.

"It's not a disabled list issue at all," Price said. "Disco will one of our five starters coming out of the All-Star Break. It does give us a chance to make sure he's a lot closer to 100 percent, so he doesn't have to hobble his way through a portion of the second half of the season.

"Organizationally, we feel he'll be a lot better off skipping the one start."

Iglesias has been on the disabled list since June 5 with a left oblique strain. He's made two rehab starts at Triple-A Louisville, going 7 2/3 innings and allowed two runs on five hits with 10 strikeouts and one walk.

Iglesias, a 25-year-old Cuban, is 1-1 with a 5.11 ERA with the Reds. He's made four previous starts.

He was going to make one more rehab start at Louisville.

"He was scheduled to get out there and throw somewhere in the neighborhood of 85 to 90 pitches," Price said. "If he's economical, it will allow him to pitch relatively deep into the game.

"That's what we need. We're getting close to the All-Star Break. We have an eight-man bullpen. We can cover those innings if need be. That being said, if he was in the neighborhood of where he could throw 55 to 60 pitches, we wouldn't have made this decision."

Iglesias was also the choice because the Reds are so high on his stuff.

"We're looking forward to having him back here and pitching in the rotation on the big league level and learning what it takes to manage a lineup two or three times though," Price said. "We see him as a valuable part of our ballclub moving forward. These are valuable innings for him."

NO LATOS? Word from the Miami media was that former Red Mat Latos, the Marlins scheduled starter for Saturday, was going to scratch as well with a foot problem.

The Marlins had not confirmed that before Friday's game started.

Latos, of course, was traded for DeSclafani.

ROSTER MOVE: The Reds will have to make a roster move for Iglesias. That likely means Yorman Rodriguez will be optioned to Louisville, meaning he can play in the Futures Game in Cincinnati on Sunday.

BIG PARK: Justin Bour hit a 415-foot double in Thursday's game against the Reds at spacious Marlins Park. That's probably off the batter's eye at Great American Ball Park.

John Buck hit a 418-foot out against the Reds here to end a game in 2012.

"It's a breath of fresh air from pitching in Cincinnati and Colorado, Philadelphia some of these other places that play smaller," Price said. "I imagine for offensive players it can be frustrating from a home run perspective. But it also provides a lot doubles and triples crowd. People love to see that.

"(Bour's) ball would have been out of most ballparks. The one that (Todd) Frazier hit (in the ninth) goes out in our ballpark. This ballpark lends to lower-scoring games. That doesn't bother me one bit as a pitching guy."

Cueto thanks fans for trying to get him elected By John Fay / Cincinnati Enquirer / [email protected] / @Johnfayman

MIAMI — Johnny Cueto said thanks for trying.

Cueto missed out making the All-Star Game in the Final Vote. St. Louis right-hander Carlos Martinez won the National League vote. Cueto was second.

"Things did not come how I wanted," Cueto said. "I have to thank everyone who voted and everyone who tried to get me to the All- Star Game."

Cueto, of course, wanted to participate in the All-Star Game in his home park.

"It doesn't bother me," he said. "It's not such a thing that I'm going to be angry because it's in Cincinnati. I leave it in God's hands, Whatever happens happens."

Martinez is also from the , but Cueto does not know him well.

"I wish him good luck," Cueto said. "I'm glad he made it."

Can 's homer-into-Ohio-River feat be repeated? By C. Trent Rosecrans / Cincinnati Enquirer / [email protected] / @ctrent

As the game's sluggers come to Great American Ball Park to show off during the Home Run Derby, many will be trying to do what Adam Dunn did more than 10 years ago – not just hit it out of the ballpark, but hit it to .

On Aug. 10, 2004, Dunn hit the longest home run in Great American Ball Park history, and not only that, it allegedly bounced off Mehring Way and onto a piece of driftwood in the Ohio River, which is technically Kentucky. With that, Dunn's home run off of Dodgers pitcher Jose Lima became the stuff of legends.

The ball cleared the batter's eye, went over the structure behind it (which has since been removed to make room for the river boat atop the batter's eye), out of the park and bounced off Mehring Way and landed on a piece of driftwood on the banks of the Ohio. The ball was retrieved by a Reds electrician named Tom Tuerck. Tuerck gave the ball to Dunn, who in turn donated it to the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum, where it's on display today in the "Kings of the Queen City" exhibit.

Even nearly 11 years later, like most legends, it's remembered by everyone who witnessed it, and even those who didn't.

The Enquirer caught up with Dunn and others who were at Great American Ball Park that day.

From 2014: Dunn is future Reds Hall of Famer

Adam Dunn, Reds

"The only thing I do remember is how good of a change-up he had. If I'm not mistaken, it was a 3-2 count, if I remember right. I really think I was sitting on his change-up and got a fastball and it was pure luck.

"I was sitting on a change-up, because he only threw like 88. I know if he throws that change-up, he'll make me look like an ass, because he had such a good one, if you don't sell out to it. Just so happened it was a heater and I don't know what happened."

Barry Larkin, Reds shortstop

"I just remember the distance was one thing, but the height – it seemed like it was never going to come down. The Donkey hit them like that quite often, but that one in particular was just absolutely smashed. That was a majestic home run, but he hit quite a few of those. I remember – I don't remember the exact part of the game – but I do remember everyone in awe. (It was like) whoa, when is that ball going to come down and where is it going to come down?"

Dunn: "I don't remember me thinking, 'I killed that one.' I think because I was really in shock that I actually hit it because I was sitting on a change-up. It's hard to say it's not the farthest, because of how far they say it went, but, there were some I thought I hit better than that one."

Jacob Cruz, Reds outfielder

"I remember Dunn hitting the ball and knowing it was going a long way, but I remember it not coming down. I remember going, I didn't see where that hit, so I must have missed it or looked the wrong way. It must have hit the building and I didn't see it. I remember asking where it hit. Everyone was like, 'I think it went over everything.' "

Ken Griffey Jr., Reds outfielder

"I just remember we were all laughing, because he's in that special group, that Bam-Bam Strength group."

Aaron Harang, Reds pitcher

"Obviously the boathouse wasn't there yet, but I remember, I've seen a few balls that ended up hitting the wall. (Joey) Votto hit the wall of the boathouse, I think hit one up there. I remember when Dunner's went out and it cleared the batter's eye, it was still going up. It was a line drive that cleared the batter's eye. It was a change-up down and he caught it out in front. That was definitely an impressive thing he did."

Dunn: "Other than it went over the batter's eye – no, I didn't know (where it went). I think it was Juan Castro. He was on deck, in his broken English, I was giving him a high five and he said something like that I hit it over."

Harang: "We weren't sure what it was going to do beyond that. We didn't know what was behind and how far it was really going to go. Knowing that he hit it over the batter's eye, it was a pretty good poke."

Dunn: "Still, I don't know how they measure that crap. If that one in (in 2007 against Scott Linebrink) was 440 something and this one was 535 – no chance. It might be 435. I don't know how they measure that, but I'm not going to go in and argue that it wasn't 535, it was really 435. Not happening."

Jose Lima, Dodgers pitcher, quoted in 2004

(Lima died in 2010 at age 37)

"I gave up a long home run, but I don't care. He can hit a 600-foot home run, but I don't care. The count was 3-2 and there was no way I was going to walk the leadoff hitter."

Dunn: "The thing I remember about it is seeing him somewhere in Houston and his reaction to it was that he didn't care, the score was 4-1 and all he cared about was that it was a solo. He loved how far it went, but he didn't care because it was solo. He said he'd give up five more of those."

Cruz: "I took a job playing in Korea, he was playing with another Korean team. We were out to dinner and had a couple of drinks, and I said, you remember that home run by Adam Dunn? I clearly remember him looking up at me with his eyebrows. He never moved his head. He looked at me like it was a sore subject. I remember I chuckled and knew he didn't forget."

Jim Riggleman, Dodgers bench in 2004

"I don't remember the details, but I do remember (Dunn) hitting a monster home run. It was probably a change-up, almost every pitch was a change-up. I just remember it was one of those ones that you can afterwards get some laughs about with the pitcher himself, because it went a legendary distance."

Todd Frazier favored by fans, Vegas for Home Run Derby By C. Trent Rosecrans / Cincinnati Enquirer / [email protected] / @ctrent

Todd Frazier is not only the hometown favorite in Monday's Home Run Derby, but he's also the favorite in Las Vegas.

Frazier is a 7/2 favorite according to Bovada.lv:

Todd Frazier 7/2

Kris Bryant 5/1

Prince Fielder 11/2

Albert Pujols 6/1

Anthony Rizzo 13/2

Josh Donaldson 7/1

Joc Pederson 7/1

Manny Machado 7/1

Another website, SportsBettingDime.com, disagrees, making the favorite, followed by Frazier:

Odds to Win the HR Derby:

Albert Pujols - 7/2

Todd Frazier - 4/1

Joc Pederson - 9/2

Prince Fielder - 7/1

Josh Donaldson - 8/1

Anthony Rizzo - 9/1

Kris Bryant - 12/1

Manny Machado - 18/1

Other odds from SportsBettingDime include the National League as a 5/6 favorite over the American League (11/10) and making an appearance (1/9). Other odds:

MLB All-Star Game MVP Odds:

Mike Trout - 5/1

Bryce Harper - 6/1

Todd Frazier - 8/1

Josh Donaldson - 10/1

Paul Goldschmidt - 10/1

Albert Pujols - 13/1

Andrew McCutchen - 16/1

Dee Gordon - 18/1

Max Scherzer - 20/1

Chris Sale - 20/1

Field - 13/2

Celebrity Softball Game MVP Odds:

Snoop Dogg - 9/2

Andy Dalton - 5/1

Macklemore - 6/1

Justin Moore - 8/1

Miles Teller - 10/1

Rob Riggle - 12/1

Jordan Sparks - 14/1

Urban Meyer - 16/1

Field - 5/1

Odds to Hit the Furthest HR in the HR Derby

Prince Fielder - 3/1

Joc Pederson - 7/2

Josh Donaldson - 7/1

Albert Pujols - 7/1

Kris Bryant - 9/1

Anthony Rizzo - 9/1

Todd Frazier - 12/1

Manny Machado - 14/1

Over/Under on the Number of 475 Foot HRs during the HR Derby: 1.5

Odds to Win the NL/AL "Final Vote":

National League

Johnny Cueto - 1/1

Carlos Martinez - 3/1

Troy Tulowitzki - 5/1

Clayton Kershaw - 7/1

Jeurys Familia - 50/1

American League

Mike Moustakas - 1/1

Brian Dozier - 3/1

Yoenis Cespedes - 5/1

Xander Bogaerts - 24/1

Day 1 of All-Star FanFest: A lot of Larkin By Carrie Blackmore Smith and Shauna Steigerwald / Cincinnati Enquirer

"Larkin," Rebecca Seiter called to her 3-year-old son, as they stood in line for a photo with 1988 Reds All-Star Barry Larkin on the first day of the All-Star FanFest.

Yes, Seiter's child was named after Barry Larkin.

"He's my hero," the 38-year-old mother said. "I've loved him since I was in fifth grade. He has always been a great role model for kids and, obviously, a loving husband to his wife.

"He has done so much for his community," Seiter continued, pushing the stroller closer, step-by-step. "I try to be like him, be a good parent and volunteer."

The first day of All-Star FanFest was "all about Barry Larkin," said Jackie Reau, CEO of Game Day Communications and a spokeswoman for FanFest.

Fans began to line up around 7:30 a.m. for the event that kicked off with an opening ceremony at 8:45 a.m. Larkin cut the ribbon, opening the gates to the five-day FanFest-ivities.

Something for families

McGinnis has passed down the love of the Reds he inherited from his father to his son. Will was one of the lucky kids who got to take part in a Friday morning fielding clinic with Larkin.

"He was excited about getting to interact with these guys," he said. "How many places can you go get a fielding lesson from Barry Larkin? It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Opportunities to interact – both with players and the exhibits – abound throughout all five days of FanFest. Check the Legends schedule, and allow extra time for your kids to play.

Something for die-hards

If you're a die-hard baseball fan, you're going to go gaga over a lot of things at FanFest, but you'll likely get a kick out of the vintage items and collectables at several booths.

Mary Perkins and her husband, Scott, drove over from Crescent, Iowa, with many, many items from their business Crescent Collectibles, including a big pile of vintage baseball mitts. (Their booth is located on the first floor, toward the middle.) Mitts range in price, up to around $200. The rarest one is a glove that was issued to players by the military, Perkins said.

You can sort through the weathered leather by hand. People are drawn to them, Perkins said. Why? "Memories," she said. "Fathers and grandfathers come up with their sons and grandkids and point out the mitt they remembered playing with in their days."

Something for millennials

Sometimes it's tough to impress tech-savvy millennials, but we think we've found a winner. At the 3D Plus Me station on the third floor, you can sit down, have your face scanned and they will turn it into a three dimensional miniature player or bust – of you!

Now we didn't get to see any of the final products, because they are mailed to you once they're produced, but we think a 4-inch baseball "you" is totally worth $39.99. (The cost goes up as the figurine size increases.)

Something for foodies

OK, so you wouldn't go to FanFest just to eat. But all that interacting and autograph-seeking and memorabilia-buying is likely to make you hungry. All of the usual suspects – burgers, chicken fingers and hot dogs – are available, as are local favorites such as LaRosa's pizza and Skyline Chili (with portable walking tacos and coneys).

We went for a few of the less-usual offerings. A turkey leg from Julia's Home Cooking ($6) was smoky, juicy and giant – more than one person could eat. At the Caliente booth, we ordered "super nachos" ($8) with chicken and every fresh-tastings topping they offered. (We liked them, though they suffered the soggy-chip fate that befalls many a nacho. Eat them fast – with a fork and with a stack of napkins standing by.) At Panini 525 Bistro, we tried one of the Cincinnati-themed sandwiches. The Findlay Market panini, with grilled portabella mushrooms, sharp cheddar and homemade pesto mayo (served with kettle chips, $8.50), is a good alternative to the other, meatier options.

Side note: We didn't try the garlic Parmesan fries ($3.75) at the Black Angus booth, but they smelled amazing.

And, really, there was something for everyone. The All-Star Game was last seen in these parts in 1988, back before the existence of FanFest. So if you're a fan of the game, come see.

The basics

Where: Duke Energy Convention Center

What time: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday

How much: $35 for adults and $30 for children 2-12, seniors, college students and military. Infants get in free.

14 things you need to know about All-Star FanFest By Shauna Steigerwald and Sydney Murray / Cincinnati Enquirer

T-Mobile All-Star FanFest kicks off Friday and will draw thousands of fans to the Duke Energy Convention Center. We got a sneak peek of the space on Thursday and put together a list of the top things you'll need – and want – to know if you go.

1. Start your day by getting your picture taken with the world's largest baseball, which is 12 feet in diameter and boasts autographs from the likes of and . You know you wanna.

2. If you've been to FanFest in the past, it's worth noting that this year's event covers three floors. Be sure to take the escalators up so you don't miss out on any of the fun.

3. Allow plenty of time to cover all of that space. The event takes up 400,000 square feet, and there are lots of interactive exhibits. Fans typically spend about 3.5 hours at FanFest, but organizers expect this year's visitors to spend closer to four hours soaking in the baseball fun. Tickets are a timed entry, but once you're in, you can stay as long as you like.

4. Fun fact: The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum exhibit at FanFest boasts the largest collection of historic baseball artifacts outside of Cooperstown, organizers say.

5. There is a lot of shopping to do. Major League Baseball has its own 12,000-square-foot – yep, you read that right – store, which includes souvenirs you can only get at FanFest or the ballpark. Pro tip: Organizers expect mustaches to sell out fast, so if you want one, get it ASAP. On top of all that, various collectors will be selling authenticated merch, so there will be thousands of items from which to choose. Bring your wallet.

6. Be sure to check out the schedule for The Diamond, presented by T-Mobile. That's where you'll find clinics hosted by coaches and players, a daily mascot Home Run Derby and opportunities for fans of all ages to get on the field and play.

7. One of the most popular interactive exhibits, which you won't want to miss, is "Steal a Base." Choose a player from the menu to race against – virtually, of course (though how cool would it be if they were all waiting in the wings to challenge fans?) – and try to beat him to the base. If you win, maybe you should give the Reds a call.

8. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing and athletic shoes. Again, there are lots of interactive exhibits, and you can't run the bases in heels. (Well, you can, but we don't recommend it.) Pro tip: It was pretty warm in the convention center during the preview, but organizers promise they'll be cranking up the AC. You may want to dress in layers.

9. Don't miss out on the chance to meet your favorite former Reds player and other baseball greats. As Reds legend Barry Larkin said during the preview tour: "This game is about the interaction between the players and the fans." Here's our list of who will be at FanFest when.

10. Ever wish your lawn looked like a ballpark? Representatives from Scotts will be on hand to tell you how to make that happen. (OK, so it's not as cool as meeting your favorite player, but you can bet your neighbors will be impressed.)

11. Tweet using #ASG and #FanFest to see your 140 characters on the Social Media Wall and on other screens throughout the event.

12. If all of the interacting makes you hungry, head to the concession stand. MLB started working on the menu a year and a half ago and will showcase items with local flavor. Bite into a "Bruce Brat" ($7), or try a specialty panini (such as The Findlay Market, a delectable sandwich which includes a grilled portabella mushroom with sharp cheddar and homemade pesto mayo, served with kettle chips, $8.50).

13. Keep in mind that Saturday and Sunday will be the busiest days, so you may have to wait for some of the more popular attractions. "If (fans) have the flexibility and can come on Monday or Tuesday, I would totally recommend that," said Jacqueline Secaira-Cotto, MLB's director of special events. Pro tip: Secaira-Cotto said FanFest visitors can register online to win prizes, including express passes. And you can also fill out the waivers needed to participate in the interactive exhibits, saving time at the event.

14. Tickets are still available at allstargame.com. Hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Monday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday. Choose your time and enter the event anytime after that.

10 things to know about Cincinnati baseball By Dan Horn / Cincinnati Enquirer

You're not from around here.

That worn-out Yankees or Dodgers or Red Sox cap is a dead giveaway. So was the stunned look on your face when you saw goetta at the breakfast buffet this morning, and when you shouted to your cabbie, "Hey, that's the bridge from 'Rain Man!'"

No matter. You came for the All-Star Game this week and you've got a plan: Go to the game, the home run derby, FanFest.

There's plenty to do, even if you're a 12-year-old girl still bummed about that canceled Ariana Grande concert.

But in all your rushing around, don't forget where you are.

This is Cincinnati, and baseball is kind of a big deal here.

People everywhere like to say their hometown teams are woven into the fabric of the community, or connect generations of fans, or generally just make life a little better than it would otherwise be.

And for the most part, they're right. Every city has its own traditions and loyal fans.

But when it comes to baseball, Cincinnati is different. Here, the ties to the pro game go back further than anywhere else. First team. First and only perfect season. First night game in the major leagues. First players on a mass-produced baseball card.

First All-Star Game voting scandal (more on that later).

More coverage: 2015 All-Star Game

There's even a parade here on Opening Day. A big one. With marching bands, fire engines, two equestrian drill teams and politicians draped in as much Reds gear as a human can wear and still be able to wave to a crowd.

"The history makes a difference," says Chris Eckes, chief curator of the Cincinnati Reds Museum. "It's a shared history. You become part of that tradition if you are a Cincinnatian."

Just ask Kathy McCarthy. She started coming to Reds games soon after she learned to walk. Her grandmother was a member of the fan club, a group of women whose mission is charity work and cheering louder than anyone else at Reds games.

McCarthy, whose 80-year-old father is an usher at the ball park, is a grandma herself now. She goes to games with her 6-year-old grandson, Carter, who one day hopes to run as fast as Billy Hamilton and sing the national anthem before a Reds game.

"It's great, quality family time," says McCarthy, who lives in Dent and grew up near Pete Rose's old stomping grounds on the West Side.

It's not just locals who feel baseball's pull here. Charlie Hagley grew up listening to and call Reds games on the radio while he worked his family's tobacco fields in West Virginia.

Now, he puts on his old jersey and makes the three-hour drive to Cincinnati with his kids several times a year.

"I appreciate the tradition and all the history that goes with Cincinnati and the Reds," Hagley says. "That's something I've always been drawn to."

No one expects you to fall in love with the Reds or the city the way Hagley and McCarthy did. But since you're here, you might as well dig into the history.

It's full of surprises, kind of like goetta. And if you pay attention, you'll remember it forever, like one of those Grande songs that gets in your head and won't get out.

It's easy, too. To start you off, here are 10 things you should know about Cincinnati and baseball:

1. We started this whole thing

The of 1869 weren't the first baseball team, but their players were the first to be openly paid. For years, early baseball teams had stretched the meaning of the term "amateur," often mixing local players with paid imports.

It was the Red Stockings, however, that first went all in on professionals. Local businessmen bankrolled the club and top players made more than $1,000 – real money in 1869.

For the first year, at least, the investment paid off. The team played more than 60 games and won them all. As the streak grew, so did the legend of the Red Stockings throughout the Midwest and East Coast.

The Peck & Snyder Sporting Goods Company in New York was so impressed it churned out cards with the Red Stockings' team photo on one side and an ad for the company on the other. Many collectors consider this the first mass-produced baseball card.

The team's glory days turned out to be short-lived. While still successful on the field, the team's winning streak ended the next year. Attendance sank, Eckes said, and some of the hard-partying players pushed the boundaries of the "morals clause" in their contracts.

"They couldn't sustain it and the team eventually broke up," Eckes said.

Several players moved on to Boston and took their red stockings with them. Red became a signature color of the Boston Braves and, later, the Red Sox.

You're welcome, Boston.

The color stuck in Cincinnati, too, where subsequent teams adopted the Red Stockings name and, eventually, shortened it to "Reds."

2. We made sure beer was included

The history of beer in Cincinnati is just as rich as the , thanks to the German immigrants who flocked here in the 19th century. The first brewery opened in 1812 and, by the mid-1800s, the city was home to more than 30.

Beer helped shape the city's culture, and baseball here was no exception.

A new Cincinnati Red Stockings team became a charter member of the National League in 1876, but the team fell into disfavor with the league because it sold beer at games and opened the stadium on Sundays.

The dispute got so intense that the league threw out the Red Stockings in 1880. The team returned two years later in the American Association, which was then referred to as the "beer and whiskey league."

The team went back to the National League in 1890 and has been there ever since. Over time, the league came around to the idea that beer and baseball might not be such a bad fit after all.

3. Opening Day as a holiday

No one can say for certain why, but Opening Day always has been a big deal in Cincinnati. The tradition started in the late 1800s when Cincinnati consistently was awarded a home game on Opening Day.

Maybe it was geography, because, in the early days of the game, Cincinnati was baseball's southernmost city and was the least likely to get snow on Opening Day. Maybe it was a nod to baseball's history here. Maybe someone's palm was getting greased.

Regardless, the tradition stuck and grew. Today, Opening Day includes a parade with some 300 groups marching and an unofficial holiday that guarantees almost nothing gets done in this town unless it's related to baseball.

4. We invented the voting scandal

Cincinnatians got a little carried away with their baseball love affair in 1957, when they almost voted the home team's entire starting lineup onto the All-Star team.

Back then, All-Star voting was even more open and unregulated than it is today, which is saying something. Fans could turn in votes on the back of tickets, on scraps of paper, or even on napkins.

And nowhere did fans turn in more votes than Cincinnati. By the time the counting was done, Reds occupied all eight starting positions.

"It was a great example of that civic pride," Reds museum creator Eckes said.

Commissioner didn't agree. He replaced , and George Crowe with Hank Aaron, and . Yes, you read those names correctly. Fans here love baseball, but no one ever claimed love was rational.

For good measure, Frick also took the vote away from fans.

They didn't get it back until 1970.

5. Pete Rose, for better or worse

In some places, Pete Rose's suitability for the Hall of Fame is a matter of debate. Cincinnati is not one of those places.

The discussion here pretty much begins and ends with the story of a local boy who got more hits than anyone in baseball history. They talk about the gambling here, too, of course, but tend to be forgiving about it.

While 59 percent of Americans told pollsters a few years ago that Rose should be in the Hall, an Enquirer poll last month found 84 percent of Cincinnatians feel that way.

Sure, the poll was unscientific. But if you doubt the results, go into any local chili parlor today and try to find someone who says they're not part of that 84 percent.

6. We are not like the rest of you

Proving a city is a "baseball town" is an inexact science, but Cincinnati seems to fit the bill.

So far this year, the Reds rank 15th of 30 teams in attendance. The Bengals, meanwhile, ranked 28th of 32 last year. If you want to nitpick over stadium capacity, which matters more in the NFL because some stadiums are so much larger than others, the Bengals were 24th in percent of stadium seats sold.

Those rankings hold up over the past several years, with the Reds finishing in the middle of the pack and the Bengals near the bottom. That's true even though the Bengals have been the better team of late.

So while polls show most of America prefers the NFL – 32 percent say it's their favorite sport, compared to 16 percent for MLB – baseball still reigns in Cincinnati.

7. Baseball nights made possible

Minor league teams began installing lights in the early 1930s, but major league owners tended to be more set in their ways. That changed in 1935, when the Reds lit up old for a game against the .

More than 20,000 fans showed up for the first of eight night games that year – one against every National League team. The Reds were lousy, but attendance for night games rose 117 percent.

Other owners took notice. They may have liked the sunshine, but they liked cash even more. Most teams installed lights over the next two decades, with Wrigley Field becoming the last to do so in 1988.

The Reds won that first game 2-1, and everyone raved about the lights. "Visibility was plenty good from the stands and the bleachers," The Enquirer reported. "Everybody said 'Oh!' in a highly pleased way."

8. All-Stars can thank us

The All-Star Game might not exist if former Reds owner August "Garry" Herrmann didn't help put an end to the war between the National League and American League in 1903.

The peace deal between the rival leagues led first to the World Series, which prompted some to call Herrmann the "father of the World Series," and later to the creation of the All-Star Game in 1933.

He wasn't the only man with Cincinnati connections to make All-Star history, however.

Reds outfielder , a Hall of Famer, got the first hit in All-Star history with a single in the second inning of the 1933 game. Rose took part in one of the All-Star Game's most iconic plays when he barreled into Indians catcher Ray Fosse in 1970.

And another former Red, pitcher Jeff Shaw, made history of a different kind when he was selected for the All-Star Game in 1998 but was traded to the Dodgers days before the big game. His first game in a Dodgers' uniform came in the All-Star Game.

9. Baseball in the blood

The Reds aren't the only game in this town. Youth and high school baseball have been big here for decades.

Cincinnati has sent dozens of local stars on to the big leagues, including Ken Griffey Jr. (), (St. Xavier), Barry Larkin (Moeller), (Covington Latin), (Moeller), Joe Nuxhall (Hamilton) and (West High).

Miller Huggins, a Walnut Hills grad, managed the 1927 "Murderer's Row" Yankees team. Dave Parker, of Reds and Pirates fame, was born in Mississippi but raised in Cincinnati. He still lives here in retirement.

And, of course, Rose was the West High star who made good in the big leagues. At least for a while.

10. We invented the Machine

The greatest team in baseball history is a matter of debate, but not so much in Cincinnati.

Here, most put the mid- Reds' at or near the top. The team known as the Big Red Machine included the likes of Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez and Rose. It steamrolled the National League and won two World Series, in 1975 and 1976.

The "best ever" label is subjective, but check out the lists sportswriters and others have compiled over the years and those Reds teams consistently rank in the Top 10. 's says the Big Red Machine is the fifth best team of all time.

And wherever you rank them, most can agree those Reds played in one of the greatest games ever: Game 6 of the , which ended with 's 12th-inning, walk-off homer for Boston.

Reds fans can be forgiven for preferring Game 7, which also was a pretty good game. The Reds won that one 4-3.

So, Reds fans got the World Series win and Boston fans got the memory of Fisk's famous Game 6 homer.

You're welcome, Boston.

ASSOCIATED PRESS Leake allows 3 hits in 8 innings and Reds beat Marlins 1-0 By Steven Wine / The

MIAMI — Mike Leake's final pitch Friday sent All-Star Dee Gordon spinning into the dirt with an awkward swing and a miss for strike three.

"I guess he just doesn't see my pitches too well," Leake said.

Ditto the rest of the Miami Marlins. Leake allowed three hits in eight innings and had a season-high 10 strikeouts to help the Cincinnati Reds beat Miami 1-0.

Jay Bruce's homer leading off the second inning accounted for the lone run.

"Vintage Mike Leake," Bruce said. "To cash in on his performance was something we wanted to do. He pitched great." Leake (6-5) walked one and threw 102 pitches. Gordon, who leads the majors with 119 hits, struck out a season-high three times against the right-hander, each time on three pitches.

"We're going to have to figure out Mr. Leake so we'll be able to get him next time," Gordon said. "He definitely pitched a great game."

Leake improved to 5-1 in six career starts against the Marlins with an ERA of 1.33.

All-Star Aroldis Chapman gave up a single to Adeiny Hechavarria on a 103-mph fastball in the ninth but struck out the side to earn his 18th save in 19 chances.

Bruce's 13th homer was the only run allowed by David Phelps (4-5), who pitched six innings.

"That was a tremendous pitchers' duel," Marlins manager Dan Jennings said. "Phelps threw the ball outstanding. Unfortunately, Leake maxed him and had an outstanding cutter going. He's tough to square up. The kid's a tremendous athlete."

The Marlins went 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position. Their final threat against Leake came in the eighth when Casey McGehee, signed before the game to rejoin Miami, had a pinch-hit double with two outs. Gordon then struck out to end the inning.

"I had conviction in my pitches," Leake said. "That's key for me. The only bad miss I had was when I tried to overthrow a little bit with McGehee, and he made me pay."

Justin Bour and Michael Morse each had three of the Marlins' 13 strikeouts.

Miami and Cincinnati have combined to score three runs while splitting the first two games of the series. The Marlins have struggled to score without injured slugger , and they've totaled 12 runs in their past seven games.

The Reds totaled seven hits and won despite going 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position.

BRUCE'S SURGE

Bruce, who went 2 for 3, was batting .162 on May 15 but is now at.244. "It was a hole that I had to dig myself out of, and there's still a lot of work to do," he said. "I'm still not even close to where I want to be."

REMEMBERING STABLER

Jennings was a friend of former Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler, who died Wednesday. They were from the same part of Alabama, and Jennings became a Raiders fan because of the fun-loving Stabler.

"He opened a country and western bar in Mobile about the time I turned 21," Jennings said. "I have some fond memories of that thanks to the Snake. My wife didn't know that side of me, or I wouldn't be married."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Former Reds RHP Mat Latos was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday for Miami after he bruised his right foot in the dugout during Thursday's game. Latos had his foot against the net in front of the dugout and was hit by a teammate's foul ball.

UP NEXT

RHP Raisel Iglesias (1-1, 5.11) will come off the disabled list to make a spot start Saturday for Cincinnati against LHP Adam Conley, who will be recalled from Triple-A New Orleans to make his first major league start in place of Latos. To make room for Conley, -outfielder Jordany Valdespin was designated for assignment.

Baseball's All-Star Game a hot ticket; prices jump By Dan Sewell / The Associated Press

CINCINNATI — There's a hot market for tickets to baseball's mid-summer All-Star Game in Cincinnati.

With the game sold out for weeks and the host city within a six-hour drive for fans in a half-dozen other MLB cities, online sites and ticket brokers are seeing prices jumping above typical levels for the annual game. Even standing-room only tickets are commanding hundreds of dollars, with premium seats behind home plate being offered online for nearly $7,000 each. The sold-out Home Run Derby on Monday night is also getting listings for hundreds of dollars per ticket.

Austin, Texas-based TicketCity says median ticket sale prices have been 30 percent higher than last year's game in Minnesota, and nearly $100 higher than the 2013 median price of $449 the service saw for the All-Star Game at in New York. Spokeswoman Ashley Kubiszyn credits Cincinnati's central location and attractive riverside Great American Ball Park, which is hosting the game for the first time.

Tickets were being offered Friday on the online marketplace StubHub starting at over $300 for standing room tickets, with premium Diamond Seats from $6,000 to $7,000 each. Those behind-home tickets start at $255 each for most weekday regular season Reds games.

Major League Baseball expects some 43,000 fans for the game. An MLB official earlier this week warned fans to be alert for counterfeit tickets, and to buy only from sources they know.

A veteran ticket broker said demand should remain high, because Cincinnati is within easy driving distance for millions of people who could still decide to come on late impulse.

''Demand started strong and it's staying strong,'' said Jeff McDonald of Cincinnati-based Riverfront Choice Tickets, which also goes by 333seat.com. He called it comparable to a Super Bowl or World Series.

''Internet action has been insane, the phones have been crazy, the number of walk-ins just keeps building,'' McDonald said. ''This is what we dream of.''

Pete Rose still beloved in hometown despite scandals By Joe Kay / The Associated Press

CINCINNATI — A photograph of the bat and ball from Pete Rose's record-setting 4,192nd hit has adorned the back of the enormous video board at Great American Ball Park for a dozen years, reminding everyone of one of the city's biggest sports moments.

It's also a reminder of something more: Even with the gambling scandal, a lifetime ban and the fact that he hasn't lived in Cincinnati for a long time, this is still Pete's place.

Baseball's hits king remains revered in his hometown, no matter how much evidence surfaces about how he violated the sport's cardinal rule by betting on baseball. For a generation, he represented Reds baseball with his grit and hustle.

Still does for many Cincinnatians, who will get another chance to cheer him during the All-Star Game at Great American next week.

"When you play in your hometown and you're a great player like Pete was, you've got to be loved," said Hall of Famer Tony Perez, a teammate on the Big Red Machine in the 1970s. "The people appreciate what I did for the team and the great years I had here, which is why they love me, too. But it's different. When it's your home and you're doing great, they love you more."

They've never stopped loving him, even though he's been banned from the sport since 1989 for betting on baseball. The Reds have moved into a new ballpark since then, and Rose's fingerprints are all over the place.

Beyond the photo that was replaced by one of many All-Star Game banners throughout the stadium last week, the ballpark is located on Pete Rose Way, which was named before before his gambling scandal.

Fans in Rose jerseys dot the stands at home games. The team's adjacent Hall of Fame includes Rose prominently in the displays. A rose garden just outside the ballpark marks the spot where his record-breaking hit landed at old in 1985.

The 74-year-old hits king visits town a few times a year and attends games, sitting in the seats like any other fan. When he's shown on the video screen, fans cheer and chant "Pete! Pete! Pete!"

Those chants will fill Pete Rose Way again next week before the All-Star Game. Rose is being honored in Major League Baseball's Franchise Four promotion — fans got to pick four top players from each team.

Rose says Hall of Famers Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and Barry Larkin also were chosen to represent Cincinnati's baseball tradition.

How will everyone react when he makes a rare on-field appearance with baseball's permission?

"I don't know what kind of reception (to expect)," Rose said recently. "When you're walking out alongside Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan, a pretty good reception, you would think."

Oh, he knows. It'll be loud. And everybody knows what they'll be yelling.

Larkin is also a Cincinnati native who played for the Reds in the 1980s when Rose was the player/manager. He understands what Rose's presence on the field will mean for the city.

"It's unfortunate the way it's gone down over the last 25 years or whatever it's been," Larkin said. "I think Pete's role can be very significant. I felt bad that some players didn't have the opportunity that I had to just pick his brain and access all of the information that he has that he can provide.

"His participation will be well-received by the players, and I know the city will be very excited as well," Larkin said.

Outside the city, it's a different story. Former major league pitcher said this week that he's disappointed in how Rose's situation gets so much attention.

"I guess I'm a little tired of his story overselling, overplaying other things like the Hall of Fame weekend," Schilling said in a conference call about the home run derby. "Every weekend at the Hall of Fame when guys are getting inducted, there's always Pete Rose stories. I think we're going to get the same thing at the All-Star Game. He's going to be the story."

Fans back home loved his head-first dives, the way he went chin-to-chin against players from the big-market teams and made small- town Cincinnati a back-to-back World Series champion.

They love his Charlie Hustle. Always have.

"I remember 1960 my first year in Geneva, the way Pete played," Perez said, during a recent visit to Cincinnati with the Marlins. "He wasn't the player he was later, but he hustled. He only played half a year in Geneva, but he was the most popular player because of the way he played."

The betting scandal and lifetime ban tarnished his image around the country, but fans in his hometown have stood behind him, forgiving his transgressions.

"They should just let it go and put him in the Hall of Fame," said Curt Miller, 47, attending a recent Reds game. "Everybody deserves a second chance."

Reds-Marlins Preview By The Associated Press

Though the Cincinnati Reds are assured of their worst pre-All Star break record in eight years, they're showing life more recently behind dominant pitching.

They're hoping rookie Raisel Iglesias can rise to the occasion and continue that trend when they visit the Miami Marlins on Saturday.

Even if the Reds (39-45) sweep the rest of this series, they'll finish with their fewest wins before the All-Star break since 2007 when they were 38-45. They've won three of four while allowing four runs and 16 hits, however, and held Miami to four hits in Friday's 1- 0 victory. Mike Leake struck out 10 over eight innings, giving the club its fourth quality start in five games.

Anthony DeSclafani was responsible for the only non-quality start in that span and this would have been his next turn in the rotation, but he has been scratched because of a strained gluteal muscle. It's not expected to keep him out past the All-Star break, manager Bryan Price told MLB's official website.

That provides an opportunity for Iglesias (1-1, 5.11 ERA), who hasn't pitched in the majors in more than a month due to a strained oblique. He was hammered in his last start, giving up five runs and nine hits over 5 2-3 innings in Cincinnati's 8-5 win over Washington on May 30.

He has allowed two runs in 7 2-3 innings over two starts for Triple-A Louisville since June 30.

"We've been looking forward to getting Iglesias back here," Price said. "We think he's a big leaguer, and a guy that's gonna benefit greatly from being in the rotation and pitching at the big league level. We see him as part of this ballclub moving forward, and these are valuable innings for him."

Jay Bruce homered and doubled Friday and continues to rack up extra bases, recording 11 doubles, four home runs and a triple for a .650 over his last 21 games. He was slugging .389 prior to that stretch.

"It was a hole that I had to dig myself out of, and there's still a lot of work to do," he said. "I'm still not even close to where I want to be."

For Iglesias, he won't exactly be facing murderers' row in the feebly hitting Marlins (36-51), who have been held below four runs in seven straight games and 14 times in the last 17. They struck out 13 times Friday, including a season-worst three by Dee Gordon, who is 5 for 31 (.161) over his last eight games. Miami is fanning once every 4.1 plate appearances over its last 13 contests.

The Marlins are also holding back their initially scheduled starter, with Mat Latos missing his chance to face the Reds for the first time since they traded him in December for DeSclafani and catcher Chad Wallach. Latos injured his right foot Thursday when he was hit by Christian Yelich's foul ball.

Adam Conley will take Latos' place for his first career start. He pitched a perfect inning of relief at Toronto in his major league debut June 10 before being sent back to Triple-A New Orleans the next day. The left-hander is 8-2 with a 2.33 ERA in 16 minor league games this year, including 15 starts.

He was credited with a two-hitter Sunday against Iowa in a game that was called after seven innings due to rain.

The Reds are 9-12 this year against left-handed starters.

Cincinnati's Marlon Byrd is 20 for 57 (.351) during a 13-game .

TRANSACTIONS Date Transaction 07/11/15 optioned Andrew Bellatti to . Miami Marlins recalled Adam Conley from New Orleans Zephyrs. Miami Marlins designated LF Jordany Valdespin for assignment. Tampa Bay Rays activated RHP Jake Odorizzi from the 15-day disabled list. 07/10/15 recalled Gonzalez Germen from Albuquerque Isotopes. signed RHP Tate Scioneaux. Pittsburgh Pirates signed LHP Ike Schlabach. placed LHP Steven Matz on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 6, 2015. Partial tear of lat muscle on left side St. Louis Cardinals sent SS Aledmys Diaz outright to Springfield Cardinals. LHP Eric Surkamp roster status changed by . RHP Neftali Feliz elected free agency. Tampa Bay Rays sent Everett Teaford outright to Durham Bulls. optioned LF Efren Navarro to Salt Lake Bees. Los Angeles Angels recalled RHP Vinnie Pestano from Salt Lake Bees. released RHP Joba Chamberlain. sent C Blake Swihart on a rehab assignment to Pawtucket Red Sox. New York Mets recalled Danny Muno from Las Vegas 51s. signed free agent 1B Matt Fields to a minor league contract. designated RHP Donn Roach for assignment. Chicago Cubs optioned 3B to Iowa Cubs. optioned Cheslor Cuthbert to Omaha Storm Chasers. Kansas City Royals activated 3B Mike Moustakas from the bereavement list. optioned Brett Oberholtzer to Fresno Grizzlies. Houston Astros activated RHP from the 15-day disabled list. signed free agent LHP Andrew Barbosa to a minor league contract. Los Angeles Dodgers designated LHP Chris Reed for assignment. Washington Nationals placed RHP Jordan Zimmermann on the paternity list. Washington Nationals placed CF Denard Span on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 7, 2015. Back tightness Washington Nationals activated RHP Aaron Barrett from the 15-day disabled list. Washington Nationals recalled SS Wilmer Difo from Harrisburg Senators. Miami Marlins signed free agent 3B Casey McGehee. Miami Marlins placed 1B Jeff Baker on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 8, 2015. Left intercostal strain Los Angeles Dodgers released RHP Brandon League. Los Angeles Dodgers claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay Rays. sent RHP Josh Tomlin on a rehab assignment to Akron RubberDucks. Atlanta Braves signed free agent RHP Vin Mazzaro to a minor league contract. Washington Nationals signed free agent C Zach Wright to a minor league contract. sent RHP Nate Jones on a rehab assignment to Winston-Salem Dash. Chicago White Sox recalled Tyler Saladino from Charlotte Knights. Atlanta Braves sent LHP Josh Outman on a rehab assignment to GCL Braves. Philadelphia Phillies signed free agent OF Jhailyn Ortiz to a minor league contract. Chicago White Sox optioned Scott Carroll to Charlotte Knights. Colorado Rockies placed LHP Tyler Anderson on the 60-day disabled list. Colorado Rockies optioned Scott Oberg to Albuquerque Isotopes. Colorado Rockies placed RHP David Hale on the 15-day disabled list. Mild left groin strain. sent SS Brendan Ryan on a rehab assignment to Trenton Thunder. Colorado Rockies selected the contract of Aaron Laffey from Albuquerque Isotopes.